Twins acquire reliever Nance from Blue Jays; Buxton to attend All-Star festivities - MLB.com
Twins Bolster Bullpen with Nance Acquisition
The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed reliever Tommy Nance from the Blue Jays. In exchange, the Blue Jays will receive minor league prospect Ryan Sprock and international bonus pool space. The trade was announced by both clubs.
Nance was acquired from the Padres in August 2024. During the 2025 season, he pitched 31.2 innings with a 1.99 ERA, contributing to the bullpen. This season, Nance has recorded a 3.82 ERA over 33.0 innings, striking out 34 batters and walking 13.
The Twins’ bullpen currently has a league-worst 5.28 ERA. Nance’s acquisition is seen as a move to address this need, potentially making the team better immediately. The Twins are two games behind the White Sox and Guardians in the AL Central and one game back of the third Wild Card spot, indicating a push to contend in a tight division race.
Sprock Joins Blue Jays Organization
Ryan Sprock, an eighth-round draft pick out of Elon University last season, is joining the Blue Jays. Sprock was a two-way player in college, splitting time between third base and the bullpen during his junior year. The Twins drafted him as a catcher, a position he had not played in college.
Despite his limited experience as a catcher, Sprock has received positive reviews for his early glove work, with some projections suggesting he could develop into an average defender at the position. Offensively, he has demonstrated a strong eye at the plate and a good contact rate as a professional, accumulating 64 walks to 52 strikeouts over 374 plate appearances. He has hit seven home runs and recorded 21 total extra-base hits.
Sprock is not considered a top prospect, but his performance has been improving. He was recently ranked No. 31 in the Twins’ system by FanGraphs, receiving a 40 Future Value grade. This season, playing for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Sprock hit .306 with a 144 wRC+ in 65 games, earning him Florida State League Player of the Month honours for June and a promotion to High-A.
Trade Details and Implications
The trade also includes international bonus pool space for the Twins. The Twins transferred right-hander Mick Abel to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for Nance.
For the Blue Jays, Nance had been used in a low-leverage role, and his average leverage index when entering games was the lowest among current roster members. He had only entered a high-leverage situation once this year. Nance was also out of options, meaning the Blue Jays might have had to part with him for a lesser return if they added more relievers before the trade deadline.
The Blue Jays are currently 1.5 games behind the Twins and 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. This move allows them to acquire a promising young catcher while potentially freeing up a roster spot in their bullpen. The Twins, despite recent struggles from their bullpen, have been playing well and are looking to strengthen their roster for a potential playoff push.
Nance missed time earlier this season due to a forearm issue.
Source: bluebirdbanter.com
