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MLB Rumors: 5 players the Minnesota Twins should trade

By Brad Berreman

Apr 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits an infield single during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits an infield single during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

4. 1B/3B Miguel Sano

Sano homered for the first time in a month on Saturday against Oakland, bringing his tater total to three on the season with eight RBI and a .127/.279/.254 slash-line over 86 plate appearances. He spent a couple weeks on the IL with a hamstring issue, but for all his power potential comes a strikeout rate that pushes toward 40 percent. He also adds no value defensively, even if he can stand with a glove on his hand at either corner infield spot.

Coming off his 34-home run outburst in 2019, the Twins gave Sano a three-year, $30 contract extension with a club option for 2023. It’s hardly an albatross contract, as he’s due $9.25 million in 2022 and the $14 million option for 2023 can be bought out for $2.75 million.

The Twins should hope Sano gets on a nice hot streak to bolster his trade appeal. For other teams, he may still strike some fancy as a “we can fix him” guy.

3. SP Michael Pineda

Through seven starts this season, Pineda has a 2.79 ERA with a 9.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. That’s been a continuation of (and improvement on) what he did during the shortened 2020 campaign, when he had a 3.38 ERA with an 8.4 K/9 and a 2.4 BB/9 over five starts after serving the remainder of a suspension.

With a nod to Jose Berrios, Pineda has been no worse than the Twins’ second-best starter this season. He’s also on an expiring contract, with a $10 million salary for this year. So he’s a prime trade chip, with a possible correction of fortune coming (.219 BABIP against so far this season).

Most contending teams will be looking for pitching. The Twins have an easy target in that regard, so Pineda could be the first one gone as sell-mode becomes inevitable.

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