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Minnesota Twins Trade 1 Year Later Looks Like a Big Mistake
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- Minnesota Twins Trade 1 Year Later Looks Like a Big Mistake
(Peter Aiken-Imagn Images)
The Minnesota Twins' trade deadline in 2025 looked completely different than it did this year. At last year's deadline, Minnesota sold nearly every bullpen arm with value. At this year's deadline they bolstered the bullpen, adding A.J. Minter from the New York Mets and Jeff Hoffman from the Toronto Blue Jays .
The problem is that the Twins would not have had to do this if they had held on to some pieces at last year's deadline. It is easy to point at the Louis Varland trade, sending the young right-hander along with Ty France to the Blue Jays for Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas .
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Since arriving in Toronto, Varland has emerged as one of the best relievers in MLB, making his first All-Star selection this year and taking over as their closer. Both Roden and Rojas still have a chance to make that deal look like a win for both sides.
But the biggest mistake Minnesota made was trading right-hander Brock Stewart to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for struggling outfielder James Outman .
At the time, the deal made some sense for both sides. Outman had struggled in Los Angeles but at his peak in 2023 was one of the most exciting players in the league. Stewart had dealt with health issues in Minnesota but when healthy was an effective relief pitcher.
Just one year later though it looks like a huge loss for the Twins. Stewart's time in L.A. has not been perfect and he has still struggled to stay healthy at times.
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But he is healthy right now and producing as a key high-leverage arm in the Dodgers bullpen. Across 17 appearances this year, Stewart has posted a 2.08 ERA, collected one save and struck out 18 hitters. He is going to be a meaningful arm for Los Angeles in the postseason.
As for Outman, he was designated for assignment in early June and later claimed by the Detroit Tigers . Last week the Tigers also designated him for assignment, and it is unclear if he will get another shot in the big leagues.
This year between Minnesota and Detroit, Outman has hit just .172 with a .235 on-base percentage and a .554 OPS while striking out over 40% of the time.
The Twins gave away a reliever who is now pitching in high-leverage situations for a World Series contender and received nothing of value in return. That is the definition of a trade that did not work out.
