Grading the Twins’ Most Recent Trades with the 2024 World Series Teams

[Cody Christie]

The Yankees and Dodgers are locked in a World Series grudge match. So, let’s look back at the most recent trades between the Twins and these two powerhouse clubs.

Image courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

As the Yankees and Dodgers prepare to square off in the 2024 World Series, it’s a perfect time to evaluate how two recent trades with these perennial contenders have played out for the Twins. While the trades differed in size and scope, each sent notable talent in both directions, aiming to address the needs of all teams involved. Let’s look back to see how each team has benefited (or not) from these deals.

March 13, 2022: Twins Dump Donaldson on the Yankees
In the spring of 2022, the Twins sent Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt to the Yankees. In return, Minnesota received two veteran players, Gary Sánchez and Gio Urshela. The Yankees were making a push for additional depth, hoping Kiner-Falefa could hold down the shortstop position while Donaldson added pop to the middle of their lineup. Minnesota was searching for a way to get out from under the Donaldson contract. 

Impact on the Yankees
For New York, this trade has had mixed results. Donaldson initially provided a power boost and brought leadership to the Yankees' infield. However, injuries and declining performance took a toll, and the Yankees released him by the end of the 2023 season, leaving them without a return on his remaining contract. Kiner-Falefa was a useful addition to their lineup for his defensive versatility, but his limitations at the plate kept him from being a long-term solution for the Yankees at shortstop. Rortvedt, meanwhile, spent most of his time in the minors, providing little impact at the MLB level. The Yankees’ investment in Donaldson didn’t bring the hoped-for championship.

Impact on the Twins
The Twins also received mixed returns from the players involved, but moving the Donaldson contract allowed the team to add Carlos Correa that winter. Urshela quickly became a fan favorite in Minnesota, posting one of his best offensive seasons in 2022 (119 OPS+). His steady glove and consistent bat helped stabilize the left side of the infield, and his leadership provided stability during a challenging season. Urshela was eventually traded to the Angels before the 2023 season but left a positive mark in Minnesota.

Sánchez, a high-risk, high-reward acquisition, didn’t quite fulfill expectations. While he provided flashes of power, he struggled defensively and couldn’t find consistency at the plate, leading to a one-and-done season with Minnesota. He posted an 88 OPS+, and the team was forced to use him as a catcher too often due to other injuries. While the trade may not have yielded long-term stars, the trade leaned slightly in Minnesota’s favor because of the long-term impact on the payroll. 

February 26, 2024: Twins Add Margot For Outfield Depth
Fast forward to 2024, and the Twins struck another deal, this time with the Dodgers. The Twins acquired Manuel Margot, a proven outfielder with a reputation for strong defense and speed, and minor league prospect Rayne Doncon. In exchange, the Dodgers received Twins shortstop prospect Noah Miller, a solid defender with potential as a utility player but still developing his offensive game. This trade was more about adding depth to the Twins’ outfield while giving Los Angeles an intriguing, glove-first infield prospect.

Impact on the Dodgers
For the Dodgers, Miller split the season between High- and Double-A, showing consistent defensive skills and flashing some hitting potential. In 134 games, he .244/.318/.315 (.633) while being over three years younger than the average age of the Double-A competition. The Dodgers believe his high baseball IQ and versatility could help him emerge as a solid utility infielder. While he’s still a few seasons away from making an MLB impact, Miller’s development path fits with the Dodgers’ knack for cultivating infield talent. His glove-first profile may suit their needs if he continues to progress with his bat.

Impact on the Twins
The Twins had higher immediate hopes for Margot as a potential roster replacement for Michael A. Taylor. Known for his defensive abilities, the Twins quickly realized that Margot had lost a step and couldn’t handle center field. He posted a -0.6 WAR for the season with a career-low 76 OPS+. Minnesota was forced to continue using him to fill the gap left by injuries and defensive lapses among the Twins’ corner outfielder. Doncon, meanwhile, has shown potential in the lower minors, though he’s still raw. In 94 games, he posted a .773 OPS with 24 doubles and 11 home runs. If Doncon can develop, he may prove to be a valuable future asset for the Twins.

Trade Grades: 
Twins-Yankees Trade Grade
- Yankees: C
- Twins: B
The Yankees added defensive depth and leadership in Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa but saw little lasting return on their significant investment. For Minnesota, the trade provided short-term stability in Urshela and a gamble on Sánchez. Urshela’s success in Minnesota and Donaldson’s eventual release by New York tipped the scales slightly in the Twins’ favor.

Twins-Dodgers Trade Grade
-Dodgers: C
-Twins: C
This deal seems like a push with Margot struggling and neither prospect taking the next step. Fans can watch closely as Miller and Doncon move up the organizational ladder, but neither prospect is expected to be a significant contributor at the big-league level. 

These trades demonstrate Minnesota’s balanced approach in negotiations with baseball’s elite franchises. Each trade had specific goals, and the Twins gained serviceable pieces who contributed to their roster. As the Yankees and Dodgers battle it out on the biggest stage, the Twins’ front office can reflect on a couple of recent deals that, at least in part, worked out in Minnesota’s favor.

How would you grade the trades? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[tony&rodney]

The main complaint regarding these (and other) trades is that the transactions did not really improve the team. The payroll pressure was alleviated in the Yankee trade, which was apparently the only real objective, making it a success for many. However, the team was not improved. The Dodgers were willing to give away Margot and he did fill a role for the Twins, but Baldelli wound up leaning on Manuel to an absurd degree reducing Margot's effectiveness as a player. Thus, the team was not really improved. The exchange of minor league players is a wash. Miller can eventually (2026?) find his way on to an MLB team as a utility infielder if some organization has room for that specialty. Doncon is athletic and fun to watch but has a whole ton of refinement needed before he can face MLB pitching. My guess is that Miller gets a call up first but the talent side favors Doncon; it's a wash.

[Blyleven2011]

I know these are earlier trades but they have more significant with the Yankees and Dodgers  ...

Cave traded to twins in exchange for luis Gil  who is on the roster ...

Maeda and others traded to twins in exchange for Graterol and Riley  , graterol on dodgers roster ...

[jmlease1]

I think the trades grades here are about right. I might have given the Twins a better grade on the Dodgers deal if Margot hadn't been so poor but he really crapped out and played too much. Noah Miller is an excellent defensively player, but he can't hit. He's never put up an OPS over .700 in his professional career: not in rookie ball, nowhere. Yes, he's been a younger player at every stop, but he's also not shown any real improvement as a hitter as he's moved up. He's got no power, still strikes out plenty, and I'm pretty confident that his ability to draw walks will decline as he faces more advanced pitchers that realize that he can't really hurt him if they pitch in the zone. It's too bad, because his glove is excellent. But if he doesn't improve as a hitter soon, he's got little future even with that glove. (even someone like Andrelton Simmons, who we think of as an all-glove, no-hit player could at least put up an OPS over .700 in the minors)

Doncon had some injury issues this year, but overall had a successful season, earning promotion to High A and holding his own there. There's more upside there, making it a solid if unspectacular trade for the Twins, but the Margot implosion drags it back down.

[Doctor Gast]

NYY= C , they got what they wanted but they couldn't get what they wanted from them.

MN= F,  Lucky that Correa fell into our laps after trying to sign Story which fell through. Otherwise, it'd have been very ugly. The trade gutted our catching core. All this happened because of the bad Donaldson signing. Which we cannot forget or take lightly.

LAD= A,  They got what they wanted. They wisely flipped Margot to sign Kiki, who came through in the postseason for the LAD. They got a GG SS Noah Miller which they figured to develop further, If Miller really turns out well LAD could keep him or more likely use him as a valuable trade chip.

MN= F,  Margot was an albatross around the neck of the Twins. He was terrible in the OF & batting & most of all he blocked Martin & Keirsey to be used properly to maximize their effect on the Twins. Many would debate between the value of GG SS Miller & 2B Doncon. IMO Miller has a clear path to the MLB & Doncon doesn't.

[sweetmusicviola16]

51 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

NYY= C , they got what they wanted but they couldn't get what they wanted from them.

MN= F,  Lucky that Correa fell into our laps after trying to sign Story which fell through. Otherwise, it'd have been very ugly. The trade gutted our catching core. All this happened because of the bad Donaldson signing. Which we cannot forget or take lightly.

LAD= A,  They got what they wanted. They wisely flipped Margot to sign Kiki, who came through in the postseason for the LAD. They got a GG SS Noah Miller which they figured to develop further, If Miller really turns out well LAD could keep him or more likely use him as a valuable trade chip.

MN= F,  Margot was an albatross around the neck of the Twins. He was terrible in the OF & batting & most of all he blocked Martin & Keirsey to be used properly to maximize their effect on the Twins. Many would debate between the value of GG SS Miller & 2B Doncon. IMO Miller has a clear path to the MLB & Doncon doesn't.

For sure an F by acquiring Margot. Miller is going to reap rewards for someone.

Edit: Margot made the 2024 team worse. Therefore the trade has to be an F. Doncon for Miller, it will be years before that grades out. I also don't know who is on the hook for buying out Margot's 2025 contract, 2 million. But if it is the Twins and their tight payroll it also hurts the 2025 roster. Never liked this trade from the get go.

[tony&rodney]

No big disagreement with the comments on the majoe players in these trades, but Doncon versus Miller is simply unknown. Anyone is free to speculate. Having seen dozens of at bats from both of these players (Miller & Doncon), Doncon is clearly a better athlete with a lower floor and higher ceiling and Miller is more accomplished with the glove. It is worthwhile to remember that neither projects as anything more than a replacement player with utility work as a best case scenario. It is a wash and not worth any angst.

[TheLeviathan]

6 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

NYY= C , they got what they wanted but they couldn't get what they wanted from them.

MN= F,  Lucky that Correa fell into our laps after trying to sign Story which fell through. Otherwise, it'd have been very ugly. The trade gutted our catching core. All this happened because of the bad Donaldson signing. Which we cannot forget or take lightly.

LAD= A,  They got what they wanted. They wisely flipped Margot to sign Kiki, who came through in the postseason for the LAD. They got a GG SS Noah Miller which they figured to develop further, If Miller really turns out well LAD could keep him or more likely use him as a valuable trade chip.

MN= F,  Margot was an albatross around the neck of the Twins. He was terrible in the OF & batting & most of all he blocked Martin & Keirsey to be used properly to maximize their effect on the Twins. Many would debate between the value of GG SS Miller & 2B Doncon. IMO Miller has a clear path to the MLB & Doncon doesn't.

The Twins got semi-productive play out of their guys from the Yankees and dumped a contract albatross that allowed them to pursue Correa at all.  

The deal without context may not be that impressive, but the subsequent moves it opened up certainly were.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Getting rid of Donaldson was  worth a lot...and I'm not talking about his contract. He was no leader for the younger guys to emulate.

[rv78]

3 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

The Twins got semi-productive play out of their guys from the Yankees and dumped a contract albatross that allowed them to pursue Correa at all.  

The deal without context may not be that impressive, but the subsequent moves it opened up certainly were.

The only "moves" it opened up were getting Correa and so far that hasn't been all that impressive, especially when you consider he was willing to leave the Twins after his first season for bigger money, which he would have gotten if not for the Giants and Mets backing out on him. tarheelsfan says Donaldson was not one for the young players to emulate. Is Correa's lack of committment to the Twins when he decided to leave after his first season something to emulate? Again, the ONLY reason he is a Twin is because of two other clubs deciding they didn't want him. Oh yeah, he's a proven cheater too. That's not a great role model for the young guys either. Kind of seems the Twins replaced one troublesome player with another.

[old nurse]

Noah Miller may end up making Kyle  Farmer look like a silver slugger.. The trade really doesn’t deserve a grade. Margot was never a pinch hitter type. His career pinch hitting was in the .110 range. Take out the pinch hitting and he had what would have been a usually Margot season. Maybe Margot had Tommy Herr disease. There was no way the Twins could have tested for that. The trade would rate as an F only because there were other options for a RH OF bat. That were cheaper and better suite for the role. In a budget crunch year that money could have been much better spent. 

Rortvedt couldn’t hit for the Twins nor the Yankees. Some players it takes the right coaching. A repeat of this year would give Tampa an A for their trade. However for the Twins to get rid of Donaldson they did have to give up someone with potential. The Twins gave up on a player they thought they could not develop further. If you include the Garver trade where they got the utility player to trade the trade gets 3 grades. An A for the unloading, an F for player development as Henriquez  may only have a ceiling of a middle reliever and not a starter.  The third grade is another F as it once again showed how willing they were to dump Ryan’s players 

[TheLeviathan]

16 hours ago, rv78 said:

The only "moves" it opened up were getting Correa and so far that hasn't been all that impressive, especially when you consider he was willing to leave the Twins after his first season for bigger money, which he would have gotten if not for the Giants and Mets backing out on him. tarheelsfan says Donaldson was not one for the young players to emulate. Is Correa's lack of committment to the Twins when he decided to leave after his first season something to emulate? Again, the ONLY reason he is a Twin is because of two other clubs deciding they didn't want him. Oh yeah, he's a proven cheater too. That's not a great role model for the young guys either. Kind of seems the Twins replaced one troublesome player with another.

You lost me at the "Getting Correa wasn't a big deal" thesis.

[Doctor Gast]

21 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

The Twins got semi-productive play out of their guys from the Yankees and dumped a contract albatross that allowed them to pursue Correa at all.  

The deal without context may not be that impressive, but the subsequent moves it opened up certainly were.

I am the one who's putting the deal in context. Donaldson was a bad FO signing they wanted to dump. To do that they had to gut our catching core. The plan was to sign Story, we were lucky that it didn't work out because we'd be trying to find a way to dump his salary now & continue to gut this team. Jeffers couldn't handle primary duties where he crashed & burned, Sanchez was terrible but he was much better than what we had left. This fiasco resulted in the Vazquez signing. Urshela wasn't bad so I could upgrade the trade to a D-. Many of these FO transactions are based on hope, luck & having a player dumped in his lap. 

[TheLeviathan]

9 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I am the one who's putting the deal in context. Donaldson was a bad FO signing they wanted to dump. To do that they had to gut our catching core. The plan was to sign Story, we were lucky that it didn't work out because we'd be trying to find a way to dump his salary now. Jeffers couldn't handle primary duties where he crashed & burned, Sanchez was terrible but he was much better than what we had left. This fiasco resulted in the Vazquez signing. Urshela wasn't bad so I could upgrade the trade to a D-. Many of these FO transactions are based on hope, luck & having a player dumped in his lap. 

Losing Ben Rortvedt "gutted" our catching core.  I admit, it's a bold take.  

[Trov]

I love how when we signed Donaldson people were happy we went out and signed a top FA.  He was coming of a very good year, and many expected he would help the team.  Then it turned out his legs were pretty much shot and his attitude was poor.  So we talk about how bad the signing was and we attack the FO for dumping him to NY and give up a utility guy and a backup catcher.  We then pivot and sign CC who people loved, except now he has been having injury issues and people are attacking that signing. 

The FO can do no right.  They do a big signing, something fans wanted for years, and it failed, as most do, and we attack them for that.  We attack them for pivoting.  I do not know how much fans pay attention to other teams FO and how often they do bad signings, bad trades, bad letting guys go.  Every FO swings and misses on drafts, signings, and trades.  However, there are many hits by this FO.  They get attacked if they swing and miss or if they do not swing at all.  They never get any praise for a successful move though. 

[rv78]

On 10/28/2024 at 2:51 PM, TheLeviathan said:

You lost me at the "Getting Correa wasn't a big deal" thesis.

What "big deal" has he helped the team accomplish? If 1 playoff series win is a "big deal" then your goal for the team is set pretty low. His huge contract has limited any quality additions that the Twins really need and will stifle any future acquisitions as well. 

[Linus]

What part of the Luis Gil for Jake Cave trade are we liking?