Twins Trade Carlos Correa, Shed Half MLB Roster at Deadline

The Minnesota Twins' trade of Carlos Correa to the Houston Astros was primarily a salary dump, with the Astros assuming nearly $70 million of Correa's remaining contract while the Twins paid $33 million. Initial trade talks included the possibility of Astros first baseman Christian Walker being part of the deal, but the Twins declined due to his costly contract and their commitment to a full rebuild. The trade almost fell through until the Astros increased their financial commitment, enabling the Twins to save money and the Astros to acquire a needed infielder. Correa’s trade also indirectly triggered relief pitcher Griffin Jax to request a trade, influenced by Correa's disclosure that he would only waive his no-trade clause if the Twins pursued a full roster teardown; Jax was subsequently traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Twins' aggressive roster sell-off extended beyond Correa and Jax, including notable players like Jhoan Duran and Louie Varland, a homegrown pitcher who was traded despite being under team control and a key contributor. These moves reflect the Twins' decision to reset their competitive timeline by shedding salary and rebuilding the roster, a strategy that has caused some dismay among fans and players alike.