Otto von Ballpark

Would the Twins have been better served by trading Glen Perkins in 2011? In 2011, Perkins was a local boy experiencing his big league breakout in his first full relief season while his team sat around 6 games under .500 in late July, just like Varland in 2025. Both turned 28 those years, and although Perkins only had two years of club control remaining versus Varland's five, Varland is expected to have four years of arbitration eligibility and Perk ultimately gave up his first two free agent years in a modest extension that offseason. Perkins was very good for the Twins the next few years, becoming an all-star and marketable leader, although the Twins somewhat predictably failed to return to contention. We finally snuck in a wild-card chase just as Perkins began losing his effectiveness in the second half of 2015. It's often said that it's better to trade a player too early rather than too late, and the Twins appear to have taken that approach with Varland.

I believe Sabato would be eligible for minor league free agency after next season (2026).

I did not know that! According to this 2020 interview, Paddack ate Domino's. The Tigers share their owner with Little Caesar's.

And he could see a lot of time at 2B. From the Sunday Star Tribune Twins notes: Keaschall "is not expected to play any outfield this season, recovering from a forearm fracture, so he will be used as a second baseman and designated hitter."

The Tigers owe Maeda virtually all of that money, since they released him. The Yankees only pay him the minimum while he is on their roster (or presumably the AAA minimum while he is down there).

The bullpen usage chart suggests Travis Adams will be the primary pitcher today, and Noah Davis should make an appearance too. Adams had been throwing 50-68 pitches every ~5 days until the all-star break, but his usage has been irregular since -- 18 pitches in the first game after the break, then a season-high 83 pitches nine days later, and now ?? pitches today after 8 days rest. WED THU FRI SAT SUN TOT Ureña 0 0 0 0 69 69 Sands 13 0 20 0 21 54 Ohl 0 0 0 52 0 52 Topa 22 0 13 0 15 50 Funderburk 0 0 11 0 35 46 Davis 31 0 0 0 0 31 Tonkin 0 0 11 0 14 25 Ramírez 0 0 0 0 9 9 Adams 0 0 0 0 0 0

Good point! So far, the only other Pressly report that I found is that the Astros are "weighing the possibility" per Bob Nightengale. But if the alternatives are the Twins or retirement, I suppose Pressly can afford to wait and see if a better team loses a RP to injury in August.

Dan Hayes in the Athletic today details how Griffin Jax requested a trade after the Twins began dealing other players. Combined with the fact that Jax was later dealt only minutes before the deadline, this suggests that the Twins weren't entirely enamored with the Taj Bradley return, but the scales were ultimately tipped by the surprising Varland trade and Jax's own dissatisfaction.

A (perhaps predictable) tidbit from Dan Hayes today in the Athletic:

Are you referring to the Prospect Promotion Incentive? It appears Keaschall has lost eligibility already due to his time on the MLB IL. Rodríguez would be eligible, but in addition to making the opening day roster with rookie eligibility next year, he would either need to win the Rookie of the Year award, or have a top-3 league MVP finish within his first 3 seasons, in order for the Twins to get an extra draft pick.

Abel and Bradley both officially optioned now too. Unless we lose another active player to waivers/IL/etc., Bradley can't be recalled until August 8 (due to the 15 day minimum for pitchers), so he will likely make at least one start for St. Paul. Still one spot open for tonight...

Outman has been on the Dodgers bench the past month, playing sparingly, so perhaps they want him to knock the rust off in AAA for a bit (and try to get his AAA K% down from 30.3% before testing him against MLB competition again?).

8 of 9 have just been announced: Minnesota Twins activated LF Alan Roden. Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP José Ureña from St. Paul Saints. Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP Erasmo Ramírez from St. Paul Saints. Minnesota Twins recalled CF Austin Martin from St. Paul Saints. Minnesota Twins recalled 2B Edouard Julien from St. Paul Saints. Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Pierson Ohl from St. Paul Saints. Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Travis Adams from St. Paul Saints. Minnesota Twins recalled 3B Ryan Fitzgerald from St. Paul Saints.

He didn't even address you as "The Great"?

Is there a looming Rule 5 protection crunch? They now have 5 open spots on the 40-man, will be 4 after Keaschall is activated (then 3 when López is activated), but there is still some filler there that can easily be cut as needed too.