The Minnesota Twins may be good enough to win the American League Central but at 39-38, they may need some help to become legitimate contenders and end their 18-game playoff losing streak.
While the Twins could have some internal options such as Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach, they could look to the trade deadline to add another impact bat or a bullpen arm.
Although the deadline is six weeks away – and most teams are still in contention – it’s not too early to create a list of potential trade targets.
Aroldis Chapman
The Twins bullpen has been good for the most part, ranking eighth in ERA (3.70) and 10th in WHIP (1.26) but they could use another arm to get to Jhoan Duran – especially from the left side.
Jovani Moran has been inconsistent in his first full season in the majors, posting a 4.70 ERA and issuing five walks per nine innings. Caleb Thielbar was also expected to be a key contributor but has been limited to 12 games due to an oblique injury.
That would make Chapman a target as he’s having a strong comeback season with the Kansas City Royals. Although he has a league-high 17.7 percent walk rate, he’s striking out 42.5 percent of his batters faced and ranks in the 96th percentile with an average exit velocity of 85.1 miles per hour.
With the Royals firmly out of contention, there’s a good chance that Chapman will move. Although there could be a divisional tax to be paid, the 35-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season and shouldn’t take much to bring to Minnesota.
Paul Goldschmidt
It’s not a secret that the Twins could use a bat and adding a reigning MVP to the lineup is never a bad idea.
Goldschmidt is hitting .287/.377/.493 with 13 homers and 38 RBI in 73 games for the St. Louis Cardinals this season. While those numbers are down from his MVP season in 2022 (.317/.404/.578 with 35 HR and 115 RBI), he’s still an advanced hitter at the age of 35-years-old.
The hangup here is where Goldschmidt would fit into the Twins lineup. Goldschmidt could play at first base but it seems to be occupied by Alex Kirilloff. Whle Kirilloff could move into the outfield, it could create a log jam between Joey Gallo, Max Kepler, Larnach and Wallner for the corner outfield spots. Even the designated hitter role is blocked as Byron Buxton is still “physically unable” to play in center field.
It’s unclear what the Cardinals’ intentions are at the trade deadline, but at 31-44, time is running out to catch the surging Cincinnati Reds, who have won 12 games in a row. If they become sellers, the Twins would be wise to inquire about Goldschmidt.
David Robertson
The Mets spent $423 million last offseason only to become baseball’s biggest disappointment. At 34-41, Steve Cohen could try to fix the problem by dumping more money into his struggling team, but it’s also possible they could become sellers at the deadline.
If the Mets decide to sell, Robertson could be a top name on the relief market. Despite being in his age 38-season, Robertson is posting his lowest ERA since 2011 and is striking out 11.5 batters per nine innings with a 5.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Adding Robertson would give the Twins a dominant closer at the back end of the bullpen, which could free up Duran for high-leverage situations in the middle innings. While the Twins are hoping a recent mental health break will fix Jorge López, they could be looking for a reliever similar to Robertson if it doesn’t work out.
