Grading Every Trade from the Minnesota Twins' 2026 MLB Trade Deadline

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins entered deadline season with a clear shopping list. They needed multiple high-leverage relievers, and they needed another starting pitcher after injuries ravaged the rotation throughout the summer. By the time the trade deadline arrived, general manager Jeremy Zoll had accomplished exactly that.

Minnesota added left-handed reliever A.J. Minter, veteran starter Dean Kremer, and hard-throwing right-hander Jeff Hoffman without sacrificing any of the organization's elite prospects. The Twins certainly paid meaningful prospect capital, but they also addressed every major weakness on the roster while adding players who remain under team control beyond this season.

Now that the dust has settled, here's how each deal grades.

Twins receive: LHP A.J. Minter
Mets receive: INF Bruin Agbayani and INF Billy Amick

Minnesota wasted little time addressing its need for a dependable left-handed reliever, acquiring Minter several days before the deadline rush. While the timing may have forced the Twins to pay a slightly higher price, it also guaranteed they landed one of the better southpaws available.

Minter's recent injury history creates some risk. After signing with the Mets before the 2025 season, he dominated over 11 innings before a torn left lat ended his year prematurely. Healthy again in 2026, he has looked like an effective late-inning option, posting a 2.35 ERA with only two walks across 23 innings. The strikeout rate hasn't been as dominant as in previous years, and his 4.02 FIP suggests some regression could be coming, but Minnesota was looking for reliability from the left side more than overpowering numbers.

The Mets received two intriguing but far-from-certain prospects. Amick has enjoyed a productive age-23 campaign at Double-A, slugging 23 home runs with an .820 OPS. His power has never been in question, although his 28.4 K% illustrate there is still work to do before reaching the majors.

Agbayani remains much earlier in his development. The 19-year-old sixth-round pick from the 2025 draft has accumulated only 74 professional plate appearances and spent the season at Low-A while producing a respectable .753 OPS. Neither player ranked among Twins Daily's Top 20 prospects entering the draft, making the overall price relatively manageable.

Trade Grade: B

Minnesota filled an obvious need without surrendering one of the organization's premier prospects. The Twins may have paid a slight premium by completing the deal before deadline day, but securing a proven left-handed reliever was worth the investment.

Twins receive: RHP Dean Kremer

Orioles receive: OF Jhomnardo Reyes

This trade probably generated the strongest reaction among prospect followers, and it's easy to understand why. Reyes emerged as one of the organization's biggest breakout performers this season after tearing up rookie ball before earning a promotion to Low-A. Some evaluators had already pushed him into their midseason top-20 Twins prospect rankings.

The Dominican outfielder possesses an exciting offensive ceiling. He’s a likely corner outfielder who hits the ball extremely hard but there are already some swing-and-miss tendencies. That's a profile with both significant upside and substantial risk, especially for a teenager still in the lower levels of the minors. For Minnesota, however, the focus wasn't long-term projection. It was stabilizing a rotation that had been devastated by injuries.

Kremer's 6.50 ERA doesn't tell the entire story. Two rough outings dramatically inflated his numbers after he carried a 4.15 ERA just a couple of weeks earlier. That figure aligns closely with both his 4.26 career ERA

The Twins weren't acquiring an ace. They were acquiring exactly what they needed: a durable, league-average starter capable of taking the ball every fifth day. The fact that Kremer also remains under team control through next season makes the acquisition even more valuable.

Trade Grade: B-

Reyes has enough talent to become a quality major-league regular if everything clicks. At the same time, teenage prospects carry enormous volatility. Minnesota addressed a glaring need with a controllable starter, making this a reasonable price to pay.

Twins receive: RHP Jeff Hoffman, $3.75 million cash
Blue Jays receive: LHP Dasan Hill, RHP John Klein, INF Dameury Pena, International Bonus Pool Money

This was Minnesota's biggest move of the deadline. Hoffman was one of the top relievers available, and the Twins paid a significant price to acquire a late-inning arm under team control beyond this season.

After revitalizing his career in Philadelphia, Hoffman signed a three-year deal with Toronto and saved 33 games in 2025. Home runs remained an occasional issue, but his elite fastball and swing-and-miss stuff (34.9 K%) made him one of baseball's most effective high-leverage relievers.

Hoffman's 2026 season got off to a rough start, eventually costing him the closer's role to former Twin Louis Varland. He rebounded after the move, however, allowing just one earned run in June (0.75 ERA) while thriving in a set-up role. 

The Twins paid accordingly. Hill, Twins Daily's No. 9 prospect entering the deadline, was the centerpiece of the return. The 2024 second-round pick features a mid-90s fastball and plus slider, with a 35.8 K% at High-A this season. His command remains inconsistent (17.2 BB%) but he also surrendered only two home runs, illustrating the quality of his stuff.

Klein made his major-league debut this season but struggled with command, recording 74 strikeouts while walking 38 and allowing 15 home runs across 68 1/3 innings between Triple-A and the majors. Pena, a 20-year-old infielder, has hit .300 with a .735 OPS across Low-A and High-A this season. Toronto also sent $3.75 million to help cover Hoffman's remaining salary, making the financial side of the deal more favorable for Minnesota.

Trade Grade: B+

Losing Hill hurts because of his upside, but impact relievers rarely come cheaply. Hoffman immediately strengthens the back end of Minnesota's bullpen and gives the Twins another pitcher capable of handling the biggest moments. That type of acquisition often requires surrendering premium prospect talent.

Minnesota entered deadline week knowing exactly what needed to change. The bullpen lacked enough swing-and-miss arms to compete with the American League's best clubs, and the rotation desperately needed reinforcement after months of injuries. Rather than settling for marginal upgrades, the front office aggressively addressed both concerns.

None of these trades will be judged solely by what happens over the final two months of 2026. If Hoffman remains a dominant setup man, Kremer provides quality innings through next season, and Minter solidifies the left side of the bullpen, these moves could pay dividends well beyond this year's playoff race.

There is legitimate risk attached to every deal. Reyes and Hill both have the talent to become impact major leaguers, and prospect losses always sting in hindsight if they break out elsewhere. But championship-caliber teams rarely improve at the deadline without giving up something of value.

The Twins didn't empty the farm system, but they were willing to sacrifice prospect depth to strengthen a roster that believes it can contend now. That's exactly the kind of deadline approach fans had hoped to see.

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What grades would you give each of these trades? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

 

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[twinfan]

B- They improved the bullpen a bit but it was getting better. They got another starter but who is not currently doing well. But they failed to get a right handed hitter who can hurt lefties. I also think both the White Sox and Indians did better and that's who we have to catch. I give them a 14% chance for the division and a 19% chance for a wild card. But we can only hope.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

If I am evaluating the trades themselves  B-/C+. Overpays for all 3 players, but all all likely ok.   

 

For my personally evaluation I give it an F.  This was a tired team that only remained in the hunt due to late game heroics.  This was not a team to buy significantly for.  A closer is a luxury we needed at the beginning of the season - spending for one now at full price is disappointing.  

The market would  have paid handsomely for Jeffers and Larnach.  2027/2028 is our true window to compete.  

[bean5302]

Quote

making the overall price relatively manageable.

High end reliever for 2 PTBNL is "relatively manageable" and gets a B

High end reliever for a top 10 prospect and a couple more PTBNL types gets a B+ because it came with a little cash the Twins didn't need.

[Nashvilletwin]

In what universe is losing the upside of Hill (and Klein for that matter) worth a 1/3rd of a year of Hoffman in ‘26 and who knows how much of a year given the lockout in ‘27 (also at $8.8MM scheduled for ‘27 based on a whole year)?

Overall, would someone please explain how these trades, as well the lack of moving Jeffers and Ryan, improves the likelihood of this team legitimately competing for a World Series title?  None of the three players we acquired, nor Jeffers and Ryan, will be on this team after ‘27.  

Please someone explain it - preferably cogently.  And do not rely on the argument of “going for it this year”.  That is a complete fallacy and pipe dream.  

 

[Mike Sixel]

I give the trade for Kremer an F. Kremer has no upside above number four starter. That's his upside. 

It's an A for Minter. Neither of those guys ever plays for Minnesota. 

I'm unsure how I feel about Hoffman, but it's like a B- or C move for me. 

[DataNerd]

All 3 trades looked like slight overpays, but that seemed true for almost everyone buying this deadline: the options were to overpay or stay on the sidelines.

Given how early the Kramer trade happened, they likely targeted him specifically.  It looks like the worst deal currently, but if they are able to get him back to the 25 version the deal would be a big win.

[TheLeviathan]

Kremer B- eh?

[shimrod]

47 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

If I am evaluating the trades themselves  B-/C+. Overpays for all 3 players, but all all likely ok.   

 

For my personally evaluation I give it an F.  This was a tired team that only remained in the hunt due to late game heroics.  This was not a team to buy significantly for.  A closer is a luxury we needed at the beginning of the season - spending for one now at full price is disappointing.  

The market would  have paid handsomely for Jeffers and Larnach.  2027/2028 is our true window to compete.  

Agree on all points. Twins should have been selling. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

2 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Kremer B- eh?

My guess is Kremer is our 2nd best starter the remainder of the year.   

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

My guess is Kremer is our 2nd best starter the remainder of the year.   

Lord help us all if true.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

4 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Lord help us all if true.

Well I think Ryan needs to go to the IL with a dead arm.  I think Bradley will be our best starter and my guess is Kremer will have a sub 4 ERA - will go 4-3 the remainder of the way.   

I am more optimistic on him that most here.  Worst case is he is effectively done.  I think there is still quite a bit left in the tank and he has just been a victim of SSS.  

[Nashvilletwin]

Seriously, why doesn’t one of the authors on this site publish a well thought out post about how the decisions and actions of TP and JZ at the deadline have improved the chances of the Twins winning the World Series?

Cody, Matthew, Nick, anybody?

Expect crickets…..

[Dman]

It's just hard for me to give this FO credit for getting Hoffman when pretty much the entire baseball world and this entire site felt they needed to get that type of arm in the offseason to replace what they lost at the deadline.

It seems like FO baseball malpractice what they did in the offseason.  Despite everyone's warnings they finally have to use valuable assets to get what they need when prices are highest at the deadline.  That is just extremely poor asset management for a team that cannot afford it.

Maybe the players they gave up turn into nothing burgers and the cost won't matter.  Still the fact they ignored something every pundit and every site felt they needed makes you wonder about the competence of this organization.  I mean if the basic fan could see this coming and the FO couldn't or wouldn't until the deadline it makes them look really, really bad IMO.

 

[Danchat]

40 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I give the trade for Kremer an F. Kremer has no upside above number four starter. That's his upside. 

It's an A for Minter. Neither of those guys ever plays for Minnesota. 

I'm unsure how I feel about Hoffman, but it's like a B- or C move for me. 

I'm basically the same, more B on Hoffman because I'm not high on Hill and they get the extra year of control of Hoffman.

On Kremer, if anything the extra year of control is not helpful. Do we really want to lock in on Kremer at $7M next year when he's a total question mark, and at age 31 who knows if he returns to what he was in his 20s? Would they start him over Abel if they keep Ober?

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

who knows how much of a year given the lockout in ‘27 (also at $8.8MM scheduled for ‘27 based on a whole year)?

The one argument I can give is that other teams treated extra year(s) of control similarly to the past, teams seem to expect that even if they are locked out in 2027, the contracts would toll to 2028. 

10 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

My guess is Kremer is our 2nd best starter the remainder of the year.

5 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Well I think Ryan needs to go to the IL with a dead arm.  I think Bradley will be our best starter and my guess is Kremer will have a sub 4 ERA

He's pitched every bit as poorly as Ryan this July, why should we expect him to pitch at a career high level suddenly in August? He's a career 4.37 ERA starter who is clearly not right this season. I could get being bullish on him rebounding in the offseason (a la Taj Bradley last year), but I don't see where this optimism is stemming from.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

6 minutes ago, Danchat said:

He's pitched every bit as poorly as Ryan this July, why should we expect him to pitch at a career high level suddenly in August? He's a career 4.37 ERA starter who is clearly not right this season. I could get being bullish on him rebounding in the offseason (a la Taj Bradley last year), but I don't see where this optimism is stemming from.

1.  He has been knocking off the rust from coming back from injury.  It is 36 innings that everyone is drawing conclusions from.  that is SSS.  

2.  With being injured he is by default the freshest arm we have out there. 

3.  I expect some simple pitch sequencing to help some

4. Kremer has had good stuff even this year under the hood,  appears to be hit more by bad luck and an extremely high HR rate. 

5. Kremer historical has been a pitcher with multiple 2 runs or less outings then have a blowup.   

I personally think he will have a regression to his mean,  which means he will perform much better down the stretch.  Now I could be wrong but I think he was a fine buy low candidate.  Just not someone worth buying at the deadline.  You could have gotten him for cash considerations or a low prospect after this season.  

[Mike Sixel]

15 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Well I think Ryan needs to go to the IL with a dead arm.  I think Bradley will be our best starter and my guess is Kremer will have a sub 4 ERA - will go 4-3 the remainder of the way.   

I am more optimistic on him that most here.  Worst case is he is effectively done.  I think there is still quite a bit left in the tank and he has just been a victim of SSS.  

You better be right, they gave up a late first/early second round pick for him, according to Fangraphs. That's a lot for a guy that hasn't ever been great. 

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

1.  He has been knocking off the rust from coming back from injury.  It is 36 innings that everyone is drawing conclusions from.  that is SSS.  

2.  With being injured he is by default the freshest arm we have out there. 

3.  I expect some simple pitch sequencing to help some

4. Kremer has had good stuff even this year under the hood,  appears to be hit more by bad luck and an extremely high HR rate. 

5. Kremer historical has been a pitcher with multiple 2 runs or less outings then have a blowup.   

I personally think he will have a regression to his mean,  which means he will perform much better down the stretch.  Now I could be wrong but I think he was a fine buy low candidate.  Just not someone worth buying at the deadline.  You could have gotten him for cash considerations or a low prospect after this season.  

That last sentence is the key issue for me.....100%.

[clone52]

So many ways to think about the trade deadline as a whole.  All depends on your priorities and outlook.

Wanting to contend for a championship this year?  F.  Not enough to get it done

Wanting to contend for playoffs this year and championship next year with no major offseason moves?  C- or D+  Got a hole at C for next year and you really are relying on health and player development to be a championship contender this year.

Wanting to contend for playoffs this year and championship next year with appropriate offseason moves (Starting C, Top 1-3 SP and another above league average bat somewhere):  A or A-.  None of the prospects the twins lost will start impacting the team until 2028 at the earliest, probably 2029.  Can probably sign AJ Minter next year if you want to contend (and he likes Minnesota).  The only reason I say A- is that I think there was likely a move to be made with Tait and/or Emmanual Rodriguez.

If you are demoralized, know the Pohlads will never spend enough to contend, know MLB won't fix things with a cap/floor and your only Twins happines is hoping for the stars to align on enough prospects at the right time: F

[SarasotaBill]

With Buxton limping, Ryan's arm dragging, Lopez/Abel out, Prielropp and Rojas on limited pitches, and some wanted to give up prospects (assets) to "try" to make the playoffs.

Make no mistake about it - these moves were based on the owner trying to drive  up the sale price after the CBA is signed.

He doesn't care about 3 or 4 years from or even 2 years from now.

[sweetmusicviola16]

I would give the Minter trade an A-. Checked the box for need and he's been quality. The Hoffman trade I would downgrade that to a C grade. Prospect capital could have been less if they would have paid all of Hoffman's 2027 salary. C'mon this ownership can afford that extra 3-4 mil. Ridiculous. The Kremer trade? At best I give that a D. I could even be persuaded to go lower. We gave up the potential of Reyes for a DFA candidate by the Orioles.

 

Edit: I like Hoffman and I see him as a good get. But pay out the money instead of pinching pennies.

[bean5302]

54 minutes ago, Dman said:

It's just hard for me to give this FO credit for getting Hoffman when pretty much the entire baseball world and this entire site felt they needed to get that type of arm in the offseason to replace what they lost at the deadline.

It seems like FO baseball malpractice what they did in the offseason.  Despite everyone's warnings they finally have to use valuable assets to get what they need when prices are highest at the deadline.  That is just extremely poor asset management for a team that cannot afford it.

Maybe the players they gave up turn into nothing burgers and the cost won't matter.  Still the fact they ignored something every pundit and every site felt they needed makes you wonder about the competence of this organization.  I mean if the basic fan could see this coming and the FO couldn't or wouldn't until the deadline it makes them look really, really bad IMO.

 

I think that's one reason Falvey was canned, but one reason Zoll should also be canned at the end of the year if the Twins don't go deep into the playoffs.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

In what universe is losing the upside of Hill (and Klein for that matter) worth a 1/3rd of a year of Hoffman in ‘26 and who knows how much of a year given the lockout in ‘27 (also at $8.8MM scheduled for ‘27 based on a whole year)?

Overall, would someone please explain how these trades, as well the lack of moving Jeffers and Ryan, improves the likelihood of this team legitimately competing for a World Series title?  None of the three players we acquired, nor Jeffers and Ryan, will be on this team after ‘27.  

Please someone explain it - preferably cogently.  And do not rely on the argument of “going for it this year”.  That is a complete fallacy and pipe dream.  

 

40/60 Hill makes it to MLB right now with a fair chance he never makes it past AA IMHO. The Twins traded the ceiling and the floor.

Unfortunately, I can't disagree with the sentiment the Twins needed to do more to be true buyers and improve their odds at the division win (probably required to make playoffs) and their odds at advancing deep.

[Road trip]

38 minutes ago, clone52 said:

So many ways to think about the trade deadline as a whole.  All depends on your priorities and outlook.

Wanting to contend for a championship this year?  F.  Not enough to get it done

Wanting to contend for playoffs this year and championship next year with no major offseason moves?  C- or D+  Got a hole at C for next year and you really are relying on health and player development to be a championship contender this year.

Wanting to contend for playoffs this year and championship next year with appropriate offseason moves (Starting C, Top 1-3 SP and another above league average bat somewhere):  A or A-.  None of the prospects the twins lost will start impacting the team until 2028 at the earliest, probably 2029.  Can probably sign AJ Minter next year if you want to contend (and he likes Minnesota).  The only reason I say A- is that I think there was likely a move to be made with Tait and/or Emmanual Rodriguez.

If you are demoralized, know the Pohlads will never spend enough to contend, know MLB won't fix things with a cap/floor and your only Twins happines is hoping for the stars to align on enough prospects at the right time: F

That's a good analysis.

I generally have resided in the "demoralized" camp, given the array of factors stacked against the Twins.  There are so many structural disadvantages facing the Twins that it is hard to envision a world where they will ever be among the favorites.  

Stars can align though, in a variety of ways.  See the Royals in 2014-15.  Flawed team, but young, built on speed and a bullpen, and the stars aligned.  Or the Rangers in 2023.  They had subpar starting pitching (by contender standards) and yet got hot and won it all anyway.

It is really unlikely that the stars will align for the Twins this year.  Or next year.  Really the only structural thing they have going for them is that the rest of the AL happens to be pretty bad right now compared to normal standards.  If you are going to pin hope on something, pin your hope on this.  The year is ripe for upsets in the AL pennant chase.

[Alex Wilde]

What a bunch of whiners on here. Most fans wanted the Twins to add and try to make the team more competitive which they did at about average cost at the trade deadline. They didn’t give up a top 10 prospect unless you want to throw Hill in there although he seems to have regressed from last year and fallen out of top 10 prospect rankings. They gave up a bunch of young wild card prospects and Klein who is a serviceable BP innings eater. What are we talking about here guys? They tried to get value for Larnach and the trade was nixed. They obviously didn’t feel any trade package was acceptable for Jeffers. The team is solid at best sure but it definitely makes for a more fun run to end the season than last year. Stop complaining and just enjoy the ride guys.

[bean5302]

Hill was the only prospect the Twins gave up who looks like they might make an impact at the MLB level, though he's still high risk.

Mintner = A.   The Twins' bullpen needed serious, reliable help. Not flakey guys who are often unplayable for long stretches. Mintner fits the bill and helps really solidify the lefty options. 
Hoffman = A.   Hoffman has the credentials to lock down the back end of the bullpen. Apart from the every reliever experiences weird luck, his peripherals are great and unlike a guy like Pagan who was all peripherals, Hoffman has the background of real success.
Kremer = D.   The Twins needed a bona fide playoff caliber starter to supplement Ryan and Bradley. They didn't get one. Kremer does help solidify the rotation to get to the playoffs, but he doesn't help if we do make it. I think it's going to have to be Prielipp, and that's a lot of growth we need to see to trust in a guy being handled (overmanaged IMO) with kid extra padded mittens from a work load perspective. 

Overall D - The real issues are Kremer vs. Gausman and maybe a RH bat. Swap those 2 things out, and the Twins are far more competitive in the playoffs on paper. Just have to see, but given how far up the ladder the Twins need to climb to make it in, then advance, this feels like an effort, but an effort which didn't really change much.