Time is winding down as Friday’s MLB trade deadline approaches and the Minnesota Twins are expected to be “extremely active as sellers.”
The report comes from Dan Hayes of The Athletic, who put out a juicy notebook late on Tuesday night. In the latest batch of rumors, the Twins are taking calls on several players and could make a slew of deals ahead of the deadline.
Next 48 hours could determine Buxton’s fate
After the Twins couldn’t agree on a contract extension with Byron Buxton’s camp earlier this week, it became the unofficial declaration that the outfielder is on the trade market.
Buxton is hitting .369 with 10 homers and five stolen bases this season but has been limited to 27 games due to injuries. Dating back to 2018, Buxton has played in 37 percent his team’s games, which has led the team to be conservative during contract negotiations.
Hayes reports that plenty of teams have called the Twins about Buxton before and after contract talks stalled and the next 48 hours will be pivotal in whether teams are serious about acquiring the 27-year-old.
Several teams continue to be in on Berríos
José Berríos, who is also having contract issues with the Twins, has become one of the most coveted names on the trade market.
Like Buxton, Berríos is set to hit free agency after the 2022 season but the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays have all inquired about his services ahead of the deadline.
The Mets were one team to have “sticker shock” at the Twins demands, which includes two at least two top-100 prospects or a top prospect and pre-arbitration eligible major league player.
With the Padres, Dodgers, and Blue Jays all boasting better farm systems, the Twins are more likely to do a deal with that group and could be looking at more advanced prospects that could be in the majors by 2023.
Padres interested in Maeda
Kenta Maeda has had a red-hot stretch in July and it has apparently caught the eyes of the Padres. Hayes says San Diego has had “a more significant” presence at Twins games over the past few weeks and Maeda has shined, going 1-1 with a 2.15 ERA in five July starts.
Maeda is under contract with the Twins through the 2023 season but has a modest $3.125 million salary that could be more attractive to a team that is out on Berríos.
Money could hold up deals with Donaldson, Kelper
The Twins have also been open to trading Josh Donaldson and Max Kepler but their contract situations have made negotiations complicated.
Hayes reports the Mets have made “a serious push” to acquire Donaldson but are skittish over the $55 million he’s owed over the next two seasons. The Twins are reportedly open to retaining some of Donaldson’s salary to make a deal happen but no deal was imminent as of Tuesday night.
Kepler has been a target for the Oakland Athletics but they also have balked at taking on Kepler’s salary. Kepler has two years and $18.75 million remaining on the five-year, $35 million contracts he signed prior to the 2019 season.
