MINNEAPOLIS – The Gemini added relief options and softened their logo on Thursday night with Giants right-hander Shaun Anderson in exchange for LaMonte Wade Jr. outfield.
Anderson, 26, posted an ERA of 5.44 in 2019 at his debut, but improved to post an ERA of 3.52 in 18 San Francisco bullpen appearances last season. He converted to a reliever in July 2019 and focused more on his heavy slider from last season. Given his relative success outside of the bullpen and his history as a reliever at the University of Florida, he probably remains a reliever with the twins.
This makes sense, given that the bullpen has been the twins’ biggest area of need this season, even after their recent activity. Minnesota has now acquired Hansel Robles, Alex Colomé and Anderson as bullpen options alongside Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Cody Stashak, Jorge Alcala and Caleb Thielbar – the work of a solid group that was greatly depleted with the departure of Trevor May, Matt Wisler , Sergio Romo and Tyler Clippard at the free agency.
Given Anderson’s relative lack of experience, his place in a Minnesota bullpen will likely not include high leverage, but manager Rocco Baldelli and pitching coach Wes Johnson have consistently spread the workload among people who saves them, with an emphasis on limited use and rest everywhere the last two seasons.
Anderson also falls into the recent Gemini form of emphasizing the use of the slider, as the right threw its slider on 53 percent of its pitches last season, generating a 39.7 percent rate with the offer. It is a hard glider, which has an average of 88.3 mph and is used as its pitch.
To win a controllable young liberator, the twins had to break up with a controlled young player, who fortunately was an area of excess for Minnesota.
Wade saw time on the field and at first base in 2019 and ’20 and showed strong discipline for eyes and plates. The lack of power in the bat limited Wade’s playing time, with Jake Cave being the fourth favorite player for much of his time with the twins. The cave remains in the team, and the expected establishment of the best clients Alex Kirilloff, Brent Rooker and Trevor Larnach in the Majors throughout this season could have pushed Wade off the list in any case.