Update (4:13 PM EDT): The Twins will also receive minor league reliever Alan Busenitz from the Angels, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reports.
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The Twins have reportedly acquired starter Hector Santiago from the Angels, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Angels will receive starters Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer, Rosenthal adds. The Twins are also likely sending some cash to the Angels.
Santiago, 28, is 10-4 with a 4.25 ERA and a 107/57 K/BB ratio in 120 2/3 innings. His 57 walks is the highest in the American League. While he’s having his worst season to date, he has been a reliable starter over the past three seasons with the White Sox and Angels. Santiago is earning $5 million this season and will head into his third and final year of arbitration eligibility after the season.
Nolasco, 33, has had a rough year, putting up a 5.13 ERA with a 93/29 K?BB ratio in 124 2/3 innings. He has always seemed to pitch worse than his peripherals indicated, leading some to believe the right-hander would eventually right the ship, but his last three seasons have been a nightmare. Nolasco is earning the remainder of his $12 million salary for this season as well as $12 million in 2017. The Angels will have a club option for him in 2018 worth $13 million with a $1 million buyout.
Meyer, 26, has only appeared in four major league games but has allowed a whopping 10 runs in 6 1/3 innings. He’s battled a nagging shoulder injury for most of the season, but the Angels will have him under team control for a while.
It’s interesting that the 40-64 Twins wanted to bolster the starting rotation, but the trade was likely more about clearing Nolasco’s contract.
