Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Major League Baseball trade deadline is just four days away. Derek Falvey has no choice but to act as a seller while leading the Minnesota Twins. A series loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday all but cemented that.
The president of baseball operations has largely done nothing the past two-and-a-half years. That can’t be the case this time around.
Falvey hasn’t indicated a direction, but reports have suggested Minnesota will sell aggressively on all of the impending free agents. Players like Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax would require a substantial return to be moved.
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Recently The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman tabbed Willi Castro as the player he is certain the Twins will move. There are plenty of suitors that could use the services of a utility man, and a new one has now been publicly reported.
Willi Castro drawing interest from Astros
There are far more substantial names on the trade market than the Minnesota Twins Willi Castro. That said, he is having a better season than he did as an All-Star last year, and the Houston Astros are taking notice. The Athletic’s Chandler Rome is reporting that he is on their radar.
“Suárez may be the sexier name, but Minnesota Twins utilityman Willi Castro is also of interest to the Astros and a far better fit for their roster.
Castro is a switch hitter with starts at six different defensive positions this season, versatility that would be valued as the Astros’ nine injured position players are activated. Castro has made 26 starts at second base and 25 in left field — the two most unsettled positions on Houston’s major-league roster.
Castro entered Sunday slashing .254/.344/.425 across 327 plate appearances and without a drastic difference from either side of the plate. He has a .739 OPS hitting left-handed and an .836 mark as a righty, making it more than feasible that he could either form half of a platoon or handle everyday playing time.
Both Castro and Suárez are rentals being sought after by a bevy of contending teams, again inviting wonder if the Astros can win a bidding war against clubs with deeper farm systems.”
A team would need to give up much more, regardless of the rental status, for the Diamondbacks Eugenio Suarez. Last season Castro slashed .247/.331/.385. He tailed off to end the year, but that was an All-Star campaign. This season he owns a .254/.342/.423 slash line.
Teams will need to decide whether he is more valuable as an infielder or outfielder for them. Regardless his versatility and prorated $6.4 million salary are too enticing to pass up.
Derek Falvey seeing Minnesota Twins direction come into view
The Twins leader of the front office can try to sugarcoat the reality as much as he wants. Unfortunately this team has flopped and now he’s forced with parting them out. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale heard from Falvey on Sunday.
“Entering the break, it felt like we were gaining a little bit of momentum. The last couple series haven’t gone as well as we would have hoped. Now the job is just to evaluate what comes our way and navigate in any direction possible. We still feel like there’s a lot of talent on this roster.”
According to Nightengale there were at least seven teams with scouts at Target Field over the weekend. Representation from the Yankees, Red, Padres, Phillies, Mariners, Rays, and Rangers were all present.
They aren’t all interested in the same pieces, but Duran, Jax, and Ryan are needle-moving pieces. Castro, Harrison Bader, and Danny Coulombe should all have a strong market. Chris Paddack is still usable for someone, and Christian Vazquez may generate interest as a veteran clubhouse guy. It’s unlikely anyone wants Ty France, but Minnesota would need little convincing.
Related: Byron Buxton Injury Update for MN Twins is Good News
It’s shaping up to be a busy week for the Minnesota Twins. Disappointingly, it is going to come on the wrong side of the desired trade deadline outcome.
Mentioned in this article: Houston Astros MLB Trade Deadline Willi Castro
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