MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Twins

After an improbable rise to the very top of the AL Central on the back of the most powerful lineup in the league, Rocco Baldelli's Minnesota Twins have set themselves up nicely to be buyers at the trade deadline.

While the loudest suitor for Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman is the New York Yankees, the Twins have also put some feelers out there for both Stroman and closer Ken Giles. With plenty of top prospects to send the other way in a potential deal, the Twins have enough to pull of Stroman and Giles in the same trade.

About a week ago, Ken Rosenthal first reported that the Twins have been looking to manufacture a deal for San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner. While the Giants having won 11 of 13 complicates things just a little bit, San Francisco is still expected to sell, and the Twins could use a veteran starting pitcher who has been proven to be dominant in the playoffs next to Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi.

These trades could be hard to come by, however, due to Minnesota's reluctance to part with top prospects. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Twins will not include shortstop Royce Lewis, outfielder Alex Kirilloff, or starting pitcher Brusdar Graterol in any potential deals.

For the first time in a while, the Twins will be big buyers at the deadline. However, they must act quick if they want to steal the best trade chips before their rivals can construct a better offer.