Twins president Derek Falvey has made it clear he wants to build around Minnesota's stars for the 2026 season rather than trade them. He said he intends to do so and has backed up his statement by acquiring first basemen Josh Bell and Eric Wagaman and righty reliever Eric Orze.
However, if the Twins aren't competing for a postseason spot when the July 31 Trade Deadline nears, Falvey will likely look to trade starting pitchers Joe Ryan and/or Pablo López, and maybe even center fielder Byron Buxton.
As for Ryan and López, the two aces' trade values likely increased after the Chicago Cubs gave up a haul, which included top outfield prospect Owen Caissie and minor league infielders Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon, to acquire right-handed starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.
Caissie is MLB Pipeline's No. 47-ranked prospect and the Marlins' No. 3-ranked prospect, and Hernandez is Miami's No. 12-ranked prospect. Essentially, the Cubs had to surrender a lot of young talent to acquire Cabrera, a proven MLB starter who is under team control through the 2028 season.
Twins hope Cubs' acquisition of Edward Cabrera from Marlins increases Joe Ryan, Pablo López's trade values
While Cabrera has one more year of team control than Ryan and López, the Twins may still be able to get a more enticing haul for one of their top starters than the Marlins received for Cabrera, as both Minnesota aces have had more successful careers than the new Cubs righty.
Hopefully the Twins don't trade Ryan or López and they return to the postseason for the first time since 2023. However, there are many questions surrounding the team after they finished fourth in the American League Central standings last season. The team has the talent to be a playoff contender, but they most likely won't return to the postseason in 2026.
To acquire Ryan or López this summer, contending teams in need of a starting pitcher would likely surrender a package just as good, if not better, than what the Marlins received for Cabrera. If Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore gets dealt soon, Ryan and López will easily be the most sought-after starters on the trade market this summer if the Twins are sellers.