The Minnesota Twins bolstered their bullpen by acquiring relief pitcher Sergio Romo from the Miami Marlins.
The Minnesota Twins made a major move by acquiring relief pitcher Sergio Romo, Chris Vallimont, and a player to be named later by sending Lewin Diaz to the Miami Marlins.
To me on paper, this seems like the Twins took the Marlins for a ride on this one. They received two great pitchers, one of which is established and the second was the Marlins No. 23 rated prospect and there is still another player they will receive.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Now they did give up their No. 30 prospect in Diaz, but still, this trade seems lopsided. The Twins are smart to add a bullpen pitcher with so much postseason experience. This year he has been very reliable in the Marlins bullpen, with a 3.58 ERA and 17 saves in 18 save opportunities.
The main reason they acquired Romo is his postseason experience. He was part of three World Series Championships with the San Francisco Giants. In 27 postseason games, he has a 3.09 ERA with 4 saves.
They get a decent prospect in Vallimont as well. Only time will tell how good this 22-year-old can be. He has a career 3.82 ERA in several seasons in Class-A ball. This season has been his best so far with a 2.99 ERA in 13 starts with 80 strikeouts.
The Twins gave up Diaz, the 22-year-old first baseman prospect has a career .273 batting average in 6 seasons with 249 RBI’s and 55 home runs. He has the potential to be great, but again like Vallimont, they are at least 2 or 3 seasons away from having any impact at the Major League level.
Adding Sergio Romo immediately improves the Minnesota Twins bullpen and gives them the postseason experience they covet with such a young and inexperienced team. This should allow manager Rocco Baldelli to be confident in going to his bullpen with such an experienced veteran there.