Todd Jones Relief Pitcher Minnesota Twins Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L Sv K ERA 45 4 5 11 39 4.62

DETROIT -- The Minnesota Twins, looking for a boost in the bullpen to help their surprising playoff run, acquired reliever Todd Jones from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday for pitcher Mark Redman.

"We need some immediate help," Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan said. "This is a situation where we have a chance to win and we want to take it. It's a good feeling to be on this side, looking to add rather than to subtract."

The Twins, who lost 5-1 at Seattle on Saturday, led the AL Central by five games at the All-Star break. But they have since faded to fall a game behind first-place Cleveland heading into Saturday night.

"It's probably somebody we need up here," said All-Star starter Joe Mays. "We need somebody new to come in and get things in gear. He is a great guy to have in the clubhouse. It will do nothing but help us."

Minnesota, with the lowest opening day payroll in the majors, has relied on speed, defense and solid starting pitching to surprise the entire American League. But the Twins wanted more depth in their bullpen.

That's where Jones, who tied for the AL lead with 42 saves last season, comes in.

"We think he can help us," manager Tom Kelly said. "He gives us a veteran guy to go out there. We will try to match him up where he should pitch."

Jones, who will join the Twins in Toronto on Tuesday, was hoping to be dealt to a contender before the trade deadline, but when it happened, it was still a shock.

"It was an honor to be a Tiger, and to have thrown the last pitch at Tiger Stadium," he said.

"This team and this city have touched my heart, but the time has come to move on, and I'm excited, at the age of 33, to get a shot at the postseason with Minnesota."

Jones lost his closer's job to Matt Anderson early this year. Jones is 4-5 with 11 saves and a 4.62 ERA.

"Early in the year, I felt like I had let the whole city down, but now I know that isn't true," he said.

"Matty was ready to be the closer, and maybe I can come back next year in a setup role. I just wish I could have brought the Tigers a little more in the deal."

The Twins weren't concerned by Jones' struggles this season.

"He's scuffled a little bit this year, but just a change in address, that can have a positive effect," Ryan said.

Redman went 12-9 for the Twins as a rookie in 2000, but has started only nine games this season (2-4, 4.22 ERA) due to a strained triceps muscle.

"Unfortunately, what he's going through now, he can't help us," Ryan said. "You've got to give him time to heal. It's too long for us to wait."

The Tigers hope to have the left-hander in their rotation within 2-to-3 weeks.

"It's all going to depend how things go, but we think he will be ready for game situations next week, and then he will get a couple minor league starts before coming up here," general manager Randy Smith said.

"I don't see this as a major risk -- this isn't an elbow or shoulder injury, it is a tricep. I'm happy that we could go to a team that is in a pennant race and get the guy who was their third starter at the end of last season."

Tigers manager Phil Garner hopes Redman will fill a void on his pitching staff.

"I've always wanted to get a young lefty into our rotation, and I think Mark can be that guy," Garner said. "Jonsey was a great player for us, and I'm happy that he will get a chance to get into a playoff race."

Redman will continue his rehabilitation in Detroit.

The Tigers called up reliever Kevin Tolar from Triple-A Toledo to fill Jones' roster spot.