Orioles trade Kremer, get OF prospect Reyes in return from Twins

BALTIMORE -- Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias made it clear Friday afternoon that his club would be neither a buyer nor a seller ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline. While Baltimore (54-56) is squarely in the American League Wild Card race, it could make moves that subtract players from its MLB roster.

It began late Friday night with a move much closer to the sell side.

The O’s traded right-hander Dean Kremer to the Twins and acquired Minor League outfielder Jhomnardo Reyes in return.

TRADE DETAILS

Orioles get: OF Jhomnardo Reyes (Minnesota’s No. 24 prospect per MLB Pipeline, now Baltimore's No. 20)
Twins get: RHP Dean Kremer

Kremer has been an integral part of Baltimore’s pitching staff for much of this decade, arriving in the big leagues in 2020. Since then, the 30-year-old has recorded a 4.37 ERA in 133 games (130 starts) over the past seven seasons.

"I think the initial reactions were a little bit shock. Dean's been a leader here, a staple here, for the seven years he's been here," manager Craig Albernaz said. "He's made a great impact in that clubhouse with all those players, and also the coaching staff, including myself in the short time I've been around him. He's such a great teammate, competitor, and he's a baseball guy. He's very engaged, loves to talk ball, very aware of what's going on. To lose someone like that, it's tough, but it's also part of the game."

From 2022-25, Kremer was consistently solid, posting a 3.95 ERA in 109 games (106 starts) during that span. However, he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk at the end of Spring Training this year, due to the Orioles’ crowded rotation mix at the time.

"I really couldn’t believe it. He’s been a staple here for a lot of years, and it was tough to see him go," left-hander Trevor Rogers said. "But he went to the Twins, they’re making a push. We’re making a push here, too. It’s just the business of baseball. We all wish that he wasn’t the guy to get shipped out of here and stay with us. But I think he’s going to do great over there. They got a solid guy, a solid pitcher. He’s going to be missed here, for sure.”

Kremer, who is set to become a free agent after the 2027 season, had a 6.50 ERA in seven starts for Baltimore this year, missing more than two months because of a right quad strain that had him on the injured list from April 23-July 1.

It is not yet clear who will take Kremer’s spot in the O’s rotation. Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt (back injury) will still need one or two more rehab starts before being an option. Of course, the Orioles could also make additional trades by Monday that will further change the landscape of the pitching staff.

For now, Baltimore is carrying four starters and nine relievers, as it recalled right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo to join the bullpen ahead of Saturday night's game vs. the Phillies at Camden Yards.

Reyes is an 18-year-old who was signed by Minnesota out of the Dominican Republic in January 2025. He played 49 games in the Florida Complex League this year -- slashing .296/.409/.541 with 12 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 44 RBIs -- and then went 2-for-21 (.095) with two RBIs over seven games for Single-A Fort Myers.