The Baltimore Orioles traded right-hander Dean Kremer to the Minnesota Twins late Friday in exchange for 18-year-old outfield prospect Jhomnardo Reyes, with The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal first reporting the agreement.
Kremer (1-4, 6.50 ERA in 7 starts with Baltimore this season) is earning $5.75 million in 2026 on an arbitration salary, with approximately $1.7 million remaining on his deal, and remains under team control through the 2027 season before hitting free agency in 2028.
For Minnesota, Kremer represents a cost-controlled addition while it pursues a wild-card berth this year with multi-year stability, giving the Twins control through next season. For Baltimore, the return of Reyes adds outfield depth to the organization as the club reshapes its roster heading into the stretch run.
Kremer, who was a playoff game starter for Baltimore two years ago, spent two months on the IL this season with a right quadriceps strain. 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.
This year, he was part of the starting rotation, but hasn't been great over the past month, giving up home runs and allowed eight earned runs in the Orioles' 14-0 blowout loss to the Tigers last week. He said he might need to change his approach after that one, as Tigers hitters attacked fastballs high in the zone against him, which has been his "identity."
Reyes, at just 18, figures to slot into the lower levels of Baltimore's farm system as the organization continues to build depth in the outfield.
Reyes 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.
As for who takes Kremer's place in the rotation, there are a few options. Cade Povich, who started 20 games in 2025, is on the team's 40-man roster and could be a near-term option. Trey Gibson, who started earlier this year, is a possibility. Veteran Chris Bassitt (back) is one or two rehab starts away from possibly taking a major league mound again, Orioles general manager Mike Elias said on Friday.
And the trade deadline could bring in another high-profile arm. Follow along with our Orioles Trade Deadline Tracker.
This is the second time Kremer has been dealt at the trade deadline in his career. He arrived with Baltimore in the Manny Machado trade back in 2018, and Kremer was the lone of five prospects in that deal to become a regular big-leaguer.