MLB insider says Twins are "firmly" expected to be buyers at trade deadline
It sounds like the Twins might actually be active at the trade deadline this year.
As the trade deadline approaches there have been rumblings that the Minnesota Twins might get involved in some action.
Starting pitching seems to be the biggest need the Twins have, as the rotation hasn't been nearly as consistent as it was this time last year. Where the offense wasn't carrying its weight this time last July, it's the pitching that has been coming up short and it's causing concern over what might happen in October.
That's the gensis of the Twins potentially making a move, although a tremendous outing by Bailey Ober against the Phillies goes a long way in easing some stress. Still, Minnesota refused to invest in outside resources to improve the roster over the winter and it sounds like that may have merely been the team kicking the can down the road.
MLB exec expects the Twins to be buyers at the trade deadline
Mark Feisand from MLB.com listed off a handful of teams that executives think will be buyers and sellers at the deadline, and he's hearing the Twins are "firmly" in the former category.
One front office executive believes the @MLB trade market will “heat up big time this week.” Per multiple sources, the Rays are likely to both buy and sell, while the Mets, Padres and Twins are among the teams firmly in the “buyer” category. The deadline is 9 days away.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 22, 2024
Minnesota has been linked to trade rumors for well over a month, with the Twins being a landing spot for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being among the first whistles of the rumor mill winds. Trading for a bat doesn't make any sense for the Twins, though, especially with pitching being such a bigger need.
If the Twins are going to invest in a trade, it's going to be for pitching. There's an outside chance the team makes a deal for bullpen help, but the list of potential starters Minnesota could acquire keeps growing.
Just this week The Athletic listed five pitchers as potential targets for the Twins, while the Dodgers DFA'ing John Paxton could present a chance to take a flier on a veteran without needing to give up prospects.
That's the big thing here. Minnesota gave up a ton just a few years ago on a pair of deals that quickly blew up in the front office's face. The sour taste the 2022 deadline left was a big reason why the Twins stood pat last season and refused to make a trade.
It doesn't seem that will be the case again this year. The Twins need to think about what will make them competitive in October, and pulling off a trade now seems to be what everyone is starting to expect Minnesota will do.
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