Although there is no guarantee that a trade will be made, the Twins may have just been saved from a trade deadline dilemma by the Dodgers.

We are just days away from the MLB Trade Deadline, and the rumor mill winds are whistling for the Minnesota Twins.

Despite a painfully quiet winter, in which the Twins made absolutely no meaingful moves to improve the roster, it sounds like the front office might be active at the deadline in adding som help. Starting pitching is a glaring need for Minnesota, as the team lacks a true No. 3 starter to slot into a playoff rotation alongside Joe Ryan and a struggling Pablo Lopez.

While the Twins could have spent a little cash on a free agent during the offseason, it now seems prospects will be currency for making rotation renovations. That was until the Los Angeles Dodgers potentially tossed the Twins a life preserver on Monday afternoon.

Dodgers might have bailed the Twins out of needing to make a trade at the deadline

Despite how seemingly fine he’s pitched this year, James Paxton was DFA’d by the Dodgers late Monday afternoon. He has by no means been lights out, posting a 4.41 ERA despite a 8-2 record, but has been far from the sort of disaster that is usually associated with a player getting dumped like he just did.

Los Angeles also has both Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow to consider in the rotation, plus there’s a serious need for bullpen help. All of that likely also factored into the decision to let Paxton go, even after he maxed out all of his contract incentives.

Whatever reason the Dodgers decided to move on from Paxton is secondary to the ripple effect it might send to Minnesota. The move comes at a time where the Twins are rumored to be scouring the starting pitching trade market, and Paxton getting DFA’d might have just saved them a move.

His ERA leave a lot to be desired, but Paxton has bene a solid starter for the Dodgers in all 18 of his starts. If the Twins offense can get going the way it was back in June, Paxton will have all the run support he needs to fit into that No. 3 starter role in the rotation.

Paxton has also pitched all over the Dodgers rotation, filling every single role, so there’s the flexibility he’d bring in terms of how the Twins can use him. Bailey Ober has been fine, but not great, and Chris Paddack is back on the IL with arm issues. Those are both spots Paxton can fill, specifically the one that Paddack continues to vacate.

He checks so many boxes the Twins typically look for in veteran additions. He’s in the twlight of his career, still seems to have some magic left, and has even gone through a recent injury journey. Paxton underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2021 and made his return to the majors in 2023 with the Red Sox.

Just about everything the Twins look for is present with Paxton, including not being on the hook for a full season’s contract nor needing to put money on the books for next year. Perhaps best of all, landing Paxton would mean Minnesota could hang onto prospects either through the deadline or to use in another deal elsewhere.

It’s no guaruntee that a move happens, but the Twins might have just gotten bailed out of a trade deadline conundrum thanks to the Dodgers.