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MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

By Joshua Sadlock

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the top of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 30: Sonny Gray #54 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the top of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Twins: Sonny Gray

The Twins expect to be in the market for long-term assets as the deadline approaches. They were expected to sell off the final few viable trade chips left on the roster and continue building for the future, but oddly enough, the team that lost over 100 games last year is winning.

"“I don’t ever take for granted that being in first place lacks meaning,” Levine said. “When you’re in first place, you try to capitalize on that, and the deeper that you get into a season and you’re in first place or you’re vying for first place, you don’t take that lightly. At the same time, when you enter the season with an objective view of the team and where you are in the winning cycle, you also try not to lose sight of that.”"

Very few people expect the Twins to hang around as the leader of the AL Central with the Indians poised to go on a run in the second half. However, if the Tigers join the White Sox in selling off, there will be even more easy wins to pick up against Central teams in September.

The Twins are effectively locked into their starting lineup, and no major trade should be expected to shake up the batting order. Byron Buxton needs to be given continued at-bats, no matter how ugly it gets. This is a flawed team that is finding ways to win despite their weak starting rotation.

Jose Berrios looks like a big win for the Twins development team. He is reminiscent of a right-handed version of Johan Santana with his big curveball and changeup. The Twins will not go all in to pick up expiring contracts for a stretch run, but a pitcher like Sonny Gray who is locked up for a few more years would fit their plan.

Gray is having a much better year in 2017, and Oakland could try and capitalize on that now with questions about his health still lingering. The Twins have three top-100 prospects with which to trade. The AL Central will continue to be in flux at the bottom with the Tigers and Royals hitting the rebuild button. That gives the Twins even more incentive to strike now and keep their upward trajectory going.

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