Minnesota Twins: Sam Dyson trade officially a disaster

So much for the Minnesota Twins getting anything out of Sam Dyson.

In theory, the Minnesota Twins got back a solid bullpen piece in Sam Dyson. The cost was high, with three intriguing prospects heading back to San Francisco, but Dyson could be a difference maker in their bullpen. Instead, he struggled almost immediately upon being acquired, eventually landing on the Injured List with shoulder soreness.

That trade became even more of a disaster on Tuesday. Dyson underwent surgery to repair the capsule in his right shoulder, not only ending his 2019 campaign, but effectively sidelining him for 2020 as well.

The hope was that the Twins would be able to salvage the Dyson trade. He was under team control through next year, and if his shoulder was healthy, Dyson could have been an asset for the upcoming season.

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

Instead, this trade has become a bigger disaster than expected. The only way that Dyson throws another pitch in a Twins uniform would be if he signs a two year deal, receiving close to the minimum in 2020, with the expectation that he will be ready to go in 2021.

Meanwhile, the Twins may come to regret trading some of the pieces they sent to the Giants. Jaylin Davis has already made his major league debut, and while he may not be a future star, he could settle in as a solid fourth outfielder. Prelander Berroa showed potential, but is still in the lower minors.

The Twins biggest regret may end up being Kai-Wei Teng. The Taiwanese righty dominated this season, posting a 1.58 ERA and a 0.967 WHiP, striking out 88 batters with just 21 walks in his 79.2 innings. Granted, it was in A-ball, but his impressive performance is still enough for the Giants to hope he can be a piece for the future.

In the end, it was a gamble that the Twins needed to take. They are battling for a championship, and Dyson was expected to be one of the pieces that could make that a reality. Injuries, however, derailed a move that made sense at the time.

It is easy to look back at the Minnesota Twins acquisition of Sam Dyson and say it was a mistake. Unfortunately, injuries made that deal a disaster.