After trading Harrison Bader and Brock Stewart, the Twins shocked the world and sent Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros. They then moved bullpen arm Danny Coulombe to the Texas Rangers, and Willi Castro now leaves for the Chicago Cubs.

Players were very upset with Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday after his miscommunicated removal of Castro from the game, leading to chaos in the locker room. The skipper was right though, as that was the last time Twins fans would see the utility man this season.

Minnesota Twins send Willi Castro to the North Side

Willi Castro has been among the best success stories in recent Minnesota Twins history. They picked him up off the Detroit Tigers scrap heap, and turned him into an All-Star. Playing even better this season, and in the final year of arbitration, it was all but assumed he was gone.

Willi Castro to Cubs for prospects

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2025

At the trade deadline players like Willi Castro are incredibly valuable. His versatility in the outfield and infield is unmatched, and making just $6.4 million this season keeps him affordable.

His 103 OPS+ is backed by a .245/.335/.407 slash line. That’s up from where he finished last year, and that was a campaign that sent him to the Midsummer Classic and had him being named the team MVP.

Willi Castro crushes his 10th home run of the season for the Twins! ⚾ What a shot! pic.twitter.com/cKoMZ6F0Fp

— MiloX Sports MLB (@MiloXSportsMLB) July 19, 2025

At 63-45 the Chicago Cubs are just a single game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central Division. Both have their eyes on the playoffs, but Chicago would like to make the postseason without having to go through the wild card gauntlet.

Related: MN Twins Shock the World: Carlos Correa Back to Astros

Castro will leave the Twins as one of the biggest fan favorites in recent memory. He would be an ideal candidate for the club to re-sign next season over the offseason as well.

Double-A pitchers headed back to Minnesota Twins

Although Castro was one of the more intriguing bats available at the trade deadline, he’s still marginally better than league average and an impending free agent. That muted the return Minnesota could expect to get.

Cubs sending Double-A pitchers Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong back to Minnesota in the deal for Castro.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 31, 2025

Gallagher was a sixth round pick by Chicago during the 2024 MLB draft. He just recently reached Double-A and has made a pair of starts allowing just two runs on five hits across 11 1/3 innings. This is his first professional season, and across 84 innings he owns a 3.43 ERA with a 96/20 K/BB.

The Cubs took Armstrong in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He too is at Double-A Knoxville this season, but owns a 4.62 ERA with a 72/31 K/BB across 89 2/3 innings. He is nearly 25 years old, and the Twins will need to push him aggressively if they expect him to contribute at the big league level.

A pair of low-ceiling pitching prospects are a fair return for Castro. Now Falvey will need to hope his pitching development pipeline can do wonders with the new talent.

The clubhouse indicated to the front office that it was time to get serious about selling. The front office had to grapple with the reality that they failed in roster construction, again.

Minnesota is about to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons, and it has started to sink in.

Reality setting in for MN Twins prior to trade deadline

On Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox the MN Twins set social media ablaze because closer Jhoan Duran simply gave his bullpen catcher a hug. That’s representative of the reality facing the team though. Players are going to go, and Ryan Jeffers talked with The Athletic’s Dan Hayes about just that.

“We’re still kind of in a holding pattern of seeing exactly how far down the rabbit hole we go as an organization,. I’m sure now that the ball’s rolling with making a move, stuff is going to start happening.”

Ryan Jeffers – The Athletic

Jeffers isn’t likely to be among the players that Minnesota moves. Christian Vazquez is an impending free agent (and very much available). Beyond that, the position is thin at the high minors. Danny Coulombe is an impending free agent that is having a career-year, so he could go, and echoes the sentiments of Jeffers.

“You don’t think it’s a real thing, and when one domino falls, you’re like, ‘OK, this is actually going to happen.’ It’s definite we’re looking to sell.”

Danny Coulombe – The Athletic

The rabbit hole Jeffers is talking about relates to the significance of future assets being traded. As a bad team it’s not surprising you’d move anyone that has no set contract beyond this season. That isn’t the case for names like Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, or Griffin Jax. On Wednesday morning it was reported that Carlos Correa could be on the table as well.

Related: Report: Houston Astros Coming for MN Twins Carlos Correa

Another impending free agent that has come to grips with the reality is Willi Castro. He is having a better year than his All-Star season in 2024, and that will make him more than valuable to a multitude of teams.

“It’s not going to take me by surprise. I’m already prepared. I wish I could stay here. … I don’t think anybody is going to be surprised by the news.”

Willi Castro – The Athletic

The closer things get to Thursday’s 5pm CDT MLB trade deadline, the more clarity the clubhouse will have. It’s going to look like a different room when the team returns Friday in Cleveland, but they have already submitted to that reality.

MN Twins moves could come fast

It seems like ages ago that Paddack was traded to Detroit, but that was just Monday evening. So far that has been the only deal Derek Falvey has done. However, he holds plenty of assets teams are coming for, and he’ll have to make decisions eventually.

Wednesday the Twins are in action against the Boston Red Sox for a matinee affair. They’ll get on a plane and head to Cleveland after that contest. It may behoove the squad not to offer plane tickets to those that won’t be with the team on Friday.

Related: Excess Demand for Pitching Empowering MN Twins’ Stubborness

Deadline day always brings a flurry of moves. You can expect plenty of the Twins pieces to be caught up in that reality. It will be worth monitoring the tea leaves Wednesday night though to see what may get done before the sun comes up again.

For Derek Falvey to get significant value he’ll need to part with controllable assets. Starting pitcher Joe Ryan would command an absolute haul. Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax will return plenty as well, but they are bullpen arms.

Multiple suitors have been rumored in the leadup to the deadline. We’ve already seen a blockbuster that Bowden would like to see happen. There are a couple of new intriguing proposed landing spots on the radar as well.

Minnesota Twins deal with the Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are a team that Bowden has said have been in contact with the Minnesota Twins. They could use relief help as well as something on the position player front. ESPN’s Paul “Hembo” Hembekides says Minnesota is exactly where they should turn. He’s calling for them to acquire Griffin Jax and Willi Castro.

“The Phillies’ need for a reliever is well-documented — Jordan Romano has pitched to a 6.99 ERA and Jose Alvarado is ineligible for the postseason because of his PED suspension. Jax’s underlying metrics (40.7% chase rate, 39.7% whiff rate, 36.9% strikeout rate) are cartoonishly good and suggest his 3.91 ERA is artificially inflated.

Philadelphia’s need for another bat is likewise acute: Since May 1, second baseman Bryson Stott (60 wRC+) and left fielder Max Kepler (72 wRC+) have been among baseball’s worst regulars at the plate. Not only has Castro posted an above-average batting line in each of the past three seasons (105 OPS+ over that span) but the utility player has also logged more than 300 innings this season in both the infield and the outfield.”

Paul Hembekides – ESPN

If the Phillies were to acquire Jax and Castro they’d join former Twins teammate Max Kepler. Although Jax has a higher ERA (3.91) than his teammate Jhoan Duran (2.01), he owns a lower FIP (2.00) and xFIP (1.71). His 1.5 fWAR also bests Duran’s 1.2.

At 30 years old Jax has presumably less future upside than the 27-year-old Duran. However, with how good his stuff is (especially the sweeper) he’s going to generate a nice return.

Griffin Jax, Wicked Sweepers…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/MEteME6Hkm

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 29, 2025

Castro, unlike Jax, is an impending free agent. The 28-year-old has an identical 108 OPS+ this year as he did in 2024 as an All-Star. His .252/.343/.418 slash line is above the .247/.331/.385 mark from last season. He can play the infield or outfield and is an ideal trade acquisition.

Related: Top Contenders Blowing MN Twins Up Over Trade Assets

Including Jax would up the return from Philadelphia as it’s not just a rental situation. Andrew Painter, the Phillies top prospect, is probably off the table. Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and Edouard Tait should all be part of the discussion though.

New York Yankees a fit for MN Twins too

If the Twins are going to trade controllable assets then Jax and fellow leverage arm Jhoan Duran are the most likely. Duran could be the most impactful reliever moved on the market Tristan Cockroft is calling for the New York Yankees to do the deal.

“Minnesota sends the right-hander to New York in exchange for starting pitcher Carlos Lagrange and second baseman Roc Riggio. The Yankees are sorely in need of bullpen help: Among their top five relievers from the Opening Day roster, two have underperformed expectations (Devin Williams and Luke Weaver) and two are sidelined with long-term injuries (Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr.). They rank 21st in bullpen ERA (4.25).

Acquiring Duran will be costly — Lagrange has a similarly filthy fastball to Duran’s and has been dominating in Double-A (2.35 ERA, 38.8 K% in his past six starts) — but why not go big when you’re a defending league champion in need? Duran, with his 100 mph heater, presents a nice contrast in styles to Williams’ Airbender and Weaver’s rising fastball. Remember, a dominant bullpen was critical to the Yankees’ playoff run last year — theirs had a 2.67 postseason ERA”

Tristan Cockroft – ESPN

Duran might be the arm to net Minnesota more, even if Jax winds up being the better pickup. The Yankees need bullpen help and Cockroft is confident that Duran can provide it.

Minnesota’s closer is having arguably the best season of his career. He owns a 2.01 ERA (2.48 FIP) and still strikes out batters in droves despite slightly diminished velocity. He’d quickly become New York’s top relief arm and the franchise doesn’t look to make the playoffs and not win.

Lagrange is ranked as the 94th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, and second in the Yankees system. Riggio is the 10th prospect for New York. Maybe George Lombard Jr. is a non-starter (29th in MLB), but he’s someone Minnesota would be wise to ask on.

Related: One Player the MN Twins are Supposedly Trading

Where Jax, Castro, and Duran go prior to Thursday’s deadline remains to be seen. It does seem like at least two of them will be moved though.

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.

And now, with the Major League Baseball trade deadline just three days away, Twins president Derek Falvey has no choice but to sell off talent between now and July 31, because the dream of acting as a buyer is all but dead, at 50-55, with six teams between them and the final AL wild card spot.

While Falvey hasn’t indicated a direction publicly, there have been endless reports over the past few weeks pin the Twins as one of the league’s most sought after seller in the American League. How aggressive they decide to be, beyond their impending free agents, is still a mystery.

Expect to see guys like Brock Stewart, Danny Coulombe and/or Tuesday’s scheduled starter Chris Paddack to be traded. Recently, The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman tabbed Willi Castro as the expiring contracts that is certain to be moved by Thursday’s deadline.

Willi Castro drawing interest from Astros

That said, he is having a better season than he did as an All-Star last year, and the Houston Astros are taking notice. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome is reporting that he is on their radar.

Suárez may be the sexier name, but Minnesota Twins utilityman Willi Castro is also of interest to the Astros and a far better fit for their roster.

Castro is a switch hitter with starts at six different defensive positions this season, versatility that would be valued as the Astros’ nine injured position players are activated. Castro has made 26 starts at second base and 25 in left field — the two most unsettled positions on Houston’s major-league roster.

Both Castro and Suárez are rentals being sought after by a bevy of contending teams, again inviting wonder if the Astros can win a bidding war against clubs with deeper farm systems.

Chandler Rome – The Athletic

A team would need to give up much more, regardless of the rental status, for the Diamondbacks Eugenio Suarez. Last season Castro slashed .247/.331/.385. He tailed off to end the year, but that was an All-Star campaign. This season he owns a .254/.342/.423 slash line.

Teams will need to decide whether he is more valuable as an infielder or outfielder for them. Regardless his versatility and prorated $6.4 million salary are too enticing to pass up.

Derek Falvey seeing Minnesota Twins direction come into view

According to Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) there were at least seven teams with scouts at Target Field over the weekend. Representation from the Yankees, Red, Padres, Phillies, Mariners, Rays, and Rangers were all present. Falvey tried to put a positive spin on the Twins’ disappointing reality Sunday.

“Entering the break, it felt like we were gaining a little bit of momentum. The last couple series haven’t gone as well as we would have hoped. Now the job is just to evaluate what comes our way and navigate in any direction possible. We still feel like there’s a lot of talent on this roster.”

Derek Falvey – via the Star Tribune

Related: Dodgers Coming for Twins Outfielder

The Minnesota Twins leader of the front office can try to sugarcoat the reality as much as he wants. Unfortunately this team has flopped and now he’s forced with parting them out. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale heard from Falvey on Sunday.

Players like Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax would require a substantial return to be moved. While Falvey is taking calls on his more expensive assets, inquiring teams thus far have walked away from those conversations with mostly sticker shock.

Nonetheless, it’s shaping up to be a busy week for the Minnesota Twins. Disappointingly, it’s not the busy we were all hoping for when the 2025 MLB season started.

Nonetheless, the Twins would have to go of going 4-1 in their next five games, in order to climb back to .500 before the MLB trade deadline on July 31.

The Minnesota front office has indicated a plan to sell around league circles, but until the moves start rolling in, we don’t know how far they will go down the seller’s path. Is team president Derek Falvey trying to limit the deadline selling to impending free agent Twins, and other fringe moves?

Or… could he have something splashier in mind? Ultimately, the answer to that question may depend on how good the final offers are on guys like Joe Ryan, Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, because the Twins are asking the world right now, in return for those high-caliber controllable assets.

On the other side of the trade deadline coin, the MN Twins have six players on expiring contracts, who they will not be charging an arm and a leg for.

Aaron Gleeman says Willi Castro is gone for Minnesota Twins

At any moment this weekend, or next week, it’s very possible we see some combination of Willi Castro, Harrison Bader, Chris Paddack, Danny Coulombe, Ty France and Christian Vazquez traded away, no matter how valuable some of them have been to the teams somewhat limited 2025 success.

But when told by his bosses at The Athletic to pick one Twins player “who WILL be wearing a new uniform by July 31”, newly promoted “Senior Writer”, Aaron Gleeman chose Willi Castro, citing his Swiss Army Knife ability to play anywhere defensively, while still producing at the plate.

Castro is the best of the Twins’ six impending free agents, each of whom figures to be very available. He can play anywhere defensively and he’s a switch hitter with good speed and a .741 OPS over three seasons in Minnesota, making him a smooth fit in almost any lineup. Castro was an All-Star last season and he’s having an even better 2025, so the 28-year-old should have plenty of suitors.

Aaron Gleeman – The Athletic

Last season, when Castro was named an All-Star he owned a .247/.331/.385 slash line (101 OPS+), a final line that was dragged down by a less-than-stellar second half, something he shared with many on the Twins’ roster in 2024.

This season, Castro has rebounded with another strong first half showing — .257/.346/.429 (112 OPS+) — and he’s remained every bit as reliable, on the defensive utility front, proving himself capable of playing just about anywhere in the infield or outfield.

As Gleeman points out… what Playoff team couldn’t find a useful role for a guy like that?

Willi Castro has a homer off a lefty this season. pic.twitter.com/YtWZEl0ZrN

— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 4, 2025

Castro was signed by the MN Twins in December of 2022, one month after he was granted free agency by the Detroit Tigers, making Willi hands down one of the best success stories of the Derek Falvey era.

Castro is still just 28 years old. He’s making just $6.4 million this season, which is his final year of arbitration, meaning he will be an unrestricted free agent when the league calendar flips from 2025 to 2026.

Related: Former GM Calls for Twins to Complete Blockbuster

In other words, Willi Castro is the exact type of player that the Minnesota Twins should be looking to move, if they’re trying to sell anything of significance by July 31.

What can MN Twins get for Willi Castro?

The New York Yankees just traded for Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon. His 88 OPS+ is worse than Castro’s, he doesn’t play the outfield, and he is making $12 million this season with $32 million on the books through 2027.

They were the 8th and 21st best prospects in the Yankee organization, according to MLB Pipeline https://t.co/bvmvoZQt2m

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 25, 2025

That looks like something of a salary dump by the Rockies, and New York stopped short of going after a more talented player like Eugenio Suarez. Like the Diamondbacks third basemen, Castro is a rental. He isn’t in the same realm offensively (149 OPS+) but makes less than half of Suarez’s $15 million.

Minnesota should be able to get a couple of solid prospects for Castro, if not someone on the fringe of either readiness or top 100 consideration. He checks too many boxes for competing teams, and that’s something other front offices should be lining up to acquire.

As Gleeman notes, it seems like Castro has less than six days left on the Minnesota Twins active roster.

Rental players won’t warrant much of a return for the Twins, but if Derek Falvey puts the organization’s high-end controllable talent on the table, that changes significantly. The most logical names, if Minnesota does decide to trade any of its rumored star pitchers, whether it be Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax.

Most league eyes are on the Minnesota bullpen. Postseason-bound teams need more high leverage arms in their bullpens, and the Twins currently roster the cream of this trade deadline’s reliever crop, in Duran and Jax.

It’s possible neither guy is dealt, if the Minnesota Twins aren’t blown away by an offer. Expiring contracts like Willi Castro, however, have a much higher likelihood of being traded.

Jim Bowden wants Minnesota Twins to package relievers

It’s even possible, according to former general manager turned The Athletic columnist, Jim Bowden, that we see a big blockbuster that includes multiple key Twins. In fact, he’d like to see both Duran and Willi Castro shipped to LA as part of the same package.

When they constructed this roster, the Dodgers probably didn’t think they’d need to improve the bullpen at the trade deadline. They spent the offseason loading up on relievers, but their plans were foiled by injuries. So, with an opportunity to go back-to-back as World Series champions, perhaps they push their chips in for two impact relievers in one deal.

Duran has 15 saves and a 1.94 ERA over 46 appearances thanks to his overpowering triple-digit fastball. He would immediately become the Dodgers’ closer. Jax has 68 strikeouts in 44 innings with a 4.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP, after logging a 2.03 ERA and 0.87 WHIP last season. Both are under team control through 2027.

In addition, the Dodgers would land Castro, a valuable utilityman who can play all over the field and protect them against future injuries. Los Angeles always looks to acquire positional flexibility. Castro has a 112 OPS+ and will be a free agent after this season.

Jim Bowden – The Athletic

Not only would Jax and Duran go to the Dodgers in this situation, but Los Angeles would get another utility type in Castro. That trio is arguably the best assets Minnesota is realistically looking to move, and it would generate a significant return.

Duran and Jax are two of the best high-leverage arms in baseball while Castro is coming off an All-Star season in 2024. Although he didn’t earn that nod this time around, his .257/.346/.429 is actually representative of a career-best mark.

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

The Dodgers needed relief help before Tanner Scott went down with an injury. Now that he is out, it’s beyond necessary. This trade would address the Dodgers’ backend bullpen issues nicely.

Significant haul coming back to MN Twins

Of course if Bowden is suggesting the Minnesota Twins send that much to Los Angeles, he is more than aware the price will be steep. The prospect capital in return is massive, and it should be.

“In return, the Twins would land a haul. They’d get a future middle-of-the-order impact bat in De Paula, who needs a lot of work defensively but has a chance to develop into an All-Star bat with power. De Paula, 20, is No. 17 in Keith Law’s new ranking of the game’s top prospects.

They’d also get Ferris, who profiles as a mid-rotation starter but is still a couple of years away, and Miller, 26, a reclamation project who could benefit from a change of scenery. Elkins, a 20-year-old outfielder at High A, would be a throw-in to close the deal. But the key to the trade for the Twins would be De Paula, who has slashed .262/.409/.416 with 10 homers and 28 steals this season in High A.”

Jim Bowden – The Athletic

De Paula is a legitimate top prospect that checks in not far from Minnesota’s own Walker Jenkins. He played in the Futures Game during the All-Star Break, and his three-run homer earned him MVP honors.

Josue De Paula three-run dinger!

108.5 mph off the bat for the @Dodgers' No. 1 prospect.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/P7RekP7G4k pic.twitter.com/lqKMEJHAWo

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 12, 2025

The inclusion of Miller is interesting. He posted a 3.76 ERA (3.51 FIP) as a rookie in 2023, but has thrown just 61 innings in the big leagues since. Now 26 and with a 5.58 ERA at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he could add to Minnesota’s pitching depth but presents a higher ceiling than some of the other options.

Miller won’t hit arbitration until 2027 and that level of cost control is something that the Minnesota front office can build around.

Related: Another Coveted MN Twin Open to Being Traded

It’s a big move to give up that much major league talent. The Twins could shift some of the additional prospects in the deal, but getting De Paula is a great starting point. It wouldn’t be the first time Los Angeles grabbed a high-octane MN Twins reliever either. Brusdar Graterol paved this path in 2019.

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.

After losing four-straight, including three of four in Cleveland, the MN Twins open a new series on Tuesday evening against the Baltimore Orioles, after taking two of three in Fenway over the Boston Red Sox this weekend. Over the past three weeks the Twins have been riding a rollercoaster of winning and losing stretches.

• 4/13-4/16: WON 3-of-4 (Tigers, Mets)
• 4/18-4/20: LOST 3-Straight (Braves)
• 4/22-4/28: WON 6-of-7 (White Sox, Angels, Guardians)
• 4/29-5/2: LOST 4-Straight (Guardians, Red Sox)
• 5/3-5/4: WON 2-Straight (Red Sox)

To this point, the Twins’ have kept their season afloat without 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick Royce Lewis, a key piece to their lineup puzzle both now and in the future. But that will not be the case, going forward.

Minnesota Twins activate Royce Lewis, Willi Castro

On Monday, Minnesota’s lineup got a whole lot better when both Lewis and 2024 All-Star utility man, Willi Castro were officially activated off the injured list. In corresponding roster moves, the Twins optioned infielders Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper to Triple A.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/NoHdfJ3yYu

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 5, 2025

Royce Lewis, who turns 26 years old in June, will step into the batter’s box on Tuesday at Target Field with all sorts of questions. Beyond his chronic inability to stay healthy early in his career, Lewis fell off a productivity cliff during the second half of 2024, finishing with a disappointing .233 batting average and 74/28 K/BB ratio.

Related: Other MLB Teams Eyeing Up Minnesota Twins Ace Pitcher Already

Yet, even at his worst, Royce Lewis put up a respectable .747 OPS and 106 OPS+ last year. In an injury riddled first three seasons of his MLB career, Royce Lewis has hit .268 with an impressive .825 OPS and 126 OPS+. Optioning Julien means Brooks Lee and Willi Castro will split time at second base.

Castro will also spell Lewis plenty at third base. Prior to his injury, Willi Castro was struggling at the plate, hitting just .227 with a .655 OPS and 84 OPS+. In 2024, the 28-year-old Puerto Rican made the AL All-Star Game as a Utility Fielder, a new position added to the roster last year.

Castro, Lewis replace Mickey Gasper and Eddie Julien

With two-plus seasons as a member of the Minnesota Twins, Castro holds a .249 batting average, .725 OPS and 101 OPS+. He’s a swiss army knife who can play anywhere on the field, outside of catcher. Unfortunately, he isn’t a plus-fielder at any position, something that bares its ugly head every once in a while.

But no matter, because the Twins want and need fielders with position flexibility. And when it comes to utility players in the MLB, they don’t get much better than Willi Castro. Without a doubt, he’ll fill the role better than Mickey Gasper, who batted .176 with a .488 OPS in 34 at bats for the Twins, in Castro’s absence.

Mickey Gasper finally got his first big league hit and his family got to see it!pic.twitter.com/0pjbt3WTKF

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) March 29, 2025

Related: Umpire Cusses Himself Out on Hot Mic After MN Twins’ Successful Challenge

Eddie Julien heads back down to St. Paul after riding the MLB struggle bus yet again. We all knew the 26-year-old second baseman would bring down the defense, but he was supposed to bring a bat on offense that made you forget about all that. Instead, we’ve wanted to forget he ever got called up in the first place.

In 91 at bats in 2025, Eddie Julien is batting below the Mendoza Line, at .198, with a .607 OPS and 71 OPS+ (-0.4 WAR). If the Canadian kid can’t figure things out soon, he will be out of opportunities with the Minnesota Twins.