The Louis Varland trade was a bad move by the Twins
In the often cold-hearted business side of professional sports, trades are an accepted, if often painful, part of the business. Many of the Twins' trades can be strategically explained. Yet, some transactions transcend the box score, striking at the very heart of a team’s identity. The Minnesota Twins’ decision to trade pitcher Louis Varland was one such move. A decision that, regardless of the return, was a profound misstep for the franchise. It was a heartless move that was ignored by the penny-pinching Pohlad family and Twins brass, of the invaluable currency of a hometown connection.
Louis Varland wasn’t just another arm in the bullpen; he was a local kid living the dream. Born and bred in St. Paul and a blue-collar product of North St. Paul High School and a Golden Bear of Concordia University-St. Paul, he represented a link between the fans in the stands and the players on the field. Every time he took the mound at Target Field, he was pitching for his city, his state, and the community that raised him. Trading him felt less like a baseball transaction and more like the organization severing a cherished family tie, sending a message that local roots have no real value in the warped decision of the front office.
Beyond the sentimentality, the decision was questionable from a pure baseball perspective. Varland was on an affordable, team-controlled contract for years to come, a priceless asset in today’s game. More importantly, he was on a clear trajectory of becoming the full-time closer for the departed Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax. By dealing him before he fully blossomed into that role, the Twins effectively sold an asset before it reached its peak value. A successful hometown player is not only an on-field advantage but a marketing and fan engagement goldmine, a future the Twins heartlessly gave away.
Ultimately, the move raises a fundamental question about organizational philosophy. While baseball is a business, franchises must understand that sometimes things must run deeper. The bond between a team and its city, the loyalty of a fanbase, and the morale of a clubhouse are not easily quantifiable but are essential to long-term success. Sometimes, blood has to be thicker than water, even in the business of baseball. In trading Louis Varland, the Twins may have gained a prospect in Kendry Rojas, but they lost a piece of their soul in the process.