Who Will Be The Minnesota Twins' Closer in 2026?

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn, Nick Wosika, Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Through all of the ups and downs the Twins have experienced in the past 25 years or so — the many changes in managers, front office makeup and team quality — one thing has remained relatively constant: the presence of at least one All-Star caliber fixture at the back end of the bullpen.

From Eddie Guardado to Joe Nathan to Glen Perkins to Taylor Rogers to Jhoan Duran, the franchise has had a remarkable run of top-tier closers anchoring the relief corps, providing stability in the ninth inning even when the bullpens and teams around them have wobbled.

Heading into the 2026 season, the Twins bullpen — and especially the back end of it — looks as wide-open as any time in memory. As they look to reconstruct essentially from scratch, the front office needs to identify a foundational cornerstone they can build around. Right now they are short on credible candidates, but that's not to say they have none.

Here's a look forward at potential names in the mix to take over as Minnesota's top late-inning option in 2026.

Cole Sands
He's the de facto choice, since he's the only carryover from the current relief corps with any real track record of success. If Sands could recapture his form from last year (3.28 ERA, 2.63 FIP) he'd be a fine choice as closer at least in the interim. But he hasn't been close to that form in 2025, at least not regularly. His ERA is up to 4.63 on the season thanks to a month of September in which he has allowed 10 earned runs in 11 innings. Sands turned 28 in July and is arbitration-eligible for the first time next year. 

Taj Bradley
This is the one I've got my eyes on. It's possible, or maybe likely, that the Twins won't rush into converting Bradley to the bullpen after giving up multiple years of Griffin Jax for him. Maybe that's the right course of action. But man, I dunno. In spite of how hard he throws, Bradley just hasn't been able to sustain any kind of success in a big-league rotation, with a 4.91 ERA in nearly 400 innings, and he's looked worse than ever since coming to Minnesota. Why not just flip the switch now, prepare him as a reliever next spring, and hope you've got your triple-digit Duran replacement on hand for the next four seasons?

David Festa
His career outlook is in jeopardy following a thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis, but Festa expressed optimism that he can come back healthy next year and get back on track after being limited to just 53 innings this season. He's got the stuff of a late-inning reliever and it increasingly appears he does not have the durability of a 5+ inning starter. He'll be 26 next spring without much of a workload baseline. I actually think the decision to transition him into a relief role, if he's healthy, is almost a given at this point. But I'm gonna be worried about that shoulder until I see him back on the mound and letting loose uninhibited.

Zebby Matthews
Matthews is another guy with a clearly high-caliber, high-velocity arsenal who has battled shoulder issues as well as performance struggles this season. Through 16 starts and 80 innings, he has a 5.56 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, with flashes of excellence muddied by bouts of inconsistency. He has a much smaller sample of lackluster output as a starter compared to Bradley, and the injury concerns aren't as severe as Festa, so I would guess the Twins aren't quite as ready to think about a relief route for Matthews, but the vision for him as a high-powered closer or setup man is pretty easy to project.

Connor Prielipp
Healthy at last, Prielipp was just named the Twins' minor-league pitcher of the year. His numbers were unspectacular on paper — 1-9 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 83 innings — but very impressive for a pitcher who'd been limited to just 30 total innings since being drafted in 2022. The lefty struck out 27% of opposing hitters and finished in Triple-A. Given his long injury history and his age (25 in January), there's some urgency to just get Prielipp up the big leagues; he's the epitome of a "don't waste the bullets" case. Promoting him into a relief role would seemingly be the only practical way to get a full season from him in the majors, but he's got what it takes to thrive in a late-inning role.

Free Agent Veteran
There's a good chance the Twins won't want to turn the keys in the ninth over to any of these guys, at least not initially. We've seen them turn to free agency for short-term closer fixes in the past, although it hasn't gone especially well with the likes of Alex Colome and Fernandy Rodney. I wouldn't expect the Twins front office to aim remotely high if they seek a free agent closer. Emilio Pagán will be available among others. (Oh boy, did I just speak that into existence?)

Looking forward to 2026, who would you like to see take over as Minnesota's bullpen leader? Did I miss any credible candidates? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

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[Brandon]

The Twins will trade for someone who ends up closing games.  Overall they will do a closer by committee approach and spread the saves around to the best matchup/ rested player available for the day.  

[nicksaviking]

Good analysis. I'd like it to be one of the starters-turned-relievers, but historically most of them need a year to adjust to the role.

But having a 'closer' would imply that at some point next year the Twins will be leading a game in the 9th inning. Count me skeptical. 

[Ricky Vaughn]

I have a feeling we wont have a designated closer next year. I think Roccco (he's not going anywhere, unfortunately.) will go with a closer by committee approach. Even with Duran he seemed to want to go this way, but Duran was just to good to do it.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Of the ones you mentioned, if he is healthy, Festa makes the most sense to try first. I can't get there yet for any of the others, at least not as of today.

[bunsen82]

I would currently plan to spend around $12 - $15 million to significantly upgrade the bullpen.  

The highest upside players for a reasonable cost right now are Phil Maton and Devin Williams.   They have more experience than anyone else we have.  Devin Williams needs a new home to get comfortable and away from the bright lights of New York.  Worst case they become nice trade chips at the deadline.  Best case is we have a bullpen that could be solid to very good if both perform well.   

[Fred]

If Emilio Pagan is ever mentioned again, I'm going to have to come find you. 😃

[Western SD Fan]

I'm also a person who subscribes to the Festa move to the bullpen when he comes back from thoracic outlet syndrome as it should fit into a schedule where he would need to build up his arm anyway.  They can then see how he responds to the bullpen work and go from there.  There will be an adjustment period, just like there was with Sands and Varland.  Prielipp will likely need some extra seasoning in St. Paul to get him ready for a bullpen role on the ML club.  The remaining pitchers mentioned will likely need to stay starters in St. Paul as we continue to see that pitchers break down during the year and you have to depend on your farm system to have reliable starters in reserve.  

[rdehring]

Going to be an interesting question, Nick, one that won't be answered until spring training.  We just don't know what the Twins plans will be until then.

As for who I expect the Twins will trade for one late inning reliever and sign a couple free agents.  Hopefully, one is capable of being a late inning guy.  Of those you mentioned, I see Matthews as being their next Varland.  And Festa reminds me a bit of Jax from a few years ago.  Don't know if it is a pipedream, but those two could prove to be solid.  Or better.

[jmlease1]

54 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

I would currently plan to spend around $12 - $15 million to significantly upgrade the bullpen.  

The highest upside players for a reasonable cost right now are Phil Maton and Devin Williams.   They have more experience than anyone else we have.  Devin Williams needs a new home to get comfortable and away from the bright lights of New York.  Worst case they become nice trade chips at the deadline.  Best case is we have a bullpen that could be solid to very good if both perform well.   

Either Maton or Williams wouldn't upset me as the primary 9th inning guy. Seem like they might even be within budget. I essentially subscribe to the theory that the Twins primary closer for 2026 isn't on the roster. Getting someone like this would help solidify things I think and keep Sands from being needed too consistently in the highest leverage roles.

I'm not sure I'm ready to send Matthews or Festa to the 'pen yet, but regardless, I wouldn't count on Festa being ready for the season at this point.

While I wouldn't mind the Twins bringing back Brock Stewart in the offseason (I just don't think the LAD are going to offer him arbitration), he's also not someone you can count on to be your closer. If he's healthy, he can definitely close out a game, but you can't build a bullpen counting on him to be in a critical role for most of a season.

[bunsen82]

15 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

While I wouldn't mind the Twins bringing back Brock Stewart in the offseason (I just don't think the LAD are going to offer him arbitration), he's also not someone you can count on to be your closer. If he's healthy, he can definitely close out a game, but you can't build a bullpen counting on him to be in a critical role for most of a season.

Personally I would guess the Twins would only be willing to pay for 1 of Maton or Williams,  and I could definitely see the Twins bringing back a player like Stewart if he is dfa'd or resigning Coloumbe.  I see 2 FA or trades at minimum to solidify the bullpen.  

[Doctor Gast]

Twins have a rich history of developing closers dating back to Al Worthington, later to Reardon & Aguilera. etc. Falvey passed on Pressley & Rogers & have tried to develop Coloume', J Lopez, Duffy & Pagan to be closers. In the process, Duran & Jaxs imerged as closer & set-up man. Duran was traded along with Jaxs & Steward. Varland had shown some ability to step up to that role but he was traded.  Gutting our BP with nobody to take over the closer role. Closer role isn't that easy to fill. Sands isn't ready if ever. Next year will be very difficult to have a pitcher step up any time soon. IMO, Prielipp can become a closer but not there yet. Maybe Bradley can become our next Varland but that'll take time. There is doubt about Festa's arm condition. IMO, our AAA relief prospects are disappointing. It's ridiculous to look to FAs  because of the letting go of our reasonable pitchers & new pitchers coming in to try to get used to a new organization. IMO, it's delusional to think that Twins can magically fill so many holes & answering so many ????????????s over night.

[LA Vikes Fan]

I like the idea of 2 of Williams, Maton, Coulombe, and Stewart. Williams or Maton can close if we can get one of them, We need 2 FA bullpen pieces and I like those 4 the best . . . in our price range. 

[DJL44]

Spreading the saves around is the penny-pincher's approach because saves still mean money in arbitration. My guess is they sign a cheap free agent and give them the infrequently used closer role with the hope of trading them at the deadline.

[farmerguychris]

Based on my opinion of ownership spending as little as possible on anything baseball team related this upcoming off season - I fully expect our closer to be someone like Kody Clemons.

Since we can't hit even with a decent payroll, and likely will have a pitching staff with Ober as our ace, I expect we'll be behind by 8 runs frequently - thus Clemons will not only close, but also lead the team in appearances on the mount.

[mikelink45]

Early for speculation - right now they do not have a closer.

[gman]

I don't think you need a closer until you have a team that is good enough to win some games.  I don't expect that team directions will be passed down by ownership until next year. I 'm thinking ownership expected to sell the team early this year and when that didn't happen they didn't have a plan B. I think that's why they had a fire sell at the end of July. Ownership had a board meeting and told Falvey to cut payroll by $50 million and that was the only plan they had.

[Exiled in Illinois]

Laweryson?

[jorgenswest]

Four pitchers have earned multiple saves for the Brewers this year. One was acquired in a DFA trade. One was acquired as a minor league free agent. One was a failed starter. One was a minor leaguers signed in 2018 in his first full season with the club.

Four of the Mariners top 5 relievers were acquired in trade as minor leaguers. The other was a waiver claim.

The Guardians have an undrafted free agent, pitchers acquired as minor leaguers in trade, a rule 5 pick up and a drafted failed starter.

None of them required significant prospect capital or free agent dollars. Instead the Mariners and Brewers have been trading away established relievers. There is a road map to follow here. It may be the route Falvey chose to take as he navigates difficult payroll restrictions from the owner.

 

[NYCTK]

Whoever it might be, we can be certain that the people on this website are going to think he's terrible and should be fired. 

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I like the idea of 2 of Williams, Maton, Coulombe, and Stewart. Williams or Maton can close if we can get one of them, We need 2 FA bullpen pieces and I like those 4 the best . . . in our price range. 

I can promise you that the Twins didn't enter a rebuild in order to give a big contract, even if a one year deal, to Devin Williams for a 74 win team in 2026. 

[tony&rodney]

The Twins are investing in a rebuild. Easy to imagine that the Twins have a low team salary number after they complete 4-7 trades before the new year. If the roster looks like it can play baseball, there is a chance that a couple of relief pitchers are added to stabilize the team. 

The rationale for adding to the bullpen from free agency would be as support for an inexperienced starting staff. All of Bradley, Matthews, Festa, Woods Richardson, Abel, Morris, and others (including any experienced guys left) could be helped by knowing there are a few bodies in the bullpen to hold leads. The current group is not sustainable.

The payroll can be below $100M and a few relief arms added. We will see this unfold in whatever direction the front office meanders. 

[hitterscount]

If they trade Lopez and Ryan and don’t address the lineup weaknesses I would go with Ohl, Tonkin, or bring back Bride. 

[The Great Hambino]

If you have an abundance of potential starters and you need some of them to turn into relievers, the potentially-electric-but-chronically-injured are a good place to start.  Festa and Prielipp, come on down to the bullpen and join the closing committee

[Peter]

Festa could thrive in closers role-but what about genesis? 

[Historyking88]

6 hours ago, Brandon said:

The Twins will trade for someone who ends up closing games.  Overall they will do a closer by committee approach and spread the saves around to the best matchup/ rested player available for the day.  

I would like to see them trade for Victor Vodnik from Rockies. He could be a great closer for the bullpen. Otherwise I think Festa makes the most sense at this point. 

[DannySD]

If Festa is healthy, I vote for co-closers - Festa and a veteran FA/trade - maybe even a trade for a failed starter. Prielipp looks like he could maybe close after he's had some experience. 

[David HK]

I'd sure like to welcome Brock and Danny C back, or either, if possible.  Solid experience, and wouldn't break the pohlad's little piggy bank.  And I really like Maton.  He's into his 30s already, maybe can be had on a 2 yr deal or so?  D Williams would be a good guy, too, but I'm old enough to remember another certain Yankee setup man that we booked for our closer... 🤔🤔🤔

And yes, put me in the Festa to the Pen camp.

[Vanimal46]

5 hours ago, NYCTK said:

I can promise you that the Twins didn't enter a rebuild in order to give a big contract, even if a one year deal, to Devin Williams for a 74 win team in 2026. 

Correct. Falvey has only paid up for 1 reliever in 9 years of FA history. Addison Reed flopped and that was it. The bullpen will be filled out with rule 5, waiver wire, and MiLB options. 

[stringer bell]

8 hours ago, Fred said:

If Emilio Pagan is ever mentioned again, I'm going to have to come find you. 😃

Pagan recorded his 30th save today for the Reds, who are vying for a playoff spot. Too many walks and too many homers for my blood pressure, but he's been pretty good every other year.