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2 players Twins must move before the MLB trade deadline if spiral continues

Puckett's Pond · Jul 22, 2026 16:00 · 3 min read

2 players Twins must move before the MLB trade deadline if spiral continues — Aug 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Trevor Larnach (9) and catcher Ryan Jeffers (27) celebrates a two run home run by Jeffers against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

If the Minnesota Twins continue to struggle, the team should move these two players before the trade deadline.

Just last week, the Twins appeared to be in a spot to add, not subtract, before the 2026 trade deadline. Unfortunately, after holding the third American League Wild Card spot following Friday night's 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs, the Twins have lost four straight games, lowering their record to 49-53.

It doesn't help that two of those four losses came to the division rival Cleveland Guardians. At four games under .500, Minnesota is 3 1/2 games back of the red-hot Boston Red Sox for the third American League Wild Card spot and five games back of the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central.

Don't get me wrong, the Twins could still put themselves in a position to buy or stand pat by going on a run ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. After two more games against Cleveland, Minnesota has three-game series against the Athletics and Kansas City Royals, both losing teams. But if the Twins continue to struggle, the team's brass will likely sell at the deadline.

Let's take a look at two key players the Twins should trade if they continue to spiral.

2 players Twins must move before the MLB trade deadline if spiral continues

C Ryan Jeffers

Jeffers is the Twins' most obvious trade candidate. He's in the final year of his contract, and Minnesota just selected a five-tool backstop, Georgia Tech's Vahn Lackey, with the third overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

The top two teams in the American League, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, have an obvious need for a boost at the catcher position. If Jeffers is made available, both clubs would likely be willing to surrender an attractive haul of prospects to acquire the Twins backstop. Both teams had scouts watching Jeffers closely at Wrigley Field this past weekend, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Jeffers missed a large chunk of the season due to a broken hamate bone, but he's back and playing like a star. In 43 games this year, Jeffers has slashed .287/.398/.552 with nine home runs and 32 RBI.

LF Trevor Larnach

Trading Larnach makes too much sense. The outfielder was a trade/non-tender candidate this past offseason simply because the Twins have an abundance of outfielders who appear big-league ready or have already played in the majors.

Keeping Larnach ended up being the right move for Minnesota, as the left-handed hitting outfielder has been a vital part of the Twins' strong lineup as the leadoff hitter. In 84 games this year, Larnach has hit .291/.380/.449 with seven home runs and 45 RBI.

Larnach is under team control through 2027. With Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Alan Roden and other young outfielders in the organization, the Twins should cash in on Larnach's value while he's hot if the team's spiral continues.