Searching Far and Wide for Late-Season Twins Bullpen Reinforcements

[Nick Nelson]

The Minnesota Twins are going to need bullpen help down the stretch, and did themselves no favors by whiffing at the trade deadline. But they're not totally lacking for potential reinforcements.

These eight names are worth keeping an eye on for September and October.

Image courtesy of D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Over the weekend, the Twins parted ways with Steven Okert, who joins Jay Jackson and Josh Staumont as offseason additions whom the team was forced to abandon midway through the campaign. The Twins are also making do without Brock Stewart, who's out for the year following shoulder surgery, and Justin Topa, who hasn't pitched this season and probably won't. 

Altogether, these mounting losses have whittled away the bullpen depth that seemed like such an asset coming into the season. Minnesota's front office passed up the chance to make a meaningful addition at the trade deadline, instead making Trevor Richards their lone pickup – a befuddling decision that has yielded no benefit. 

He's at least healthy enough to eat some innings, but Richards is not someone the Twins can trust in leverage. The pool of reliable late-inning arms is essentially limited to Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Cole Sands and Jorge Alcalá, with the latter beginning to wobble here in August. If the team can't find a way to expand their stable of trusted arms, they're simply not going to have much hope of making a deep run, and they might be at risk of missing the playoffs.

With external acquisitions largely off the table by now, here are some names that should be kept in mind as pitchers with a plausible chance to impact the late innings for the Twins in the final five weeks of the season, and beyond.

Louie Varland
He's the most obvious name when it comes to upgrading the back end of the bullpen. We saw what Varland can do as a reliever late last year, and it was a thoroughly convincing display. The Twins could use a very similar approach this time around, ramping Varland up in the bullpen with a handful of September appearances to prime him as a high-leverage arm in the playoffs, capable of throwing multiple innings. Knowing the kind of value Varland was able to provide in this role, it's going to be hard to avoid turning to this path at some point, although Minnesota's thinned-out rotation depth does complicate matters.

Josh Winder
Not long ago, Winder's name would not have been mentioned as an option for anything resembling a high-leverage role. Then again, not long ago, the same was also true of Sands. Winder has looked legitimately good during his short time in the Twins bullpen this year, striking out 10 with one walk over nine innings, while generating a 15% swinging strike rate. He is required to spend a few more days in Triple-A following his option in mid-August, but should be back up soon, and deserves a chance to show what he can do in some key spots.

Chris Paddack
Paddack is scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday. If it's clean, the right-hander could be approved to start throwing again, with a rehab assignment soon to follow. I doubt he'll have time to build up as a starter, but he showed late last year that he can be an effective asset out of the bullpen. Paddack threw 3 ⅓ innings of near-perfect ball across two appearances in the ALDS.

Joe Ryan
This is more of a stretch than Paddack, to be sure, but the Twins intentionally didn't rule Ryan out for the season with his shoulder injury. It would take a best-case-scenario recovery, but it's not impossible the righthander could get back on a throwing program in the second half of September. Like Paddack, Ryan wouldn't have much chance at starting a game again at any point, but he could be a formidable weapon out of the pen. Reiterating: this is a major longshot. 

David Festa
The rookie is currently filling a spot in the Twins rotation, and he's looked solid, but his struggles after the first time through the order have held him back. Opponents are hitting .133/.175/.167 against Festa their first time facing him, but .423/.492/.808 the second time. That profile screams for a bullpen role, in which the 24-year-old could be quite dominant. Granted, it'd require finding a starter to replace him in the rotation for the rest of the regular season (Varland? Randy Dobnak?), but there's a lot of upside in this idea. 

Kody Funderburk
Something of a forgotten man in the Twins' bullpen depth chart. Funderburk has been on the injured list since the All-Star break with an oblique injury. Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reported last week that the lefty was healed and ready to start throwing, with a rehab assignment likely to follow. Funderburk has not pitched great this year, but don't sleep on his ability to throw important innings in September and even October. He's got legit strikeout stuff. The Twins liked him enough to carry him on the postseason roster last year as a rookie.

Michael Tonkin
I bring up this name because it's timely and relevant. Tonkin was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Sunday, following a tough stretch. But overall, he had a very nice run in New York, posting a 3.38 ERA and 3.58 FIP in 56 innings for one of the best teams in the league. As you may recall, Tonkin spent a very brief spell as a Twin back in April, and he has plenty more history here. If he reaches them on waivers, Tonkin could be a worthwhile addition for a desperate team.

Marco Raya
Ranked by Twins Daily as the organization's 10th-best prospect, Raya is an undersized 21-year-old with a nasty fastball/slider combo, currently pitching in Double-A. The Twins have handled the former high school draft pick carefully, and he's still got some work to do as a starter from a developmental standpoint, but his stuff could play in short stints against big-league hitters right now. It would be a gambit, but from my point of view, nothing should be off the table right now. 

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Did I miss anyone? Who else should be named as a possible late-season bullpen addition for the Twins? Who on this list excites you most? Sound off in the comments!

 

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[LambchoP]

Our bullpen definitely needs some reinforcement and soon. I think Winder would be the easiest call up. After that I'd say Varland. I know the Twins want to keep him stretched out as a starter for depth and I jury insurance, but should that happen I'd rather see Dobnak or Morris as the next man up. Varland did great in the pen last year, let's see if he can do it again. As for outside additions, I thought Hector Norris would've been a good pickup before the Astros got him. I'd say take a shot on Tonkin. He can't be any worse than Richards who should be immediately released. Keeping him on our major league roster and using up a valuable BP spot is just embarrassing the way he's pitched.

[LambchoP]

I also think Festa has the stuff to be a high leverage bullpen guy, but Twins definitely want to keep him as a starter. Plus, there are no real good replacements on the roster right now anyways. If his problems pitching to the lineup a second and third time continue next year though, a move to the pen might be the best way to get the most value out of him. I think the coaches will give him every opportunity to stay a starter though, as they should. I've said this a hundred times, what's up with Canterino and Headrick? That's two bullpen reinforcements right there but we've heard absolutely nothing on these guys all year? Makes you wonder if they're done for good...

[Vanimal46]

Now that September is right around the corner, it’s time to move Varland to his forever home in the bullpen. 

Diego Castillo was halfway decent earlier this year for the Twins. He can’t be any worse than Richards. 

Is Zack Weiss still alive and well? Desperate times…

[Brandon]

Jake Diekman is a free agent who could help.  And he is a lefty. 

[USAFChief]

Could have had Hector Neris for the pro-rated MLB minimum. Houston pounced.

 

I think with the evidence at hand, outside additions are unlikely. Forget Tonkin, they're not going to spend the $200k or whatever it would cost.

 

I'd make the move with Varland. That's really the only realistic possibility. 

 

[Schmoeman5]

The bullpen not being an issue, has now been an issue for a couple years.

[CRF]

Any Topa sightings? Does the guy actually exist? 

[LambchoP]

5 minutes ago, CRF said:

Any Topa sightings? Does the guy actually exist? 

He's like Bigfoot. Reported sightings all over, but they're all second hand reports with no witnesses and no real proof. I wouldn't count on him, Ryan or Paddack pitching again this year.

[Mike Sixel]

Connor Preillip (sp?).....lefty. put him in AAA as a RP get him on the forty, and see what happens. 

 

That's one hell of a run on sentence....

[Patzky]

50 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Jake Diekman is a free agent who could help.  And he is a lefty. 

What's Dallas Keuchel up to these days.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

41 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Connor Preillip (sp?).....lefty. put him in AAA as a RP get him on the forty, and see what happens. 

 

That's one hell of a run on sentence....

Nah, there are enough periods in there.

Anyone (including Tonkin. any other DFA/Waiver pitchers, and MiLB guys) needs to be considered an option here.  What will be sad is if a couple of hundred thousand dollars stop this team from improving.

[tony&rodney]

32 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

What will be sad is if a couple of hundred thousand dollars stop this team from improving.

I doubt that is a concern. Tonkin was a Twin earlier this season. He is known. 

Varland should be in uniform in the bullpen no later than September 16. Until then the offense needs to pick it up. So much discussion on blown saves but the offense has been very erratic.

[Doctor Gast]

At the beginning of the season, Baldelli advised the BP to be ready to go extra innings (to keep the pressure off the rotation). He extended that to Alcala who after spent a year on the IL & ramping up that should have been & still be limited to single & nonconsecutive innings, As imagined that didn't last long, only on occasion did they go 2innings & rarely went 3.

The need is still there yet more than ever to take the pressure off the rotation after losing Paddack & now Ryan. But now short relief is thin. We need to cull out those that aren't contributing. They have released Okert & should also release Richards & I'm not crazy about bringing Funderburg up either. Next they should prioritize the long relief/ spot-starter role, that means bring up Varland as soon as strategically possible to spot-start (to give the rotation another breather)& keep him up for long relief. With rookie SWR surpassing his last year total & rookies Festa & Matthews kept at 5 innings & you never know when Lopez or Ober might have an off day, we need someone to step in give us several innings to spare the BP. IMO if we take care of our SPs we shouldn't have a need for a 6th SP but still have Varland step up if need be. 

Besides Varland we have Sands & Winder that can go multiple innings, if Festa is much better the 1st time through the order we can be very creative with BP games, piggy-backing, openers or whatever. In those games that long is used a short RP may not be needed. The focus should be on keeping our rotation & BP healthy & throwing high-quality innings,

Short relief we still have Jax, Duran, Alcala with  anyone else in long relief to spot short relief more than likely Sands.

[jud6312]

Festa wouldn't be a bad option if the rotation options to take his place weren't Randy Dobnak and Louie Varland.

 

Since they are, give me Winder, with a sprinkling of Louie and Paddack down the stretch (especially since this seems to be the logical long-term home for both).

[jud6312]

2 hours ago, CRF said:

Any Topa sightings? Does the guy actually exist? 

He's probably rummaging through dollar bins in the local baseball card shops trying to wrap up that Mariners team card rainbow he's been hunting for.

[DJL44]

Red Sox waived Joely Rodriguez - LHP who gets a lot of grounders.

[Hrbeks Divot]

Where’s Ron Davis when you need him?

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I doubt that is a concern. Tonkin was a Twin earlier this season. He is known. 

Varland should be in uniform in the bullpen no later than September 16. Until then the offense needs to pick it up. So much discussion on blown saves but the offense has been very erratic.

I agree on Varland timing…..no later than mid month to the Pen!

Paddack would be a unique guy if available in 30 days from now. Am inning or 4/5 outs at a time could be very valuable.

Winder has only thrown 9 innings in MLB this year but over 4 outings he’s got a 3.00ERA and a .889 WHIP. 10 K’s & 1 Walk in those 9 innings…….IMO, he should be up by next weekend as the expanded member of the Pen…..9/1/24.

Prielipp seems really desperate as does Raya. Prielipp hasn’t thrown 35 innings over 2 years is my presumption/impression……maybe I’m misrepresenting him?

How about Morris in 2-3 weeks? I think they’ll keep Festa available for the 4th starter…..maybe 3rd starter in Playoffs.

No Tonkin!!!

Funderburk? I’ll rely on the coaches vetting him for action.

[Major League Ready]

Get Varland up here and see if he can be relied upon during the playoffs. 

Hopefully Paddack and Topa will be available for the playoffs.

Funderburk would be a nice contributor if they can get him back soon.

Winder could eat some innings if needed.

No to the rest.

[chpettit19]

Not a lot of help here. I'd guess/hope Winder is back in a couple days when his 15-day time out in AAA is over. Sending him down was probably a short-sighted mistake. Varland in a couple weeks? Or do they go to him on 9/1?

The challenge is that they need Sands, Jax, and Duran available for every close game late. And leads late. Unfortunately their offense isn't great right now so most games are close late, and 60% of their rotation needs 4 innings of coverage. Ober and Lopez not being back to back helps if they can both get through 7 in their outings to give a little rest for the pen. Any short start out of those 2 is brutal.

With Alcala taking a step back recently he's not as trustworthy anymore, but likely needs to be the 4th "high leverage" arm. None of the other 4 should be anywhere near leverage, but they won't have a choice. While I can understand throwing Duran Saturday since he hadn't thrown in so long, they really can't use him, Sands, or Jax in any game that isn't close. Have to trust that they can shake the rust off in the pen before entering the game if they have a week off of game action. Need them to finish every late, close lead.

Need to get multiple innings from anyone they can. Have to trust Henriquez and Winder to go 2 multiple times a week. And Varland when he gets here (the Cleveland series is still my target date for him). Paddack for October could be huge, but they shouldn't be counting on it. Sands, Jax, and Duran are going to have to carry them to October. Let's hope they're up for it and still have something left in the tank once (if) they get there.

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, CRF said:

Any Topa sightings? Does the guy actually exist? 

Only as a paycheck on a team that doesn't like cutting them.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

At the beginning of the season, Baldelli advised the BP to be ready to go extra innings (to keep the pressure off the rotation). He extended that to Alcala who after spent a year on the IL & ramping up that should have been & still be limited to single & nonconsecutive innings, As imagined that didn't last long, only on occasion did they go 2innings & rarely went 3.

The need is still there yet more than ever to take the pressure off the rotation after losing Paddack & now Ryan. But now short relief is thin. We need to cull out those that aren't contributing. They have released Okert & should also release Richards & I'm not crazy about bringing Funderburg up either. Next they should prioritize the long relief/ spot-starter role, that means bring up Varland as soon as strategically possible to spot-start (to give the rotation another breather)& keep him up for long relief. With rookie SWR surpassing his last year total & rookies Festa & Matthews kept at 5 innings & you never know when Lopez or Ober might have an off day, we need someone to step in give us several innings to spare the BP. IMO if we take care of our SPs we shouldn't have a need for a 6th SP but still have Varland step up if need be. 

Besides Varland we have Sands & Winder that can go multiple innings, if Festa is much better the 1st time through the order we can be very creative with BP games, piggy-backing, openers or whatever. In those games that long is used a short RP may not be needed. The focus should be on keeping our rotation & BP healthy & throwing high-quality innings,

Short relief we still have Jax, Duran, Alcala with  anyone else in long relief to spot short relief more than likely Sands.

Remember when a starter threw 240+ innings?

Tom?  Bert?  Nolan

Agent driven baseball is not baseball.

[Mike Sixel]

7 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Remember when a starter threw 240+ innings?

Tom?  Bert?  Nolan

Agent driven baseball is not baseball.

Zero to do with agents. This is about throwing way harder, and the knowledge that the vast majority of pitchers are not good the third time thru the order. 

[Parfigliano]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Zero to do with agents. This is about throwing way harder, and the knowledge that the vast majority of pitchers are not good the third time thru the order. 

Tom...Bert...especially Nolan got better. 

No hitters prove it.

[chpettit19]

30 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Tom...Bert...especially Nolan got better. 

No hitters prove it.

OPS first-second-third-fourth time through a lineup:

Tom (Hall of Famer): .613-.622-.636-.637

Bert (Hall of Famer): .639-.664-.678-.710

Nolan (Hall of Famer): .613-.578-.614-.622

Picking Hall of Famers as your baseline is unrealistic, but even those HoFers got worse the more times they saw a lineup outside of Nolan the 2nd time. Them being amongst the best of the best to ever do it means they didn't get as worse the deeper they went. But they still got worse.

[Parfigliano]

A)  I was just picken.

B)  Bert all the way up to .678 third time.   

 

[BillyBallLives]

You forgot to mention Boushley, Blewett , Henrique, and Bowman. Four other pitchers who the Twins have let through the revolving door of futility. 

Why this FO can't field a half way decent bullpen from one year to the next has to be discouraging for the fan base. 

After the horrible trades for Lopez, Fulmer, and the likes, I imagine ownership won't allow Falvey to deal more of the Twins future away. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, BillyBallLives said:

You forgot to mention Boushley, Blewett , Henrique, and Bowman. Four other pitchers who the Twins have let through the revolving door of futility. 

Why this FO can't field a half way decent bullpen from one year to the next has to be discouraging for the fan base. 

After the horrible trades for Lopez, Fulmer, and the likes, I imagine ownership won't allow Falvey to deal more of the Twins future away. 

 

55-5 (might be off by a loss or two) when leading after 7 innings this year......

[Shaitan]

2 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Remember when a starter threw 240+ innings?

Tom?  Bert?  Nolan

Agent driven baseball is not baseball.

lol

All of those pitchers had agents.