Former GM Keeping Eye on Royce Lewis as Deadline Trade Target
There might not be a more surprising team to start the Major League Baseball season than the Minnesota Twins.
While they couldn’t close out their series this week against Boston with a sweep, the Twins go into their off-day Wednesday with with a rather surprising 11-8 record. In fact, when we woke up this morning, Minnesota had taken sole possession of first place in the AL Central since October 1, 2023.
Minnesota Twins off to shocking start
Through 19 games, the Twins have proven that Tom Pohlad and Derek Shelton might have known something about their baseball team than what most of us have been willing to give them credit for. After today’s loss, Minnesota currently outpaces their preseason projections (70-92 by ZiPS) by about 24 wins.
The Minnesota Twins, who had the biggest firesale in nearly 30 years, have the best record in the American League at 11-7
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 15, 2026
Of course, as Minnesota sports fans, we understand better than anyone how quickly the bottom of this thing can fall out. Remember, last season resulted in 92-losses, despite a 13-game win streak in early May.
Should this roster come down to earth in similar fashion (let’s hope not), as the months of this MLB season start to drag on, the MN Twins are expected to open up shop on a trade deadline fire sale similar to what we saw last July, except more blockbuster.
Not only would ace Joe Ryan likely be out the door, but even Byron Buxton might want out, at that point. And without a doubt, Royce Lewis would be on the chopping block too. That’s what made Jim Bowden’s recent note at The Athletic so interesting.
Meanwhile, (7-11) the Boston Red Sox are still hoping to be a contender this season, despite tripping up against the Twins this week.
Royce Lewis a potential MN Twins trade candidate
If true, their front office will need to find a better replacement for longtime Red Sox third baseman, Alex Bregman, who they lost in free agency this offseason to the Chicago Cubs.
Boston’s new third baseman, 26-year-old former 14th round pick Caleb Durbin, is batting .226 with an absolutely brutal .389 OPS and 16 OPS+. One of two names mentioned by the former MLB general manager — Royce Lewis.
And being most national analysts like Bowden still fully expect the Twins to come back to reality, you can’t help but wonder if there’s some steam behind his mentioning of Minnesota’s 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick.
I like Caleb Durbin, don’t get me wrong, but I like him more as a utility player than an everyday player. Perhaps a trade with the Astros for Isaac Paredes or the Twins for Royce Lewis (once he’s healthy again) would work? Or a deal for a younger option, like the Nationals’ Brady House?
Jim Bowden – The Athletic
Latest Twins Analysis: Time for Twins to End the James Outman Experiment
After the fire sale last summer, the MN Twins don’t have a plethora of one-year veterans that make for ideal trade candidates. They also don’t have many guys in arbitration that could command significant hauls and reduce future payroll considerations.
Royce Lewis only the latest Red Sox trade interest
The Red Sox aren’t a team that typically sits on the sidelines when an opportunity to be aggressive presents itself. They came into Target Field this week and saw both Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray get punched in the mouth for 11 and 6 runs, respectively.
Lewis, who’s on the injured list (again) with a knee injury the Minnesota Twins tell us is minor, didn’t play in this series against the Red Sox. Across 12 games for the MN Twins this season, Lewis has batted .222 with a .822 OPS, powering out two homers, a pair of doubles and showing an improved eye at the plate, especially of late.
Most fans remember how aggressive the Boston Red Sox have been in recent years, with their pursuit of Joe Ryan. The fact that Bowden is already throwing out Royce Lewis’ name, in connection with the same team, is at least worth monitoring, should the Minnesota Twins’ season go south (which hopefully it will not).
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