Twins trade José Berríos to Blue Jays for 2 prospects
Andrew Mckinney The Twins have traded pitcher José Berríos to the Blue Jays, Toronto announced on Friday. Minnesota will receive prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson in exchange for Berríos.
Berríos, 27, has spent six seasons with the Twins after the club drafted him in 2012. Through 20 starts this season, the right-hander has a 3.48 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 121.2 innings pitched.
The deal for Berríos is the second in as many days for Toronto after the club acquired closer Brad Hand from the Washington Nationals on Thursday.
Martin, a shortstop and outfielder, ranks No. 16 in the MLB Pipeline. He's batting .281 with 16 RBIs and 37 walks in 55 games with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats this season.
Woods Richardson, a right-handed pitcher, is the No. 68 prospect in the MLB Pipeline. Through 11 starts this season, he's recorded a 5.76 ERA with 67 strikeouts in double-A. He is currently taking a break from the minor leagues to play for USA Baseball in the Tokyo Olympics.
(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)
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Why the Twins traded José Berríos and targeted top prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson
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What trading for José Berríos means for the Blue Jays, and other thoughts on their deadline moves
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Twins trade José Berríos to Toronto for two top minor leaguers
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What the Twins are getting in the two prospects acquired from the Blue Jays for Jose Bérrios: Keith Law
What does Berríos bring to the Blue Jays?
Kaitlyn McGrath, Blue Jays beat writer: The Blue Jays are in win-now mode, with an explosive big-league offense that has a plus-97 run differential. That ranks fourth in the American League, but the team needed a boost in the starting rotation, especially if they want to make a push for the playoffs.
Berríos now gives the team a solid No. 3 starter, who will slot in behind Hyun Jin Ryu and Robbie Ray. It should also push one of Ross Stripling or Steven Matz to the bullpen, which can bolster that group too with a long guy.
And, bonus, Berríos, isn't a free agent until after next season, so he'll be part of next year's rotation, as well. That's smart planning by the Blue Jays, who could see both Ray and Matz exit in free agency after this season.
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How happy should the Twins be with the return?
Aaron Gleeman, Twins beat writer: Very. Trading a player as valuable and well-liked as Berríos was never going to feel good, but the Twins maximized their return with a half-dozen contenders looking to add the team-controlled frontline starter.
Martin was the No. 5 pick in last year's draft and the 22-year-old shortstop/center fielder has a gaudy .424 on-base percentage at double-A in his taste of pro ball. Woods Richardson is a borderline top-100 global prospect averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings at double-A as a 20-year-old.
They aren't without possible drawbacks — Martin's power is in question and so far, Woods Richardson is more about potential more than performance — but this is clearly a strong return for 1 1/2 seasons of Berríos.