On Tuesday night, general manager Jeremy Zoll said the Minnesota Twins plan to be buyers at this year’s trade deadline.Zoll’s declaration — “I feel clear on the direction” — follows months of hints and suggestions from the club, including direct statements from Twins chairman Tom Pohlad, that it wants to be aggressive and add players rather than subtract, as it did last season.But after trading 10 players from the major-league roster last July, many fans and pundits continue to believe the Twins will offload players. That much was revealed when we asked Twins fans to submit their trade proposals ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline. Most involved the team selling.Thank you for suggesting more potential trades than we could ever hope to break down, but as promised, we evaluated your offers. While the major-league executive who planned to participate was unfortunately too busy working on deals, we asked two longtime scouts to evaluate your proposals and suggest which team might be interested. Here’s a selection of your trade suggestions.Joe Ryan to the Atlanta Braves for Didier Fuentes, Garrett Baumann, and John GilFrom Angel H.Dan’s take: First, the Twins say no because moving their two-time All-Star would lead to uncomfortable conversations with three-time All-Star Byron Buxton that the team just doesn’t want to have. You don’t want to put Buxton in a spot where he considers waiving his no-trade clause.It’s hard to see the Braves parting with Fuentes, who may be off-limits and is in the middle of an outstanding season. Maybe they’d include him in a package if they were getting back a clear-cut No. 1 starter like Tarik Skubal. Maybe. But if he’s not part of a proposed deal, there’s no way the Twins would accept the rest of that package plus someone else for Ryan. If the Twins entertained the option of trading Ryan — and remember, they have telegraphed their intent to buy at the deadline, not sell — but if they did, they’d be aiming sky-high with the return package, as they should.Scout A’s take: “The Twins say no here; the Braves’ farm system is improved, but I’m not sure they fit together, especially if the Twins want to compete in the short term. (It seems like those messages are mixed!) The Twins would hold out for one of the breakthrough bats in the system, such as Eric Hartman, or a higher-upside arm such as Briggs McKenzie.”Scout B’s take: “Atlanta says yes. The Braves will go deep for a top rotation arm (with) an added year (of team control). Atlanta will be watching closely how Ryan bounces back from arm fatigue. However, it is unlikely that the Twins pursue trading Joe Ryan at this point.”Tampa Bay Rays get Ryan Jeffers, Twins get TJ Nichols and Ty JohnsonFrom Jesse L.Dan’s take: This is a sensible offer because you’re adding two guys who look like future major-league relievers. Typically, rentals don’t provide as much of a return as players with team control. And, as one person in the know told me, rental catchers usually net even less than rental pitchers. But this is a great time to have a good catcher available, because the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers all have catching voids they’d like to fill. Essentially, you could keep the Rays’ offer in your back pocket and wade into a bigger pot at the heavy-hitters’ poker table, hoping for a massive payoff.Still, I don’t know if the Twins are considering trading Jeffers. He’s been a key performer this year behind the plate and on the offensive end. Earlier this month, I asked a member of the front office about dealing the catcher. The reply: “Why would we trade Jeffers?”Scout A’s take: “This one makes sense for me. Johnson is basically a two-pitch pitcher. While he does it differently, he reminds me some of Joe Ryan in being so fastball-dominant and having some success at Triple A. He’s very deceptive, and I actually think, like Ryan, his secondaries can get better. Nichols is a fungible power bullpen arm down the line; that’s a good return for Jeffers. I’m not sure Tampa would know what to do with a catcher who can hit, but I bet Kevin Cash would love to find out.”Scout B’s take: “Rays say yes. Tampa Bay has a need behind the plate and would like to add Jeffers (for his bat and glove). Moving two leverage relievers (one of whom is injured in ’26) for the rental price of Jeffers would be a reasonable trade scenario.”Joe Ryan to San Diego Padres for Ethan Salas and Bradgley RodriguezFrom Rob C.Dan’s take: This is exactly the kind of package it would take to pry Ryan away from the Twins. Salas has regained his value this season after back troubles previously harmed it, and adding him makes sense because the Twins absolutely need catchers at, or near the top of, the farm system. Rodriguez is the type of power arm you’d love to add, and he’s only 22. Once again, I’m not sure either team is in on this one. I don’t see the Twins wanting to part with Ryan unless they have a ready-made replacement for the starting rotation, especially after Zoll said they’re buying. And as of Wednesday morning, FanGraphs thinks the Padres’ chances of making the playoffs are 17.9 percent. Are they buying? If so, at what level?Scout A’s take: “This is the best Ryan move in this group of proposals. I love Rodriguez; he checks all the reliever boxes. Size, operation, stuff, toughness. … I’m in there. Salas made more sense before (the Twins drafted) Vahn Lackey, but you can never have too much catching, and either Salas or Lackey would likely be a very nice trade piece in 2027 — if there is a 2027 season.”Scout B’s take: “Padres say no. If they are buyers, they will try to keep Ethan Salas off the table and their best leverage arms in the ‘pen. The Padres may look for mid-level return trades. I don’t think they will look for the big splash in the buyers market.”Kyle DeBarge (Double A) to Los Angeles Angels for Kirby YatesFrom Dorkus MalorkusDan’s take: Even though DeBarge’s chances of reaching the big leagues are uncertain, the Twins really don’t trade players like him because of the possibility he might turn into an effective, cheap, controllable player. The Angels also probably are asking for more than DeBarge in a hypothetical deal, even though Yates is 39 and a rental. Yates had a solid June, but he’s struggling a bit in July. With his age, I’m not sure he’s the type of player the Twins would want to overpay for.Scout A’s take: “Pass. I believe time will reveal that DeBarge will not be anything more than a fringe utility player. I know Yates is just a rental, but I’d take my chances on a flier young power arm rather than someone like DeBarge. If you’re the Angels, aim higher. See if you can resuscitate someone like Matt Wallner or injured Ricardo Olivar.”Scout B’s take: “Los Angeles says yes. The Angels would have interest in acquiring a 23-year-old, potential everyday middle infielder with quality bat-to-ball skills for a 39-year-old rental. Yates may have enough left in the tank to give some quality high-leverage innings.”Mets pitcher Luke Weaver will earn $12.5 million next season, which could diminish the Twins’ interest in the reliever. (Dylan Buell / Getty Images)Twins receive Luke Weaver; New York Mets receive Brandon Winokur and Charlee SotoFrom Bryce B.Dan’s take: Your target is right on. Weaver is one of the better relievers in baseball and has succeeded at the highest levels, pitching five scoreless innings for the Yankees in the 2024 World Series. But this is also an aggressive move the Twins might make if their position were a lot stronger. It’s probably more the move you make if you’re leading the division and looking to pad your lead than the move you make in the middle of the pack. Who knows? Pohlad said the only way to win back fans is by making eye-opening moves to improve the roster. If they follow that logic, perhaps this would be the move, one that goes against their own trade history. But Weaver will earn $12.5 million next season, which I believe would be the most the Twins have ever paid a reliever for a single season. Cot’s Contracts says Joe Nathan earned $11.25 million annually from 2009 to 2011. Addison Reed earned $8.5 million in 2019. The Twins typically don’t pay relievers.Scout A’s take: “The scout in me is intrigued by both players because of Winokur’s power potential and hard-to-find right-handed bat, and Soto’s upper-90s sinker. I still think the Mets would pass because Weaver has a year of control to go with his ability to, you know, get major-league hitters out on a consistent basis. I think he requires one surer thing than Winokur’s swing and miss and Soto’s injury-fueled risk.”Scout B’s take: “New York says yes. My opinion is Weaver’s value is about as high as it will get, and the Mets may take a chance that Winokur will be an MLB impact bat (grass/dirt player), and that Soto (post-injuries) will develop into a high-leverage ‘pen or back-end starter.”Twins send Emmanuel Rodriguez, Adrian Bohorquez and Khadim Diaw to the Los Angeles Angels for Reid DetmersFrom: Patrick K.Dan’s take: I think your target is right on. The Twins have had their eye on Detmers for a few years. But the price you’re willing to pay won’t be enough. Even if the Angels were open to moving Detmers, who isn’t a free agent until after the 2028 season, it’s going to cost a pretty penny, and they’ll have plenty of suitors. While Detmers has a 4.01 ERA over the last season-plus, his FIP (fielding independent pitching) is 3.28, and he has struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings. Rodriguez is a very good starting piece for a deal, but he’s averaged less than 60 games over his six pro seasons. If your headliner is injury-prone, that second piece is going to have to be a banger just to get in the door, and that’s if Angels interim GM John Mozeliak is willing to entertain offers for Detmers.Scout A’s take: “The Angels say no, but only because Rodriguez is unreliable. In terms of talent and center-field fit, he makes sense for the Angels. But the market for Detmers is going to be robust; he’s a left-handed starter who can help your rotation short term and long term while also being a postseason bullpen weapon. I think he’s going to be able to fetch a little more prospect capital. I’d ask for a better arm from Minnesota, such as Justin Mitrovich. I just wouldn’t trust products of Minnesota’s Latin American program, especially pitchers; it’s not a strength of that organization.”Scout B’s take: Not available due to time constraints.Trevor Larnach for Miguel UllolaFrom Kasey E.Dan’s take: You’re on the right track in aiming for a pitcher who’s ready to contribute at the major-league level. Also, trading Larnach has made sense for a long time, but not because you want to get rid of him. He knows ball. He’s got great baseball IQ. He’s performed well. But, same as November, the Twins have Matt Wallner and Walker Jenkins ready in the minor leagues.I wonder if the Twins would ask for a better arm, or for the Houston Astros to add another player. Ullola walked 78 batters in 113 2/3 innings last season, which prompted his move to the bullpen. His fastball is big but inconsistent, which could lead to him being a middle reliever in the long run. I think you’re hoping for more, based on Larnach’s production and the team control remaining on his deal.Scout A’s take: “I like this fit for both clubs. Ullola has a good fastball with attractive metrics, both a tough approach angle and significant carry, and it has played when I’ve seen him live. Larnach fits the Astros’ long need for a LH-hitting corner OF bat. … If I were the Twins, I’d try to get a lottery-ticket second piece, such as righty Rainy Rodriguez (very young/raw but can spin it) or outfielder Nehomar Ochoa (RH power corner bat), but it might be hard to get more for Larnach than Ullola.”Scout B’s take: “Houston says no, though not out of the question. Even though Larnach has had an outlier of a plus-productive season, Houston will be looking for something more proven if they are going to add, like a (Daulton) Varsho.”