Report: Twins Trade José Berríos to Blue Jays for Two Top Prospects

The Twins will receive Toronto prospects Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson in exchange for starting pitcher José Berríos.

The Blue Jays will acquire starting pitcher José Berríos in a trade with the Twins, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

Shortstop prospect Austin Martin and minor league pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson will reportedly head to Minnesota in the deal. 

SS/CF Austin Martin and RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson are headed back to the Twins for Jose Berrios, sources tell ESPN. Wow. That is a massive haul for a year and a half of Berrios.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021

Berríos, 27, is a two-time All-Star. He sports a 3.48 ERA, striking out 126 batters in 121 2/3 innings. Berríos joins a Blue Jays rotation that has struggled outside of ace Hyun Jin Ryu and the resurgent Robbie Ray; pitchers Steven Matz and Ross Stripling both sport ERAs above 4.50. 

The Twins received an impressive prospect return in exchange for their best pitcher. Martin is the No. 16 prospect in baseball, per MLB.com, while Woods Richardson slots in at No. 68. Martin was selected out of Vanderbilt with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 MLB draft.

Toronto enters Friday night 4 1/2 games back of the A's for the second wild card in the American League. Minnesota sits in the AL Central cellar at 43–60.