Minnesota Twins Trade Lefty Reliever to Boston for Utility Help

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Dec 24, 2024

Mickey Gasper — Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The offseason has been incredible quiet for the Minnesota Twins. That will likely continue, considering they still have cheap owners. This isn’t a team that will be springing to sign even mid-tier free agents, and they’ll need to trade some of their veteran contracts, if they want to make any moves at all.

Although it’s not a move that will rock the boat, new team president Derek Falvey stuffed the organization’s stocking on Christmas Eve with the first move of the offseason. He traded left-handed reliever Jovani Moran to the Boston Red Sox for utility man Mickey Gasper.

Jovani Moran on the way out for Minnesota

We have acquired UTL Mickey Gasper from the Red Sox in exchange for LHP Jovani Móran.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) December 24, 2024

The Minnesota Twins made an appearance at the Winter Meetings, but they weren’t very active while present. The lone move came in the form of Rule 5 Draft selection Eiberson Castellano. Jovani Moran was available for clubs in that draft, but he went unselected. So instead, the Twins shipped him out for utility help.

Moran didn’t pitch for the Twins last season as he underwent Tommy John surgery. He posted a 5.31 ERA across 42 1/3 innings in 2023 and a 2.21 ERA in 40 2/3 innings during 2022. The lefty looked like he could be an option for Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen this season.

Boston needed to clear room for the acquisition of Walker Buehler. Moran gives them a young left-handed bullpen option, if his command ever tightens up. Jovan’s best pitch is his changeup, which can be deadly.

Mickey Gasper could solve Twins catching depth

Gasper has an interesting profile. The 29-year-old was a 27th round pick by the New York Yankees in 2018. He made his major league debut last season with the Red Sox. The switch-hitter played in 13 games and tallied just 23 plate appearances. He scored a run while walking four times but is 0-for-18 to start his career.

Minnesota doesn’t have to put Gasper on the 40-man as he has three minor league options remaining. He has primarily split time between first base and catcher. This could be a move that paves the way for Christian Vazquez to be traded as the roster has only Ryan Jeffers and Jair Camargo as alternatives.

Think Mickey Gasper is comfortable at TD Bank Ballpark?

In his first game back, the @PortlandSeaDogs first baseman swats a home run against his former team.

Watch @RedSox prospects FREE: https://t.co/FYs0Hvr5VW pic.twitter.com/oNIrABy0KY
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 14, 2024

Mickey Gasper is on a TEAR. pic.twitter.com/jNvF1ElvFm
— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) August 10, 2024

A 15% caught stealing rate isn’t exactly ideal, but Gasper owns a better offensive profile. Across 407 minor league games, he has a .275/.392/.449 slash line. Last season between Double an Triple-A, Gasper owned a .970 OPS with 12 home runs. He has elite plate discipline and that was reflected by a 42/56 K/BB rate.

It remains to be seen where the Minnesota Twins will go from here. This is another piece of the offseason puzzle though, and comes just before Santa Claus passes over Target Field.