TODAY: Per Craig Mish of FNTSY Radio, the trade has been finalized with the Marlins sending cash considerations to the Twins. It had been previously reported that Minnesota would receive a player to be named later in addition to Romo and Vallimont.
JULY 27, 8:21pm: Both teams have announced the trade.
7:48pm: Righty Chris Vallimont is the minor league pitcher going to Minnesota, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. They’re also getting a player to be named later, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports.
7:33pm: Romo is indeed going to the Twins, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. The Twins are also getting a minor league pitcher, Joel Sherman of the New York Post relays. The Marlins will acquire first base prospect Lewin Diaz, according to Betsy Helfand of the Pioneer Press.
7:28pm: The Twins are “deep into talks” to acquire Marlins reliever Sergio Romo, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. A deal’s likely to be completed.
The 36-year-old Romo served his purpose for the rebuilding Marlins, who signed him for $2.5MM in free agency last winter with the intent of eventually trading him. A former Giant, Dodger and Ray, the three-time world champion continued his effectiveness in Miami, where he notched a 3.58 ERA/3.88 FIP with 7.88 K/9 against 3.11 BB/9 in 37 2/3 innings. Romo also converted 17 of 18 save attempts.
Romo’s velocity maxes out in the mid-80s, making him one of the game’s least imposing hurlers, and he only induces ground balls at a 36.4 percent clip. However, Romo has long shown a penchant for forcing a boatload of infield pop-ups, having done so 14 percent of the time this season, and generating a large amount of soft contact. Romo ranks near the top of the league in hard-hit rate and exit velocity against, according to Statcast, which credits him with an even better expected weighted on-base average against (.276) than the .282 wOBA hitters have mustered off him this year.
Based on his career production and the numbers he has totaled this season, Romo should be a welcome pickup for the Twins, who’ve been in the market for bullpen help for weeks. And his addition shouldn’t preclude them from finding more late-game aid in the coming days. The Twins’ bullpen entered play Saturday ranking better than average in K/BB ratio (ninth) and FIP (11th), but the unit’s closer to middle of the pack in ERA (14th). Moreover, the Twins have jettisoned a handful of notable relievers – Mike Morin, Matt Magill, Adalberto Mejia and Blake Parker – since last week. Those four combined for just over 100 innings of work as part of Minnesota’s relief corps this season. Of their remaining arms, only closer Taylor Rogers and setup man Ryne Harper have recorded easily above-average numbers over a large sample of work.
In Diaz, 22, the Twins are parting with a player they originally signed out of the Dominican Republic for $1.4MM in 2013. Baseball America (subscription required) just ranked Diaz as the Twins’ 10th-best prospect earlier this month. BA lauds Diaz’s defensive ability at first, though it’s worth pointing out he has also excelled on the offensive side in 2019. After opening the season on a tear at the High-A level, Diaz advanced to Double-A for the first time and has since slashed .309/.348/.602 (165 wRC+) with six home runs in 135 plate appearances.
Also 22, Vallimont joined the Marlins as a fifth-round pick just last year. Back then, BA highlighted Vallimont’s fastball – which can hit 96 mph – and “wipeout slider.” More recently, the outlet rated as him as Miami’s 27th overall prospect. Vallimont has produced terrific results this year between the Single-A and High-A levels, where he has combined for a 3.16 ERA with 10.4 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 in 105 1/3 innings.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
and then
NFL preseason games start
nailed it
Solid deal. Guy had always been clutch in World Series. 3 times World Series Champion. That’s more than any Gardner and Sabathia have after 10 years on the Yankees.
…which is 7 less Championships than how many Yogi Berra had and is equal to the number of titles the Twins have had in their entire history.
guess the Deke opened the floodgates
Yes but not Giles,Greene or so on that would make MLB Network get an Insider On the Phone or even in Studio because Fran Charles all by him self.
Does a SP come back with him and do the Indians,Astros,Yankees counter?
Indians pitching has been fine, they don’t have to counter.
Not if they decide to Trade Bauer.
Hopefully the other Pitcher Twins got either gets on MLB Roster or used in another Trade.
You suggest this trade forces the Tribe to add a pitcher, then when it’s pointed out they’re fine you suggest they trade away a pitcher and then trade again to fill that void? Ok?!?
yeah matt galvin come on. did you read anything you posted? you contradicted your own comments in a matter of minutes. why would a sergio romo acquistion force the indians to make a move? and then why would said move possibly be trading trevor bauer???
indians gm – “oh man, twins added a fringe closer, lets pack in and start thinking about the future. time to trade our youngest best starting pitcher for prospects”
Cleveland has Corey Kluber working his way back from injury. That will be a nice addition for the Tribe. They also have Danny Salazar coming back soon as well. He might be able to add to the team as well.
I wouldn’t hold my breath on Salazar. I’ll believe he’ll be able to contribute only when I see it happen
If you read my post carefully I said he might be able to help. In his rehab outing today at AAA Columbus, Salazar pitched 4 shutout innings striking out 5 and giving up only 1 hit. When right, Salazar pitched very well. We will soon see, He is scheduled for one more rehab outing.
That is encouraging. He’d definitely help the Tribe.
People said the same thing about Carrasco at one time….”ooooh, I’ll believe in that headcase when I see it.” The truth is, when Danny Salazar is healthy, he has one of the most lethal fastball-changeup combinations in the game. How people can ignore pure talent is beyond me. Guys with the stuff like Carrasco and Salazar and Bauer are entitled to patience, particularly in a market like Cleveland, which cannot afford to be impatient with genuine talent. Danny’s health just may be the factor that allows Cleveland to roll the dice on acquiring lineup help via a Bauer deal.
Do they counter the acquisition of Sergio Romo…? No… lol I mean don’t get me wrong he’s a serviceable bullpen arm but he’s not a playoff race changing acquisition that the entire rest of the league needs to react to lol
Yes but maybe can get Holland or Chaflin and Jones from Diamindbacks and ship Bauer to another team.
And maybe they should fire the manager and coaching staff when they have no reason to and then go out looking for a new staff…
Twins need Diaz from the Mets.
I would too especially considering Diaz is under team control for the next 2 years and would be going to a team with a much better defensive OF. Difficult thing will be how high of an asking price Mets will demand.
About god dang time
For those of you playing fantasy — Nick Anderson would most likely be MIA’s closer after. Go get him.
Will do, thanks
bless you
I don’t play fantasy baseball, but assuming closer’s get extra points for saves, I’d have to imagine Miami’s closer can’t be all that desirable…
You actually want bad teams closers because they never blow people out. You still need a decent pitcher as closer, but bad teams barely win.
Who would you pick up if he Pirates trade Vasquez and Blue Jays trade Giles?
Kela for the Pirates if he is out of the doghouse. If not, Crick.
Danile Hudson for the Blue Jays.
Any other setup guys you would pick up in anticipation? Logo is already on a team in my league. Maybe Bummer from the white sox? Or lorenzen from the reds?
No thanks. How valuable is a marlins closer? Well considering romo is out there on waivers, that’s where his replacement should remain.
Really depends on the league there, honcho. One of the leagues I’m in is a 12 team categories league and one of those categories is saves. Any closer has value
They acquired instead of inquired.
They inquired, then they acquired.
They were inspired, then they inquired and finally acquired.
I perspired thinking of what transpired and who they acquired.
Whom
Whom? As in whom is the wet blanket? Why it’s Scorcho the 3rd grade English teacher, that’s whom!
Don’t be mad at him that you don’t know correct grammar.
so presumably he takes over for Rogers though I would rather Rogers pitch the 9th than Romo
Sergio will probably be used late in games but not necessarily as a Rogers replacement. Seems to me like a 7th or 8th inning guy.
Glad these 2 came off the board before the braves woulda been desperate enough to get them
A positive 1st step, but only that. Need to add another RP AND make a strong push to acquire Syndergaard. If Mets demand Lewis OR Kirilloff (not both) you make it happen. Thor is under team control for next 2 seasons although arbitration eligible. Cutting ties with both Gibson & Odorizzi allows Falvey (and Pohlads) to keep payroll within their budget.
The Marlins actually got a decent return for Romo it looks like. Lewin Diaz isn’t a star by any means but .290 with 19 HRs in A/AA isn’t half bad. I could see this guy turning into a decent ML 1B/pinch hitter in a year or two
Cmon man…every time. Marlins always moving guys with value as throw ins for players or pieces they dont need. Its stuff like this I’m talking about when I say they still make similar mistakes. Chris Vallimont has upside
not sure Romo has that much value. some but he’s a closer on a bad team
Not talking about Romo
Think they were saying that the Marlins had to add on because Diaz is worth more than Romo alone.
So does Diaz. They desperately need hitters. Not so much on mid- backend Starting pitchers.
Cashman is too busy hugging his prospects to make a trade.
cash man is scrolling through baseball reference to cross off all the guys with beards. So Romo was out.
Porcello, Cashner and Rodriguez all have beards.
LOL!
LOL indeed!
the Yankees are in a good enough position to be picky. theyll get their SP (likely stroman) and will probably end up keeping most of their better prospects in the act. Cashman’s no fool, he’s just playing the market.
Diaz is having a killer season in the minors & just recently was on MLB pipeline’s top 10 list of firstbasemen so it looks serviceable for both parties.
Also PTB in deal. Next Marlin to be Traded is?
probably walker if anyone. rest of their vets arent very good and their arms they are probably keeping. maybe another BP arm? Anderson?
A pitcher with playoff experience and he can close. It’s an excellent pickup for a playoff run.
3 rings
Looks like a win win: Twins get a solid minor league pitcher who likely will have earned a shot at AA and a relief upgrade and the Marlins obtain a hitting prospect, albeit one that doesn’t take enough walks.
Great job by the Royals and Marlins today turning cheap off season signings into multiple prospects.
getting Diaz for Romo and a guy buried in an organization full of pitching is absolute money for the Marlins. clever trade idea to deal a ML player plus a prospect and a ptbnl to get a pretty good one.
I wonder if this reflects the Twins confidence or lack thereof in bringing Cody Allen up from the minors.
When Cody Stashak and Lewis Thorpe are both called up ahead of Allen thats a pretty strong statement that Cody Allen is NOT the answer to any bullpen solution
Way to step up Falvey, how about some more.
Not disappointed, but not impressed either.
Nice haul for both sides. Twins get a win now arm and one potential future arm and Marlins get a 1B prospect, that serves as organizational depth with some upside. Other than Cooper, can’t think of a big league potential first baseman in Marlins organization.
Marlins get rooked again!
How?? They got a good 1B prospect.
Yes b/c that was so important for this organization to do in 2019 right. 1b is sooo tough to figure out, especially when your only legit hitter you actually have is already a 1st baseman. Diaz was Rule 5 eligible too. Typical. I can give a $#!+ about Romo. No reason Vallimont should be in this deal, AND they’ll also get a player to be named later. Great rebuilding type move right there. Makes incredible sense, like all the other guys they tossed in to deals
Nobody was giving up a prospect of Díaz caliber for Romo. Romo alone was going to fetch a low level non-prospect.
The trade is basically Vallimont for Díaz with Romo thrown in to sweeten the pot. Romo was the foot in the door for Miami to land a legit prospect that they actually valued.
Given Miami’s SP depth. Vallimont was always going to be trade fodder.
Caleb Smith is 27 with 4 years of control.
Lopez, Alcántara, Gallen, and Yamamoto are all 23 or younger with 5-6 years of control left.
Then they have Sixto, Cabrera, Garrett, Rodgers, Neidert, Guzman, Holloway, Fitterer, Duggar, Stewart, etc all ahead of Vallimont.
Even if 60% of the guys ahead of him end up busting, Miami still wouldn’t have much need for him and that assuming Miami never acquires any other pitchers that are better than him in the next couple years.
Vallimont has no future with the Marlins. And you’ll probably see several other SPs shipped off for bats at some point.
Díaz is the type of kid Miami needs more of. If they can add more like him by chucking away with low level/mid tier prospects and spare vet parts, they should absolutely do it.
You are misunderstanding my points…also, pitching depth can quickly thin out. Just ask the Marlins from a couple of years ago. How did that happen? From tossing guys into deals for no reason. They “absolutely loved” Diaz. That’s what happened, as is typical of every other move they make where they dont care about value as long as they get what they want. And I never argued against trading Vallimont in general. As a 1st baseman, Diaz is going to have to really hit. Hopefully he does.
Marlins didn’t toss Vallimont into a deal for no reason. Romo alone wasn’t going to fetch anything of value.
He was just the conversation starter for a larger trade to land a kid they wanted.
Do you have issue with a Vallimont for Díaz deal? I don’t. And anybody else should either. Adding Romo to that doesn’t move the needle at all for the fish.
Nice to see he is also not a Brave.
Diaz is actually a pretty good get for the Marlins.
Can’t expect a big return on romo but this is from the longenhagen chat
”
Nate: I would like your opinion on the A-ball pitchers Chris Vallimont, MIA and Joey Cantillo, SD
12:14
Eric A Longenhagen: have nothing on Vallimont right now.”
Not a very well known prospect, he doesn’t even have a grade on his page.
Can’t expect a big return on romo but this is from the longenhagen chat
”
Nate: I would like your opinion on the A-ball pitchers Chris Vallimont, MIA and Joey Cantillo, SD
12:14
Eric A Longenhagen: have nothing on Vallimont right now.”
Not a very well known prospect, he doesn’t even have a grade on his page.
That’s some pretty damn good value the Marlins got for Romo. I wouldn’t have ever expected this kind of return.
FangRaphs has Diaz as a 35+ and had him as their 38th prospect just 3 months ago. Baseball America were clearly the high guys on him.
I’ve seen young Verlander comps for Vallimont in the past
One thing I’ll say for Diaz that gives me hope is his K rate. He doesnt strike out much, which is obviously a good sign, but he doesnt walk either…
Alright! More prospects for the Marlins to look at.
I follow minnesota as well as a few other teams. I liked Lewin Diaz, I really liked what the twins did with him over the years. I think he will be a solid major leaguer someday and to get that for a closer on the tail-end of his career is a job well done by the marlins. I give minnesota credit as well because you take away 2 of his early year opener games where he yielded 4 er’s in 1 inn each and he’s been very dominant, especially lately. Should be an asset for the remainder of 2019.
Seems like a sweat deal for the twins and a ok deal for the marlins. Wouldn’t call it a fail like their normal trades, but throwing that extra minor leaguer kinda wash out the prospect they are getting a tiny bit. Overall…. B+ for the twins, B- for the marlins
This should put Cleveland into panic mode.
Diaz is good; the Marlins did okay here.
It’s tough to grade this as much of anything for the Twins or Marlins. Since Romo is basically just a cheap rental middle reliever at this point the real swap is Vallimont for Diaz. I can understand the Twins moving Diaz as he’s roadblocked and Vallimont is roadblocked for the Marlins as well.
Hopefully something notable comes from this epic deadline move. I’m sure all of baseball is absolutely enthralled by it.
Pretty obvious it is not a high impact, national news deal. That said, I think it balances just fine in that the Twins, with a farm pretty well stocked with hitters but in search of pitching depth, matched up in a deal with a pitching rich team who needed hitting. We’ll have to wait to see how the 22 year olds do in the future, as they are the core of the deal. Romo is good veteran piece to help stabilize the young bullpen for the stretch, although Houston, NYY, et al will not be frightened by 84 mph.
Villimont’s value is actually on par or better then Hatch (To Toronto for Phelps) and Johnston (To Toronto for Hudson) and that is who the Twins got In return WITH Romo so I think they did well in this trade even if Lewin Diaz lives up to his potential.