Which is why no GM ever trades within the division.
Except when they do. All the time.
I don't believe division had anything to do with anything. Chicago took what they thought was the best deal offered. So did Detroit.
Falvine had no money.
You missed the single best target, AJ Puk.
Currently sitting at 3 IP for Arizona, 1 baserunner allowed, 5 K's.
Left handed. 2.3 years of control.
Making less money than the stiff we got from Toronto.
If I had the EQUIVALENT package offered from a team in my division as from outside I'd take the one from my in-division rival.
I'm not concerned with the player I'm trading away, but I'd certainly prefer to take the prospects out of my rival's system than from someone who's future success or failure doesn't impact me as much.
There is no doubt the 6-teams-per-league playoff structure has impacted in-season trades. I don't think front offices should be surprised by that.
But I think this year was unique in that there was an unusually small number of tradeable players on bad teams. I think in most years there'll be more names dealt. Won't ever be cheap though.
Someone is shoveling hoo-hah.
There's zero reason either Detroit or Chicago wouldn't trade a rental to the Twins. Detroit doesn't even play the Twins until 2025.
Both teams would be stupid to take a lesser return just to avoid trading in-division. Hell, they would likely welcome taking prospects out of the Twins system.
I don't buy that story.