Twins have 'listened' to trade offers for Jhoan Duran and Max Kepler

We're just days away from the MLB trade deadline passing, and the script keeps getting flipped on the Minnesota Twins.

Specifically, plot twists are being lobbed at fans eager to see the team do something at the deadline that helps improve the team's chances of competing in October. Starting pitching has been an area that many have circled as one the Twins might invest some resources in at the deadline, but it's a pursuit that comes with some frustrating caveats.

While it's been established that Minnesota would be buyers if anything happens, ownership is not looking to acquire players who add money to the future payroll. Not only that, but it was reported that the Twins might consider dumping salary at the deadline in an effort to offset taking on money.

Both of those are frustrating updates, but they've seemed to dictate how Minnesota's trade deadline plans are being interpreted and might influence what players end up getting moved.

Twins have listened to offers for Jhoan Duran and Max Kepler

In the latest trade deadline twist, The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported that the Twins have 'listened' to offers for upcoming free agents Max Kepler and Jhoan Duran.

While that's a bit jarring to hear, it doesn't sound like Minnesota is serious about moving either of them unless it gets a massive haul in return.

Hayes wrote:

"At the very least, team and league sources said the Twins have listened to offers on impending free-agent outfielders Manuel Margot and Max Kepler and closer Jhoan Duran. But the cost for Kepler and Duran is said to be extremely high, as the Twins value those players and what they mean to the clubhouse."

This seems more like due dilligence than the front office actively trying to trade any of those players. If Kepler or Duran were traded it would send the wrong signal to a team that has every intention of competing on the field for World Series this year.

Whether or not the clubhouse gets an assist from ownership is the $30 million question.

That's how much money the Pohlads slashed from Minnesota's payroll this past winter. It's remains an open wound for fans, one that has been doused in salt and massaged with sandpaper upon hearing that money is dictating what moves could be made.

It's not that anyone wants the Twins to go out and add tons of salary, rather it's the unwillingness to look beyond the bottom line that has irked fans. There aren't many deals with big money attatched that make sense for the Twins, even without the financial concerns, but the fact that the thought process goes to figuring out how to save a buck rather than make the team better is where the line has been drawn.

Minnesota has worked in the shadows before, though, so until the deadline passes without a meaningful deal made we have to give Derek Falvey the benefit of the doubt. Twins fans have been fooled before, though, and it's hard to blame anyone hearing that guys like Kepler and Duran were discussed amid talk of dumping salary are concerned about how things will go.

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