Minnesota Twins linked to trade for Seattle Mariners' All-Stars

Most of the teams in the AL Central are selling at MLB’s trade deadline. Not the Minnesota Twins. Barely holding the division lead heading into MLB games today, the Twins are looking to buy before the 6 PM ET deadline passes.

Already linked to trades for more bullpen help and a right-handed bat to help stabilize a strikeout-prone lineup, the Twins are now being mentioned in discussions with the Seattle Mariners for a pair of All-Stars too.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Twins have reached out to the Mariners about trades for outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and infielder Ty France. As expected, both would fill the desire to inject another right-handed bat into Rocco Baldelli’s lineup.

Hernandez, 30, is set for free agency at the end of the season and isn’t enjoying the same success in Seattle as we’ve seen from him in Toronto during his lone All-Star year.

Teoscar Hernandez stats this season: .238/.288/.406/.694/ 16 HR, 59 RBI, OPS+ 94

Despite leading all of MLB with 143 strikeouts, Hernandez has excelled against left-handed pitching, with a batting average of .303 and an OPS of .896. He doesn’t play center field but could provide another option in right or left, and certainly, as a DH when Byron Buxton needs a breather.

Ty France, 29, is also a one-time All-Star, but unlike Hernandez, he’s under team control until 2026, with two years of arbitration eligibility left. While France has played second and third in the past, he’s exclusively handled first base for the Mariners this season.

Like Hernandez, France’s numbers are on the downswing so far this season. Yet, he has a much better eye at the plate and strikes out at nearly half the rate as his teammate (18% K rate from France, compared to 32% by Hernandez)

Ty France stats this season: .250/.321/.364/.685/ 7 HR, 39 RBI, OPS+ 94

Again, France excels against southpaws. He’s mashed lefties to the tune of a .315 average and an OPS of .811 this season. Considering the Twins as a team have hit just .219, with an OPS of .657 against left-handed pitching this season, both Hernandez and France would represent significant upgrades in at least that area.

The bigger issue for the Twins’ front office may be deciding which player loses his roster spot if either hitter is acquired. With several young hitters like Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner showing they belong in the big leagues, plus everyday contributors like Jorge Polanco and Caleb Thielbar returning to health, the Twins are running out of space on the 26-man roster.