Twins Pursue Unusual “Takesies Backsies” Trade with Blue Jays

In an unusual turn of events, the Minnesota Twins have invoked the rarely used “Takesies Backsies” clause regarding their recent trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. This clause allows a team to reclaim a player if circumstances significantly change post-trade.

Details of the Trade

The Twins traded right-hander Louis Varland to the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. In return, they received outfielder Alan Roden and left-handed pitching prospect Kendry Rojas. Initially, the Twins were optimistic about Varland’s potential success elsewhere.

Change of Heart

However, after the Blue Jays’ impressive run to the World Series, the Twins’ excitement diminished. Roden struggled, with a batting average of just .158, while Rojas had a challenging simulated inning, allowing five runs against a group of Twins analytics employees.

Reaction from the Twins’ Front Office

• Derek Falvey, Twins President of Baseball Operations, expressed regret about the trade after witnessing Varland’s success.
• Falvey stated they considered it part of their strategy until they saw the Blue Jays celebrating in the postseason.

MLB’s Involvement

Initially, the MLB responded negatively to the Twins’ request to retract the trade. However, they eventually acknowledged the clause’s existence, leading to some confusion within the league.

Varland’s Response

Louis Varland expressed surprise at the situation. He had assumed his new role in Canada was permanent and appreciated the culture. Varland commented, “I just figured I was, you know, in Canada now.”

Toronto’s Reaction

The Blue Jays’ front office, including General Manager Ross Atkins, were bewildered by the Twins’ actions. His comments indicated uncertainty about the legality of invoking such rules to reverse a trade.

Overall Implications

The Twins have clarified that their decision is not a reflection on Roden or Rojas. Instead, their focus is on improving their bullpen for the 2026 season.

• Roden experienced unusual circumstances with the Twins’ decisions about his status.
• The Twins aim to enhance their pitching capabilities moving forward.

Looking Ahead

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that while this situation is unprecedented, it is technically allowed under Rule 9.2.3-B if regret reaches a certain threshold. The Twins are working to resolve this matter before spring training begins.

As they prepare to welcome Varland back, the atmosphere at Target Field remains mixed. “We’re all pretending this is normal,” noted one coach about the confusing situation. The Twins are even setting up a ‘Welcome Back’ banner alongside one that expresses gratitude to Varland.

In a humorous twist, Falvey mentioned that the front office would review past trades to see if there are more opportunities for “do-overs.” The Twins hope to learn from this experience as they look to reconstruct their team effectively.