Joe Ryan was among the players dangled at the deadline, but ultimately the Boston Red Sox couldn’t complete the deal. He went through a whirlwind of emotions in the time since, but now is seemingly in favor of what the front office is doing.

MN Twins path forward makes sense to Joe Ryan

It was less than three weeks ago that Joe Ryan was calling out the front office and ownership for a Sonny Gray move that sparked this downturn. Now he seemingly is stepping back and singing a different tune. The Athletic’s Dan Hayes talked with him following Friday’s loss in Philadelphia.

“At the end of the day, I see the big picture and the decisions they’ve made, and I think they’re good decisions and the trajectory of the organization is positive. I think they’re doing a really good job of working with what we have and making the right decisions on the field right now and putting a little more pressure on teams. The young guys that are stepping up, obviously, there have been a couple of rocky outings here and there, but for the most part, guys like Taj (Bradley) and Mick (Abel), those guys look really good.”

Joe Ryan – The Athletic

It’s beyond plausible that Ryan was simply frustrated with what the Twins did at the trade deadline. Jhoan Duran was among the players moved, and he shared that sentiment with Hayes on Friday in Philadelphia as well. Now that he’s had time to process, it seems Ryan is a bit more well-reasoned with his take.

“I felt like I was in shock for a couple of weeks after that, and then it kind of settled in. (My future) is so far out of my control. But it seems like the team is making good decisions from the front office and coaching staff down to give ourselves a chance to win a couple more ballgames. … I think the team’s going to be in a really good spot going forward. Hopefully we’ll make a couple of other moves and see where that goes, but I’m not too worried about that.”

Joe Ryan – The Athletic

It’s on odd full-circle moment. He does acknowledge that the front office is “working with what they have” as an understanding that ownership ties one arm behind their backs. That means getting good talent in exchange for expensive players is a must. It remains to be seen if Bradley and Abel fit that mold though.

Knowing there may not be a path to make other impactful moves, Ryan dances around what his future could look like. It wasn’t long ago that it appeared as though it wouldn’t be in Minnesota. If it is, he’ll have to do plenty of the heavy lifting.

He finished this season with a career-best 3.47 ERA (3.74 FIP), but a bad stretch since mid-August (6.75 ERA in his final seven starts) wiped out a 2.72 ERA. Those sort of numbers would have been worthy of Cy Young votes. Finishing strong is something that becomes a priority for a guy needing to lead any sort of a future postseason push.

Youth provides a mixed bag for Twins

Taj Bradley has had some moments of execution for the Twins, but he finished with a 6.61 ERA (4.74 FIP) across 31 1/3 (six starts) innings. He has nearly 400 innings at the big league level, and owns a 4.86 ERA. He’s still just 24 years old, but Minnesota must develop him into something more for that move to make sense.

Taj Bradley's 3Ks in the 6th. pic.twitter.com/3UdMQ1K84y

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 25, 2025

Abel is the same age as Bradley, but has just 33 innings at the big league level. He’ll finish his season pitching against his former employer on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. Abel has given up 14 runs (13 earned) in just eight innings for the Twins and was once demoted back to Triple-A. He’s dominated the minors but has to unlock the next level.

Hypothetically there’s an understanding of what Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll are doing. That doesn’t mean it’s enough to have a realistic path forward. The Twins still have just two surefire big league starters, and both Ryan and Pablo Lopez could be trade candidates this offseason.

For now Ryan is toeing the company line it seems, but at some point, it can’t be fun playing for a loser with little opportunity to have things improve.

Over the final few weeks of the season Rocco Baldelli will hope to see more of those performances. The team has already been more aggressive on the basepaths, and young players are being empowered to impact the game.

With rosters expanding on Monday, although just by two spots to 28, Minnesota is infusing the group with more talent from Triple-A St. Paul.

Mick Abel demoted by Minnesota Twins

At last month’s trade deadline the MN Twins acquired young Philadelphia Phillies starter Mick Abel in a package for closer Jhoan Duran. That was easily their best move at the deadline, but it will take more time to pay off. After a brief cameo with Minnesota, he’s been demoted back to Triple-A.

#MNTwins optioned Mick Abel to Triple-A St. Paul.

Abel was acquired from the Phillies in the Jhoan Duran trade and pitched twice after being called up on August 23, struggling in both outings.

Rosters also expand from 26 to 28 on September 1, so they'll be adding three players.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 31, 2025

It was Abel, not newly acquired Taj Bradley, that looked ready after three turns in St. Paul. Across 15 1/3 innings he allowed just three runs on seven hits while striking out 23. He did walk six though, and the command has always been an issue.

On Saturday Abel piggybacked five good innings from Bradley and blew up again. In just four innings for Minnesota he allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 14 hits. He walked three and only struck out that many as well.

abel’s raw stuff is very good

the twins eliminated the possibility of him tipping his pitches

needs to throw more strikes, needs to execute secondary pitches better

bullish on him

— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) August 31, 2025

The final month of the season should be about Abel getting it right at the big league level. He has a 2.22 ERA in 89 1/3 Triple-A innings this year. Unfortunately, he has proven across 29 big league innings that he isn’t there yet (7.76 ERA).

Related: Former MN Twins Gold Glove Winner Lands New Team

Minnesota needs Abel to be a key cog in their future starting rotation. He is just 24 years old and made his big league debut this season. The future remains bright, but he’ll need to figure out where the chasm is between Triple-A success and big league ineptitude.

Reinforcements for MN Twins

There was a time when September roster expansion allowed teams 15 additional spots, from 25 to 40. Now big league clubs can add just two players, going from 26 to 28. After optioning Abel, Minnesota had three opening on Rocco Baldelli’s active roster.

The Twins have promoted RHP Travis Adams, RHP Noah Davis, and OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. from @StPaulSaints

— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 1, 2025

Rather than make promotions for any notable names, the Twins decided to stay status quo. Noah Davis, Travis Adams, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. have all played for Minnesota this year.

Adams owns a 7.71 ERA (5.91 FIP) in a swingman role. He does seemingly fit into future plans, but hasn’t looked the part yet. Davis was a scrap heap pickup that has allowed five runs in just three innings. He pitched for the Dodgers this season as well, and has served up 19 runs (18 earned) in just nine innings.

Keirsey Jr. made the Opening Day roster for Minnesota but hasn’t been good. In 67 games he has a .111/.143/.183 line and a -11 OPS+. His speed and defense are the asset here, and something the Twins will lean into with a more aggressive approach.

Related: Former MN Twins Pitcher Going Home to Finish Career

Triple-A St. Paul still has a couple of weeks of games left. However, they are out of playoff contention, and seeing more meaningful names added to the Twins would have made sense. Cory Lewis, Marco Raya, Andrew Morris and others all could have been bullpen additions. Aaron Sabato seemed like a no-brainer power bat addition.

Maybe they still get their chance in the weeks to come.

Urena labored through five innings (90 pitches), allowing 6 earned runs on 7 hits in the worst appearance since he was brought in. The Athletics went on to win the game 8-3 to complete their three game sweep in Minneapolis, raising their record above that of the Twins.

Mick Abel to make debut for Minnesota Twins

Of course, Minnesota could have just started recently acquired pitching prospect Mick Abel, who would have been on normal rest. Instead, the Twins decided to bring him to Chicago, where his debut in a MN Twins uniform appears to be imminent.

Can confirm Mick Abel did travel with the #MNTwins to Chicago last night.

Zebby Matthews has the start tonight. But there's a TBA listed for Saturday. https://t.co/mZc18TCHWT

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 22, 2025

Related: Rotation Reinforcements Incoming for Minnesota Twins

The most consequential return for any trade that the Minnesota Twins made at the deadline came from the Philadelphia Phillies, when Falvey dealt closer Jhoan Duran to the City of Brotherly Love in exchange for Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel.

While the former is a teenage catching prospect, the latter has already gotten his feet wet in the big leagues. In 89.1 total innings at Triple-A in 2025, Abel owns a 2.22 ERA and has dropped the walk rate to 3.8 BB/9. Across three starts for the St. Paul Saints (15.1 IP), since being acquired at the deadline, he owns a 1.76 ERA and 23/6 K/BB.

What a night for @mickabel13. Retired the first 12 men he faced. Goes 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 0 BB, a franchise record & career-high 11 strikeouts. He becomes the 4th pitcher in franchise history with double-digit K's & the 2nd to not walk a batter & 1st to not walk or hit a batter pic.twitter.com/KtCeuLArLD

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) August 17, 2025

Mick Abel, 24, made his debut with the Philadelphia Phillies back in May. He made six underwhelming starts through the MLB rotation, producing a 5.04 ERA (6.28 FIP) with 21 strikeouts and 9 walks in 25 innings.

Abel was a consensus top-50 prospect across all of baseball, not that long ago, until his luster slipped following a tough 2024 Triple-A season where he finished with a 6.46 ERA and 6.5 BB/9 across 108.2 innings.

On Friday night, before Abel’s debut on Saturday, the Twins sent Jose Urena packing.

#MNTwins designated pitcher José Urena for assignment Friday to make space for Mick Abel, who will start Saturday's game.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 23, 2025

The 11-year veteran lasted just 11 games with the Twins. He allowed nine runs on 17 hits in 17 2/3 innings. Urena proved he couldn’t strike anyone out and the 4.1 BB/9 was indicative of an arm willing to issue free passes. He’ll now look for opportunity elsewhere and maybe the fifth time is the charm in 2025.

Taj Bradley on his way up for Twins debut too

The other key acquisition at the trade deadline, starting pitcher Taj Bradley, has not fared so well in triple A (7.53 ERA, 1.605 WHIP, 11.3 SO/9) since the Twins got him as part of their return package for Griffin Jax.

Nonetheless, it sounds like Bradley could be in line to start on Sunday, per Aaron Gleeman and his colleagues at The Athletic, something he revealed/discussed on Friday’s episode of Gleeman and the Geek.

“You are. You are going to see [Mick Abel and Taj Bradley] this weekend in Chicago. They’re both going to start, I believe, in Chicago…They haven’t said that but…[we] think it’s going to be Zebby Matthews Friday and then, in some order, Bradley and Abel or Abel and Bradley.”

Aaron Gleeman – Gleeman and the Geek Podcast

The Minnesota Twins don’t have much to play for down the stretch, but that means it can be a proving ground for young players. Let’s hope this weekend is just the beginning of many starts to come for both Abel and Bradley.

Since, things have gone back downhill. The New York Yankees nearly swept Minnesota, and the Detroit Tigers are on the verge of mopping them up in a four-game series sweep. Rocco Baldelli has plenty of fresh faces, and he’ll get another one on Sunday.

Alan Roden was placed on the injured list with James Outman (acquired for Brock Stewart) taking his roster spot Saturday. The thumb injury was something we speculated could be significant, and that’s now proven true.

Genesis Cabrera promoted to MN Twins

With Roden’s thumb injury being a long-term issue, as was the case for Minnesota Twins prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez, his season ends as he now moves to the 60-day injured list. That allowed for Minnesota to select the contract of recently signed pitcher Genesis Cabrera.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/QQUMb8h9qr

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 17, 2025

The 28-year-old is a big league veteran with seven seasons of big league experience. Once he hits the diamond for the MN Twins, he’ll have played for four different teams this summer alone.

Across 28 major league innings in 2025, Cabrera owns a 5.79 ERA (5.65 FIP). He has allowed a whopping seven home runs, which has been at the crux of his ineffectiveness. Cabrera also has just a 22/7 K/BB.

Serviceable for the Cardinals and Blue Jays last season, Cabrera posted a 4.04 ERA (4.44 FIP) in 55 2/3 innings. He carried a 9.4 K/9 and allowed just a total of eight home runs in that span. It’s possible Minnesota thinks they can get that sort of production from him down the stretch.

Related: Injury Forces Twins to Swap Out Traded Outfielders

Travis Adams was moved off the 26-man roster to accommodate Cabrera. He has a 7.71 ERA (5.90 FIP) across 23 1/3 innings. Adams pitched on Saturday and threw 1 1/3 innings allowing one run and four walks against the Tigers.

Roden’s rookie season ends after 55 big league games. He posted a .191/.261/.294 line with two home runs and a 37/8 K/BB. He will compete for a corner outfield spot amongst a crowded MN Twins group next spring.

Where are the top acquired starters?

Genesis Cabrera is just the latest arm tasked with giving the Twins more length out of the bullpen. Of course, if they just used a rotation of capable starters, it may not be necessary to rifle through new long relievers every few days.

Yes, both Simeon Woods Richardson and Pablo Lopez are hurt and working their way back. But neither newcomers, Taj Bradley or Mick Abel, are hurt. The tandem was acquired at the trade deadline, have already pitched at the big league level, and are seemingly a big part of Minnesota’s future.

Yet… they’re in St. Paul. And while Bradley has not been very good for the Saints, coughing up seven runs on 16 hits in just 10 2/3 innings. The same can’t be said about Abel, a former MLB closer and Phillies top 100 prospect, who owns a 1.76 ERA across 15 1/3 innings, plus a 23/6 K/BB to boot.

Mick Abel’s three AAA starts since joining the Twins from the Jhoan Duran trade: 15.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 6 BB, 23 K, 1.76 ERA. pic.twitter.com/QazduwBuSr

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 17, 2025

There’s no reason for Minnesota to be holding Abel down in St. Paul when their rotation could be a proving ground for his future success. It’s not service time related with Abel as he has roughly 31 days, and would not hit the 172 necessary to lose a year by the end of the season.

Although he pitched on Saturday for St. Paul, the plan could have easily been for him to assume Sunday’s vacant rotation spot for Minnesota. The severity of Roden’s injured thumb didn’t change overnight.

Related: Traded Minnesota Twins Reliever Carted Off Field

Still, as the Twins continue to roll out a depleted starting rotation, they put band-aids on a bullet hole by cycling through dart throws in the bullpen. Abel is showing he’s ready. Hopefully someone listens soon.

Derek Falvey had no choice but to sell after the team came out of the All-Star Break and lost four-straight series. Listening on all of the expiring contracts, Duran would always command more with team control to his credit.

It had been reported that Minnesota was asking for the world in return for their high-leverage arms. It certainly seems like they got it.

MN Twins earn high grades for Jhoan Duran trade

Jhoan Duran owns a 2.01 ERA (2.48 FIP) this season and has arguably been the best version of himself. Making just $4.13 million and under team control through 2027, the Phillies had to hand Minnesota a bunch. In Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait they gave up two top 100 prospects and that certainly had to sting.

Tyler Kepner, senior writer for The Athletic, says they knocked it out of the park.

“The Phillies need a closer much more than the Twins do right now, so the return makes a great deal of sense for Minnesota. Tait is only 18, a lefty hitter with good pop, and if he can stay at catcher, he’s a great get. Abel’s career minor-league walk rate (5.1) is concerning, but he has sharply reduced it this season and looked good in three of his six Phillies starts. At 23, he’s another long-term keeper for Minnesota.

It’s hard to see the Twins regretting this deal. The Phillies might, in time, but they had no choice but to fix the bullpen, and Duran gives them a better chance to win a championship. That’s what matters most now.”

Tyler Kepner – The Athletic

Chad Jennings, who covers the Boston Red Sox for The Athletic, spoke glowingly of Minnesota’s return as well. He didn’t go with the “A” grade that Kepner did, but turned in a solid “A-“

“Could the Twins have held out for Andrew Painter? They could have tried — I’m sure they did try — but the Phillies weren’t going to do that. Instead, the Twins got a first-round pick in Abel, who’s resurrected his prospect status and could be in the Twins rotation the rest of the year. He’s ready. That’s immediate value with some upside. Does he need to get better? Sure, but the Twins aren’t the worst organization to get him there. They also add some lottery ticket upside in Tait, who might not be a catcher in the long run, but he sure can hit from the left side. There’s a decent floor with Abel, and a high ceiling with Tait. 

This is what a deadline deal is supposed to look like.”

Chad Jennings – The Athletic

As Jennings points out, the Minnesota Twins get an early return on the deal in Abel. He made his big league debut earlier this year and has shown mediocre results (5.04 ERA) across his first six big league starts.

That said, Abel owns a 2.31 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, and he was previously a consensus top 50 prospect. The rest of the way this season will be about letting young guys go, and Abel certainly should have opportunity.

Related: MN Twins Clubhouse Boils Over as Trade Deadline Looms

What else the MN Twins do on deadline day remains to be seen. With Duran and Chris Paddack gone, they still should remain one of the most active organizations up until it’s pencils down.

It was another ugly loss against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, but Jhoan Duran was guaranteed to avoid the mound because of it. With multiple teams closing in, a deal got done before the Twins needed to get on a plane to Cleveland.

Philadelphia deals for MN Twins closer Jhoan Duran

Derek Falvey has been floating Jhoan Duran in trade talks as the trade deadline has draw closer. The Philadelphia Phillies were among the most interested teams and the Twins had talked about prospect Andrew Painter. They didn’t land him, but got a deal done anyways.

The Twins and Phillies deal is agreed upon. Right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait are going to Minnesota for closer Jhoan Duran, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2025

Duran heads to the Phillies with a 2.01 ERA (2.49 FIP) in arguably the best season of his career. He brings high-leverage talent to a Philadelphia bullpen that seriously needs help. By fWAR, Duran has been the 13th-best reliever in baseball, and he’s set to join former Twins teammate Max Kepler.

Eduardo Tait is the top prospect in the deal from Philadelphia. He is the Phillies 4th-best prospect per MLB Pipeline and a fringe top 100 consensus prospect. He’s an 18-year-old catcher at High-A with a .255/.319/.434 slash line this season.

#Phillies No. 4 prospect Eduardo Tait recorded two doubles and drove in a pair of runs Sunday during his first three-hit game at High-A.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/DEQc5wPORs

— Jersey Shore BlueClaws (@BlueClaws) July 29, 2025

Of course there’s an exceptional amount of uncertainty when dealing with teenagers. The Twins are certainly hoping that Tait can be a future asset behind the dish, and someone that provides a level of stability they haven’t had since Joe Mauer.

Beyond just Tait, Mick Abel is a former 15th overall pick (2020) and has already made his big league debut. In 74 innings at the Triple-A level this season Abel owns a 2.31 ERA with a 9.9 K/9. He has just six big league starts under his belt, and he has allowed 14 runs on 25 hits in 25 innings.

Mick Abel is only 23 and has pitched in 6 games this season with a 5.04 ERA. 2.31 ERA in the minors. Talent is there!

Phillies #6 prospect, with a fastball in the high 90s. Really excited about this pickup#MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/hZRRGfz6xD

— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) July 30, 2025

Like Tait, Abel was a consensus top 100 prospect. The upside here is immense for Minnesota considering the team control on both assets. Losing Jhoan Duran won’t be easy, but the transition to the next phase of competitiveness has begun.