Orioles Trade Dean Kremer to Twins: End of an Era as Baltimore Adds Young Outfield Prospect
The Baltimore Orioles made another significant move ahead of the MLB trade deadline Friday night, sending veteran right-handed starter Dean Kremer to the Minnesota Twins. In return, Baltimore reportedly acquired 18-year-old outfield prospect Jhomnardo Reyes, one of the Twins’ intriguing young power hitters.
For Orioles fans, the trade marks the end of a long chapter. Kremer had been with the organization since July 2018, when Baltimore acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Manny Machado to Los Angeles. Over parts of seven seasons in Baltimore, Kremer developed from a highly regarded prospect into a dependable major league starter.
Kremer’s 2026 Season
The 30-year-old’s 2026 campaign was interrupted by a right quad injury that limited him to just seven starts. Since returning in early July, Kremer struggled to regain consistency, posting a 6.50 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 36 innings. Despite the rough numbers, his previous body of work made him an attractive addition for a Twins club looking to strengthen its rotation for the playoff race.
While this season has been difficult, Kremer had previously established himself as one of Baltimore’s most reliable starters, recording ERAs just over 4.00 during the previous three seasons while routinely taking the ball every fifth day.
Orioles Add High-Upside Bat
Baltimore’s reported return is Jhomnardo Reyes, an 18-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder with considerable raw power.
Reyes has impressed in rookie ball this season, reportedly batting .296 with a .406 on-base percentage and a .541 slugging percentage while hitting seven home runs. Scouts view him as a boom-or-bust prospect with significant power potential, though there are questions about his strikeout rate as he climbs the minor league ladder.
The Orioles have increasingly targeted young position-player upside in recent trades, and Reyes fits that organizational philosophy.
What It Means for Baltimore
The timing of the trade is interesting.
The Orioles completed a big win over the Philadelphia Phillies Friday night and remain firmly in the American League Wild Card race. Trading a starting pitcher while still in postseason contention may seem surprising, but Baltimore appears to believe its pitching depth can absorb Kremer’s departure while adding another long-term asset to one of baseball’s strongest farm systems.
The move also opens another spot in Baltimore’s rotation, with internal options expected to receive opportunities as the season continues.
Kremer’s Orioles Legacy
Kremer will always hold a unique place in Orioles history.
After arriving in the Manny Machado trade, he worked through the rebuilding years and became one of the club’s most dependable starters. His willingness to take the ball every fifth day helped stabilize Baltimore’s rotation during the organization’s climb back toward contention.
Although injuries and inconsistency limited his impact in 2026, Kremer leaves Baltimore having been an important contributor during one of the franchise’s most transformative periods.
MSB Take
This deal looks like a classic buy-low on upside move for Baltimore.
Dean Kremer still has enough experience that Minnesota could benefit if he returns to his pre-injury form. However, the Orioles continue to prioritize long-term talent accumulation, and adding an 18-year-old power-hitting outfielder with significant upside fits Mike Elias’ development model.
Whether Orioles fans ultimately view this trade as a success will depend on two things: whether Kremer rebounds in Minnesota and whether Reyes develops into another impact prospect in Baltimore’s already deep farm system. As the trade deadline continues, this may not be the Orioles’ final move.
Here is the Orioles press release.
ORIOLES ACQUIRE JHOMNARDO REYES FROM THE MINNESOTA TWINS
The Orioles tonight announced they have acquired minor league outfielder JHOMNARDO REYES from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitcher DEAN KREMER.
Reyes, 18, hit .296/.409/.541 (47-for-159) with 12 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 31 runs, 44 RBI, 27 walks, and 14 stolen bases in 47 games with the FCL Twins before being promoted to Single-A Fort Myers on July 24. He ranked among Florida Complex League leaders in RBI (3rd), doubles (T-3rd), slugging percentage (4th), OPS (5th, .950), extra-base hits (T-5th, 22), total bases (T-7th, 86), and batting average (9th). Reyes was signed by the Twins as an international free agent on January 15, 2025. The Mao, Dominican Republic native was rated the No. 12 Twins prospect by Baseball America and No. 24 Twins prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Kremer, 30, went 1-4 with a 6.50 ERA (26 ER/36.0 IP) on 28 total runs, 38 hits (12 HR), 11 walks, and 38 strikeouts over seven starts with the Orioles this season. He made 133 career appearances (130 GS) with Baltimore, going 42-44 with a 4.37 ERA (344 ER/707.2 IP) on 372 total runs, 683 hits (107 HR), 233 walks, and 616 strikeouts. Kremer was originally acquired by the Orioles on July 18, 2018, from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a six-player trade involving Manny Machado.
