A blockbuster trade involving the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins is reportedly happening, with right-hander Kenta Maeda coming to the Twins.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox are trading outfielder Mookie Betts and starting pitcher David Price to the Dodgers, with L.A. sending rising star Alex Verdugo back to Boston.
Multiple reporters say the Twins are the third team in the deal, with the Twins adding right-hander Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers.
Rosenthal was first to report that the Twins are getting Maeda and parting with top pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, who will be going to the Red Sox. Maeda went 10-8 with a 4.04 ERA with the Dodgers last season. The 31-year-old struck out 9.9 batters per 9 innings last season.
Graterol owns a 100 mph fastball and is the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Twins’ organization. He has a career 1.92 ERA in the minor leagues and last season pitched late in the season out of the Twins’ bullpen, although he projects as a possible frontline starter.
Contractually, Maeda is signed for the next four seasons, making $3.125 million annually. He’ll be 32 when he pitches in 2020 and 35 by the time his deal expires after the 2023 season.
If Maeda can pitch close to 200 innings – he’s never pitched more than 175.2 innings in an MLB season – he would undoubtedly eclipse 200 strikeouts since he’s a career 9.8 K/9 guy.
Maeda joins a Twins rotation that features Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Homer Bailey, Jhoulys Chacin, Michael Pineda and Rich Hill, although Pineda (suspension) won’t be available until mid-May and Hill (elbow surgery rehab) won’t be able to pitch until June.
#Dodgers sending RHP Kenta Maeda to #MNTwins for RHP Brusdar Graterol, who will be part of package going to #RedSox, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 5, 2020
Twins are indeed involved in this Betts deal as 3rd team in. Likely involves pitching. @ByRobertMurray mentioned possibility
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 5, 2020
The Minnesota Twins are the third team in the blockbuster deal with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers if it passes medical reviews as expected, sources tell @kileymcd and me.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2020
The Minnesota #Twins are the third team in this Betts trade.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 5, 2020
This is a developing story. Check back soon.
