Minnesota Twins Insist They Aren’t Interested in Trading Star Players

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

It’s almost a given that the Minnesota Twins will make at least one (probably more) trade this offseason. With Pohlad money locked up tight, and plenty of weaknesses to improve on, any move that saves the organization money will be taken seriously, both by ownership and the front office.

That has led to trade rumors and discourse flying around recently, specifically surrounding Carlos Correa and, to a lesser degree, Pablo Lopez. Correa is set to make $36 million in 2024, Lopez $18 million. But… would the Twins really consider trading away their best players, when the result would be an obvious regression in wins?

Minnesota Twins say they aren’t interested in trading stars

Not really, says new Minnesota Twins president, Derek Falvey, who understands the speculation, but told The Athletic’s Dan Hayes that the core trio of stars (Correa, Byron Buxton, and Pablo Lopez) are very much part of the 2025 blueprint. So, while they take calls on everyone, the Twins claim they are not interested in moving their star players.

“Everyone is always going to ask when you’re a team in the payroll bracket that we are. I feel really confident those guys are going to be part of the ability for us to do what we want on the field. They’re going to fuel us hopefully to some of the success we want to have… I feel really good about those players… Teams come at us all the time. We reserve the right to have that conversation at any point in time with any player and agent; that’s part of the process across the whole league. But (asking a player to waive a no-trade clause is) not something we’re focused on.”

Derek Falvey on trading his star players (The Athletic)

Here’s the reality: It’s always possible Falvey & Co receive an offer, on any player, that they just can’t refuse. Thus, he won’t close the door on any player possibly being moved. Nonetheless, a deal that allowed the Minnesota Twins to shed Correa’s $37.3 million salary in 2025 (and $128M remaining in total cash thru 2028) would make winning much more difficult. Same goes for Pablo Lopez and Byron Buxton.

Related: Minnesota Twins Insider Can’t Dismiss Superstar Trade Rumors

Twins would be a disaster without Correa, Buxton or Lopez

That’s why all three players remain the most valuable assets in the Twins organization. Moving them, in almost any scenario, won’t make sense from a baseball standpoint, and would likely signal a complete tear down of the roster, something Falvey SAYS they are not interested in.

Ultimately the 2024 Twins flopped down the stretch, last season, because they didn’t have their stars on the field. Buxton, who is now in a good spot health-wise, missed time to end the year and Correa dealt with plantar fasciitis for the entire second half.

If Rocco Baldelli had those players available during the 2024 back-half, the results would have been much, much different. Yes, the big three will eat up more than half of the teams 2025 payroll ($74 million), but in taking his promotion as Twins President, Falvey committed to making the team work, even with those financial restrictions.

Related: Byron Buxton is Still One of the Minnesota Twins Most Valuable Players

Because of their supposed commitment to keeping Correa, Buxton and Lopez on roster, the Twins will likely say goodbye to guys like Christian Vazquez, Chris Paddack, and Willi Castro. Will that be enough? Or will Falvey ultimately give up, and choose the rebuild option? Only time will tell.

Carlos Correa is just two years into the six-year, $200 million deal he signed with the Minnesota Twins. He was brought in to make the team better, and with the idea that he would be supplemented.

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