The Twins are very much still alive in the playoff race on the last day of May. However, with a 27-32 record, Minnesota seems more likely to sell ahead of the trade deadline than make a postseason run. FanGraphs gives the Twins a 23.8% chance to reach the playoffs, while Baseball Reference gives them a 7.7% chance. Minnesota's top trade candidates include Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers. Utilityman Kody Clemens is another Twins player who could garner trade interest around the league this summer.
After a rough start to the season, slashing .197/.296/.366 through April, Clemens has been one of Minnesota's best players this month, hitting .273/.333/.511 with three homers, eight doubles, two triples and 10 RBI. If Clemens continues to hit at a high level and the Twins are sellers when the trade market heats up, various teams will likely be calling Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll with interest in the son of legendary pitcher Roger Clemens.
Deadline mock trades 4.0 pic.twitter.com/M82IdDgiwa
— MLB Nerds (@MLBNerds) May 30, 2026
Kody Clemens is doing so well he’s in trade rumors now
— Jennifer ⚾️ (@Vollmsy) May 31, 2026
Clemens' defensive versatility could make him valuable trade chip for Twins
This season, Clemens has appeared in 40 games at first base, three at second base, five in left field and five in right field. Additionally, the former Phillie made his first three career starts in center field this past week while Byron Buxton served as Minnesota's designated hitter because of shoulder and hip injuries. It was odd to see Clemens in center, especially since Austin Martin has center field experience and played in right field in all three games. But if Clemens can prove he's at least serviceable in center, his trade value should increase. Even if he can't play center field, Clemens' ability to play various other positions should still pique the interest of buyers this summer, assuming the Twins are sellers.
Clemens has been a strong defender at first base this season, posting 3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and 1 Out Above Average (OAA) over 302 1/3 innings. Metrics also like his second base defense, as he's recorded 2 DRS and 5 OAA in 434 2/3 career innings. As for his outfield defense, Clemens has proved to be playable in right and left field, posting 0 DRS and 0 OAA in 227 1/3 innings at both positions.
Clemens is under team control through the 2029 season, with next season being his first year of arbitration. If the Twins decide they don't believe they can make the postseason when the trade deadline nears, dealing Clemens while he's hot could be in the team's best interest.
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