Key Twins trade deadline questions: Who's pulling strings and what direction can they take?

New York Times

4 days ago

After opening the second half with a 3-6 record, the fourth-place Minnesota Twins have no time to show that they can make a playoff run. They are on the verge of selling off multiple assets as Thursday's MLB trade deadline draws near.
To discuss the deadline and set up a crucial week for the club, Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman hosted a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Monday afternoon. Here are some questions that were answered during the chat.
For more deadline coverage, read the full Q&A transcript, visit our Twins section for the latest stories, or check out our live blog for the latest all week long.
How much influence do you think the new ownership group WILL have over this deadline for decisions? — Spencer K.
Well, the trade deadline is this week and there's zero indication that a change in ownership is imminent. It's possible the overall uncertainty will affect decisions at the deadline, but in terms of new owners specifically having any influence … that would require new owners first.
Should they really trade more than their FA's? This team's individual talent is far better than the sum of its parts. New ownership and new management including a new coach has a chance to revitalize without tearing down. However, if that's not true, then they require a full 'tear it down to the studs' rebuild and that is a new ownership call. — Peter T.
At some point I think it's probably fair to wonder if the individual talent levels of core Twins players are overstated.
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That was the reasoning behind the front office choosing to basically run it back after last season's collapse and … well, it hasn't gone any better with largely the same group. I don't think that's just bad luck.
If not now, Trevor Larnach has to be on the trading block before Opening Day next year right? He just seems like the odd man out in the corner outfield. — Jay V.
I've definitely included Larnach among players the Twins could potentially trade, because he's yet to take the step past average offensively and he's 28 year old with two seasons of team control remaining.
He looks like a slugger, and he occasionally hits like a slugger, but not nearly consistently enough on the way to a career .723 OPS.
Trevor Larnach's two-run shot is the first homer allowed by Paul Skenes since June 3, seven starts and 35+ innings ago.pic.twitter.com/a1f5dBLoaO
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 12, 2025
If the Twins are fortunate enough to trade their six upcoming free agents and one of either Griffin Jax or Jhoan Duran how ugly is the baseball going to be in the last two months? Who would replace the four pitchers? Luke Keaschall, Austin Martin and Edouard Julien would be OK, but… — Todd W.
They are 19-29 since June 1 and 74-88 in their last 162 games. Ugly baseball has already arrived.
But yes, filling out the pitching staff could be a challenge if multiple veteran arms are traded. It's already sort of a challenge in the rotation.
For the same return, would you trade Jax or Duran?
Duran is three years younger and has performed at an elite level more consistently, so I'd certainly need more to trade him than Jax.
Who are some players at the Triple-A level you'd like to see get an extended run after the trade deadline to see if they can factor into the Twins' long-term plans? — Tony K.
Emmanuel Rodriguez and Andrew Morris are injured. I think we'll see Keaschall relatively soon, no matter what.
Martin and/or Julien should get another look if they aren't traded, but Jose Miranda has been the Saints' worst hitter and it's tough to argue he warrants another chance.
Pierson Ohl could be intriguing as a reliever tryout.
(Photo of Duran: David Berding / Getty Images)