3 Twins signings and trades to make after losing out on Carlos Correa

Twins should trade for Pablo Lopez

Did I just say hang on to Luis Arraez? Ideally, that would be the case, even for a pitcher of Pablo Lopez’s caliber.

Arraez is under team control for some time yet. He’s affordable, and a mid-market team like the Twins would be wise to hold on to the man who kept Aaron Judge from the triple crown.

Still, Minnesota has the prospect capital and young talent necessary to take a swing at Pablo Lopez without including Arraez in the deal. Lopez has been available via trade since the deadline, but the Marlins asking price is said to be steep.

López has a 3.52 ERA across 63 starts since 2020, and his past injuries could be the bargaining chip the Twins need to lower the Marlins asking price rather significantly. There’s a reason Miami hasn’t found a suitor just yet. Even with the likes of Tyler Mahle and Sonny Gray in the rotation, Lopez would arguably instantly become the Twins best starting pitcher were they to trade for him.

The only way to replace a player like Carlos Correa is by committee. The 28-year-old didn’t pitch, no, but Minnesota can become a better team if they use Correa’s money to fill roster holes that otherwise would’ve gone unnoticed.