Twins Deadline Fireworks Finish with Tigers’ Reliever, Michael Fulmer

The Minnesota Twins have weren’t done with the 2022 MLB trade deadline, after dealing for All-Star closer, Jorge Lopez and front-end starter, Tyler Mahle. With the final bell closing in early on Tuesday evening, the Twins dealt for Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever, Michael Fulmer. To get the deal done, Minnesota shipped out right-handed pitching prospect, Sawyer Gipson-Long.

Michael Fulmer to Twins

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 2, 2022

The Twins are acquiring LHP Michael Fulmer from the Tigers, per source. Detroit gets RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long from Minnesota.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 2, 2022

Fulmer is a rental, and is due for free agency at the end of this season. That’s why you’ve never heard of the prospect Minnesota gave up, in return. But don’t underestimate the impact Fulmer will have on the Twins’ bullpen.

Since moving to a reliever role full time in 2021, the 29-year-old has a 3.06 ERA, 1.266 WHIP, 3.37 FIP and 137 ERA+, in 109 IP. I’d expect Fulmer to slot in right next to Griffen Jax, behind Jhoan Duran and Jorge Lopez.

Twins Blowing Up Deadline, Stereotypes

That wraps up, by far, the most exciting and active trade deadline in Minnesota Twins franchise history. Not only did they add a reliever, which was the minimum expectation, but Derek Falvey and Thad Levine added one of the top starters on the market in Tyler Mahle and two back-end bullpen arms.

In reality, Falvine did exactly what was needed to secure the Twins’ place as a respectable playoff-caliber baseball team. But they’ve needed to make moves at deadlines past, and have failed every time. Until today.

So let’s go win the AL Central and see how far we can ride Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa into this postseason.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan