It wasn’t a trade that made many headlines last summer, but now the Tyler Mahle-for-Spencer Steer transaction between Minnesota and Cincinnati changed the direction of a division.
Steer, who played third base for the Ducks from 2017-19, was a prospect in the Twins organization before being trade to the Reds in 2022 for Mahle. Minnesota needed another starter in their bid to win the AL Central. In exchange for Mahle, the Twins handed over Steer who was having an okay minor league career.
But Steer’s chance of making the Twins’ big league roster was going to come later rather than sooner. Cincinnati, who was thought to be in the midst of rebuilding, made Steer a regular in the Reds lineup and he has never looked back.
Playing nearly every day in 2023, Steer has hit .287 with 14 home runs and 51 runs batted in. Steer began the season at first base for an injured Joey Votto, but he has also seen time at third, left field, and as the designated hitter.
Cincinnati is currently in first place in the National League Central Division with a 50-40 record, two games in front of the second-place Milwaukee Brewers.
As for the other part of the trade, Mahle got hurt in late April and hasn’t pitched since for the Twins. Steer may have been “the other guy” when this trade was made, but without Steer, Cincinnati may still be in a rebuilding mode instead of playing for a post-season spot for the first time since 2020.