Three trades for a reliever the Twins could make

Every year the teams competing for the playoffs will go out and make a move at some point to bolster their playoff chances. So far the Twins are looking good and might be true buyers at the deadline for the first time in a long time. The only obvious spot that will be upgraded is the bullpen, even though I just wrote to not panic about the bullpen yet. Well it’s never too early to put together some ideas and proposals, and that is exactly what Kyle and I did. Enjoy!

Trade proposal #1:

• Twins acquire RP Sergio Romo
• Marlins acquire 1B Lewin Diaz and a PTBNL

This trade gives the Twins a 36 year old right handed reliever who has the ability to pitch in many different roles. He is currently a late inning guy/closer for the Marlins, playing in a similar role to Blake Parker. Last season Romo played with the Rays (with Rocco Baldelli) and he played a big part in the “opener” strategy. If the Twins decide to pick up that strategy, then he is a great guy for it. He pitched a career high 73 games last season, giving up a 4.14 ERA with a 1.262 WHIP.

The price would not be too high, seeing as how Romo is the definition of a one year rental. We decided that giving up 22 year old first basemen would be the move to acquire Romo. Diaz was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2013 and has been up and down with his performance so far. He was the Twins 16th ranked prospect a year ago but a .224/.255/.344 line dropped him off the list. Through 11 games this year in A+ ball, he holds a line of .381/.426/.429

Trade proposal #2:

• Twins acquire RP Will Smith
• Giants acquire OF Akil Baddoo & RHP Griffin Jax

You all know Will Smith, the guy playing the genie in the new Aladdin movie left handed reliever from the Giants. The now 29 year old is on a Giants team desperate for a rebuild, so trading away a very good lefty is a nice move for them. After a great season in 2018, his 2019 campaign has started off amazing with a 1.35 ERA and a 0.750 WHIP. He would likely take Mejia’s spot and give Twins two star lefty relievers with him and Rogers. In 2018, Smith was basically unhittable versus left handed batters, holding them to just a .171 AVG and a .440 OPS.

The price for Will Smith that we decided upon was Twins #12 prospect Akil Baddoo along with #23 prospect RHP Griffin Jax. Baddoo is a speedy outfielder who bats and throws left handed. He is a 20 year old who will be playing at the A+ level this year. He walks at an elite rate and made consistent hard contact in the second half of 2018. Jax is a 24 year old pitching at AA who has a good changeup mixed with a fastball sitting 90-94 MPH. He could very well turn into a quality starter, but the Twins must give in order to get.

Trade proposal #3:

• Twins acquire RP Mychal Givens
• Orioles acquire Jordan Balazovic, Akil Baddoo and Griffin Jax

Remember when the Twins traded Ryan Pressly to the Astros last year, when the Twins acquired their now #15 and #18 prospects? This one is very similar. Givens won’t be a free agent until 2022, giving the Twins over 2 years of control, but it would require a package of their #12, #19 and #23 prospects. Last year, Givens averaged over a strikeout per inning and this year it is at 14 K/9. His 2018 season was worse than his first three years, seeing him end with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.222 WHIP. He averaged 3.5 BB/9 which is a bit of a concern, but he is still a solid reliever who could help the Twins get through the late innings instead of a guy like Tyler Duffey.

For the Orioles, acquiring as many prospects as possible is key for them as they enter a rebuild with one of the ten worst farm systems according to Bleacher Report. Balazovic, a 6’4” right hander can reach 95 with his fastball and has success using it to get ground balls. His changeup sits around 85 with good break, but his best breaking pitch is his slider. Yet again, Baddoo is included in a trade. He just seems expendable with the three outfielders we currently have, and then with Kirilloff, Larnach and Rooker still waiting for their chance as well.

So those are the three trades we came up with. If the Twins are to make a move for a reliever, I would much rather it be from trading instead of signing Kimbrel. I think each one of these trades could improve the Twins chances during their playoff run.