Almost a year ago, the Twins exited the trade deadline with a sense of uneasy resignation.
It was clear — months before that point, honestly — that this team would not be a playoff team in 2021 and probably not in 2022 without a dramatic overhaul of the pitching staff. So the team got rid of beloved players, including starter Jose Berrios and designated hitter Nelson Cruz, and refocused on the future.
The mood was clearly more optimistic Tuesday, as the AL Central-leading Twins brought in three pitchers — starter Tyler Mahle, reliever Michael Fulmer from the Tigers and Jorge Lopez from the Orioles — who can contribute right away on the field without giving up anyone. Active roster.
“It feels so good, there’s no other way,” said Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations. “… We felt like with the group in that room, the culture that we had, we wanted to try to add to it and not separate it.”
The Twins’ resistance to parting with any of their active players was part of the reason all of the club’s deals took place hours before the 5 p.m. Deadline on Tuesday. Falvey said the team was working on the Lopez deal late Monday night but made it official the next morning. Fulmer had the unique experience of walking from Target Field’s visiting clubhouse to home in the afternoon before Mahle – with media gathered filming his every step – less than two hours before his former team faced his new team.
For Lopez, the Twins parted with four minor league pitchers, three of whom were international free agent signings: Yanier Cano, who played 10 Twins games this season; 2021 third-round draft pick Cade Povich; And rookie league arms Juan Nunez and Juan Rojas. For Mahale, minor league infielders Christian Encarnacion-Strand (fifth-round 2021 draft pick) and Spencer Steer (third-round 2019 pick) as well as minor league pitcher Steve Hajjar (2021 second-round pick). For Fulmer, minor league pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft.
The Twins also made the Class AAA swap. Catcher Sandy Leon will report to the Saints while pitcher Ian Hamilton will now be part of the protective system.
Almost a year ago, the Twins exited the trade deadline with a sense of uneasy resignation.
It was clear — months before that point, honestly — that this team would not be a playoff team in 2021 and probably not in 2022 without a dramatic overhaul of the pitching staff. So the team got rid of beloved players, including starter Jose Berrios and designated hitter Nelson Cruz, and refocused on the future.
The mood was clearly more optimistic Tuesday, as the AL Central-leading Twins brought in three pitchers — starter Tyler Mahle, reliever Michael Fulmer from the Tigers and Jorge Lopez from the Orioles — who can contribute right away on the field without giving up anyone. Active roster.
“It feels so good, there’s no other way,” said Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations. “… We felt like with the group in that room, the culture that we had, we wanted to try to add to it and not separate it.”
The Twins’ resistance to parting with any of their active players was part of the reason all of the club’s deals took place hours before the 5 p.m. Deadline on Tuesday. Falvey said the team was working on the Lopez deal late Monday night but made it official the next morning. Fulmer had the unique experience of walking from Target Field’s visiting clubhouse to home in the afternoon before Mahle – with media gathered filming his every step – less than two hours before his former team faced his new team.
For Lopez, the Twins parted with four minor league pitchers, three of whom were international free agent signings: Yanier Cano, who played 10 Twins games this season; 2021 third-round draft pick Cade Povich; And rookie league arms Juan Nunez and Juan Rojas. For Mahale, minor league infielders Christian Encarnacion-Strand (fifth-round 2021 draft pick) and Spencer Steer (third-round 2019 pick) as well as minor league pitcher Steve Hajjar (2021 second-round pick). For Fulmer, minor league pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft.
