The Dodgers are World Series champions once again, and for the Twins, the offseason has officially begun. As teams around the league prepare for free agency and the Winter Meetings, Minnesota finds itself in an uncomfortable but familiar position. Payroll is expected to dip, the roster is in transition, and the front office will have to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability.
That means trades are coming. The Twins already sold off several controllable pieces at the 2025 trade deadline, and more could follow this winter. National lists see the Twins as rebuilding (or “retooling”, if you ask the front office), which means they are open for business. MLB Trade Rumors released their top 40 trade candidates over the weekend, and three Twins made their top 10.
Here are the three most likely Twins players to be traded as the club shifts their focus toward the future.
Ryan Jeffers, C
MLB Trade Rumors Rank: 9
Jeffers has quietly become one of the more productive catchers in the American League (105 OPS+ since 2024), but the clock is ticking on his time in Minnesota. He’s entering his final year of team control, and with the Twins unlikely to extend him or contend in 2026, his trade value may never be higher than it is right now. However, the Twins have few options behind the plate if Jeffers is off the roster.
There are few free-agent catching options this winter. Catcher trades at the deadline are always tricky. Learning a new pitching staff on the fly is no easy task, so if Minnesota intends to move Jeffers, this offseason is the logical time to do it. Teams looking for a veteran backstop with power and leadership could make compelling offers. The Twins would have to find other veteran options to take the reins with Jeffers out of the picture.
Joe Ryan, RHP
MLB Trade Rumors Rank: 2 (Behind Washington’s MacKenzie Gore)
Few players have had their names pop up in trade rumors more than Ryan. Reports swirled last July that he might be part of the Twins’ trade deadline sell-off, but he remained in Minneapolis. The situation feels unsustainable. Ryan is under team control through 2027 and will earn far less than his on-field value through arbitration, making him a cost-efficient asset for pitching-hungry contenders.
The Twins may be hesitant to move their All-Star starter, but that same logic could make him the centerpiece of a trade that replenishes their farm system. If he isn’t dealt this winter, expect his name to resurface again by the 2026 trade deadline. The Red Sox were interested in Ryan in July, but the offseason should find a longer list of teams interested in cost-controlled starting pitching.
Pablo López, RHP
MLB Trade Rumors Rank: 6
This is the big one (as far as salary goes). López is owed $21.75 million in each of the next two seasons, which would be a bargain for most teams but may be too steep for the cost-conscious Twins. López has been the ace they hoped for when they traded Luis Arraez to get him, but the reality of Minnesota’s financial outlook could make him their most valuable trade chip.
If the Twins believe contention is unlikely for the next two years, trading López now would allow them to maximize his value and begin a deeper reset. Contenders across the league would line up for a playoff-caliber starter with swing-and-miss stuff. Some teams might try to lowball the Twins since he is coming off a season wherein he missed time with injury. It would be a painful move, but one that might define this front office’s offseason strategy.
The Twins enter the winter with difficult choices and limited flexibility. Moving on from players like López, Ryan, or Jeffers would not be easy, but staying the course might not be an option, either. As the offseason unfolds, Minnesota will attempt to strike a balance between retooling and rebuilding. The extent of their success at that could reshape the organization for years to come.
Do you agree with the rankings above? Who should the Twins trade this winter? Who will the Twins trade this winter? Leave a comment and start the discussion.