The Twins Need Another Reliever

[Cody Pirkl]

The Twins did well in acquiring a reliable veteran reliever in Dylan Floro on Wednesday to slot into at least some leverage. Given the injury concerns in the bullpen and what we've seen in recent days, they should have their sights set on acquiring a second reliever.

Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins bullpen is currently a house of cards held up by Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran. Dylan Floro has a lot to like in the profile but has struggled this year and even at his best slots in behind the big two. With injuries and uncertainty across the board throughout the rest of the receiving corps, the Twins should be looking to acquire one more reliever for the stretch run.

The Twins have reached a troubling level of uncertainty in their bullpen. On days when Jax and Duran aren’t available, they often have to use multiple fringe MLB-caliber arms, and even Jax has blown several leads over the last week or so. The fringes of the bullpen are filled out by rarely called-upon names such as Cole Sands, as well as waiver claims and relievers who struggle to even get Triple-A hitters out such as Oliver Ortega and Josh Winder. It’s no certainty that help is on the way internally.

They find themselves in this spot despite surprisingly quality innings from Emilio Pagán, as well as getting a collection of great innings from José De León and Brock Stewart before both went down with injury.

Caleb Thielbar just began a rehab assignment, though he’ll surely be brought along slowly. He’s no guarantee to return to form from his oblique issue, as we saw earlier this season when he returned for one appearance and immediately hit the IL again. It’s a fun idea to rely on the dominant Brock Stewart’s return, but after being shut down for what was considered maintenance, a month has passed and there is still no timeline for a rehab assignment. Relying on either to save the bullpen could prove costly. 

In addition, there are no immediate options within the system. After Oliver Ortega was optioned, the Twins called Josh Winder up for depth. The former intriguing starting prospect has struggled to get Triple-A hitters out as a reliever this season.

Brent Headrick is stretched out to start and should probably stay that way. Ronny Henriquez, a once-promising prospect himself, has been a complete mess in Triple-A in between injuries. Outside of the 40-man roster, a few names such as Cody Laweryson and Kody Funderburk have flashed at times, but there are no standout options to potentially become bullpen staples. 

In short, the only real help that’s coming internally is from Thielbar and Stewart, neither of which should be relied on too heavily. Recently acquired Dylan Floro would likely slot in behind these two if all are healthy, making him more of a depth option rather than a legitimate go-to guy like this recovering duo can be. Adding another high-leverage arm as insurance in the event that Thielbar or Stewart can't come back has little downside. Worst case scenario the Twins wind up with too many reliable relievers.

One more potential high-leverage arm would help the Twins tremendously given the health questions they're facing in the final months of the season. With the offense coming around a bit and the starting pitching starting to falter, they should be doing all they can to acquire one more bullpen piece and make the end of games as air-tight as possible. Do you agree?

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[tarheeltwinsfan]

I agree that the Twins need 1 more quality reliever this year.  I saw where Robertson was just traded. He would have helped the Twins. 

[DJL44]

They need two more relievers

[gman]

I think they may need to reconsider their use of starters in the minors the last two months of the season. Since the process is to have starters only pitch 4-5 innings, doesn't seem like it would be that much difference to have those same pitchers throw 2-3 innings at a  for the Twins. Get them closer to the 8th or 9th inning for Duran, Jax, Thielbar or possibly Stewart at some point. True another Duran would be most helpful, but I think the chances are less than slim and none.

It wouldn't be the first time a top arm was brought of from the minors to pitch in relief. That's how Duran and Jax both got started.

[mike8791]

This FO has almost always(Lopez the one, unfortunate exception) avoided major moves to strengthen the closer end of the bullpen. Some on TD argue this is the correct course as relievers future production can be so unpredictable.  And yet, with the Twins hanging on to 1st with a shaky 1-1/2 game lead, the argument for bolstering the shutdown end of the pen by the trade deadline is compelling.

First, the Twins are too heavily reliant on Duran for critical situations.  This heavy dependence has, to a certain extent lately, looked to weaken his effectiveness.  More importantly, the current #2 man, Jax, has had an alarming tendency to allow inherited runners to score at the most inopportune times.  Can he really be counted on as a shutdown reliever in critical games, particularly in a playoff game?  And who else currently on the roster would you trust?  Yes, Thielbar and Stewart might return in time, but to count on that happening is just too chancy at this juncture.

With Robertson just traded, there are perhaps two other relievers - Hader and Bednar - that would fit the bill.  Yes, the price is high, but we do have surplus major league talent to trade - LH OFs and middle IFs.  Wouldn't a package of, say, Polanco, Larnach and maybe Varland land Hader or Bednar?   As things stand now, these are surplus players who might slot nicely into a team like the Padres.  Sweeten the package with a top 10-20 prospect and pehaps the Pods would add Snell to the package(after all, you never know what Preller might do).

Do I expect a major deal like this to happen?  No, but it would certainly give this team a positive jolt for the stretch run!

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I agree that the Twins need 1 more quality reliever this year.  I saw where Robertson was just traded. He would have helped the Twins. 

Is there any prognosis at all on Chris Paddack? Maybe it's not fair to depend but earlier there was some talk about him coming back in September. Knowing the plan with Keuchel would also make for an educated guess about the FO plans going forward regarding trades 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, gman said:

I think they may need to reconsider their use of starters in the minors the last two months of the season. Since the process is to have starters only pitch 4-5 innings, doesn't seem like it would be that much difference to have those same pitchers throw 2-3 innings at a  for the Twins. Get them closer to the 8th or 9th inning for Duran, Jax, Thielbar or possibly Stewart at some point. True another Duran would be most helpful, but I think the chances are less than slim and none.

It wouldn't be the first time a top arm was brought of from the minors to pitch in relief. That's how Duran and Jax both got started.

I think they have already started down that path with Woods-Richardson.

[Cody Pirkl]

45 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I think they have already started down that path with Woods-Richardson.

I think they should head down that path with Woods Richardson but so far they have not. Despite his struggles, he's still being used as a traditional starter.

[Cody Pirkl]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

Is there any prognosis at all on Chris Paddack? Maybe it's not fair to depend but earlier there was some talk about him coming back in September. Knowing the plan with Keuchel would also make for an educated guess about the FO plans going forward regarding trades 

I would be surprised if they brought Paddack back from his second TJ to relieve. The nature of a bullpen arm doesn't fit well with someone who will probably need several days in between outings regardless of the length.

[Mike Sixel]

Headrick could relieve the rest of this year without effecting the long term. Almost every minor league pitcher could, I'd think. 

I agree, they could really use one more bro good RP.... But I don't know who that is that will be dealt....

[nicksaviking]

I'll never trust relievers coming from other teams, but I wouldn't protest getting one.

The Twins have quietly been building a groundball heavy bullpen, which contrasts with the flyball heavy rotation. Honestly, Dallas Keuchel out of the pen might be exactly what they are looking for.

[Brandon]

Bednar is a nice target but would cost a lot of prospect capital.  We do have Larnarch to trade.  I guess it would come down to what the Pirates need.  Do they have a promising long term 2B?  we have lots of 2B prospects to include too.  A solid OF and a solid 2B prospect with a solid floor is a good start.  I image the Pirates want some sort of pitching to plug too but not sure what I would include here.  

[rusty boots]

Need more than just a reliever this team is horrible 

[Mike Sixel]

The commenters on Fangrapsh think Raya and Headrick for Hader is too light from the Twins.....um, hmmmm. 

[USAFChief]

25 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

The commenters on Fangrapsh think Raya and Headrick for Hader is too light from the Twins.....um, hmmmm. 

San Diego laughs at that. 

[USAFChief]

Every winter I beg and plead for bullpen help.

Every winter I read how relievers are "fungible," "not reliable," and "easy to acquire."

And every summer, we all beg for pen help.

 

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

San Diego laughs at that. 

If true, then MN should 100% trade Gray. Raya is a 45+ prospect on Fangraphs....what is Gray worth?

[Peter]

Why not have kuechel be in bullpen-he’s former cy young winner and will be key piece in winning division/world championship. Bring him up or trade sonny who won’t be here next year. 

[nicksaviking]

20 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Every winter I beg and plead for bullpen help.

Every winter I read how relievers are "fungible," "not reliable," and "easy to acquire."

And every summer, we all beg for pen help.

 

What about last year when they traded for two of the best relievers available at the deadline?

[JD-TWINS]

On 7/28/2023 at 10:45 AM, gman said:

I think they may need to reconsider their use of starters in the minors the last two months of the season. Since the process is to have starters only pitch 4-5 innings, doesn't seem like it would be that much difference to have those same pitchers throw 2-3 innings at a  for the Twins. Get them closer to the 8th or 9th inning for Duran, Jax, Thielbar or possibly Stewart at some point. True another Duran would be most helpful, but I think the chances are less than slim and none.

It wouldn't be the first time a top arm was brought of from the minors to pitch in relief. That's how Duran and Jax both got started.

Preaching to the choir!!

I don’t understand how pitching in relief for two months sets a starter back in his career going forward the following year?? Seems there is fall ball - winter ball - spring training to get back in track.

Balazovic is working to become a key piece in the middle of our bullpen - a key piece - a professional baseball pitcher, not some soft guy that will derail his career by throwing relief and focusing on it for 60-75 days! We gotta have another 2 guys to do this with - right?

Why should Headrick stay stretched out v. helping the big club as he did in May? I understand FO/organization wants depth for our starters in case of catastrophe………not having proper relief pitchers is just as bad as not having enough starter depth!!!!

Can’t cross our fingers and assume Thielbar & Stewart will both hold up and be effective!

Need 2 more guys to rely upon. Am assuming we cannot get it done internally……get out into the market and get a couple guys with experience and guts to help us down the stretch.

[JD-TWINS]

On 7/28/2023 at 4:35 PM, Mike Sixel said:

The commenters on Fangrapsh think Raya and Headrick for Hader is too light from the Twins.....um, hmmmm. 

Can’t be too light for a rental - right?

I don’t think we should do that - Hader……..I’m in favor of going after the #2 or #3 guy in San Diego’s Pen. They have a great team ERA so they have more than one good reliever ……don’t know any names but the FO should know who to go after!

Headrick & Raya could be part of the solution here. I know San Diego’s best LH, after Soto, is hitting around .200. Maybe we offer Larnach & a young arm for one of their set-up arms?

[JD-TWINS]

PITCHING is the key!

In the last handful of games we’ve scored 7 runs, 5 runs, & a minimum of 6 runs tonight & we’ll lose all 3 games.

Watching ballgame Saturday night - Royals are one of bottom 3-4 teams in the game. Watched Friday night and pretty similar outcome. Average to poor starting pitching - terrible relief pitching ……..10 runs on 17 hits for Royals tonight and it’s the 7th inning.

Moran - Winder - Sands ……none of these guys can be near our roster after Tuesday.

Balazovic - Floro - Pagan should be our 6th, 7th, & 8th guys in Pen.

Duran - Jax - Thielbar are 1, 2, & 3

With Stewart up in the air we need to fill the 4 & 5 spots in our Pen. Don’t see the pressing need for RH corner OF relative to our obvious and desperate need to fill holes & add depth to our Pen.

Kuehcel needs to be on roster by Tuesday as well, to start providing rest for our starters. Maeda should be good. Option guys (Ober/Ryan) for 10 days or IL guys for 10 days, whatever, come up with a way to skip some starts and get our starters re-set!!!