Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

The Minnesota Twins acquired right-handers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa, along with prospects Gabriel Gonzalez and right-hander Darren Bowen, in a four-player package from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in exchange for second baseman Jorge Polanco, according to sources. Cash is also believed to be involved in the deal. DeSclafani and outfielder Mitch Haniger were acquired by the M's from the Giants for lefty Robbie Ray earlier this offseason. The 33-year-old made only 19 starts in 2023 and may not be ready for the start of the 2024 season due to a right flexor strain. He'll provide depth for the Twins' rotation when he's ready. Topa, 32, had a 2.61 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 61 K's in 69 innings over a career-high 75 appearances for Seattle in 2023. He should be tasked with a high-leverage role in the back of Minnesota's bullpen. Gonzalez, 20, made it to Single-A Modesto in 2023 and has some real promise at the plate as an outfielder. Bowen, 22, had a 3.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 59 K's in 55 2/3 innings at Modesto in his first minor-league season.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (foot) played with a lot of pain throughout the season after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in May. Correa stated that the injury would have kept him out as the pain increased in the summer, but he chose not to go on the injured list with the Twins contending. Finally, in late September, he went on the IL after hearing a pop, and the time off proved beneficial for the postseason. After posting a 96 wRC+ in 2023 -- his lowest ever for a season with more than 100 games -- he dominated in the postseason, hitting .409 with a 184 wRC+ in six games. A healthy Correa would likely mean a return to 130-140 wRC+ production in 100 or more games.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) said he plans to be back in center field for the team in 2024 despite being limited to designated hitter duties in 2023. Buxton hasn't played center field since August of 2022 and he can't say for sure how often he'll be able to play center field in 2024. But for now, he's running three times a week, hitting at full strength and doing some outfield work. It comes after offseason surgery that included an excision of the plica in his right knee to address the pain that kept him from playing defense. The Twins are a lot more optimistic about Buxton's knee than they were heading into last spring training. The 30-year-old managed to his 17 home runs in 85 games, but his knee injury impacted his swing and he hit just .207 with a .731 OPS. Buxton said his swing feels "as close to normal as it's going to get," but he's become one of the biggest injury risks in all of baseball.

Free-agent reliever Jay Jackson has drawn interest from 14 teams throughout the offseason, and there is growing optimism that he will receive a major-league deal, according to a source. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.12 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. In his five major-league campaigns with the Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers, he's had a 3.50 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings pitched. He became a free agent when he rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Buffalo in November. Depending on where he lands, Jackson could have some appeal in deep fantasy leagues that reward points for holds.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced on the radio on Wednesday that right-hander Pablo Lopez will be the team's Opening Day starter in 2024. It's a pretty early announcement, but it speaks to the confidence the Twins have in Lopez, who made his first All-Star team in 2023 and went 11-8 with a 3.66 ERA (3.33 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP while walking 48 and striking out a career-high 234 batters in 32 starts covering a career-high 194 innings in his first year in Minnesota. The 32-year-old has now made 64 starts in the last two seasons, but he's still never gone over 200 innings in his six years in the big leagues and is still somewhat of an injury concern. Adding a sweeper to his repertoire led to a career-high 29.2% strikeout rate. Assuming he can stay healthy all year again, Lopez is a fine target as a high-end No. 2 fantasy starter.