On July 30, 2021, the Minnesota Twins traded right-handed starting pitcher José Berríos to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for then-prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson. Let's take a look at how that trade is impacting the 2026 season.
How the Twins-Blue Jays José Berríos trade has impacted the 2026 season
It's important to note that Berríos was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2022 season before he signed a seven-year, $131 million extension with Toronto in Nov. 2021. While the Twins were happy with the production they got from Berríos (10 bWAR and 4.08 ERA in 781.1 innings), the team wasn't willing to lock him up long-term. Trading him with less than two years of control remaining was the right move for Minnesota.
After posting a solid 3.58 ERA in 12 starts with the Blue Jays in 2021, Berríos had a rough first full season with his new team, allowing the most hits (199) and earned runs (100) of any pitcher in the American League.
Berríos proceeded to bounce back with solid 2023 and 2024 seasons, posting a 3.65 ERA across 189 2/3 innings in 2023 and a 3.60 ERA across 192 1/3 innings in 2024.
Last year, Berríos had a 4.17 ERA over 166 innings with the Blue Jays before suffering right elbow inflammation in late September, keeping the righty sidelined for the Blue Jays' postseason run.
Berríos returned to the mound for spring training this year, allowing four runs in 10 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, he landed on the injured list with a right elbow stress fracture late last month. Luckily, he is already on the verge of returning.
Now, let's take a look at how the Twins' return from the Berríos trade has been performing, specifically this season.
Woods Richardson, who is coming off back-to-back 2+ bWAR seasons, has impressed in two starts with Minnesota this year.
Woods Richardson made his first start of the year against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium one week ago, allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts across five innings. Unfortunately, he suffered the loss as the Royals won 3-1.
Woods Richardson's second start of the season was even better than his first; he allowed just one earned run on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field yesterday. The lone run Woods Richardson allowed resulted from a solo homer from Junior Caminero on a pitch well below the strike zone. Unfortunately, Woods Richardson had a no-decision as the Rays won 4-1 in extra innings. Hopefully, the young righty will get more run support in future outings.
Meanwhile, Martin has served as Minesota's leadoff hitter against left-handed pitchers as the left fielder this year. He also started in center field yesterday with a righty on the mound while Buxton served as the designated hitter.
So far this season, Martin, who hit 282/.374/.365 in 50 games last year, has hit just .235 with a poor .235 slugging percentage. However, he has posted an elite .435 on-base percentage.
While Martin and Woods Richardson aren't stars by any means, they play vital roles on the Twins' current club, and Minnesota should be happy with both players' performances this year.