It’s easy for fans to read into the Twins’ trade deadline sell-off and assume that payroll is headed in the wrong direction this winter. If the front office wants to get creative, they’ll need to balance talent retention with a willingness to shake up the roster. 

Some players hold more value on the trade market than others, whether it’s tied to contract status, performance, or overall fit with the franchise’s uncertain competitive window. Here’s a look at five players the Twins could move this offseason, ranked from least likely to most valuable trade chip.

5. 3B Royce Lewis
Team Control Through 2028
Once viewed as a franchise cornerstone, Lewis has struggled to find consistency at the plate. His 80 OPS+ this season underscores the offensive regression that started late in 2024. Still, there have been glimmers of life in recent weeks. Since August 17, he’s batted .250/.308/.521, with four home runs in 52 plate appearances.

Trading him now would be selling low, but it could also serve as a “jolt to the core” move, the kind that signals Minnesota is trying to reshape its future heading into 2026. His value may rise or fall drastically based on how he closes the year.

4. OF Matt Wallner
Team Control Through 2029
Wallner’s left-handed power has been one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise bleak lineup. Behind Byron Buxton, he’s arguably been the Twins’ most consistent offensive force, with a 120 OPS+. The catch? He’s still pre-arbitration eligible and comes with four full years of team control. That’s precisely the kind of profile front offices drool over. 

However, he is the type of player who can age poorly when he starts to lose bat speed. Minnesota would have no urgency to move him, but if another team makes an aggressive offer, they’d have to listen. Like Lewis, trading Wallner could signal a true shake-up of the team’s identity. 

3. C Ryan Jeffers
Team Control Through 2026
Catching depth always carries trade value, and Jeffers offers more than most. His 105 OPS+ in 2025 proves he’s no slouch with the bat, and he’s steady behind the plate. With just one year of team control left, though, the clock is ticking. If the Twins don’t deal him this offseason, he’s almost certainly gone by next July’s deadline. 

A playoff contender desperate for an upgrade at catcher would be willing to pay a premium. From the Twins’ perspective, there are no clear options ready to take over big-league catching duties, so it might be a tough sell if the Twins want to be in contention in 2026. 

2. RHP Pablo López
Team Control Through 2027
The Pablo López era in Minnesota has been a mixed bag. At his best, he’s looked like a frontline starter, but injuries (most notably, a shoulder issue this year) have dimmed some of the shine. 

López is set to make $21.75 million in 2026, the highest salary on the books for a team that has already signaled its intent to slash payroll. If he can prove he’s healthy to close out 2025, López becomes an obvious candidate to be shipped to a club looking for a rotation upgrade with some upside.

1. RHP Joe Ryan
Team Control Through 2027
At the top of the list sits Ryan, who has emerged as one of the American League’s most reliable arms in 2025. He’s under team control for two more years through arbitration, making him both affordable and highly attractive to pitching-needy contenders. 

Rival teams reportedly checked in on him at the trade deadline, with some social media sites claiming that he had been dealt. It’s safe to assume those calls will come again this winter. While trading Ryan would be painful, he’s the Twins’ most valuable chip if the front office decides to lean wholly into a retool.

The Twins enter the offseason facing difficult decisions. Do they cling to their remaining controllable talent and hope for a quick turnaround, or do they cash in some of their most valuable pieces to reset the franchise timeline? If nothing else, the winter months promise to be as intriguing off the field as they are on it.

Do you agree with these rankings? Leave a comment and start the discussion.