How Should the Minnesota Twins Use Their Last Bullpen Spot?

[Cody Schoenmann]

In 2023, the Minnesota Twins' eighth bullpen spot was occupied primarily by a young stretch reliever (usually Cole Sands or Josh Winder) who could be used in an emergency. Should the Twins have a different type of reliever occupy their last bullpen spot in 2024?

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Entering the 2023 season, the Twins front office elected to part ways with talented veteran short relievers Danny Coulombe and Jeff Hoffman in the name of rostering a "stretch reliever" who could pitch multiple innings at a time, in case the starting pitcher performed poorly or became injured early in their start. Relatively inexperienced pitchers Cole Sands, Josh Winder, and Brent Headrick were the primary occupants of the stretch reliever role last season, yet the three appeared in just 48 total games.

For perspective, Jorge López, who underwent an extended absence from the team before being traded to the Miami Marlins in late July, appeared in 37 games. The Twins bullpen ranked 21st in MLB in Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR), and although it was wise for the organization to roster a "break glass in case of emergency" pitcher in theory, keeping a viable short reliever like Coulombe or Hoffman to fortify the pen would have been in the team's best interest.

With hindsight (and a greater understanding of the unavailing nature of the role they envisioned), will the Twins look to use their eighth bullpen spot differently in 2024? A definitive answer won't emerge until late March, but we have some inklings. Since the beginning of the offseason, the Twins have signed, claimed, or traded for relievers Josh Staumont, Ryan Jensen, Justin Topa, Daniel Duarte, Zack Weiss, Jay Jackson, and Steven Okert. Anthony DeSclafani (acquired alongside Topa from the Seattle Mariners) and Louie Varland could also fulfill short relief roles if necessary. Right now, though, the two are slated to compete for the team's fifth rotation spot. 

Caleb Thielbar, Brock Stewart, and the previously mentioned Jackson and Okert are out of options, effectively guaranteeing them spots on the 26-man roster out of Spring Training. The team could option Jhoan Durán or Griffin Jax, but that is an obscene notion even to consider. Durán, Jax, Thielbar, Stewart, Jackson and Okert makes six, leaving two unoccupied spots in the bullpen. Fellow recently acquired reliever Topa appeared to be a sure bet, but with multiple viable MLB relievers joining the mix since the team initially acquired the 32-year-old, his spot on the Opening Day roster has become less of a certainty.

Topa has two minor-league options available, so if he struggles in camp, he could be optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season. Yet, he should be considered the favorite to earn the seventh bullpen spot. Considering the intricacies and dynamic variables at hand, who earns the eighth spot in the bullpen depends on whether the organization prefers to keep a stretch reliever or short reliever with dominant upside.

Case For a Stretch Reliever
The primary reason Minnesota would elect to roster a stretch reliever over a short reliever is because the former can absorb innings in losses, which was why they elected to keep one most of last season. Manager Rocco Baldelli hates "chasing wins" with his better relievers like Durán or Stewart when the team is trailing. So, instead of wasting his high-leverage bullpen arms on low-leverage situations, he would attempt a comeback with a marginal pitcher like Winder or Headrick on the mound.

A secondary reason why the Twins value keeping a stretch reliever on the 26-man roster is that it provides Baldelli a reliable piggyback option if he needs to pull a starter early. In application, this situation would likely arise in games where Chris Paddack starts. Coming off missing 18 months from his second Tommy John surgery, Paddack must be sheltered from overuse early in the season. Also, Paddack has a thin repertoire, meaning the risk of a start imploding rises when facing the opposing team's lineup a second or third time. Last season's starting rotation was much more formidable than the current construction of this year's staff, meaning a stretch reliever was less necessary. Yet, entering the upcoming season with Paddack, DeSclafani, and Varland set to pitch a significant number of innings next season, rostering a stretch reliever becomes a greater necessity.

Here are the Twins' stretch reliever candidates who are currently on the 40-man roster:

• Sands
• Winder
• Headrick
• Simeon Woods Richardson
• Matt Canterino

Rostering a stretch reliever is less about the specific pitcher who inhabits the role and more about simply having someone who can mop up innings. The five names here could be viewed as an interchangeable taxi squad that rotates between Triple-A and the parent club, depending on who is fresh at any given moment. Though this is the case, Sands, Winder, and Headrick have the most experience operating as stretch relievers, while Woods Richardson and Canterino provide more upside. Having an assortment of arms who could interchangeably eat up innings early on would be a savvy decision for the Twins to make, especially at the beginning of a 162-game regular season.

Case for a Short Reliever
The central argument for the Twins rostering a short reliever with their eighth bullpen spot is upside. As constructed, the short relievers who would compete for the final spot in the Twins 'pen are:

• Staumont
• Weiss
• Kody Funderburk
• Jorge Alcalá

If Staumont can prove he's healthy after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last August, the former Royals reliever would be the favorite to beat out Funderburk, Alcalá, and Weiss in a camp competition. Regardless of which short reliever performs best in camp, though, their chances will all be subject to whether the team's decision-makers prefer to roster a high-strikeout, high-intensity short reliever or a stretch reliever capable of pitching multiple innings in a pinch.

While having a stretch reliever on the roster at the beginning of the season would be wise and convenient, the Twins could be doing themselves a disservice. Yes, they could find themselves needing someone to navigate four innings after Paddack imploded in the second inning of a start in early April, and it would be nice to have a stretch reliever rostered at that time. At the same time, the team could find itself needing to get out of a jam in the 11th inning of an extra-innings game they need to win, and their only option is someone like Headrick.

There are two sides to this coin, and both options make sense. With the Twins having fewer dependable, veteran starting pitchers than last season, they are highly incentivized to roster someone who could eat up multiple innings. Yet, they have the opportunity to create one of the most formidable bullpens in baseball if they elect to leave camp with a high-upside arm like Staumont or Funderburk. While they could easily flip between having a stretch reliever one day and a short reliever the next, it would be in the team's best interest not to shy away from making their bullpen a real strength. The way to do that is to keep a high-strikeout, high-intensity reliever.

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Which type of arm do you favor in filling out the bottom end of the Twins' reliever hierarchy? Who's your favorite arm for that job, entering camp? Make your voice heard below.

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[pierre75275]

With all the short reliever options, that's the way they should go. If guys are getting overused just dip down in AAA and grab the next guy.

I don't really see the need to roster a long reliever.

[Riverbrian]

Instead of saving a roster spot for a stretch reliever. 

How about stretching out all of the relievers from one inning stints to two inning stints. 

There is a large tract of land in between a one inning assignment and a 4 inning assignment for a relief pitcher. Those are not the only two options for relief pitcher utilization... yet they seem to be. It's Ok to think outside the box. 

The decision for all bullpen spots should be based solely upon who hangs zeroes and that is it. There is no hiding of bullpen arms.

If you talk yourself into rostering a lesser pitcher in the name of inning eating or stretch relieving or whatever you call it... you are making a mistake.

If you have to hide a pitcher from leverage.. if you have to save a pitcher for blowouts. You are wasting a roster spot. 

[Whitey333]

The Twins made big mistakes last year dumping Hoffman and Columbe.  I'm quite sure we can expect the same this year.  Although they do have a long list of has been, injured, untested, and recycled pitchers to choose from.

[Fatbat]

Id take the high upside reliever every time. There is always a way to option a guy after a blowup game and bring in another arm. 

[Major League Ready]

If the rumors about Lorenzen / Syndergaard are true, something has to give.  One of them or DeSclafani needs to pitch out of the BP or in a piggyback role.  Using Paddack and one of these guys in a piggyback role makes sense.

[miracleb]

1 minute ago, Major League Ready said:

If the rumors about Lorenzen / Syndergaard are true, something has to give.  One of them or DeSclafani needs to pitch out of the BP or in a piggyback role.  Using Paddack and one of these guys used in a piggyback role.

Wait...what....

[JD-TWINS]

Seems that early in the year, while watching pitch counts even more so, a long guy seems to be wise. Can even rotate the “long guys” with options.

[mikelink45]

From that list of options at the end of the essay Canterino it's the only acceptable one for me and I think he can go both ways short and long. 

[jorgenswest]

Priorities in order for last spot in pen.

1. Most important is availability of an option to shuttle to AAA when the bullpen is taxed. In this case they really would have two or three last spot relievers with one that happens to be on the opening day roster.
2. The pitcher needs to already be on the 40 man roster. Don’t use a 40 man move for a reliever that will be shuttled a back to AAA. Keep them in AAA as depth for when injury hits.
3. The pitcher should be able to give them 40 pitches in an appearance allowing multiple innings.

There are several relievers with some experience as starters in the minors that can fill that last spot shuttle role. The name of the first player to have that spot isn’t that worthy of debate.

This debate really needs to be about which of the out of options relievers will earn an important role in the pen. I think that needs to be at least top 11.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

What a great problem to have. In years past, I remember articles like this about who will play SS.  Also, for too many years, after Mauer stopped catching, we Twins' fans were asking: "Who will catch?" The FO has done a good job of building a good team which only has a few questions about the roster. If the second or third (after the 5th starting pitcher and the left fielder) most questionable roster spot is the 8th reliever, the FO must be doing something right. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Didn't realize Staumont had the surgery in August '23. I thought it was August '22. I'd be shocked if he didn't open the season on the IL.

I think the Twins are going to sign Lorenzen or Syndegaard and shift Descalfini to the bullpen while Varland gets stretched out in AAA.

[Fatbat]

4 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

What a great problem to have. In years past, I remember articles like this about who will play SS.  Also, for too many years, after Mauer stopped catching, we Twins' fans were asking: "Who will catch?" The FO has done a good job of building a good team which only has a few questions about the roster. If the second or third (after the 5th starting pitcher and the left fielder) most questionable roster spot is the 8th reliever, the FO must be doing something right. 

and having 19 guys with options that can fill that role and at least 11 or 12 of them on the 40 man. We got that #8 arm covered. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

48 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

If the rumors about Lorenzen / Syndergaard are true, something has to give.  One of them or DeSclafani needs to pitch out of the BP or in a piggyback role.  Using Paddack and one of these guys in a piggyback role makes sense.

I'll add to this; if/when they do add another starting pitcher; the stretch/long reliever role could go to both DeScalfani and/or Paddack throughout the season too no? 

It's good to have depth.

[arby58]

7 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Didn't realize Staumont had the surgery in August '23. I thought it was August '22. I'd be shocked if he didn't open the season on the IL.

I think the Twins are going to sign Lorenzen or Syndegaard and shift Descalfini to the bullpen while Varland gets stretched out in AAA.

I agree that Varland will start at AAA. It's just terminology, but Varland was primarily a starter last year (between the Twins and Saints he started 25 games) - I don't think he needs to get 'stretched out' as much as keep using him as a starting pitcher.

[Fatbat]

12 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Didn't realize Staumont had the surgery in August '23. I thought it was August '22. I'd be shocked if he didn't open the season on the IL.

I think the Twins are going to sign Lorenzen or Syndegaard and shift Descalfini to the bullpen while Varland gets stretched out in AAA.

Staumont’s surgery found the genetic type of muscle/nerve issue and was easier to fix than other possibilities. According to him, his issue is behind him and its full speed ahead. 

[IndianaTwin]

Of note is that the 48 games from Headrick/Sands/Winder produced 82 innings, so it's not really fair to compare that to Lopez's 37 games that produced 35.1 innings. 

Rather than calling someone a "stretch" reliever, I prefer to think of him as No. 8. The reality is that there's always going to be games when the bullpen is relatively tired and/or the game has gotten out of hand, so you want someone to pitch the ninth and/or eighth who isn't going to negatively affect the next game or two.

The No. 8 role also has another function, which is to audition for the No. 7, 6, 5... role. Whether you talk about Duran, Jax, Stewart or Thielbar, none came into their current role immediately. They worked themselves up the food chain. The place to start is No. 8. Prove yourself and you can become No. 7, 6, 5... Even if you look back at Duran, four of his first seven appearances went 2.0 innings and nearly all were pretty low leverage. He moved up the ladder quickly, but he started out on a low rung. Others have followed the same trajectory, even if they didn't move as quickly or as high as Duran.

Sure, the preference is to have eight lights-out guys who could all step in to pitch two shut-down innings, but that's not going to happen. There's always going to be an eighth guy in the pen. What the Twins have done in pursuing depth is put themselves into position to have a better No. 8 than they have had in the past.

 

(Also, aren't indications that Canterino and Woods Richardson will be in St. Paul, working as starters, knowing that they need a No. 8, 9, 10 on that side as well?)    

 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

16 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Staumont’s surgery found the genetic type of muscle/nerve issue and was easier to fix than other possibilities. According to him, his issue is behind him and its full speed ahead. 

Interesting. He's an intriguing option for sure. If healthy, he can definitely help.

[Doctor Gast]

Twins have always had problems with rotation injuries & ineffectiveness, especially going into the postseason. Last season the little they used long relief helped curb the rotation injuries yet Ryan & Ober hit a wall while pitching records 161 & 144 innings. Right now our rotation is Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Paddack & shiny new toy DeSclafani. Paddack is coming back from TJ & DeSclafani is injury-prone both should be on a limited pitch count both using the piggy-back approach. Varland should not be wasted down in AAA, he should be stretched out as one of the 2nd half piggy-back duo ready to step in when DeSclafani or & Paddack (hopefully can be avoided) would go down. The other could be Winder, Sands, or Canterino. BPs are very volatile so those in short relief should be rotated regularly going with those who are hot & those on a minor-league contract should be conserved.

[Dman]

It's not a certainty, but the rotation as constructed looks light to me and I think they add another veteran starter. It might be a 5th starter type that none of us wanted, but right now the rotation could be a house of cards with Paddack, Deslca and Ober.  If they do add a Lorenzen, Odo, Ryu type then that would move Descla to the swingman role he was going to be used for in Seattle which given his arm history makes more sense to me.

I could be dead wrong, but I don't see the Twins wanting to start the season with Varland, Canterino, Headrick or SWR as the 5th starter\swingman.  I think ideally they make sure they are stretched out and on the right track in St. Paul before using them. 

Lot's of unknowns right now but I do think they go with a swingman for the 8th spot and try hard to get another arm in Free Agency.  We'll see how things shake out.

[Fatbat]

16 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Interesting. He's an intriguing option for sure. If healthy, he can definitely help.

I can’t find the interview but he has huge upside. He basically had a mutual separation with KC and wanted a fresh start.  His best season was 2021 and interestingly enough. He had a horrible bout of covid in feb/march of 21, recovered and had a great year.  His career walk rate is absolutely horrific so if we can fix that, he could be lights out type guy.  

[arby58]

2 minutes ago, Dman said:

It's not a certainty, but the rotation as constructed looks light to me and I think they add another veteran starter. It might be a 5th starter type that none of us wanted, but right now the rotation could be a house of cards with Paddack, Deslca and Ober.  If they do add a Lorenzen, Odo, Ryu type then that would move Descla to the swingman role he was going to be used for in Seattle which given his arm history makes more sense to me.

I could be dead wrong, but I don't see the Twins wanting to start the season with Varland, Canterino, Headrick or SWR as the 5th starter\swingman.  I think ideally they make sure they are stretched out and on the right track in St. Paul before using them. 

Lot's of unknowns right now but I do think they go with a swingman for the 8th spot and try hard to get another arm in Free Agency.  We'll see how things shake out.

How is Ober part of 'a house of cards?' He started 26 games for them, threw 144.1 innings. He started another 5 games at AAA and threw  22.2 innings there. Combined, he threw 167 innings without going on the IL, had a MLB WAR of 3.0, a 3.43 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.067. Other than Lopez, he is the starting pitcher who appears to be rock solid.

[Dman]

6 minutes ago, arby58 said:

How is Ober part of 'a house of cards?' He started 26 games for them, threw 144.1 innings. He started another 5 games at AAA and threw  22.2 innings there. Combined, he threw 167 innings without going on the IL, had a MLB WAR of 3.0, a 3.43 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.067. Other than Lopez, he is the starting pitcher who appears to be rock solid.

That is the first year he threw that many innings. 1 out of about 5 and he needed a long break at the end of the season to get there. I guess if you feel that is a good ratio or that he will never have any arm issues then that is fine don't include him.  To me he has a history of breaking down and one year doesn't mean everything is necessarily all good. I'd still have a contingency plan for at least one if not two of Paddack, Descla and Ober.

[DJL44]

Plenty of off-days to start the season. I wouldn't worry about having a long reliever until the 4/11 road trip at the earliest.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Seems that early in the year, while watching pitch counts even more so, a long guy seems to be wise. Can even rotate the “long guys” with options.

As long as they actually use the 'long guy' more than once a week. I remember Cole Sands not pitching for 8 or 9 days a few times last year. 

[tony&rodney]

Last season, it seemed like the Twins carried a pitcher in the bullpen who rarely actually pitched in games. The relief pile looks pretty good right now. Hopefully the Twins are a little more proactive about using everyone. 

The post points out that the pen is pretty full with Duran, Stewart, Jax, Thielbar, Jackson, Topa, and Okert seemingly set. That leaves some pretty decent arms (Alcala, Funderburk, Winder, Sands, Weiss, and others) trying to squeeze into one slot or waiting for their shot while pitching for the Saints. Staumont, if healthy, is a strong pitcher too. I can't disagree that having a host of options increases the odds of success for the bullpen, but do feel for guys like Funderburk who are good enough to be relied on consistently but because of options are long shots to start the season on the roster.

The one area where I want to see a clear positive decision concerns Louie Varland. I don't really care that he has options. Unless DeSclafani is fully healthy and displays better pitches than Varland in March, Varland should be the #4 starting pitcher. I'm fine going with DeSclafani if it is clear that he is the better pitcher with superior stuff. If not, and if DeScla is fully healthy, the last bullpen position can go to him (DeScla). It would not be a surprise for Staumont, DeSclafani, or someone else to need a stint on the IL out of training camp.

A number of people are still hoping for a TOR pitcher and I'm not opposed to that if we are talking about Luzardo or much better. That means no pointless signings of shredded guys like Syndergaard or Lorenzen. I'm not too worried about Falvey handing out long term deals to Montgomery or Snell. The pitching looks good.

[TopGunn#22]

To me, if I'm looking at that #8 spot it should be Canterino.  This is dependent on him lighting it up in Spring training because nobody questions his raw stuff.  He may have to begin the season in St. Paul and pitch about one month down there.  It wouldn't be a surprise to see that.

The speculation now that another vet SP could be signed (Thor, Lorenzen) just adds another wrinkle to the discussion.  I'd also like to toss Clevinger's name in there as well.  If the Twins actually do bring in someone like this I would like to see some sort of piggyback with Paddack, who in his Pecota projections looks like he can deliver for the Twins.  In fact, if a Clevinger was brought in, I'd love to see a Paddack/DeSclafani piggyback for sure. 

But I think Riverbrian hits the nail on the head when he points out that the Twins could have several TWO inning guys as opposed to pigeonholing them into a one inning or four inning role.

Funderburk and Canterino would be excellent 2-inning guys.  Maybe Staumont and Topa as well.  We know Las Vegas has odds on Theilbar hitting the I.L. at 2.5 times.  I'll take the over at 3. (sarc).  Theilbar will be effective in his one inning stints when he pitches, but there will be a need to fill his absence from time to time throughout the season. 

The Twins really went out and got a BUNCH of guys as bullpen possibilities this off season.  After pining away most of this winter how much I'd love to see Varland take over the 8th inning and occasional closer role, I'm happy with him remaining a SP with all the RP's the Twins signed.  Plus, Canterino as a 2-inning guy can provide big time stuff out of the pen and still maintain a chance to be used as a spot SP if needed and his health/workload restrictions allow for it.

  

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

43 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

I can’t find the interview but he has huge upside. He basically had a mutual separation with KC and wanted a fresh start.  His best season was 2021 and interestingly enough. He had a horrible bout of covid in feb/march of 21, recovered and had a great year.  His career walk rate is absolutely horrific so if we can fix that, he could be lights out type guy.  

Yup. The stuff is dynamic (when healthy). I remember his plowing through the Twins' line-up a few times.

[jmlease1]

I think this is a non-issue if 2-3 of your guys in the bullpen can go more than 1 inning without needing a week off afterwards. And if the Twins bullpen really has no one that can throw 2 innings in a time of need and come back and throw another inning after 2 days of rest, then we have a problem. Because there's going to be starts where the starter doesn't get into the 5th and the bullpen is going to need to get 4-6 innings done to get through the game, win or loss. but we're going to have 8 freakin' guys in the bullpen, they really can't all be 1 inning only dudes, right?

Having a long man who only pitches in mop-up duty or disasters can be a waste of a spot, and roster spots are precious. I'd rather have guys who the manager wants to use. And if you roster 2 guys who can throw 2 innings without needing a week off you can do without a "long man" who just eats up 4 innings in a lost cause game that might only happen twice a month.

[nicksaviking]

I'd go with the 'stretch' reliever, knowing that most of the successful Twins relievers of the past were 'stretch' relievers until they found that extra gear and became high leverage relievers. Duran, Jax, Duffey, May, Rogers, Perkins. They were all converted starters by the Twins, like Stewart was previously with the Dodgers. Developing one of those guys each year seems to be a great way of keeping your bullpen stocked.

But it's the last spot in the pen so I expect it to be fluid. Just don't give much of a leash to the guys with control problems. I know every team thinks they have some special magic to fix that, but no one ever does.