That includes multiple Minnesota Twins youngsters, like 22-year-old Emmanuel Rodriguez, who spent the majority of 2025 at Triple-A St. Paul. While injuries have held Rodriguez back throughout his time in affiliate ball, the consensus top-100 prospect had no such issues during his time in the Dominican Winter League.

Emmanuel Rodriguez stock continues to soar

The Dominican circuit is largely viewed as the top winter ball options for Major League caliber baseball players. And it’s the perfect offseason testing grounds for Rodriguez, a Santiago native.

Rodriguez played in the well-respected winter league for the first time this fall for Aguilas Cibaenas. To say that he made a good impression would be putting it lightly.

The Minnesota Twins’ top prospect slashed .292/.417/.646 (1.063 OPS) for the Cibaenas, during his 18 games played. A-Rod also earned All-Star MVP honors, as noted by the Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale on Wednesday.

Emmanuel Rodriguez is done playing in the Dominican Winter League.

His stats in 18 games: .292/.417/.646 (1.063 OPS) with 4 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R and 3 SB. He was also the MVP in an all-star game at Citi Field. pic.twitter.com/GR0gYNG6T7

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) November 19, 2025

In 65 games last year in the Twins minor league system, Rodriguez batted .269/.431/.409. He has immense power and an extremely patient approach. There is a bit of a concerning whiff rate but when the kid uncorks on a ball, it flies.

Rodriguez saw plenty of current and former big league talent during Dominican Winter League action. It’s great experience for a guy who has an outside chance of making Derek Shelton’s Opening Day roster in 2026, as a corner outfielder.

Emmanuel Rodriguez with a 112.1 MPH rocket at Citi Field in LIDOM action 🚀💣#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/jrwV5rBFSS

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) November 15, 2025

Former Twins slugger Miguel Sano shines too

It wasn’t just Rodriguez that tore up the Dominican Winter League this offseason. Former Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano didn’t play in the big leagues last season, but he certainly tore up the winter circuit again.

In 15 games for Estrellas, Sano batted .353/.433/.804. He had seven home runs and 19 RBI with a respectable 11/7 K/BB. Sano is still just 32 years old and is is laughable to think he couldn’t still contribute at the big league level.

¡Cañonazo número 7 de Miguel Sanó! 💥#LIDOM #CopaBanreservas pic.twitter.com/bNBfypr57X

— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) November 5, 2025

It remains to be seen if a major league team will give Sano a deal this offseason. He too would need to decide that playing stateside is worth his time. If that’s the case though, it could be a cool bounceback story.

Miguel Sano is back on the market, but Minnesota Twins won’t be a fit

After being out of affiliated baseball for the 2023 season, Miguel Sano resurfaced with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. With Anthony Rendon consistently being unavailable for Ron Washington’s club, a level of depth made sense at third base. Sano factored in at the hot corner, first base, and the designated hitter positions.

Miguel Sanó gets the Angels on the board first with his second home run of the season. 💥

(🎥: @Angels)pic.twitter.com/SMV8wXGYPf

— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) June 28, 2024

After missing a month due to a knee injury, and then burning himself with a heating pad, Sano played in just seven games after being activated from the IL, before the Angels sent him packing.

Across 28 games for Los Angeles, Sano slashed just .205/.295/.313 with a pair of home runs. His 71 OPS+ wasn’t the worst for the Angels, but with Rendon returning from the injured list the franchise decided there was no room and Sano is unlikely to accept a minor league assignment, meaning he will be a free agent later this week.

#Angels transactions:
•Reinstated INF Anthony Rendon from injured list
•Designated INF Miguel Sanó for assignment

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 8, 2024

There is a very real possibility this could be the end of the MLB line for Sano. He is just 31 years old, and making only $875k this year. He’ll be available as a free agent for the major league minimum, should he pass through waivers (which he likely will), and there are players across the league that have provided less production.

However, Sano doesn’t have the greatest track record of praise as a teammate, and he’s certainly not going to be a consideration for the Twins (sorry to burst any bubbles). Former teammate Eddie Rosario, for example, was recalled by the Atlanta Braves Monday. Designated for assignment by Washington, he was once Atlanta’s NLCS MVP.

Related: Miguel Sano Pitched for the Angels Today and it Went Unrealistically Well

Sano has done well to show better physical preparedness this season, but his whiff rates remain a problem. The year away definitely didn’t help, and the game may have simply passed him by.

"The Angels will never be able to replace Ohtani"

Miguel Sano: *does exactly what Ohtani would do with the game on the line* pic.twitter.com/iwZw5LtmtB

— 𝕏 legend VinRBI (@VinRBI) April 11, 2024

His start to the season has been rather impressive, too, from the lens of what we’ve seen out of Miguel since the last time he wore a Twins uniform. He’s played in five games as an Angel, batting .267 (entering Sunday) with a .821 OPS and 144 OPS+ and just 6 strikeouts.

Miguel Sano the Angels’ relief pitcher

But today, we aren’t bringing you a Miguel Sano article because of his exploits at the plate. No, no, no… on Sunday, our favorite former top-5 MLB prospect bust is hitting your news feeds because of the way he pitched. That’s right, Miguel Sano was summoned by the Angels manager from the bullpen the dugout (was DH) with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the 9th inning.

It took three pitches, two fastballs changeups and one hanging breaking ball, for Sano to get Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter Jarren Duran (who was batting .349 on the season entering today) to bounce into an easy unassisted third out at 2nd base.

Miguel Sano. Quality reliever. pic.twitter.com/MdgF1vRIAo

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) April 7, 2024

Related: Good News on Recovering Twins Caleb Thielbar and Jhoan Duran; Royce Lewis… Not So Much

I’m not sure Miguel has a future on the mound, but many thought he didn’t have a future in the MLB at all, following the 2022 season. Yet… here we are.

But late in his career with the Twins, Miguel Sano struggled to be anything near that consistent middle of the order bat that we all expected him to be while he was crushing minor league pitchers as a young 20-something- stud with unlimited potential.

He struggled with injuries and his poor eating habits only made his comeback from those injuries more difficult. Throughout his time in the big leagues, fans, media members and Twins executives have questioned Sano’s desire to be a great baseball player.

Sano says that has all changed, though. He batted in the middle of the order for a really good Estrellas Dominican winter league team, which was stacked with MLB-level talent, and he claims to have a new appreciation for the game of baseball.

Related: Miguel Sano Hits 3-Run Missile in LIDOM Championship; Celebrates Accordingly

Miguel Sano lost how much weight?

He was signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or whatever they are called now) as a Spring Training non-roster invite and he’s ready to earn his way back into the MLB. To prove his dedication, Miguel revealed to Angels reporters this weekend that he lost 58 pounds in order to get back into baseball shape.

Miguel Sanó said he’s lost 58 pounds. Said it was important to lose weight in an effort to stay healthy and on the field.

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) February 25, 2024

TEMPE, Ariz. — Every Spring Training there’s always the running joke about which player came to camp in the best shape of his life. But for Angels infielder Miguel Sanó, it doesn’t seem like much of an exaggeration. Sanó arrived at Angels camp on Sunday after dealing with some visa issues in his native Dominican Republic and said he’s lost 58 pounds.

“It was very important,” Sanó said through an interpreter. “I wanted to feel better and lighter. And that will lead to a better performance on the field.”

Rhett Bollinger – MLB.com

Wait… so that means he was up to what?

That’s a lot of weight to lose, no matter who you are. But when you look at Sano’s weight on the Angels website, where he is listed at 272 pounds, it’s even more eye-opening. I will do the math for you. If Miguel is telling the truth, his weight had ballooned all the way up to 330 pounds. Wowzers…

Related: Cleveland Radio Broadcast Claims Miguel Sano is Fat, Not Injured

Miguel’s final opportunity with the Twins expired after the 2022 season. He hit .083 in 71 at-bats that year, before completely falling off the radar for years. He was technically a free agent last season, but never got an opportunity.

His last season worth noting was in 2021, when he played in 135 games (532 AB). That summer, Miguel hit an impressive 30 homers and drove in 75 runs. But his low batting average (.223) and never ending strikeouts (183) were still a big problem.

Related: Miguel Sano Comeback Season is Upon Us

How has he done? Pretty damn good, actually. Sano has served as the team’s regular designated hitter. In 107 plate appearances (5th most on Estrellas), Sano is batting .225 with a .750 OPS, 13 RBI, 14 BB and 30 Ks. The former Minnesota Twin bats in the middle of the lineup and he’s a huge part of Estrella’s 2023-24 championship run.

Miguel Sano Hits Game-Winning Missile in LIDOM Championship

Their trust in Miguel Sano was on full display Saturday, too, when they batted him cleanup in game one of the league’s seven-game championship series. In return, the 30-year-old Sano went 1-for-2 with one walk, zero strikeouts and this 3-run missile homerun in the 1st inning. Even better than the homer might be Sano’s celebration right before he reached 1st base.

SANÓ GOES BOOM AND SAN PEDRO GOES WILD https://t.co/cGArHnKEqx pic.twitter.com/DmEcRz3A2G

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 21, 2024

Before you get offended, know that baseball is done differently in the Dominican Winter League. Go ahead and be made if you want. Personally, I like to appreciate the different spin that we see on baseball in other countries. And Latin American baseball just hits different.

Estrellas Orientales took game one 7-5 vs Tigres del Licey, in part thanks to Sano’s great day at the plate. Game 2 is Sunday at 3 PM CST and can be viewed on MLB.TV if you’re bored of the NFL playoffs and you have a subscription.

Related: Minnesota Twins Will Not Trade Polanco, Farmer or Kepler for Prospects

Other names you might know on Estrellas Orientales

Other names you’ll know on the Estrellas roster include former Twins fan favorite, Willians Astudillo, who was on base when Sano hit his homer yesterday. Robinson Cano, an all-time MLB great who retired after the 2022 season, batted behind Sano in yesterday’s game.

Others who have graced the Estrellas roster this Winter include Fernando Tatis Jr, whose dad happens to the team’s manager, Yasiel Puig, Jurickson Profar and Eguy Rosario, among others. Former Twins minor leaguers on the roster include Lewin Diaz and Wilin Rosario.

The way Sano ripped through the minor leagues, crushing every single pitcher who took the mound against him, Twins fans thought they were getting, at worst, a David Ortiz type designated hitter for the next 15 years.

Related: Bally Sports North May Stream Timberwolves, Twins and Wild on Amazon Prime

At best, we hoped he’d play a decent 3rd base while crushing 40 homers and batting in 100 runs per season. As recently as 2021, many fans still held out hope Sano would live up to any semblance of the player he once projected to be.

Miguel Sano crushed elite pitching in 2021. The #MNTwins first baseman slashed .263/.349/.711 (1.060) against pitchers who got at least one Cy Young vote that season.

He homered off Lance Lynn (twice), Lucas Giolito, Gerrit Cole, and Lance McCullers Jr.

10-for-38
5 HR
4 BB pic.twitter.com/6EUJJiz2Ry

— Twins Dingers (@TwinsDingers) July 31, 2023

The last time we saw Miguel Sano in the MLB

But that’s not how history played out. Miguel Sano struggled to be a consistent middle of the order bat, throughout his time with the Twins. He struggled with injuries, eating habits and many questioned his desire to be a great baseball player.

Sano’s final opportunity in Minnesota expired after the 2022 season, where he hit .083 in 71 at-bats, before completely falling off the radar for about one year. He was technically a free agent last season, but never got an opportunity, leading many to believe Miguel’s Major League Baseball career is over.

And it still might be. But not if it’s up to Miguel Sano, who is back on the baseball field playing in the Dominican Winter League for Estrellas Orientales, the same team that San Diego Padres players Fernando Tatis Jr, Eguy Rosario and Jurickson Profar are playing for.

This week, video surfaced on Twitter of Sano hitting an absolute bomb over the left field fence. Man, I miss that swing.

¡La brilló! 💥 HOMERUN de Miguel Sanó y viene otra más para los verdes @EOBASEBALLCLUB 🐘🔥#LIDOM #CopaBanreservas pic.twitter.com/py9j6dwkKD

— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) December 19, 2023

Miguel Sano outshining MLB regulars in Dominican Winter League

For Estrellas, Sano’s numbers are pretty impressive. They aren’t — ‘jump off the page’ or ‘sign this man immediately’ — good. But ‘respectable’ might not be strong enough.

Related: Minnesota Twins Starters Project Top-10 in MLB; Near Best in AL

Sano is an Estrellas lineup regular, unlike Fernando Tatis Jr, who has 1.062 OPS in 33 plate appearances. And of any Estrellas player with over 100 at-bats this winter, Miguel (107) has the highest OPS (.750) and most doubles (30) on the team. He’s racked up the fifth most RBI (13), 3rd most walks (14), and ONLY the 2nd-most strikeouts.

That’s not sarcasm you’re reading. Yes, he’s near the top of the team in strikeouts, but his number (30) doesn’t jump off the page compared to the rest of his teammates, which surprised me a bit. He’s one of five players on roster with 24 or more strikeouts. Eguy Rosario has more (38) and has only 8 more at-bats than Miguel.

Estrellas Orientales Individual Statistics – 2023-24

Miguel Sano comeback season is upon us

There’s no doubt about it, looking at the team’s individual stats on the winter season, that Sano has been a better hitter than multiple MLB players on his team, including the aforementioned Rosario and Profar.

I’m not saying Miguel Sano is on the fast track back to Major League Baseball, but he is clearly taking one last realistic shot at a comeback and his odds of stepping into an MLB batters box again seem to be climbing. He’s gotten himself back into shape and seems more motivated than ever before.

He’s definitely slimmed down – this was from last week pic.twitter.com/khlOy6YoT1

— Your Name Here (@connik1) December 20, 2023

Sometimes, it takes reaching rock bottom before you realize how big of an opportunity you’re about to miss out on. At 30-years-old, there should be plenty of swings left in that bat. While it won’t be for the Minnesota Twins, I’d still love to see a Miguel Sano comeback story anyway.

Read all of our offseason Minnesota Twins blogs!

But according to Cleveland radio broadcaster, Tom Hamilton, it’s not Sano’s knee that is keeping him from returning to the Twins’ active roster. It’s his weight.

The Guardians radio Broadcast on Miguel Sanó pic.twitter.com/DGqZqOh9sj

— @MLBNerds #1 Fan (@DabollToHeaven) June 23, 2022

“Miguel Sano, he’s not hurt. He’s just fat. That’s as brutally honest as we can be. He’s down in Fort Myers trying to get in shape.” – Tom Hamilton (Cleveland Guardians Radio)

Hyperbole or breaking news?

Hamilton’s comments are going to be shouted down my Minnesota Twins fans and by many in the media, especially because he bluntly used the description, “fat”. But as someone who doesn’t get offended as easily, I’m intrigued. Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) recently reported that Miguel Sano is in Fort Myers and ramping up for a return.

Is it possible that, at this point in his rehab, the wait on Sano has become more about getting him back into shape than it is about getting his knee right? If that would shock you, then I have to wonder where you have been for the last 5-10 years? Probably not following Twins baseball.

On the other hand, it’s unlikely that Tom Hamilton would pull a comment like this out of his ass. Doing so would have no benefit to him. More likely; Hamilton was told, by someone he trusts, that Sano’s path back is being delayed because of his weight, not his knee. We’ll what local insiders find out from here…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Twins lost both ends of a doubleheader Wednesday vs the Boston Red Sox, putting them behind 0-3 in the four-game series and winless in their last six games. Now 5-7, the Twins have fallen to last place in the American League Central and fans are starting to get dry mouth, if they’re not already in full fledged panic mode.

Byron Buxton missed both games today with “right hamstring tightness” and Miguel Sano couldn’t hit a beach ball with a 2 x 4 if you underhanded it to him. On top of that, Jose Berrios and Kenta Maeda were the losing pitchers, meaning the hurlers will only get worse before they get better.

So, panic is probably the right emotion….

#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/x3Siu1P7Uw

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 14, 2021

But wait…

But let’s take a deeper look before we start selling all of our assets for future hope. There’s plenty of that “H” word to hold onto for the current club. Like, Byron Buxton. Sure, he didn’t play today and that sucks. But, if sitting Buxton for two losses today means that he plays more games throughout the year, I’m happy to make the sacrifice.

Especially when Buxton is finally blossoming into the great player he was once touted to be. Entering Wednesday, Buxton was leading the league in WAR, slugging %, OPS, and offensive win %. He was also 2nd in batting average and 5th in on-base %. If Byron plays 120 games this season he might win MVP.

Donaldson is Back too

We also got to see Josh Donaldson again today. He went 1 for 2 and immediately stretched out his hamstring, running from 1st to 3rd on a base hit and then tagging home for a run scored. It was good to see him open things up a little bit and still stand up looking healthy. That’s a victory in my book.

DONALDSON WENT FROM FIRST TO THIRD AND HE’S OK pic.twitter.com/BOJRZvxZ4F

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 14, 2021

Hopefully we get all three of Buxton (.469 AVG), Donaldson (.667 AVG) and Cruz (.438 AVG) in the middle of the Twins lineup tomorrow. The more often we can put those three together, the more likely we are to pile up wins. At the end of the season, 2021’s success will be dictated by the health of Donaldson and Buxton. So far, neither guy has had any severe injuries BUT they’ve obviously left us plenty to be concerned about.

Sano Will Be Fine

Stop worrying about Miguel Sano. He’s always been a slow starter and maybe he always will be. Keep giving him at-bats and let him hit himself out of his slump. Sano is a big league hitter and pitchers are still afraid of him. He’ll turn it around and he’ll be a huge contributor at points throughout this season. When he does, he’ll be our best and most dangerous hitter. And that’s saying something.

As long as the Minnesota Twins stay mostly healthy, we’ll only be concerned with playoff victories at the end of the season. So far, we still have a full team in-tact and a lot of season left to play. So until something changes on the injury front, I’ll be over here unconcerned.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is approaching faster than Jorge Alcala’s fastball. That doesn’t leave much more time for the Minnesota Twins to execute a trade that could land the type of starting pitcher, who would catapult them into serious World Series conversations.

After discussing potential deadline pitching pickups last week, I wanted to dive deeper into what the Twins would need to part with, for said pickups? If they want to make a big splash, it may cost MLB ready talent such as Miguel Sano or Eddie Rosario.

There are mixed opinions on who is expendable, and who isn’t but let’s dive deeper into who the team would actually ship away. A reminder that to get a top-end pitcher, these trades would not be a one-to-one player swap. Instead, they will likely need to include higher end prospects to sweeten the pot.

Amused that we’re on year three of people holding the doublethink that “Miguel Sanó sucks” but also “trading Miguel Sanó” will net a top starting pitcher. Please stop this.

— Matt Braun (@matthew_btwins) August 25, 2020

Miguel Sano

Sano is likely the first name that comes to a lot of fan’s minds. Whether it is his high strikeout rate or lack of excellent defense, a lot of people have given up on the big man. But they would be fooling themselves if they believe he (and even some prospects) would bring in the type of pitching the Twins need.

The biggest issue with Sano is that he is relatively hot right now. After an atrocious start, he has dragged his slash line back up to .247/.350/.562 with a wOBA of .379 and a wRC+ of 140. The only times those numbers have been topped in his career were his rookie season. Throw in leading both leagues in exit velocity (96.8 mph), being in the top 1% of barrel percentage (24.4%) and he has become a rock for the club the last few weeks.

Miguel Sano is so damn good. I’m in love with the bat toss. Him and Cruz are carrying this offense!
pic.twitter.com/y4aVt3nICG

— Cooper (@CoopCarlson) August 25, 2020

Yes, he is striking out more than 42% of the time, but he is also walking in 13.6% of his plate appearances. Like it or not, strikeouts are a natural part of his game. While his contract is friendly ($10 million/year through 2022) and could be a part of discussions, he is too integral at the moment to trade.

Sano has always been a part of the long-term plans for Thad Levine and Derek Falvey. He was part of the Twins’ core of players, who rose through the ranks together, in the late 2010s.

Trade Possibility: Unlikely

Eddie Rosario

Another name that has been thrown around a lot in trade talks the past few years, Eddie Rosario is hitting his stride at the right moment. He has stepped up to carry the team offensively, alongside Sano and Nelson Cruz.

His average isn’t spectacular (.241) but he is striking out only 14.6% of the time. This is thanks to a more patient approach at the plate. Rosario is unlucky when he makes contact. He’s hitting on top of the ball 34% of his at bats and under the ball 31.9% of the time. That’s not ideal, but he has been hot the last week, bringing his average up from .217 to .250, at one point.

Eddie Rosario makes it 2-0 #Twins driving home Miguel Sano from second. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/N2j0apL0Mi

— Justin Groc (@jgroc) August 23, 2020

Rosario is a bit more of a toss up, when forecasting this trade deadline. He is making only $7.75 million this year, and is arbitration eligible for the 2021 campaign and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022. We’ve seen plenty of rental players in the past, but he likely won’t be going to a team making a serious playoff push. Why would they bother?

Eddie Rosario has played the Target Field wall brilliantly this season.#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/pLYZBME20P

— Tom Froemming (@TFTwins) August 18, 2020

Plus, he isn’t even that amazing of a left fielder. Yes, he can occasionally gun a runner down who might be stupid enough to test his arm, but Eddie has just a -2 Outs Above Average and a -3% Success Rate Added. Those numbers rank among the league’s worst (9th percentile). You only want to remember the great plays, but that doesn’t mean the bad ones don’t exist.

Trade Possibility: Borderline

Marwin Gonzalez

Marwin’s role is a bit of an enigma with the Twins. He isn’t going to rip the cover off the ball (89.7 exit velocity) nor barrel the ball up (14th percentile). But what he can do is provide versatility in the field.

Rocco Baldelli has deployed him in a variety of roles over the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He played every position but pitcher, catcher and centerfield in 2019. Gonzalez can be slotted almost anywhere.

With the Twins seemingly riddled with injuries every week, Gonzalez has found his way into the lineup as an everyday player. While his stats aren’t going to jump off the page, he is too valuable as a utility man to give up. That’s before you even start to talk about the wealth of playoff knowledge he brings to a inexperienced playoff team.

Plus, the Twins would need to part with a plethora of prospects just to get something worthwhile in return.

Trade Possibility: Not worth it

Byron Buxton

This one is laughable, but I have to put it on here. When healthy, Buxton has shown he is one of, if not the, best defensive outfielder in Major League Baseball. He shows plenty of promise with the bat in his hands too.

The issue has never been whether or not he can get it done in the big leagues. Instead, it’s always about whether he can stay healthy. Every year, Buxton will go on week, or even month-long tears where he looks calm and finds success at the plate, while repeatedly spinning the highlight reel with amazing catches… Then like clockwork, he somehow gets injured and we start all over again.

#MNTwins Roster Moves: Club selects contract of Ryan Jeffers, recalls Zack Littell and LaMonte Wade Jr.; Byron Buxton and Mitch Garver placed on 10-day IL; Lewis Thorpe optioned to Alternate Training Site. pic.twitter.com/siSMWp8kP7

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 20, 2020

Buxton is beyond frustrating, as a player. He ranks below the 50th percentile in Exit Velocity, Hard Hit %, xwOBA, xBA, K%, and Whiff %. Sure, his speed can make up for all of that, if he gets the barrel to the ball (67th percentile in Barrel % and 99th in sprint speed), but injuries continue to hamper any positive upsides. No team would be stupid enough to give up a top-tier player or prospect for Byron Buxton at this point in time.

Trade Possibility: Laughable

Hedging Bets For 2020 or Beyond?

These are the four players most likely to be used as pawns, by the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline. Before any deals are had, though. One big question needs to be answered (behind closed doors, it’s already been addressed I’m sure). Are they going all in on 2020 or hedging their bets for the future?

In all likelihood, it will be a mix of both. You don’t bring in Josh Donaldson if you aren’t in “win-now” mode. But when you have a farm system as ripe with talent as the Twins’, do you sell it to possibly win one, maybe two championships?

The Twins are, unfortunately, not the Yankees or Dodgers. They can’t have their cake and eat it too. This is a delicate time for this franchise… How “all-in” do you go, while still being responsible?

The Twins make a run this year, and then return most of the important pieces (minus Cruz) in '21 – while potentially incorporating Lewis (SS/OF) & Larnach (OF) throughout the year. Santana (ARB in '21) takes over for departing super-sub Marwin Gonzalez. pic.twitter.com/8v9fUofZWi

— Fake Baseball Trades (@mlb_fake_trades) August 25, 2020

What About the Minors?

The Twins do have a good minor league system to work with for a trade. They ranked 7th in MLB, prior to the draft this year. Without an opportunity to showcase in 2020, who knows how low the asking price could be for some of the organization’s best prospects. The best deadline option might be for the Twins to leave well-enough alone, until we get through this fog and into 2021.

The 2020 World Series winner will have to compete with asterisks and bullshit, anyway. Maybe an absurdly great offer will come through in the coming days. But I wouldn’t be holding my breath for any big blockbusters in the next few days, even if they need it.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

Bombas. Bullpen. Win. Repeat. The Minnesota Twins defeated the Cleveland Indians for the second night in a row on Saturday night, this time by a score of 3-0. Kenta Maeda and Miguel Sano were the stars of the night. The Twins improve to 6-2 and extend their division lead on the Indians to 1.5 games, as the Indians fall to 5-4.

Kenta Maeda simply put this team on his back tonight. Maeda only allowed 1 hit in 6 IP while recording 6 K’s and only giving up 1 walk. Maeda had a no hitter through 4 1/3 innings of work until Indians CF Bradley Zimmer reached first on an infield single that went to review.

Kenta Maeda’s no-hit bid is broken up by a Bradley Zimmer infield chopper with a 40.5 mph exit velocity, because baseball. I thought he’d be out on replay, but it’s a tough overturn to make.

First hit comes with 1 out in the 5th.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 2, 2020

MORE BOMBAS

The Twins produced all of their runs on bombas, of course. The first one came from Miguel Sano, who finally showed his power by hitting his first of the year in the 3rd inning. This ball was an absolute laser that almost took someones head off in the Twins bullpen.

Miguel Sano makes it 1-0 with a home run. #twins #indians pic.twitter.com/UFPdbhlUOW

— Justin Groc (@jgroc) August 1, 2020

Exit velocity on Miguel Sano’s first homer of the season was 110.6 mph, the technical term for which is ****ing smoked.

“Expected batting average” on it was .950. I’d like to see the .050 that turned into an out.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 1, 2020

Fast forward to the 4th inning, when Eddie Rosario would get in on the HR fun, hitting his 2nd of the year. Rosario made Indians SP Carlos Carrasco pay after he hung a first pitch breaking ball.

Eddie Rosario – Minnesota Twins (2) Solo. pic.twitter.com/ubU1zdKPr0

— MLB HR Tracker (@hr_mlb) August 2, 2020

Miguel Sano was not done though, hitting his 2nd bomba of the night in the 5th inning off of Carrasco. If you thought he first HR of the night was hit hard wait until you see this…

Second home run of the night for Miguel Sano would’ve killed someone if fans were allowed. pic.twitter.com/uyljp5wBQo

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) August 2, 2020

A three-run lead is all this pitching staff needs, as the stingy Twins bullpen came in and picked up right where Maeda left off. Trevor May, Cody Stashak, and Taylor Rogers all quieted the Indians helping the Twins secure the victory.

THE BEST

Miguel Sano finally showed up to play ball tonight, and I didn’t realize how much I missed watching him hit homeruns. If Sano can build on this and consistently play at a high level it would be a huge boost to this lineup, especially if Josh Donaldson misses an extended period of time.

THE WORST

It is hard to find something bad in a game like this, but Mitch Garver has really struggled out the gate this year. Garver is now 2-15 on the year and has already struck out 9 times.

The Twins will be back in action tomorrow at 1:10 pm against the Indians as they look to win their third straight series. Taking the mound for the Twins will be Homer Bailey (1-0) 3.60 ERA he will face off against Adam Civale (1-0) 3.00 ERA.

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan