On Tuesday, that trend continued when Max Kepler was placed on injured reserve with a right knee contusion, after he fouled a ball off of said knee, not yesterday or the day before, but on Opening Day (nearly two weeks ago) — definitely not because of his 1-for-20 start, though.

Minnesota Twins acquire Michael Tonkin, place Max Kepler on IL

Just prior to the announcement on Kepler’s IL designation, Derek Falvey swung a trade with the New York Mets, acquiring a familiar bullpen arm, RHP Michael Tonkin, in exchange for cash.

The #MNTwins have reunited with old friend Michael Tonkin, who last pitched for them from 2013-17. Acquired him in a trade with the Mets after they’d DFA’d him a few years ago.

Max Kepler to the IL with the right knee contusion after the foul off his knee on Opening Day.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 9, 2024

You know the Twins are getting desperate when they are sending out cash, in order to bring in some reinforcements in the bullpen. We’re talking about the same ownership group that forced the front office to cut $35 million from payroll this season. That’s going really well, by the way.

Related: Minnesota Twins Call Up Jose Miranda in Hopes He Can Add Life to Lineup

Tonkin got off to a weird start this season for the Mets. He’s thrown 4 innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits (4.50 ERA). That’s not ideal, but it’s a line that a pitcher can certainly recover from. A deeper look, however, shows that Tonkin has allowed EIGHT runs, in total, during his four innings of service; six of them were unearned.

The trade was completed so the Dodgers can clear space on their 40-man roster to sign Kike Hernandez, who the Twins were a finalist to land as well. While they won’t land the Puerto Rican utility man, they will get the Dodgers leftovers out of the deal, and that isn’t a bad thing because the Twins seem to have come out okay in the deal.

Minnesota Twins trade with Los Angeles Dodgers

Losing out on Kike Hernandez hurts. But they got some positive assets out of the deal, whether they end up producing for the Twins or being used as pawns in future transactions. But Margot, for sure, looks like a fit for 2024.

Full trade:

Minnesota Twins receive OF Manuel Margot and SS prospect Rayne Doncon

Los Angeles Dodgers receive SS prospect Noah Miller

The deal paves the way for Kiké Hernandez's return to L.A.

Among those who had different pieces of the deal: @DanielAlvarezEE and @JonHeyman.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2024

Passan also mentioned that cash was also involved in the deal. Manuel Margot, who spent the past few seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, was included in the Tyler Glasnow trade to the Dodgers this offseason. However, he will not have the opportunity to play a single game in a Dodgers uniform.

Related: MLBPA Considering a Formal Complaint Against Joe Pohlad for Twins’ Public Cheapness

Who is (OF) Manuel Margot?

Margot saw action in nearly 100 games last season with the Tampa Bay Rays so he’s not some no-name prospect we’ll never hear about. He played 55 games for the Rays in CF and 43 games in RF, posting a 2023 slash line of .264/.310/.376. He’s proven to be a sturdy platoon option in the outfield which is exactly what the Twins were looking for.

New #MNTwins outfielder Manuel Margot hit .293 with runners in scoring position last season. pic.twitter.com/ACdltX5c54

— Twins Ribbies (@TwinsRibbies) February 26, 2024

The Twins also added prospect Rayne Doncon in the trade. Doncon was ranked as the Dodgers 23rd prospect. The twins also will receive some cash in the deal, as the Dodgers made this move to sign free agent Kiki Hernandez,

Rayne Doncon had 2 hits and a pair of RBIs for the Quakes. Doncon has a 4-game hit streak and has 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 4 Runs scored, and 12 total bases. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/Kww9Mjjsws

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) September 1, 2022

But some Twins fans and personalities seem to have forgotten what it’s like to follow a baseball team that is good. Because now that the Twins are atop the MLB (before the All-Star voting has even concluded) it’s just an absolute shock to some that anyone would speak a negative thought about such a positive light for our lives:

I don't understand how Twins Twitter™ can be this angry after every single loss. And not even from a logic standpoint. I mean literally how do people summon the energy to be absolutely furious about every loss by a team leading its division by 10 games. It's almost impressive.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 18, 2019

The #MNTwins are 40-18 and all I hear (at nauseam) is what players they need to acquire to get good…. I will just run with the words of Mike Tice and: "Enjoy The Season!"

— Jon Mikkelson (@JMouse83) June 3, 2019

I have a message for the vocal minority of #MNTwins fans who just can't resist being miserable: It doesn't have to be like this. A baseball team on pace to win 106 games shouldn't be driving you up the wall. Here are some tips on how to enjoy the season.https://t.co/rN43w8Mp62

— Tom Froemming (@TFTwins) June 23, 2019

Hey #MnTwins
It's June, your Twins are going to go through bad streaks. Wait to see what moves we make at the trade deadline and our play when fully healthy. Stop worrying about the postseason and enjoy the ride.

— Al Honzay (@alhonzay) June 21, 2019

I mean, this shit is all over the place. “Just enjoy the season” now makes me want to vomit all over your fucking shoes. Don’t get made though, just enjoy the season.

It’s the most passive aggressive “your opinion doesn’t matter” low-blow cheap shot of all-time. Assuming everyone’s brain works like yours, or that it should, is what Twitter is supposed to be against. And the lack of empathy is astounding. Just because the Twins have won a bunch of games doesn’t mean that you can’t see the same downfalls as all of the “negative” people out there.

Their bullpen is a disgrace, and while the trade deadline is still over a month away, I’m not going to be mad at fans who feel like the Twins might sit on their hands again. Can you blame them? Miguel Sano’s strike outs ARE a problem. I’m not trading Sano and I’m not down on his future like many, but are you really going to tell me you smile while he whiffs at record pace? Sure his OPS is better than Eddie Rosario’s but when did analytics become the only thing that matters in baseball? Have you watched his at-bats? The nerds went from wanting a spot at the table, to asses too big to make room for the “baseball guys” at all.

There’s more to pick on with this team (like the terrible baserunning and defense they’ve shown at times), but I’m not going to do that, because that’s not why I’m writing this.

Some fans like to sit back and “just enjoy the season” when good teams like this come around…and some fans raise their expectations to the next level: ‘what will it take for this team to win a championship’ (this is me), and some fans wait for that next thing to go wrong (they have history on their side btw)…

But no matter what, at least we are arguing about a really good team that’s worth arguing about. We aren’t talking about another top pick in the draft, that minor leaguer who is dominating in AA, or when Vikings Training Camp starts. This is what happens to fanbases with good teams. Because everyone is different (like we were taught in elementary school).

Just ask Vikings Twitter…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan