The Twins just made their intentions loud and clear.
After Minnesota general manager Jeremy Zoll sparked plenty of reaction in Northeast Ohio earlier this week by saying the Twins would be buyers at the trade deadline, the club backed it up by landing left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets. In return, the Twins sent infield prospects Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick to New York.
For Guardians fans, it’s the kind of move that stings twice. First, Minter is off the board - and he would have looked awfully useful in Cleveland’s bullpen alongside Hunter Gaddis and Cade Smith.
Second, the deal shows Minnesota is not just nibbling around the edges. This is a straight-up buyer’s move, the kind that uses minor league depth to upgrade the big league roster.
Minter has been effective again this season, posting a 2.35 ERA over 23 innings with the Mets. He should step right into a Twins bullpen that has been shaky overall, even with Yoendrys Gómez emerging as a bright spot in the closer role.
The numbers still paint a rough picture for Minnesota’s relief corps. Twins relievers have combined for a 4.92 ERA this season, which ranks 23rd in MLB. Minter gives them a proven arm who can help clean that up.
There are some real questions, though. He was limited to 11 innings last season before a season-ending lat injury, and his fastball velocity is down nearly two miles per hour this year compared to last year. Even so, he has walked just 2% of the batters he’s faced and brings 25 postseason innings of experience.
The price was light. Agbayani has appeared in only 15 professional games at Low-A, making him more of a lottery ticket than a headline prospect. Amick is at Double-A, but neither player was viewed as a high-profile piece.
Minnesota clearly decided the risk was worth it, especially with Minter on an expiring contract.
It’s the sort of trade the Guardians could make themselves, though whether they actually will is another matter. Even if there aren’t many true sellers available, there are rental relievers out there, including another Mets lefty in Brooks Raley.
The Twins may not be done, either. Another bullpen addition before the deadline would not be a surprise.
And while the Guardians don’t have the same kind of need in the pitching staff, they do have an obvious hole for an impact bat. Whether they go get one is still the big question.
In Other News...
Guardians Suddenly Linked To The Kind Of Bat Fans Have Begged For
The Guardians have been searching for a right-handed bat that can deepen the lineup, and a familiar trade partner has surfaced in that conversation. Toronto outfielder George Springer has come up as a possible fit, with his ability to handle designated hitter duties or play the outfield giving Cleveland a flexible way to add offense without forcing a bigger roster shuffle.
Financially, the idea is not quite as simple as the fit on paper. Springer is still attached to a sizable 2026 salary, and even with Toronto having already covered most of it, Cleveland may need the Blue Jays to take on more money before anything gets serious. The two clubs have done business before, including recent deals involving Shane Bieber, Miles Straw and Andres Gimenez, but for now this is still one of those rumors that hints at a move without quite crossing the finish line. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Have Found A Deadline Bat Fans Would Actually Feel
The Guardians have spent much of the deadline season being linked to pitching, but the more interesting possibility might be a bat that could actually change how the lineup feels in a series. In that search, one name stands out as a fit because he brings real power, positional flexibility and enough control to make him more than a rental, which matters for a club that has to be careful about every move it makes.
There are still reasons to pause before getting too excited. He has been much less effective against left-handed pitching over the past two seasons, and the defensive profile is more useful than flashy, with value spread across the outfield and designated hitter spot. Even so, the price tag could be the kind of prospect package that forces Cleveland to decide whether adding a slugger now is worth parting with a piece from its deeper young core. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Finally Have A Marlins Bat Worth The Risk
The Guardians have spent much of the summer weighing whether to add a bat that can actually change the shape of their lineup, and the Marlins could offer a name that fits the search. Cleveland has been linked to the idea of chasing a left-handed hitter with some real thump, the kind of player who could step into the everyday mix and give the offense a different look as the trade deadline approaches.
What makes the conversation tricky is the price. Any deal for a bat with this kind of appeal would not come cheaply, and the Guardians would likely have to decide how much prospect capital they are willing to spend for a player who could help right away. For a front office that usually prefers to protect its long-term inventory, that is the real tension here, and it is why this remains more of a possibility than a finished move. [Read more 🡒]