Sep 22, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Nick Gordon (1) bats against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Twins have traded Nick Gordon, their former first-round pick, to the Miami Marlins.
On Sunday afternoon, the Twins continued their roster restructuring by trading utility player and former first-round pick Nick Gordon to the Miami Marlins in exchange for left-handed reliever Steven Okert, as reported by multiple sources. This move comes just two weeks after the Twins traded Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners, acquiring four players and $8 million in cash to help with pitcher Anthony DeSclafani’s salary.
The Twins, previously packed with talented infielders and utility players, have now made two significant trades to alleviate potential logjams in the infield. This strategic maneuvering became necessary due to an abundance of talent but not enough playing time to go around.
Nick Gordon, who missed a significant part of the previous season due to a fractured right shin, had a challenging 2022, batting .176/.185/.319 in 93 plate appearances. Despite this setback, he showcased his potential during the 2022 season, hitting .272/.316/.427 with 28 doubles and nine home runs in 443 plate appearances after adjusting his swing mid-year.
Gordon, expected to play a key role in the Twins’ 2023 plans, suffered a season-ending injury in May. The Twins, already possessing a surplus of infielders, faced difficulty finding playing time for everyone, especially with breakout performances by Willi Castro and Edouard Julien.
The Twins’ infield roster included players like Polanco, Castro, Julien, and Kyle Farmer. While both Gordon and Castro demonstrated versatility by playing center field, the team had challenges ensuring sufficient playing time for each player. Additionally, rookie Austin Martin, a talented utility man, further complicated the roster dynamics.
Steven Okert, the acquired left-handed reliever, is out of minor-league options. The 32-year-old, known for his slider-heavy pitching style, has a 3.70 ERA with 220 career strikeouts in 194 1/3 innings pitched. The Twins now have three potential left-handed relief options with Okert joining Caleb Thielbar and rookie Kody Funderburk.
The Twins have recently focused on bolstering their bullpen, acquiring Justin Topa in the Polanco deal and signing Jay Jackson to a big-league deal. This revamped bullpen is anticipated to be one of the top in the American League and in baseball overall.
