That said, Ryan made it known during All-Star Game festivities down in Georgia that having his name floating around the MLB trade deadline rumor mill was “exciting.” and that he’d welcome being dealt to a contending team like the Boston Red Sox, who made their desires for Ryan obvious long before and right up to Thursday’s final bell.

But even as they tore the 26-man roster to pieces over the past week, the Minnesota Twins’ ask for Joe Ryan remained incredibly high. Conversations lasted up to the final minutes before the July 31 deadline, but Friday, the 2025 All-Star pitcher will take the mound in Cleveland wearing the same Twins uniform he has his entire big league career, after the Red Sox couldn’t pry him out of MN.

Their failure to strike a deal, however, wasn’t from a lack of trying, on the side of Boston and their general manager (former Twins pitcher) Craig Breslow. Reports that dropped late Thursday, after the deadline passed, reveal exactly what the Red Sox had on the table for Joe Ryan.

Red Sox offered top prospect to MN Twins for Joe Ryan

For the Twins to trade Joe Ryan, they were going to need to be blown away. He’s making just $3 million this season and is under contract through 2027 and he’s one of the best pitchers in the American League.

The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey is reporting that Boston offered the best outfield prospect in their “highly-regarded farm system”, Jhostynxon Garcia, and that still wasn’t enough to get a deal done.

Jhostynxon Garcia, the Red Sox’s top outfield prospect, was in the mix to be in the deal. But despite a highly-regarded farm system, sources said that the rest of the haul offered by Boston was not substantial enough to land Ryan, owner of a 2.82 ERA whose value is enhanced by being under team control through 2027.

Jen McCaffrey – The Athletic

Related: Minnesota Twins Draw Rave Reviews for Duran Deal

Jhonstnyxon Garcia is currently the Boston Red Sox second best prospect, but he’s just 88th overall on the MLB Pipeline top 100. Franklin Arias, a 19-year-old infielder at High-A is above him. The Twins were right to balk at both.

Boston recently graduated both Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer from prospect status. The former was previously the top prospect in baseball, and Mayer flirted with that designation as well. Mayer is hurt and may not have been on Minnesota’s shortlist, but either of those two players needed to be the ask.

Red Sox unwilling to pay full toll to MN Twins for Ryan

The Red Sox are 59-51, third in the AL East, and five games back of the Toronto Blue Jays. Although they did trade for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May, Ryan would have easily been the boost to the rotation that they needed.

Instead, Steven Matz came over from the St. Louis Cardinals, but without Ryan, the Red Sox are left hoping that more marginal moves will be enough. Derek Falvey stared at a top 100 prospect return, but wisely backed off when Boston refused to put anyone else in the deal.

The Red Sox, understandably, were not going to trade Roman Anthony. But a more aggressive approach would have dictated that virtually every player should have been available. Judging by the returns, that likely wasn’t the case.

San Diego hotly pursued Jarren Duran, and while the Padres may not have had a starter who matched Duran’s worth, the Twins did. If the Twins wanted Duran or Wilyer Abreu, it would have certainly hurt the club, but adding Ryan would have given that much more of a boost. The best trades are not painless.

Jen McCaffrey – The Athletic

Reliever Jhoan Duran netted the Twins a better return in Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. With starting pitching always commanding a premium, there would have never been a reason to do the deal for less.

Joe Ryan not out of the woods for MN Twins

After a deadline day that included an insane amount of activity, it’s hard to fathom the Minnesota Twins won’t continue to be active this offseason. Derek Falvey may not be the one in charge, but it makes sense to finish what was started.

Ryan is 29 years old and will be a free agent in 2028. Pablo Lopez is also 29 years old and will be a free agent at the same time. Minnesota could dominate the offseason trade market by making both of their star starters available.

Joe Ryan's Ungodly Sweeper with 30 inches of Horizontal Break…with Tail. 😳 pic.twitter.com/rBCq28amFt

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 27, 2025

They have already listened on Ryan, and indicated a willingness to on Lopez. With multiple young arms returning in deals, the next wave for the Minnesota rotation may be the one that a new ownership group needs to usher in.

Related: Minnesota Twins Trade Two Relievers at Last Minute

If the Pohlad’s are still in charge over the winter you can almost guarantee both Ryan and Lopez will be elsewhere next year. Even if they aren’t, the changes already made may be enough to keep the ball rolling.

That brings us to Joe Ryan, who should be an All-Star this season based off his incredible 2025 statline — 2.76 ERA (3.25 FIP) and a 116/21 K/BB across 104 1/3 innings. Instead, Joe was snubbed in the first round of AL All-Star selections, meaning he’ll have to wait for at least on starter to bow out before he gets a call.

Previously lined up to start Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and sophomore phenom Paul Skenes, who has already been named to his second NL All-Star roster, both Ryan and Skenes have been bumped to Friday, likely foreshadowing Joe’s imminent All-Star invite.

Boston, other teams interested in trading for Minnesota Twins starter

But while Ryan may not be officially wanted yet in Atlanta, he’s reportedly a coveted trade target 1,000 miles to the northeast, where the Boston Red Sox and multiple other MLB teams have been calling the Minnesota Twins, in hopes they are open to dealing their fast-rising 29-year-old No. 2 starter.

.@jonmorosi talks Joe Ryan's future on #MLBCentral. https://t.co/Bm6duy4qO7 pic.twitter.com/0hQhppDwWh

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 9, 2025

“The man that the Red Sox, and a number of teams in the major leagues are monitoring at the least right now, Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. Ryan has been excellent so far this season. The hitters of the American League, it’s as if they’re saying this aggression will not stand, man. And yet, he keeps going, he keeps ramping it up. I think he’s one of the best starting pitchers in the American League and he’s only getting better.”

Jon Morosi – MLB Network

Right now the MN Twins are 44-47, and they’ve been playing better baseball over the past week. At this point, they could still hit the All-Star break with a record of .500 or better.

But the real test will come in the days between when players return from the mid-summer classic and the July 31 trade deadline, which are less than two weeks apart. Should they decide to put up a For Sale sign, other teams better bring their checkbooks if they want to discuss Joe Ryan.

If the Red Sox, or any other team around the league, think the Twins are just going to hand over top talent like Ryan without requiring a massive haul in return, however, then they are in for a rude awakening over the next few weeks.

Nonetheless, if the MN Twins slide out of playoff contention before the trade deadline and the Red Sox are willing to pony up a trade package that Derek Falvey can’t say no to… then according to Jon Morosi (MLB Network) the Twins president might indeed be open to dealing Ryan, who’s due to hit free agency after the 2027 season.

Context on the Joe Ryan trade possibility, which we discussed today on @MLBNetwork:

For the Twins to move him, they will need to be (a) out of the AL postseason picture and (b) completely overwhelmed by an offer.

Difficult threshold to meet. Ryan set to be a FA after '27.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 9, 2025

Minnesota is paying Ryan just $3 million this season. Being he still has 2.5 seasons remaining of team control, the package coming back from Boston (or anywhere else) would have to be massive. Joe Ryan’s 2.4 fWAR is 16th among all major league pitchers.

Morosi, Red Sox fans in for trade deadline reality check

If the Twins are going to deal Joe, they’ll need a lot more in return than Jaren Duran, who during his MLB Network hit this morning, Morosi suggested as part of a Ryan return out of Boston. Joe would be a legitimate playoff starter on any contending team hungry enough to pay up for his services.

But as you can see over on Red Sox Twitter, Morosi set up fan expectations for quite the reality check, should this deal get done. Because this afternoon, baseball fans in the Boston area have no idea what it would really take to get the Twins to bite on a Joe Ryan trade.

If the Red Sox were to pull off a trade with the Twins for Joe Ryan, imo I think it would take a package of at least:

– Jarren Duran, Franklin Arias, David Sandlin

Or

– Jarren Duran, Jhostynxon Garcia, Connelly Early

Might have to include one more prospect. It won’t be cheap. pic.twitter.com/zvza0Sdcne

— Robbie Hyde (@gingersnaphyde) July 9, 2025

Sox get:
Joe Ryan
Johan Duran

Twins get:
Jarren Duran
Franklin Arais
Jhostynxon Garcia
David Sandlin
Hayden Mullins

Who says no?

— Conner (@ConnerRedSox) July 9, 2025

The idea that the Twins would want Jaren Duran in exchange for Joe Ryan is laughable. They are roughly the same age, but unlike Ryan, Duran has regressed this season. His .259/.315/.427 slash line equates to a 104 OPS+, which is virtually a reflection of Matt Wallner (who is two years younger).

Boston fans want to move Duran because he’s been disappointing. Sorry to be the person who has to break the bad news… but that is not the type of player Minnesota will be looking for, in return for one of the best eight starters in Major League Baseball.

Related: MN Twins Youngsters Seeing Light at End of Injury Tunnel

If the Red Sox are going to pique the Twins’ interest, they need to start with top-end talents like Roman Anthony or Marcelo Mayer. That could seem like a jarring level of compensation to those in the New England area who don’t know any better. Since the injury of Pablo Lopez, Joe has single-handedly carried the MN Twins starting rotation.

But this is the same Minnesota Twins front office that landed Joe Ryan at the trade deadline out of Tampa Bay, in exchange for a half season of then 41-year-old Nelson Cruz. Falvey also traded Jose Berrios for both Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson that offseason.

With plenty of control remaining, the Minnesota Twins aren’t overly motivated to trade their second-best pitcher, especially when their ace is hurt. So good luck to the Red Sox because they’re going to need it during these trade talks.

But since his downfall started in August of last year, and as it continued into 2025, the Twins decided to stand by the 29-year-old righty. For a pitching staff that needs to step up while both Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews are on the injured list, Alcala has taken a step back.

Minnesota Twins trade Jorge Alcala to Red Sox

Then on Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers, Alcala gave up 5 earned runs on 5 hits in 1.2 innings pitched, which was finally the straw that broke Derek Falvey’s back. Wednesday, following the Twins’ first win in four games, Jorge Alcala was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Class A infielder, Andy Lugo.

Language barrier correction: Twins have traded RHP Jorge Alcala to Boston, the pitcher said. He’s saying goodbye to teammates in clubhouse.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) June 12, 2025

This season with the MN Twins, Alcala posted a terrible 8.88 ERA (5.42 FIP) across 22 appearances (24.1 IP). The 10.4 K/9 is a career-high but he’s walking a ridiculous 5.5 batters per nine innings and still serving up plenty of dingers.

The writing was on the wall for Jorge Alcala as soon as the Twins claimed lefty reliever Joey Wentz off waivers on Wednesday afternoon, after he was DFA’d by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They put Pablo Lopez on the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man spot.

Related: Minnesota Twins Claim Pirates Pitcher Off Waivers

The Minnesota Twins could not have demoted the seven-year veteran without clearing some serious hurdles. He is out of minor league options, and due to his accrued service time he could have rejected an assignment to Triple-A. He also is playing on a $1.5 million contract this season and would have been unlikely to be claimed on waivers.

Rather than gamble on the intentions of others teams through the waiver process, Derek Falvey acted in his best interest and swung a trade and even got the Red Sox to pick up all of Jorge Alcala’s remaining salary. This deal also closes the door on the Ryan Pressly (for Alcala and Gilberto Celestino) trade from the Houston Astros.

Who is Andy Lugo?

In return for their nearly 30-year-old Dominican relief pitcher, the Minnesota Twins received 21-year-old Dominican corner infield prospect, Andy Lugo, who joined the Boston Red Sox organization in 2022, at 18 years old.

He’ll likely join the Twins high-A affiliate in Cedar Rapids. Should you be excited about Lugo? That depends on how much you like bat flips…

Red Sox prospect Andy Lugo with one of the most comically high bat flips ever

(via @RealPedro_M) pic.twitter.com/Jr7qXpfZjF

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 20, 2025

So far this season at single A Greenville, Lugo has hit .265 with a .758 OPS. He has impressive speed and power, racking up 11 doubles already this season, to go with 4 home runs and 20 RBI. In his minor league career, Lugo is slashing a very competent .279/.344/.430.

The Twins have won 10 games in a row, the best streak in the majors, and they are coming off a 6-0 road tour against the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox.

Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox

To be fair, victories against subpar teams count the same in the standings as victories against quality teams. But Minnesota has a chance to see how it measures up against one of the AL’s early-season surprises when the Red Sox come to town.

Boston, which has won each of its past two series, has asserted itself as a worthy contender in the AL East through the first month of the season. The Red Sox (like the Twins) were quiet during the offseason, with their owner mostly opting to keep his wallet in his pocket.

Injuries also have hit Boston hard. But the Red Sox keep winning anyway.  

The Twins enter the series with three-straight sweeps (White Sox, Angels, White Sox).

Hello, this is Ryan. I’d like to speak with you about your insurance plan. 📞 pic.twitter.com/xHvji2bDru

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 1, 2024

Boston has the lowest ERA in the majors at 2.59 entering Thursday. The Twins have hit well recently but are middle of the pack (No. 13 entering Thursday) with a .714 OPS.

Boston has scored more runs, belted more homers and swiped more bases than Minnesota. The Twins have a big advantage on defense, as they have committed 11 errors (tied for fourth-lowest in the majors) while the Red Sox entered Thursday with a league-worst 25 errors.

The Red Sox are good on the road with an 11-5 record. The Twins are 6-6 at home. 

Friday: Twins RHP Chris Paddack (2-1, 5.88) vs. Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (3-2, 1.60)

At 27 years old, Houck is off to the best start of his career. He has shown pinpoint control this season as he has walked only five batters and struck out 41 in 39 1/3 innings.

Can the Twins be disciplined at the plate against Houck? Several hitters have done well in a limited sample size against him. Willi Castro is 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, Manuel Margot is hitting .429 (3-for-7) and Trevor Larnach is hitting .400 (2-for-5). But Ryan Jeffers, Edouard Julien, Kyle Farmer and Christian Vazquez are a combined 0-for-10 against Houck.

Saturday: Twins RHP Pablo Lopez (2-2, 4.83) vs. TBD

The Red Sox have not announced their Saturday starter, but one option would be for veteran right-hander Chase Anderson to make a second spot start. Anderson filled in for injured starter Brayan Bello on April 25 and was hammered for five runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. Before that outing, he had posted a 2.77 ERA and collected two saves in six bullpen appearances.

Related: How Can Comcast Xfinity Customers Watch the Minnesota Twins on Bally Sports North?

The 36-year-old Anderson is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA in three career starts against the Twins. If he gets the ball, look for Vazquez to start at catcher for the Twins. Vazquez is 6-for-8 with two doubles against Anderson in his career. Manuel Margot is 3-for-9 with a homer.

Sunday: Twins RHP Joe Ryan (1-1, 3.38) vs. Red Sox RHP Cooper Criswell (2-1, 1.65)

With two victories, the 27-year-old Criswell already has set a career high. He is coming off back-to-back victories against the Cleveland Guardians and San Francisco Giants, and in each start he turned in five scoreless innings while scattering three hits and two hits, respectively.

Jeffers singled in his lone at-bat against Criswell. No other Twins player has recorded a hit against him in a tiny sample size, as five players have combined to go 0-for-7.

–Tom Musick covers all things Minnesota for Field Level Media.

Minnesota Twins PoBO, Derek Falvey, turns down interview with Red Sox

They had some problems finding a mutually interest candidate, at the beginning of their search in Beantown. Too many top choices turned down what should have been a big time opportunity to run one of the most historic organizations in baseball.

The list of “no thank you’s” included, but was not limited to, Dodgers GM – Brandon Gomes, Phillies GM – Sam Fuld, former Rangers PoBO – Jon Daniels and… Minnesota Twins President of Baseball Operations, Derek Falvey.

Related: Alex Kirilloff Labrum Surgery Goes Better Than Expected

Falvey grew up just outside of Boston (Lynn, MA) and, according to Chad Jennings (The Athletic), he has “close connections within the Red Sox organization”. But those ties were not enough to lure Levine back home for an interview.

According to multiple people with knowledge of the search process, Gomes, Fuld and Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey have all declined to interview for the Red Sox job. WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported that former Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels also declined to interview “solely due (to) the desire to prioritize his family.” Daniels currently works for the Rays but still lives in Dallas.

Chad Jennings – The Athletic

Thad Levine interviews but does not get job

But, the Boston Red Sox hiring team didn’t give up on Twins’ executives, after Falvey turned down their request for an interview, instead shifting gears to the man one rung down the ladder from Falvey, his partner in crime, Thad Levine.

Unlike his boss, Levine accepted the opportunity to interview for the Red Sox’ open President of Baseball Operations position and he was “prominently in the mix” to land the job, as of last weekend. But just a couple days later, the Boston Globe reported that Levine had been eliminated as a candidate on Monday.

Twins GM, Thad Levine — seen as one of the strongest external candidates — was informed by the Sox on Monday that he’s no longer in consideration for the position.

Alex Speier – Boston Globe

Related: What Will Twins Do About Sonny Gray and His Impending Free Agency?

It’s also worth noting that the Twins GM has already turned down interviews and/or job opportunities with the Mets (2020), Phillies (2020) and, most recently during the 2022 offseason, the Detroit Tigers.

It seems as if he would have taken the Red Sox job, if offered. We’ll see what happens in the future. But in 2024, it appears Thad Levine will be back in the Minnesota Twins front office.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

This year’s match will be no different, with both teams looking to make a statement early in the season. If you’re a betting fan, there are plenty of odds to consider when placing your bets on this matchup.

This article will look at the Twins vs Red Sox April 18 showdown, the key players to watch, and the latest betting odds.

In light of this anticipated showdown, sports betting enthusiasts in Massachusetts can elevate their gaming experience by capitalizing on the Massachusetts sports betting promos while eagerly following the progress of their favorite teams.

For the Twins, Michael A Taylor and Donovan Solano are two batters to keep an eye on. Taylor, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, is a speedy outfielder who can also provide some pop at the plate. Solano, a utility player, had a breakout season in 2022 and could be a key contributor in 2023.

On the other side, Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo are two batters who will be important for the Red Sox. Devers, a young third baseman, has emerged as a star player in recent years and can change the game with his bat. Verdugo, an outfielder, is a scrappy player who can get on base and make things happen on the basepaths.

The Twins also have a strong pitching staff led by Kenta Maeda. On the Red Sox side, they have a strong pitching staff, with Chris Sale leading.

Red Sox vs Twins: Betting Odds and Analysis

The Red Sox are listed as -150 favorites at many sportsbooks, while the Twins are underdogs at +130.

The Red Sox have the advantage of playing at home, which could boost them, but the Twins have a strong lineup and solid pitching staff that could keep them in the game. Predicting how this will go is tough – making it such an exciting matchup.

As for the Twins, they will look to bounce back after a disappointing 2022 season, where they finished third in the AL Central division with a record of 78-84. Despite the struggles, the Twins have a talented roster led by players like Michael Taylor. With a fresh start to the 2023 season, the Twins hope to get a hot start and compete for a playoff spot.

A Brief History of the Rivalry

The Twins and Red Sox have a long-standing rivalry dating back to Major League Baseball’s early days. One of the most memorable moments in the rivalry came during the 1967 American League pennant race when the Red Sox and Twins battled for the division title. The race came down to the season’s final game, with the Red Sox edging out the Twins by a single game.

Over the years, the two teams have had their fair share of ups and downs. The Red Sox have won four World Series titles since 2004, while the Twins have not won a World Series since 1991. However, when the two teams face off, anything can happen.

Analyzing Recent Form and Performances: Twins and Red Sox Matchup

On April 18, 2023, the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox showdown is shaping into an exciting contest, with both teams showcasing their batting leaders. For the Twins, Michael Taylor leads the way with 3 home runs, a .255 batting average, and 7 RBI, while on the Red Sox side, Rafael Devers boasts an impressive 5 home runs, a .285 batting average, and 12 RBI.

Regarding batting averages, the Twins have Donovan Solano hitting .342 with a .390 OBP and a .421 SLG. In contrast, the Red Sox’s top performer is Alex Verdugo, who has a .308 batting average, a .357 OBP, and a .442 SLG.

As for recent form, the Twins have won 3 of their last 5 games, while the Red Sox are struggling with just 1 win in their last 5 games, entering the contest on a 4-game losing streak. This upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling battle as both teams look to assert their dominance on the field.

The pitching leaders for both teams also play a crucial role in the anticipated game. Sony Gray has been impressive for the Twins, posting a 0.53 ERA with 2 wins and 19 strikeouts. Joe Ryan has also been notable, with 3 wins, a 2.84 ERA, and 26 strikeouts.

On the other hand, the Red Sox have Corey Kluber, who has struggled with a 6.92 ERA and 13 strikeouts without a win so far. However, Tanner Houck has shown promise with 2 wins, a 4.50 ERA, and 9 strikeouts. The pitching performances from both teams could significantly impact the outcome of this exciting matchup.

Key Players to Watch

When the Twins face off against the Red Sox on April 18, 2023, two key players to watch will be Sonny Gray for the Twins and Corey Kluber for the Red Sox as the probable starting pitchers. Gray and Kluber have experienced veterans who have had major league-level success and can be expected to give their teams a chance to win.

Summary

As the excitement heightens for the April 18th face-off between the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox, fans can look forward to a captivating and hard-fought game, with each team eager to make an effort impact early in the season. Given the impressive skills of key players on both sides and the rich history of rivalry between these teams, this contest promises to be a cliffhanger.

With the Red Sox and Twins ready to demonstrate their batting strengths, pitching expertise, and recent performance, predicting the outcome becomes a thrilling challenge. No matter the result, this game is bound to be an unforgettable chapter in the ongoing saga between these two iconic MLB teams.

Ok, ok… so maybe we’ve known this for years. Hell, “High Quality Pitchers” has been written in permanent marker underneath the “Needs” section of the Twins’ front office whiteboard for at least a decade. And yet, here we are again.

There’s no doubt, this deadline, that Minnesota is a buyer. The Twins lead the AL Central by 4 games and neither the White Sox nor Guardians want to fully buy in. So, it’s the Twins’ division to lose. Buying big would make sense and pulling off a blockbuster would be, rightfully, lauded from all corners.

Perfect encapsulation of the #MNTwins pitching staff as a whole that inning. Spotted a 3 run lead, walk the 9 hitter to load the bases, and then give up a game tying double with 2 strikes. *chef’s kiss*

— Cody Pirkl (@CodyPirkl) July 10, 2022

But there’s a problem. Pitchers in this trade market, according to The Athletic, are expected to be more expensive than those of years past. Why? Because available quality pitchers are few and buyers in need of quality pitchers are plentiful. Especially big market buyers with a lot less to lose than the Twins.

Twins Bidding for Best Arms Available

There are two starting pitchers available at this year’s deadline, who sit at the top of the target list for buying teams. At 29 y/o, Luis Castillo (Reds) is a high-90’s throwing righty with a plus slider and devastating changeup. He started the season hurt but has gotten better and better since the season’s gone on, now repping a 2.92 ERA, 1.099 WHIP and 158 ERA+.

Frankie Montas (A’s) has been on the Minnesota Twins’ radar for years but they and Oakland have never gotten that close to striking a deal. Also 29 y/o, Montas is having a career year, posting a 3.26 ERA, 1.086 WHIP and 113 ERA+, in 96.2 innings (2nd most of career). But that was before Montas left his last start after 1 IP (July 3) due to shoulder inflammation.

His MRI came back negative, but Frankie hasn’t pitched since, and he’s currently listed as “day-to-day”. Paying Oakland a premium for Frankie Montas would probably be the riskiest trade this franchise has ever made.

Large Market Competition

But injury issues or not, both pitchers listed above are in their 20’s (barely) and have one year remaining of team control. Their cost is going to be steep and, outside of Minnesota, the bidders will be the biggest in baseball. The Athletic names Minnesota as a suitor for both Castillo and Montas. But they also list the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Padres, Cardinals and Blue Jays.

The Twins will pursue both Luis Castillo and Montas before the deadline, but to what extent remains to be seen. They have to engage. In the past, the front office discussed the need to add front-end starters when possible. But how far are they willing to go, eh? — With a lack of available starting pitching out there, the prices will likely exceed anything the Twins want to pay. Free agency aside (Carlos Correa and Josh Donaldson), they’ve never “gone for it” under Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, and it’s hard to see the Twins paying sky-high prices unless they knew they could lock up the pitcher to a long-term deal they find reasonable. — Dan Hayes (The Athletic)

Buy Now or Forever Live in Regret

Remember, this is the Minnesota Twins’ only season with perennial MVP candidate in his prime, Carlos Correa, on roster. And let’s be realistic, the Twins are unlikely to get another one-year winning window like what has been gifted to them this season by Correa and his agent, Scott Boras.

If Derek Falvey, Thad Levine and the Pohlad family are ever going to fix the back end of the Twins’ bullpen and front end of their starting rotation, this would be the time, right?

Roster is Begging for a Trade

The roster is primed for a trade, too. Rocco Baldelli has too many bats to fit into his lineup. The Twins have so many MLB-ready hitters that they’re having to stash them in St. Paul.

Even Miguel Sano is on his way back after knee surgery. His rehab assignment is soon to be elevated out of Single-A. Falvine will have to add Sano to the roster, or lose him, sometime in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins’ pitching staff is falling apart and getting exposed on a near-nightly basis. Not only do they need bullpen help, but nobody will take them serious as a World Series contender if they can’t add a playoff ace to their staff before the trade deadline bell rings on August 2.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Twins have floated names of top-20 prospects to try to sweeten the Graterol part of deal but so far Red Sox haven’t accepted any of the names. @LaVelleNeal suggested Twins are pulling out. No confirm on that but optimism for them and Red Sox part of deal has waned a bit.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020

Latest word: While the #MNTwins haven’t backed out quite yet, they are setting a deadline of today to resolve their part of the deal with Boston.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020

via GIPHY

It looks like the Minnesota Twins could be dropping out of the blockbuster deal that was reported last week, sending Brusdar Graterol to Boston, in exchange for the Dodgers’, Kenta Maeda.

The Red Sox decided to blow this entire thing up due to their own inner conflicts on the entire situation. More and more national insiders are pointing to this entire snafu being caused by Boston’s cold feet, mostly due to fan backlash after the deal.

Feels like Boston’s Winter of Waffling could be a factor in the delayed mega deal. Getting under the threshold seemed like a mandate at times, only a goal at other times. Feels like there’s been inner conflict all along, and trade blowback caused conflict to resurface. #Mookie

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020

Real question is what #RedSox want. #MNTwins could send Graterol and lesser prospect to #Dodgers, then LAD could flip Graterol and a better prospect to BOS. But some in talks sense that negative media reaction to Verdugo-Graterol return for Betts-Price gave BOS ownership pause.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

More on #RedSox: They should not have been surprised Graterol might project as a reliever; that is how #MNTwins saw him. They also should not have been surprised that fans and media would react negatively to a trade of one of the game’s biggest stars, Mookie Betts.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. The entire city of Boston erupted when this deal happened and now the Red Sox have cold feet.

They used the only option they had left to get more back…. or blow the trade up all together, and that was the medical review. Jon is reporting (in that tweet above) that the Twins have “floated Top-20 prospects” to go with Graterol, but Boston has still turned them down. Ken Rosenthal says (below) they want a top-10 prospect to pair with Graterol.

That’s because this whole thing has nothing to do with Graterol’s medical review. It has everything to do with Boston’s buyer’s remorse.

LaVelle E. Neal says the Star Tribune’s headline department went a little over the top, with this headline that said the Twins were already out on the deal (see below) a littler earlier this afternoon.

That headline is causing all of the MLB insiders to correct the Star Tribune… which is making for some good entertainment at least.

The Twins are over it but not…. totally over it. Heyman says there is a deadline set for the end of tonight… but others say the talks are ongoing… so grab your popcorn.

The #mntwins are pulling out of the megadeal and will keep Brusdar Graterol, reports @LaVelleNeal https://t.co/Nl8uH3X7t7 pic.twitter.com/hzu031LAwG

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) February 8, 2020

Hey the headine was a little strong. Twins don’t expect a deal to be made. That is clear. But There’s no “pull out” yet.

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) February 8, 2020

Not accurate to say #MNTwins are out of three-team blockbuster, but the impasse continues, sources tell me and @DanHayesMLB. #RedSox want second top 10 prospect added to Graterol. MIN will not give that much up for #Dodgers’ Maeda.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

Bottom line: #RedSox and #Dodgers should be motivated to complete deal. BOS could be left with Betts, Price and all their previous financial concerns, valid or not. LAD would be left with Maeda and Pederson unsettled – and once again they would be shut out on a star.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

The Twins have the least amount of bullshit to go back home to, if this deal falls apart. They don’t have to go back to a pissed off former MVP or a massive payroll they thought they got rid of.

There is no reason to bend over backward, in order to get this deal done. I like our team better with Maeda on it and I still believe everything I said about Brusdar Graterol.

However, I am not giving up anymore than Graterol, unless it’s pennies to add to his dollar. I’m also not bailing Boston out of their own stupidity. If LA wants to sweeten the deal, then let them.

They were the ones raping everyone else involved in this blockbuster anyway. Let them add more to the package. If the Red Sox aren’t ready to let the MLB move on tonight, by completing this deal, then they can go fuck themselves.

Well the Red Sox can go fuck themselves. #MNTwins https://t.co/fiyZxfZkap

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 7, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Red Sox, after viewing the medical records of Twins right-hander Brusdar Graterol, projected him more as a reliever than as a starter, according to sources involved with the discussions. As a result of that valuation, the Sox might ask for an additional player and/or money to bridge the gap, though it is unclear whether the player would come from the Twins or Dodgers, sources said.

Ken Rosenthal – The Athletic

I’ll start this blog off by saying… that I’m not really sure what is going on here. We know what Boston wants, and that’s additional compensation for unloading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers.

We know they are using Brusdar Graterol’s medical records, as a means of getting that additional compensation. The way it’s worded in Ken Rosenthal’s article that broke this news, is what throws shades of gray on everything though…

According to everyone involved, this deal will still get done. It doesn’t seem like Graterol has any injuries that he’s dealing with currently. Boston just seems pissed off about something past, in his medical records…

“The Red Sox, after viewing the medical records of Twins right-hander Brusdar Graterol, projected him more as a reliever than as a starter…”

via GIPHY

Ummm…………… duh

via GIPHY

Is it just me or do the Boston Red Sox just seem like the sore losers of a trade, who are now trying to come back to the playground with their mom (the MLB) in the hopes of recouping some of their losses?

If the Twins actually did anyone dirty on this deal, and they weren’t disclosing something pertinent in Brusdar Graterol’s medical records, then they should have to provide the additional compensation that gets this deal done.

But if the Red Sox didn’t do enough of their own due diligence, to find out that Brusdar Graterol has had an injury-plagued minor league career… then that’s on them. Graterol isn’t a starter (in-part due to health concerns).

That’s a big part of why he’s overrated, which I wrote about yesterday.

I have a hard time believing the Twins tried to send Sam Dyson an injured Graterol to Boston and it doesn’t seem like that’s what the Sox are alleging… It just seems like the they are butt-hurt on a trade that they now realize, they took the L in…

Clearly Boston fans are pissed off that they are losing Mookie Betts but supposedly that has nothing to do with what’s taken so long to finalize this deal…. Here is what Jeff Passan of ESPN wrote this morning:

The likelihood of the trade of Betts to the Dodgers blowing up altogether, sources said, is slim, as medical-related impasses are typically worked around. Although the negative reaction in Boston to trading Betts, a homegrown franchise player, was loud and abundant, it was not a driving force behind the holdup, sources said. Boston simply wants to ensure that it receives a commensurate return for the 27-year-old right fielder, who is entering his final season before free agency and is expected to seek a contract well in excess of $300 million and perhaps even $400 million.

Jeff Passan – ESPN

Well sorry Kyle, you traded me your holographic Charizard on the playground fair and square, Tuesday. I’m not giving it back and I’m not giving you anything else. I don’t care if you did bring your mom here with you.

via GIPHY

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

In the bottom of the 9th inning with 2 outs already on the board and the Twins leading 2-1, JD Martinez came to the plate with Rafael Devers on 1st base and Taylor Rogers on the mound. He then proceeded to do what JD Martinez does… and hit a double off of the green monster in left field.

At this point, I’m about 7 expletives away from throwing my remote through my TV and Twitter-screaming at Rocco Baldelli for his management of Taylor Rogers…

But then, they started lining up the play at the plate and I (along with all of Twins nation) was grasping to a sudden moment of hope… When Eddie caught that ball off of the wall, I could have sworn I heard…

FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

via GIPHY

EDDIE CALLED GAME!!!@Twins WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/s6QzHOH2mT

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) September 6, 2019

EDDIE FUCKING ROSARIO SAVING THE SERIES AND SAVING LIVES WHAT A FUCKING CANNON!!!!!! #MNTWINS TAKE 2/3 IN BOSTON WOW!

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) September 6, 2019

What a moment and what a night… Throw in an Indians loss, earlier in the day, and a regular season game between the Packers and Bears that immediately moved the Vikings to the top of the bet sheet in Vegas…. and Minnesota sports fans went to sleep with smiles on their faces last night.

It was a good day. Now bring on Cleveland so we can bury these mother fuckers. 

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan