Four Relievers the Twins Need to Work in 2024

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins enter the 2024 season with a relatively stout bullpen. They have the key, high-leverage roles already spoken-for, but there are more questions as you go down the pecking order. Four arms face an important crossroads this season.

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

While Rocco Baldelli has been criticized at times for having a quick hook with his starters, it's the quality of relief corps to which he can turn that really determines many wins and losses. Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda are both gone, but Pablo López routinely pitched deep in games. The hope is that Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober follow suit, and that Chris Paddack can perform at a high level while out there.

The Twins don’t need relief help to step up and take the roles of players like Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, or Caleb Thielbar, but they do need the next Kody Funderburk or a rubber arm to generate the production lost in the form of Emilio Pagán. There are four internal talents who have gotten the opportunity to seize that role in the past, and failed. Maybe this is the year that changes.

Cole Sands
Having made the Opening Day roster last season as a long reliever, Sands took spots from Danny Coulombe and Jeff Hoffman. The fifth-round pick in 2018 had plenty of prospect sheen, and his 8.2 K/9 in 30 2/3 innings as a rookie suggested he was (at least) rosterable. Instead, he bounced between the majors and Triple A without an ability to stick last year, because he couldn’t command the zone. Although the strikeouts jumped to 8.7 per nine frames, he walked a ridiculous 13 batters in 21 2/3, while posting a 5.52 FIP.

For the Saints, Sands put up his best numbers as a professional. The 1.47 ERA and 12.0 K/9 were impressive, and he allowed just a 2.9 BB/9. That’s what Minnesota needs to see at the next level, and maybe that comes with less jumping between levels. Sands is just 26 years old and could factor in as much more than a mop-up man if that Triple-A production begins to translate.

Jorge Alcalá
Agreeing to an arbitration contract at the exact $790,000 figure he earned during 2023, Alcalá has now been on the 40-man roster since 2019, despite pitching just 105 innings in that timeframe. He’s struggled to stay healthy, and while there have been glimpses of production, we haven’t seen any sustained level due to the inability to stay on the field.

Minnesota saw Alcalá throw 8 2/3 innings in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, and he posted a 3.12 ERA with an impressive 14-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. For years, it has seemed like Alcalá possessed the stuff to blow pitches by opposing hitters, and he should be able to rack up strikeouts, if he can just rack up some batters faced. The Twins will have him penciled in for a bullpen role on Opening Day, but how much and for how long he can produce will decide how long he remains in the organization.

Josh Winder
A 7th-round pick in 2018, Winder initially looked like an arm who could factor into Minnesota’s starting rotation. Unfortunately, the more he has been used, the more troublesome his injuries have become. With a body that may not be able to withstand the rigors of starting regularly, a transition to the bullpen has made sense for a while.

Last season, the Twins got just 34 2/3 innings out of Winder, and he turned in a 4.15 ERA. His 3.98 FIP was workable, and the strikeouts jumped, but his fastball was almost entirely unusable. Minnesota can try to find alternative options for Winder’s repertoire, which may unlock a new level of production. Recently having turned 27 years old, Winder will be pushing to find a more consistent role, and the Twins can’t afford to have a glut of mop-up types.

Jordan Balazovic
Once the best starting pitching prospect in the system, Balazovic has gone through the wringer of late. From suffering a broken jaw deep in a Fort Myers night to posting a 5.32 ERA at Triple A, 2023 wasn’t a great year. Balazovic debuted at the major-league level, but he’s no longer a starter and posted a 4.44 ERA with a 6.01 FIP across 24 1/3 innings.

Finding a new level of maturity and growth could serve the Canadian well in 2024, and he may not have many more chances. Balazovic didn’t miss bats for the Twins, and he walked too many batters. Nothing about the profile, at any level, was usable. If the trajectory of his time with the Twins is going to change, it's going to happen within the next 90 days. There might still be a good pitcher here, but we haven’t seen it since the 2021 season.

Minnesota won’t benefit by having an incredibly soft underbelly in the bullpen. It’s great that the higher-leverage arms are talented, but the group must raise the water level. If one or more members of this group could step up, that would be an excellent development for everyone involved. Each will be worth watching during spring training, and if any can separate themselves, then the opportunity should be immediately available.

Who do you have your eye on for long and lower-leverage relief for the 2024 Twins? What tweaks could unlock any of the guys listed here? Start the conversation below.

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[DJL44]

I would put all four pitchers in the "more likely to fail than succeed" category.

[CRF]

Cole Sands? Nah. Seen enough of him. The others? A big maybe at best. 

[roger]

The Twins really need one of this foursome to come through with a big year.  Expect the most likely is Alcala, but could be anyone.

Didn't need to read your opening reminding us that Sands making the team meant they released Coloumbe.  Sure could have used that lefty last year.

[Doctor Gast]

Although Canterino still has hopes to be a SP, he'll start in the BP in '24. That'll put more pressure on these 4.

[DJL44]

14 minutes ago, roger said:

The Twins really need one of this foursome to come through with a big year.  Expect the most likely is Alcala, but could be anyone.

I think 1 out of 4 is the most they should count on for this year. Relievers are not usually dependable but this group is unlikely to have much success.

Duran, Jax, Stewart and Thielbar would be in the "likely to pitch well" category. Funderburk is as likely to pitch well as to not pitch well. The rest of the relief options should not be counted on. Unfortunately, they are currently allocating 3 spots in the opening day bullpen to the group that is unlikely to succeed (these 4 plus Staumont and Jensen). I'd bet on Canterino and Varland contributing instead of this group.

 

[Karbo]

Sands will probably get another chance due to the fact he was drafted by this FO, he's got to make it this year or probably be off the 40.

I still hold out hope for both Alcala and Winder. Winder could probably benefit by a trip to Driveline.

I can't help but wonder if Balazovic has flamed out.

More questions than answers.

[Dman]

I forgot how well Sands did at AAA and AAA was no easy place to pitch last year with the tighter zone.  He got hit pretty hard in the majors at times and he walked too many guys..  As Ted said a tiny bit of improvement and he could be something.  I sure hope he gets there as we can use all the good pen arms we can get.

I have lost faith in Winder.  He was such a fast mover but seems to have hit a wall.  Never say never but it just feels like the stuff isn't going to translate.  I hope I am wrong.

Balazovich I give up trying to guess. I thought he was a mid rotation starter and now he can't even throw strikes.  I have to believe he is working hard this off-season to correct things.  Should know more once he gets more time in AAA.

Alcala looked good when he finally got back.  Hoping he can be the real deal.  His fastball has been too hittable so hopefully they have helped him find something else to rely on more often.  If he can keep the ball in the park I think he will be OK.

They all seem like longshots to succeed but if just even one hits that would be very helpful.

 

[Linus]

I feel like we will be having the same discussion next year and the year after. None of these guys have been good. None are young except Balazovic. At what point do we just get better pitchers?

[wabene]

Winder's 4 seam fastball got clobbered, but the word is he is working on a 2 seam sinker. My predicted order of success Alcala, Sands, Winder. Balazovic? Wild Card 

[jorgenswest]

Options give Sands, Winder and Alcala value and time.

Go back a few seasons and Sands was on the path Festa is today. Both threw 80 innings in AA at 23 years old with similar strike out and walk rates. Sands has the much better ERA but that may have been the luck of BABiP. In his 2022 top 40 prospects Gleeman wrote about Sand’s increased velocity, some trouble with control and working towards the big leagues AAA as mid rotation starter.  He wrote the same about Festa this year. I haven’t given up hope that Sands can be helpful in the majors.

Winder and Alcala have both shown glimpses of success in the majors. I am hopeful that health for Alcala and an improved fastball from Winder will be their turning point.

Balazovic has come to the crossroads. He is going to have to be more than the last arm in the pen to stick with the club. He hit AA in 2022 at 22 with very similar numbers to Sands and Festa. Gleeman wrote about his increased velocity, walks and potential as a mid rotation starter for him also adding a chance of being at the top of a rotation. It would be awesome to see that arm in spring training this year earning an important role in the bullpen.

[4twinsJA]

I have most confidence in Alcala. I like Sands and feel he got something figured out at AAA last year, may surprise. Winder and Balazovic definitely seem to be at crossroads- could improve and contribute or not.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

6 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Options give Sands, Winder and Alcala value and time.

This.  If I had to guess, one of those guys could wind up being pretty good and pretty valuable this year - not lights out, but useful.  Balazovic has no time:  it's sink or swim for him.  That's why you flood the zone with relief options so that you can pick the hot hand and go with it.  As we found out last year, you don't always pick correctly, but they will find some live arms to make things happen.  I'm happy we're not counting on "three of these four guys have to make it this year".  That would be a substantially bigger problem.  Having a base of Duran, Jax, Theilbar, and Brock Stewart gives the team some flexibility that they didn't necessarily have in past years, which is why I'm not overly panicked about the bullpen. 

[Cris E]

And this doesn't address the annual Who will be the reclamation find of the year? Last year it was Stewart, and this year's candidates include Staumont, Jenson and Stewart (who still has to prove that last year wasn't a fluke.) So there are more options than just these guys to populate the middle innings.

[roger]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I think 1 out of 4 is the most they should count on for this year. Relievers are not usually dependable but this group is unlikely to have much success.

Duran, Jax, Stewart and Thielbar would be in the "likely to pitch well" category. Funderburk is as likely to pitch well as to not pitch well. The rest of the relief options should not be counted on. Unfortunately, they are currently allocating 3 spots in the opening day bullpen to the group that is unlikely to succeed (these 4 plus Staumont and Jensen). I'd bet on Canterino and Varland contributing instead of this group.

 

I pray that Canterino will finally have put his health problems behind him.  I know they still talk about him being a starter, but he just won't be able to pitch that many innings in 2024.  So I see him maybe beginning as a starter in the minors for a month or two, then moving to the pen for a month before joining the Twins.  Hopefully, we see him at Target Field by the All-Star break. 

[Schmoeman5]

Relief pitching is not a priority.

[jmlease1]

I mean, I think these guys need to make it work this season for their own careers as much as the Twins do. Alcala is in the best shape: he's shown some success before and his biggest issue is injury, which means someone will take another chance on him even if this season busts for the Twins. Arguably, Balazovic in the next best positioned in that he has all that theoretical "upside" attached to a player who was a highly rated prospect once upon a time, and doesn't have a lot of innings in MLB to drag him down. Sands has had some success and hasn't been awful. Winder is in the diciest spot, as his fastball has been incredibly hittable and it seems unlikely that he can survive even in the bullpen just chucking curveballs.

I'm thinking there's 2 spots in the bullpen right now and these guys are fighting for them. Right now, I'd bet on Alcala and Sands, but Balazovic could surprise. Unless Winder unlocks something at Driveline with a new pitch...I think he's about done as anything other than a mop-up dude. I still like Alcala; the slider is a weapon and if the changeup is working he's got something to slow down lefties (which might help his fastball from getting pummeled).

we'll see how the rest do. the 8th spot won't get much work and is fairly wasteful unless the starters are back to "5 and Fly"; the last 2 spots are more about being the first calls up to higher leverage spots if someone gets dinged out of the Duran/Jax/Stewart group.

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

11 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Relief pitching is not a priority.

Not for the Twins it's not. We're still hurt over swinging and missing on Addison Reed and Jorge Lopez. So since you have a chance of failing why try at all?

[Blyleven2011]

Acala , Balazovic  , Sands and Winder  .... 

Once upon a time in Winder's rookie year  I liked what i saw  , spot starting and relief  ,  what happened , has he lost his confidence  , because he had confidence in his rookie year ...

Sands has been  a decent AAA pitcher  but sitting him in the bullpen  and not using him  regularly on the MLB club , no wonder his walk rate is high ...

Blazovic was once a promising  pitching prospect  ,  then he lost everything between the ears  ...

Acala  has shown he cannot stay healthy  but probably has the best stuff  of this group of 4 ... 

We need someone of the 4 to step up and EARN the roster spot in the bullpen  , SOMEONE has to be awfully hungry  , LET the competition begin  ...

[DocBauer]

Last time we saw a fully healthy Alcala he was having a pretty nice 2021, with a better 2nd half than 1st, showing development. IIRC, it was a new found trust in his changeup that made the biggest difference. Fast forward to the end of 2023 and he's reportedly healthy and throwing high 90's again and looked good in winter ball.

Personally, I think he's written in to the pen...even in pencil...along with Funderburk to give us a potentially really good 6th inning duo.

After that, I'm not sure what to expect. Balazovic looks to be a mess, but he's got the best collection of stuff. 

Winder, from what I read somewhere, was actually using his new 2 seamer late in the season with some success. If his continued work this offseason brings positive results, with his slider, he might be a 2 IP middle man that effectively replaces Pagan. (though I still don't think any one guy has to be a direct replacement).

Sands is interesting. His breaking ball is just nasty! But his other offerings are fairly pedestrian. But part of the discrepancy in AAA vs ML numbers in 2023 was the fact that he actually got to pitch at AAA, but with the Twins, he would sit as long as 10-14 days without being used. If his other offerings could play up even a little, he might be just make it as a front of the pen arm.

Guess I'd put my trust in Alcala, Winder, then Sands, and lastly Balazovic. I want to rank Balazovic higher considering his past rankings/results and pure stuff. But we just haven't seen anything really positive for a couple years now. 

[Fatbat]

Alcala has the best shot at being something special this year. He is healthy and full of confidence. 
Balazovich…. 98% chance of crash and burn but never say never. He might actually be on the opening day roster. 
Sands and Winder are in the same options river taxi. …. Unless  one or both decide that MLB is the place to be.  I’m betting on them getting the taxi rides. 
In an emergency break glass… Randy Dobnak 

Those AAA FA signings will look real good in Saints uniforms. Maybe one will call Dobbers for an uber ride across the river. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Alcala. He is good and has the right makeup to get outs. Easy call, plus he's signed thru 2025.

[HerbieFan]

That's the whole list?  Gulp.  

[mikelink45]

The contract says Alcala, but he has not proven anything.  I suspect that the FO wants at least one of their new acquisitions to make it and I am sure we can find another waiver wire hopeful along the way.  

Building this pen has not had any real strategy that I can see.  Thielbar has really come through and his resume is a crazy story.  Stewart has 1/2 year and we cannot count on that holding up, but we can hope.  

Jax had a period last year where I thought he lost it.  Still not at the top of my reliability chart.

Balazovic, Winder and Sands just have not shown anything yet, but I think the FO shows the most respect and expectations for Sands - not sure why. 

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, HerbieFan said:

That's the whole list?  Gulp.  

There's also some guys cut by bad teams and a pitcher coming off thoracic outlet surgery. It's not a promising list.

[stringer bell]

52 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

The contract says Alcala, but he has not proven anything.  I suspect that the FO wants at least one of their new acquisitions to make it and I am sure we can find another waiver wire hopeful along the way.  

Building this pen has not had any real strategy that I can see.  Thielbar has really come through and his resume is a crazy story.  Stewart has 1/2 year and we cannot count on that holding up, but we can hope.  

Jax had a period last year where I thought he lost it.  Still not at the top of my reliability chart.

Balazovic, Winder and Sands just have not shown anything yet, but I think the FO shows the most respect and expectations for Sands - not sure why. 

I think Balazovic has an advantage to stick in that he is out of options. Also, I've seen reports that Jordy Blaze was a disappointment/failure in the bullpen. My recollection is that he was quite effective in his few five or so outings and was being used in higher leverage situations. That tumbled down in his last outings. Maybe the league figured him out, maybe he fatigued, but I wonder if the Twins don't think there's some quality innings in his arm. 

[DJL44]

56 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I think Balazovic has an advantage to stick in that he is out of options. Also, I've seen reports that Jordy Blaze was a disappointment/failure in the bullpen. My recollection is that he was quite effective in his few five or so outings and was being used in higher leverage situations. That tumbled down in his last outings. Maybe the league figured him out, maybe he fatigued, but I wonder if the Twins don't think there's some quality innings in his arm. 

Or he got lucky in a small sample size. There is absolutely nothing in his 2023 statistics that suggests he'll be an effective pitcher in 2024. His walk rate is terrible. He gives up too many HR. In August and September his ERA was over 7 pitching out of the bullpen in AAA.

I am surprised he still has a roster spot. Many teams have cut players this offseason who pitched better than Balazovic in 2023. It is certain that other teams will cut players this spring who are more likely to pitch well than Balazovic.

[JD-TWINS]

Who’s around in July & beyond?

Top 5 guys, if they remain healthy, of Funderburk-Thielbar-Jax-Stewart-Duran, no big surprise……..with, ideally, Canterino - Alcala - Winder.

Because of Options left & limitations there, Balazovic may get a shot initially. I don’t believe in Sands stuff in the Show.

Winder had a 4.15 ERA & his fastball got hit at around .380………a 2 seam has to get his 95Mph fastball to some level of respectability. Alcala is all about maintaining health as is Canterino.

[mikelink45]

12 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I think Balazovic has an advantage to stick in that he is out of options. Also, I've seen reports that Jordy Blaze was a disappointment/failure in the bullpen. My recollection is that he was quite effective in his few five or so outings and was being used in higher leverage situations. That tumbled down in his last outings. Maybe the league figured him out, maybe he fatigued, but I wonder if the Twins don't think there's some quality innings in his arm. 

At one time I had great expectations for Balozovic. But I have had my expectations shattered by others in the past and right now he has had too many poor outings for me to have any faith in him.  I would love to be wrong, but this is all about our expectations in the off season. Of course now. Josh hader and Stephenson are signed from the free agent list. So we will see the twins try to mix and match and hope that it works.