The Minnesota Twins needed an active day at the trade deadline, and boy did they get one. It started off with the big-name acquisitions of a couple of pitchers, closer Jorge López from the Orioles, and starter Tyler Mahle from the Reds.
The moves didn’t stop there however, as the front office acquired more depth to the bullpen by making not one, but two rare intra division deals with the Detroit Tigers for right-handed reliever Michael Fulmer, and also the Cleveland Guardians for catcher Sandy León.
To the Tigers in exchange for Michael Fulmer, the Twins will send out minor-league right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long. The now former Twin has been struggling in AA after a call-up during the season following 10 starts to the tune of a 1.99 ERA in high A.
Fulmer has a 3.20 ERA in 39.1 innings pitched for the Tigers and is recently removed from blowing a Tigers lead against the Twins on Monday night, as the two ball clubs are in the middle of a series. The Twins also sent out minor-league pitcher Ian Hamilton to the Guardians for Sandy Leon, who figures to come in for a backup role behind the dish.
León has bounced around between the Guardians and Marlins over the past three seasons and has yet to play much this season, with only 21 plate appearances over 8 games in 2022. Ian Hamilton has made a one-relief appearance with the big league club this season but was currently on the minors.
Minnesota came into this deadline needing to add pitching depth, and the team did just that without completely mortgaging its future by acquiring three legitimate pitching improvements in Tyler Mahle, Michael Fulmer, and Jorge López.
In the new look Minnesota Twins bullpen, Jorge López should take on the closing role. Michael Fulmer is in a setup position and Tyler Mahle is slotted at the top of the rotation alongside Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan.