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In this deadline's most surprising trade, a pair of uncompetitive teams have hooked up to swap pitchers. The Twins acquired Hector Santiago and Alan Busenitz from the Angels in exchange for Ricky Nolasco, Alex Meyer, and cash.


From the Twins perspective, the biggest benefit is getting away from some of Nolasco's failed four-year, $49 million contract, which has an additional season left to go.

Beyond that, the Twins get a plausible back-end starter in Santiago, who had been tied to various contenders over the last several weeks. Santiago's combination of wildness and proneness to the long ball makes him a risky long-term bet. He has a year of team control remaining after this season, so don't be surprised if the Twins move him againby this time next year.

The newest Twin. USATSI

As for the Angels, the hope is that Nolasco can return to being a mild disappointment -- as he was with the Marlins -- rather than a full-blown one. He's always pitched worse than his strikeout-to-walk ratios suggest, but his time in Minnesota saw him become more hittable than usual. Nolasco can still throw strikes, so perhaps a change in scenery will do him well. Then again,we've said that before.

The real prize, then, would seem to be Meyer -- the former top prospect whose name you recall from the Denard Span trade. Except there's a catch. Meyer has missed most of the season due to shoulder trouble -- in fact, his last appearance, majors or minors, came in early May. There's no telling when or how Meyer will return. He's still more interesting than Nolasco, however.

So, yeah, a surprising trade, but not a fun one.