Three Bullpen X Factors for the Stretch Run

[Cody Pirkl]

The Twins followed up a low-wattage trade deadline with news that Brock Stewart is returning to the IL. With only internal options remaining to help the bullpen down the stretch, who could elevate their game to another level to make up the gap?

Image courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins bullpen hasn’t been the strength we hoped it would be coming into the season, with some underperformance mixed with injuries. Now that the trade deadline has passed, they’re left with what they have. While filling a Brock Stewart-sized hole late in games may be impossible, several internal options could improve their game and help the Twins to the finish line.

Caleb Thielbar
Thielbar looked like he was on the edge of losing his roster spot at one point this season, as even in a bullpen devoid of left-handed options, he’s looked like age has caught up to him at times. For a roster desperate for a guy to use in left-handed matchups, at the very least, Thielbar stepping up would be huge.

Hopefully, his recent stretch will be a sign of things to come. It may be hard to regain trust against the 37-year-old southpaw fully, but Thielbar wasn’t just a lefty specialist at his best. If he can continue to reign in his numbers against right-handed hitters, even just a bit, the Twins bullpen would be in a much better place.

Cole Sands
Sands has taken a significant step forward in 2024 and looks like a core piece of the bullpen for the next few years. He’s posted career bests in strikeout, walk, and home run rates, which is pretty much all you need to do to succeed as a pitcher. With such a great season already, how can Sands elevate the Twins bullpen even further?

For Sands, it has less to do with improving his performance and more with how he’s used. While he’s filled a wide range of roles this season, we may see more of him in high leverage moving forward. He should slot in behind Alcala, Jax, and Duran and will find himself pitching some big innings down the stretch. If he can continue to build on the breakout season he’s already posted, the Twins can still have the dominant back end of the bullpen we envisioned heading into the season.

Justin Topa
It’s easy to forget about Justin Topa, who was part of the Jorge Polanco trade, which has been a disaster for both teams involved. At one point, it appeared Topa would join Anthony DeSclefani as pieces of the Polanco return who wouldn’t play in 2024. After rehabbing his problematic knee, Topa is now approaching his Twins debut.

Topa is not a household name due to his limited action in the MLB, but he had a dominant 2023 with the Mariners. In 69 innings, he posted a 2.61 ERA as one of the better relievers in Seattle’s bullpen. At his best, he avoids walks and uses a heavy sinker to avoid hard contact, and it is a legitimate setup option if he is healthy. He’s shown he can be a dominant option late in games even though he lacks the gaudy strikeout numbers of someone like Brock Stewart, and he may be able to help fill his absence.

It’s hard to count on getting much from Brock Stewart down the stretch this season, and the Twins have to make do with the roster they already have. Are these three the best options to help fill the void? Could we see Chris Paddack or Louie Varland make the switch? Is there another arm that could help hold the bullpen together? Let us know below!

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[nicksaviking]

I'm not putting much hope in Topa; injured, older and from another organization. The Twins are whiffing on this kind of player profile just about every time.

Call me a weirdo, but they've been nailing the internal questionable-starter-turned-reliever profile the last several years. I'd have more faith in Winder turning into an asset.

Not a ton of faith, just more faith.

[DJL44]

We have seen Jhoan Duran perform a LOT better than this.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I actually think Duran's the biggest wildcard.

Thielbar? Meh. Even with the better stats of late, I don't trust the guy or have any faith in him. Not so much a wildcard but more of a necessary evil because he's left-handed.

Sands? Is he really a wildcard at this point? He's been very good this season and if it status quo with him the rest of the way, the Twins are in good shape.

Topa? Yes, a wildcard.

But again, Duran is 'the' wildcard. If he can somehow get back to last year's form, things could get really interesting for the Twins - especially if Ryan is healthy. If he continues to scuffle, I don't see how the Twins can make a legit post-season run.

[Mike Sixel]

Varland..... He's the second biggest wildcard after Duran

[nicksaviking]

25 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Varland..... He's the second biggest wildcard after Duran

For sure. I doubt they'll move him from the rotation at this point of the season now with Ryan out.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, nicksaviking said:

For sure. I doubt they'll move him from the rotation at this point of the season now with Ryan out.

Agreed. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

We'll know a lot more about Varland's fate after tonight's start. If he pitches fairly well, he's the #3 starter until Ryan comes back. If he stinks like he did earlier in the season, he goes back and doesn't come back up until it's time to put him in the bullpen. We also have to cover the KC game on Tuesday the 13th and neither Ober or Varland will have 4 days rest by that time. 

I think the first move is Ryan to the 15 day IL, Topa up today or sometime this weekend. The second move depends on Varland tonight. If he is good, he's back up to start on the 14th or 15th with the 13th likely a bullpen game started by Winder or Ober on 3 days rest. If Varland gets lit up tonight, Matthews is up to start on the 13th against KC, Ober goes on the 14th and we stay in a 5 man run with Varland or Matthews as the 5th starter depending on who shows better. We put Matthews on the 40 man if we need him by DFA'ing  Dobnak. It's very unlikely anyone else will take his contract and he will accept an assignment to AAA to keep the contract.  Best thing would be for Varland to pitch tonight like he has in AAA the last few times out but we do have options if he doesn't. 

[Mike Sixel]

Ryan likely lost for the year..... varland is likely a starter unless he utterly stinks, and even then might still be. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

10 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Ryan likely lost for the year..... varland is likely a starter unless he utterly stinks, and even then might still be. 

Have you heard or seen anything? Last I saw was 2-3 week type thing. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

Just saw that it's a Grade 2 Teres strain. Out for  "weeks if not months". Ugh. Here's link -

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/twins-joe-ryan-teres-major-strain-injured-list-possible-season-ending.html

Scott Blewett up for Ryan, Varland as 27th man, lee to IL, Farmer up. Why not Topa? This could get even uglier.  

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

24 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Just saw that it's a Grade 2 Teres strain. Out for  "weeks if not months". Ugh. Here's link -

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/twins-joe-ryan-teres-major-strain-injured-list-possible-season-ending.html

Scott Blewett up for Ryan, Varland as 27th man, lee to IL, Farmer up. Why not Topa? This could get even uglier.  

From the resident PT: 

 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Forgot they have Plutko in St. Paul. If Varland stinks and they don't want to rush Matthews, maybe that is the move.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Never mind on Plutko. Apparently he too is on the IL.

[DJL44]

12 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Forgot they have Plutko in St. Paul. If Varland stinks and they don't want to rush Matthews, maybe that is the move.

I like Boushley better than Plutko.

[Original_JB]

2 hours ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

From the resident PT: 

 

Re: Parks comments:  It's ALWAYS more severe than the 'Twins medical staff' initial indications, ALWAYS.

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I like Boushley better than Plutko.

I probably like garlic ice cream better than onion ice cream. I don't want to eat either one.

[Werbellik]

10 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I probably like garlic ice cream better than onion ice cream. I don't want to eat either one.

Hey. Onion and garlic ice cream is fantastic!!