*Pending Medical Review: Graterol For Maeda Deal Completed… Without the Red Sox Involved

Twins now dealing directly with Dodgers and that part of mega deal seems pretty set, with Maeda still going to Minnesota and Graterol presumably going to LA. Dodgers are now mostly working with Red Sox to rejigger package for Betts. There’s certainly increased hope. #Mookie

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 9, 2020

Deals coming together. #Dodgers in agreement with #MNTwins, pending medical review – Maeda and cash would go to MIN for Graterol and another prospect. Other elements perhaps. Meanwhile, per @JeffPassan, LAD and #RedSox in agreement on Betts and Price for Verdugo-Jeter Downs-plus.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020

#Dodgers sending $10M with Maeda and receiving #MNTwins’ Comp B draft pick in 2020, source tells The Athletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020

#MNTwins also getting low-level minor leaguer from #Dodgers in addition to Maeda and $10M, source says.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020

To summarize: The #MNTwins are giving up Brusdar Graterol and the No. 67th pick in the 2020 draft and receive Kenta Maeda, $10m and a low-level prospect from the Dodgers per @Ken_Rosenthal and @JeffPassan.

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) February 9, 2020

The Twins are finally done dealing with the Red Sox and their bullshit. It looks like they were be able to leave the dirty work details of this trade, involving Mookie Betts and David Price going to LA, to be worked out between the Dodgers and Red Sox.

The crux of this deal was first reported a couple of hours ago, by Jon Heyman but I’m guessing the money and additional Twins’ prospect had to be worked out.

Instead of sending Brusdar Graterol to Boston, he will go to LA (Plus comp-B 2020 draft pick – #67 overall + $1M in draft pool cash). Meanwhile, the Twins will receive the same player that they wanted when this thing was first reported, in (SP) Kenta Maeda ($10 Million) and a lower-level prospect to be named later.

Who knows what this means for Brusdar. It doesn’t seem like the Red Sox want him anymore. According to the insiders, it’s more likely he stays with the Dodgers when this is all said and done.

The Red Sox are the only team that sees further issues with Graterol’s medical records, according to Heyman, so the Dodgers are fine with making essentially the same flip that Boston backed out of.

In one proposed scenario Twins and Dodgers make their own deal involving Maeda and a Graterol with Graterol possibly sticking with LA. Non-Boston docs seem to have no big issue with Graterol meds.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 9, 2020

What does this mean for the Twins going forward? It means they have their starting rotation set, for Opening Day 2020. Maeda slides perfectly into the 3-spot of the starting rotation while we wait for Pineda and Hill to get back.

As we get closer to the trade deadline, come the middle of the season, the Twins will look for a starter to place at the front of their rotation. Even if Jose Berrios comes to Jesus and becomes a legitimate #1 starter in the MLB, he won’t be enough to matchup against the Yankees and Astros of the world, in a playoff series.

I said this right after the first time this trade was consummated, the Twins are all-in on winning the World Series this year. If they weren’t, then the Maeda and Donaldson deals don’t happen.

But, the Twins’ starting rotation isn’t one that is all-in for a playoff run. They also have prospects boiling over from their farm system, that don’t have positions available to play.

So, if 2+2+2 still equals 6, then the Twins still have some wheeling and dealing to do. But for now (maybe), it feels like we can take a breath and get ready for Spring Training… which starts on Wednesday.

via GIPHY

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan