The Blue Jays acquired reliever Louis Varland and first baseman Ty France from the Twins, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Lefty Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden will head to the Twins in the deal, adds Bannon. The trade is now official.
The Twins went well beyond expectations as sellers at the 2025 deadline, having also dealt Carlos Correa, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Willi Castro, Danny Coulombe, Brock Stewart, Harrison Bader, and Chris Paddack.
Varland qualifies as an unexpected trade, given that he’s under team control through 2030. The Twins dealt all five of their high-leverage relievers this month, Varland included. The 27-year-old righty is in the midst of a breakout season, spending the entire year in the Twins’ bullpen and posting a 2.02 ERA in 49 innings. That’s come with a 23.9 K%, 6.6 BB%, and greatly improved 54.5% groundball rate. Working entirely as a reliever, Varland’s fastball velocity has soared to an average of 98.1 miles per hour.
The Blue Jays landed five-plus years of what looks like a very good setup man in Varland, though they could consider moving him back to the rotation in the future. Varland comes from strong bloodlines, as his older brother Gus has pitched in the Majors for the Brewers, Dodgers, and White Sox. Louis was drafted by the Twins in the 15th round in 2019 out of Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Varland made his MLB debut in 2022, and began last season as a member of the Twins’ rotation. That lasted only five turns, plus some spot starts. By September of last year, Varland had moved into more of a traditional relief role, and has since found his first sustained MLB success.
Given that Varland won’t even be arbitration eligible until 2027, the Blue Jays have plenty of time to decide his long-term role. They will have some rotation openings next year given the impending free agencies of Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Eric Lauer. For now, Varland can slot in alongside new bullpen addition Seranthony Dominguez behind closer Jeff Hoffman.
France, 31, joined the Twins in February on a $1MM free agent deal. He’s logged the vast majority of the Twins’ innings at first base this year, posting a subpar 92 wRC+ in 387 plate appearances. A righty batter, France has not done particularly well against lefties or righties over the last two seasons. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. locked in at first base and George Springer (and perhaps eventually Anthony Santander) typically handling DH duties, France seems set for a modest bench role in Toronto.
The Twins and their fans are left to pick up the pieces after president of baseball operations Derek Falvey traded 10 players this month. Rojas, a 22-year-old who signed out of Cuba for $215K in 2020, made the jump to Triple-A yesterday. Baseball America labeled him a 50-grade high risk prospect, saying he “shows starter traits with a deep arsenal of average-or-better pitches and command.” Rojas has made 10 starts this year across four minor league levels and should be in the Twins’ rotation mix next year.
Roden, 26 in December, was the Blue Jays’ third-round pick back in 2022. A lefty batter, Roden “projects to hit for a high average with high walk rates” per Baseball America, upon giving him a 50 high-risk grade as well. He profiles as a corner outfielder. While Roden has fared poorly in his 113 big league plate appearances, he has a 150 wRC+ at Triple-A this year and has little left to prove there. He should be able to find playing time in left for the Twins this year given the departures of Bader and Castro.
This post was originally published at 5:05pm.
Thank goodness!
Is there anyone left on the Twins??
I guess… Joe Ryan… 😮💨
They just called me and asked if I was available to pitch, they said they were just working their way down the phone book
First 20k fans get entered in raffle to pitch a major league inning
It’s rare when “can’t tell the players without a program” is THIS true…
This is disappointing
So much for all the available arms they “were interested in”….
As a jays fan, ya. I feel for the twins fans, but management chose their path and went for the sell off. As for the jays, super underwhelming deadline dud. Pretty sure Ross was stuck in the can without a phone for most of the day.
He should stay away from the taco places
I think we did great. A starter. Two bullpen pieces, one of which is with us for the next five years and good bench player. We didn’t give up any of our main prospects but to get we have to give and we did. Bieber could be an absolute steal. Jays fans just like to complain. They hate it when we don’t do anything, and they hate it when we do. We have just solidified our bullpen and added an ace. I think that’s great.
Very good. Great would have been if the RH bat could play outfield. If Springer is going to DH, France is stuck on the bench. They needed an impact bat that could be utilized more than just being Vlad’s backup.
France can also play 3b, ss, 2b. He’s mostly played 1b but he can play all over the infield. He takes over for Wagner.
France can’t play 3B, SS or 2B well. Stop that.
Check his baseball reference
5 foot 11 and 215 pounds. Overweight for a 2B and he is not listed as a SS so you are 0 for 2. Has not played 3B since 2022.
You should have probably scanned baseball references before you decided to lose this argument. Ty France is one dimensional on defense and not a good enough hitter according to this year’s numbers.
He’s played 2b this year and played 3b during spring training. I was wrong about ss. He’s not Ernie Clement and nor do we need him to be. He needs to back up Vladdy at 1b, be able to play 2b/3b when needed. Play against lefties. Pinch hit when needed. Be a strong veteran voice in the clubhouse. In other words a bench player, which is what he is and what we want him to be. The main person in that trade was Varland. We got a great setup arm and a good bench player. Just like I said. Whats your issue?
The issue is they needed an impact bat, right handed. France is not impact, and he’s not flexible as a defender as he’s terrible. What it says is Santander might not come back. They needed a big bat and didn’t get it.
But that doesn’t change the fact that you lied about France’s defensive abilities. Like I said, stop it.
I didn’t lie. It just doesn’t have him at SS. He’s played 2b & 3b. You said he never did and he has. In fact he’s been training there with the twins. We needed pitching more than anything. With Varsho and Gimenez coming back. With the emergence of Barger and Lopifido we needed pitching and that’s what we got. A good bench piece is nice too.
So again, whats your issue?
I didn’t lie. I just said he’s a good bench piece to pick up. They could probably pop him out into LF/RF in a pinch. We now don’t have to rely on a rookie to do pinch hitting duties. These trades are a win.
Bieber is the only real risk. Super high reward but still a risk. But that’s baseball.
Whats your issue?
You lied, admit it, you said Ty France played SS, 2B and 3B. He really doesn’t. Either you lied or you do not know what you’re talking about. Pick one, or the other. So, I guess my issue is I disagree with you and you don’t know what you’re talking about.
I also laid out what the Jays needed yet you continue to ignore it and ask a silly question. Since you know nothing, you don’t know what you can’t comprehend, correct? Yes.
For the 5th time: impact bat, preferably one that can start, preferably OF or 3B, preferably RH. France is only RH. The Jays had the best record in baseball and needed to improve a suspect lineup that could not score the first two months of the year. Again, you wouldn’t know.
You’re exhausting. Are you even a fan? I swear some Jays fans seem crazy to me. You don’t listen or read or comprehend anything. Have a good day. I’m done with this convo.
Are you a Jays fan? This is a nice get
Minnesota says take our entire pen!
Had a heck of a pen this year
For real, tryouts are tomorrow from 11-3pm. Now’s your chance to be a big leaguer without the minor league struggles.
Twins are trading entire team?
Twins literally just ran a damn bulldozer through their entire roster. My goodness. Seems very unnecessary.
Lost with them can lose without them. Can’t blame teams for selling. One of maybe greatest seller markets I can remember.
that’s the best way to describe it. Demo day for Minnesota!
Arizona said hold my beer Minnesota….
I see 5 main players from Arizona traded whereas Minnesota traded 10. Wow! Arizona is doing a rebuild but Minnesota bulldozed the house completely.
2003 Marlins-esque firesale for the Twinkies
How about 1998?
It’s been reported the Twins will be holding open tryouts before tomorrow nights game to try to fill all of the vacant roster spots…
Still need an ace and power bat
There was no ace available, hopefully Santander is back at some point
The Jays had a chance to grab Adley Rutchsman at the end but didn’t move quick enough…
Santander never hit (this year) when he was healthy….
… Alleluia!
The Twins just traded half of their 26-man roster.
Now THIS is a firesale!
Yes. People throw that word around way to easily.
WHAT THE FU*K IS HAPPENING?!?! Most of my team is gone. Even our local kid Louie. I’m beyond depressed.
You got a good return in this deal. Roden has sucked in the majors but if he figures it out he could be a poor man’s Kwan. Rojas has also had his stock rise quite a bit this year.
You ever notice that ” poor man’s ” means that the player sucks?
Lol! I think he meant Roden is a similar player but might only reach a 3 war ceiling instead of 5 with Kwan. Still not bad.
Yes but JDGoat has low expectations and champions mediocrity. Give him a pity like.
Roden looks like Barger last year. He’ll hit given a long term opportunity imo
He doesn’t have enough power to be Barger. High on base low K guy with questionable power
Who does the twins have left ?
A long rebuild and depressed fans.
What a trade deadline. Anymore deals to be announced.
I like getting Varland, but why would the Jays want Ty France?
They traded away Will Wagner so I’m guessing France takes over that role.
I’d rather Will Wagner.
@MuleorAstroMule
First base depth would be my guess.
It’d make sense if he was a salary offload, but France is listed as only making a million this year. I guess you can think of it as a three way trade with France replacing Wagner in order to get a mediocre AA catching prospect, and maybe that sorta makes sense if you squint.
Nope, still doesn’t make sense
Which is how people responded to keeping Kirk and trading Moreno. Kirk, also Mexican, has been a stand-out. Perhaps same scout gave thumbs up on Valenzuela as allowed them to find and steal Kirk. Injuries have consequences.
I see all of the trades as making sense. No core pieces lost, some great additions, especially Dominguez and Varland. Bieber may be a giant win.
pingston
The team is better today. Bullpen bolstered, and Bieber bet made.
But Bieber needs a deGrom-like comeback for this good work to matter. He’s done well on his rehab …but he should against that competition, if he’s ready for it.
I hope he is, and stays, healthy. The way I see it, he’s the only pick-up who can be the kind of difference-maker to make this deadline great.
And then, he will Kawhi his butt out of town!!!
@smuzqwpdmx
Mediocre catching prospect is quite generous. He’s been in the minors 7 years, 3 of which in AA. His offensive profile grades out at 40 but he had good defensive numbers.
Valenzuela is still not quite 25, and catchers are always expected to take a few extra years to develop. He’s nothing special but he’s instantly the best catching prospect in the Blue Jays system, because they have none. I checked a Jays top 50 prospects list and the only catcher on it is #50, a 17 year old in the Dominican Summer League who won’t help for a long long time.
Valenzuela isn’t a guy you’d project to become a starter, but all they’re looking for is somebody who can back up Kirk in a few years.
@smuzqwpdmx
After 3 years in AA those “Learn to Weld” flyers you find on your windshield should be going in his back pocket and not in the trash.
They needed a right handed bench bat. Myles Straw has been pinch hitting vs. Lefties
Taking a look at Ty France’s .247/.298/.381 numbers against lefties this year…. I think I’d rather let Myles Straw hit.
Obviously Schneider is the first guy you pinch hit with against a lefty though. Or Clement if he didn’t start.
But Myles Straw is also their best defensive CF. He’ll still be on the bench. And France has an 89 wRC+ against lefties this year. Is that an upgrade on Schneider who can at least play in the field?
Who does Minnesota have left on their big league roster?
Bux
I grudgingly appreciate the Roden acquisition, though it does not make up for the hot garbage that was the Duran trade
The more I reflect on this, the more I like this return. The Twins did really well here. Varland is great and I get why fans are pissed that a local guy making league minimum got jetisonned, but no need for a BP when the rest of the team is that bad.
Just waiting on Kwan and the Tigers have just won the Central.
Can’t have a trade deadline without Ty France
Why?
Well if the Pohlads are really trying to sell the team good luck in trying to convince someone that they’re buying a competitive team and not some dumpster fire that the Twins are now… This is unreal…
That’s what, 9 Twins dealt AFTER the Duran deal?
I like this. But why France?
@KamKid
He’s better than Wagner.
At what though?
@KamKid
Defense and power.
Having a cool name?
He has 6 Homer’s in this year he has no power
@ KamKid:
He’s better at hitting.
Wagner has a 85 wRC+ to France’s 92 wRC+
France also has a history of being a really good hitter in the majors, although obviously not recently.
Also, France is a righty and the Jays had too many lefty bench bats.
You have to get out the magnifying glass to see the upgrade, but it is there.
He’s a good defensive 1B, but does that mean Vladdy DHs and Springer plays the OF?
And in terms of power, his ISO is .106 it’s .119 over the past 3 years. That’s not power production.
Not that I thought Wagner had a ton of utility. He was bad at 3B. But I kind of thought an addition might be in the OF and move Barger back to 3B or just a 3B capable guy. Unless the Jays want to give France another crack over there? Weird roster fit for a team that has valued defense so much.
He hasn’t hit since 22
@Whyme
He’s not starting. He’ll ride the pines and sub for Vlad and pinch hit every once in a while. It’s a depth move.
I swear, some Jays fans just lose their minds on the smallest stuff while the big picture just walks by without getting noticed.
Just a right-handed hitter off the bench to hit for Lukes late in games, sort of like exactly the same thing Schneider is. If he even stays on the roster. Seems like a last minute throw in. Happy to get Varland though.
Small stuff we needed a Saurez bat do you watch the games bc I do. We’ve been lucky that the Yankees committed so many errors in our series and they’ve shored that up plus added closers. We have one closer who is shakey.
@Whyme
A Suarez bat isn’t a small thing. It’s a big thing. Look what the DBacks got for him.
What the Yankees did was a big thing. Boston, Houston, Seattle, and others did big things and they’ll be helping right away. Our big thing won’t be helping for another 2 weeks while he’s rehabbing in the minors. THAT is the big picture.
Boston did big things? Steven Katz? Dustin May?
@nowheredan
May: 0.8 fWAR, #4/5 SP, solidifies the rotation. At worst long man out of the pen.
Matz: 1.2 fWAR, 55 IP BP(primarily) lefty guy. Of his 32 appearances, 22 were for multiple innings.
Big might be a bit generous, but the Red Sox upped their rotation and pen.
I think Wagner quickly became a fan favourite.
He’s spunky and seems to have a knack for squaring up a pitch.
It was a weird trade
For those complaing this is an underwhelming trade deadline — management did well here.
Veteran depth corner power for the bench
Two power arms for the 7th and 8th
And a potential ace and starting depth in biebs
What’s not to like or be disappointed about — the star player rumored to be traded was Joe Ryan
Suarez sucks but hits dingers and is on a heater in the perfect home park (check his home road splits folks)
Other teams HAD to do big things. Blue Jays used a couple names (Roden and Wagner) as they improved bullpen, starting pitching, catching and bench.
Bieber acquisition was a risk they could take as a deep pockets team.
@nowheredan
Just did a deeper dive on Matz. His 1.2 fWAR would have made him the Jays most valuable BP guy. Better than Dominguez, better than Varland.
Nothing wrong with the Katz pickup by Boston, I just don’t think it’s up there with the moves made by the other teams you mentioned. At least Seattle and tge Yankees.
@pingston
They added a couple of 6/7 inning guys for the pen.
They’re taking a huge gamble with Beiber. He has pitched in the majors in about 1.5 yrs. He’s doing well against AA hitters. Give him a couple of games against AAA guys. He won’t be in the bigs for a week or so. I could go on.
The catcher has been in AA for 3 seasons. He’s not seeing the majors unless Kirk, Heinemann, Sanchez, the guy that they trade for, the guy they claim off waivers all end up on the IL.
Franch is a who cares. Rest Vlad at 1B, some pinch hitting.
NoSaint if there was ever a year and time to grab a massive bat like Suarez it was this deadline. Certainly someone higher on the dangerous bat chart than France.
Suarez sucks he’s just on a heater
Look at his home road splits
Look at his career numbers — he’s a negative player thst hits homers — he sucks!
Negative due to defense which he would mostly DH and play 3B if a LH is on the mound. Plus you should stop following the WAR analytics as the 2025 Blue Jays are exhibit A and B on how flawed that stat is. Jays needed a reputable bat, unfortunately Ty France isn’t it.
@nosaint Exactly!
Just depth for the Jays
Win win. Good to great pitching prospect for good reliever years of control.
Nooooo !!! As a twins fan this one really r4ally hurts, stinks
Not sweet Lou !
The guy is a stud and a Minnesotan ! Hate this trade
Alen Roden the 4th Outfielder ? good grief man
Varland is a solid reliever but trading Rojas was scare me he has top 50 prospect upside his stuff is filthy
Nah Man , wait to you see varland pitch he has an 89 mph Knuckle curve and 99. – 96 to 98 with breeze
Somehow, Christian Vazquez is still on this team…
Stupid trade for the Jays, terrible deadline trades in general. ‘Traded three high upside starting pitcher prospects inside their top 10 for mostly mediocre players. Traded two productive role players for even worse role players. I mean, what a horrible job. The supposedly best of them is recovering from TJ and may not even impact the club and then opt out next year. I have always been supportive of Atkins but this was just a really bad deadline. If they had gotten Kwan or Miller or Bednar or any impact players that is one thing, but, they failed miserably.
You did not even mention then Bieber trade pushed Toronto over the third tax line thus pushing their first round pick back 10 spots thus lowering the bonus pool money for drafting AND they pay a higher tax.
If you are going into that territory you GO FOR IT. Not what they did. So why bother doing the Bieber thing?
Darthyen….if this is Shapiro’s last year here…why not stick someone else with a high payroll and dud contracts….
@Darthyen
Good points. Really good points. +1
Yes exactly! Glad some see this as they didn’t do as much as others would like to believe and aren’t looking at what it cost them. Next tax threshold was another one of them.
And most likely lose Bichette for nothing in the off season
Agreed…no needles were moved.
Doesn’t give the team a message that mgmt thinks they can win….otherwise they would have got someone like the year Alex brought in Mr. Price.
Doesn’t sell more tickets either
It’s a vote of confidence for core team that got them to 1st overall.
It’s a message that we just needed some relief arms and a potential ace to handle injuries.
Solid year’s work.
All games to end of year are pretty much sold out (try to find a ticket for next two weeks, for example).
Agree other teams went for top guys we went for a hope and a prayer bieber comeback a couple of middle relievers and a 1b with no power
I think we did great. A starter. Two bullpen pieces, one of which is with us for the next five years and good bench player. We didn’t give up any of our main prospects but to get we have to give and we did. Bieber could be an absolute steal. Jays fans just like to complain. They hate it when we don’t do anything, and they hate it when we do. We have just solidified our bullpen and added an ace. I think that’s great.
The Yankees have 4 closers now. We needed a big homerun bat and they didn’t get that. You can think it’s great but I’ve watched enough of this team to know what we did is no where enough especially for the playoffs where homeruns matter.
They have a bottom farm system and didn’t trade anyone in their top 3 to improve.
You are grossly overestimating the future of these prospects.
Ty France smh we needed a power bat. Varland is ok but the contenders all got closers we got 2 7 inning types
I suspect the moment Toronto needs a roster spot, France will be DFA. I’m assuming the team just took him to reduce the twins salary obligations.
Salary is $1 million for the season!
That ain’t it.
He’s what they want a no power bat that doesn’t play in the playoffs
There must be a sale coming soon and the new owners said to sell off what they can. Still no excuse for not getting something that can upgrade your minor league system.
While Buxton is on the mend, the Twins roster will now have five left handed hitting outfielders all around 26 /27 years old and all looking like they might have AAAA ceilings. Larnach, Wallner, Keirsey, and now Roden and Outman.
And let’s not forget their LHH OF #1 & 2 prospects (Jenkins and ERod) and the one in return for Bader (Mendez – #18 prospect).
Now that’s organizational depth!
I believe Lauer is arb-controlled through 2026 and not a free agent.
I see England, I see France…
Boy seeing the WeirdAs Minnehaha Twins clean house reminds me i gots to tend to the cats litter tray
I did not realize France was playing ball this year
Mediocre trade deadline for the Jays. Could have been worse and done nothing but also none of these add ons are difference makers and that’s what they needed.
Other than Bichette and Guerrero there is no one else in the line up that is a big worry to opposing pitchers. Sure Santander may be back but is overrated to begin with (1 big season) and did next to nothing for them before hurt.
I can’t foresee a deep playoff run and Bichette walks in the off season for nothing and with that their competitive window will close.
Some may see it thru rose colored glasses with this lineup but IMO it is no deeper than the rosters of recent playoff failure.
realistic glasses here, not rose coloured.
The team that disgusts you is in first place.
Best record in baseball since end of May.
Long ball and small ball.
Barger making full use of his 5 tools and not finished evolving.
Bichette showing his big bat again, and he’ll be re-signed.
Glass is much more than half full.
Well let’s hope for your optimism. But the reality is management should have been shown the door long ago. Bloated payroll year after year with minimal results. You can deny it but thats reality.
Disgusted huh?? What I meant was this was probably their last chance for a while.
Thinking Bichette will be back is a stretch. He walks unless they overpay like they did on Guerrero. Management should have looked at all his stats and realized last season was a one off. As I said, I think they missed their chance with him…foolish as a talent like him now probably walks for nothing!
There’s really no evidence that the postseason is anything but random luck. You build a roster to get there. And if you have one of the league’s top two records, you don’t have to worry about losing the wild card series.
Varland and Dominguez certainly make a difference in reducing the chances of a bullpen collapse, and Bieber (while no sure thing) reduces the chances of a rotation collapse. There’s still a chance the offense collapses, but they’re getting some pieces off the IL shortly. Things could go wrong, but they did their job of mitigating the most obvious scenarios.
Fully agree with your 1st paragraph and that Varlamd and Dominguez help. But I really feel like they needed a difference maker.
Idk about you but I feel they needed a top closer. Maybe Dominguez takes over who knows. Hoffman has been better lately but he is no Duran.
Also a big bat definitely was needed. Unless Guerrero goes into one of his tears the offense will be their Achilles heel come October. He has been good this year but not great nor superstar 500M great.
Closers are overrated and ovepriced. Give me a good overall bullpen and I don’t care who’s pitching the 9th (sure there are a few guys who can’t handle the pressure, so avoid those). I’m not convinced it should be Hoffman… I’d be more comfortable with Yariel Rodriguez closing most of the time but managers are superstitious and won’t change until some games are lost.
They have exactly the sort of offense that can wear out good pitching in October, as they just proved against a bunch of it. Power hitters can be silenced by good pitching, but pesky bats that refuse to strike out can’t, and teams that can move runners over and play for one run when they need to can’t.
What, closers overrated?? Don’t tell that to Josh Hader, Bautista or Suarez just to name a few that are lights out.
A great closer is more than just that. He is also the one that is in players and coaches minds if they are trying to battle back or get a lead before the 9th knowing they face him. For that alone they are worth their money.
Glad you agree on Hoffman as he isn’t our Mariano R. We definitely needed an upgrade there
When I start thinking maybe the Jays are the real deal Baltimore happens
Wow, what’s going on with the Twins???
Division is probably in the bag.
Jays’ brass have to be counting on at least two of Santander/Manoah/Bieber helping out significantly this season for all this to work.
Looking at lottery tickets …with random, unknown draw dates … at this point. Except they have all shown to be more than that at times.
If the brain trust got this right, maybe Biebs pitches Game 1 of the World Series?
Toronto has a deep front office and they know much more about every player they have, and acquired, than any armchair expert. They may even have hidden some players they have on farm…
Second season starts Friday.
The team is better today.
Bullpen bolstered, and Bieber bet made. But Bieber needs a deGrom-like comeback for this good work to matter. I hope he is, and stays, healthy. He’s done well on his rehab …but he should against that competition, if he’s ready for it.
The way I see it, he’s the only pick-up who can be the kind of difference-maker to make this deadline great.
And then, of course, he will exercise his option and Kawhi his butt out of town!!!
Obviously they know more than any of us! However, front office needs a deep overhaul if they tank again come October
They’ve done the whole season without Santander contributing, and frankly I’m not sure I want to see him or Springer playing outfield in big games. And they’re only counting on 5 out of the current starting rotation + Manoah and Bieber, they have no real use for a 6th or 7th success there.
There will be 10,000 more lakes in Minnesota today with all the tears shed
Not Sweet LoUiuuuuueeeeee
I assume France was just included as a cash savings for the twins. Toronto may release him if they need a roster spot.
You might be correct about the roster spot but Minnesota didn’t do it for salary relief. Seems like dumping $1 million, or what’s still owed on that, would hardly matter in that context.
Shapiro and Atkins will never go for it. Shapiro said in 2016 if he was still in Cleveland he wouldn’t have traded for Andrew Miller lol what a fool. Infact we needed Miller. This participation award loser duo haven’t won a thing while max spending on defense.
Both should have been shown the door long ago
Ty France? Checked MLB and he’s only slightly faster than Kirk. The duo are near the bottom in the MLB in run speed. Is there any plus to France?