Breaking Down the Twins-Dodgers Trade: A Deadline Deal That’s Still Searching for a Win
When the Twins and Dodgers pulled off a midseason trade last July-reliever Brock Stewart heading to L.A., outfielder James Outman going to Minnesota-it raised more than a few eyebrows across the league. On paper, it looked like an uneven swap: Stewart had been one of the Twins’ more dependable bullpen arms, while Outman was a former top prospect whose stock had dipped in a crowded Dodgers outfield.
But as is often the case with deadline deals, there was more going on beneath the surface.
Stewart’s Talent vs. His Timeline
Let’s start with Stewart. The right-hander was a bright spot in the Twins' bullpen, missing bats and handling high-leverage spots with poise.
But there was always an elephant in the room: his injury history. Stewart had already defied the odds by staying healthy long enough to throw a career-high 37 2/3 innings in 2025.
That workload was impressive, but it also raised red flags. Could he hold up over the course of a full season?
The Dodgers clearly saw enough value to take the shot-but they also likely saw the medicals.
And those concerns turned out to be valid.
Stewart made just four appearances in Dodger blue before landing on the injured list. By September, he was undergoing a shoulder debridement procedure, ending his season and sidelining him during the Dodgers’ run to a World Series title. He’s not expected to be ready for Opening Day, and there’s legitimate uncertainty about what he can offer in 2026.
Realistically, the Dodgers might be looking at Stewart as a second-half addition-someone who could help stabilize the bullpen down the stretch and into October. That’s not a bad outcome if it works out.
Stewart has shown flashes of being a high-leverage weapon, but the challenge is keeping him healthy long enough to tap into that upside. At this point, preserving his innings for the postseason may be the most strategic play.
Outman’s Opportunity… and Roadblocks
From the Twins' perspective, the return was James Outman-a player with tools, but also with questions. Outman had once been a rising star in the Dodgers' system, but he got squeezed out of a loaded roster.
Minnesota, meanwhile, needed outfield depth, especially behind Byron Buxton. On paper, there was a clear fit: Outman is a strong defender in center field and could provide insurance if Buxton misses time.
But the situation is a little more complicated than that.
Enter Alan Roden. Acquired from the Blue Jays, Roden was generating plenty of buzz before a hand injury derailed his momentum.
The Twins seem high on him, and he’s also capable of handling center field-albeit without the same defensive ceiling as Outman. The real kicker?
Roster flexibility. Outman is out of minor league options.
Roden isn’t. That matters.
If Outman doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the Twins risk losing him altogether. That gives him a slight edge in the roster battle, but performance will ultimately decide it-and that’s where things get murky.
Outman struggled at the plate last season in the bigs. In 59 games, he posted a .537 OPS and a 47 OPS+-numbers that are tough to carry, even for a glove-first reserve.
The Twins can’t afford a black hole in the lineup, no matter how good the defense is. There is a glimmer of hope, though: in Triple-A, Outman mashed, putting up a .945 OPS over 92 games.
That kind of production suggests there’s still something to unlock at the MLB level.
But time is running out. Outman turns 29 next season.
He’s not a raw prospect anymore-he’s a player who needs to prove he belongs. The leash won’t be long.
A Trade Without a Clear Winner-Yet
Looking at this deal months later, it’s hard to say either side has come out ahead. The Dodgers gave up a useful bullpen piece during a championship run and got just four appearances before Stewart’s shoulder gave out. On the flip side, the Twins bet on Outman rebounding and filling a key depth role-but that bet hasn’t paid off yet.
It’s the kind of deal that might’ve made sense in theory-Minnesota taking a calculated risk on Stewart’s health, L.A. betting on his short-term impact-but in practice, both teams are still waiting for returns.
There’s still time for this trade to work out, especially if Stewart can contribute late in the season or if Outman finds his swing in spring training. But right now, it’s shaping up to be one of those deadline moves that leaves both front offices wondering if it was worth the gamble.
And that’s the reality of midseason trades: sometimes you win big, sometimes you lose, and sometimes you end up somewhere in between-still waiting for the payoff.