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

Twins working to acquire Chris Paddack from Padres, sources tell @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 6, 2022

Chris Paddack burst onto the San Diego scene in 2019, as a 23-year-old rookie. He hurled 140 innings, posting a 3.33 ERA, 126 ERA+, 0.981 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. Back then, he looked like one of the best young pitchers in baseball. But Paddack slammed back to reality in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and fell even further in 2021.

• 2020: 59 IP | 4.73 ERA | 89 ERA+ | 1.220 WHIP
• 2021: 108 IP | 5.07 ERA | 77 ERA+ | 1.265 WHIP

It’s unlikely Rosenthal tweets something like this if the deal isn’t all but complete. The bigger questions surround what the Minnesota Twins are giving up, in exchange for Chris Paddack. Given how poorly he’s thrown over the last two seasons, I can’t imagine his price would be that high. Seems like a great buy-low acquisition for Falvine.

UPDATE (4/6 -7:30 PM):

It looks like Taylor Rogers is the Padres’ target, in return for Paddack. Rogers has just one year of arbitration remaining but he’s a huge piece of the Twins’ bullpen. You’d have to think the Twins want more back in return than just Paddack.

Source confirms to me and @DanHayesMLB: Padres’ target is Taylor Rogers. Talks fluid, lots of moving parts. https://t.co/3HSSjEtC1w

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 7, 2022

UPDATE (4/7 – 9:00 AM):

On Thursday morning, the trade between the Padres and Twins became more official and details rolled in via baseball insiders across the country. When the dust settled, San Diego had agreed to send (SP) Chris Paddack and (RHRP) Emilio Pagan East to Minnesota in exchange for Taylor Rogers and (OF) Brent Rooker heading West.

There may be some money and “player(s) to be named later” swapped, as well. Pagan is is an established 30-year-old relief pitcher and should be a valuable asset to the bullpen. But much like Paddack, Emilio Pagan was dominant in 2019 (70 IP, 2.31 ERA, 190 ERA+, 0.829 WHIP) but struggled in the last two seasons, with ERAs over 4.50 and ERA+ well below 100 (average). Brent Rooker is an older (27) knock-off version of Trevor Larnach so the Twins probably celebrated when the Padres agreed to take him as the final piece to this trade puzzle.

The Minnesota-San Diego trade, per sources:

Twins get right-handed starter Chris Paddack and right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan

Padres get left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker.

Money and a PTBNL possibly involved, too.

Opening Day deal! Love it.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 7, 2022

Paddack has three years of team control. Pagan has two years remaining. Both are buy-low, high upside acquisitions. Taylor Rogers is due to be a free agent after the 2022 season and would have been traded at last year’s deadline, had he not been hurt. The trade makes sense, even if the timing doesn’t. That can be partly blamed on the lockout, partly on the Twins’ refusal to make any moves in free agency before the lockout began.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Catcher Ben Rortvedt is headed to the Yankees along with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, sources tell ESPN. Catcher Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela are going to Minnesota.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 14, 2022

What is happening?

It’s difficult to know what this move means for the Twins competitiveness this season. There have been conflicting reports coming from respected national baseball reporters (Rosenthal vs Nightengale) on whether or not the Twins plan flip Sanchez, much like they did with Kiner-Falefa.

With moves they had made leading up to this one, it felt like the Minnesota front office was well on its way to fielding a competitive team baseball team, come April 7. And while this trade doesn’t necessarily signal a rebuild, it’s certainly a step backwards for their immediate chances.

But what’s clear, is how much money they will save now and into the future. Josh Donaldson was on the books for $23 million in 2022 and $21 million in 2023. Sanchez and Urshela will combine to make just $14 million in 2022 and both are scheduled to be free agents when the season is over.

Twins' payroll is roughly $95 million right now, about $40 million below their recent spending levels.

They're back to needing a shortstop, with Carlos Correa and Trevor Story still unsigned.

They still need a starting pitcher, but there are no high-end free agents remaining.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) March 14, 2022

What Falvine does with money they’ve saved is what will dictate their relevancy in the upcoming season. If the Minnesota Twins really want to win now, they’ll double down and deal for more and better pitching. Currently, they sit $40 million short of what they paid in 2021 player salaries.

Stay tuned.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The #MNTwins have acquired Sonny Gray and Francis Peguero from the Reds in exchange for Chase Petty.

Needed big move for an impact starter.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 13, 2022

#MNTwins acquire Sonny Gray from CIN in exchange for Chase Petty pic.twitter.com/ZBbG5tStRS

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 13, 2022

Gray comes in on quite the team-friendly deal, when you look at what’s been handed out over the last few days. He has one year remaining on a contract that pays him just over $10 million per season (Spotrac). The Twins can trigger a club option for 2023, at $12 million.

Sonny Gray’s Role and Statistics

Cincinnati was ok losing Gray, who had a bit of a down season in 2021. His 135 innings and 4.19 ERA were both good for only 4th-best in a really good Reds rotation. That won’t be the case in Minnesota, where Gray will, for now, slot in as the undeniable #1 guy.

But Falvine hopes a higher-leverage role will bring back more of what the league saw from Gray in 2019, his first season with the Reds. That was the year he finished 7th in Cy Young voting, pitching 175 innings with an ERA under 3.00.

Hopefully, the Minnesota Twins don’t see their rotation as complete. Gray is a very good addition but he’s obviously not a #1 pitcher on a playoff team. They need more. Here’s Derek Falvey on the trade.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey explains why he was eager to acquire Sonny Gray from Reds: pic.twitter.com/9W431RTLjj

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 13, 2022

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Catcher Mitch Garver is headed to the Rangers in the deal for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 12, 2022

Source: third guy in the deal is Texas sending RHP Ronny Henriquez to the Twins. It’s a 2-for-1. https://t.co/wIxyxLbwqj

— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 12, 2022

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was a solid hitter in 2021, posting a .271 average to go with his 53 RBI. Just as importantly, he was available, playing in 153 games. But the Twins didn’t trade for him because of his offense. Kiner-Falefa is one of the top defensive shortstops in the MLB, and should give head coach, Rocco Baldelli, what he hade hoped to have in Andrelton Simmons last season.

If IKF can be as available to the Minnesota Twins as he was last season for the Rangers, and prove to be the lockdown defender he’s touted as, this would be a great start to their shortened offseason. But it’s far from over… hopefully.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of the best defensive shortstops in #MLB last season. He was valued at 10 Defensive Runs Saved. Also hit .271/.312/.357 w/ 8 HR and 53 RBIs for Texas.
But to get him, #MNTwins parted with Mitch Garver.

— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) March 12, 2022

Derek Falvey explains Twins’ rationale for trading Mitch Garver to Texas for shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and RH Ronny Henriquez. pic.twitter.com/4vgqZf6FJI

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) March 12, 2022

Read more on AA pitcher, Ronny Henriquez here.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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

Twins have floated names of top-20 prospects to try to sweeten the Graterol part of deal but so far Red Sox haven’t accepted any of the names. @LaVelleNeal suggested Twins are pulling out. No confirm on that but optimism for them and Red Sox part of deal has waned a bit.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020

Latest word: While the #MNTwins haven’t backed out quite yet, they are setting a deadline of today to resolve their part of the deal with Boston.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020

via GIPHY

It looks like the Minnesota Twins could be dropping out of the blockbuster deal that was reported last week, sending Brusdar Graterol to Boston, in exchange for the Dodgers’, Kenta Maeda.

The Red Sox decided to blow this entire thing up due to their own inner conflicts on the entire situation. More and more national insiders are pointing to this entire snafu being caused by Boston’s cold feet, mostly due to fan backlash after the deal.

Feels like Boston’s Winter of Waffling could be a factor in the delayed mega deal. Getting under the threshold seemed like a mandate at times, only a goal at other times. Feels like there’s been inner conflict all along, and trade blowback caused conflict to resurface. #Mookie

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 8, 2020

Real question is what #RedSox want. #MNTwins could send Graterol and lesser prospect to #Dodgers, then LAD could flip Graterol and a better prospect to BOS. But some in talks sense that negative media reaction to Verdugo-Graterol return for Betts-Price gave BOS ownership pause.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

More on #RedSox: They should not have been surprised Graterol might project as a reliever; that is how #MNTwins saw him. They also should not have been surprised that fans and media would react negatively to a trade of one of the game’s biggest stars, Mookie Betts.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. The entire city of Boston erupted when this deal happened and now the Red Sox have cold feet.

They used the only option they had left to get more back…. or blow the trade up all together, and that was the medical review. Jon is reporting (in that tweet above) that the Twins have “floated Top-20 prospects” to go with Graterol, but Boston has still turned them down. Ken Rosenthal says (below) they want a top-10 prospect to pair with Graterol.

That’s because this whole thing has nothing to do with Graterol’s medical review. It has everything to do with Boston’s buyer’s remorse.

LaVelle E. Neal says the Star Tribune’s headline department went a little over the top, with this headline that said the Twins were already out on the deal (see below) a littler earlier this afternoon.

That headline is causing all of the MLB insiders to correct the Star Tribune… which is making for some good entertainment at least.

The Twins are over it but not…. totally over it. Heyman says there is a deadline set for the end of tonight… but others say the talks are ongoing… so grab your popcorn.

The #mntwins are pulling out of the megadeal and will keep Brusdar Graterol, reports @LaVelleNeal https://t.co/Nl8uH3X7t7 pic.twitter.com/hzu031LAwG

— Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) February 8, 2020

Hey the headine was a little strong. Twins don’t expect a deal to be made. That is clear. But There’s no “pull out” yet.

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) February 8, 2020

Not accurate to say #MNTwins are out of three-team blockbuster, but the impasse continues, sources tell me and @DanHayesMLB. #RedSox want second top 10 prospect added to Graterol. MIN will not give that much up for #Dodgers’ Maeda.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

Bottom line: #RedSox and #Dodgers should be motivated to complete deal. BOS could be left with Betts, Price and all their previous financial concerns, valid or not. LAD would be left with Maeda and Pederson unsettled – and once again they would be shut out on a star.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2020

The Twins have the least amount of bullshit to go back home to, if this deal falls apart. They don’t have to go back to a pissed off former MVP or a massive payroll they thought they got rid of.

There is no reason to bend over backward, in order to get this deal done. I like our team better with Maeda on it and I still believe everything I said about Brusdar Graterol.

However, I am not giving up anymore than Graterol, unless it’s pennies to add to his dollar. I’m also not bailing Boston out of their own stupidity. If LA wants to sweeten the deal, then let them.

They were the ones raping everyone else involved in this blockbuster anyway. Let them add more to the package. If the Red Sox aren’t ready to let the MLB move on tonight, by completing this deal, then they can go fuck themselves.

Well the Red Sox can go fuck themselves. #MNTwins https://t.co/fiyZxfZkap

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 7, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Here we are. It’s now been 58-ish hours since the Twins helped complete a trade (in theory) that sent Brusdar Graterol to the Boston Red Sox, in exchange for Kenta Maeda, a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Those were just the minor details to those viewing the trade through a national lease. For Boston, they were mourning the exit of their championships past while the LA market was celebrating their newest middle-of-the-lineup flex.

Then, the Boston market started an investigation into the reparations received for sending away their MVP-caliber right fielder…. because just like the front office of their baseball team, they knew nothing about Brusdar Graterol. Quickly, the city started rioting on the internet to a degree in Boston, not seen since the last time tea was allowed within city limits.

The internet may not have existed back then but I’ve been told by sources that the level of consternation was very similar.

So, with Red Sox fans lining up with stone-age farm equipment/weapons like torches and pitchforks… the organization heads started back-pedaling and looking for possible escape routes…

And then….. bingo:

The Red Sox, after viewing the medical records of Twins right-hander Brusdar Graterol, projected him more as a reliever than as a starter, according to sources involved with the discussions. As a result of that valuation, the Sox might ask for an additional player and/or money to bridge the gap, though it is unclear whether the player would come from the Twins or Dodgers, sources said.

Ken Rosenthal – The Athletic

The Red Sox put an official hold on the deal nearly 36 hours ago.

Since then, we’ve had a couple of updates, the most recent of which came last night around 9 PM, 48 hours after the trade was first agreed to… but really there isn’t much of an update.

Sources are telling each outlet something a little bit different but we can read between the lines. The Red Sox want more OR want to give up less. Whether they get their way, or where the extra compensation comes from, is still up in the air.

Talks between #MNTwins and #RedSox to resolve differences over value of right-hander Brusdar Graterol going slowly, sources tell The Athletic. One alternative is for #Dodgers to acquire prospect from another club to help bridge gap. Story from earlier: https://t.co/ZtX8TdUGJ7

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 7, 2020

Night update: Multiple sources still expect deal’s completion w/Betts+Price going to LA and Verdugo to the Sox. Beyond that, deal described as having ‘moving parts.’ As .@Ken_Rosenthal reports, MN and BOS working through what to do with Boston’s concerns about Graterol medicals. https://t.co/KEw6JxOnJ3

— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) February 7, 2020

Source familiar with the three-way Boston/Los Angeles/Minnesota trade said the sides are “making progress,” and while a deal isn’t likely to be finalized any earlier than Friday, it’s still “more likely to happen than not.”

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 7, 2020

Red Sox are said to be trying to reconfigure the part of the Betts 3-team deal with the Twins (meaning more than Graterol). While there’s still hope the mega deal gets done in some form, some involved are now suggesting it’s not a certainty.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 7, 2020

So, most still believe the deal will get done but there are definitely still talks going on behind the scenes that could complete this deal, change this deal, or even kill this deal…. at any time.

There are questions about whether it will be finished before the weekend too. Remember, pitchers and catchers report for the Twins on Wednesday.

Brusdar Graterol is in Fort Myers right now, where he has been living all offseason because of the current unrest still engulfing his home country of Venezuela.

So, the clock is ticking. Everyone knew Brusdar Graterol was a fringe starter, possibly dominant bullpen pitcher, who has had injury concerns throughout his early career.

Nothing has changed in that regard. Let’s move along. This is getting stupid.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan