Former MLB GM Links Minnesota Twins to Pete Alonso Again
The Minnesota Twins are aiming to ascend the ranks of the competitive AL Central division, which is currently one of the best in Major League Baseball. To achieve this, they need to boost their offensive power.
This need for offensive strength is likely why only one Twins player, Ryan Jeffers, made it onto former MLB GM and current MLB insider Jim Bowden’s projected MLB All-Star Game roster for The Athletic. Jeffers just secured a spot as Bowden’s fourth catcher and was among the last to be selected.
Jeffers has been the Twins’ standout offensive player this season, leading the team in slugging percentage, home runs, and RBIs. His performance has earned him this recognition, making him the Twins’ lone representative, narrowly beating out the A’s Brent Rooker and the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton.
The selection of Jeffers to Bowden’s AL All-Star team is not surprising given that the Twins’ key players—Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis—have either been injured or underperforming in the first half of 2024.
However, what stood out more in Bowden’s article was his mention of the Minnesota Twins further down in the piece under his National League projections.
Jim Bowden Links Minnesota Twins to Pete Alonso (Again)
Among the names listed for the NL was New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. It’s not surprising that Alonso, who plays in the New York market and is a top performer, would be listed. However, the struggling Mets (26-35) are likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, making Alonso available for trade.
In discussing Alonso’s trade prospects, Bowden mentioned the Minnesota Twins as potential suitors when trade talks heat up in the next month or two.
Alonso, who leads the Mets in home runs and RBIs, is expected to be traded for a package of prospects. The Mets will likely attempt to re-sign him in the offseason, as both Alonso and New York have a strong mutual affinity. Teams like the Mariners, Astros, Yankees, Twins, and Giants could benefit from his addition.
At 29, Alonso is a former Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Star, and a two-time Home Run Derby winner. With a career .862 OPS (136 OPS+), he has hit 40 or more home runs and driven in over 115 runs in each of the past two seasons.
In short, Pete Alonso is exactly the type of player the Minnesota Twins need in their lineup. As the trade deadline approaches, it seems that Derek Falvey and the Twins’ front office might recognize this as well. This isn’t the first time the Twins have been linked to Alonso; Bowden mentioned a potential trade just a couple of weeks ago in another piece for The Athletic. Notably, this latest mention does not include the Guardians, but adds the Giants as potential suitors.
Whether a trade will ultimately happen remains uncertain. A key factor would be convincing the Pohlads to absorb any salary at the trade deadline. Alonso’s current salary is $20.5 million, meaning the Twins would need to cover about $8 million if they traded for him right before the deadline. Given that Alonso would be a rental player, it’s unlikely he would return for the 2025 season.
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