BREAKING: Twins Acquire Starting Pitcher Dean Kremer from Orioles

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, twinfan said:

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.

10-12? So, Abel, Matthews, Preilipp level? 

People think there won't be a full season next year, and seem very "excited" about this year of control.

[twinfan]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

10-12? So, Abel, Matthews, Preilipp level? 

People think there won't be a full season next year, and seem very "excited" about this year of control.

 

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

10-12? So, Abel, Matthews, Preilipp level? 

People think there won't be a full season next year, and seem very "excited" about this year of control.

I see Matthews doing about the same. I'm not sold on Abel. Prelipp has done ok so far but may belong in the pen. There may not be any season next year if there is no salary cap. 

[saviking]

1 hour 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?

Interesting take. But Houston is already batting .366 with a slugging percentage of 956 at AA .. At this pace he will be ready next year. 

Maybe the Twins see that and is a reason Culpepper is (possibly) a trade candidate. But Culpepper is coming off an injury so most likely they are just taking ot easy with him. But Gonzalez and EMA make sense .. 

[D.C Twins]

2 hours 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 ..

If they trade Culpepper... that would be a disaster.... complete short sighted move. 

Gonzales.... ok for the right return... Emma as well for me but that is because I have grave concerns about his swing and miss at pitches in the zone problem. 

[Danchat]

1 hour 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?

My initial guess would be Ober gets traded, or perhaps they decide to move Ryan in the offseason after originally considering moving him at the deadline but became too competitive for that. But trading a solid prospect for Kremer does imply they plan to pay him next year... which might not be a good decision.

[Mike Sixel]

12 minutes ago, Danchat said:

My initial guess would be Ober gets traded, or perhaps they decide to move Ryan in the offseason after originally considering moving him at the deadline but became too competitive for that. But trading a solid prospect for Kremer does imply they plan to pay him next year... which might not be a good decision.

If he's a 50 game rental, so maybe 8 starts or so, for a prospect that looks intriguing, yikes, imo.

[chpettit19]

Not a fan of this one. Feels very Falvey-esque in targeting someone with an extra year of control, but isn't this whole "buying" thing supposed to be about helping getting the 2026 Twins over the proverbial hump? This feels much more middle ground in hoping he doesn't kill you this year and then he's an option next year.

And my stance remains the same in that I hate giving up ceiling for this team. Reyes has real ceiling. His loss is certainly nothing crazy at this point, but if I'm giving up a guy with his ceiling, its for more than a guy getting his brain bashed in this season.

[Connor Gould]

I like the move. He's got 4 years track record of being a #3/4 guy before being bad for 7 starts this year, and I definitely think that track record is long enough and 2026 sample size is small enough to be able to trust him for the stretch as well as next year. Especially given that 3.0 HR/9 is due for positive regression. Reyes may be a bit steep of a price, but I've been burned enough by guys like Misael Urbina, Eduardo Beltre, and Wander Javier to fret about guys raking in rookie ball. They're called lottery tickets for a reason, and maybe we gave up a Powerball when he's worth a casino scratch off, but my mindset is that if we get burned, good for them.

[AZTwin]

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

I have little issue with using Reyes as trade capital in acquiring help. I'm a proponent of using prospects in trades to get other pieces that you need. So actually no issue in trading Reyes. My issue is aiming low and acquiring a guy who has spent 4 months struggling. After 4 months to suddenly expect the light to go on and Kremer turns it all around is a huge stretch. Aim higher. Minter was a much better aim than this one. 

[USAFChief]

38 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Not a fan of this one. Feels very Falvey-esque in targeting someone with an extra year of control, but isn't this whole "buying" thing supposed to be about helping getting the 2026 Twins over the proverbial hump? This feels much more middle ground in hoping he doesn't kill you this year and then he's an option next year.

And my stance remains the same in that I hate giving up ceiling for this team. Reyes has real ceiling. His loss is certainly nothing crazy at this point, but if I'm giving up a guy with his ceiling, its for more than a guy getting his brain bashed in this season.

Aren't you on record here asking that any trades this year NOT be for rentals? Specifically FOR players with added control?

 

[PuckettProtector]

14 hours ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

It might just be a depth move. I wouldn't be shocked if he starts in AAA and gets called up if there is an injury.

He can't be sent to the minors without his consent. 

[darin617]

12 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Not after 11 Ks today 

Zebby Matthews was sent to St Paul today....

[TopGunn#22]

1 hour ago, D.C Twins said:

If they trade Culpepper... that would be a disaster.... complete short sighted move. 

Gonzales.... ok for the right return... Emma as well for me but that is because I have grave concerns about his swing and miss at pitches in the zone problem. 

I disagree, respectfully.  In any trade, it depends what you get back.  In Neto, the Twins would be getting a player who has a higher ceiling than Culpepper (unless you think Culpepper has 30/30 potential as soon as 2027).  In his first full season, Neto hit 23 HR's and stole 30 bases.  Last year, he hit 26 HR's and stole 26 bases.  He's 26 years old and stepping into his prime.  Neto would help the Twins immediately.  Especially with Buxton's injury status.

Neto is also a better SS.  He's already a solid Major League SS.  There are still questions about whether Culpepper can stay at SS.  But most importantly, as I've stated, Neto PLAYS.  107 out of 110 games so far this year.  In 2024, he played 155 games.  Culpepper has talent and potential, but he can't stay healthy.  (Yet...)

[chpettit19]

15 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Aren't you on record here asking that any trades this year NOT be for rentals? Specifically FOR players with added control?

 

A guy with about 50/50 odds he's non-tendered isn't really added control. I'm on the record as not wanting to trade any future ceiling for guys who aren't likely to part of 2027 and beyond. That beyond is a big part of it. 

Detmers, Soriano, and Hancock are the 3 people I remember discussing as controllable assets. I'm sorry if I didn't specify specifically that I want guys worthy of being retained. If you want to call this a "gotcha moment," I'm not going to stop you. I don't like this deal. A guy who was on pace to not even finish the year on his current team's roster isn't somebody who's extra control I care about. But you're welcome to have whatever feelings you'd like about it.

[USAFChief]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

A guy with about 50/50 odds he's non-tendered isn't really added control. I'm on the record as not wanting to trade any future ceiling for guys who aren't likely to part of 2027 and beyond. That beyond is a big part of it. 

Detmers, Soriano, and Hancock are the 3 people I remember discussing as controllable assets. I'm sorry if I didn't specify specifically that I want guys worthy of being retained. If you want to call this a "gotcha moment," I'm not going to stop you. I don't like this deal. A guy who was on pace to not even finish the year on his current team's roster isn't somebody who's extra control I care about. But you're welcome to have whatever feelings you'd like about it.

You could just say, "yeah, I changed my mind."

No biggie.

[chpettit19]

10 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

You could just say, "yeah, I changed my mind."

No biggie.

I didn't. I don't think Kremer helps this year let alone next year. I didn't know I needed to explain that I wanted good players with control, not just guys with control. The Twins already have bad players with control. I assumed we were all on the same page of the point of buying was to get good players. But I guess it's my bad for not specifying. 

[Dman]

6 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

The trade deadline was going to hurt somewhere. When starting pitching began to be discussed I knew it would be costly. All in all, not as bad as I expected but not nearly as much upside as someone like a Hancock.  These trades are all about getting in the playoff just enough, than really digging in the prospect pool. I would put odds Reyes is a decent major leaguer at 50%. 

I think that's about right.  Prospects fail at extremely high rates.  We've seen several Twins players struggle out of the FCL at A ball.  I don't think Reyes hit the ground running there either.  Still his lean body type with power is very reminiscent of someone like Tatis.  He doesn't have quite that type of athleticism and or wheels, probably a notch below.  If he does hit at A ball and or High A next year even close to what he did this year he'll be a top 100 prospect.  He was already climbing boards based on his athletic projection.  I just don't think that's a gamble you take to get Dean Kremer.

If you look at the what the Twins got back for Paddack and Bader they were both lower ceiling players with good bats.  That is what Zoll should have tried harder to do IMO.  If Reyes doesn't work out then all is well.  If he does that's the type of deal that get's GM's fired.

[TheLeviathan]

13 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I didn't. I don't think Kremer helps this year let alone next year. I didn't know I needed to explain that I wanted good players with control, not just guys with control. The Twins already have bad players with control. I assumed we were all on the same page of the point of buying was to get good players. But I guess it's my bad for not specifying. 

I, for one, interpreted your point about players "with control" to be those that could be mindlessly enslaved and would like an apology and an explanation for why you changed your mind.

My only regret is that I merely hold the second most ridiculous interpretation you are demanded to be accountable for today.  I thought I was a shoe-in for the top spot.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

5 minutes ago, Dman said:

I think that's about right.  Prospects fail at extremely high rates.  We've seen several Twins players struggle out of the FCL at A ball.  I don't think Reyes hit the ground running there either.  Still his lean body type with power is very reminiscent of someone like Tatis.  He doesn't have quite that type of athleticism and or wheels, probably a notch below.  If he does hit at A ball and or High A next year even close to what he did this year he'll be a top 100 prospect.  He was already climbing boards based on his athletic projection.  I just don't think that's a gamble you take to get Dean Kremer.

If you look at the what the Twins got back for Paddack and Bader they were both lower ceiling players with good bats.  That is what Zoll should have tried harder to do IMO.  If Reyes doesn't work out then all is well.  If he does that's the type of deal that get's GM's fired.

So would you have felt better if they traded Mendez for him?

[howeda7]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

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

Zebby profiles similar to Morris and Varland. They should move him to the bullpen for 2027 for sure. Probably not fair to ask him to do it now. 

[Mike Sixel]

37 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

You could just say, "yeah, I changed my mind."

No biggie.

But he didn't change his mind. You are trying for some big gotcha, and he's been very consistent in his posts. Seriously. 

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Zebby profiles similar to Morris and Varland. They should move him to the bullpen for 2027 for sure. Probably not fair to ask him to do it now. 

Zebby has more quality starts than not. I'm not sure why people keep saying this.

[Mike Sixel]

9 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

So would you have felt better if they traded Mendez for him?

Good question! Mendez is either a DH or 1B. I'm not sure what I'd do, but likely not. This guy is "meh" and he's likely in MN for 8-10 starts, and then not on the roster next year (I'm guessing they trade him in the offseason). 

[howeda7]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Zebby has more quality starts than not. I'm not sure why people keep saying this.

He has an ERA over 5 this year. In 39 career starts over 3 years, he has an ERA over 5.He's behind Ryan, Lopez, Bradley, Ober, Preleipp and Abel in the starting pecking order for 2027. I'd rather have him in the bullpen then our 7th starter stashed in St Paul. If he can add 2-3 mph he can be the next Morris. I doubt he'll ever be more than a 5th starter. 

[Dman]

14 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

So would you have felt better if they traded Mendez for him?

Oh boy, not really, but only because I see Mendez taking Larnach's place at some point. I thought about Gonzalaez as well, but that seemed too steep too.  So I see what you are getting at.

After thinking about it more I can see Zoll's calculus to some degree. He still has Duran from the FCL who is a true center fielder but with lessor power to sort of replace Reyes,  They have Fragoza who isn't as athletic but hit';s the ball hard and Holman in the DSL who looks like he might be similar to Rodriguez so he probably felt he cold afford to move Reyes.  It's just that Reyes appears to be the best of them right now.  

If he could have sold him on some sort of Enrique Jimenez, Rosario, Olivares package I would have been fine with that.  I might have been ok moving on from Mercedes, but that would have been my high water mark for Kremer.  I get other teams don't necessarily want to take what you want to give up.

Still I think the gamble by Baltimore here was a really good one.  If the Twins could get deals like this in the future I would love it.

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

He's behind Ryan, Lopez, Bradley, Ober, Preleipp and Abel in the starting pecking order for 2027. I'd rather have him in the bullpen then our 7th starter stashed in St Paul. 

So is the guy they just traded for......But someone needs to be in AAA ready, because we all know guys will get hurt. Who is your 7th guy when 2 guys are hurt next year?

[TheLeviathan]

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

But he didn't change his mind. You are trying for some big gotcha, and he's been very consistent in his posts. Seriously. 

Mike, I have great news for you and all of Twinsdaily!  The Twins are "buyers" today!!!!

Tom Pohlad bought a fresh tank of gas this morning!  And Wanda, from accounting of course, got herself a delicious Caribou Coffee.  It was just like making one from home...only better!

We've done it folks.  We're "buyers"! *Hold for legalise*  Ignore that any basic, kindergarten level of applied thinking could poke holes in my argument.  Rest assured if anyone does I'm going to act like a giant jacka$$ with no reprecussions from any of my buddies on the mod team. *End Legalise*

We're "buyers"!!!!!