A Perfect Relief Pitcher Trade Target for the Twins: The Nard Dawg

[Ted Schwerzler]

In the privileged position of having relatively few and non-urgent needs, the Minnesota Twins might not be overwhelmingly aggressive at the 2024 MLB trade deadline. Whatever moves they do make will have to be carefully considered, too, because they lack financial flexibility. One southpaw reliever, though, could be the perfect fit.

Image courtesy of © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins have been a dumpster fire for some time. That remains accurate this season, and they have already indicated they will be sellers. Having already shipped Luis Arráez to the San Diego Padres, they have indicated a willingness to listen on Jazz Chisholm Jr. Tanner Scott, and others, too. While Scott draws all the excitement out of the Miami bullpen, it’s Andrew Nardi who might be the better get.

Scott has been great, and since every team has to have an All-Star representative, he was probably the right one. He owns a 1.27 ERA and has racked up 16 saves. There is reason to expect some regression, though, as Scott is carrying a 3.26 FIP and walking a whopping 5.3 batters per nine innings. He’s going to have a ton of suitors, and that should drive up the return for Miami,

On the flip side, Nardi owns a 5.30 ERA and is just begging for a more capable organization to employ him. The 3.33 FIP is the lowest mark of his career, and he has a 30% strikeout rate. Part of Nardi’s problem this season has been an uncharacteristic 61.9% strand rate, and he’s getting BABIP’d to death, carrying a .337 there.

For Rocco Baldelli, Nardi not only would represent another relief option, but he would shore up the softest spot in the bullpen. Right now, Minnesota is lacking trustworthy lefties. Kody Funderburk hit the injured list with an oblique strain. Steven Okert has been shaky. Caleb Thielbar looks to be at the end of his line. Nardi would bring a southpaw look and a ceiling that should be higher than any of the aforementioned names.

Given the payroll constraints they face, it seems unlikely that Minnesota would add substantial dollars to the payroll. Nardi is currently making the major-league minimum, though, and he doesn’t even hit arbitration until 2026. While that is going to raise the expected return, it should still be a manageable package, given what acquiring a reliever typically entails.

He's also exactly the kind of pitcher they like. He throws a 94-MPH fastball with good carry, and his slider has two-plane movement off of that. It's why he misses so many bats, and could be a profile with some staying power.

Looking at making noise in the postseason, the Twins are set up well as they currently sit. They lack the depth to withstand that race toward a World Series, though, and the pitching staff, especially, needs just a bit more. The starting rotation is the big focus on that front, but a reliever or two could impact multiple games down the stretch and in October.

As postseason expansion has reduced the number of sellers across the league each year, the available talent is somewhat watered down. A player like Nardi might be overlooked on the surface, but he's a perfect acquisition for a good franchise to get the best out of. Coming into the year, the Twins hoped to have one of the best bullpens in baseball. So far, that hasn’t happened, but they could bolster the group with this sort of addition.

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[SaberNerd]

He'd be a solid get, but I don't think Miami moves him unless they get an overpay due to the team control.  That control imo would make him cost more than Scott, and in that case just get Scott.

[Ryan_K]

He's better than Harvey who KC got for a prospect just outside top 100 and a comp a pick.

[Doctor Gast]

I like Nardi & the years you get but he won't be cheap. Would he be worth it? Maybe depends who you give up

[HelmetTip]

I know there will almost 100% be dollar constraints, but I don't want the drumbeat of "let's get a pitcher with lousy numbers, he'll be better here!" to be the dominant train of thought. If we can get him for a song, fine, but otherwise, nope. 

[Otwins]

Do you think Miami would trade Puk? That is who I would be interested in. Nardi would be better than what we have

 

[Riverbrian]

The entire starting rotation is right handed.

The best performers in the bullpen are all right handed. 

All 3 left handers in the bullpen have been shaky. 

The way they platoon on offense... I can't imagine why the Twins would ignore this left handed pitching inadequacy. 

Right Handed/Left Handed doesn't seem to matter as much on the pitching side for some unexplainable reason. I'd say... you can't worry about Wallner/Julien facing left handed pitching and then pretend Okert/Thielbar is OK. 

I'd suggest calling Miami because the teams currently in playoff spots are pretty left handed. Someone will need to get Juan Soto or Gunnar Henderson out. Or Kwan or Devers/Duran or Tucker/Alverez. 

 

 

[Karbo]

As long as they make getting a starter the priority I'm fine with a LH relief pitcher.

[JD-TWINS]

Do not get the attraction?

He throws .5-1.0 mph harder than Okert. His 5.13 ERA & low strand rate in low 60’s doesn’t scream clutch either.

He may come cheaper than others and have longer control than some but he just doesn’t look to be that good. Crossing our fingers with Okert or Thielbar seems to be just as effective………I don’t like that option but Nardi doesn’t move the needle at all, IMO.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

Way too much team control for the Marlins to consider trading him, or the Twins to consider trading for him. 

[LambchoP]

Love the idea of getting a good lefty for our bullpen, just not sure this is the guy. His numbers aren't too different from Okert. With the years of control we'd have to give up someone decent too and I think if we're parting with a good prospect, we should be upgrading our major league arms. Not just trying out new guys. Still think Kikuchi is cheap enough and would really help the rotation and bullpen if we get Paddack back and have him pitch in relief. Again, we do need a solid lefty for the bullpen too.

[Ryan_K]

Interesting idea, if Nardi, and young LH SP i.e. Braxton Garrett plus Marlins taking Vasquez contract off the Twins hands, what would be your best offer.

 

I no longer have MLB Trade Values, but think this could give Twins flexibility...Marlins would love a package that could start with Lee or Louis