Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Louis Varland, whom the Twins traded to the Blue Jays at last summer's trade deadline, will be on this year's American League All-Star team with former teammates Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton, MLB announced Saturday night. Additionally, former Twins right-handed closer Jhoan Duran will represent the Philadelphia Phillies on the National League All-Star team.
First, hats off to Ryan and Buxton for being selected to play in the Midsummer Classic. It marks Ryan's second All-Star selection and Buxton's third. Buxton was also named a starter, the first time he earned the honor in his career.
Back to Varland and Duran. We fans should be happy for the pair of right-handers, but it also reminds us of how good Minnesota's bullpen was just one year ago. If the Twins had adequately replaced Varland and Duran in the offseason, then there would be no reason to even bring this up. But, unfortunately, the Twins arguably have the worst bullpen in MLB this year. Entering Sunday, Minnesota's relievers ranked 30th in ERA (5.36), 25th in strikeout rate (19.9%) and 26th in walk rate (11.5%). If Minnesota had kept Varland and Duran, or even just one of them, it's difficult not to imagine the club would have more wins this season.
Former Twins Louis Varland, Jhoan Duran are arguably the best relievers in baseball
Entering Sunday, Varland, who has a 0.96 ERA with 65 strikeouts over 47 innings this season, led the American League in fWAR at 2.2. Meanwhile, Duran, who has a 1.52 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings this year, ranked second in the NL in fWAR at 1.7. San Diego Padres right-hander Mason Miller ranked first at 2.2.
The Twins got a strong return from the Phillies in the Duran trade last year, receiving right-hander Mick Abel and top catching prospect Eduardo Tait. Still, it's hard not to think about how much better Minnesota would be this year with Duran, as Abel has been on the IL for most of the season and Tait is still a teenager.
The Varland trade is much harder to justify than the Duran one. The Blue Jays sent the Twins left-hander Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden in the deal. Rojas has the potential to be a strong reliever, and Roden has had an outstanding season with Triple-A St. Paul, but Varland hasn't even hit arbitration yet and is one of the best relievers in baseball. The bottom line is that Minnesota received some players with plenty of upside for Duran and Varland, but both players would undoubtedly have helped the Twins this year if Minnesota had kept them, maybe even to the point where the team would be in a playoff spot right now.
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