As the July 31 MLB Trade Deadline approaches, the Twins are trending toward being sellers. As it stands, Minnesota, which has a 49-52 win-loss record, trails the Boston Red Sox by four games for the third and final American League Wild Card spot, with four teams in between the Red Sox and Twins.
Ex-GM, Athletic insider Jim Bowden says Twins could be “Buyers or sellers — or both”
Bowden published an article on Monday titled “MLB trade deadline intel: Where all 30 teams stand.” In the article, Bowden outlined the trade deadline plans for each MLB team based on the intel he has received recently.
Bowden categorized teams into “Buyers,” “Sellers,” and “Buyers or sellers — or both.” Given the nature of where the Twins are at in the standings right now, Bowden categorized them into the “Buyers or sellers — or both” category. Although selling is the most likely outcome for the Twins, they could technically claim a postseason spot by next week if they went on a hot streak and received some help from around the league.
Bowden has heard from executives from around the league that the Twins would trade Jhoan Durán or Griffin Jax if they received an exceptional offer. Bowden also said if Minnesota ends up buying, an unlikely scenario, it will target a back-of-the-rotation starter or a bullpen piece along with a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder.
Even though Bowden’s assessment of the Twins' trade deadline plans makes sense, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported on Tuesday that the Twins are now “seriously listening on rental players.” That doesn’t necessarily mean Derek Falvey is eager to trade away impending free agents immediately. It just means the Twins are accepting that a postseason berth is unlikely and are preparing for the most likely outcome. But if the Twins play good baseball for the rest of the month, it will make it difficult for the front office to sell off key pieces.
Rubber match between Twins and Dodgers scheduled for Wednesday afternoon
After tying the series 1-1 by winning 10-7 on Tuesday night, the Twins will face the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 3 of the three-game set at 3:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Chris Paddack is expected to start on the mound for Minnesota, and Tyler Glasnow is slated to start for Los Angeles.