Should the Twins trade for Brent Suter? – Gemini

After being swept by the Washington Nationals just over a week ago, MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi PLEASE NOTE that the Cincinnati Reds are “indicating to teams that they are willing to move players with expiring contracts.” starting pitcher Frankie Montas is the name that immediately catches the eye because he fits the mold of a former top-line starting pitcher on an expiring deal. However, the remaining $5-6 million on his one-year contract might be too rich for Twins ownership to handle. That said, there are other desirable Reds arms on expiring contracts, and reliever Brent Suter stands out in particular.

Suter, 31, was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 31st round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Harvard University. He debuted with Milwaukee in 2016, spending the better part of seven seasons with the organization before bouncing between the Colorado Rockies in 2023 and the Reds this season. His numbers have improved interestingly since he left the Brewers and joined two teams with at least pitcher friendly ballparks in MLB, boasting a combined 3.53 ERA, 3.85 FIP, a 96-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a particularly inspiring 8.9% home run/fly ball ratio. Having thrived in environments where few pitchers (especially relievers) find sustained success, there’s reason to suspect the veteran southpaw could find even more success by making the majority of his appearances in the more pitcher-friendly Target Field. making him an attractive option for Minnesota.

Suter is a light-throwing lefty (demonstrated by his 1st percentile Velo Fastball at Baseball Savant) who uses precise command and an effective four-seam fastball-slider combination to strike out both-handed hitters. Like most left-handed relievers, Suter does exceptionally well against same-handed hitters, holding opposing lefties to just .229/.253/.434 with 19 hits, four home runs, a walk and a wOBA of .293 over 22 1. /3 innings pitched and 87 batters faced. However, he’s also been pretty good against right-handed hitters, posting a .274/.323/.436 opposing slash line with 32 hits, four home runs and nine walks with a .329 wOBA in 29 innings pitched and 127 batters faced.

Suter’s numbers don’t jump off the page. However, it performed significantly better than Steven Okert, Caleb Thielbar and Kody Funderburk especially against righties, as this lackluster trio has given up a combined .394 wOBA over 228 righties faced.

Suter would immediately establish himself as the Twins’ top lefty, usurping Okert on the team’s bullpen depth chart while allowing the front office to part ways with an ever-spiraling Thielbar. Acquiring Suter wouldn’t cost the prospects significant capital, as he has an expiring deal and is set to make just over $1 million for the remainder of the season. He has a team option for next season worth $3.5 million, and while that price tag seems steep at first, the Twins could realistically raise him with Thielbar and his $3.23 million price tag from cards next season.

As the Twins attempt to unseat the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central crown while simultaneously holding off the surging Kansas City Royals for the second Wild Card spot, the team will be incentivized to acquire a left-handed reliever. Suter is a cost-effective option who could step in and provide an immediate boost to what has been a largely underwhelming and uninspiring trio of left-handed options. The organization could also take control of his team and insert him into what should be a livelier unit, potentially including Okert, Funderburk, Brent Headrick, Jovani Moran and others next season.