Despite Thursday evening's loss to the Rays, the Twins are coming off a little hot streak over the past week that's put them firmly back in the AL Central conversation. They're 7-3 in their last 10 and the schedule eases up significantly over the next month.
Of their seven series' remaining before the All-Star break, just one is against a team with a record over .500. This upcoming stretch of games is a huge opportunity for the Twins to erase the 6.5 game gap between them and the division-leading Guardians.
Barring a collapse over the next six weeks, Thad Levine will be looking to add to the roster ahead of the trade deadline in late July. The Twins have some gaps on the roster that need to be filled, and the following two guys are most at risk of being replaced.
These two Twins players will likely be jettisoned before the trade deadline
Caleb Thielbar has been one of the most reliable relievers on the roster over the last several years. From 2020-2023, Thielbar pitched to a 3.21 ERA with a strikeout rate over 30%.
However, the righty has completely collapsed in 2024, seemingly out of nowhere. It's almost worse because Thielbar has acknowledged the issues but has told reporters that he's not sure how to correct them.
Thielbar has an ugly 8.04 ERA with a just as discouraging 5.06 FIP. He's lost control of the strike zone and his walk rate has jumped to 10.7%, well above league average.
He's getting a bit unlucky with a high BABIP and a low strand rate but he's giving up so much hard contact that you have to wonder if he's just done at 37 years old.
Thielbar is due the remaining portion of his $3.2 million contract and is a free agent after this year. If he keeps pitching this poorly, he'll either be traded prior to the deadline or become a DFA candidate as the Twins look to shore up their bullpen depth ahead of a playoff push.
I feel for Caleb Thielbar. He just can’t get RH batters out anymore. They’re hitting .457/.500/.771 off him this season. pic.twitter.com/gzvw1qzW35
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) June 13, 2024
In addition to Thielbar, 2024 has not been the year for utility man Kyle Farmer. After a strong performance in 2023 that earned him a $6.3 million deal with a mutual option for 2025, Farmer has cratered.
The plate discipline is still there but he's hitting a paltry .196/.301/.271 and the power has completely disappeared. It's a bit uncharacteristic for Farmer, who has hit at least 11 homers in each of the past three years.
He's still playing strong defense but if the Twins want to compete for a division title down the stretch, they can't afford having Farmer as a dead spot in the lineup, especially with Brooks Lee knocking on the door down in Triple-A.
Farmer is a nice role player to have around but if he's going to keep hitting this poorly, Levine will have a tough decision on his hands as the trade deadline draws closer. Farmer will likely be the first man to go if the Twins decide to make any adjustments to their infield.
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