Article: Twins Acquire Kevin Jepsen From Rays

[Nick Nelson]

The Twins have finally made their first splash, with just a couple hours remaining until the 3:00 PM non-waiver trade deadline. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Minnesota has acquired right-hander Kevin Jepsen from the Tampa Bay Rays.Jepsen, 31, has posted a 2.81 ERA and 1.30 WHIP for Tampa this year after being picked up from the Angels in exchange for Matt Joyce during the offseason. Jepsen is earning a $3 million this season (about a million of that commitment remains) and will be eligible for arbitration for a final time in 2016. There is no word yet on what the Twins gave up to get him, although we'll update this column as soon as we know.

 

UPDATE: The Twins sent minor-leaguers RHP Chih-Wei Hu and RHP Alexis Tapia to Tampa Bay in the deal.

 

Jepsen is hardly a top-flight relief arm, sporting a career 3.80 ERA and 1.35 WHIP, but he has been quite effective over the past couple seasons. He was a strikeout machine last year with the Angels, averaging 10.4 K/9, but has seen that number drop to 7.3 this season while his walks have gone up. His average fastball velocity of 94.4 MPH will stand out in the Twins bullpen, although it is his lowest since 2011.

 

Despite some downward trends, Jepsen is almost certainly an upgrade over Casey Fien and Blaine Boyer, and will most likely take over as Paul Molitor's top eighth-inning option.

 

Stay tuned for more analysis of this move, as well as any others that the Twins might have in store before this afternoon's deadline.

 

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[Linus]

I'm guessing that the torches and pitchforks will be out shortly.......

 

This doesn't do a bunch for me but I guess it all depends on what they gave up.

[DaveW]

Not so much a splash as it is a drop.

[nytwinsfan]

Uggh, they traded Hu. Chin-Wei Hu

 

Edited July 31, 2015 by nytwinsfan

[nater79a]

Wonder if they will deal at least one AA starter to open room for a promo of Slegers, Eades or Gonsalves...

[Vance_Christianson]

Not that impressed for the fact we just gave up a top SP arm in our system for a 31 year old BP guy whose K rate isn't all that great. Thankfully we have quite a few top SP arms in our system in the High A to AAA. Hopefully worth the gamble.

 

Hmm....Ugh......

[nater79a]

Hu and Tapia. Ugh...

[Mike Sixel]

They traded Hu for this guy? What. The F?

 

Just call up Duffey or Berrios or use May.

 

Awful trade.

[USAFChief]

Hu? 

 

That can't be right, can it?

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

 

Uggh, they traded Hu. Chin-Wei Hu

 

 

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Fleeced by the Rays once again.

[awinter]

 

Uggh, they traded Hu. Chin-Wei Hu

 

Even without knowing much about Jepsen I can say I am not a fan of this trade. Hu was one of the handful of prospects I did not want to lose.

[THE DFC]

All of those calling for more trades, this is why we need to stop.  Ryan is going to ruin the team with garbage vet players, and we're going to give up the farm.  

 

Hu for this garbage?  Really?  

[DaveW]

Ryan is no longer a competent GM. I have lost all faith in the front office of this team. What a freaking joke of a trade.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

I'm losing my adopted prospect for a 31-year-old relief pitcher with a 1.30 WHIP and 7.3 K/9, huh?

[NDTimIrish]

Ryan is absolutely clueless. That's probably the closest I can come to being positive so I'll end it at that.

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

 

I'm losing my adopted prospect for a 31-year-old relief pitcher with a 1.30 WHIP and 7.3 K/9, huh?

 

I don't need an answer. The question was rhetorical.

 

I do need somebody though to talk me down from the ledge.

[Platoon]

And why does this surprise anyone? A vet pitcher, with declining numbers. Hmmm, that sounds eerily familiar.

[Jham]

We traded who?

Edited July 31, 2015 by Jham

[Bill]

50-50 chance he is better than Fein the rest of the season.

[ashbury]

"Never get involved in a land war in Asia, never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line, and never trade with the Rays where starting pitching is involved."  -- Vizzini, in The Princess Bride

[Bill]

 

50-50 chance he is better than Fein the rest of the season.

 

That was too hasty... make it 55-45.

 

 

 

[DJL44]

RH relievers on the Twins with a K/9 better than Jepsen

 

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[Linus]

Not a fan of this deal. Just wow.

[Mike Sixel]

 

RH relievers on the Twins with a K/9 better than Jepsen

 

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And no other good RP was available?

[markos]

Seems like about the going price when one looks at the other deals involving relievers this deadline (Clippard, Lowe). Jepsen might be the worse of the relievers, but I don't think Hu is significantly better than any of the other arms dealt in those other deals (Meisner, Wells). I don't think this is a huge overpay.

[Eephus]

See what happens in the next hour, but looks like Ryan is trying to do as little as dealing possible yet remain a viable wild card contender. Can't say he's wrong. 

[Platoon]

Who's pitching for the Rays? Hu! That's what I just asked, who's pitching for the Rays. (Humble apologies to Abbot and Costello) or Hu ever did this bit

[Platoon]

54 minutes to hold our breath. This thread could get uglyl, I think I am going to go mow lawn. .

[AlwaysinModeration]

The TR mantra--aim for mediocrity, and there is a good chance you will succeed!

[Dance with Disco Dan]

Not impressed with this trade and a bit bummed because I enjoyed following Hu.  Not having seen him in person, I can't be sure exactly what kind of stuff Hu has but its good enough for him to be among the top starters in  the FSL as a 21 y.o. As desperate as the Twins' bullpen situation is, it has to be a hard pass when the asking price for Jepsen is Hu AND  a lottery ticket arm.