MN Twins Trade for Pitcher with Assignment Clause

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
New Minnesota Twins pitcher, Woo-Suk Go during Miami Marlins Media Day 2025
Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins defeated the New York Yankees again on Sunday, at Yankee Stadium, completing their first series victory in the Bronx since May 2014.

Starting pitcher Joe Ryan was brilliant, and even though Byron Buxton left the game early after re-aggravating the hip injury that held him out of game last week, the Twins head home from the Big Apple with a 44-47 record and a little bit of swag to their step.

Minnesota Twins trade for RHP Woo-Suk Go

Then, shortly after their third-straight series victory, the Minnesota Twins made a trade, sending cash considerations to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Woo-Suk Go.

Here’s where things get a bit interesting. Despite the fact that Minnesota’s new 27-year-old pitcher has never pitched in a Major League Baseball game, he will immediately join the big league club back in Minneapolis for their game on Tuesday against the AL Wild Card Cleveland Guardians (47-44).

Go expected to make MLB debut with MN Twins

According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic), Woo-Suk Go has some sort of “assignment clause” in his contract, which gives them no choice but to plug Go into their big league a bullpen immediately, where I’d imagine he’ll make his debut this week.

Go came over to the United States from Korea, at the age of 25. He has since been up and down the professional baseball ladder between three different organizations (Marlins, Padres, Tigers).

His first stop upon arrival in 2024 was Triple-A Jacksonville (Marlins), where he posted a 4.29 ERA in 16 appearances. However, the next season, he was dropped down to double-A, where he struggled.

What to expect from Woo-Suk Go

In fact, things got so bad at one point last season, that Woo-Suk Go found himself pitching for Jupiter, for the Miami Marlins Low-A affiliate. However, 2026 has been a completely different story, after he pitched really well for Korea in the WBC this spring.

Go has pitched a combined 41.1 innings this season between Detroit’s Double and Triple-A affiliates, where he’s posted a 1.96 ERA, 2.18 RA9 and an absolutely absurd 0.823 WHIP while striking out 11.8 batters per nine innings.

Out of all the throw-away trades and signings that the Minnesota Twins have made in their bullpen so far this season, I’d have to say that I like this one as potentially the best both short and long-term.

Not only does Woo-Suk Go have the best name in baseball, but he sure looks like a legitimate pitching talent who came over with pretty high expectations, but lost confidence after a lack of success early on, while he adjusted to life in America.

Related: Ryan Jeffers Starting Rehab Assignment

Even in the upper-minor leagues, a 0.823 Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched is almost impossible, especially with over 40 innings pitched. I get that there is some risk involved here, since Go can’t be sent down to the minors. But given the lack of talent in Minnesota’s bullpen right now, this looks like a dart throw that has decent potential to stick.

And if it does, this is a mid-20’s something kid who could contribute in a big way for an upcoming playoff run, and behond. If not, the MN Twins would have to offer him back to Detroit and lose whatever “cash considerations” they sent there to get him.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.

Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.