The Toronto Blue Jays have completed a trade, sending right-handed pitcher Tommy Nance to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for prospect Ryan Sprock. The transaction also included the Blue Jays sending international signing bonus pool space to the Twins.
Nance, a righty reliever, has been with the Blue Jays for the past three seasons. During his tenure with Toronto, he accumulated 86.2 innings over 82 appearances, maintaining a 3.22 ERA. This season, Nance has made 32 appearances, pitching 33 innings with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.273 WHIP, alongside 34 strikeouts.
Details of the Trade
The trade was officially announced on Friday. Nance, who is from Long Beach, California, was acquired by the Blue Jays from the Padres in August 2024. He played a role in Toronto’s bullpen during their 2025 pennant-winning season, recording a 1.99 ERA across 30 appearances. While primarily used in low-leverage situations, his underlying statistics, including a high strikeout rate and groundball generation, were notable. He also demonstrated an ability to induce swings at pitches outside the strike zone, contributing to a low walk rate.
This season, Nance has continued to perform in a low-leverage capacity for Toronto. His chase rate remains high, though his walk rate has increased, and opponents have been making more contact in the air. Through 33 innings, he holds a 3.82 ERA.
For the Twins, Nance’s acquisition is seen as a move to bolster their bullpen, which has faced struggles this season. The Twins currently rank last in MLB with a 5.28 bullpen ERA. Nance, who has pitched 159 MLB innings, brings more experience than most of Minnesota’s current relief pitchers.
To accommodate Nance on their 40-man roster, the Twins transferred right-hander Mick Abel to the 60-day injured list. Abel had been on the 15-day IL since April 17 and recently underwent arthroscopic surgery.
Prospect Ryan Sprock
In return, the Blue Jays receive Ryan Sprock, a prospect selected by the Twins in the eighth round of the 2025 draft. Sprock, a collegiate prospect, has played in the Twins’ minor-league system at the Single-A and High-A levels.
Sprock has demonstrated versatility, playing at third base, catcher, and in the outfield. In 67 games, primarily with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in Single-A, he has a .297 batting average with an .855 OPS, five home runs, and 14 stolen bases. He is a native of Morristown, New Jersey, and played three years of collegiate baseball at Elon University.
Sprock is considered a prospect with an upward trajectory. He was recently ranked No. 31 in the Twins’ system by FanGraphs, receiving a 40 Future Value grade. He is relatively new to catching but has adapted well to the position. In 65 games for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels this season, Sprock hit .306 with a 144 wRC+, earning Florida State League Player of the Month honors for June and a subsequent promotion to High-A.
The Blue Jays’ decision to trade Nance, despite his effectiveness, may be influenced by his position on the bullpen depth chart and his lack of minor league options. His average leverage index when entering games is the lowest among current roster members, suggesting he is rarely used in high-leverage situations by manager John Schneider. The team could have faced a situation where they might have had to part with Nance for a lesser return if they added more relievers before the trade deadline. The acquisition of Sprock provides the Blue Jays with a promising young catcher.
The Twins, despite their bullpen challenges, have been performing well recently, sitting two games behind the White Sox and Guardians in the AL Central and one game back of the third Wild Card spot. This early trade suggests an effort to position themselves for further acquisitions later in the season, while the international bonus pool space offers flexibility. The trade was announced on Friday.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
