Nationals Trade Closer Matt Capps And Cash To Twins For Wilson Ramos, Joe Testa

The Twins have improved their bullpen by trading for closer Matt Capps. There’s not much doubt about that. But at what cost?

NBC’s Aaron Gleeman writes that Minnesota paid for a great reliever, but got merely a good one:

Matt Capps has 25 saves this year. Jon Rauch has 21 saves this year. As of about an hour ago, they’re both on the same team. So who closes?

Capps has the superior numbers anyway, so he’s the logical choice. What’s most important, though, is that the Twins have both, and have the makings of a solid, playoff-capable bullpen.

Earlier reports had Matt Capps going to Minnesota and Wilson Ramos going to Washington, straight up. Now Ken Rosenthal has an update:

The cash will presumably cover much of, if not all of Capps’ remaining salary. Joe Testa, meanwhile, is a 24 year old lefty reliever who got absolutely pounded this year in his first exposure to AA. He would appear to be something of a non-prospect.

If there was any doubting the previous report concerning the Matt Capps/Wilson Ramos trade, here’s Scott Miller to put your mind at ease:

This is a classic exchange of long-term value for short-term need, and Nationals fans have to be pleased. Even given Ramos’ down year, he’s a good young player at an important position, and Capps - while useful - is a luxury a team in Washington’s position doesn’t really need.

Earlier this evening, rumors started spreading that the Twins were getting serious about Matt Capps. And now it looks like they’ve pulled it off:

Says Jon Morosi: