Minnesota Twins Insider Can’t Dismiss Superstar Trade Rumors

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Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins need to add talent rather than subtract it this offseason. The problem is they have virtually no money to do so. That puts Derek Falvey in a weird spot and he’s will need a creative blueprint to push the team forward in 2024. It seems wild to consider trading the team’s best player, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation that it could happen.

Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez could be traded by the Minnesota Twins?

The only person that truly can answer his trade speculation for the Minnesota Twins is Carlos Correa. He has a full no-trade clause. Derek Falvey isn’t able to move his star shortstop without permission. That said, the Twins have no money to use on payroll, and a player that is used to more winning.

Correa signed in Minnesota thinking they would supplement the roster with additional World Series talent around him. This will be the second straight season where that doesn’t happen. So, rumors are starting to fly regarding Correa’s status with the Minnesota Twins.

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And unfortunately, given their current budgetary restrictions, The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman can’t rule out the Twins’ motivation to trade their veteran, World Series winning superstar, if given a legitimate opportunity to cut out his bloated $33 million per year salary. Same can be said for ace pitcher, Pablo Lopez, who makes $18.4 million per year.

“Big-market vultures have predictably started to circle Correa. However, his contract includes a full no-trade clause, making any trade speculation moot unless he wants to leave Minnesota… My assumption is the Twins would entertain Correa trade scenarios only if he explicitly asked out and would actively shop [Pablo] López only if he had tons of trade value beyond shedding salary. But unfortunately, ownership slashing payroll after the front office locked star players into long-term deals creates an open season for speculation that can’t just be dismissed as unrealistic.”

Aaron Gleeman on a Carlos Correa trade (The Athletic)

A winning Twins team needs Carlos Correa

Last season Carlos Correa led the Twins with a 4.3 fWAR. This, despite missing substantial time with plantar fasciitis. The hope is that his foot injuries are behind him, but he certainly rubbed a few people within the organization the wrong way last season, which factors into this conversation too.

Correa’s 155 OPS+ would be incredibly difficult to replace. Regardless of the calls he is receiving, Falvey should be looking to show his star a path forward with the Minnesota Twins, not a path out the door. There’s a real possibility that a change in ownership results in additional spending.

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There is no denying Correa’s abilities to raise the Twins’ ceiling, and their floor. This is not a better team without one of the greatest postseason hitters in MLB history on roster. Period. And that’s before we even get into his defense.

That’s the dream Falvey should be selling the 30-year-old veteran, who has settled in with a life in the Twin Cities, and by all reports, loves it here. But for the Pohlads, it’s very seldomly about winning. And finding a taker for Correa would mean a lot of money saved.

Trading Lopez would be devastating for Minnesota Twins pitching staff

If trading Carlos Correa would sink the Minnesota Twins offense, dealing Pablo Lopez would implode the pitching staff times 10. As of today, Pablo Lopez is the only veteran, proven reliable starter in the Twins’ rotation. He is a postseason weapon that any team would love to slot in as a game one starter and that’s not something every team has.

Related: Minnesota Twins Projected to Sign Two-Time Gold Glove Outfielder

In two seasons since being traded to the Twins, Pablo Lopez has a pitched 379.1 innings, posting a 3.87 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, 3.49 FIP, 10.2 SO/9 and 110 ERA+, far and away the best on the team in that time, especially after the front office let Sonny Gray walk, following a Cy Young caliber 2023 season.

Behind him, Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan have proven themselves as reliable regular season mid-rotation starters, which every team also needs. But take away Lopez, and suddenly every starter on roster slides into a role they are not comfortable with. And if you think the Twins would replace Pablo with something similar, you are dreaming.

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