MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado /

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MIAMI, FL – MAY 12: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins bats during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on May 12, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.T. Realmuto /

Minnesota Twins

J.T. Realmuto, C

The Twins have disappointed a lot of people this year. Many thought that they would finally be able to put the pieces together this year and make a playoff run. Instead, they sit 5 games below .500 and have a worse record than the lowly Tigers. Fangraphs still puts their playoff odds at 9.7% but frankly, they’re not making the playoffs. That being said, they should be prepared to try and compete again next year.

J.T. Realmuto is the ideal player for the Twins. He has two more years of arbitration so he can help their playoff push for the next two years. Plus, he’s a huge upgrade over Mitch Garver both offensively and defensively. He would be able to slide into the top of the order, getting on base in front of Miguel Sano. If Byron Buxton ever returns to his 2017 form, he could hit leadoff with Realmuto batting second.

From here, Realmuto would give the Twins two solid players to try and drive in Buxton. Realmuto brings offensive production from the catching position, where there is generally less offensive production. In fact, the majority of MLB teams have negative WAR at the catching position. Realmuto doesn’t, his FanGraphs WAR is 1.8, strongly contributing to his team’s production. Since he returned from injury, he has the most hits by a catcher. Realmuto would become a solid contributor to the Twins for the near future.

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