The Twins did not acquire a big-name player before Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
While Minnesota has reportedly added Giants right-handed reliever Sam Dyson in a trade, one of the main AL contenders, the Houston Astros, went out and got multiple bullpen arms and, according to Ken Rosenthal, acquired Diamondbacks All-Star starter Zack Greinke.
Hearing rumblings of Sam Dyson of the Giants headed to the Twins. Possibly three minor leaguers part of the deal.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) July 31, 2019
Dyson has been good for the Giants this season. The 31-year-old is making $5 million this season and is under team control in 2020 before he’s eligible for free agency in 2021.
NL League average for relievers in 2019: 4.54 ERA, 24 K%, 9.7 BB% and .243 OBA
Sam Dyson: 2.47 ERA, 24 K% 3.6 BB% and .210 OBA.#MNTwins
— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) July 31, 2019
Sam Dyson over the past two seasons: 2.60 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 1.01 WHIP, 8 HR allowed in 121 IP. Very solid reliever, probably a notch above Romo. Under control for next year. I like it, pending the return. #MNTwins
— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) July 31, 2019
There was nary a rumor related to the Twins and a search for pitching help, while other AL contenders, namely the Yankees and Astros, had their names fixed to nearly every big name on the market.
Most big names simply didn’t move:
- Madison Bumgarner stay with the Giants.
- Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler stay with the Mets.
- Robbie Ray stay with the Diamondbacks.
- Felipe Vazquez stays with the Pirates.
- Kirby Yates stays in the Padres.
In the end, the Twins did make one other very minor move. In fact, it was a trade that The Athletic’s Robert Murray says sends right-handed minor-league reliever Marcos Diplan to the Twins for cash considerations.
Diplan has a 4.99 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 30 appearances (5 starts) at Class AA this season. He’s struck out 63 batters and walked 37 in 57.2 innings.
We just witnessed the dullest trade deadline in ages.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2019
Teams that made moderate to significant deals:
- Mets acquired starting pitcher Marcus Stroman from Toronto.
- Indians got sluggers Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes by trading Trevor Bauer to Cincy.
- Braves traded for Tigers All-Star closer Shane Greene.
- Braves acquired former All-Star closer Mark Melancon from the Giants.
- Nationals made a trio of trades to improve its bullpen.
- Athletics acquired starting pitcher Tanner Roark from the Reds.
- Diamondbacks sent a top prospect to the Marlins for starter Zac Gallen.
- Astros got right-handed reliever Joe Biagini from the Blue Jays.
- Rays traded with the Marlins for reliever Nick Anderson (Brainerd native) and starting pitcher Trevor Richards.
- Astros got starter/reliever Aaron Sanchez from the Blue Jays.
- Cubs traded for Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos.
- Diamondbacks acquired starting pitcher Mike Leake from the Mariners.
It means the Twins will have to hold off the Indians in the Central Division and go to battle in the postseason – assuming they make it, which is no guarantee – with the roster they have plus Dyson and Sergio Romo.
The addition of Romo was a big acquisition that gives the Twins a nice right-left combo in the bullpen when paired with left-hander Taylor Rogers.
The starting pitchers the Twins will enter the final stretch of the season with are the same guys that have helped lead them to 65 wins: Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, Michael Pineda, Kyle Gibson and Martin Perez.
One could argue that Pineda’s resurgence is like adding a high-quality starting pitcher as he’s pitched more like the top prospect he used to be over his last 10 starts.
- Pineda first 10 starts: 5.43 ERA, 53 IP, 44 K, 11 BB, 14 HR
- Pineda last 10 starts: 3.26 ERA, 58 IP, 56 K, 11 BB, 4 HR
