BREAKING: Twins Acquire Starting Pitcher Dean Kremer from Orioles

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I said it before. Twins biggest problem isn't being cheap so much as it making bad decisions when they have the flexibility to add to the roster. 

Adding a starter makes sense. But, Kremer has been pretty bad of late. Some of it is bad luck and pitching in Camden Yards. And some of it is, he's just not very good.

 

[Cris E]

The value of this move depends on if Kremer becomes Kremer again and his 2026 injury clears up. The old Kremer is very much worth Reyes, but right now he's not well, throwing poorly and getting knocked around. The team has to have seen the medicals and felt he could come back soon, because everyone has seen the rough numbers from his recent outings and they went ahead with it anyway. 

They better not be done, though.

[Mike Sixel]

31 minutes ago, mickster said:

That is the move that makes sense, but you might see Prielipp in the pen to reduce innings

Uh, this guy and zebby are the same pitcher.  How does moving zebby to the pen make sense?

[Mike Sixel]

As for next year, who are you not pitching among... Ryan, Lopez, Ober, Bradley, Abel, Matthews, Prielipp to get this guy in the rotation? Or are you paying him 7 million to be a RP?

[Cris E]

Ober is the one who is on the bubble next year.  His Jamie Moyer shtick may work out in the long term, but he's got to be nearly perfect for that to happen. Meanwhile the kids are all throwing 97 with more room for error. It'll be an interesting spring to say the least. I wouldn't be surprised to see the big man traded this winter.

[mickster]

21 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Uh, this guy and zebby are the same pitcher.  How does moving zebby to the pen make sense?

it is either Zebby or Connor

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

30 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

As for next year, who are you not pitching among... Ryan, Lopez, Ober, Bradley, Abel, Matthews, Prielipp to get this guy in the rotation? Or are you paying him 7 million to be a RP?

If 2026 taught us anything, you need all the starting pitching you can get. Abel's health long term is problematic.

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, saviking said:

Damn, moving Culpepper would be swinging for the fences. Ema aa well. Gonzales is a solid prospect that could bring a good reliever. 

We will know soon ..

How about Gabby for Gausman? 

[TopGunn#22]

The idea that Culpepper, E-Rod and Gonzalez all sat last night and may be involved in possible deals is interesting.  I would be OK giving one of them up if it was the right deal.  There was speculation yesterday that the Twins might be talking with the Angels about Zach Neto and either Detmers or Soriano.

In a deal that would bring a legit #2 or #3 SP to the Twins rotation as well as an excellent 26 year old SS I said I'd give up Culpepper.  Some agreed with me, some didn't.  But if I could add Neto's bat (with the probability that Buxton is on the shelf for several weeks) and a solid SP who could be a rotation guy in 2027 (Detmers) then I certainly would give up some real minor league talent. 

Neto steps right in solves the SS problem and hits at the top of the order.  In a year and half, maybe 2-years when Houston is ready, Neto moves to 2B and probably plays Gold Glove defense there.  Houston is a Gold Glove candidate as soon as he is a Major Leaguer.  That would be QUITE the up the middle keystone combo.  Neto is already what we HOPE Culpepper could be.  The difference is that Neto PLAYS.  He's durable.  Culpepper, for all his promise, has to prove he can overcome his injury bug.

Add Detmers to this year's and next years pitching staff (and for 2027 purposes, a healthy Dean Kremer) and the Twins have some talented depth in their rotation that allows them to gradually build up some of these young arms like Prielipp, Zebby, Rojas and more.  

A blockbuster like this would deplete the farm somewhat, but in the off season, it gives the Twins great flexibility to either sign Joe Ryan to an extension, or, if he's not willing, trade him for a haul.  You could still have a rotation headed by Pablo, Bradley and Detmers with plenty of talent competing for spots #4 & #5.  And that could include a nice SP in the mix that would come in a Joe Ryan trade (think a Payton Tolle type even though that ship has sailed).  

We may be reading far too much into those guys sitting last night, but maybe a blockbuster with the Angels is in the works.  Maybe someone who has BBTV can post what a trade could look like involving Zach Neto and Reid Detmers?

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, SarasotaBill said:

This move is a "I want to watch the Twins shoot for the playoffs this year" vs trying to set up the team for a world series run starting next year. 

Overstate your case much?

[Brandon]

11 hours ago, Wedman13 said:

You go for it, or not.  I'm a prospect who're, but not not this one.

You mean prospect hoarder right? 

[The Great Hambino]

35 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

As for next year, who are you not pitching among... Ryan, Lopez, Ober, Bradley, Abel, Matthews, Prielipp to get this guy in the rotation? Or are you paying him 7 million to be a RP?

DFA is very much in play after the season.  I'm looking at him as a quasi-rental

Even if they do make the playoffs, does he make the postseason rotation?  Does he even make the postseason roster?  Long relief at best?  I'm not sure he beats out Zebby, and I'm not sure Zebby even makes a postseason rotation

I like this trade considerably less than the Minter trade

[Fatbat]

8 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

The idea that Culpepper, E-Rod and Gonzalez all sat last night and may be involved in possible deals is interesting.  I would be OK giving one of them up if it was the right deal.  There was speculation yesterday that the Twins might be talking with the Angels about Zach Neto and either Detmers or Soriano.

In a deal that would bring a legit #2 or #3 SP to the Twins rotation as well as an excellent 26 year old SS I said I'd give up Culpepper.  Some agreed with me, some didn't.  But if I could add Neto's bat (with the probability that Buxton is on the shelf for several weeks) and a solid SP who could be a rotation guy in 2027 (Detmers) then I certainly would give up some real minor league talent. 

Neto steps right in solves the SS problem and hits at the top of the order.  In a year and half, maybe 2-years when Houston is ready, Neto moves to 2B and probably plays Gold Glove defense there.  Houston is a Gold Glove candidate as soon as he is a Major Leaguer.  That would be QUITE the up the middle keystone combo.  Neto is already what we HOPE Culpepper could be.  The difference is that Neto PLAYS.  He's durable.  Culpepper, for all his promise, has to prove he can overcome his injury bug.

Add Detmers to this year's and next years pitching staff (and for 2027 purposes, a healthy Dean Kremer) and the Twins have some talented depth in their rotation that allows them to gradually build up some of these young arms like Prielipp, Zebby, Rojas and more.  

A blockbuster like this would deplete the farm somewhat, but in the off season, it gives the Twins great flexibility to either sign Joe Ryan to an extension, or, if he's not willing, trade him for a haul.  You could still have a rotation headed by Pablo, Bradley and Detmers with plenty of talent competing for spots #4 & #5.  And that could include a nice SP in the mix that would come in a Joe Ryan trade (think a Payton Tolle type even though that ship has sailed).  

We may be reading far too much into those guys sitting last night, but maybe a blockbuster with the Angels is in the works.  Maybe someone who has BBTV can post what a trade could look like involving Zach Neto and Reid Detmers?

Culpepper and who else for Neto and Detmers? Sounds interesting.

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

How about Gabby for Gausman? 

Seems light from the twins.

[Brandon]

9 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

The idea that Culpepper, E-Rod and Gonzalez all sat last night and may be involved in possible deals is interesting.  I would be OK giving one of them up if it was the right deal.  There was speculation yesterday that the Twins might be talking with the Angels about Zach Neto and either Detmers or Soriano.

In a deal that would bring a legit #2 or #3 SP to the Twins rotation as well as an excellent 26 year old SS I said I'd give up Culpepper.  Some agreed with me, some didn't.  But if I could add Neto's bat (with the probability that Buxton is on the shelf for several weeks) and a solid SP who could be a rotation guy in 2027 (Detmers) then I certainly would give up some real minor league talent. 

Neto steps right in solves the SS problem and hits at the top of the order.  In a year and half, maybe 2-years when Houston is ready, Neto moves to 2B and probably plays Gold Glove defense there.  Houston is a Gold Glove candidate as soon as he is a Major Leaguer.  That would be QUITE the up the middle keystone combo.  Neto is already what we HOPE Culpepper could be.  The difference is that Neto PLAYS.  He's durable.  Culpepper, for all his promise, has to prove he can overcome his injury bug.

Add Detmers to this year's and next years pitching staff (and for 2027 purposes, a healthy Dean Kremer) and the Twins have some talented depth in their rotation that allows them to gradually build up some of these young arms like Prielipp, Zebby, Rojas and more.  

A blockbuster like this would deplete the farm somewhat, but in the off season, it gives the Twins great flexibility to either sign Joe Ryan to an extension, or, if he's not willing, trade him for a haul.  You could still have a rotation headed by Pablo, Bradley and Detmers with plenty of talent competing for spots #4 & #5.  And that could include a nice SP in the mix that would come in a Joe Ryan trade (think a Payton Tolle type even though that ship has sailed).  

We may be reading far too much into those guys sitting last night, but maybe a blockbuster with the Angels is in the works.  Maybe someone who has BBTV can post what a trade could look like involving Zach Neto and Reid Detmers?

The Angels are said to want a young C.  It the trade is Tait and Culpepper, the Twins will want money sent in the deal to help pay down the contracts and or a prospect of some level.

[Brandon]

2 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

DFA is very much in play after the season.  I'm looking at him as a quasi-rental

Even if they do make the playoffs, does he make the postseason rotation?  Does he even make the postseason roster?  Long relief at best?  I'm not sure he beats out Zebby, and I'm not sure Zebby even makes a postseason rotation

I like this trade considerably less than the Minter trade

We could trade him in the off-season too. 

[DJL44]

4 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Culpepper and who else for Neto and Detmers? Sounds interesting.

Prielipp

[Fatbat]

4 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Seems light from the twins.

Yeah. Throw in T. Gray 😆

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Yeah. Throw in T. Gray 😆

A man can dream. 

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Prielipp

Please no. Preilip is here for six more years. 

[DJL44]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

Please no. Preilip is here for six more years. 

Then Matthews? That’s what it will take.

[TopGunn#22]

That's what I'm wondering as well Fatbat.  I'd work a possible trade out and post it if I had was willing to pay for the opportunity to use BBTV.  But I'm not and I don't. So without having some kind of honest idea of what players could be valued at, I'd just be throwing names out there. 

Doc Bauer has posted trades on BBTV.  I used to be able to go there and just look at what guys were proposing, but then they restricted that as well.  But there did seem to be some steam to the rumors and with all those guys sitting last night, that just adds fuel to the fire.  

If I was a GM, this type of deal would be what my goal would be.  Something impactful for this year, 2027 and beyond.  Not trading for an injured Dean Kremer who might have several bad starts that cost me 2-3 games.  

[HarmonK03]

20 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Neto steps right in solves the SS problem

Are you sure this is an upgrade over Kreidler.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, DJL44 said:

Then Matthews? That’s what it will take.

Not interested. Six years of Culpeper and six years of a starting pitcher, for 1.5 of another SP and Neto, who is very good and I really like? Like, a lot of people here want to trade the future CF, not in this deal but other threads,  and SP for this roster. I don't get it. 

[Fatbat]

8 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

That's what I'm wondering as well Fatbat.  I'd work a possible trade out and post it if I had was willing to pay for the opportunity to use BBTV.  But I'm not and I don't. So without having some kind of honest idea of what players could be valued at, I'd just be throwing names out there. 

Doc Bauer has posted trades on BBTV.  I used to be able to go there and just look at what guys were proposing, but then they restricted that as well.  But there did seem to be some steam to the rumors and with all those guys sitting last night, that just adds fuel to the fire.  

If I was a GM, this type of deal would be what my goal would be.  Something impactful for this year, 2027 and beyond.  Not trading for an injured Dean Kremer who might have several bad starts that cost me 2-3 games.  

I love trades and prospects because they bring a lot of hope. IF we can open up a legitimate contending window immediately, its gonna cost us assets but as long as it doesn’t strip us bare, WHY NOT? 
to get Gausman, Neto and Detmers we would have to give up some young guys but that gets us some crazy good legit stars. 

[Hubie29]

26 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Seems light from the twins.

Gausman is on his last legs.  (Or arm).

[TopGunn#22]

If the deal was Culpepper and Tait for Neto and Detmers I think I would do it.  Culpepper is necessary to bring back Neto.  Neto is 26, Culpepper is 23.  Those 3 years mean Neto will cost more sooner but Neto is already what we hope Culpepper can be and Neto still has plenty of room to grow.  He's a 30 HR 30 SB guy.  I'm not sure Culpepper, while talented, has a 30/30 ceiling.  Plus, Neto is a better SS and Neto PLAYS.  107 or out 110 games this year and 155 games in 2024.  Neto plays SS immediately for the Twins and in late 2027 or by 2028 when Houston is ready, you shift Neto to 2B and have one heck of a middle IF.  

So then it comes down to Tait for Detmers.  Tait was a key part of the Duran trade.  In some ways you hate to give up on him.  Detmers is just 27 years old.  He's had his ups and downs for the Angels over his 5 plus years with them, but the stuff is excellent.  Sometimes it just takes a bit of time to click, especially with lefties.  Adding Detmers to the rotation is crucial with the uncertainty of Joe Ryan's future.  That applies to right now with Ryan's tired arm and for 2027 and beyond.  

But with drafting 2 catchers #1 & #2 who were college players and having Jimenez in the system as well, along with the idea that Tait may eventually have to move off of catcher to 1B (Tait may be a less talented version of Ivan Hererra with the Cardinals) I think I'd also be willing to gamble Tait for a long-term starting rotation piece. 

I think this trade could be fair, but it would be nice if someone could post a BBTV version of this to see if it's close or needs something more from either side.  BBTV's is not the be all, end all.  But it's at least a way to see if you're even in the ballpark.  

[TopGunn#22]

YES, Neto is better than Kreidler.  Not to denigrate Kreidler, who is clearly the best SS on the roster now, but Neto is a budding 30/30 guy who is a GOOD SS.  With Bobby Witt Jr. hanging around, Neto may never win a Gold Glove, but he plays a very good SS.  Once Marek Houston is playing SS for the Twins, well, it's Game On Bobby Witt Jr.  :)  

[TheLeviathan]

There are reasons to believe he's not as bad as he looks.  Baseball Savant has his xERA significantly below his actual ERA.  

I know he's been brought in to be a starter but his real path is probably as a converted starter to see if he can get more out of himself in the bullpen.

If he's a starter for this team down the stretch I don't see how this furthers their aims.  Plus the cost seems high relative to the production.  This is the kind of deal I'd have felt better about in a "sell" framework where we take a chance on a depressed asset.

[twinfan]

Kremer needs to get healthy before we can say it was a good deal. He can win 10-12 games next year if healthy. The player we gave up doesn't have enough of a history to evaluate him. He's simply young at this point. We'll see if he's still playing in 2-3 years.