MLB rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Robbie Ray

4. Minnesota Twins

The Twins could all but seal the AL Central title over the next few weeks, with a 6.5 game lead over the Cleveland Indians after taking two of three against them in Cleveland last weekend. So they can shift their eye to what it will take to make a run in October. Pitching, both starters and bullpen, are firmly on the radar in that case.

Minnesota may be in the mix for some bigger names, like Madison Bumgarner or Marcus Stroman. To that end, and as a potential factor to eliminate trade targets, Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has reported the Twins are not interested in short-term rentals.

Jose Berrios has failed to get past five innings in each of his last two starts, while Jake Odorizzi has regressed since an All-Star worthy start and Kyle Gibson continues to be as inconsistent as any starter around. Michael Pineda has been solid lately, allowing just one run in four of his last five starts, but skepticism says it could be short-lived. With all of that in play, adding a starter might be moving to the top of the Twins’ trade deadline priorities.

That year of team control in 2020 makes Ray a certified possible trade target for the Twins. There’s a chance they won’t pony up to what Arizona’s asking price will be, at least compared to others on this list who may be a little more aggressive or desperate, but Minnesota could surprise and pull it off if the current buzz around Ray fades a bit.