The Minnesota Twins swung a trade on Christmas Eve, sending Jovani Moran to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Mickey Gasper. If the deal barely made a ripple in your egg nog, you’re probably not alone. But it’s a significant deal considering the status of the bullpen and what the Twins are receiving in return.
So how should Twins fans feel about this trade? Let’s take a look.
The Minnesota Twins just bet against Jovani Moran’s health (and bet on Mickey Gasper)
Two years ago, Moran was considered a promising arm in the Twins bullpen. After appearing in five games in 2021, Moran had a strong 2022, allowing a 2.21 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 18 walks in 40.2 innings (31 games). But while Moran was considered to be a long-term piece of the bullpen, regression hit in 2023.
Moran’s traditional stats didn’t look good, allowing a 5.31 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 42.1 innings but the left-hander couldn’t get batters to chase out of the zone, watching his chase rate go from 29.4 percent in 2022 to 22.8 percent in 2023.
This is bad news for a player whose fastball averaged 93 mph during both seasons and hitters took advantage with an average exit velocity at 86.2 mph and a hard hit percentage (pitches hit with an exit velocity of 95 mph or greater) of 27.5%. But then came the injuries as he missed three full seasons since he was selected in the seventh-round of the 2015 draft, with the most recent coming when he underwent Tommy John surgery last year.
With Moran’s status up in the air, the Twins targeted Gasper, who was a 27th-round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2018 draft. A minor league veteran with 1,600 plate appearances, Gasper has hit well with a .275/.392/.448 batter’s line with 48 homers over his career. Gasper also hit .367/.471/.592 with eight homers and 36 RBI at Triple-A Worcester last year. But the question remains where he will play.
Gasper has spent the majority of his career as a catcher and could be the Twins backup if they’re able to trade Christian Vázquez this offseason. But if the Twins can’t find a deal, Gasper has also spent time at first base, which is significant in the aftermath of Carlos Santana’s departure for the Cleveland Guardians.
Minnesota Twins fans should feel conflicted about trade with Boston Red Sox
Looking at the trade, it would be easy for Twins fans to shrug their shoulders. But the Twins have given up on relievers too early in the past most notably Danny Coulombe and Yennier Canó, who became significant pieces for the Baltimore Orioles as part of a 2022 deal that brought Jorge López to Minnesota.
Moran’s health is in question but it may have been worth the gamble since Kody Funderburk and Brent Headrick are the only left-handers on the 40-man roster. With the Twins unlikely to dive into the free agent market, they had nothing to lose by keeping Moran, which makes the trade questionable.
But that could change if Gasper comes through. Gasper could be a stop gap meant to buy time until top catching prospect Jair Camargo is ready for a full-time role in the major leagues or a candidate at first base if the Twins can’t trade Vázquez.
If Gasper’s bat translates to the major leagues, he can become a role player for the Twins. But it still leaves fans waiting for a bigger move as they bolster the roster entering next season.