Minnesota Twins: Grading the Twins trade deadline moves (and non-moves) one month later
By Chris Schad
The Sergio Romo trade
Twins acquired: RHP Sergio Romo (0-1, 3.86 ERA in 11 2/3 innings since deadline), RHP Chris Vallimont (2-2, 3.63 ERA at High-A Fort Myers)
Marlins acquired: 1B Lewin Diaz (.198, 7 HR, 13 RBI at Double-A Jacksonville)
The Twins’ first bullpen move was a solid one, although it didn’t have the name recognition of someone that had been in constant rumors leading up to the deadline. In Romo, the Twins were looking for a reliever with playoff experience and as an added bonus, he had closed out games for the San Francisco Giants during their last two of three World Series titles this decade.
The Twins were never expecting Romo to close out games, although he has three saves since coming over from the Miami Marlins, but he’s given Rocco Baldelli a dependable arm to use in close games. That’s something the Twins didn’t have down the stretch and with Romo’s presence in the clubhouse adding some leadership and personality, it seems like the Romo trade has been a solid move so far.
The added bonus with this trade was the addition of starting pitching prospect Chris Vallimont. Prior to the deal, the Twins had plenty of young starting pitching talent in the lower levels of the minors and Vallimont has been solid if not spectacular addition at High-A Fort Myers in four starts.
It could be another year or two before the 22-year old reaches the major leagues, but for a deal that only required first baseman Lewin Diaz (who was probably going to be exposed to the Rule 5 draft next winter), getting a solid prospect and a piece to help a postseason push is a great move.