If you enjoy watching unpredictable baseball teams, the 2024 Minnesota Twins are right up your alley. This season has been a wild ride for the 2023 AL Central champions, starting with a 7-13 record, followed by a 12-game winning streak, and continuing with a series of ups and downs.
Each week brings a different vibe to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but if the playoffs began today, the Twins would be in. While they may not be leading contenders for the pennant, it’s still a decent position to be in, especially given the unexpectedly strong performance of the rest of the division. However, to secure consecutive Central titles, the Twins need to strengthen their roster.
Today, we’ll examine three key areas where the Twins could use significant upgrades. We’ll explore some potential trade candidates from other teams and assess how these additions could impact Minnesota’s season. So, grab a Schell’s and a Juicy Lucy, and let’s dive into some Twins talk.
Twins lack production from corner infield
Royce Lewis’s injury was disappointing on several fronts. Lewis had been a key driver of Minnesota’s momentum in 2023, notably hitting two home runs in the Wild Card Series opener to secure the Twins’ first playoff victory since 2004. Meanwhile, with Carlos Santana struggling as the everyday first baseman, the Twins have one of the least productive corner infield combinations in the majors.
Although Lewis is expected to return soon, for the Twins to be serious contenders, they need a reliable backup for the corner infield positions, or ideally, a new first baseman. Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals would be the perfect addition, but as he has improved, so have the Cardinals’ chances, making them less likely to sell.
Fortunately, there are other viable options. Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins, who can play both first and third, was instrumental in sparking a playoff run last season. The Toronto Blue Jays’ Justin Turner could offer valuable veteran leadership if his team falls out of the playoff race. If all else fails, J.D. Davis from the Oakland Athletics could cover both corner spots and would be a low-cost rental. The Twins need to secure at least one of these options.
Minnesota needs an ace
None of the Twins’ starters are necessarily poor performers, but the rotation as a whole is somewhat lackluster. Joe Ryan has been excellent and Simeon Woods-Richardson has exceeded expectations, but Pablo López has been a significant disappointment so far. Adding another ace-type pitcher would greatly benefit the entire rotation, allowing each starter to move down a slot and pitch with less pressure.
Fortunately, the trade market is an excellent opportunity to acquire starting pitching, and this year’s market is rich with options. For veteran reclamation projects on cheap contracts, Erick Fedde and Trevor Williams are likely candidates. If the goal is a younger pitcher with ace potential, Jesús Luzardo is eager to leave Miami. However, the Twins should aim high and target the biggest name available.
Though it might not be obvious because they’re the defending NL champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks are only a few more bad weeks away from becoming sellers. They’re currently deep in fourth place in the NL West with a 25-32 record, after making some unusually expensive free-agent signings. One of those signings, who won a World Series ring last season, is the pitcher the Twins need: Jordan Montgomery.
Christian Vázquez is no longer an MLB hitter
Ryan Jeffers has been a standout for the Twins in 2024. His offensive production has been exceptional for any player, let alone a catcher with a career OPS+ of 105 before this season. Conversely, his backup, Christian Vázquez, has been one of the league’s worst hitters, with an OPS+ of 20 and a .294 slugging percentage over two seasons with the Twins.
You might be thinking, “how important is the backup catcher position really?” Just ask Vázquez, who has won two World Series titles sharing the catching duties for different teams. Last year’s champions also benefited from a productive backup catcher, with Mitch Garver helping keep Jonah Heim fresh for the postseason. Jeffers is having a great season, but his performance will likely decline if he’s forced to play every game during the Twins’ playoff run.
To address this issue, the Twins should acquire a more capable backup. The Colorado Rockies’ Elias Díaz would be an ideal choice, though he might prefer a starting role. If the Blue Jays fall out of contention, they might trade one of their two solid catchers. Additionally, the Tigers’ Carson Kelly, a pending free agent, could be another viable option.
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