1:17pm: The Twins sent $500K of pool space to the Dodgers in the deal, per Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. (International pool space must be traded in $250K increments.) For clarity’s sake, no actual money exchanged hands; rather, the Twins shrunk their league-allotted spending limit by $500K, while the Dodgers’ limit correspondingly increases by $500K.
12:27pm: The Twins have acquired veteran left-hander Anthony Banda from the Dodgers, per announcements from both clubs. Minnesota is sending international bonus space back to L.A. in return. Banda had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers last week. Righty Jackson Kowar has been designated for assignment to open a 40-man spot for Banda.
The Dodgers originally acquired Banda, now 32, in a cash deal early in the 2024 season. He quickly emerged as a quality bullpen option for them and spent the next season-plus as a frequently used southpaw for manager Dave Roberts. From 2024-25 in L.A., Banda logged a tidy 3.14 ERA with a 23.3% strikeout rate, 10.9% walk rate and 41.6% ground-ball rate. He averaged 96 mph on both his four-seamer and sinker while recording a 13.2% swinging-strike rate that suggests he could have a few more punchouts in the tank. Banda tallied 19 holds and two saves in 114 2/3 innings as a Dodger.
Banda’s 2025 season, however, wasn’t as sharp as his 2024 campaign. He lost a percentage point off his strikeout rate while his walk rate climbed by four points, from 8.6% to 12.7%. He still notched a 3.18 ERA in a career-high 65 innings, but his rate stats understandably gave the Dodgers some cause for concern.
The discrepancy between the bullpens in Los Angeles and Minnesota is underscored by the fact that this trade came together. The Dodgers deemed Banda expendable and jettisoned him and his $1.625MM salary. The Twins, meanwhile, traded some actual value to acquire him and will now count him among the most reliable arms in a bullpen that was torn all the way down at last year’s trade deadline. Minnesota traded five relievers — Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart and Danny Coulombe — dismantling what had been one of the league’s top relief units in order to scale back payroll and bring in some more controllable and affordable young talent in the process.
Where Banda was near the bottom of the pecking order in the L.A. bullpen, he now figures to be an option in high-leverage spots. That’s all the more true given his familiarity with new Twins skipper Derek Shelton, who managed Banda as a member of the Pirates back in 2021-22.
If Banda pans out in Minnesota, he can provide value to the Twins for multiple seasons. He currently has 4.135 years of MLB service, meaning he’ll be controllable through the 2027 season. He’ll be eligible for a raise in arbitration next winter, but his modest $1.625MM salary for the 2026 season means he won’t break the bank regardless of how well he pitches in what’ll be his debut campaign for Minnesota.
Banda joins the re-signed Taylor Rogers, Justin Topa and Cole Sands as the only members of the Twins’ bullpen with even three years of major league experience. The Twins also picked up righty Eric Orze in a small trade with the Rays early in the winter, and they got good work out of southpaw Kody Funderburk following that July fire sale in the bullpen (0.75 ERA, 28-to-10 K/BB ratio in 24 innings).
Veterans Liam Hendriks and Julian Merryweather joined up on minor league deals just yesterday and could factor into the group, as could any young starters who don’t crack a relatively crowded rotation picture. Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and out-of-options Simeon Woods Richardson all seem like rotation locks, health permitting. Former top prospects Taj Bradley, David Festa, Zebby Matthews and Mick Abel are among the candidates who’ll vie for the fifth spot (and possibly the fourth, if Woods Richardson is outpitched and heads to the bullpen himself).
Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll has been on the lookout for bullpen help throughout camp, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him further add to a perilously thin group of relievers in the days or weeks to come.
Kowar, 29, was claimed off waivers from the Mariners just eight days ago. The former first-round pick and top prospect has been derailed by injuries in his career but sits in the upper 90s with his four-seamer and sinker. He’s shown the ability to miss bats at times but struggles with sub-par command and too much hard contact allowed.
In parts of four MLB seasons (91 innings) between the Royals (his original club) and Mariners, the former Florida Gators star has been rocked for an 8.21 ERA. He posted a more palatable 4.24 ERA in 17 innings with Seattle last year, however, and notched a sharp 2.81 ERA in an additional 16 innings of Triple-A ball.
Kowar is out of minor league options. The Twins will hope to pass him through waivers and retain him as bullpen depth who’d be invited to big league camp and potentially stashed in the upper minors. If another club claims him, Kowar would need to stick on that team’s 40-man roster or else once again be exposed to waivers. The Twins can trade Kowar or place him on waivers at any point in the next five days. Waivers are a 48-hour process, so within a week’s time, we’ll know the outcome of Kowar’s DFA.
Dan Hayes of The Athletic first reported the trade and the Kowar DFA.
One of the best Twin relievers.
Very small win-win deal
If it weren’t that the Giants already have too many lefty relievers, Banda would have been a slam dunk for the SF bullpen. Good for the Twins.
Hopefully better Banda than Nickelback or Spin Doctors or Blues Traveler
Yes! He’s about to get some save opps.
He absolutely will. By the way, his mob name is. “ TonyTwo Rings”. When not pitching he works in sanitation.
Nice pickup for the Twins.
Must be tough moving into a place in Phoenix, showing up for two days, then getting to relocate to Florida and meet an entirely new team.
Since he was a DFA last week I doubt he was at camp. Actually I dont think he even could be.
Good point.
I know most these guys rent houses for six weeks and move out there early Feb.
Didn’t consider his particular circumstances.
Banda the run…
Perfect comment
That’s what I’m talking about I’ve been waiting for a decent reliever like him to join the team.
An excellent pickup for the Twins. Quality arm and a quality person. He has a very good story as well.
Sad to see him go, but I’m glad they found a good trade partner to land him with.
He was a female fan favorite for whatever reason. I’m sure the twins can cash in on that.
Bad boy-looking Latino with accompanying tattoos and someone who did their job well.
I doubt most of them knew much about his job but the rest are true. Michelada sales at DS will take a hit.
Questioning if a rebuilding club should be trading away international bonus pool money for a reliever, but Banda is a good get.
I think it’s worth it. They need arms in that bullpen.
According to the Twins owner they plan on contending.
A good deal for both teams.
Called it! Let’s go.
But can you prove it?
Go check my comment on the post where he was DFA’d.
Friedman will turn that extra international money into gold.
Best of luck Anthony and thanks for your hard work, loyalty to teammates and competitive fire!!
Damn, the rich get richer.
Bandini!
smart by the dodgers. probably will make more moves to boost the INT pool to get more star players for cheaper, especially if a potential cap comes in.
So he got traded for his old team to have the option of spending more money. Not even for money itself?
International cap space is pretty valuable. It essentially allows them to sign more amateur talent, or get a higher-ceiling prospect by being able to make a competitive offer. Arguably more valuable than the cash itself, especially to the Dodgers.
He can give a good number of innings to the bullpen.
That’s why they call him, “Rubber” Bamda !!
(Hard to believe Outman still has a Roster Spot)
As a Dodget fan I will miss Banda. He is battle tested and not afraid of high leverage, pressure situations. Twins got a good one! Good luck Tony B!
Mr. Banda got some big outs for the team over the years. a series of circumstances made him odd man out. not the least of which is Tanner Scott looking to reestablish himself in the role of late inning LH set up guy that Tony used to occupy. add that Dreyer and Wrobleski came on the scene while Banda had no more options.
Guessing it came as a complete surprise for the man, maybe not, who knows? Hope he’s taking a positive outlook with him. He’ll be BMOC in Minn and can rack up some crazy numbers this year that lead him to a big payday. Either way the last few years he lived the dream.
Apparently Falvey refused to make these types of deals so he was escorted from the building.
You would think the Dodgers would be able to afford a pool without the extra money.
There’s going to be a Chola riot at the ravine!
homegirls loved the masked man òrale!
“Meanwhile” should START the sentence, not interrupt the syntax by coming in the middle between commas.