Two names to monitor ahead of today’s 5 p.m. CT trade deadline are New York Mets outfielder Tommy Pham and reliever Brooks Raley, according to a report from Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV and SKOR North.
However, Wolfson says “nothing is close.”
“I checked with a Twins source, as of 8:45 a.m. Central, nothing is close,” Wolfson said. “I still anticipate the Twins to do something. They are looking at adding another reliever and a bat. They had spoken with the Mets about Pham, about Raley. They were in on [Jose Candelario] before he got moved by Washington to Chicago. Conversations continue.”
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Wolfson doesn’t expect the Twins to trade starting pitchers Sonny Gray or Kenta Maeda, both of whom are free agents after the season. But Wolfson says “the Twins are still looking to be active,” reiterating his point that the Twins “are buyers.”
He also noted that teams are expressing interest in Minnesota’s surplus of left-handed hitting corner outfielders, who are more in the spotlight today than yesterday after Alex Kirilloff, arguably Minnesota’s top left-handed hitter, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder issue.
“Yes, there have been conversations. Matt Wallner is incredibly popular. The Mets do have interest in Trevor Larnach,” Wolfson noted, adding his own question: “Would you do Larnach for Raley and Pham? I don’t know if I would do that.”
Raley is a 35-year-old left-hander with a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings with 43 strikeouts. He was similarly good last season with the Rays (2.68 ERA).
Pham would help the Twins from the right side of the plate. The 35-year-old is slashing .268/.348/.472 (.820 OPS) with 10 homers, 15 doubles, 11 stolen bases and 36 RBI.
But he’s also in a slump, hitting just .168 in the last 28 days and his home/road splits demand the question if he’s capable of producing away from Citi Field. Pham is hitting .306 with a .922 OPS at home and just .236 with a .732 OPS on the road this season.
“Those are the types of conversations going on right now,” he continued. “But I’m telling you, as of 8:45 a.m. Central the Twins are not close to another trade with about 8 1/2 hours to go.”
