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If the Mets do sell, there are surely pieces on whom the Minnesota Twins need to kick the tires, and nobody sticks out more than their power-hitting first basem*n. I’m going to bow out of writing more on Pete Alonso, though, and direct you to a great read on this very topic by our very own, Cody Christie. The only thing worth adding, since that piece was written at the beginning of the month, is that the need is even greater after the demotion of Alex Kirilloff.
So who else is there? Let's start by looking at some pitching help. Let me preface this section with my belief that you can never have enough pitching--like, ever. So, while David Festa looks to be nearly ready for his crack at the big-league rotation, I'm hoping the Twins acquire a back-end or better arm, even if that pushes his debut into 2025.
Starting Pitchers
While acquiring a back-end arm may not be overly helpful in the postseason, the team needs to get there first. The Mets have two starting arms on expiring deals on whom I'd expect the Minnesota front office to call. At the top of that list is the same pitcher the Twins chased from the 2017 Wild Card game against the Yankees, in righthander Luis Severino.
Severino has struggled through injuries over the five seasons leading up to 2024, but he's regained his pre-2019 form this season, posting a 3.25/3.73 ERA/FIP over 12 starts wherein he's averaged 6.0 innings per start. Given his production and the relatively cheap cost, he likely will fetch a pretty solid return in a competitive market. Because of the injury history, likely demand, and the recent track record of Twins trading prospects for pitchers, I’m probably out on Severino, but I can't say he's not intriguing.
Less productive, for a similar amount of money and with a player option for 2025, is Sean Manaea. While his surface stats aren't great (with a 4.30/3.79 ERA/FIP) and his expected stats suggest potential regression, he'd still be an upgrade over the current options the Twins have for the back of their rotation. I like him as an upgrade, because he really fits the Twins' mold. He has elite extension, a plus sinker, and a sweeper that has been effective in the past.
This type of pitcher (see Joe Ryan and Pablo López) is a perfect fit. The Twins' coaching staff should be able to get the most out of his arsenal and bring him back to something like the pitcher he was with the Oakland Athletics.
Relief Pitchers
Adam Ottavino has been a solid (though usually unspectacular) reliever across 11 big-league seasons. His expected stats and projection models scream for positive regression in the ERA department, and he's posting a very solid K-BB% of 22.2. Aside from Griffin Jax, the Twins bullpen has been unreliable--especially the low-leverage end of the bullpen, which has been like a State Fair shuttle, traveling non-stop between Target Field and CHS Field. Search Ottavino's name on Twitter, and you'll find myriad tweets demanding that he be designated for assignment. While I don't think that's likely, I think he could be had fairly cheaply, compared to the starters named above.
Hitters
The Twins are very much in need of a left-handed bat (of which, alas, the Mets don't have much to offer) and help in the outfield. The only name on an expiring contract that really makes some sense here is Harrison Bader, as a Manuel Margot replacement and Byron Buxton insurance. While it doesn't move the needle, Bader would absolutely be an upgrade over Margot on both sides of the ball. Per wRC+, he's basically been a league-average contributor in 2024 and sports a .697 OPS, with respectable strikeout and walk rates. I wouldn't hate the move, assuming the cost is fair, but it can't be the only move the Twins make.
Staying in the grass, Starling Marte is having a bit of a renaissance, but he's owed nearly $21 million next season when he’ll be in his age-36 season. Moving out of the outfield (and actually completely off the diamond), J.D. Martinez is back from injury and is performing well. That said, a DH-only player doesn't neatly fit into the roster construction and platoon-heavy approach this staff employs.
At the end of the day, the only two names that I think move the needle and would cost a price I'm willing to pay are Manaea and Ottavino. In my opinion, Severino will cost too much, Bader doesn't do much to improve the club, Marte’s salary is too much for a team on a “budget”, and J.D. Martinez doesn't fit.
What are your thoughts on the names mentioned above? Is there anyone else you'd be interested in the Twins adding? Join me in the comments!
