Trade Talent Flies Off Board As Pressure Turns up on Twins

[Nash Walker]

The Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, and White Sox all made moves a day before the deadline. The pressure is turning up on the Twins as time runs out. Let’s get you caught up. 

Take a look at the trades made on Monday. How many are of interest to Twins fans? Several former Twins players were traded to new teams. Several players the Twins may have had some interest in (or at least some fans did) were also dealt. 

PRELLER STRIKES AGAIN
Padres receive: LHP Josh Hader
Brewers receive: LHP Taylor Rogers, RHP Dinelson Lamet, LHP Robert Gasser, OF Esteury Ruiz
(Read more on this trade at Brewer Fanatic)

WOW! Pre-deadline day began with a blockbuster involving one of the best relievers in baseball. The Padres sent former Twin Taylor Rogers, fire-breathing right-hander Dinelson Lamet and two prospects for Josh Hader, who’s tied with Edwin Díaz for the second-most reliever fWAR since his rookie season in 2017.

Rogers will join the Brewers bullpen, carrying a 4.35 ERA to Milwaukee. Rogers was terrific out of the gate for the Padres but has struggled to an 8.14 ERA over his last 22 appearances. He had just lost his closer role. 

 

Padres’ POBO AJ Preller is known to get crazy in trades and free agency; this deal is his latest example. Hader hasn’t been himself lately but is undoubtedly a dominant force when he’s right. He’s under team control through 2023. Could the Twins have made an offer here?

MONTAS TO THE BRONX
Yankees receive: RHP Frankie Montas
Athletics receive: LHP Ken Waldichuk, LHP J.P. Sears, RHP Luis Medina, 2B Cooper Bowman

With Luis Severino hurt and the Yankees searching for their first World Series title since 2009, the Bronx Bombers made a big move for one of the best starters on the market. Montas, 29, owns a 3.18 ERA in 104 2/3 innings for the Athletics this season. 

According to MLB Pipeline, the Yankees shipped out their best pitching prospect in Waldichuk. In addition, the Athletics received the Yankees’ fourth-best pitching prospect in Medina and their Nos. 20 and 21 prospects in Sears and Bowman. 

 

The Twins liked Montas dating back to March but ultimately fell short in their offer. Montas was one of three controllable starters said to be available. Luis Castillo was another, and the Reds dealt him to the Mariners next week. Tyler Mahle is still available as of Monday night. 

In February, Keith Law ranked the Yankees’ system as the 22nd best in baseball. He ranked the Twins at No. 18, but that was before injuries and ineffectiveness plagued the top of their pitching pipeline. Either way, it feels like the Twins missed out here. 

ASTROS BEEF UP
Astros receive: 1B/OF Trey Mancini, RHP Jayden Murray
Orioles receive: RHP Seth Johnson, RHP Chayce McDermott
Rays receive: CF José Siri

While the Yankees filled a starting pitcher need, the Astros improved their lineup with two additions. First, they acquired Trey Mancini in a three-team deal involving the Tampa Bay Rays. Mancini, 30, is hitting .268/.347/.404 with 16 doubles, a triple, and ten homers in 92 games for the Orioles.

AND THEY WEREN’T DONE THERE…
Astros receive: C Christian Vázquez
Red Sox receive: IF Emmanuel Valdez, OF Wilyer Abreu

Identifying a lack of offense at the catcher position, the Astros acquired one of the better hitting backstops in baseball. Vázquez, 31, is hitting .282/.327/.432 and is a free agent following this season. 

According to MLB Pipeline, Valdez and Abreu were the 28th and 29th best prospects in the Astros system. While Ryan Jeffers recovers from a fractured thumb and Gary Sánchez scuffles at the plate, Vázquez felt like a strong and viable target and didn’t exactly break the prospect bank. 

WHITE SOX ADD LEFTY WITH GREAT STUFF
White Sox receive: LHP Jake Diekman
Red Sox receive: C Reese McGuire

The White Sox are missing their best left-handed reliever in Aaron Bummer (lat strain), and he isn’t expected back particularly soon. They made a move for Jake Diekman to fill the hole, sending Major League catcher Reese McGuire back to Boston in the deal. 

 

Diekman, 35, has a 4.23 ERA in 38 ⅓ innings. He’s walked 30 and struck out 51, relying on a mid-90s fastball and a hard, high-spin slider. Diekman has shut down lefties (.566 OPS) but struggled against righties (.842 OPS). He fills a significant hole for the White Sox in their quest to catch the Twins in the Central. 

Diekman signed a two-year, $8 million contract in the winter and is under team control in 2023. If the White Sox can help him reign in his control, he’ll be a solid middle-innings option for them. The Red Sox got the White Sox’s third-string catcher in return.

CARDINALS BOLSTER ROTATION
Cardinals receive: LHP José Quintana, RHP Chris Stratton
Pirates receive: RHP Johan Oviedo, 1B/3B Malcom Nuñez

With rumors swirling about Juan Soto’s future, the Cardinals made a lower-wattage move by trading for former frontline starter José Quintana. Now pitching well for the Pirates, Quintana is enjoying a resurgence at 33. 

Quintana owns a solid 3.50 ERA in 103 innings for Pittsburgh while holding opponents to a .679 OPS, his lowest mark since 2017 (.659). Quintana is having one of the best years of his career, with his lowest strikeout rate (21%) since 2019. 

 

Quintana should provide some rotational stability for the Cardinals while their ace Jack Flaherty recovers from a shoulder problem. Quintana is a free agent after the season. In return, the Cardinals received 6-foot-5 righty Johan Oviedo and Malcom Nuñez, who was the Cardinals' ninth best prospect in 2021. The Twins could’ve used Quintana as a quality innings-eater. 

ODO TO THE SOUTH
Braves receive: RHP Jake Odorizzi
Astros receive: LHP Will Smith

In a rare deal between two playoff teams, the Braves and Astros matched up on a one-for-one pitching trade Monday night. Jake Odorizzi spun seven scoreless innings against the Mariners Saturday, striking out eight and lowering his ERA to a solid 3.75 on the season. Odorizzi remains a serviceable mid-rotation starter and will pitch in the National League for the first time in his career. 

Way back in 2019, many Twins fans were hoping the team would make a run at Will Smith, an excellent reliever who shined in 2.5 years with the Giants. Smith instead signed a three-year deal with Atlanta and now switches leagues for the first time to join the Astros. Smith, 33, isn't as good as he once was, but he was excellent last year in the playoffs. Smith didn't allow a run in 11 postseason innings. Houston is hoping he deepens an already great bullpen. 

It's hard to say if the Twins would've had a chance to land the reliable lefty. They don't have any expendable starters and couldn't afford to give away any pitching from the big league roster. 

MORE DEADLINE MAGIC?
Braves receive: OF Robbie Grossman
Tigers receive: LHP Kris Anglin

One year ago, the Braves traded for Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, and Jorge Soler. All three worked out wonderfully and the Braves won the World Series. They're hoping Robbie Grossman offers a similar punch this time around. Grossman, 32, is having a brutal season. He hit 23 homers and posted a 114 OPS+ in 2021 but hasn't translated that success in 2022. 

It's an interesting, pretty low-risk move for the Braves. Grossman, despite all of his struggles, is hitting .364/.479/.520 against lefties. He'll likely assume a platoon role in Atlanta with Rosario. The Braves recently lost Adam Duvall to a season-ending wrist injury, so Grossman assumes that spot through the rest of the season, after which he'll enter free agency. 

I was quietly wondering if the Twins would get involved for their old friend here. Their outfield is extremely banged up and Grossman simply isn't this bad. We'll see if the Twins target any corner bats as the deadline nears. 

So What's Next?
The pressure is turned up on the Twins. They must improve this roster if they hope to hold on in the division and have a chance in October. Montas, Castillo, and Quintana are no longer options. Mahle is likely to move, as is Noah Syndergaard. The jury is out on Carlos Rodón and Nathan Eovaldi. Then there's the bullpen. Mychal Givens and David Robertson are still out there. Standout reliever Daniel Bard signed an extension with the Rockies, while the Yankees snagged Scott Effross from the Cubs. The market should take more shape Tuesday. 

The implications of this deadline are straightforward. The Twins are in first place with clear holes and a one-year, $35.3 million superstar at shortstop. The division is weak and the time is now. Will they do enough to supplement the team? Will they do anything? Once thing is for sure, this front office has surprised us before. Can they do it again?

 

 

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[AKTwins]

I’m not surprised the twins haven’t been able to land the big names.  Teams want major league ready controllable pitching.  Twins don’t have that at the moment with Winder hurt, Balazoic struggling, and Canterino injury prone.  Obviously we aren’t trading joe Ryan.  The twins do have major league ready hitting, but I don’t think they are trading Miranda or Lewis Teams may not be interested in Steer and Waller is off to a slow start in AAA.  The rest of the twins prospects are near, but not yet major League ready.

i a, thinking they pick up someone like Jordan Lyons for a pitcher.  My guess is they get Gallo but I don’t think they sound give up much of anything.

[bighat]

Yeah, as mentioned in the comment above the Twins are in a real tough place if they don't want to deal Lewis or Miranda.

I doubt the Twins land anyone noteworthy, probably a few no-name bullpen guys if anything. They really are between a rock and a hard place and I just don't see them having anything worth giving the Reds for Mahle.

[Squirrel]

And the Twins … ???

[Dave Overlund]

As long as we are in on guys, I'll be satisfied. 

In all seriousness this is maybe the only year I am okay with not selling the farm. This team is just not that close. 

You could make the '87 Twins chip and a chair argument, but that was a core that had grown together and had a rotation led by a Cy Young contender that could pitch three times in a seven game series and a future Hall of Famer for a second starter. 

While I am not personally holding my breath that it happens, I think you continue to let this core mature this season, get Maeda and Ober back for next season and spend some of that $36 million Correa money on pitching during the offseason. I can't see this front office shelling out for a legit pitcher, but that would be my plan. 

[Nine of twelve]

14 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

And the Twins … ???

That's not necessarily a bad thing, you know.

[TopGunn#22]

I'm frustrated.  I think the Twins could have beaten the Yankees offer for Montas and Trevino (I would have asked for Puk).

But I think Dave Overlund and others are probably more realistic than me.  Maybe what we have to offer just isn't tripping the trigger of other teams, although I think Steer and Austin Martin among others are certainly worthy pieces.  Maybe they'll come up with a deal for Mahle and get at least one bullpen arm.  Alcala is coming and I fully expect to see Maeda at some point being able to help the pen.  

I know EVERYBODY has issues with pitchers and injuries, but I can't help but think the Twins seem to have an inordinate number of injuries, especially with young pitchers.  At some point, Canterino and Balazovic just have to be able to go out there and PITCH.  

[Minderbinder]

We don't have many minor league chips worth dealing right now for any number of reasons.  The FO could surprise, but methinks it's steady as she goes, ..., into third place. 

[dxpavelka]

I thought we fixed our lack of top 100 guys when we  traded Berrios....

[Squirrel]

24 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

That's not necessarily a bad thing, you know.

It certainly isn’t a good thing, either. I’m not saying we should have thrown everything in for Montas or Castillo, but some relief help is most definitely needed if we want to be competitive into the final stretch

[Scotts]

One reason our relievers suck. None and I mean None goe past the 5th inning. Putting a huge burden on our already ****** BULLPEN 

 

Trade for Mahle SP from Cincinnati 

[MABB1959]

53 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

I thought we fixed our lack of top 100 guys when we  traded Berrios....

Where are the prospects we got for him?  Are they going to amount to anything?  All this talk of buying or trading for a top pitcher we when had a good one to start with.

[twinfan]

I thought that guys like Effross or Diekman or even Will Smith could have been had without sacrificing any of our future. Maybe we will trade for Mahle if he's available. Maybe even Robertson. The only way we would get a big name starter like a Montas would have been to deplete the farm or give up Ryan. If Lewis were healthy, we might trade Correa for a package. Let's see what happens today. My wild prediction is the Yanks trade Gallo, Hicks and 2 minor leaguers plus lots of money (paying salary) for Soto or even more for Ohtani though I really don't think either would be traded. As always, today will be fun. And, like they say, sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.

[terrydactyls]

59 minutes ago, Scotts said:

One reason our relievers suck. None and I mean None goe past the 5th inning. Putting a huge burden on our already ****** BULLPEN 

 

Trade for Mahle SP from Cincinnati 

If they trade for Mahle, the Twins would get one, maybe two innings of a rest for the bullpen every fifth game.  To me, that is not worth the loss of prospects for a team that needs three starters, four relievers, a catcher, and an outfielder to actually be a serious contender.

[Loosey]

The Vasquez trade irks me.  Twins need catching help badly and there was a one there for the taking.  They Twins didn't make the move, which scares me they aren't going to do much today.  I think the Twins are close to being very good but probably not this year.  However, a few supplements for this year and a starter that is controllable for next year is worth giving up some prospects to get into the playoffs where anything could happen.  

[killebrewlover]

As much as I'd like to see some last minute hail Mary trade that gets them into the post season this year, I don't see it happening without giving up your future.  I'd be fine with sitting pat.  Maybe finding a RP or two if they don't give up too much.  Let's "plan" for next year and beyond.  Not just this season!

[Puckett34]

Mahle, Givens, and Robertson today please. Flexible on Mahle

[Old Twins Cap]

Twins FO:  Do not bet the farm to extend the Major Sports League all-time playoff losing streak.

We ain't that good this year.

[USAFChief]

I also had the idea old friend Robbie Grossman would have been a nice little cheap pickup. 

Having a terrible season, but still controls the zone and isn't far away from above average offensive seasons.

We started Contreras and Gordon against a LHer last night, for Pete's sake. We put Kirilloff in the OF but had to substitute him out before an AB. What the heck??

Vazquez, Diekman, and Quintana also seem like very reasonable, very doable deals that would've absolutely helped this team.

Not to mention the Montas/Trivino deal. 

I couldn't be more disappointed in this FO right now.

 

[Karbo]

3 hours ago, bighat said:

Yeah, as mentioned in the comment above the Twins are in a real tough place if they don't want to deal Lewis or Miranda.

I doubt the Twins land anyone noteworthy, probably a few no-name bullpen guys if anything. They really are between a rock and a hard place and I just don't see them having anything worth giving the Reds for Mahle.

A couple of no name relievers would probably be enough to win the division IMO. At this point I think that's probably the best we can hope for.

[MGM4706]

Think if Wolves new ownership had purchased the Twins. We would have had an Ace and a Closer by now!  Because the word "WINNING" is in their vocabulary! Instead we do nothing and have a Manager who says he is "Content" with what he has! Rocco is the perfect "Puppet" Manager for the Pohlads!! Seattle got Castillo for almost nothing. Yankees gave up prospects and got quality pitchers. As long as Twins turn a Profit in the Taxpayer provided stadium winning will never be a priority!

[bighat]

We got our man - Lopez to the Twins for Povich and Cano.

[USAFChief]

Padres need to clear some salary to help acquire Soto.

We could help by taking Snell off their hands for nothing but salary relief.

[MTV]

I think the Twins should target Anthony Bass as another reliever, also get Mahle and probably another starter, then likely some buy-low placeholder OFs and an ok catcher

[Steve71]

Bass has gone to Toronto.

[Doctor Gast]

Padres don't know how to deal with their pitchers, T Rogers, Twins have discovered that they can't pitch him back to back. Padres didn't pitch him correctly, therefore Rogers exelled then crashed! I feel sorry for him. Brewers knows him and Rogers will do well w/ him.

NYY stole Montas much like SD stole Musgrove last year. Musgrove was offer to the Twins but failed to give a counter offer. I feel that FO dropped the ball also with Montas.

HOU made some creative trades that worked well for them. They picked up (c) Vazquez from BOS to filled that offense hole at that position. A trade that Twins could have easily made if they did their homework.

Twins has filled their biggest hole with closer Lopez, they still need to close on a front-line SP, catcher upgrade and a long relief pitcher to replace all those who have been injured due to being over extended at SP.

[dxpavelka]

10 hours ago, MABB1959 said:

Where are the prospects we got for him?  Are they going to amount to anything?  All this talk of buying or trading for a top pitcher we when had a good one to start with.

Totally agree.  Said the day we traded him that we'd find ourselves looking for what we just moved. We got two AA guys for him who remain AA guys to this day.  Maybe they'll eventually pan out.  Also a pretty good chance that Berrios will return to form as well.  We could have had him and Buxton for half what the Padres will end up giving Juan Soto.

[dxpavelka]

Fairly impressed with how they did in spite of all the pressure and the talent that had previously flown off the board.

[MABB1959]

18 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Totally agree.  Said the day we traded him that we'd find ourselves looking for what we just moved. We got two AA guys for him who remain AA guys to this day.  Maybe they'll eventually pan out.  Also a pretty good chance that Berrios will return to form as well.  We could have had him and Buxton for half what the Padres will end up giving Juan Soto.

I am going to GUESS that Berrios did not want to spend his prime years here which could also have been a barrier the Twins could not overcome.  Players/AllStars at the top if their game most likely don't want to waste their time on a team that will not go all out.  Thinking Sano is hoping to get DFA'd so he can get out too.

[dxpavelka]

6 hours ago, MABB1959 said:

I am going to GUESS that Berrios did not want to spend his prime years here which could also have been a barrier the Twins could not overcome.  Players/AllStars at the top if their game most likely don't want to waste their time on a team that will not go all out.  Thinking Sano is hoping to get DFA'd so he can get out too.

Had they offered him the contract he signed in Toronto I have no reason he would not have signed it here.