When the Minnesota Twins traded Spencer Steer for Tyler Mahle last summer, it seemed like a deal that could help jumpstart a middling starting rotation. Everyone knew the Twins were giving up a talented prospect, but Mahle was worth it.
Hindsight being 20:20 and all, the trade has been disastrous for the Twins.
Mahle pitched in five games last season before a bum shoulder shut him down, and his 2023 campaign is over because of continued arm problems that resulted in the veteran right-handed needing Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Steer is performing at a high level for the Reds.
On Friday, Steer was named the National League Rookie of the Month after he finished May by hitting .318 with six home runs, eight doubles, a triple and 19 RBIs. For the season, the 25-year-old is slashing .286/.355/.495 with eight home runs, 15 doubles, two triples and 28 RBIs.
Here’s how Steer’s numbers this season would rank among everyday players if he played for the Twins:
- AVG: #2
- OBP: #2
- SLG: #1
- OPS: #1
- HR: #3
- Doubles: #1
- Triples: #1
- RBIs: #1
- Hits: #1
- Runs: #2
Steer has 59 hits. Byron Buxton leads the Twins with 40 hits.
Steer has 102 total bases. Buxton leads the Twins with 80 total bases.
The only player on the Twins who is playing at a level anywhere near Steer is Alex Kirilloff, who doesn’t qualify in rankings with Steer because he only has 77 at-bats.
And it’s not just Steer that the Twins have to worry about in the future. They also traded Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Reds in the Mahle deal. Encarnacion-Strand is at Triple-A Louisville and he’s dominating, slashing .333/.388/.693 with 14 homers and 37 RBIs in 37 games this season.
It’s not the Twins’ fault that Mahle didn’t work out. But it’s a deal that could hang over their heads for years to come, especially since Mahle is an unrestricted free agent this winter.
