Grading all of the Minnesota Twins Trade Deadline Deals (and No-Deals)
By Otto Johnson
Minnesota Twins Trade Deadline Move No. 1: Trading LHP J.A. Happ for RHP John Gant and LHP Evan Sisk
Grade: A+
In a deadline where the Twins made several really good moves, this one was clearly the best. J.A. Happ currently has a 6.77 ERA and a -1.9 WAR, and the Twins were not only able to move him, but get a real return with some upside.
John Gant has struggled in 2021 despite his 3.42 ERA. He’s walked 6.6 batters per nine innings and has a 5.71 FIP with only 6.6 strikeouts per nine. With that said, he was an excellent pitcher in 2019 and 2020, so with one year remaining after this year, the Twins have a chance to find that again.
Evan Sisk is a 16th round pick from 2018, but he’s has been a very good reliever (12.6 K/9 in 2021) at the Double-AA level. If the Twins can help Sisk and Gant with their command, they’ll have two solid relievers for two months of an awful starter. That’s an excellent deal
Minnesota Twins Trade Deadline Move No. 2: Trading RHP Hansel Robles for RHP Alex Scherff
Grade: A
Similar to the Happ deal, sending out a struggling pitcher in Hansel Robles (4.91 ERA/4.82 FIP) and getting anything in return is a great move. The Twins made such a return here, bringing back relief prospect Alex Scherff.
Scherff has more pedigree than Evan Sisk, as he was a Red Sox fifth round pick in 2017, but he’s had an even better season as well. He has a 2.47 ERA, 14.1 K/9 rate, and four saves, showing great potential value for a bullpen that could use some help.
He’s also at the Double-AA level, so if Gant, Sisk, or Scherff provide value going forward, these two trades will be worth it. If they don’t, Twins fans can still say that the Robles and Happ weren’t just disasters that blamed the Twins for their troubles (looking at you Matt Shoemaker).