The trade deadline is at 5:00 CDT tonight. Minnesota has already upgraded its pitching staff through three trades this month, acquiring right-handed reliever Tommy Nance from the Toronto Blue Jays, left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the Atlanta Braves and right-handed starter Dean Kremer from the Baltimore Orioles. The team appears set to improve its pitching staff further, as The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Ken Rosenthal reported that Minnesota is seeking to add a late-inning right-handed reliever.
While it makes sense that the Twins' primary focus before the deadline as buyers has been to improve their pitching staff, as the club ranks 25th among all 30 MLB teams in ERA (4.62), the club may also want to add an affordable offensive boost, particularly a right-handed hitting outfielder.
Some may question why the Twins would want to give up prospect capital for a position player, as the club leads the American League in runs scored (532). However, the offense has struggled lately. Since July 1, Minnesota ranks 18th in MLB in runs scored (111) and wRC+ (97). According to Dodgers insider David Vassegh, one outfielder the Twins have been linked to is Alex Call of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is known to mash against southpaws.
Twins should consider adding a lefty masher before the trade deadline
Despite leading the American League in runs, Minnesota has struggled against left-handers this year. Against southpaws, the Twins rank 20th in wRC+ (92). Call, whom the Dodgers are reportedly considering trading because he won't make the playoff roster (The Athletic), has slashed an outstanding .333/.421/.479 against left-handers this year.
Call, 31, can play all three outfield positions, so he would give Minnesota additional center field insurance for Byron Buxton, who is currently on the injured list with a hip issue. In 291 1/3 innings between all three outfield spots this year, Call has recorded +2 Defensive Runs Saved and +2 Outs Above Average.
Call also wouldn't just be a rental for Minnesota. He has three years of arbitration remaining after this season.
The Dodgers acquired Call from the Washington Nationals at last year's trade deadline for right-handers Sean Paul Liñan and Eriq Swan. The outfielder is battle-tested, as he went 4-for-11 with three walks with the Dodgers during last year's postseason. Call would be a nice addition for the Twins. He could slot in as a regular in the lineup against left-handers and be a top pinch-hitter option for when the opposing team brings a southpaw out of the bullpen.
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