The Twins have acquired left-hander Anthony Banda from the Dodgers for international bonus pool money, the clubs announced Thursday. To make room for Banda on the 40-man roster, right-hander Jackson Kowar was designated for assignment.
The Dodgers designated Banda for assignment last week when they claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Reds (Rortvedt has since been DFA’d again).
TRADE DETAILS
Twins get: LHP Anthony Banda
Dodgers get: International bonus pool money
This is nothing new for the well-traveled Banda, who is joining his 13th different organization in Major League Baseball after being traded for the seventh time.
Banda becomes the fourth veteran reliever the Twins have acquired over the past few weeks. Minnesota previously signed Taylor Rogers to a one-year deal on Jan. 23 before reaching Minor League contracts with Liam Hendriks and Julian Merryweather on Wednesday night.
Banda was an important part of the Dodgers’ bullpen over the past two years, recording a 3.14 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 114 2/3 innings spanning 119 appearances (three starts). He won World Series rings in both seasons, making a total of 17 playoff appearances in that time.
It was easily the most successful stint of his career. Prior to joining the Dodgers, Banda had a lifetime 5.69 ERA over 90 appearances (six starts) for the D-backs, Rays, Mets, Pirates, Blue Jays, Yankees and Nationals. He also spent time with the Brewers, Giants, Mariners and Guardians, though he didn’t appear in an MLB game with any of those four organizations.