Twins acquiring veteran starter Kremer from Orioles

SEATTLE -- A day after kicking off what could be a busy Trade Deadline with a move for a reliever, the Twins added a veteran starter on Friday. Minnesota is acquiring right-hander Dean Kremer from the Orioles for outfield prospect Jhomnardo Reyes.

Kremer, 30, was a stalwart of the O’s rotation from 2022-25, making 106 starts over those four seasons with a 3.95 ERA. He’s struggled mightily this season, however, allowing 12 homers in 36 innings over seven starts with a 6.50 ERA. He is expected to step into the Twins’ rotation, though it’s not yet known how they will make room for him in the starting five or on the roster.

Trade details
Twins receive: RHP Dean Kremer
Mets receive: OF Jhomnardo Reyes (MIN No. 24 prospect)

The move follows Thursday night’s trade for lefty reliever A.J. Minter, who is expected to join the team Saturday.

“It's something we were able to do without taking away anybody that's close to the Major Leagues, and that's important,” said Twins manager Derek Shelton. “When you're able to add starting pitching depth and you're not doing it with someone that's going to affect your Major League team this year or next year, that's important for us.”

Kremer was optioned to Triple-A to start the season, then recalled soon after to take the rotation spot of the injured Zach Eflin. However, he quickly found himself on the IL with a strained right quadriceps, an injury that cost him more than two months.

The righty pitched well in his first start back, allowing one run in six innings to the White Sox, but has scuffled since, allowing 20 runs in 19 innings over his past four starts.

“He's a guy that over the last couple years has done a really good job,” Shelton said. “I know he had the quad strain earlier in the year. He's had a couple tough outings. But I think as we've talked about, we like the stuff. I think we think there's some ways forward. And we have to continue to build our starting pitching depth.”

The Twins’ rotation was expected to be the team’s greatest strength coming into the year, but a string of injuries has stretched Minnesota’s starting depth to a near breaking point. Pablo López, Mick Abel and David Festa, all of whom were projected to be in the rotation or at least candidates for it, have suffered season-ending injuries.

Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley and Bailey Ober are set at the top of the rotation. Connor Prielipp has pitched very well at times but will likely be on an innings limit, and Zebby Matthews has mixed some outstanding starts with some rough ones.

Rookie Mike Paredes, who was a surprising bright spot, will be out for an extended length of time with an oblique strain, leaving only rookie Kendry Rojas as any kind of reliable starting depth beyond the five pitchers currently in the rotation. Rojas has made some spot starts and also pitched in relief, and his role in the near future is in some doubt following the acquisition of Minter on Thursday.

Kremer is making $5.75 million this year and is eligible for arbitration next year. He can be a free agent after the 2027 season.