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Cardinals, Twins Swap John Gant For J.A. Happ

By Steve Adams | July 30, 2021 at 2:18pm CDT

In a swap of two struggling pitchers, the Cardinals and Twins swapped righty John Gant for lefty J.A. Happ, per announcements from both clubs. Minnesota also picks up minor league southpaw Evan Sisk in the deal.

Gant, unlike Happ, is controllable for another year beyond the current campaign. The 28-year-old Gant has long worked as a swingman in St. Louis, pitching to a 3.72 ERA in 339 innings dating back to his 2016 debut with the Braves. He’s sporting a solid-looking 3.42 ERA on the season, but that’s a deceiving mark; Gant has issued a staggering 56 walks in 76 1/3 innings this year, to go along with an identical 56 punchouts. That lack of command makes him a surefire regression candidate if he can’t right the ship.

John Gant | Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

That said, while command has never been Gant’s strong suit, he’s also never struggled to quite this level. Gant walked a still-too-high 12.1 percent of batters from 2017-20, but he’s seen that mark balloon to 16.2 percent in 2021. Meanwhile, his 20.6 percent strikeout rate from 2017-20 has dropped, matching that 16.2 percent walk rate.

Gant is earning $2.1MM this year and is due a raise in arbitration this coming offseason, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be tendered by the Twins. But he’ll give his new club some length in the bullpen or perhaps even as a starter down the stretch, where he’ll have a couple months to prove he can improve his command and contribute next year.

In Happ, the Cards will pick up a veteran innings eater, but one whose struggles have been rather alarming. The 38-year-old has soaked up 98 1/3 innings for the Twins this season but been clobbered for a 6.77 ERA along the way. Happ has been impacted a bit by an elevated .332 average on balls in play, but he’s also been among the game’s most homer-prone pitchers, averaging 1.92 dingers per nine innings pitched.

J.A. Happ | Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Even more perplexing is that Happ’s struggles have only grown in recent weeks. He hasn’t made a quality start since April 28 and hasn’t surrendered fewer than three runs in an outing since the end of May. Dating back to June 1, Happ is toting an 8.13 ERA, and sticking to just the month of July, he’s yielded more runs (28) than innings pitched (27).

Even with the Twins taking back Gant’s contract and kicking in cash, it’s something of a surprise to see the Cardinals include a minor leaguer in this deal. Sisk isn’t one of the organization’s top prospects, but he’s turned in a 3.31 ERA in 32 1/3 innings out of the bullpen between Class-A Advanced and Double-A so far in 2021. He’s fanned a very strong 29.1 percent of his opponents, but he’s also walked batters at an ugly 12.7 percent clip. Sisk, the Cardinals’ 16th-rounder back in 2018, induces grounders at a strong clip and at least has a chance of eventually emerging as a lefty option in the Minnesota ’pen.

It’s probably more than most would’ve expected the team to get for the struggling Happ, but it underscores the Cardinals’ need to simply accumulate innings to fill out the rotation after doing little to address their questionable starting pitching depth in the offseason.

La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune first reported the Twins were moving a starting pitcher. Robert Murray of FanSided first reported that the Twins were acquiring Gant. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweeted Happ was going to Minnesota. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweeted that the Twins were also getting Sisk in the deal

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Minnesota Twins Newsstand St. Louis Cardinals Transactions J.A. Happ John Gant

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View Comments (81)
Post a Comment

81 Comments

  1. Schroeder

    4 years ago

    What a bold move by Mo and the Cardinals lol

    4
    Reply
    • Francys01

      4 years ago

      Well at least Mozeliak did something at this trade deadline. I don’t blame him that he is not doing anything else so far because we are far from first place by many games.

      1
      Reply
    • Hubert

      4 years ago

      Will team up with T.J. Zeuch to provide a potent 1-2 punch.

      1
      Reply
    • SlippinJimmy89

      4 years ago

      I am totally and completely perplexed by this deal. As confused as I have been over any trade I’ve ever seen.

      2
      Reply
      • bighiggy

        4 years ago

        So we gave up a decent reliever and a decent minor league reliever for a terrible starter? Wtf

        4
        Reply
        • Baldkid

          4 years ago

          HAHAHAHA – yep

          1
          Reply
  2. captainskol

    4 years ago

    What the hell?!?!?! We actually got something for Happ. Ok. Thanks I guess. I don’t know anything about Gant but can’t really do any worse than Happ.

    7
    Reply
    • EndinStealth

      4 years ago

      He can’t throw strikes. it’s a lateral move. Both teams dumping players that weren’t going to be on their respective team next year.

      2
      Reply
    • Putmeincoach12

      4 years ago

      Terrible trade by Cards. Gant has great stuff but walks way too many people but usually gets out of the trouble. He is worth way more that a 38 yr old at the end of his career. I am stunned but then again. Mo sucks.

      3
      Reply
  3. Comment Section Mod

    4 years ago

    What an awful, awful move by the Cardinals. Minnesota just got Gant and a prospect for negative 2 WAR Happ? Ok then…

    8
    Reply
    • Comment Section Mod

      4 years ago

      Those walks are bad for Gant but at least he gets results.

      Reply
    • SlippinJimmy89

      4 years ago

      Yeah…. What am I missing here? How utterly bizarre.

      5
      Reply
      • Buster79

        4 years ago

        Happ’s ERA is double Gants, he’s more expensive and the Cardinals are the ones throwing in a prospect? I don’t get it.

        8
        Reply
        • rocknwell

          4 years ago

          They probably felt bad for stealing Arenado so they had to make up for it some how.

          Reply
  4. bigfudge

    4 years ago

    Hmm.

    Reply
  5. Barkerboy

    4 years ago

    The Twins are Happless

    15
    Reply
    • luclusciano

      4 years ago

      Well now Happful they do well

      Reply
  6. bamck

    4 years ago

    Cardinals just wanted to be involved in the madness

    3
    Reply
  7. mlb1225

    4 years ago

    The best news to come out of today is Bob Nightengale getting trolled by a fake Jeff Passan account.

    4
    Reply
  8. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    erm, what STL?

    1
    Reply
  9. DocBB

    4 years ago

    WTH would the Cardinals do this??? A worse and more expensive rental??

    4
    Reply
    • CuddyFox

      4 years ago

      Cardinals did this so they do not have to hear Gant whining and complaining anymore about getting pulled from the rotation.

      2
      Reply
  10. EliMorganFanClub

    4 years ago

    This ain’t it Cardinals

    2
    Reply
    • Moneyballer

      4 years ago

      cardinals ain’t it.

      Reply
  11. partyatnapolis

    4 years ago

    how does this make any sense for the cardinals lol

    4
    Reply
  12. Poster formerly known as . . .

    4 years ago

    I’ll say it: The Twins are now officially Happless.

    1
    Reply
  13. crumpy24

    4 years ago

    What

    1
    Reply
  14. spudcrazylegs

    4 years ago

    Trash.

    1
    Reply
  15. brockswipessecond

    4 years ago

    Mo did what?

    3
    Reply
    • Hit4me

      4 years ago

      Nothing, let’s pretend he did nothing

      4
      Reply
      • rocknwell

        4 years ago

        Lol

        Reply
  16. cardsgoingyard

    4 years ago

    My God what an asinine move for the Cards. Gant was expendable of course but Happ has an almost 7.00 ERA. How in the hell does this move improve the team now or for the future?! Am I missing something??

    4
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      4 years ago

      Happ on the move again. Why does this guy continue to show appeal with other clubs.

      1
      Reply
    • Lanidrac

      4 years ago

      Yeah, even Oviedo is still a better rotation option than this guy.

      Reply
  17. Molina4HOF

    4 years ago

    Wow. I would of rather the Cardinals do absolutely nothing then this terribleness.

    11
    Reply
  18. Larry David's Joe Pepitone Jersey

    4 years ago

    Bob Nightengale: the Leon Lett of sports journalism

    Reply
  19. Hit4me

    4 years ago

    Mo kinda of move. Happ is dfa material

    Reply
  20. Comrade Tipsy McStagger

    4 years ago

    I thought the Twins were going to DFA Happ. LOL.

    5
    Reply
    • Comrade Tipsy McStagger

      4 years ago

      Clearly, Cards management thinks they can right the Happ ship and provide mediocre to perhaps decent pitching as he eats those innings up. Happ is only a year removed from being a solid pitcher.

      2
      Reply
      • Buster79

        4 years ago

        He’s also only a year removed from being 40.

        2
        Reply
        • Comrade Tipsy McStagger

          4 years ago

          A 3.0 plus WAR regression isn’t common, even among the elderly. Early in the season he almost pitched a no-hitter for the Twins. Maybe age did catch up to him and maybe a change of scenery will reignite him a bit.

          Reply
        • Lanidrac

          4 years ago

          Such a sudden collapse due to age also isn’t that rare. See: Matt Carpenter and numerous other examples.

          2
          Reply
  21. south.city.hustle

    4 years ago

    The trade cant be this simple. There is something else going on. Or I at least hope so.

    Reply
    • Riontyler

      4 years ago

      Sir, you must not follow the happenings of the Mo-tie and his team. Its sickening to be honest….he will be in that position until old mr. DeWitt kicks the bucket.

      Reply
      • south.city.hustle

        4 years ago

        I feel like I am just in a continuous state of perplexion but hold out hope at the same time. I now realize how sad I am.

        1
        Reply
  22. waterdog311

    4 years ago

    Apparently they got tired of the walks and are looking to hand out more souvenirs to those seated in Ballpark Village. Bring a glove folks!

    3
    Reply
  23. allweatherfan

    4 years ago

    The Cards would have been better off just releasing Gant. Sheesh.

    2
    Reply
  24. dmarcus15

    4 years ago

    I thought Gant would be used to try and get Story from the Rockies.

    2
    Reply
  25. STLBirds86

    4 years ago

    Time to fire Mo and company, wtf! Happ is trash and at least Gant can pitch a little better.

    2
    Reply
  26. jimmyz

    4 years ago

    As a Pirates fan I love this trade

    1
    Reply
    • Binnington50

      4 years ago

      Because the Pirates have SOOOOO much to play for.

      Reply
      • jimmyz

        4 years ago

        Never said they did and I’m realistic enough to see that next year won’t be good either. Just taking some pleasure in the minor victory of seeing a division rival make a terrible move while the Bucs haven’t really done anything today

        1
        Reply
        • Binnington50

          4 years ago

          The Bucs haven’t done anything today other than trading their closer? Enjoy the basement this year. And the year after that. And the decade after that.

          Reply
  27. Riontyler

    4 years ago

    Bahahah. This is bananas. B-a-n-a-n-a-s…

    In other news, Mo was quoted as saying “we cant mortgage the future”. A quick check revealed, Mo is a turd burger that cannot gauge talent.

    2
    Reply
  28. Mr. E Team

    4 years ago

    J.A. Happ’s 7th trade! Free sub time !

    3
    Reply
    • Buster79

      4 years ago

      6 is a serious number!

      1
      Reply
  29. tombenton

    4 years ago

    Mo ‘s BIG trade, We’re going to the WS now…lol

    Reply
  30. bryce1344

    4 years ago

    Happ gives them innings that Gant could not. He was going to be non tendered next year anyway. He has a bad attitude since they removed him from starting role but he walked so many batters he could not provide innings

    1
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      4 years ago

      Gant didn’t need innings to pitch out of the bullpen. Meanwhile, Happ isn’t going to give them many more innings than Oviedo and LeBlanc do.

      Reply
    • EndinStealth

      4 years ago

      Bingo.

      Reply
  31. rond-2

    4 years ago

    Nice move Twins, you got something for Happ. Count your blessings on this trade.

    3
    Reply
    • captainskol

      4 years ago

      yeah I was shocked we got anything for Happ. I thought we were gonna just DFA him and let him sign wherever he could. oh well we will roll the dice on the younger Gant. He will probably start for us now that we have a couple holes in the rotation

      3
      Reply
  32. Joe It All

    4 years ago

    You happy Cards fans? John Mozeliak was reading your comments about making a move for pitching and did just that

    Reply
    • Eatdust666

      4 years ago

      They are actually pissed off judging by the comments.

      Reply
  33. alwaysgo4two

    4 years ago

    Cards are done. I don’t see anything from them to make me think otherwise.

    Reply
  34. EndinStealth

    4 years ago

    The reason this trade was made by the Cardinals, imo, is because they need innings. Flaherty and Mikolas are both coming back. We will see how long with Mikolas. Happ has had very little success this season but can go 6 innings. Gant really couldn’t be counted on for more than 4 while in the rotation. Neither Flaherty nor Mikolas will go deep into games and the bullpen will be worked over more so than it has been. Gant was not going to be a Cardinal in 2022. He was almost nontendered for 2021. Happ, obviously, won’t be back either but will serve the purpose for the rest of 2021. That’s my take on the why anyway.

    1
    Reply
    • Lanidrac

      4 years ago

      Gant was no longer in the rotation, anyway. Meanwhile, exactly how many more innings do you really think Happ will provide over Oviedo or LeBlanc until Flaherty and Mikolas get back in a couple of weeks?

      Reply
  35. twins33

    4 years ago

    Okay, now the Twins are just showing off. How did they even get ANYONE for Happ!?!

    6
    Reply
  36. Moneyballer

    4 years ago

    I’m questioning whether this is real or not?

    3
    Reply
  37. STLBirds86

    4 years ago

    Can we all agree that this is the worst trade deadline deal?

    2
    Reply
    • rond-2

      4 years ago

      Not for the Twins!

      1
      Reply
    • Baldkid

      4 years ago

      Or best, depending on your perspective

      2
      Reply
  38. outhaus33

    4 years ago

    Happ is from my home town and has done great things for the community, but I don’t see how this benefits STL in any way

    1
    Reply
  39. nottinghamforest13

    4 years ago

    Now the front office can officially say they made a move at the deadline and cannot be accused of being completely idle. Dan McLaughlin was so drunk during a traffic stop he peed in his pants.

    1
    Reply
  40. thatswhtshesd

    4 years ago

    Why did MOron feel the need to include Sisk??!! Happ is awful!! I would rather watch Gant throw IBB for RBIs.

    Reply
  41. nyy17 2

    4 years ago

    Who is John Gant?

    Is John Gant the child of Ron Gant and John Galt?

    Reply
    • DonOsbourne

      4 years ago

      Yes. Yes he is.

      Reply
  42. Lanidrac

    4 years ago

    Um, the Cardinals actually had great starting pitching depth at the beginning of the season. It’s just that most of it has gone sideways:
    Wainwright: Good
    Kim: Missed a couple of weeks at the beginning of the season and one start later on, but otherwise good.
    Reyes: Good, but being used exclusively out of the bullpen this year out of health concerns.
    Flaherty: Injured
    Mikolas: Injured
    Martinez: Inconsistent and injured.
    Ponce de Leon: Lousy and injured.
    Woodford: Decent as a long reliever, recently stretched out to fill in for the rotation.
    Gant: Struggled heavily with walks, caught up to him, demoted to the bullpen.
    Oviedo: Lousy

    That’s a depth of 10 Major-league ready starting pitchers the Cardinals originally had, but most of them just haven’t worked out this year for various reasons.

    Reply
  43. rocknwell

    4 years ago

    I see the reasoning here, but why not at least get someone who gives up fewer runs than Happ?

    Reply
  44. rocknwell

    4 years ago

    You know what’s really funny is that Happ and Co. are currently playing the Cardinals in STL. All he has to do is walk over to the other side! Would
    Be hilarious if Stl put him in to pitch against the Twins right away.

    Reply
  45. jmlang

    4 years ago

    Happ and Lester are just a place holders for the big boys eventual return. They’ll fill in and be gone at the end of the season. Baring some miracle the Birds on the bat are not gaining 10 games to be relevant. So no harm no foul.

    Reply

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