Kintzler, Garcia Out; Twins Keep Santana, Dozier and Add to Prospect Pool

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Jul 31, 2017

Well the MLB Trade Deadline has passed and those worried the Twins would trade every player over 25 years-old (along with any hopes of making the playoffs before the new decade) can open Twitter again. Brandon Kintzler was dealt to the Washington Nationals in exchange for (A) pitching prospect, Tyler Watson (First Reported by Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post).

Kintzler was an All-Star this season and was near the top of the MLB in saves with 28. He will be used to bolster the back-end of the Nationals’ bullpen.

The Twins opted to only deal guys who had expiring contracts. Dozier and Santana are not those guys. Kintzler and Garcia were, and were dealt to teams jockeying for playoff position (Yankees, Nationals).

Santana, Dozier, and Castro are staying put and are all under contract at-least through next year. That could be a sign that Twins management sees a competing team sooner, rather than later, and didn’t want to deal important pieces to that puzzle.

Eduardo Escobar and Chris Gimenez are both expiring but did not get moved. Both these guys are heralded for their locker room presence. Take that as you want.

Here is what I have found on Watson, who the Twins received for Kintzler, so far:

It is hard to find videos on these younger prospects. These ones are decent. Look how fast he is working in the bottom video.





Brandon Warne @Brandon_Warne shows us these stats off the Baseball-Reference Website:

Seth Stohs from Twins Daily tweeted his rankings for the new Twins’ prospects:




From what I have seen so far, Watson is a low-90’s throwing left-hander with a good curveball. He is young and 6’5″ so some say he could add velocity as he gets older.

With help from Seth Stohs rankings, here is the breakdown of the Twins Trade Deadline:

Trade Away:

  • Brandon Kintzler – (CP)
  • John Ryan Murphy – (AAA) (C)
  • Huascar Ynoa – (A) #22 Prospect – ’17 Twins Prospect Hnbk: Stohs
  • Jaime Garcia – (Acquired for 1 start)

Traded For:

  • Zack Littell – (AA)(RHP) New #16 Prospect: Stohs Above
  • Tyler Watson – (A)(LHP) New #18 Prospect: Stohs Above
  • Dietrich Enns – (AAA)(RHP) New #35 Prospect: Stohs Above
  • Gabriel Moya – (AA)(RHP) New #38 Prospect: Stohs Above
  • Jaime Garcia (Traded away after 1 start)

Obviously all the prospects gained are pitchers. It looks like that was an obvious point of emphasis with the Twins’ lack of pitching. 3 out of the 4 prospects were AA or higher which means they could be ready as soon as next year. Dietrich Ends is a lower-ranked prospect but possibly the furthest along. He may have a chance to get into the bullpen for the Twins before the season ends.

Only time will tell if this was a good trade deadline. On the face. It is hard to argue. The Twins were able to flip their #22 prospect for the #16 with the help of Jaime Garcia. Then they were able to trade an expiring closer, who many think has overachieved,  for another top-20 prospect.

Sprinkle in Enns with Moya and you have what looks like a good, and relatively cheap trade deadline.

Eric Strack
Minnesota Sports Fan @RealMNSportsFan

Sources: YouTube – Greg Goldstein, YouTube – Ryan Sullivan, Twins Daily, Prospect Profile Links: MiLB.com, Chelsea Janes – Washington Post

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