Twins - stunningly - ace the trade deadline

I truly did not see this coming.

As the Twins have stumbled and bumbled their way through most of the summer, hanging on to first place by default, attention turned toward the trade deadline. What would Falvine do? Buy? Sell? Nothing?

I had settled into the nothing camp. I saw, and still see, this team as one that is not a serious threat in October. Why trade away assets to fill holes on a team that needs too much help? 

I also figured the Twins were not going to do much. Maybe a minor trade or two for an extra reliever or starter, but nothing of significance. Nothing that would move the needle. 

But Falvine did something. They did a lot actually. And what they did solidifies the Twins once again as division favorites, without even having to give up that much. 

First they acquired Jorge Lopez, the Orioles all star closer. Then they dealt with the Reds to get starter Tyler Mahle. And then they picked up reliever Michael Fulmer from the Tigers. They also made a minor deal to get Sandy Leon from Cleveland for catching depth. And they cumulatively gave up very little. Gave up a couple reasonably high prospects, but none of the very top. And best of all, both Lopez and Mahle have team control beyond this season.

Mahle is not a frontline starter, but he is a solid pitcher who at least gives you a chance. He's been a little better this year than his numbers might suggest. And on this team? Well he's a playoff starter ahead of Bundy or Archer for sure. 

Lopez gives you two guys now that you can stick at the end of a game (with Duran) and feel good about. Fulmer gives you a far better option earlier in games than Duffey or.Pagan or whichever castoff garbage is being used that day. You now have 4 relievers that will not instill instant dread in Twins fans minds.

That really should be enough. You got about 60 games left, and all you need to do is be better in that time than Cleveland and Chicago (neither of whom made any moves of note), and with what is now a markedly improved pitching staff.

Does it matter in the playoffs? Probably not. I would still make the Twins decided underdogs against whatever hot wild card team would come here for a playoff series. But today made such a series much more likely.to happen.