The Minnesota Twins may be missing Luis Arraez right now, especially after he hit for the cycle on Tuesday with the Miami Marlins.
But the Twins got a solid return in that trade, which appears to be a pretty well-balanced deal as of now.
Their return was right-hander Pablo Lopez, and so far, the young right-hander has been a solid pickup for the Twins.
In his first three starts with his new team, he has thrown 20 innings, struck out 26 batters, allowed just eight hits, and has posted an ERA of 1.35.
He went 7.2 innings on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.
On Twitter, MLB Network posted his stats through his first three starts with his new team.
Pablo López in 3 starts with the @Twins:
20 IP
8 H
3 ER (1.35 ERA)
26 K#MLBCentral | #MNTwins | @markdero7 pic.twitter.com/5b3VXUv50m— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 12, 2023
The Twins needed starting pitching this past winter.
They still had Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, and Joe Ryan, but an extra arm was needed.
Lopez appears to have been the missing piece.
He has provided the Twins with another option in the rotation and has been striking out batters.
He also has limited any damage and has kept the opposition at bay by allowing just three earned runs.
The right-hander allowed only two runs over 7.2 innings on Tuesday against the White Sox.
Minnesota may have had to give up a big piece in Arraez, who is the reigning American League batting champion, but the deal appears to have been worthwhile for both sides, especially the Twins.
The Twins are 7-4 on the season and sit a half-game in front of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central.
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