BREAKING: Twins Sign Left-Handed Reliever Danny Coulombe to One-Year Deal

[John Bonnes]

No longer can anyone say the Minnesota Twins haven't spent money this winter. They have a lefty in the bullpen and a fully guaranteed big-league deal on the books, and look, it's even a familiar face.

Image courtesy of © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Twins signed left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe to a one-year, $2.5-million deal Tuesday, multiple sources told Twins Daily. It's a move to balance the bullpen, and it does little or nothing to deepen whatever pressure the team already felt to clear some salary this winter.

Our sweet southpaw baby has returned home! Coulombe originally signed with the Twins as a 30-year-old free agent way back in December of 2019, and despite limited appearances in the majors, kept re-signing with the team annually through 2022. He was generally effective with the team from 2020 through 2022 but also dealt with injuries, such as a torn labrum in his left hip that limited him to just 10 games in that last season. 

He appeared healthy and effective in spring training of 2023 but was crowded out of the bullpen. (“We have to keep a spot open for Emilio Pagan. This will be the year he turns it around!”) Since he had no options left, the Twins traded him to Baltimore - where he became their best left-handed reliever. (Meanwhile, Jovani Moran appeared in 43 games for the Twins with a 5.31 ERA.)

In his two years with the Orioles, he pitched 81 innings with a 2.56 ERA, though he did miss a good chunk of the latter half of last year with yet more injury issues; this time he had bone chips removed from his elbow. But he returned before the end of the year and made five scoreless appearances—six, if you also count an appearance in the playoffs. 

It was somewhat surprising, then, that the Orioles declined a $4-million option they had on Coulombe, which made him a free agent. Or, maybe it wasn’t a surprise, given the contract he received from the Twins is for less. 

The fascinating question here will be whether the Twins let Coulombe continue with the same pitch mix that brought him so much success in Baltimore. While with Minnesota, he did what Twins pitchers do, basically, leading with a four-seam fastball rather than his sinker:

When he got to Baltimore, though, the Orioles raised his arm slot, gave him a cutter, committed him to his nascent sweeper at the expense of his tighter slider, scrapped the change, and voila! He got more ground balls, was around the zone more, and generally got better at everything.

Given that he only threw 91 in the first place, it made all kinds of sense to keep hitters on the defensive with two other flavors of fastball—only, the Twins don't really do that. They're very four-seam-focused. Does this reunion with a remade old friend signal an openness to a different way of mixing pitches and attacking hitters? And even if so, can the 35-year-old Coulombe stay healthy pitching this way? His arm angle was around 50° during his time with the Twins; the O's cranked it up to an exceptionally overhand 56°.

There are no guarantees here, except the $2.5 million and a roster spot for Coulombe. He does give them upside from the left side, after they traded Morán and let Caleb Thielbar walk as a free agent this winter, but physical and performance question marks loom. His arrival probably also makes the right-handed portion of the bullpen that much more crowded, as some combination of the following are fighting for the remaining seven spots after Coulombe's: Griffin Jax, Jhoan Durán, Cole Sands, Brock Stewart, Jorge Alcalá, Justin Topa, Louie Varland, Michael Tonkin, and Rule 5 pick Eiberson Castellano.

I’ll save you some finger-counting: that’s nine names. This team already had lots of depth. Now, they also have better balance, and the warm, fuzzy feeling of having spent some of the Pohlad family's money, after all.

UPDATE: Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports the deal as being worth $3 million, rather than $2.5 million. As he indicates, too, we've heard there are performance bonuses involved in the deal, so maybe the difference is more semantic than anything. We'll continue to check into the details as they emerge, but either way, the deal leaves the team some room to navigate from here—as long as they turn around after signing Coulombe and clear some of the deadweight payroll they've been shopping around all winter.

 

 

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[Cory Engelhardt]

It'll be interesting to see how this offseason still plays out. They have a full bullpen already as far as guys who don't have options, but adding a lefty is a good thing who has been very good for a couple of years.

Any word on the 40 man move with it?

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

For $2.5 million its a solid signing, and creates much more flexibility in the bullpen.  

[Parfigliano]

Let Coulombe be Coulombe.  Sprinkle the TC four seam fairy dust on him if that doesn't work.

[DJL44]

You left out Ronny Henriquez in your list of names. 

With options: Duran, Jax, Alcala, Sands, Topa, Varland, Funderburk

Can't option: Coulombe, Castellano, Henriquez, Stewart, Tonkin

[tarheeltwinsfan]

5 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

You left out Ronny Henriquez in your list of names. 

With options: Duran, Jax, Alcala, Sands, Topa, Varland, Funderburk

Can't option: Coulombe, Castellano, Henriquez, Stewart, Tonkin

Looks like it is Funderburk and Varland at AAA.

[Danchat]

I suggested this a few days ago, I’m glad they made a move to sign a lefty for the pen. 

[Hrbeks Divot]

Seems like a solid signing. Maybe they can work a trade for Castellano and option him if they really like him. Option Varland as well especially if the plan is to keep him stretched out to at least begin the season.

[DJL44]

Just now, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Looks like it is Funderburk and Varland at AAA.

Plus two more. They get 8 relievers and I listed 12 pitchers. They will option Alcala or Topa, waive Henriquez, release Tonkin, return Castellano to Philly, or make some room on the injured list.

[stringer bell]

First things first, they have a full 40-man roster. They need to trim someone to make room for Coulombe on the roster. As far as Opening Day spots, I still believe injury will take care of most of the excess arms, but decisions will have to be made. 

[UK Twin]

Can't complain with this. Needed a veteran lefty in the bullpen and now we've got one. 

[DJL44]

5 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

First things first, they have a full 40-man roster. They need to trim someone to make room for Coulombe on the roster.

Time to cut Canterino

[thelanges5]

It’s an emergency or maybe just urgent care?

[TopGunn#22]

No Way.  Not cutting Canterino until I'm SURE he will never be healthy.  Certainly not as long as some guys have options.

This actually sets up a pretty good scenario.  The obvious "odd man out" is Funderburk.  But...what if he is light out in spring training?  He's got a lively fastball and pretty good sweeper, but his health has slowed him down.  If Funderburk is dealing in spring training he allows the Twins to have TWO lefty's out of the pen.

I think we will see Varland thrive in a bullpen role as well.  Now that it appears he's destined to the pen, I think he settles in.  That leaves Castellano.  We could always work out a trade with Philly if we really like what we see in spring training, but aside from that, he's in a pretty precarious position.  

Tonkin is the next guy on the shakiest ground.  I think the investment in acquiring Topa (trading Polanco) means the Twins would like to see what Topa can contribute if he's healthy.  

For $2.5 million, I like this move.  Coulombe could be the 2nd coming of Theilbar.  

[Doctor Gast]

Not what I hoped for but it's an improvement. As long as they don't do anything stupid I'm fine. 

[stringer bell]

7 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

No Way.  Not cutting Canterino until I'm SURE he will never be healthy.  Certainly not as long as some guys have options.

This actually sets up a pretty good scenario.  The obvious "odd man out" is Funderburk.  But...what if he is light out in spring training?  He's got a lively fastball and pretty good sweeper, but his health has slowed him down.  If Funderburk is dealing in spring training he allows the Twins to have TWO lefty's out of the pen.

I think we will see Varland thrive in a bullpen role as well.  Now that it appears he's destined to the pen, I think he settles in.  That leaves Castellano.  We could always work out a trade with Philly if we really like what we see in spring training, but aside from that, he's in a pretty precarious position.  

Tonkin is the next guy on the shakiest ground.  I think the investment in acquiring Topa (trading Polanco) means the Twins would like to see what Topa can contribute if he's healthy.  

For $2.5 million, I like this move.  Coulombe could be the 2nd coming of Theilbar.  

For right now, they have to take someone off the 40-man roster and that means exposing them to being claimed by any team. In addition, if they DFA someone that has already had one DFA, that guy is free to declare free agency as opposed to being on the St. Paul roster. 

[jmlease1]

I doubt the Twins will mess with his pitch mix much since he was having success. They seem to do tweaks more on guys that haven't made it yet or aren't having success, rather than trying to mess around with someone who has things working. the fact that they have gone 4-seamer first with many relievers may be more of a way to increase their velocity and try to improve their results. Jax threw more sweepers than anything each of the last 2 years, so it's not like they avoid anyone who isn't primary fastball.

I suspect someone will start the season on the IL, but there are enough fringe pitchers on the 40-man that there's room for Coulombe. but hopefully, this means they're packaging Paddack and someone and getting 1B taken care of?

The fight for the last bullpen slots will be interesting. Right now I'd say it's: Duran, Jax, Sands, Alcala, Coulombe, Tonkin, Castellano, and one of Stewart/Topa (I'm betting one of them will be either hurt or "hurt"). feels like the Twins think they have something in castellano that they won't want to let go.

 

[Blyleven2011]

8 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Not what I hoped for but it's an improvement. As long as they don't do anything stupid I'm fine. 

I don't know if I should laugh or cry !!!

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

You left out Ronny Henriquez in your list of names. 

With options: Duran, Jax, Alcala, Sands, Topa, Varland, Funderburk

Can't option: Coulombe, Castellano, Henriquez, Stewart, Tonkin

1) The IL will take care of issues. 

2) If No. 1 doesn't apply, that's a good problem.

[Blyleven2011]

17 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

No Way.  Not cutting Canterino until I'm SURE he will never be healthy.  Certainly not as long as some guys have options.

This actually sets up a pretty good scenario.  The obvious "odd man out" is Funderburk.  But...what if he is light out in spring training?  He's got a lively fastball and pretty good sweeper, but his health has slowed him down.  If Funderburk is dealing in spring training he allows the Twins to have TWO lefty's out of the pen.

I think we will see Varland thrive in a bullpen role as well.  Now that it appears he's destined to the pen, I think he settles in.  That leaves Castellano.  We could always work out a trade with Philly if we really like what we see in spring training, but aside from that, he's in a pretty precarious position.  

Tonkin is the next guy on the shakiest ground.  I think the investment in acquiring Topa (trading Polanco) means the Twins would like to see what Topa can contribute if he's healthy.  

For $2.5 million, I like this move.  Coulombe could be the 2nd coming of Theilbar.  

My guess would be headrick is first to be dfa'd and would clear waivers at this late date of off season  or it could be catcher camargo  !!!

[Jocko87]

Follow up move coming to enshrine the rule 5 guy in the minors. Big doins.

[Fatbat]

It doesn’t have to be a pitcher that is dropped off the 40 man. Could be Garper/Helman/Kiersey….lots to consider 

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Plus two more. They get 8 relievers and I listed 12 pitchers. They will option Alcala or Topa, waive Henriquez, release Tonkin, return Castellano to Philly, or make some room on the injured list.

Does anyone on the 40 man roster have a nagging injury to be on the injured list ??? ...

Don't you have to have someone go on the 60 injured list to make room on 40 man without dfa-ing someone ??? ...

I think the players are pretty healthy going into spring training ....

[gman]

They could cut someone, or may there be a trade in the works that hasn't been announced yet. How long do they have before they need to put someone on the roster? He has to pass a physical first, could that be put off for a week?

[CRF]

I guess I'd take him over Thielbar, but that's not really saying much. This is probably their big FA signing for this winter. 

[mikelink45]

I am fine with the move, but at 35 and injuries last year it is also a risky commitment.  

[IndianaTwin]

2 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

It doesn’t have to be a pitcher that is dropped off the 40 man. Could be Garper/Helman/Kiersey….lots to consider 

At this point, one of the key considerations (if you are indeed interested in keeping everyone on the roster) is who you can most likely sneak through waivers.

At this point, it seems a little more likely to me to be a pitcher, just because they have 22 on the roster and only 18 position players. If the hope is start Rodriguez and the two extra catchers in the minors, that only leaves 15 players for 13 spots, which is very thin in terms of IL coverage. If it's a position player, I think it's most likely Camargo. The question is whether someone else would grab him under the premise that one can never have too many catchers around, particularly in spring training.

So to look at the pitchers. Canterino hasn't pitched in two years, but I could see someone taking a flyer on him. I'll predict the 28-year-old Funderburk.  

[DJL44]

37 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

No Way.  Not cutting Canterino until I'm SURE he will never be healthy.  Certainly not as long as some guys have options.

You think there is a lot of demand amongst other teams for a pitcher who can give you 30 innings every 3 years?

[IndianaTwin]

6 minutes ago, gman said:

They could cut someone, or may there be a trade in the works that hasn't been announced yet. How long do they have before they need to put someone on the roster? He has to pass a physical first, could that be put off for a week?

I think that once the signing is official (which is usually when the physical has been completed), they have to add him immediately and make the corresponding move, Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. 

I've wondered too if there are sometimes gentleperson's agreements. For example, the Twins don't have any (known) 60-day IL potentials, but the Dodgers do. They also have an early report date of Feb. 11 because of games in Japan. I wondered whether they might hold off on making the Yates signing official, so they could move someone to the 60-day and keep Brasier.  

[sweetmusicviola16]

28 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I am fine with the move, but at 35 and injuries last year it is also a risky commitment.  

It's who I expected them to sign two months ago. The price was bit higher than I expected. It's an ok move, but I concur with doctor, hope they don't do something stupid to follow this up. Like trade Vazquez for a flyer and go with Camargo at C.