Twins Bolster Bullpen Depth
Minnesota Twins Acquire Reliever Tommy Nance From Blue Jays in Deal for Prospect Ryan Sprock
Key Points
Minnesota currently has a full 40-man roster and will likely need to clear space to accommodate Tommy Nance, indicating a corresponding move may be required.
Tommy Nance’s career MLB totals include 159 innings pitched across 144 appearances, with a 6-9 record, a 4.25 ERA and a 1.289 WHIP entering this season.
Nance, 35, is a Long Beach, California native who has previously spent time with the Cubs and Marlins before joining Toronto, marking his fifth big-league season.
Ryan Sprock is a 21-year-old with multi-position versatility (has played third base, catcher and outfield) and posted a .297/.855 OPS line with five home runs and 14 stolen bases in 67 minor-league games, primarily at Fort Myers (Single-A) and Cedar Rapids (High-A) in 2025; he was selected by Minnesota in the 2025 eighth round out of Elon University.
The Minnesota Twins acquired right-handed reliever Tommy Nance from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, adding bullpen depth ahead of the stretch run, according to MLB.com. In return, Toronto received Ryan Sprock, a 21-year-old multi-position prospect from Minnesota's farm system.
Nance, 35, has posted a 3.82 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 33 innings for Toronto this season. The deal ends his three-year stint with the Blue Jays, National Post reported.
Nance Brings Steady Arm to Minnesota's Bullpen
Nance has been a reliable piece of Toronto's relief corps. He posted a 1.99 ERA over 31.2 innings last season. His career MLB totals span 159 innings across 144 appearances, with a 4.25 ERA. He has also pitched for the Cubs and Marlins, making this his fifth big-league season.
The Twins are chasing a postseason spot and needed bullpen reinforcement. Minnesota has a full 40-man roster, so the team will likely need to make a corresponding move to fit Nance, according to MLB.com.
Blue Jays Get a Versatile Young Prospect in Return
Ryan Sprock is not your typical catcher. He has played third base, catcher, and outfield in Minnesota's minor-league system. The Twins drafted him in the eighth round of the 2025 draft out of Elon University, National Post reported.
Sprock has shown promise at the plate in 67 minor-league games in 2025. He hit .297 with an .855 OPS, five home runs, and 14 stolen bases. He split time between Fort Myers in Single-A and Cedar Rapids in High-A.
Toronto Sheds Salary but Signals No Full Rebuild
The move should not be read as a full selloff by Toronto, according to MLB.com. A source told Dose.ca that a deal worth $20 million is also in play for the Blue Jays, hinting at bigger moves ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.
Toronto was not getting younger by keeping Nance, who turns 36 this offseason. Trading him for a 21-year-old with multi-position upside fits a team that may be quietly retooling its roster for the future.
Deal Timed Just Before a Key Weekend Series
The trade was completed hours before Toronto faced the San Diego Padres, National Post reported. The timing was tight. The Blue Jays made the move public with little runway before game time, underscoring the fast pace of deadline-week deals.
For the Twins, adding Nance gives manager Rocco Baldelli another experienced arm out of the bullpen. Minnesota now has a proven reliever with big-league track record to deploy in high-leverage moments down the stretch.
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