Could Twins Trade Kyle Farmer?

The Twins are supposedly preparing to downsize payroll into the $125-140MM variety — listed below the approximate $154MM mark at which they opened the 2023 season. That has actually naturally resulted in trade speculation including a handful of veteran gamers on the lineup.

Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco are possibly Minnesota’s finest reasonable trade prospects. Set for particular $10MM and $10.5MM wages, they’re each above-average regulars who would plainly be of interest to other groups. While they’re both practical possibilities, it’d possibly be a much easier cost the front workplace to part with Kyle Farmer. He’s not as impactful offensively and has actually just invested one year in the Twin Cities — in contrast to Polanco and Kepler, career-long members of the company who have actually been with the group for more than a years.

It is rather unexpected that Farmer is still on the lineup. MLBTR factor Matt Swartz predicts the energy infielder for a $6.6MM wage in his last season of arbitration. That made him a non-tender prospect. Dan Hayes of the Athletic composed 2 weeks ago that Minnesota was checking out trade alternatives on Farmer, which appeared to recommend they might merely proceed if they didn’t line up a swap before last Friday’s non-tender due date.

That didn’t wind up holding true. Now that Minnesota has actually tendered Farmer an agreement, he’s set for a payday that might land in the $6-7MM variety. That doesn’t prevent the front workplace from continuing to check out trade alternatives. Minnesota’s infield depth still results in concerns about how they must continue.

Royce Lewis and Edouard Julien had exceptional provings in the last couple of months. Lewis has actually plainly declared the daily 3rd base task so long as he’s healthy. Julien is extended defensively at 2nd base however struck .263/.381/.459 through his very first 408 MLB plate looks. Polanco is among the much better bat-first middle infielders in the league. Even if the Twins wished to get Julien more at-bats as the designated player, a beginning infield of Alex Kirilloff, Polanco, Carlos Correa and Lewis has substantial advantage.

Everyone because group aside from Julien has a significant injury history also. The front workplace undoubtedly feels much better about it if it’s supported by a utility gamer of Farmer’s quality. At the exact same time, there’s an argument the Twins have larger requirements. They might search for a right-handed striking very first base/DH to match the lefty-swinging Kirilloff and Julien. Sonny Gray’s anticipated totally free representative departure thins the rotation. They might require to re-sign or change Michael A. Taylor provided the probability they’ll require to handle Byron Buxton’s associates in center field.

Farmer, obtained from the Reds last offseason, had a strong year. His .256/.317/.408 batting line over 369 plate looks was league average. The righty-swinging Farmer produced a .289/.352/.430 revealing when holding the squadron benefit, a great increase for a Minnesota group that was far much better versus right-handed pitching in general. Farmer began 20+ video games at each of 2nd base, 3rd base and shortstop.

Switch-striking Willi Castro provides comparable protective adaptability. He has neutral squadron divides for his profession however was a fair bit more efficient versus right-handers this previous season. While Castro might play a utility function, he’s most likely an offending downgrade from Farmer — especially versus southpaws.

That the Twins didn’t non-tender Farmer suggests they’re not going to merely provide him away. The front workplace feels there’s some quantity of surplus worth. The trade provides for one season of a 33-year-old utilityman predicted for a near-$7MM wage aren’t going to be frustrating. A terrible totally free representative middle infield class operates in Minnesota’s favor rather by restricting the options for groups in requirement, however it’s not going to lead to a considerably much better possibility return. The main inspiration of a trade from the Twins’ point of view would still have to do with reallocating wage.

Is that rewarding for Minnesota? Should they deal Farmer to open some costs space while recovering a mid-tier possibility?

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