Who Will Be The Minnesota Twins' Closer in 2026?

[Linus]

2 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

I left my post ambiguous on purpose. It could be optimistic that the Twins record in 2026 will be better than 2025. They can’t win 75 this year.

it could be sarcasm that I think you’re a Debbie Downer

The choice is yours

That’s strange. What was the point in responding to me originally?

[LA Vikes Fan]

On 9/26/2025 at 1:25 PM, jorgenswest said:

Some realism…

They are 7th in the AL and 2nd in the Central in runs scored since the trade deadline. They are 2nd in the AL in stolen bases since the deadline. The offense has performed better after trading four starters in Correa, Bader, Castro and France.

I don’t know how to get a split on OAA but they are 9th of 15 in the AL for the season. Martin and Lewis appear by my eye to be improved. Lewis looks like he finally has his legs under him again. Clemens has been solid wherever they put him. Catcher took a hit when Jeffers and Vazquez were out. Lee is not Correa. Lee is a -2 OAA in 568 innings. Correa was -2 in 773 innings (most with Twins). Some suggest Kiner-Falefa who is -3 in 817 innings. I don’t see the gain. I have no idea how ready Culpepper is for shortstop. His field FV is 45/60. The outfield could be very good next year.

More realism…

The bullpen has been bad since the deadline. That brings me to this discussion about finding a closer.

I agree. While I get and somewhat share the angst over the lineup, that ain’t the reason we’ve stunk since August 1. The bullpen has been awful. I didn’t do research but it’s my sense that with an above average bullpen, we’d be a roughly .500 team since the break. That’s why the BP construction is important. If we can get back to a good bullpen, and Pablo pitches all year, we have a decent team. Add 1 or 2 hitters through guys like Jenkins or Roden taking off or even full season improved hitting from Lewis, Martin ( just make next year look like September for him), or even Wallner or Lee, and you have an interesting team. But nothing kills a team faster than a bad bullpen and that has to be fixed for this team to have any kind of a chance. 

[stringer bell]

3 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I agree. While I get and somewhat share the angst over the lineup, that ain’t the reason we’ve stunk since August 1. The bullpen has been awful. I didn’t do research but it’s my sense that with an above average bullpen, we’d be a roughly .500 team since the break. That’s why the BP construction is important. If we can get back to a good bullpen, and Pablo pitches all year, we have a decent team. Add 1 or 2 hitters through guys like Jenkins or Roden taking off or even full season improved hitting from Lewis, Martin ( just make next year look like September for him), or even Wallner or Lee, and you have an interesting team. But nothing kills a team faster than a bad bullpen and that has to be fixed for this team to have any kind of a chance. 

They traded their top five bullpen arms. It isn't just the closer that has to be determined, they need a minimum of four reliable bullpen pieces. It is possible that any of Sands, Topa and Funderburk could be one of those arms and perhaps two of them can take a spot, but they need much more to be even an average BP. 

[JD-TWINS]

On 9/26/2025 at 4:25 PM, jorgenswest said:

Some realism…

They are 7th in the AL and 2nd in the Central in runs scored since the trade deadline. They are 2nd in the AL in stolen bases since the deadline. The offense has performed better after trading four starters in Correa, Bader, Castro and France.

I don’t know how to get a split on OAA but they are 9th of 15 in the AL for the season. Martin and Lewis appear by my eye to be improved. Lewis looks like he finally has his legs under him again. Clemens has been solid wherever they put him. Catcher took a hit when Jeffers and Vazquez were out. Lee is not Correa. Lee is a -2 OAA in 568 innings. Correa was -2 in 773 innings (most with Twins). Some suggest Kiner-Falefa who is -3 in 817 innings. I don’t see the gain. I have no idea how ready Culpepper is for shortstop. His field FV is 45/60. The outfield could be very good next year.

More realism…

The bullpen has been bad since the deadline. That brings me to this discussion about finding a closer.

All good! …….. BUT Clemens is not an acceptable MLB starter going forward (realism), 13th guy on the roster in ‘26 because he can play 4 positions and is durable, OK. Not a starter on a GOOD team.

I’m not a Clemens hater but he had his BEST year and had a .284 OBP. 19 HR’s are significant in 342 AB but he hit 3 in one game (big game!) & he was at .205 BA and rallied to hit .216. ………Lewis - Lee OBP are not good either but theoretically they had down years (Lewis) or are learning (Lee). 

[JD-TWINS]

On 9/27/2025 at 11:26 PM, stringer bell said:

They traded their top five bullpen arms. It isn't just the closer that has to be determined, they need a minimum of four reliable bullpen pieces. It is possible that any of Sands, Topa and Funderburk could be one of those arms and perhaps two of them can take a spot, but they need much more to be even an average BP. 

Definitely need pieces in PEN!

I’m assuming Funderburk has earned a spot over last 2 months and Topa - Sands are in as well.

Raya - Prielipp - Rojas - Matthews - Festa - Adams………..re-sign Thielbar? Couple other FA signings? First Base & PEN have to be the Focus for ‘26.

Abel or Bradley - Lopez/Ryan/Ober/SWR

Catcher, arguably still a hole……..the kid that came up last 3 weeks seems to be serviceable ……. nobody is going to like this, but Vazquez, for $5-$6M may not be a terrible choice.