Reviewing a Twins Trade That Helped No One

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Last July, the Twins and Dodgers linked up on a deadline deal that raised eyebrows the moment it crossed the wire. Minnesota sent reliever Brock Stewart to Los Angeles in exchange for outfielder James Outman, a move that felt odd on its face given how well Stewart had been pitching for the Twins at the time.

Stewart was one of the more effective bullpen arms Minnesota had, missing bats and handling leverage despite a long, well-documented injury history. That history loomed large in how the trade was interpreted. The assumption was that the Twins would be able to get value for Stewart, especially from a contending team. However, a one-for-one deal for Outman seemed underwhelming. Stewart’s medicals likely raised some red flags, and that forced the teams to find a deal that worked for both sides.

That reading of his medicals proved prescient. Stewart made just four appearances for the Dodgers before landing on the injured list. In September, he underwent a debridement procedure on his shoulder, ending his season and keeping him sidelined during Los Angeles’ run to a World Series title. He is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, and there are real questions about how much he can contribute in 2026. Stewart had already pushed his workload to a career high 37 2/3 innings in 2025, and the durability concerns that followed him never really went away.

Realistically, Stewart might be a bullpen option for the Dodgers a few months into the season. That might be the best way to get the most value from him in one season. He has shown that he only has so many bullets in his arm. Having Stewart (potentially) available for the playoffs is more valuable than early-season games when the weather is colder, and there is a greater chance of muscles tightening up. The Dodgers will be in the playoffs, and that’s where Stewart can be a difference-maker.

From the Twins’ side, the return was Outman, a former top prospect who had fallen out of favor on a Dodgers roster that is loaded with talent. On paper, there was a path to relevance. Minnesota needed outfield depth, particularly behind Byron Buxton, and Outman brings strong defensive chops in center field. The complication is that Alan Roden exists, and the organization appeared to favor him before his hand injury last season. Roden was talked up extensively after being acquired from the Blue Jays, and he can handle center as well, even if Outman is generally viewed as the better defender.

Roster mechanics muddy the picture further. Outman is out of options, meaning he either makes the roster or risks being lost. Roden does not carry that same pressure. Someone has to back up Buxton, and while Roden offers flexibility, Outman’s glove might give him the edge in a vacuum. Performance, however, has not helped his case.

In 59 major league games last season, Outman posted a .537 OPS and a 47 OPS+. That production is difficult to carry, even for a defense-first reserve. There is some hope to be found in his Triple-A numbers, where he put up a .945 OPS across 92 games. That kind of gap suggests there may still be something to unlock at the big-league level. At the same time, Outman will be 29 years old next season, so this is not a young prospect still finding his way. What you see may largely be what you get.

As things stand, this trade is drifting toward an outcome where neither side truly benefits. The Dodgers lost a useful bullpen arm for essentially nothing during a championship run, even if they were protected from further risk down the line. The Twins may not get meaningful value either, especially if Outman struggles in spring training and does not break camp with the team.

Deadline deals often look cleaner in hindsight, and this one already feels messy. Minnesota took a calculated risk on Stewart’s health and bet on Outman’s ability to rebound. Los Angeles took the arm and hoped the medical gamble would pay off. Instead, both teams are left with questions, and the trade is shaping up to be one neither side will look back on fondly.

Did either team win this trade? Will Outman make it out of spring training on the Twins’ roster? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

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[Major League Ready]

When you trade a player that is not likely to make an impact you get one back of the same ilk.  Isn't that the nature of these trades?  

[LewFordLives]

I understand the concerns with Stewart's medicals and that the Twins were never going to get a good player in return. In this situation it seems like the Twins would have been better served getting a low level lottery ticket that they wouldn't have to protect for a couple of years.

In any event I'm not gonna lose sleep over this one.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

When you trade a player that is not likely to make an impact you get one back of the same ilk.  Isn't that the nature of these trades?  

The trade is risk reward. For the Twins it was could they fix a talented player. So far, no reward. Would they lose Outman on a DFA claim? Not likely unless a team is ravaged by injuries. For the Dodgers it was the bet on health. The Twins did not want to afford a player that they have to pay to be continually on the injured list. The Dodgers doon’t mind. If Stewart is healthy for a month, they win. 

[Fatbat]

The dodgers really aren't out anything.  They dumped a guy they were gonna dump and have a guy that if healthy in sept/oct will get them outs. 
the twins lose because they have no need for outman but Stewart would be nice in a couple weeks/months when healthy. 

[LyleCole]

What I find ridiculous is worrying that Outman is out of options if he doesn't play well in Preseason.  Only the Twins collect sub .550 OPS+ players like they are trophies.

I pull for all of the players to have great seasons.  I hope Outman comes down to Ft Myers and rips the cover off the ball and forces the Twins to keep him on the roster going back North.  But if he just plays to his career norms, then who cares. 

 

[OregonTwinsFan]

Can't believe Outman has a 40-man spot. He needs to be DFAd and released.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

The dodgers really aren't out anything.  They dumped a guy they were gonna dump and have a guy that if healthy in sept/oct will get them outs. 
the twins lose because they have no need for outman but Stewart would be nice in a couple weeks/months when healthy. 

Twins didn't really lose either because you simply can't count on Stewart to be able to pitch. Maybe he would be nice in a few months IF healthy, but he also might never be healthy. He might struggle when he comes back again and give LA nothing.

Neither team gave up much, neither team got anything.

The way the Twins actually lose this deal is if Outman is given a roster spot on scholarship, rather than be forced to win a job.

[D.C Twins]

Worrying that Outman could be 'lost' because he has no options made me giggle. 

Which MLB team exactly do you think is clamoring for Outman's services?

If he breaks camp with the big team because of concerns of 'losing' him... that is roster malpractice. 

[Parfigliano]

54 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Twins didn't really lose either because you simply can't count on Stewart to be able to pitch. Maybe he would be nice in a few months IF healthy, but he also might never be healthy. He might struggle when he comes back again and give LA nothing.

Neither team gave up much, neither team got anything.

The way the Twins actually lose this deal is if Outman is given a roster spot on scholarship, rather than be forced to win a job.

Outman on the 40 man is a TC loss.

[Danchat]

2 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

I understand the concerns with Stewart's medicals and that the Twins were never going to get a good player in return. In this situation it seems like the Twins would have been better served getting a low level lottery ticket that they wouldn't have to protect for a couple of years.

In any event I'm not gonna lose sleep over this one.

100% agreed, that's what I said at the time of the trade. Stewart's value was low, but they should have been able to get a lottery ticket like they did for Paddack / Coloumbe.

[jorgenswest]

Outman is lottery ticket. He a valuable major leaguer in 2023. He was awful in the majors the next two years but also had a  AAA wRC+ of 135 and 136 in 2025 at the time of the trade. I would think the Twins are at least as likely to get value from Outman as they are in getting value from a lottery ticket like Alejandro Hidalgo. The chance of payoff is low for both.

Echoing @jmlease1

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

The way the Twins actually lose this deal is if Outman is given a roster spot on scholarship, rather than be forced to win a job.

 

[CRF]

Outman needs to be out, man.

[JADBP]

Outman is just about the weakest asset they could have traded Stewart for.  Not even a hope of an MLB player.  Totally blocked from the MLB roster.  At least they could have returned a lottery ticket, not a AAA player that will never advance.  

[big dog]

If Outman is a waste of a roster spot, which of our recent non-pitcher cuts would you rather have? 

[Fatbat]

10 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Twins didn't really lose either because you simply can't count on Stewart to be able to pitch. Maybe he would be nice in a few months IF healthy, but he also might never be healthy. He might struggle when he comes back again and give LA nothing.

Neither team gave up much, neither team got anything.

The way the Twins actually lose this deal is if Outman is given a roster spot on scholarship, rather than be forced to win a job.

Exactly. Id rather have Stewart on the 60 day than outman on the 26 man. 

[Doctor Wu]

As things stand, this trade is drifting toward an outcome where neither side truly benefits. 

Yeah, well, these things happen all the time. You trade players, you take your chances, and hope for something positive. And maybe miracles COULD STILL happen and perhaps Outman shows some sort of renewed brilliance in Spring Training the Twins keep him on the roster and ... who knows what will happen at that point. But we still have too many "meh" outfielders on the roster, and I don't think many teams will be banging down our door and requesting the services of guys like Outman or Larnach. At some point we just need to cut our losses. 

[Whitey333]

Oh no.  Outman is out of options?  We might have to DFA him?  There goes our World Series championship.  Outman should be out.  I'd much rather have a proven major leaguer like Larnach.  Although his career has been derailed or ruined by Rocco.  He still had like 125 hits last year at or near the most on the team.  Is he great?  No.  But he at least would be an improvement over Outman.  Outman is just taking up space on the 40 man roster.

[David Maro]

Time to get real here Stewart wasn't going to be a Twin in 26. You can only have so many surgeries before you can't come back. They took a flyer on Outman and it doesn't look good right now. This team has many more issues than weather 1 player is going to be on the roster or not. The infield is full of questions and needs answers,the OF corners have nothing but questions. And looking at the BP that has been filled with a mix of arms that may or may not help.

[ziggy]

Quote

This team has many more issues than weather 1 player is going to be on the roster or not. The infield is full of questions and needs answers,the OF corners have nothing but questions. And looking at the BP that has been filled with a mix of arms that may or may not help.

Exactly, there should be zero scholarships handed out this spring. We hear spring training stats don't count but just giving a non pitcher roster spot to anyone not named Luke or Byron is showing that last year was good enough.

 

I will admit to being jealous of Outmans hair.