MN Twins Swing Trade for Bullpen Help

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Anthony Banda
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Pitchers and catchers reported to Fort Myers for Minnesota Twins Spring Training on Thursday. It’s a good thing they report early because the Twins’ bullpen needs all the extra work it can get.

The starting rotation is easily the foundation of the roster. Neither the lineup or the bullpen can say as much. That wasn’t the case in recent seasons, but that’s what happens when you sell off nearly half the roster.

35-year-old Taylor Rogers has been the lone “significant” Major League bullpen addition, which tells you everything you need to know. Behind him, they continue to stack minor league additions with invites to camp.

Anthony Banda joins Minnesota Twins from Los Angeles Dodgers

Last night, they even brought former Twin and one-time dominant reliever Liam Hendriks in on an MiLB deal. But Thursday, Minnesota added their second legitimate lefty MLB reliever of the offseason, in Anthony Banda, via trade with the Dodgers.

Last week, Anthony Banda was designated for assignment by Los Angeles, despite his rather impressive 3.14 ERA (4.15 FIP) over the past two seasons. Today, he’s a Twin after Minnesota sent international bonus pool money to LA to get a deal done with their throw-away reliever.

In trading international bonus money, the acquisition literally costs the Twins nothing, since it’s money they didn’t have to spend anyway. That makes Banda an even better get for an organization trying to cut every financial corner they can find.

That’s why I suggested the Minnesota Twins go after Banda last week, when he was DFA’d. He’s slated to make just $1.6 million this season, and gives Minnesota a third lefty out of a bullpen that looks much better today than it did this time yesterday.

Given the state of the Minnesota Twins bullpen, Banda should be considered the second most reliable option in the pecking order. How that pairs with Rogers remains to be seen, as going back-to-back lefties in leverage spots is probably not ideal.

Jackson Kowar DFA’d by Minnesota Twins

The 40-man roster was full prior to the MN Twins adding Anthony Banda. Rather than making a more consequential move, they simply sent the recently claimed former first round pick Jackson Kowar packing.

Kowar pitched in the big leagues last year with the Seattle Mariners. He owned a 4.24 ERA (5.84 FIP) in just 17 innings. While he once was a top prospect, that luster has all but faded.

Minnesota was going to force Kowar to earn a way on while competing with the likes of Dan Altavilla, Liam Hendriks, and Julian Merryweather. Banda is an all but guaranteed commodity, and thus the swap makes sense.

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