Could Coby Mayo Be the Twins' Next Big Swing? Exploring Three Trade Scenarios with the Orioles
The message out of Minnesota during the Winter Meetings was loud and clear: the Twins aren’t looking to tear things down - they’re looking to reshape. Byron Buxton, Pablo López, and Joe Ryan remain firmly in the team’s plans, but that doesn’t mean the front office is standing pat.
If the right opportunity arises, they’re open to dealing from areas of strength to address areas of need. It’s a strategy we’ve seen before - think of the Pablo López-for-Luis Arraez swap or the Jorge Polanco trade - and it could be in play again this offseason.
One team that stands out as a potential trade partner? The Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore made waves by signing Pete Alonso to a five-year deal, a move that not only adds serious punch to their lineup but also creates a bit of a logjam in the infield. With Alonso locked in at first base and a crowded group of infield prospects behind him, the Orioles suddenly have the kind of surplus that could interest a team like Minnesota - especially when it comes to Coby Mayo.
Mayo, 24, remains one of the more intriguing young power bats in the game. His 2025 season wasn’t exactly a breakout - a 103 wRC+ in Triple-A and a 95 wRC+ in limited MLB action - but the tools are still there.
Scouts have long raved about his right-handed pop, and his bat speed and raw power continue to hint at a potential middle-of-the-order future. For a team willing to take a shot on upside, Mayo could be a worthwhile gamble.
So, what would it take for the Twins to make that bet? Let’s break down three realistic trade scenarios that could get the conversation rolling between Minnesota and Baltimore.
Trade Option 1: A Straight Swap of Struggles
Twins Receive: 1B Coby Mayo
Orioles Receive: RHP Bailey Ober
This one’s all about matching needs and timelines.
Ober’s 2025 season was a step backward - command issues and a nagging hip injury led to more hard contact than we’re used to seeing from the tall righty. But from 2022 through 2024, he was a model of mid-rotation consistency, posting a 115 ERA+ and a 3.74 FIP. He’s under team control for two more seasons and fits Baltimore’s need for dependable innings behind their young core.
For the Twins, this is a calculated risk. They’d be trading a known quantity in Ober for a bat-first prospect who hasn’t quite clicked yet at the big-league level. But Mayo’s offensive ceiling - especially in a hitter-friendly park like Target Field - could be worth the gamble if the Twins believe their development staff can unlock his potential.
Trade Option 2: A Challenge Trade of Young Talent
Twins Receive: 1B Coby Mayo
Orioles Receive: RHP Mick Abel
This one’s a bit more delicate.
Minnesota picked up Abel at last year’s deadline in the Jhoan Duran deal, and they’ve been optimistic about refining his mechanics and command. But with Mayo now potentially available, this could be one of those rare “challenge trades” - a straight-up exchange of young, high-upside players who’ve had early growing pains in the majors.
Abel, like Mayo, comes with prospect pedigree and flashes of big-league tools. But he’s still raw, and both teams might view this as an opportunity to reset development paths for two talented players.
For the Orioles, it’s a chance to add a potential frontline starter in a system that’s already rich in position players. For the Twins, it’s a swing at a young slugger who might just need a change of scenery - and the right coaching - to take off.
Trade Option 3: Pitching Depth for Power Potential
Twins Receive: 1B Coby Mayo
Orioles Receive: RHP David Festa, RHP Andrew Morris
If the Orioles prefer quantity and depth over a single arm, this deal could be more up their alley.
Festa is the headliner here. He brings a fastball with serious carry and a 32.0% strikeout rate from his time in Triple-A last season.
He’s big-league ready and could step into Baltimore’s rotation as early as Opening Day. Morris, meanwhile, isn’t far behind.
He earned a 40-man roster spot this winter thanks to his command profile and steady development. His 4.14 FIP and 22.4% strikeout rate at Triple-A suggest he’s not far from contributing at the next level.
For Baltimore, this is about replenishing long-term pitching depth in a system that’s heavy on bats. For Minnesota, it’s a consolidation move - trading two arms who project as solid contributors for a potential impact bat.
The Bigger Picture
Each of these trade concepts reflects a different approach to value.
Baltimore has to decide what kind of return they’re looking for: a dependable big-league starter (Ober), a high-upside project (Abel), or a pair of near-ready arms (Festa and Morris). The Twins, on the other hand, have to ask themselves how much they believe in Mayo’s bat - and whether they’re ready to roll the dice on a player who hasn’t quite broken through yet, but still carries the kind of upside that’s hard to find.
Minnesota’s front office has made it clear they’re not looking to rebuild - they’re looking to retool. That means making tough decisions, betting on the right kind of talent, and finding creative ways to upgrade the roster without sacrificing the core.
If they believe Mayo can be part of that next wave - a potential power bat to lengthen the lineup - then now might be the time to make their move.