2 trades the Minnesota Twins likely wish they could do over

By nature, MLB trades are always somewhat of a shot in the dark. Unless you’re bringing in a generational talent like Juan Soto, almost every trade has inherent boom or bust risk. Unfortunately for the Minnesota Twins, it often feels like there is a bit more bust than there is boom.

Here are two trades that were ultimately swings and misses that the organization surely wishes they could have back.

Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand for Tyler Mahle

Spencer Steer sure would be a nice piece in the middle of this Twins lineup, wouldn’t he? Hindsight is always 20/20, but Steer has blossomed into a solid and versatile bat for the Reds while Encarnacion-Strand has proven to be a powerful wild card. Both of which would provide length to a Twins lineup and controllable youth to an organization that is reluctant to spend big money. 

Steer, the Twins seventh ranked prospect at the time of the trade, has found himself a regular in the Reds’ lineup, posting back to back 20 home run seasons to start his career. Even more impressive is his positional versatility, having received regular run at first base, third base, and in the outfield. 

There’s still more in the tank developmentally for Steer after his 2024 didn’t quite live up to his rookie campaign. But for an injury plagued team such as the Twins, his 156 and 158 games played in the past two seasons would be a welcome beacon of consistency that I’m sure the team would love to have. 

As for Encarnacion-Strand, 2024 was an injury-filled and disappointing year for the 25-year-old after an incredibly hot start to his career in 2023. He showcased his elite power potential with 13 home runs in 63 games with an .805 OPS. While 2024 leaves much to be desired, C.E.S could develop into a serious power threat if he can recapture a piece of his debut year form. 

Adding insult to injury in this trade was the unavailability of Tyler Mahle. At the time of the trade, Mahle was seen as a solid arm with upside to improve down the stretch. What the Twins were not expecting was nine starts and just 42 total innings across his two seasons in Minnesota. A shoulder strain shortly after the trade and ultimate Tommy John surgery in 2023 all but wiped out any chance the Twins had at recouping their value in the trade, and his ultimate departure to the Rangers in the offseason was an all but inevitable end to an underwhelming tenure.

Trading away future Rookie of the Year Luis Gil

About two weeks ago, Yankees right-hander Luis Gil won the Rookie of the Year award. A feel good story for an electric starter who has been hampered with injury issues and Yankee service time manipulation that kept him from taking off in the big leagues. Gil established himself in 2024, with a 3.50 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 29 starts, fully planting himself in the Yankees’ rotation and future. 

Yet salt is rubbed in the wound for Twins fans, who may remember that Minnesota once had Gil all the way back in 2018 when he was just 19 years old in the Dominican Summer League. This trade may be in the “Hindsight Hall of Fame” right next to Fernando Tatis for James Shields and Yordan Alvarez for Josh Fields, but these moves still sting nonetheless.

The returns in these trades are always the cherry on top. While Jake Cave was a solid player with the Twins for parts of five seasons, he was, for the most part, a backup outfielder. He tallied 33 home runs and a .235 average while playing solid defense across these years, more than serviceable for a fourth outfielder. But watching Gil win the Rookie of the Year award with a fastball that touches 100 mph… it makes you wonder what could have been.  

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