Twins Acquire AZ Cast-off Soft-Tossing Reliever Taylor Rashi

[bean5302]

Falzoll struck while the iron was hot after forwarding the case of Gatorade and box of Snickers bars acquired by moving Simeon Woods Richardson to Toronto. The package was forwarded to Arizona along for a soft-tossing righty named Taylor Rashi who the Diamondbacks had just DFA'd.

Rashi made his debut for a handful of innings last year at age 29, and while his K rate was impressive, it seemed more luck based than skill. He's been hit hard this year, again in a very SSS, and he walks quite few batters which is a little unexpected given his 91mph fastball. Rashi's had some mediocre results in AA and AAA the past few years, but Stuff+ doesn't look highly upon any of Rashi's offerings. He does come with all 3 options... meaning AZ wasn't even willing to spend an option on the pre-arb pitcher. 

Can't fathom why Falzoll made this move. I think he might be trolling fans.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/d-backs-to-trade-taylor-rashi-to-twins.html

[ashbury]

Advanced analytics seem to indicate that he has a 1.03 ERA at AAA Reno.  The Twins FO wants to prove they're not to be trifled with in the bleeding-edge tech areas.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

They keep throwing darts hoping they'll luck into finding some competent bullpen arms. It appears to have worked with Gomez but otherwise, the bullpen construction has been an epic fail - ironic considering how confident the Twins were that finding relievers is low stress. Imagine this team right now with Duran and Lou.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

9 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Falzoll struck while the iron was hot after forwarding the case of Gatorade and box of Snickers bars acquired by moving Simeon Woods Richardson to Toronto. The package was forwarded to Arizona along for a soft-tossing righty named Taylor Rashi who the Diamondbacks had just DFA'd.

Rashi made his debut for a handful of innings last year at age 29, and while his K rate was impressive, it seemed more luck based than skill. He's been hit hard this year, again in a very SSS, and he walks quite few batters which is a little unexpected given his 91mph fastball. Rashi's had some mediocre results in AA and AAA the past few years, but Stuff+ doesn't look highly upon any of Rashi's offerings. He does come with all 3 options... meaning AZ wasn't even willing to spend an option on the pre-arb pitcher. 

Can't fathom why Falzoll made this move. I think he might be trolling fans.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/d-backs-to-trade-taylor-rashi-to-twins.html

They seem hell bent on dumpster diving for relievers that have high walk rates. Trying to prove they're the smartest ones in the room or as you said, trolling the fan base - as if last year's deadline wasn't enough.

[CRF]

The DFA kings strike again! Oh boy!

[HarmonK03]

These bullpen moves tell me that nothing has really changed in the front office.  Falvey created a culture of 'we are the smartest in the room" and that does not appear to be changing.  Let's purge this whole front office and get some competent baseball executives to run this organization.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

They seem hell bent on dumpster diving for relievers that have high walk rates. Trying to prove they're the smartest ones in the room or as you said, trolling the fan base - as if last year's deadline wasn't enough.

I truly, really, don't get this one. I'd be willing to bet money Mike Hazen thought he was getting a prank call from Minnesota. "Hello, Mike Hazen. Wait... what? Who? Oh, you want him? As Chris Carter would say... Come on, man! Wait, no. Seriously? Yeah... let's work out a trade. Whatever Toronto gave you for SWR. A case of Gatorade and a box of Snickers bars? Done! Pleasure doing business with you, Jeremy. Don't listen to all that bad stuff people say about you!"

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Admittedly, one could argue that Rojas and Abel will soon make Twins' fans forget Duran and Lou. But, aside from talent, the best thing a young pitcher can have - availability. The health of those two young arms is the ultimate lottery ticket right now...

[CRF]

1 hour ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Admittedly, one could argue that Rojas and Abel will soon make Twins' fans forget Duran and Lou. But, aside from talent, the best thing a young pitcher can have - availability. The health of those two young arms is the ultimate lottery ticket right now...

I'd kill to have Louie back here.

[Parfigliano]

44 minutes ago, CRF said:

I'd kill to have Louie back 

Being in a competent organization now I bet Louie would use his bare hands to tunnel out of TC if brought back.

[jorgenswest]

I admire anyone who fights for his dream riding buses in the minors into their 30s. Taylor is still chasing with a good strike out rate in spite of low 90s fastball.

I do not admire those with the mean spirited posts that come with his acquisition. He was acquired from Arizona’s 40 man roster for cash. Keep it that simple. Respect the men who fight for years in the minors. Humans should not be compared to trash that comes from a dumpster. 

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

I admire anyone who fights for his dream riding buses in the minors into their 30s. Taylor is still chasing with a good strike out rate in spite of low 90s fastball.

I do not admire those with the mean spirited posts that come with his acquisition. He was acquired from Arizona’s 40 man roster for cash. Keep it that simple. Respect the men who fight for years in the minors. Humans should not be compared to trash that comes from a dumpster. 

I'm not a fan of this acquisition. But I agree we can be more polite.

[Danchat]

Well, I like this move more than some other bullpen acquisitions. 3 option years for Rashi and he has pitched well at AAA recently. Very unlikely to be the next Gomez, but I'll take him over Lawrence.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Danchat said:

Well, I like this move more than some other bullpen acquisitions. 3 option years for Rashi and he has pitched well at AAA recently. Very unlikely to be the next Gomez, but I'll take him over Lawrence.

Agreed that the options are huge..

[HarmonK03]

34 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

I admire anyone who fights for his dream riding buses in the minors into their 30s. Taylor is still chasing with a good strike out rate in spite of low 90s fastball.

I do not admire those with the mean spirited posts that come with his acquisition. He was acquired from Arizona’s 40 man roster for cash. Keep it that simple. Respect the men who fight for years in the minors. Humans should not be compared to trash that comes from a dumpster. 

The comments are more about the front office and the decision makers.  I am not seeing a derogatory comment about the pitcher himself.  If I am missing something, please tell me.  

The front office, meaning Zoll deserve all the criticism they get and it is part of the job.

[jorgenswest]

38 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm not a fan of this acquisition. But I agree we can be more polite.

Perfect way to put it.

You have been consistent in your call for using those 40 man spots to see if players like Fedko can be part of the future.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, jorgenswest said:

Perfect way to put it.

You have been consistent in your call for using those 40 man spots to see if players like Fedko can be part of the future.

And this guy has options, so let's see.... But I have real doubts..

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm not a fan of this acquisition. But I agree we can be more polite.

I hope we all can distinguish between skepticism about the front office, humorously couched, and contempt for a player.

(This should have been directed toward the poster you were responding to, jorgenwest, but now that I clicked Quote on the wrong reply I don't know how to repair it fully. Plus, now I see that someone else already had addressed my concern first.)

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I hope we all can distinguish between skepticism about the front office, humorously couched, and contempt for a player.

(This should have been directed toward the poster you were responding to, jorgenwest, but now that I clicked Quote on the wrong reply I don't know how to repair it fully. Plus, now I see that someone else already had addressed my concern first.)

Oh, we strongly agree!

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm not a fan of this acquisition. But I agree we can be more polite.

Good time to declare that just because I don't "like" a player, doesn't mean I don't NOT like the player.

Except for Tommy Herr.

[jaimedude]

Another absolutely pointless bullpen addition. How about if your gonna try and add to the bullpen, trade for some younger guys with talent that project as bullpen arms, or you know promote a few internally in your organization. Not keep scouring waiver wire. Meet Zoll, just like Falvey after ownsership pulled the rug out on payroll. 

[Mike Sixel]

Indicating the issue is ownership.....

[Irishman]

Twins ownership prioritizes moneymaking over winning games.  

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

Well, it's not an exciting move, but it's not like the Twins have unlimited options this season. Not many pitchers in AAA that truly deserve a callup (sure, we could try some of them, but that might mean adjustments to the 40-man roster and/or service time issues), so why not keep dumpster diving and see if we can find another useful pitcher such as Gomez? I don't expect much from this pitcher, but maybe he sticks. It's just another low-risk move that may or may not produce results. Keep on diving. 

[bean5302]

17 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Agreed that the options are huge..

The options are meaningless for guys nobody wants. Dobnak didn't have options and we shuttled him all the time.