The Twins are still hunting for a bigger bullpen upgrade before the deadline, and the path to get there could run through Trevor Larnach.
Minnesota already made two pitching additions on Thursday and Friday nights, landing A.J. Minter and Dean Kremer.
But the front office isn’t done. League sources said late Saturday night that the Twins remain active in talks with multiple teams about arms that could deepen their relief corps, and they’re still pushing hard for a major addition before time runs out.
One possible route is a Larnach deal. A source confirmed the Twins had a trade lined up with the Astros that would have sent Larnach to Houston for right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu.
That deal was first reported on Twitter Saturday morning and later detailed by Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star-Tribune. Even after that agreement fell through, Larnach has stayed in the conversation with other clubs, including the Padres, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
What Minnesota would like in return is pretty clear: a reliever who can handle high-leverage innings, the kind of arm that changes the shape of a bullpen. Abreu fits that mold, and so does Padres right-hander Jeremiah Estrada.
If the Twins do find the right move for Larnach, sources within the organization say it could open the door for Walker Jenkins to join the big-league roster and take on an everyday outfield role. That could mean Jenkins in left field, or in center with Austin Martin, Alan Roden, Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall filling out the mix depending on matchups.
But Minnesota isn’t treating Jenkins as the reason to make a move. The priority is still bullpen help. If the club can’t get a reliever it likes, or a prospect return it values, it is comfortable keeping Larnach and sticking with the current outfield setup.
There are plenty of names still in play. The Twins have been linked to Jeff Hoffman, the former Blue Jays closer whose slider gives him plenty of swing-and-miss ability.
They’ve also checked in on Tyler Wells, a former Twin they lost to Baltimore in the Rule 5 Draft before the 2021 season. Wells and Hoffman both come with team control beyond this year, though Hoffman’s comes with an expensive contractual obligation.
Estrada is another controllable option, and Minnesota has also asked about Luke Weaver, who may be the most accomplished and priciest reliever available. The Twins think the asking price on Weaver could climb past what they’re willing to pay.
There’s also still a chance Minnesota goes for more than one piece. The club hasn’t ruled out a package that would bring in both another key reliever and help for the rotation, a move that would qualify as a major swing.
All of this is happening inside a division race that has only sharpened. The Twins entered Sunday three games behind the White Sox and tied with the Guardians, though they hold the season-series edge over Cleveland and would need just one win in their final three games against them to secure that tiebreaker. Against the White Sox, they have six games left and need to win four to claim the edge there.
The race became even more defined over the weekend. Along with Minnesota’s moves, Cleveland made a four-player trade with the Brewers on Saturday morning, a deal that could set up another addition soon.
Then the White Sox answered Saturday night by landing veteran Mariners starter Luis Castillo. Around them, the Royals and Tigers also began selling off, with Kansas City sending Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter to the team from just outside Atlanta and Detroit moving Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers.
Everyone in the division has picked a lane. Now the pressure is on to finish the job.
For the Twins, the reward is obvious. A division title brings the title itself, a home playoff series and, if the club falls short there, a healthy revenue boost.
There’s also the chance to climb high enough in the standings to earn one of the two byes past the Wild Card Series, which go to the division winners with the best records. If Minnesota can get past the White Sox, it has a real shot at that second-best mark among division champions.
That’s a prize worth chasing, and the Twins are acting like a team willing to pay for it.
In Other News...
Astros Trade Deadline Push Just Took Another Unexpected Turn
Houston spent part of its deadline chase kicking the tires on a few different pitching upgrades, including a run at Detroits Tarik Skubal before he wound up with the Dodgers. The Astros search also reached Minnesota, where Trevor Larnach was discussed as part of a possible swap for reliever Bryan Abreu, a reminder that the Twins have been drawn into the broader market even when the focus is on arms and not bats.
The interesting part for Minnesota is how close these talks apparently came to crossing the finish line before they fell apart. With the deadline still driving the market, Houston has shifted its attention elsewhere and is now linked to San Francisco left-hander Robbie Ray, who is expected to move before time runs out. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Nearly Made A Trade That Says Everything About Their Bullpen Search
The Twins search for bullpen help has apparently been active enough to reach the point of a serious conversation with Houston, and the player involved on Minnesotas side tells you plenty about how far the club was willing to go. Trevor Larnach has been in the best offensive stretch of his career, giving the Twins a left-handed outfield bat with real value, while Bryan Abreu has been a more complicated target after a rough season despite the dominance he showed before that.
It was the kind of deal that made sense on both ends for obvious reasons: Minnesota wanted relief help, and the Astros were looking for more stability in the outfield. Even though the talks got close, they never crossed the finish line, leaving the Twins still searching for answers in a bullpen that clearly remains a priority. [Read more 🡒]