MLB rumors: 5 players the Minnesota Twins need to trade for

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 06: Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) reacts on the mound after giving up a 2-run single to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) (not pictured) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on May 6, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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3. Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

After posting a 3.09 ERA and topping 200 innings for the second straight season in 2017 and finishing eighth in American League Cy Young Award voting, injuries limited Marcus Stroman to 19 starts with poor results last year (5.54 ERA). But his FIP was almost the same each season (3.90 in 2017, 3.91 in 2018), so with the prospect of better health and better fortune Stroman carried some real bounceback potential into this year.

Stroman is just 1-6 thus far, with his next start coming Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox. But he has a 2.95 ERA, with K/9 (7.9) and BB/9 (2.9) rates back in line with 2017 (7.3 and 2.8 respectively). He’s arbitration-eligible one more time next offseason, and he openly expressed disappointment in the Blue Jays not yet giving him a long-term deal when he arrived at Spring Training in February.

Already pushing double-digit games back in the AL East, Toronto will be a trade deadline seller.

The Twins may have some competition for Stroman. The San Diego Padres have had rumored interest dating back to the offseason, and they’re possibly looking to add a starter now. As well as he’s been pitching, other teams are sure to surface with interest.

Hypothetical Trade:

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