Twins Insider Expects Core Outfielder to be Traded

The MLB trade deadline arrives Tuesday, July 30. So far, the Minnesota Twins haven’t made any moves. A shrunken budget, with seemingly no desire to increase costs , is likely the biggest reason why Twins president Derek Falvey has stood pat.

The Twins have admitted they’d like to add a starting pitcher to strengthen the back half of the rotation. Several starters are available. Yet, the Twins must find a way to avoid adding to their payroll, which could result in trading some of their MLB-level talent. That’s exactly what one local insider expects.

Related: Twins Could Trade One of Fanbase’s Least-Liked Players

Twins expected to trade one of Kepler, Larnach, or Wallner

If the Minnesota Twins make a trade deadline acquisition, the expectation is that they’ll part with one of their current MLB players. Specifically, an outfielder. But which one?

Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press expects the Twins to trade one of their core outfielders in the next few days. The three he believes may be shipped out of town are one of Max Kepler, Trevor Larnach, or Matt Wallner. He says this may be the only way the Twins add a starting pitcher.

“It’ll be surprising if the Twins don’t include at least one of outfielders Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach or Max Kepler in a deal for a starter before Tuesday’s trade deadline.”

Charley Walters

Wallner has been the subject of trade rumors for several months. Teams are always calling about the power-hitting outfielder with one of baseball’s strongest arms. Kepler has been mentioned as a trade candidate for several years. He has the highest salary of the three ( $10M ). Kepler’s also set for free agency at the end of the season.

Yet, we don’t know how other teams value the Twins’ three outfielders. Kepler is 32, and while he’s a superb defender in right field, he’s not getting any better. Meanwhile, Larnach, 27, and Wallner, 26, have yet to reach their ceiling.

Either way, they’re all attractive trade options for different reasons, and the Twins do have top prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez coming closer to making their debuts too. Moving one of the veterans could open up a spot for either one to reach the big leagues next season, yet Jenkins may need another year before making such a big climb, as he’s currently in Fort Myers with the Single-A club.

Trading any of the outfielders Walters mentions involves risk, but that’s the cost of doing business. At the same time, not making a deadline move could come back to bite them later on, especially if one of their starting pitchers is forced to miss time with an injury. We’ll see what wins out in the end.

Related: Minnesota Twins New Top Prospect Puts System in Rarefied Air

More must-reads:

• Twins Could Trade One of Fanbase’s Least-Liked Players
• Passan: Money Issues Continue to Hinder Twins in Trade Talks
• Pohlads Unlikely to Approve ANY Increase in Twins Payroll at MLB Trade Deadline

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