More Offseason Moves Coming for Twins After Correa Signing

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Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn - Getty Images

The Minnesota Twins are a much better team with Carlos Correa on roster. That much is undeniable. But are they good enough to contend for a playoff spot? How much more do they need to add to be seriously considered as a World Series contender?

More moves coming

Those questions are sure to be debated over the next handful of weeks, as we approach spring training. But there’s little doubt, according to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), that the Twins’ pitching staff will look noticeably different come March. “More is coming”, Doogie told the Mackey and Judd show on Tuesday afternoon.

“More is coming. As you look at the starting rotation, I will be very very surprised when we talk, whether it’s in two weeks or two months, before opening day if Twins starting rotation as it looks right now is that when we revisit this back and forth. More is coming.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North)

Wolfson then goes on to talk about possible pitchers who the Minnesota Twins might be interested in. He hesitates before diving into ongoing talks with the Miami Marlins about starting pitcher Pablo Lopez. He even goes into the Twins’ ties to recently reinstated Trevor Bauer.

“They’ve engaged Miami on Pablo Lopez. Heck, I know Trevor Bauer is about to hit the market. Falvey has the history in Cleveland. Thad Levine was a college teammate of Trevor’s agent. They’ll do their due-diligence.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North)

Eventually, Darren and Judd decide that Bauer is probably too hot for the Twins to handle. Not just because of his suspension stemming from off the field sexual assault accusations, but also due to the friction he’s caused in previous locker rooms. Still, as Wolfson admits, Trevor Bauer is clearly the best free agent pitcher available and has a lot of ties to the Minnesota Twins organization.

Trade Bait

If the Twins aren’t comfortable adding Bauer then their best option to add notable pitching help is through the trade market. The starters remaining in free agency are not good enough to confidently place them ahead of any of the team’s current starters. What this rotation needs is help on the front end of its staff. Preferably a legitimate Ace.

But there have already been reports this offseason showing a willingness to wheel and deal. Those rumors have included batting champion Luis Arraez, right fielder Max Kepler and any of the three starters on expiring contracts (Maeda, Gray, Mahle).

But the Twins front office will have some important decisions to make because teams aren’t trading away anything significant before they see Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle pitch successfully.

Will Twins Trade a Pitcher?

Which is exactly what Darren Wolfson said a bit later during his appearance on Mackey and Judd today. There isn’t any steam behind a Falvine effort to move Sonny Gray, either. He even mentioned a possible extension between the Twins and Gray.

“If you’re another team, you need to see {Kenta] Maeda, you need to see [Tyler] Mahle on the mound in spring. [Sonny] Gray would be the guy. There’s no buzz right now. I think there’s a better chance the Twins try to sign him to a 2 or 3 or 4 year extension, not that talks have picked up much on that front.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North)
Trading prospects?

Could Derek Falvey and thad Levine turn to the farm system, in order to improve their rotation for 2023. Doogie seems pretty sure they’ll do something to address the pitching staff but seemed pretty closed to a deal that included any of the three most valuable, tradeable pitching assets. The organization does have a lot of depth in the infield suddenly.

With Carlos Correa back on roster (pending a physical) the Minnesota Twins could build a solid contender in 2023 and going forward. But to do so, they’ll have to make the correct moves over the next 2-3 months. Something they’ve failed to do with much consistency during the Faline era.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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