Houston Astros Coming for MN Twins Trade Candidate

Happy Monday, Minnesota Twins fans. Hopefully, you had a great weekend, because your favorite baseball team did not, dropping two of three to the Washington Nationals, who came into the series more than 20 games below .500.

And now, with the Major League Baseball trade deadline just three days away, Twins president Derek Falvey has no choice but to sell off talent between now and July 31, because the dream of acting as a buyer is all but dead, at 50-55, with six teams between them and the final AL wild card spot.

While Falvey hasn’t indicated a direction publicly, there have been endless reports over the past few weeks pin the Twins as one of the league’s most sought after seller in the American League. How aggressive they decide to be, beyond their impending free agents, is still a mystery.

Expect to see guys like Brock Stewart, Danny Coulombe and/or Tuesday’s scheduled starter Chris Paddack to be traded. Recently, The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman tabbed Willi Castro as the expiring contracts that is certain to be moved by Thursday’s deadline.

Willi Castro drawing interest from Astros

That said, he is having a better season than he did as an All-Star last year, and the Houston Astros are taking notice. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome is reporting that he is on their radar.

Suárez may be the sexier name, but Minnesota Twins utilityman Willi Castro is also of interest to the Astros and a far better fit for their roster.

Castro is a switch hitter with starts at six different defensive positions this season, versatility that would be valued as the Astros’ nine injured position players are activated. Castro has made 26 starts at second base and 25 in left field — the two most unsettled positions on Houston’s major-league roster.

Both Castro and Suárez are rentals being sought after by a bevy of contending teams, again inviting wonder if the Astros can win a bidding war against clubs with deeper farm systems.

Chandler Rome – The Athletic

A team would need to give up much more, regardless of the rental status, for the Diamondbacks Eugenio Suarez. Last season Castro slashed .247/.331/.385. He tailed off to end the year, but that was an All-Star campaign. This season he owns a .254/.342/.423 slash line.

Teams will need to decide whether he is more valuable as an infielder or outfielder for them. Regardless his versatility and prorated $6.4 million salary are too enticing to pass up.

Derek Falvey seeing Minnesota Twins direction come into view

According to Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) there were at least seven teams with scouts at Target Field over the weekend. Representation from the Yankees, Red, Padres, Phillies, Mariners, Rays, and Rangers were all present. Falvey tried to put a positive spin on the Twins’ disappointing reality Sunday.

“Entering the break, it felt like we were gaining a little bit of momentum. The last couple series haven’t gone as well as we would have hoped. Now the job is just to evaluate what comes our way and navigate in any direction possible. We still feel like there’s a lot of talent on this roster.”

Derek Falvey – via the Star Tribune

Related: Dodgers Coming for Twins Outfielder

The Minnesota Twins leader of the front office can try to sugarcoat the reality as much as he wants. Unfortunately this team has flopped and now he’s forced with parting them out. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale heard from Falvey on Sunday.

Players like Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax would require a substantial return to be moved. While Falvey is taking calls on his more expensive assets, inquiring teams thus far have walked away from those conversations with mostly sticker shock.

Nonetheless, it’s shaping up to be a busy week for the Minnesota Twins. Disappointingly, it’s not the busy we were all hoping for when the 2025 MLB season started.