"The Twins conducted a complete fire sale at the trade deadline this year as they shipped 11 players off their big league roster, but one significant player who stayed in place was ace right-hander Pablo Lopez. The talented righty was limited to just 14 starts this season by a hamstring strain and a shoulder strain before his season came to an end in September due to a forearm strain."
"After all, the aforementioned forearm strain that ended his season came with "no concern" regarding Lopez's UCL or elbow, and all indications point to him being expected to have a normal offseason and be ready for the 2026 campaign. What's more, Lopez was nothing short of excellent when healthy this year as he pitched to a 2.79 ERA with a 3.19 FIP in 75 2/3 innings of work."
"That's the sort of top-of-the-rotation potential that contending teams will want to bring in desperately this winter, and the Twins could stand to benefit from trading Lopez during an offseason where there are few free agents who offer much certainty. Dylan Cease, , and Framber Valdez all had tough years that didn't quite reach their typical standards, while Brandon Woodruff and Shane Bieber face health-related questions after seasons coming off major surgery."
The Twins executed a major trade deadline selloff but retained ace right-hander Pablo Lopez despite an injury-plagued 2024 that limited him to 14 starts. Lopez suffered hamstring and shoulder strains and finished the season with a forearm strain that reportedly carries "no concern" for his UCL or elbow. He is expected to have a normal offseason and be ready for the 2026 campaign. When healthy, Lopez posted a 2.79 ERA and 3.19 FIP across 75 2/3 innings, showcasing top-of-the-rotation upside that could attract contenders amid uncertain free-agent starting pitching options. Trading Lopez could free payroll and align with a longer rebuild.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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