MLB Rumors: Twins Outfielder Trade Talk Escalates

 

With free agent outfielders coming off the board fast and furious, teams are turning their sights to the trade market to try to fill their OF needs. One name that's been coming up now is Minnesota Twins' 8-year veteran Max Kepler. 

Lot of trade interest in Max Kepler following the Joey Gallo signing by Twins

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 17, 2022

According to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, Kepler is picking up lots of trade interest, particularly since they signed free agent Joey Gallo. 

The 29-year-old (entering his age-30 season) is coming off two down years in the Twin Cities, this past year hitting just .227 with a .666 OPS and just nine home runs. He'd been a fairly-reliable 20-HR player in years past.

But Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic calls Kepler "the Twins’ most obvious trade candidate... He’s entering the last guaranteed year of his contract, with younger alternatives waiting in the wings.

"League sources confirm the Twins’ internal belief that he still has positive trade value relative to a contract that will pay him $8.5 million in 2023 and a $10 million option or $1 million buyout in 2024."

With the arrival of Joey Gallo, the Twins outfield is jam packed with candidates, including the face of the franchise Byron Buxton, along with Alex Kirolloff, Trevor Larnach, Kyle Garlick, and Nick Gordon. 

After three straight unproductive years, Kepler's career average has dipped to .232 and his OPS to .744. 

We'll be hearing plenty of Kepler rumors in the weeks to come. 

Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports