By the time the clock strikes 3 p.m. Friday, the Minnesota Twins could have a boatload of fresh faces in the organization, and a lot of familiar names wearing new uniforms.
Three o’clock Friday is when the MLB trade deadline hits, and if the rumor mill Monday is any indication of what’s cooking, then the Twins could be the busiest of any team in the majors.
Jose Berrios, Michael Pineda, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler have all been in the rumor mill in the past 24 hours, meaning there’s a decent chance they join Nelson Cruz as trade candidates.
Cruz was traded to the Rays last week for a pair of pitching prospects.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi says the Twins have had preliminary talks involving Kepler, with the Yankees being a possible trade partner.
Sources: #Twins have had preliminary trade conversations on Max Kepler. The #Yankees are one possible fit, given their shortage of left-handed hitting, as @john_jastremski mentioned to me last night. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 26, 2021
Morosi also says the Twins have had trade talks involving Berrios. He named the Padres and Dodgers as possible destinations for the right-handed starter.
Sources: #Twins discussing José Berríos in trade talks with multiple teams, including #Padres and #Dodgers. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 26, 2021
On Sunday, Buxton’s name hit the rumor mill hard and fast as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that trade talks aren’t progressing well between the Twins and Buxton. In Rosenthal’s words, both Buxton’s camp and the Twins have rejected one another’s proposals.
Buxton has one year left on his deal before he becomes a free agent, so there isn’t necessarily immediate pressure to trade Buxton, who hasn’t played since June 21 because of a hand injury.
Meanwhile, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman says lefty reliever Taylor Rogers is “very popular on the trade market” and has a “good chance to be dealt.”
Twins All-Star lefty reliever Taylor Rogers is very popular on the trade market. Whiffs 13.2 batters per 9, has 9 saves. Has another year of control but with value extremely high, good chance to be dealt.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2021
Heyman also reports that the Milwaukee Brewers have called the Twins about Josh Donaldson. Donaldson has two years remaining on his four-year contract signed prior to the 2020 season but could draw interest from a team looking to add power to their lineup.
Brewers checked in on Josh Donaldson. Seems like a long shot as he’s high-priced (owed $60M through ‘23) but they did try for Justin Turner in the offseason.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2021
And one more from Morosi, this time regarding Pineda. The MLB insider says Pineda’s start Monday for the Twins against the Tigers will be watched closely by teams looking for a right-handed starter whose contract is up at the end of the season.
#Twins starter Michael Pineda is drawing trade interest ahead of Friday's deadline, source says. Pineda, 32, will be a free agent after the season. His start Monday against the #Tigers will be watched closely by the industry. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 26, 2021
