With the Minnesota Twins facing self-imposed financial constraints for the 2025 season, they’ll need to think outside the box to enhance their performance on the field. While their projected roster doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses, the shadow of last year’s dramatic collapse suggests a shake-up might be in order.
Could this prompt the Twins to reach out to the Seattle Mariners for another major off-season trade? Both teams boast top-tier talent, expensive cornerstones, and areas of roster depth. Rather than waiting for the market to stabilize after the big-name free agents make their moves, these improvements might emerge through a broader trade scenario.
What the Mariners Could Offer
The Mariners narrowly missed the playoffs last season, but with a strong core returning, they have reason to believe in another competitive push next year. Their strength lies in their outstanding starting rotation, widely regarded as one of the best in the league.
Seattle’s projected rotation features five playoff-caliber arms, including top prospects Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans, the latter coming off an impressive campaign at Double-A. Among their established big-league starters, three have earned Cy Young votes in the past two seasons. Luis Castillo, a 32-year-old multi-time All-Star, boasts some of the league’s most electric stuff.
Logan Gilbert has solidified his status as one of the league’s premier pitchers, throwing 208 innings with a 3.23 ERA as a 27-year-old. Then there’s George Kirby, who might be the best of the group, owning a career 3.23 ERA and an elite 7.6 K/BB ratio over his first three MLB seasons.
Beyond this dominant trio, the Mariners also feature two promising back-end starters. Bryce Miller posted a stellar 2.94 ERA across 31 starts last season, while Bryan Woo, despite a delayed start to 2024, delivered 22 starts with a 2.89 ERA. Both pitchers are under team control for five more years, adding to their immense value.
While Seattle also has enticing players like veteran outfielder Randy Arozarena and All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh, financial constraints and positional needs likely rule them out as trade considerations for some teams. For now, the Mariners’ exceptional starting rotation remains their defining asset and the foundation of their postseason aspirations.
What The Twins Could Offer
If Seattle decides to make its pitchers available for a trade with the Twins, they’d be well within their rights to demand a substantial return. Such a deal would likely require a package featuring multiple top prospects or young, established players with significant upside. While the price could be steep, the Twins might find it manageable if the trade aligns with their needs.
Walker Jenkins, ranked among the global top five prospects, has the potential to top prospect lists by midseason and could be MLB-ready by 2026. While he’s likely close to untouchable, he could be floated as a potential centerpiece in negotiations. Behind him, the Twins’ No. 2 prospect, outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez, is a top-35 global prospect expected to reach Triple-A early next season.
Another name to watch is Luke Keaschall, who’s set to appear on many prospect lists despite undergoing elbow surgery in late July. His strong start to his pro career included a .300/.419/.482 slash line across three levels as a defensively versatile 21-year-old. Brooks Lee, another young talent, might also be in play. Though he struggled against MLB pitching last season, injuries and a fast-track through the minors likely contributed. He remains a versatile prospect who could thrive in Seattle’s lineup for years to come.
Simeon Woods Richardson could serve as a secondary piece in such a deal. The 23-year-old posted an impressive rookie season and seems poised for a larger role in 2025. The Twins might consider selling high on him now.
The ultimate trade chip, however, could be Royce Lewis. As a star infielder, Lewis would hold immense appeal for the Mariners, potentially slotting in at third base alongside Julio Rodríguez for the next four seasons. A trade involving Lewis would likely necessitate a return of arbitration-controlled pitchers like Logan Gilbert or George Kirby, as Luis Castillo is already secured on a long-term deal.
Parting with Lewis would undoubtedly be painful for Minnesota fans, but sometimes that’s the cost of chasing elite talent. The question is whether the Twins are ready to play it safe or take a gamble with their top assets.
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