The Minnesota Twins weren’t done making moves once they acquired All-Star closer Jorge López. It’s been reported by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that the Twins have traded for Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle.

When you look at Mahle’s stats, you may be wondering what’s so great about him. He’s 5-7, with an ERA of 4.40. Why would the Twins want to add a player like that to their rotation?

That’s all valid, but he’s 27 and under team control next season. Minnesota doesn’t draw a ton of free agents, and Mahle is exactly the type of player this front office targets.

Plus, he’s a much better pitcher on the road.

• Home: 12 G, 2-5, 64.1 IP, 4.76 ERA, 1.415 WHIP, .257/.333/.433, 2.46 SO/W
• Away: 7 G, 3-2, 40.0 IP, 3.83 ERA, 0.975 WHIP, .189/.244/.318, 4.09 SO/W

Those numbers are drastically different. If the Twins can get the away statistics regularly, then they’re getting a No. 1 or 2 type starter in the rotation.

The right-hander uses a four-pitch mix but relies on his fastball and changeup. Mahle changes speed on his FB often and will have it vary from 91-95 MPH.

The Twins did give up a lot to acquire Mahle, but that’s the price you pay when you’re acquiring a starting pitcher under team control.

The Reds are receiving Spencer Steer (No. 7), Steve Hajjar (No. 18) and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (No. 23).

Steer was having a great season and was selected to the All-Star Futures Game in Los Angeles this year. He’s increased his power and can play around the diamond. There wasn’t a whole lot of room for him with Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Carlos Correa and Jose Miranda on the roster.

Hajjar was having a great season for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. He was the organization’s second-round pick but he’s already 21. It’s never a guarantee, but he could have a solid MLB career.

Encarnacion-Strand was having an incredible season. He’s batting .302 and has hit 25 home runs as a 22-year-old between High-A and Double-A. He has defensive limitations and was likely going to be a DH in the long run.

To get something, you have to give up something. Losing these three prospects will hurt the farm system, but landing a player of Mahle’s caliber was even more important.

Grade: B+