Minnesota Twins Acquire Anthony Banda From Dodgers for Bonus Pool Money

The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers completed a straightforward bullpen trade, with Minnesota acquiring left-hander Anthony Banda in exchange for international bonus pool money.

To clear a 40-man roster spot for Banda, the Twins designated right-hander Jackson Kowar for assignment.

Why the Twins Made the Move

Minnesota has been stockpiling affordable, experienced bullpen arms, and Banda fits that exact mold:

• 3.14 ERA across 2024–25 with the Dodgers

• Logged high-leverage innings

• Has postseason experience on two championship runs

• Low financial cost

For a Twins club that values matchups and depth, a lefty with recent October reps is a clean add without touching the payroll in a meaningful way.

Banda’s Career Arc

Banda’s path has been uneven:

• 2022–23 (pre-Dodgers): 6.68 ERA, 2.08 WHIP in 33.2 innings

• With Dodgers: Reworked usage and command → became a reliable middle/late-inning option

• Career totals:

  • 4.44 ERA

  • 1.44 WHIP

  • 220 strikeouts in 233.1 innings

  • 209 appearances

Los Angeles essentially helped him re-establish himself as a viable bullpen piece, and Minnesota is betting that version is real.

Why the Dodgers Made the Trade

Banda had been designated for assignment after the Dodgers claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt, putting them in a roster crunch.

Rather than risk losing Banda for nothing, they:

• Converted the roster squeeze into international bonus pool money

• Maintained 40-man flexibility

• Moved a replaceable middle reliever from a deep bullpen

This is classic Dodgers roster management—turn surplus into future acquisition currency.

Impact on Both Bullpens

Twins

• Add a left-handed option with leverage experience

• Improve depth and matchup flexibility

• Minimal cost, low risk

Dodgers

• Clear a roster spot

• Gain international signing flexibility

• Lean on their deep internal bullpen pipeline

Bottom Line

It’s a small but purposeful move for Minnesota, targeting a proven lefty who can handle real innings, while the Dodgers once again convert a roster squeeze into long-term asset value.

If you want, I can project Twins bullpen roles, leverage ladder, and where Banda slots compared to their other left-handed options.