Twins Acquire Eric Orze from Rays in Trade

The Minnesota Twins announced they have acquired reliever Eric Orze from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher Jacob Kisting. This strategic move reflects the Twins' efforts to bolster their bullpen as they head into the upcoming season, particularly after a significant overhaul at the trade deadline.

Eric Orze, a 28-year-old right-handed pitcher, was originally acquired by the Rays from the New York Mets last winter, in a trade that sent outfielder Jose Siri to New York. Orze has shown versatility as a middle innings arm, making 33 appearances and logging 41 and two-thirds innings with a solid 3.02 ERA.

His performance included a strikeout percentage of 22.5% and a 10.7% walk rate, which, while not outstanding, indicate potential, particularly with a strong 13.2% swinging-strike rate. The right-hander features a three-pitch mix, primarily relying on a mid-80s splitter, complemented by a fastball that sits in the 93 to 94 mile-per-hour range, and a slider utilized as his breaking pitch.

Over five seasons in Triple-A, Orze has maintained an ERA just below 4.00 and has an option year remaining, giving the Twins flexibility in roster management. He is projected to avoid arbitration for at least three seasons, which should provide him ample opportunity to secure a significant role in manager Derek Shelton's bullpen.

On the other hand, Jacob Kisting, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, was a 14th-round pick out of Bradley University in 2024. Kisting has primarily worked as a reliever in the lower minors, striking out more than a quarter of opposing hitters with a respectable 7.7% walk rate, although he faced generally younger competition as a college arm.

Kisting will not be eligible for the Rule 5 draft for the next two seasons. This trade illustrates the Twins' commitment to enhancing their pitching depth as they prepare for the next MLB season, positioning themselves for greater competitiveness in the league.

These developments come at a crucial time as teams reevaluate their rosters and strategies ahead of the new season. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the acquisition of Orze aligns with Minnesota's broader plan to revamp their pitching staff effectively.