The Minnesota Twins are striving to climb the ranks in what is currently one of the strongest divisions in Major League Baseball, the AL Central. However, to achieve this, they need more offensive power.
This likely explains why Ryan Jeffers was the only Twins player to make it onto former MLB GM and insider Jim Bowden’s projected MLB All-Star Game roster for The Athletic. Jeffers just made the cut as the fourth catcher, filling one of the final spots on the theoretical AL team.
Jeffers, with a 1.8 WAR, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a 143 OPS+, has been the Twins’ best offensive player this season, leading the team in slugging percentage, home runs, and RBIs. His performance earned him this spot over the A’s Brent Rooker and the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton.
Bowden’s projection only included Jeffers from the Twins because the team’s star players, like Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis, have either been injured or underperformed in the first half of 2024.
Interestingly, in the same article, Bowden discusses potential trade moves, including linking the Twins to New York Mets’ first baseman Pete Alonso. The Mets, struggling this season, are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, making Alonso, a prominent player in the New York market, available.
Alonso leads the Mets in home runs and RBIs and is likely to be traded for a package of prospects, with the Mets aiming to re-sign him in the offseason. Bowden mentions several teams, including the Mariners, Astros, Yankees, Twins, and Giants, as potential suitors for Alonso.
Pete Alonso goes deep for his 11th homer of the year! 🐻❄️ pic.twitter.com/jaI3Nc7D9J
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2024
Alonso, a former Rookie of the Year, 3-time All-Star, and 2-time Home Run Derby winner boasts a career .862 OPS (136 OPS+) and has hit 40 or more home runs and driven in over 115 runs in each of the past two seasons. He represents exactly what the Twins’ lineup needs.
WHAT A SHOT from Pete Alonso! 446 feet deep into the night! pic.twitter.com/2cVE2JrHEE
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 5, 2024
Bowden’s recent mention of Alonso as a trade target for the Twins is consistent with his earlier speculations. While it remains uncertain if a deal will happen, the Twins’ willingness to take on Alonso’s salary will be a significant factor. Alonso is earning $20.5 million this season, meaning the Twins would need to cover about $8 million if they acquire him right before the deadline. Given Alonso’s status as a rental player, it’s unlikely he would return for 2025.
