Giants acquire Eduardo Nunez from Twins

The Giants have acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez from the Twins for left-handed pitcher Adalberto Mejia, as first reported by Lavelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

The move is the first deadline trade for both clubs, but likely won’t be the last. San Francisco is known to be looking to add pieces in its effort for a fourth championship in seven years, while the last-place Twins are shopping expendable veterans.

Nunez, 29, was an All-Star this season with Minnesota and is in the midst of a career year in which he is hitting .300/.326/.444 with 12 home runs in 90 games. He is expected to see time at both third base and second base for the Giants in the near future, with both Matt Duffy (achilles) and Joe Panik (concussion) currently dealing with injuries. Nunez has experience at second base, shortstop, third base and both corner outfield positions throughout his 7-year major-league career with the Yankees and Twins.

San Francisco has been looking for a third base addition all month, and was also linked to Yunel Escobar (Angels) in recent weeks. Nunez drew interest from many clubs, including the Indians, and is under control through next season.

Mejia, 23, was recently ranked by Baseball America as the 91st-best prospect in all of baseball and the fifth best prospect in the Giants’ system. He has posted a 2.81 ERA in 18 starts split between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento so far this season, his sixth professional season since being signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2011.

Mejia was suspended for 50 games last year due to a positive test for stimulants, but has rebounded this year with an excellent season that led to a promotion to Triple-A. According to MLB Pipeline, he projects to be a back-end starter in the majors.