Three Internal Options to Help Rebuild Twins Bullpen

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Twins likely didn’t have plans of contending next season in mind when they shipped out the majority of their bullpen at the 2025 trade deadline. As a result, it’s hard to envision them allocating much money to bringing in replacements for 2026. Instead, they should turn these innings over to younger pieces with chances to break out and (at least) become usable relief arms. They have a few prime options who should be given this opportunity from the start of 2026.

Cody Laweryson
It’s fair to argue that Laweryson should have been given a shot to face MLB hitters earlier in 2025. While far from a high-end pitching prospect, he allowed just a single run in 7 2/3 innings in his first cup of big-league coffee. A former 14th-round pick by the Twins in 2019, it’s worth seeing whether the strong numbers he put up in a small sample at the end of 2025 can carry over to 2026. He’ll be cheaper than anyone they can find externally, and could become a great story from the late rounds of the draft.

Laweryson lacks the velocity and raw stuff to take over as a high-leverage relief arm. Still, his command and ability to limit homers make him a strong candidate to at least fill out a middle relief role. With a wide-open depth chart, his brief success to end 2025 should be more than enough to earn him a look right away in 2026.

Travis Adams
Adams was added to the 40-man roster last offseason to serve as rotation depth. While he did wind up being used in that role eventually, he didn’t impress in it, and the Twins' rotation depth headed into 2026 makes him unlikely to serve in that capacity again. Adams made the transition to the bullpen in September, and it didn’t go well, but perhaps a full offseason of preparing for relief work can make a difference.

Adams has a strong repertoire to transition into relief work. Unlike Laweryson, Adams can run his fastball into the mid- to high 90s. He also has a six-pitch mix that could easily be trimmed down to feature his changeup and slider, which were his best swing-and-miss offerings. Adams will have to perform much better than he did in 2025 to stick in any role, but it’s fair to wonder whether he has the upside to help fill the massive void left by the trade deadline.

David Festa
A former 13th-round pick, Festa developed into a legitimate starting pitching prospect before his stock came crashing down in 2025. Poor performance was eventually revealed to be injury-related, as repeated shoulder injuries held him down for much of the year. He struggled to maintain his stuff and consistency for multiple innings at a time. While injury may be the cause, it’s also worth questioning whether Festa’s significant boost in velocity since he was drafted can be maintained in a traditional starting pitching role.

When it comes to stuff, Festa is near the top of the Twins organization at his best. His high-end velocity and pair of off-speed pitches make him a candidate to become a legitimately dominant back-end relief pitcher. Between his injury, the Twins’ need for bullpen help, and their starting pitching depth, a move to a relief role would make a lot of sense. It’s unlikely we see this transition from day one, as the team always likes to maintain rotation depth, but they shouldn’t be too slow to try Festa in a new role if 2026 doesn’t get out to an encouraging start for him. He’s more than capable of being one of the better relief pitchers on the roster by season’s end.

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Are there any other organizational relievers that should be given a chance to help rebuild the bullpen in 2026? Or some starting pitchers who the team should try in a relief role? Let us know below!

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[ashbury]

Sad.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Laweryson and Festa should absolutely be in the bullpen from Day 1 next season. I agree that  Laweryson has only a small sample size, but that isn't his fault and he really showed out in his SSS - 1.17 ERA, 7 SOs in 7.2 IP, 0.522 WHIP. Double his WHIP and ERA and he's still a back of the bullpen weapon. 

Festa could be the next closer with his stuff. More importantly, it doesn't look like his shoulder will hold up enough to start. Bring him back slowly next season by starting him out in the bullpen at least and keep him there if he's as good as I think he can be. 

Adams, Hatch, and Ohl fall into the same bucket for me. Overall not so good last year but showed enough in some appearances to get a shot. I'm betting at least one of them makes the team out of ST, maybe 2. My money is on Ohl. 

I see next year's starting bullpen as Sands, Festa, Topa, Laweryson, Funderburk, Ohl, and either 2 FAs or some combination of Adams, Hatch,  Misiewicz, and maybe one of Matthews, Raya, or Preilip. Frankly, that's a pretty thin group so I'm hoping they sign at least 1 and really 2 experienced arms, including a guy like Williams, Moton, or Helsley on a pillow contract to close. Let's also give Danny Coulombe a call to be the second LH in the pen. 

[Nshore]

I'm highly skeptical that Festa is out of the woods with his shoulder issues.  Adams looked awful.  And Lawyerson's stuff doesn't play with the big boys.  Next.

[Doc Lenz]

Fortunately we got rid of the new Mr October   “for giving up playoff homers”. Not hitting them.

[Paul Walerius]

27 minutes ago, Nshore said:

I'm highly skeptical that Festa is out of the woods with his shoulder issues.  Adams looked awful.  And Lawyerson's stuff doesn't play with the big boys.  Next.

I don't think Adams looked awful for one maybe two innings.   He struggled as a starter and going many innings, However, he was a rookie and improved overall late.   

[Paul Walerius]

30 minutes ago, Nshore said:

I'm highly skeptical that Festa is out of the woods with his shoulder issues.  Adams looked awful.  And Lawyerson's stuff doesn't play with the big boys.  Next.

Also, I am not sure how you can say Lawyerson's stuff doesn't play after 7 2/3 innings.   7K 0BB only 1ER.   I am not huge analytics guy but very small sample size he looks good.  

[jorgenswest]

also Connor Prielipp, Mick Abel, Zebby Matthews, Taj Bradley, Marco Raya and anyone else they add to the 40.

They need to take the best 12 pitchers next year. They shouldn’t worry about keeping a pitcher stretched out. Build up the pitch count with each start.

[Nshore]

23 minutes ago, Paul Walerius said:

Also, I am not sure how you can say Lawyerson's stuff doesn't play after 7 2/3 innings.   7K 0BB only 1ER.   I am not huge analytics guy but very small sample size he looks good.  

The trend in the Major Leagues is to have relievers come out of the pen and throw gas in the upper 90's or even 100.  Lawyerson can't do that.  But I think you'll get your wish and he'll get a long look.   In Twins-like fashion, they'll probably go in the opposite direction of the rest of the league.  Between Lawyerson and Ohl, they'll be throwing slow pitch softball at 'em.

 

[Paul Walerius]

6 minutes ago, Nshore said:

The trend in the Major Leagues is to have relievers come out of the pen and throw gas in the upper 90's or even 100.  Lawyerson can't do that.  But I think you'll get your wish and he'll get a long look.   In Twins-like fashion, they'll probably go in the opposite direction of the rest of the league.  Between Lawyerson and Ohl, they'll be throwing slow pitch softball at 'em.

 

The other side of that is if everyone is throwing upper 90s then he comes in where ever he is at (low 90s) it does play. That comes down to coaching.  Plus if he knows how to pitch it doesnt matter.   

[Vanimal46]

[Fatbat]

Just get some outs guys. Shorten the game. Command and control can’t be too much to ask for….

[High heat]

I don’t think Adam’s looked terrible, I think he’ll take some time to transition to the 1 inning bullpen role. 
 

 

Festa might take some time to transition to the bullpen as well.  
 

If we are wishing on a star listing Lawyerson then might as well list Matt Canterino, atleast he had great stuff in the past and was working on transition to the Bullpen in 2025 before shoulder surgery in spring training.  

[DocBauer]

OK, we have months to go and a lot of unknowns and debates to consider over the next few months, but I'm willing to play along.

WHAT DO THE TWINS HAVE RIGHT NOW:

Well they have SANDS who was OK in his RP debut in 2023. Then he was great in 2024. Then he was mediocre in 2025 and pretty damn good again after the deadline. I don't like cherry picking, but if you take away about 10 days in September he really looked a lot like his 2024 self.

FUNDERBURK allowed a few inherited runners, but suddenly came alive in the last 2 months after the deadline. Is he finally figuring it out? I sure hope so.

TOPA is discussed in a different OP, but he's a 50/50 keep for a residule $1M option as at least a veteran #6-7 option in the pen.

So then we get to the OP:

LAWYERSON was part of a really good 2019 class and has been used in various roles. He's slowly climbed the ladder and got a debut that was probably later than should have happened. He's got nothing special to offer. But he keeps getting guys out. That's worth looking at.

ADAMS AND OHL, and I can't believe Ohl was left off this list. Adams has bloomed late. Ohl was a control freak who lacked velocity. Adams began to flash in 2024. It's why he was added to the 40 man. Ohl slipped in 2024, and then rebounded in 2025.

I don't hate Adams. He actually reminds me a bit if Sands that he throws hard enough now, with a breaking ball not quite as good, that could make him still a solid mid pen arm.

But I like Ohl better. Now that he sits 95 consistently with an outstanding change, he might be the better of the 2, but that's only my opinion. 

With a little luck from the baseball gods...and goodness knows we are due...the outlook from doctors that Festa's condition was minor and treatment and normal rehab and throwing was simple. He only needed a nerve and muscle to relax and then he could go back to normal.

Why is this so important? Because Festa just might be a similar reliever like Duran. Duran ALSO had some shoulder issues. Some arms just aren't designed to be SP. Some are destined to be 1 IP 2 or 3 times a week.

I believe that is where Festa should be. The "Slim Reaper" should be in the pen for 2016 and begin the rest of his career as a top setup man and potential closer. He needs to get his 2 seamer under control to be as good as he can be, but the pen is where he belongs.

He honestly could be the #1 pen arm in 2026.

But could we pause for a moment to realize that most young arms need a moment to just get their **** together? Varland had a couple of seasons of MLB experience before he excelled. It doesn't mean other really good young arms can't develop and transition.  I'm only saying that there's more than a few arms to build a bridge towards a bullpen for 2026 internally and externally. 

But a couple FA arms should be available on the cheap to assist. Who wouldn't love to have Coulombe back for 1 more year? How about 2 more FA, solid, dependable, maybe coming off a disappointing season looking for a rebound year?

There IS some talent in the system. There's transitional talent that might make  difference. But there's also the opportunity to add a few solid options that don't decimate payroll and help 2026 and just fill in the gaps for 2027 and beyond.

[PatPfund]

Prielipp is going to be 25 next year, and it likely is going to take at least one more full season of buildup (assuming he stays healthy) before he is even ready to take a full SP load. (Last year's combined 82.2 IP is 73% of his TOTAL IP over the last 6 seasons combined.) Pitch the bullpen to him as a way to make MLB next year, and see if he can be our next Duran (or part of the pitch can be 'follow the Garrett Crochet path; 'pen to SP').

[TNtwins85]

2 hours ago, Nshore said:

The trend in the Major Leagues is to have relievers come out of the pen and throw gas in the upper 90's or even 100.  Lawyerson can't do that.  But I think you'll get your wish and he'll get a long look.   In Twins-like fashion, they'll probably go in the opposite direction of the rest of the league.  Between Lawyerson and Ohl, they'll be throwing slow pitch softball at 'em.

 

He had the command though right out of the gate. That matters. Stuff helps but after watching Deja vu of Duran in Philly walking batters like he did with the Twins and Abner Uribe doing the same and Roki Sasaki tonight with all the stuff and losing command. Also Griffin Jax had 3 incredible pitches but would struggle with command. Stuff and velocity doesn’t guarantee success. The Twins bullpen the last few years should have been a shutdown bullpen. It wasn’t. Go watch all the walk off games in Cleveland the last 2 years. Laweryson can get guys out. So can Adams. 

[tony&rodney]

Who can consistently get outs? Those are the guys to fill the pen.

Easy to see the relief pitching is wide open for next season. There are bound to be a dozen candidates out of Spring Training. Do the Twins sign 1-3 free agents? That adds possibilities, although it puts those guys in ink and increases the competition amongst the others.

Guessing is always a trip: Sands, Funderburk, Adams, Ohl, Festa, Prielipp, Raya, Morris, Laweryson, maybe a couple of players acquired in trades, and maybe a couple of guys signed as free agents or rising from the pile of a spring training invite trial. A little of this, a little of that, and a fair group can emerge. We might as well be hopeful.

[Doctor Wu]

8 hours ago, PatPfund said:

Prielipp is going to be 25 next year, and it likely is going to take at least one more full season of buildup (assuming he stays healthy) before he is even ready to take a full SP load. (Last year's combined 82.2 IP is 73% of his TOTAL IP over the last 6 seasons combined.) Pitch the bullpen to him as a way to make MLB next year, and see if he can be our next Duran (or part of the pitch can be 'follow the Garrett Crochet path; 'pen to SP').

I think using Prielipp in the bullpen this coming season is a good idea, even though I still hope he can a full-time starter. I have no idea how much "buildup" is required for a player like him that is coming back from injuries, but as you noted, he's almost 25 and it may be time to find out what we've got with him. 

[SteveLV]

You could also use Prielipp as a pseudo-starter going say 3 innings and then turn over for an extended bullpen game to continue to build up his innings pitched.

Twins have options for the bullpen.

[Otaknam]

Yawn!

[jmlease1]

I think Adams and Ohl are interesting options for middle relief, and have potential to do better. I would definitely be looking at Raya for a relief role; he's got the stuff and seems less and less likely to make it as a starter. Funderburk did well enough to have a role, but I would prefer he not be the only LHP in the bullpen. If you keep Topa & Sands there's still 2-3  spots you need to fill, and those need to be back-end guys not middle relievers.

Just don't know if they're ready to move anyone from the Festa/Mathews/Bradley/Morris/Abel group into the bullpen yet, and I understand the reluctance. I'd like to see them spend $15-20M on the bullpen (for once) to get a quality set-up guy, someone with experience closing games, and a LH option in some combination. That, plus Sands, Topa, Ohl, Adams, and Funderburk takes this bullpen from disaster zone to acceptable...with potential for more if guys like Adams or Ohl show an ability to step up, and someone like Raya is able to be a quality reinforcement for the inevitable injury/ineffectiveness of someone in the 'pen.

I don't think there's a good path to a quality bullpen internally alone. They burned it down too far for that, and there needs to be some outside infusions to support the internal candidates. (even finding a Sergio Romo type would help)

[TwinsDr2021]

13 hours ago, High heat said:

I don’t think Adam’s looked terrible, I think he’ll take some time to transition to the 1 inning bullpen role.

Adams, 33.2/3 innings, 17 walks, 31 K's, ERA of 7.49, a WAR of -,9.

18 appearances, 6 with multiple runs allowed, 10 with a run or more allowed, 8 with no runs allowed. 2 blown save/holds of out 4, with a September ERA of 6.97 and that isn't terrible? 

Doesn't mean he won't or can't be a competent relief pitcher, but if that isn't terrible I don't know what is.

 

 

 

[Bodie]

13 hours ago, Nshore said:

The trend in the Major Leagues is to have relievers come out of the pen and throw gas in the upper 90's or even 100.  Lawyerson can't do that.  But I think you'll get your wish and he'll get a long look.   In Twins-like fashion, they'll probably go in the opposite direction of the rest of the league.  Between Lawyerson and Ohl, they'll be throwing slow pitch softball at 'em.

 

So, bring back Alcala - has exactly what you listed.

I'll take the pitcher,  you get the belly itcher!

[TopGunn#22]

This is a topic that certainly needs to be addressed and will be, at least several more times throughout this winter.  The Twins FO burned their BP to the ground at the deadline.  But they do have some interesting options.

First and foremost, I agree that the Twins will need to spend for at least TWO veteran arms this off season.  The most important will be in convincing a veteran arm (Helsley, Williams, Yates...?) to sign a pillow contract to be our Closer to rebuild their value.  EACH of these guys has been a dominant Closer MULTIPLE times throughout their careers, yet found himself not Closing at all after the deadline, or in the case of Yates, all season.  If one of these guys could be signed for 2-years, even better.

The next key guy for next season's BP is David Festa.  I wouldn't compare him to Duran as much as I would Jax.  But either is a valid comparison.  Festa's stuff is NASTY.  But he can't stay healthy.  The Twins should commit to putting him in the pen for the next two seasons. 

I would start Festa out in the 7th inning and allow him to bully his way into the 8th inning set-up job if he earns it.  Yes, he could very well be a future All Star type Closer, but this is why a vet is needed for at least 2026.  Give Festa the time to grow into his role.  

Connor Prielipp:  He's 25 and like ALL young Twins pitchers just can't seem to stay healthy.  But the glimpses of wipeout stuff have ALWAYS been there.  Have him (and Festa) start preparing for one inning bullpen roles this off season.  It is not etched in stone that a pitcher cannot slide back into a starting role once a few years of BP dominance has been achieved.  MLB has had more than a few guys do it in just the last 3 years.  For guys with wipeout "STUFF" Festa and Prielipp MUST be given BP opportunities in 2026.  We have more than enough rotation depth/candidates at this time.  (Side Note:  I have to get my annual Matt Canterino Rosary out right now as well).

"STUFF" is impressive.  "STUFF" is undeniable.  It's never a bad thing to possess as a pitcher.  But many guys who have "STUFF" are just "throwers."  They aren't "pitchers."  Cody Lawyerson strikes me as a "pitcher."  To me this is something that can never be underrated.  I for one, want to see him get a solid opportunity to earn a BP spot.  When everybody coming out of the pen throws 98-100mph, I think it's nice to have a "change of pace" guy like Lawyerson who seems to me to be a guy who just knows how to pitch.

There are some attractive options to consider in a Twins BP rebuild, and I didn't even mention someone like Marco Raya, who seems to have been destined for the BP his entire minor league career with outings capped at 40 pitches.  

They need ONE solid vet Closer to provide stability at the end of games.  They have several options.  It should really be the Twins #1 priority this off season because I don't think they can effectively rebuild the BP until they have one.  Once they check this box, they can focus on trading Joe Ryan and reshaping their lineup and defense.  

[TwinsDr2021]

Will fans ever learn to not take September stats of a team out of contention seriously? How many times do we have to be fooled? 

[IndianaTwin]

2 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

....There are some attractive options to consider in a Twins BP rebuild, and I didn't even mention someone like Marco Raya, who seems to have been destined for the BP his entire minor league career with outings capped at 40 pitches....

First column is 2024, second is 2025.

             

Raya may indeed end up in the bullpen, but he's been lengthened as a starter. I suspect the last number of outings in 2025 were about "load management" as they were about a transition to the pen. The last games were very structured. First it was 2.2 innings (the 30-pitch game and then five days later, then several outings spaced four days apart and then three games spaced three days apart.

I do agree with your takes on the others.

 

[TNtwins85]

5 hours ago, SteveLV said:

You could also use Prielipp as a pseudo-starter going say 3 innings and then turn over for an extended bullpen game to continue to build up his innings pitched.

Twins have options for the bullpen.

Yes, I believe he’s gotta be on the opening day roster. Starter/reliever, anything. He’s got the stuff now. Liriano him day one.

[TNtwins85]

4 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Will fans ever learn to not take September stats of a team out of contention seriously? How many times do we have to be fooled? 

As far as Laweryson or any other reliever I’ll never look at stats. It’s eye test 90% and K/BB to IP. The eye test showed he had command at hitting the corners and up and down. If he could get another 2-3mph he’s a solid reliever.

[bean5302]

Prielipp had TJ. The surgery wasn't successful and the Twins drafted him out of college during Prielipp's initial recovery period. He had to have a followup UCL procedure early. Once he recovered, he's been reliable while being stretched out.

He's been on the 7 day IL one time in the past two years because of a blister. I don't know where people come up with their impressions on his health. He made 23 MiLB starts last year and would have probably made more if the Twins weren't being extra careful with his work buildup.

Prielipp's last start was 6.0 innings. Starters are 3x more valuable than relievers, and about 5x more rare. Putting him the 'pen just because the Twins are weak on the bullpen is a waste.

[IndianaTwin]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Prielipp had TJ. The surgery wasn't successful and the Twins drafted him out of college during Prielipp's initial recovery period. He had to have a followup UCL procedure early. Once he recovered, he's been reliable while being stretched out.

He's been on the 7 day IL one time in the past two years because of a blister. I don't know where people come up with their impressions on his health. He made 23 MiLB starts last year and would have probably made more if the Twins weren't being extra careful with his work buildup.

Prielipp's last start was 6.0 innings. Starters are 3x more valuable than relievers, and about 5x more rare. Putting him the 'pen just because the Twins are weak on the bullpen is a waste.

Thanks, Bean, for this summary. Looking at his game logs and pitch counts, he looks like another (see Raya above) where they have used a very structured buildup of days off and pitch counts.

At SABR this year, when the Twins braintrust described their pitcher development, they spoke of building an individualized program for each person after the player has spent a year in the system and they've had a chance to gather data. It seems logical that they would prioritize keeping the highest-regarded guys closest to their structure, which seems to speak positively as to how they view Prielipp. 

His results weren't top-notch at Wichita, though he did have a 4:1 k:bb and struck out 10.7/9. But given that they finished him with four starts at St. Paul, it seems to point to beginning the year at St. Paul and being near the top of the SP list after whatever's left of Lopez/Ryan/Ober/SWR and then Bradley/Abel/Matthews, etc. If that puts him somewhere around No. 10, that points to him potentially getting the call for at least a couple starts if effective in St. Paul and a potential Liriano treatment if he's banked good starts and the team can get some effective innings out of him in a pennant race. I could live with that for 2026.