The Minnesota Twins are surging toward the deadline and many players and prospects are wondering if they’ll be on the move. While fans are trying to figure out the fate of Ryan Jeffers and Joe Ryan, another Twin whose time with the organization is in question is Matt Wallner.
Fans may have forgotten about Wallner as he’s remained at Triple-A St. Paul since his demotion on May 14. But with the deadline looming, he could be brought into the spotlight by a potential trade as The Athletic’s Dan Hayes predicted Wallner is the most likely Twin to be in another uniform after the trade deadline.
“While Ryan Jeffers appears to be a likely candidate, Wallner is redundant and his future with the Twins is murky,” Hayes wrote. “Trevor Larnach is excelling in the leadoff spot. Even if he gets moved, Alan Roden is a superior defender to Wallner and top prospect Walker Jenkins is healthy, hitting and ready for the call to the majors. Though he struggled before his demotion, Wallner is hitting once again at Triple-A. His three-plus seasons of team control remaining should appeal.”
Matt Wallner may not have room for a return to the Twins
If Wallner is moved, it will be a disappointing ending to his time with the Twins. A first-round pick (32nd overall) by the Twins in the 2016 draft, Wallner looked like a franchise cornerstone, hitting .254/.371/.515 with 27 homers, 78 RBI and an .886 OPS over his first two major league seasons (151 games). But his career has been in a free fall over the past two seasons, hitting .193/.298/.419 with 26 homers, 50 RBI and a .717 OPS over his past two seasons.
Wallner’s start to the 2026 campaign was rock bottom as he struck out 53 times in his first 120 at-bats, earning his trip to St. Paul. While he’s hitting .276/.370/.562 with 16 homers, 48 RBI and a .932 OPS in 53 games for the Saints, it’s also come with 62 strikeouts over 203 at-bats, signaling the same issues he had in the major leagues.
Even if he wasn’t swinging and missing, the Twins may no longer have room for him. As Hayes mentioned, Larnach has posted a career season out of nowhere and Roden has been a solid utility outfielder with a better glove. Luke Keaschall has also moved to the outfield and the Twins have a surplus of left-handed outfielders including Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Alan Roden.
Plus, while his production could sell a team on his potential, those numbers have come with an annual trip to the minor leagues. If Wallner were a young player, the Twins would have some patience. But set to turn 29 in December, there’s a good chance that Wallner is the player he’s been for the past few seasons.
Matt Wallner could be the trade chip the Twins need at the deadline
The case to trade Wallner is clear, but dealing him can be a little tricky. The Tampa Bay Rays could be a destination for a left-handed power bat, but they may not have a reliever or starter available that can help the Twins at the deadline. It’s also notable that the Twins could come across the Rays if they make the playoffs, giving them reasons to look somewhere else.
The Philadelphia Phillies also have a need for power and exit velocity and while Wallner tends to swing and miss, he could be a key addition that aids their playoff push.
The Twins could even talk to teams who are in need of a flier. The New York Mets could be an option in a deal that involves left-hander Brooks Raley and Wallner is young enough where he can play his way into their plans.
Wherever Wallner ends up, it’s clear his time in Minnesota is running out and it could be a player the Twins could dangle to get a player they need ahead of the trade deadline.
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