As the MLB Trade Deadline is approaching, it doesn't seem that the Minnesota Twins have a path toward being exclusive buyers. The American League Central race is all but over as the Detroit Tigers have run away with their lead, but the Twins are a handful of teams still in the mix in the Wild-Card race. The issue for the Twins is that despite them being within reach of the final Wild-Card spot in the American League, seven teams are ahead of them.
For the Twins, it would seem the options are sell with an eye on the future, or thread the needle between moving players who are free agents after the season, while also being on the lookout for talent under control beyond 2025. What muddies the waters for the Twins is that, unlike the Washington Nationals, their ownership situation seems to be preventing the front office from operating at full capacity.
Nevertheless, some exercises have to be completed regardless of the circumstances surrounding them. That was the case for the Twins' beat writer for MLB.com, Matthew Leach, as he was asked what upgrade the team may be looking for at the deadline. Leach suggests the Twins could be in the market for a right-handed bat.
"Their lineup basically is healthy and it still gets stuck in the mud too much. A real threat against left-handed pitching, especially one who could play multiple positions, would be a huge help," Leach mentioned in his response.
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Given the Twins' situation, it wouldn't make complete sense for the team to target a rental bat. If the Twins are in the market for a right-handed bat, the front office needs to be in search of someone who is under control beyond 2025.
One option for the Twins could be Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. While Ward has played exclusively as a left fielder this season, he has experience at first base and third base. Ward's versatility is the type of thing the Twins have valued when constructing their Major League roster. Not to mention, Ward is in the final year of arbitration, so the front office likely wouldn't be taking on significant money for the remainder of this year and next. For his career, Ward is slashing .282/.350/.457 against left-handed pitchers.
Adding talent likely won't be the priority for the Twins at the deadline, but if they do, Ward would check a box for the construction of next year's team.