The Royce Lewis problem has a whole new meaning for the Twins.

The Minnesota Twins are in a curious position ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline next month. Last week, it seemed clear that the Twins were going to need to add to their starting rotation before the deadline, given the injuries to Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews.

This week, amid the Twins losing 8 of their last 10 games, it seems that their biggest deadline need may have shifted.

The injury to Royce Lewis could not come at a worse time for the Twins. With their rotation floundering, Lewis’ offensive turnaround was believed to be one of the components that could keep the Twins afloat while they were looking to stabilize their rotation. In 35 plate appearances this month before the hamstring injury, Lewis was slashing .367/.457/.533 with a 186 wRC+.

The Twins haven’t provided an exact timeline for Lewis’ return, but his history this season would suggest it could be a month before we see him again. In the middle of March, Lewis suffered a similar strain before the start of the season, and he did not make his 2025 debut until the first week of May. Optimistically, it would seem that the middle of July would be the earliest expectation of a return.

Twins now know exactly what to chase after Royce Lewis injury blow

MLB.com recently polled respective beat writers for each team on the respective team needs ahead of the deadline, and it’s no surprise that Manny Randhawa listed third base as the need for the Twins.

Sure, Brooks Lee and Kody Clemens have been success stories for the Twins this season, but if their postseason hopes are going to be kept alive, it would stand to reason that the Twins would want a clear answer at third base.

Two names that immediately come to mind for the Twins are Bo Bichette, if he is willing to move off shortstop, of the Toronto Blue Jays, and Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Each is a free agent after this season, with Bichette likely being more financially affordable for the Twins given the anticipated prorated amounts for each contract. Bichette is earning $11.2MM this season, and Suarez is making $13MM.

Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies is another third baseman who figures to be on the trade market, but given his contract extends through 2027, the Twins likely wouldn’t be in favor of taking on that money.