A key focus for Derek Falvey has to be the bullpen. That unit was gutted at the trade deadline, but thankfully it’s a place he’s proven capable of building previously. There isn’t a ton of room on the dirt, but former infielder Jorge Polanco is back out there as well.

Jorge Polanco is now a free agent, again

Minnesota traded Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2024 season. It didn’t go well for anyone involved and Polanco was back on the open market. He signed a one-year deal with Seattle again in 2025, and after a strong postseason performance, he’s looking to parlay the production into a multi-year payday.

Jorge Polanco is turning down $8M mutual option. Now a free agent.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 5, 2025

In his second year with the Mariners, Jorge Polanco posted a .265/.326/.495 slash line. The 134 OPS+ was a career high, and he more than earned his $7.75 million deal. The Mariners would have loved to have him back at $8 million, but the 32-year-old wants to cash in.

Polanco hit three big home runs for the Mariners during the postseason, and none were bigger than the two blasts he got against Tarik Skubal in the Division Series. He’s never been much of a fielder, and Polanco spent the vast majority of his 2025 as the Seattle designated hitter. Health concerns are real, but the 138 games played this year is a feather in his cap too.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Polanco get a two or three year deal that winds up paying him north of his $8 million option on an annual basis.

More former Minnesota Twins on the move

The offseason always includes lots of shuffling. That happens on both the coaching and player front. Tuesday the Chicago White Sox hired Derek Shomon and Zach Bove for their hitting and pitching coaches. The Atlanta Braves then grabbed former pitching coach Jeremy Hefner to assume that role with them on Wednesday.

#Braves hired Jeremy Hefner as pitching coach. Hefner, 39, spent past 6 seasons with Mets, who had MLB's 6th-best ERA in that span. They also hired Antoan Richardson, 42, as 1st-base coach. He spent past 2 seasons in that role with Mets and was also OF & baserunning instructor.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) November 5, 2025

On the player side, after being traded at the deadline, Harrison Bader declined his mutual option with the Philadelphia Phillies.

It's no surprise, but Harrison Bader yesterday declined his side of a $10 million mutual open for 2026. He's a free agent: https://t.co/vHgW9VH3WT

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) November 5, 2025

Bader was making $6.25 million in 2025, and clearly believes there’s a multi-year deal on the table to decline the $10 million payday. He was paid $10 million in 2024 on a one-year deal with the New York Mets.

After an 86 OPS+ in New York, Bader rebounded with a .277/.347/.449 slash line and a 117 OPS+ this season. He played exceptional outfield defense again, and could get a multi-year deal heading into his age-32 season.

It would have been fun to see Bader back for the Twins, but a robust market will undoubtedly price him out of their range.

In what winds up being an entirely new trade, the Twins are now sending Harrison Bader to the same organization and they have two more former Phillies prospects to add into the system.

Minnesota Twins deal with Phillies again, now for Bader

After the Minnesota Twins were trounced by the Red Sox 13-1 on Wednesday, they moved their closer. The clubhouse was up in arms after a dismal effort, but more moves that were always going to be coming. The Phillies called and Derek Falvey once again obliged.

The Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a trade to acquire outfielder Harrison Bader from the Minnesota Twins, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2025

Minnesota signed Bader to a one-year deal for $6.25 million this offseason. He has had one of the most productive seasons of his career. The .258/.339/.439 slash line has resulted in a 111 OPS+. His 2.0 fWAR ranks second on the Twins behind only Byron Buxton.

Bader now goes to a Phillies team that needs help in the outfield. They signed former Twins lefty Max Kepler this offseason, but he has been predictably poor with a career-worst 80 OPS+.

ROBBED 'EM pic.twitter.com/YduKpdAiK2

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 30, 2025

Philadelphia could play Bader at any of the three outfield spots. He showed Twins fans a quick aptitude for left field next to Byron Buxton. Of late he has filled in as the centerfielder and looks to be every bit the defensive standout he has always been.

MN Twins get young prospects in return

When the Twins traded Jhoan Duran to the Phillies it needed to be for a haul. He was under team control and a significant part of the potential future. Harrison Bader is an impending free agent, and while a reunion would be fun this winter, the return was always going to be much lighter.

Phillies are sending outfielder Hendry Mendez and righty Geremy Villoria to Twins for Harrison Bader, according to sources.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 31, 2025

Hendry Mendez is a 21-year-old outfielder at Double-A. In 85 games this season for Reading he owns a .290/.374/.434 slash line. His eight home runs this year are a career-high, so it’s possible power will never be his calling-card. It’s a projectable body though, and he is left-handed.

Geremy Viloria has yet to start his professional career. He is just 16 years old and signed for $425,000 as an international free agent in January.

These would be the lottery ticket types to expect from a rental, but Minnesota now has opportunity to develop them.

What do the Twins do in the outfield now?

Rocco Baldelli will have to shuffle his lineup when the team returns to the field on Friday against Cleveland. Byron Buxton is on the injured list with cartilage irritation, and neither Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach are centerfielders.

It is still assumed that Willi Castro will be traded, and that means DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is the only capable centerfielder on the roster. He’ll get substantially more run the rest of the way. It’s also possible that Austin Martin joins the team from Triple-A St. Paul.

By piecing out the big league roster, Minnesota will have plenty of holes to fill. Those should be utilized to determine who is worth keeping for next year and into the future.

Related: MN Twins Clubhouse Boils Over as Trade Deadline Looms

Bader’s departure is the third move Minnesota made, quickly followed by Brock Stewart. They join Chris Paddack and Duran as departing talents. Bader going to Philly with a teammate is fun, and the vibes next to Bryce Harper could be immaculate.

Selling off impending free agents is one thing. If Derek Falvey wants to really shake things up and generate a sizable return, then controllable assets are the focal point.

Joe Ryan is arguably the best asset potentially on the trade block. Relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax aren’t far behind. According to a new report, contenders have Falvey’s phone ablaze in their pursuit of everything the Twins have to offer.

Teams circling Minnesota Twins trade candidates

The hope was that the Minnesota Twins could be good this season. That hasn’t happened and it’s why they are sellers. That doesn’t mean they don’t have good pieces and former general manager Jim Bowden says top contenders are coming for everyone.

The #RedSox #Yankees #BlueJays #Phillies and #Mariners are speed dialing the #Twins at an annoying level with continued interest in Joe Ryan, basically their whole bullpen, Willi Castro and Harrison Bader. Twins could end up being the headliner at the deadline as talks heat up…

— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) July 29, 2025

Bowden mentions the Red Sox, Yankees, and Blue Jays which is virtually the entire competitive group in the AL East. The Phillies and Mariners also have significant hopes on competing for a World Series this season.

He’s not alone in suggesting the Twins are continuing to work on moves. MLB Network insider Jon Morosi lists additional teams calling on different pieces from Minnesota.

The Twins are not done making trades, after yesterday’s deal with the Tigers.

The Cubs, Blue Jays and Dodgers have checked in on the Minnesota bullpen arms.

Harrison Bader is a popular name today, too.@MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2025

Those teams could use any number of the assets the Minnesota Twins have on the table. Falvey is in an interesting position because his best assets cover virtually any need for a contender. There is starting pitching, leverage bullpen arms, and impending free agent bats.

Related: Former GM Calls for Twins to Complete Blockbuster

Prior to talks heating up Bowden suggested the Los Angeles Dodgers should pull off a blockbuster with multiple Twins players going out west. We have seen Harrison Bader mentioned as a candidate for the Dodgers as well.

When there is this much smoke regarding so many of Minnesota’s players it’s hard to think that a multitude of them won’t change teams. Falvey could have a really busy Thursday if more deals aren’t done before deadline day.

MN Twins must control the market

When fielding calls on expiring contracts there isn’t much control a team can have. That said, Bader, Willi Castro, and Danny Coulombe all look like premier options as rentals. Minnesota should be out to try and extract the best return possible.

Regarding either Duran or Jax, teams have to have amped up their efforts in the wake of Emmanuel Clase’s suspension. The Guardians closer is not a trade candidate any longer, and that puts an even greater target on the Twins top two arms. The front office should be asking for the moon and watching someone pay in the stars.

Jhoan Duran, 101mph Fastball and 98mph Splinker, Overlay.

Good luck. 😯 pic.twitter.com/NeJkELwvUd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 26, 2025

I hesitate to think that trading Joe Ryan is a great idea. He would unquestionably net the MN Twins a massive return. His acquisition was also the best move this regime has ever made on the trade market. However, Ryan could be part of the next competitive team. His return could also work out like the two top 100 prospects Minnesota received for Jose Berrios (Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson).

Related: Minnesota Twins Trade Veteran Starter to Division Rival

At the end of the deadline, Minnesota is going to have more than just Paddack having changed allegiances. They can’t look back at the results and be happy that they cleared salary for ownership though. It has to mean more, especially with this much interest.

Buck makes these catches look way too easy pic.twitter.com/JJOH8KmWJ0

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 26, 2025

On Sunday Rocco Baldelli is starting outfielder Harrison Bader in centerfield with Buxton on the bench. Bader has been arguably the Twins best free agent pickup of the season. He’s certain to have value at the trade deadline. That means the time in which he can cover for Buxton or be part of the lineup is coming to a close.

The Dodgers have been rumored as a suitor for multiple Minnesota Twins trade candidates, and now they’re interested in Bader too.

Los Angeles Dodgers Interested in Minnesota Twins Harrison Bader

If the Los Angeles Dodgers want to pull the trigger on a trade for bullpen help in the form of Griffin Jax or Jhoan Duran it’s going to cost them handsomely. They would need to part with much less to get Harrison Bader as a rental and Bob Nightengale is reporting they are considering it.

“The biggest surprise at the trade deadline would be if the Dodgers don’t come up with another closer. They have checked in with virtually every team for bullpen help. They also are looking to upgrade their outfield with Michael Conforto’s season-long struggles and have expressed interest in Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader and Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan.”

Bob Nightengale – USA Today

There has been plenty of discussion regarding the Dodgers and relievers. Tanner Scott just went on the injured list with an elbow injury that occurred while playing the Minnesota Twins. Kirby Yates has been mediocre, and a team wanting to repeat as World Series Champions needs certainty in high-leverage spots.

Interest in Bader isn’t unexpected, but this is the first we have heard by Los Angeles. In 92 games this season Bader is batting .250/.332/.435 with 12 home runs. His 109 OPS+ is well above the 93 OPS+ career average, and not far from his career-high 114 OPS+.

Harrison Bader you magnificent bastard pic.twitter.com/ONkLybn2y7

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 6, 2025

Bader, like Buxton, is also a standout defender. He has transitioned to left field seamlessly and looked like a star there too. He plays centerfield when Buxton is not in the lineup, and he could play either of the spots for the Dodgers.

Former general manager Jim Bowden proposed the Twins completing a blockbuster with Los Angeles. That included both Jax and Duran as well as utility man Willi Castro. Bader could be the inclusion instead, and a substantial return would still be logical.

Related: Former GM Calls for Twins to Complete Blockbuster

Bader should have suitors beyond just Los Angeles, but that swap would bring him back to the National League where he has spent the majority of his nine-year career. It’s been fun watching him lose his cap as he patrols the Target Field grass. It will be fun to see him get a chance to go win elsewhere the rest of the way.

Duran expected to be moved by Minnesota Twins

Nightengale also mentioned that teams expect Duran to be traded. While the Twins have yet to execute on anything, time is ticking with Thursday’s deadline quickly approaching. They absolutely have to sell on the trio of talented free agents, of which Bader is included (along with Castro and Danny Coulombe). How far they dip into their controllable assets is where the sizable prospect return could truly happen.

Jhoan Duran, 102mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/bgmluPYopm

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 26, 2025

Teams are treating Duran as one of the top three bullpen arms expected to switch teams. Griffin Jax is not among that group according to Nightengale. The other two names included are the Pittsburgh Pirates David Bednar and the St. Louis Cardinals Ryan Helsley.

There has been so much smoke regarding Duran it’s almost unfathomable to think that he can be pulled off the table at this point. The hope would be that Derek Falvey is able to execute a deal that brings back a return worthy of moving on from the elite close.

Buxton’s status unknown for MN Twins

Beyond just moving Bader, the Minnesota Twins are still awaiting an update on Byron Buxton. He left the game on Saturday night, but is now headed for an MRI.

Buxton has been incredible for the Twins this season. He earned a trip to the All-Star Game and has a .282/.343/.561 slash line. His 23 home runs put him in striking distance of his career-high 28. He has also played in 85 games and been healthy outside of an unfortunate collision with Carlos Correa.

Last year was the first season Buxton has played 100 games (102) since 2017 (140), and just the second time in his career. There is plenty of time for him to get there this season, but that requires him to remain healthy.

Hopefully the MRI reveals nothing of significance and Buxton is simply seeing a reflection of the Minnesota Twins utilizing an abundance of caution.

It’s more than fair to suggest that the current ownership situation has put Derek Falvey and the front office in a bad spot, as has the poor play of Twins players.

Then again, an equal amount of blame should land on the shoulders of the front office, which has failed to get out of its own way at multiple different junctures during its near decade-long tenure. In other words, the failures of Minnesota’s 2025 season is everyone’s fault.

But now, with the MLB Trade Deadline looming, none of that matters anymore. The Minnesota Twins have some of the best players available, of any selling team. Whether buyers are looking for impending free agent rentals or they’re ready for a blockbuster, the Twins have what they need.

Joe Ryan lands No. 1 overall spot on MLB Trade Deadline Big Board

That became even more clear Thursday morning, when The Athletic released a fresh MLB Trade Deadline Big Board, ranking all of the most available players, leading up to July 31. Unsurprisingly, the Minnesota Twins are very well-represented, landing six total names in the top 50.

Nobody who made the list by surprise, but the most notable takeaway? Sitting at the very top, in the No. 1 spot overall, is Twins starting pitcher, Joe Ryan. They name the Chicago Cubs, LA Dodgers and NY Mets as the 29-year-old‘s best fits.

“Minnesota isn’t itching to move Ryan, who is 29 and under team control for two seasons beyond this one, but it’s easy to understand why teams will be calling the Twins about him just in case. Coming off his first All-Star honor, Ryan is a proven front-line starter with a career 3.67 ERA who pounds the zone and racks up whiffs, posting MLB’s seventh-best K/BB ratio since his 2021 debut.

Ryan might be effectively off limits even if the Twins are in seller mode, but some contenders could try to blow them away with an offer. Among all qualified starters the past two seasons, Ryan ranks second to only Tarik Skubal in K/BB ratio (6.1/1) and is also fourth in opponents’ batting average (.207) and 10th in ERA (3.15).”

The Athletic

Put together by Aaron Gleeman, Eno Sarris, Tim Britton, and Chad Jennings, The Athletic’s big board may have Joe Ryan listed as the best talent available. But all 50 players who landed in this article also got a red, yellow or green light to mark the likelihood they are traded. Joe’s light is red, meaning it’s unlikely he is moved between now and July 31.

Nonetheless, if a contending team believes they can slot him in near the top of their rotation for the next two seasons, beyond just a 2025 playoff run, it’s possible they come to the Minnesota Twins with an offer that Falvey just cannot refuse to turn down. But as all of the MLB insiders have made clear, it would have to be a HAUL of a package.

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

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 27, 2025

The reality is that Ryan’s 2.63 ERA is a career-best, and he is now a first-time All-Star. He’s making only $3 million this season, and his next two years will be held down by arbitration.

That reality is beyond enticing for any team looking to bolster their rotation before the postseason, and beyond. If he is traded, Ryan has made it clear that he will not shed any tears.

At the All-Star break, Joe told a member of the Boston Red Sox media that the trade rumors he has been involved in excite him, and that he’d love an opportunity to play for a contender. Could the Minnesota Twins be that again in the near future? Without Joe Ryan to help anchor the rotation, that’s a difficult question to answer.

Lots of other Minnesota Twins make The Athletic’s trade deadline big board

As mentioned at the top of this article, it wasn’t just Joe Ryan who showed up on The Athletic’s trade deadline big board for the Minnesota Twins. They landed six total names. Some are to be expected but there are names that we haven’t heard floated as much, previously.

Jhoan Duran checks in at 6th. Like Ryan, he would be an expensive controllable asset. The Dodgers, among other teams, have checked in on the MN Twins closer. His high-leverage bullpen mate Griffin Jax shows up at 10th overall.

Jhoan Duran, 101mph Fastball and 98mph Splinker, Overlay.

Good luck. 😯 pic.twitter.com/NeJkELwvUd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 26, 2025

After that, we get to the players who have less control beyond 2025. Will Castro, who will be a free agent this offseason, is listed 24th. He represents a high-quality utility piece that could provide value to virtually any team he lands on.

Outfield free agent signing Harrison Bader is ranked 30th, and starting pitcher Chris Paddack landed the Mr. Irrelevant spot, capping off The Athletic’s trade deadline bigboard at No. 50. His last start against the Dodgers may have teams lining up for a relatively inexpensive addition over the next week.

Related: Minnesota Twins Demanding Insane Return for Talented Relievers

Maybe most interesting Twin who made the list is Trevor Larnach, who slid in at No. 42. Both he and fellow corner outfielder Matt Wallner appear to have flatlined. Larnach is a 28-year-old former first round pick who owns just a .243/.313/.408 slash line this season.

His 97 OPS+ is not far from the career 101 OPS+ mark. Since being selected 20th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft, Larnach has never quite lived up to expectations, after leading the Beavers to a National Championship, in his final year in Corvallis.

It’s fair to wonder what level of confusion a team sale presents the Twins front office. That said, they have done nothing for the better part of the last three years. At this point, it’s time to pick a path.

Out of the All-Star Break, the Twins had 12 games until the deadline to prove they had something special in store for the second half. Instead, they’ve started this all-important stretch with just one win and three devastating losses.

Now sitting at 48-52, with nearly 10 teams between them and the final AL Wild Card spot, the MN Twins’ playoff chances are now down to 10% (PlayoffStatus.com). In order to reach .500 by the deadline, they’d have to go 6-2 over their next eight games, five of which are against playoff teams — Dodgers (59-42), Red Sox (54-48).

MLB trade deadline buyers are circling Minnesota Twins rentals

At this point, that doesn’t just feel impossible. It feels like climbing Mount Everest in nothing but shorts and a T-shirt. Thus, according to Jon Heyman (MLB Network, NY Post), team president Derek Falvey is cracking open the trade deadline doors at Target Field, and starting to seriously field offers from buying teams.

To what extent the Minnesota Twins ultimately decide to sell, remains to be seen. But for now, they’re at least open to trading away their pending free agents, which could be just the beginning.

As of today, the Twins are now seriously listening on their rental players, including Coulombe, Bader and Castro. While they will listen on All-Star starter Joe Ryan and star closer Jhoan Duran they’d have to be blown away, especially for Ryan.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 22, 2025

As soon as the Minnesota Twins tripped over themselves in June, and put themselves in this position, opposing teams have been waiting for this moment. And now, they’re patience may pay off.

Willi Castro — who’s making $6.4 million this season and due for unrestricted free agency this offseason — was the team MVP in 2024, and an AL All-Star. In 2025, his 1.4 fWAR is among the Twins’ best.

Related: Dodgers, Twins in Trade Talks Over Prized Bullpen Assets

Danny Coulombe is making $3 million this season, and he’s been worth every penny, The 35-year-old lefty has been nothing short of incredible out of the bullpen, touting a career best 0.65 ERA (1.75 FIP) in 27.2 IP.

Harrison Bader has been one of the MN Twins best players this season. He owns a 1.8 fWAR which is second-best amongst hitters on the team. Bader’s $8 million is the most expensive contract of the bunch, but an acquiring team would be paying roughly one-third of that.

The slide from Harrison Bader to get the ball in the corner and get it back in was smoooooth pic.twitter.com/sV7ERYh3Qi

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 5, 2025

Nobody in the above group is going to return a top 100 prospect, but it’s beyond fair for Minnesota to seek a prospect within an acquiring team’s top ten. Bader may wind up being the best all-around outfielder available on the deadline market, and Coulombe the top lefty reliever.

Heyman does touch on controllable assets for Minnesota. Relievers Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax may be those that generate the most smoke. Starting pitcher, and 2025 All-Star, Joe Ryan could be among them as well. Those types, all of which have multiple years of control remaining on their contracts, won’t come cheap.

What about the rest of the MN Twins impending free agents?

Heyman notes the Minnesota Twins’ top three free agents, but he kept others like Christian Vazquez, Chris Paddack, and Ty France out of his tweet. Falvey would love to move those guys too, but what would they get in return? A bucket of baseballs… if they’re lucky?

Among those not mentioned by Heyman, Paddack seems like the most logical to draw interest. He is making $7.5 million this season and has a 5.14 ERA (4.50 FIP). He could make sense as a back-end starter for a contending team.

Paddack has never found the stuff that propelled him to a 3.33 ERA as a rookie, but has shown a capability of good stretches. The problem is that he’s already thrown more pitches this season, than any other in his career, so acquiring him doesn’t come without risk.

Related: To Whom It May Concern: Good Luck Prying Joe Ryan Out of Minnesota

France may be movable due to the fact he is making just $1 million. Unfortunately he’s been a negative asset at the plate, and if he isn’t dealt, then DFA’ing him after the deadline and running other guys through the position makes sense.

For almost the entirety of his three-year, $30 million contract, Christian Vazquez has been terrible. The defensive value and clubhouse presence means something, but he’s simply incapable as a hitter (41 OPS+). Minnesota would love to see someone interested in taking the final payments of his $10 million this year on.

Entering Friday, the Twins trail the Detroit Tigers by six games in the AL Central, but if the season ended today, they’d be a playoff team (WC2). Just like most other teams, this time of year, Minnesota is far from a perfect team.

Team president Derek Falvey — who now runs both the baseball and business sides of the organization — still has a couple months before the Major League Baseball July 31 trade deadline hits. That’s exactly two months and one day for the Minnesota Twins to make themselves better.

It remains to be seen how much the active selling of the team might impact the Pohlads’ willingness to add talent between now and July 31. Will they play it cheap, as to not put the organization into a deeper financial hole than it already is? Or, could they use the deadline to add talent that might help them net a playoff run able to woo buyers.

But if ownership is willing to play ball, there are certainly avenues for the MN Twins to get better.

The Minnesota Twins need more from first base.

This offseason the Twins opted against paying an aging Carlos Santana more money, after he won a Gold Glove in 2024. Now back in Cleveland, Santana is giving the Guardians exactly what he did Minnesota last season — a high-end defensive first baseman whose 2025 slash line of .254/.363/.384 (114 OPS+) looks very similar to his career numbers.

To replace Santana, Falvey hit the open market, where he found Ty France on the clearance rack for a miniscule $1 million. While he has been worth that underwhelming salary, his overall production has left plenty to be desired.

TY FRANCE!!!!! WALK-OFF HOME RUN!!!! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fEUPS0OSiw

— Twins.TV (@twinstv) May 24, 2025

Let’s start with the positives. France has already racked up 30 RBI, which reflects just how good he has been in the clutch. With runners in scoring position this season, France has a .382 batting average and .843 OPS.

Without runners on, however, Ty France has struggled, slashing a brutal .225/.295/.351 (.606 OPS). Smash those together and France’s underwhelming .677 OPS and 91 OPS+ isn’t good enough.

Related: Pohlads Want Us to Believe MN Twins Sale is “Closer to the End”

Yes, France was worth the minimum investment Minnesota made in him, but if the Twins want to be a real contender in the AL, they need more out of that right corner infield spot. The 30-year-old seven-year veteran was signed as an insurance policy for the Minnesota Twins at first base.

At the time, they hoped either Jose Miranda or Edouard Julien would cement themselves into the lineup as much more than what France has been. Instead, both guys are in the minor leagues. That means, if the Twins want more out of first base, they’ll have to hit the open market.

How about we finally get that right-handed bat for the outfield?

It took time and a bunch of injuries for Carson McCusker to get his first big league opportunity. Once he did get his call up, the 6’7″ right-handed giant of an outfielder was used only sparingly, before he was optioned back to triple A earlier this week.

Clearly, McCusker wasn’t the answer Minnesota was looking for in the outfield. In fact, they never really gave him an opportunity to crush MLB pitchers like he has in the minors all spring. Instead, if the Twins want to add a right-handed outfield bat to help power them to the playoffs, they’ll need to find it on the trade market.

When the roster is healthy, the right-handed hitting Byron Buxton is flanked by combinations of Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Willi Castro and Harrison Bader. Castro is a switch-hitter, but he plays more infield than outfield.

Bader — who is having a career year offensively, slashing .276/.359/.433 (122 OPS+) — is the only righty hitter among that regular corner outfield group. The Twins signed the soon-to-be 31-year-old, not for his prowess at the plate, but for his incredible defense, which has paid off multiple times already this season.

A ridiculous play by Harrison Bader and Joe Ryan loves it! pic.twitter.com/rAk8vFRxVf

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 27, 2025

But this is the first time he has ever been a positive asset offensively. Can the MN Twins really trust him to keep it going for the next four months? Seems awfully risky. History tells us not to hold our breath on the Twins bringing in more outfield helpt, however.

Related: Young Minnesota Twins Star Down on His Luck and Confidence

Since Rocco Baldelli took over as manager, the Minnesota Twins have needed a bigger right-handed threat in the corner outfield. Yet, for years, Falvey has never had much interest in addressing it.

If this is they year he finally moves on addressing that weakness, there should be plenty of options available. Every MLB trade deadline, the market is flooded with corner outfielders and relief pitchers. We’ll see if the Twins decide to take a swing this time around…

One more arm for the MN Twins bullpen… please?

The Minnesota Twins have one of baseball’s best bullpens. Really, the pitching staff as a whole has been incredible. There isn’t a ton of room to replace arms with the potential to generate upside.

However, there are always relievers available on the trade market and shoring up the underbelly of the bullpen makes sense. Danny Coulombe was placed on the injured list largely due to what he attributed to his age. Kody Funderburk has taken over the left-handed reliever role, but has given up nine runs on 14 hits in just nine innings.

Danny Coulombe is a big loss for the #MNTwins bullpen.

In addition to having a 0.00 ERA in 16 2/3 innings, Coulombe also stranded 10 of 12 runners he inherited from other pitchers to save their ERA.

Coulombe is second to Jhoan Duran in Win Probability Added for Twins relievers.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 18, 2025

There isn’t an immediately logical option on the farm to promote as either a left-handed reliever, or bullpen arm as a whole. Jorge Alcala is definitely the low man on the totem pole in the bullpen, and he owns a 6.52 ERA (4.05 FIP). He has given up just one run over his last six outings (7 IP), but always seems like just a pitch or two away from disaster.

Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have been arguably the best one-two punch this season. If there’s a way to add another leverage arm among the group of Cole Sands, Brock Stewart, and Louie Varland, then Minnesota should do it.

Correa and Buxton sat out after the two collided with each other in shallow center field on Thursday night, in the closing game of the Twins’ most recent series in Baltimore. Meanwhile, Baderi is feeling better this weekend, after missing the last two games due to groin tightness.

Harrison Bader sprinted today and is progressing well. Could play tonight, but not in starting lineup. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 16, 2025

Harrison Bader has been arguably the Minnesota Twins best player so far this season, already earning 1.7 bWAR in just 39 games, thanks to one of the best stretches of his baseball career, in which Bader is hitting .300 BA with an .848 OPS, 136 OPS+, 18 RBI and 12 extra base hits.

Byron Buxton avoids MN Twins concussion list… for now

As good as Harrison Bader has been, Byron Buxton (1.8 bWAR) has been right there with him, batting .261 with an .834 OPS (129 OPS+), 27 RBI and 10 home runs. On Friday, during the Twins’ win over the Brewers, Audra Martin (Twins.TV) reported some (possible) good news on him too.

Buck has avoided the concussion list, at least for now. According to what a Minnesota Twins official told Dan Hayes (The Athletic), Byron remains in concussion protocol and “needs to clear hurdles” before he’s deemed concussion free.

According to a Twins official: “(Buxton) currently is still being evaluated daily. Until he is in the lineup or not on the IL, he needs to clear hurdles in the protocol.”

The Athletic

Related: New MN Twins Prospect Promoted for MLB Debut

Hopefully, we hear more news before Saturday’s game. This team needs its dynamic duo of Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader back roaming the outfield sooner than later.

MN Twins needs Harrison Bader and Byron Buxton back ASAP

Because when they’re both in the lineup, not only have they been incredible at the plate, but the two of them playing next to each other nearly eliminates an entire side of the outfield for opposing hitters, unless they really earn it.

Bader 🤝 Buxton

Speed

pic.twitter.com/22zErSWUXX

— Twins Daily (@twinsdaily) April 16, 2025

Harrison Bader slides into foul ground to make the grab! pic.twitter.com/VF0jtbrel3

— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2025

The beginning of Carlos Correa’s 2025 story has not gotten off to the same fairy tale start as Buxton and Bader. He’s hitting just .236 with a .605 OPS (69 OPS+), good for one of the slower starts in his career, and Correa is not known as a fast starter.

Still, you cannot underestimate the leadership and intangibles the World Series champion and 3X All-Star brings to the Minnesota Twins dugout and clubhouse. Plus, he was hitting better recently. And if there is one player on this roster who you know will eventually turn things around, it’s him.

Carlos Correa lands on concussion list

Unfortunately, it will be at least a week before we see Carlos Correa try to continue that turnaround. On Friday evening, Correa was placed on the 7-day concussion list.

Ryan Fitzgerald — who was called up to replace Correa — is a 30-year-old career minor leaguer who’s come out of his shell this season, where the former undrafted Creighton Bluejay is hitting .328 with a .953 OPS in 35 games for the Saints. We’ll see how he holds up vs MLB hitting, but one thing is for sure. He immediately jumps to the top of the ‘Best Hair in Major League Baseball’ list.

oh my god @twins never demote ryan fitzgerald… pic.twitter.com/vWooDVEr9p

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 17, 2025

Related: Minnesota Twins Demote Struggling Starter

Carlos Correa to the 7-day concussion list.

Byron Buxton is still in the concussion protocol.

Ryan Fitzgerald has been activated.#MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 16, 2025

Let’s just hope he is on his way back down to St. Paul in a week, and that Correa’s head is ok. We know all too well in this town how quickly concussions can become a problem in baseball.

Both Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer saw their baseball careers significantly altered late, due to head injuries. Let’s hope the next week end up being a forgettable blip on what now looks like a successful Minnesota Twins season.

The win streak has pushed Minnesota above .500 (21-20) for the first time all season. They’ve now won 14 of their last 19 games, as they try to gain ground in the American League Central Division standings, led by the surprising 26-15 Detroit Tigers (5 GB), the only team in the division with a better run differential (+72) than the Twins (+19).

Rocco Baldelli & Co have an off-day Monday, before they begin a six-game road trip, beginning with the aforementioned Orioles, who the Twins just swept at home last week, and ending just over the eastern border of MN, in Milwaukee against the Brewers.

Before the 2025 season began, the Minnesota Twins were projected to win the AL Central. They fell well behind that expectation by dropping seven of their first eleven games. Back then, the lineup couldn’t hit without Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee.

The Minnesota Twins are learning how to hit

Then, a month into the season (April 28), they lost their hottest hitter, Matt Wallner, who was having a career year slashing .263/.373/.474 (.847 OPS). But as the weather has started to turn, Lee and Lewis both returned from the IL, and the Twins lineup has started to come out of its shell under new hitting coach Matt Borgschulte.

For most of the first month of the 2025 MLB season, the Minnesota Twins were in the bottom six of the league in all three slashline statistics (batting average, on-base %, slugging %). Since April 21, they are top 10 in batting average and on-base %, and 13th league-wide in slugging.

Although Derek Falvey didn’t do much this offseason, the roster he was ready to run back looked strong on paper. There is a fair argument to be made that trading some of their key veteran pieces (Paddack, Vazquez) would have made sense, in order to free up some spending money to improve elsewhere.

But the widely-held belief, entering the 2025 season, was that the Twins had arguably the most talented roster in the division. It took time for Minnesota’s bats to heat up and for the pitching staff to steady itself. But now that they’ve settled in, this team looks even more formidable than it did on paper a couple months ago.

Related: Young Minnesota Twins Prospect Climbs into Baseball America Top 100

The Twins’ recent stretch of winning hasn’t been led by any sort of major power surge. Only Byron Buxton (9) and Trevor Larnach (6) have more than four home runs. Instead, this team has been able to string together good at-bats. Small ball, we used to call it.

Offensively, Minnesota’s surge has been led by Harrison Bader (.849 OPS) and Byron Buxton (.824 OPS). While bases loaded situations remain a problem (3-for-24 with 10 runs), the Minnesota Twins are crushing the baseball with runners in scoring position, overall, slashing .277/.338/.406 (.744 OPS) on the season.

DaShawn called game! pic.twitter.com/gSbVZ9LTTk

— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 11, 2025

MN Twins rotation was a sleeper

If you remember back in March, I suggested that the Minnesota Twins starting rotation would be one of the best in baseball. Same could be said for the bullpen. But this hot streak has been led by Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan and the rest of the Twins’ starting rotation.

Pablo Lopez was mediocre during a rain delayed Opening Day start (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER). Bailey Ober gave up eight runs a couple days later, while pitching through illness. Since then, however, they’ve been the heart and soul of an ever-improving Twins roster.

But to win, you have to score runs. While Minnesota’s pitching has been great, the Twins are just 2-17, when pitchers get three or less runs of support. On the contrary, they are 19-3, when the offense scores four or more runs.

Not only do Minnesota pitchers do a great job at limited runs, but they also strike out a ton of batters, while avoiding free passes. The Twins starters’ K/BB ratio (318/113) would make 2014 Phil Hughes (MLB single-season K/BB record 11.63) blush.

What does 11 Pablo Lopez strikeouts look like? pic.twitter.com/dt3sumvjTk

— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 7, 2025

The back-end of the Twins starting rotation left reason to be concerned, entering the year. Instead, Simeon Woods Richardson has been solid yet again, posting a 4.01 ERA in seven appearances.

Chris Paddack got off to a rough start, but he has a 2.51 ERA in his past six outings. Paddack even flirted with a no-hitter last week, tossing 7 1/3 innings of 3-hit ball against the Giants over the weekend.

Can the Twins keep doing this?

Of course, the Minnesota Twins won’t keep *this* up. They aren’t going to go 121-0 the rest of the way. but there’s a real path for them to sustain the success.

Minnesota isn’t currently slugging at a high rate. In fact, their .371 slugging percentage is just 22nd in baseball. If they can get Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis going, that will change for the better. Both Matt Wallner and rookie Luke Keaschal should be back at some point as well.

Carlos Correa pic.twitter.com/1otNqCiJTs

— John Peabody (@PeabodyHitDev) April 20, 2025

Related: Young Minnesota Twins Prospect Climbs into Baseball America Top 100

The division itself also sets up well for the Twins. Cleveland’s -14 run differential has their Pythagorean record at just 18-21, despite them currently owning a 23-16 mark. Both Kansas City and Detroit appear to be more legitimate threats, but the Twins will get them nine and ten more times, respectively.

Someone they did sign was Harrison Bader. He’s a 30-year-old outfielder who will be with his fifth team in four years, when he suits up for Minnesota. It’s not the flashiest signing, but it’s one that was needed. Today we learned some new information on what his role will be with the Twins.

Minnesota Twins planning to play Harrison Bader in left field

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Bader will spend the majority of his time in left field this season. It’s a position Bader knows how to play, but one he hasn’t touched since 2018. As a former Gold Glove winner in center field, Bader will be next to another award winner. Byron Buxton, someone he has great respect for, won the award in 2017.

For the first time in a decade, Bader, who is primarily a center fielder and won a Gold Glove in 2021, will see a significant amount of playing time in left field. Bader’s last 651 defensive appearances have come in center field, a streak dating to July 20, 2018.

But with Byron Buxton already entrenched, the Twins are asking Bader to regularly play left field, something he last did in 2015 at the University of Florida.

Dan Hayes (The Athletic)

Bader has only logged 11 games at left field in his career compared to over 650 in center field. The last time he played left field regularly was in college. He spent the majority of 2013 and 2015 at that position with Florida. As Betsy Helfand of the Pioneer Press clarifies, the right-handed Bader will be the primary left fielder when the Twins face a left-handed pitcher.

This isn’t to say Bader will never play center for the Minnesota Twins. He is the main option if Buxton needs time off, but the expectation is that he will be in left. In a small sample of 22 at-bats, Bader is hitting .455 with a homer and four RBIs as a left fielder in his career.

Related: New Twins Hitting Coaches Mandating More Preparation and Structure

The Twins might be hoping this move can unlock a resurgence for Bader, after signing him to a one-year, $6.25 million deal. He started 2024 batting .278, but went his final 157 plate appearances with just a .161 average, only starting two of the Mets’ 12 postseason games.

Bader’s defense is his shining trait

Last year, Minnesota went with a combo of Manuel Margot and Trevor Larnach in left. Willi Castro, Alex Kirilloff and others sprinkled in depending on health as well. This revolving door did not prove to be successful for the Twins, as they ranked 28th in the majors with -11 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) at the position.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve asked (Buxton) for multiple autographs in the past just because I admire his game so much. The reason why I think I have such good reads in center is because coming up, I did play a lot of the corners when I was younger and also in college. I’m just excited. I want to help this team win and if that’s going to come in left field however often as it does, then so be it. I’m here to play and I’m here to win.”

Harrison Bader (via The Athletic)

Related: How to Watch the Minnesota Twins MLB Spring Training in 2025

Moving Harrison Bader to left gives the Twins a more consistent glove in the outfield, and gets one of the best defenders in the MLB on the field. Since debuting eight years ago, Bader’s 76 Outs Above Average are more than every active outfielder, and his 50 DRS is more than only four. One of those four happens to be Buxton.

One would think that Bader makes more sense as a replacement for Max Kepler in right field, given Kepler’s departure to Philadelphia this offseason. As manager Rocco Baldelli explained, left field is a lot bigger than right at Target Field, so putting the better fielder in that position should lead to success.