Bringing Back Familiar Lefties Could Help Rebuild Minnesota Twins Bullpen

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins enter the offseason facing a self-inflicted challenge: rebuilding a bullpen that was stripped down at the trade deadline. In an effort to retool the organization, the team traded away Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Louis Varland (all pitchers with multiple years of team control). The moves left a glaring hole in the late innings, and raised questions about how the club plans to protect leads in 2026.

While the front office may pursue young, controllable arms, there is also value in bringing back trusted veterans who have worn a Twins uniform before. Three familiar left-handers are all free agents this winter and could provide steady production, leadership, and perhaps trade value later in the season.

Danny Coulombe: A Dependable Option When Healthy
Coulombe has made a career out of defying expectations. The 36-year-old lefty was dominant in his time with Minnesota last season, posting a 1.16 ERA across 31 innings before being traded to the Rangers. His time in Texas was rockier, with a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings, but shoulder fatigue and a previous forearm strain limited his effectiveness.

Even with his modest velocity (his four-seamer and sinker average around 90 mph), Coulombe continues to find ways to get hitters out. Since 2020, he has produced a 2.60 ERA over 173 1/3 innings, supported by strong strikeout and walk rates. He thrives on command, deception, and a sharp breaking ball that keeps hitters guessing.

Coulombe made $3 million last season, and another one-year deal in that range would make sense for both sides. If healthy, he could again be a stabilizing presence in the middle innings and a mentor to younger arms.

Taylor Rogers: A Familiar Face with Proven Results
Rogers’s tenure with the Twins ended in a 2022 trade, but his consistency since then makes him an appealing reunion candidate. He peaked as an All-Star with the Twins, but has been a steady contributor over the last three seasons, posting a 3.16 ERA with a 26.4% strikeout rate since 2023.

His velocity has dipped (his average sinker now sits around 92.7 mph, down from 95 mph during his prime), but he has adapted well, relying more on location and his signature sweeping slider. Though teams haven’t used him in many high-leverage spots recently, Rogers still handles left-handed hitters well and limits hard contact.

At 35, Rogers brings experience, composure, and familiarity with the Twins organization. For a bullpen seeking stability and leadership, his presence could help bridge the gap between young relievers and the big moments late in games.

Caleb Thielbar: The Steady Veteran Returns?
Thielbar has been one of the best stories in Twins history, and his performance with the Cubs in 2025 showed that he still has something left in the tank. The 39-year-old southpaw posted a 2.64 ERA in 58 innings and tied for the team lead with 25 holds. His strong command and ability to attack hitters from both sides of the plate make him a reliable option, even as he nears 40.

Thielbar’s 2024 season was forgettable (5.32 ERA, 4.10 FIP), but outside of that blip, he has consistently posted ERAs below 3.50 since 2020. He doesn’t overpower hitters, but his control and composure fit perfectly into a bullpen needing reliable innings. A one-year deal seems likely, and few pitchers embody the perseverance and professionalism the Twins value more than Thielbar.

A Smart and Sentimental Solution
The Twins have multiple holes to fill, and rebuilding the bullpen from scratch will not be easy. Bringing back any of these three left-handers (or perhaps more than one) would add experience, versatility, and familiarity to a group that needs it. Each pitcher could handle late-inning work early in the season, while the team evaluates younger arms.

If Minnesota falls out of contention by midseason, any of these veterans could become valuable trade chips at the deadline, much as they were in past years. The combination of low-cost contracts, consistent results, and familiarity with the organization makes them ideal candidates for short-term success and long-term flexibility.

Reuniting with Coulombe, Rogers, or Thielbar would be a practical move for a team that needs dependable relief pitching to navigate the ups and downs of a transitional season. It might also make new skipper Derek Shelton feel more comfortable, not just to have trustworthy left-handed relief, but to see another gray beard or two in the clubhouse.

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Which southpaw makes the most sense for the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[DJL44]

Familiarity seems to be the common thread of this offseason

[luckylager]

Getting the band back together doesn't seem like the best idea. 

[jmlease1]

Reasonable picks. one of these guys pushes Funderburk down to the 2nd LHP in the bullpen and lower leverage roles unless/until he proves himself capable of handling more. It would be a good start and shouldn't cost too much. I'd probably rank them as listed: Coulombe, Rogers, Thielbar in terms of preference (I guess I'm more nervous that age will smack Thielbar harder than I am about Coulombe's injury history, but I could certainly be convinced to flip 'em)

Still will need 2 RH relievers capable of handling some high leverage work, but it should be possible to get the bullpen back from "staggeringly dreadful and predictably useless" to "functional and possibly reliable" without breaking the bank.

My general preference is to build your bullpens internally, but they stripped things down so far that's simply not realistic, even with some potential options available in the organization.

[Cory Engelhardt]

The guy I want with Minnesota ties is Sam Hentges. He is potentially on the chopping block for Cleveland with who they need to protect for their 40 man, and he SHOULD be nearing full health this offseason following August 2024 surgery and missing all of 2025. He was SO good in 2022 and 2023 in to 2024, and I'd very much make a play for him to give him a shot in the bullpen.

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree completely with this post. If you look at who’s available from the left side, these are really the three best options in our price range. We need at least one more left-handed bullpen piece, preferably two, to go with Funderburk. It really doesn’t matter whether they’re familiar faces or not, all three of them can be quality mid to late inning relievers. They also add some experience to a team that going to be very young on the position player side. All three will be easy flips at the trade deadline unless they’re injured or completely ineffective so the are low risk and provide some stability while we are developing some of the younger pitchers into MLB relievers. I’d be in favor of getting two of the three and would lean towards Coulombe and Rodgers, but Theibar would be OK.. I’m just worried that Father Time will get Caleb soon.

[tony&rodney]

Sam Hentges would be a sweet gamble pick. Yes, any ONE of Thielbar, Coulombe, or Rogers works as a free agent signing if they are amenable for around $3-4M.

I'm expecting some minor league guys to fill positions in the pen. There is quite a pile: Raya, Prielipp, Morris, Klein, and so forth. Someone like Festa or Matthews could potentially become relief pitchers.

A couple of relievers might come aboard via trades. Finally, there is an outside chance, perhaps slim/unlikely to add someone like Devin Williams at $10-12M. My goal for payroll is near $110M.

Holdovers available are: Adams, Cabrera, Funderburk, Hatch, Laweryson, Ohl, Sands, Tonkin, and Topa.

Perhaps the 2026 bullpen to start the year is 2 free agents, 1 from minor leagues, 1 converted starter, 1 from trade, and 3 holdovers. The Twins should begin next season in far better shape than they closed out 2025 as far as it concerns the bullpen. 

The position players are a far greater concern at this time. The Twins need guys who can defend AND hit.

[TJSweens]

The Twins are fully capable of dumpster diving for bullpen help without any suggestions. 

[mickster]

20 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Sam Hentges would be a sweet gamble pick. Yes, any ONE of Thielbar, Coulombe, or Rogers works as a free agent signing if they are amenable for around $3-4M.

I'm expecting some minor league guys to fill positions in the pen. There is quite a pile: Raya, Prielipp, Morris, Klein, and so forth. Someone like Festa or Matthews could potentially become relief pitchers.

A couple of relievers might come aboard via trades. Finally, there is an outside chance, perhaps slim/unlikely to add someone like Devin Williams at $10-12M. My goal for payroll is near $110M.

Holdovers available are: Adams, Cabrera, Funderburk, Hatch, Laweryson, Ohl, Sands, Tonkin, and Topa.

Perhaps the 2026 bullpen to start the year is 2 free agents, 1 from minor leagues, 1 converted starter, 1 from trade, and 3 holdovers. The Twins should begin next season in far better shape than they closed out 2025 as far as it concerns the bullpen. 

The position players are a far greater concern at this time. The Twins need guys who can defend AND hit.

I would like to see Festa at the backend of the bullpen

[rv78]

With no chance of competing in 2026 they could also opt for Glen Perkins and Eddie Guardado. What was the purpose of trading the bullpen they had for the AAA pitchers they got if they aren't going to give them a chance? Falvey's usual old veteran dumpster diving will not improve the team going forward. Sorry Cody, but "The Best Bullpen in Baseball" hasn't worked. Bringing back the same guys isn't going to work a 2nd or 3rd time. In 2026 they need to let the young guys play so they know what they have for 2027 and beyond. That is the only way to get any value out of the 2026 season.  

[Doctor Gast]

I agree Cody, we really need a veteran RP with so many young players & an LHRP; here we kill 2 birds with one stone. FAs aren't a very good idea, but they shouldn't be very expensive. These guys had good seasons & they are familiar & fit in with the Twins' program. Love these guys. Thielbar had a miraculous season, again, I thought he was washed up! IMO, he's too familiar with the teams here & would do better in the NL. Rogers could do very well with Shelton, who knows how to handle him. We'd have to see how high his price tag is before we commit. Coulume is a good backup plan. Nardia & Puk are also veteran LHRPs and could be good bounce-back trades. All these guys would be in demand at the deadline.

Funderburg could become a good LHRP, but IMO,  I'd prefer him start out as the 2nd LHRP to take off the pressure.

 

[farmerguychris]

Lets look at it from the other perspective - why would any of these pitchers want to play for the Twins unless they really had no other options?

[JD-TWINS]

My assumption is MOST Teams would look at any one of these 3 guys and think $4M is not a bad deal at all!! There’s RISK with age/health on Thielbar & Coulombe but that’s why they don’t cost $8.5M. I’d sign them both and use one of them nearly everyday a win is feasible. Funderburk still has a spot alternating in somewhat lower leverage situations.

Matthews near the back end (velocity might play up in 2-6 out scenarios) Sands - Topa.

We’d be up to 6 competent guys and searching for 3-4 RH to try out, hopefully, one more guy from FA and a couple younger internal guys. Adams is OK for an inning - no more, IMO.

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, TJSweens said:

The Twins are fully capable of dumpster diving for bullpen help without any suggestions. 

For example, with how they dumpster-dived to get Coulombe this year. I don't remember his being a prominent name in last year's TD discussions. If anything, there was skepticism at the signing. 

I'll join others in saying I'd take any of them. In fact, I'd take two. And yes to Hentges, especially on a 1+Option Year contract. 

[IndianaTwin]

10 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

Lets look at it from the other perspective - why would any of these pitchers want to play for the Twins unless they really had no other options?

For the opportunity to be a closer, or at least near the top of the leverage chart, and set themselves up for a 2027 contract?

[IndianaTwin]

Just for kicks, let's assume that MLBTradeRumors.com is right on projected arbitration contracts for Duran ($7.6M), Jax ($3.6M) and Stewart ($1.4). Add in $0.8M for Varland's control and we're at $13.4M that could have been on the 2026 roster.

Sign three of these four (including Hentges among the four choices) for a combined $12M and take a $1.4M flyer on another possibility to match the same price. Now add Topa, Sands and Funderburk and convert a starter or two and that's a pretty good bullpen to back up Lopez-Ryan-Ober-SWR-et. al.

(And by the way, that redeployment of $13.4M doesn't count that we picked Abel, Bradley, Tait and others along the way. I also didn't count the $2.1M projected for Alcala.)

[LewFordLives]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Finally, there is an outside chance, perhaps slim/unlikely to add someone like Devin Williams at $10-12M. My goal for payroll is near $110M.

 

I think "slim/unlikely" is overestimating the odds.  If they weren't willing to take Duran through arbitration, who is a legit closer,  there is no way they are going to rain $10 million on a project like Devin Williams.   

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

I think "slim/unlikely" is overestimating the odds.  If they weren't willing to take Duran through arbitration, who is a legit closer,  there is no way they are going to rain $10 million on a project like Devin Williams.   

I actually agree with you. I'm trying to be hopeful but included "slim/unlikely" for realism.

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, mickster said:

I would like to see Festa at the backend of the bullpen

2nd'd.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, mickster said:

I would like to see Festa at the backend of the bullpen

I would like to see evidence that Festa is recovered from his thorassic outlet syndrome issues before I count on him for anything this season. I get that they have this as the "good" kind with the least impact, least invasive treatment, and least recovery time, but it's still effin' thorassic outlet syndrome.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Nothing against any of these guys, but call me skeptical that they will open up the Treasury to sign anyone of significance. I rather expect it to go the other way myself. They've put out word that they're losing 40 million this year. I believe that leak had strategy behind it.

[lecroy24fan]

Jesse Orosco certainly has a few pitches left in the arm.

[Jacksson]

At their respective ages, NONE of these 3 has Father Time on their side.  They are going to sign with an organization that has a chance to win in 2026.  The only way they end up with the Twinkies is if no other team viewed as a contender wants them.  Even then, they do this knowing their time in Minnesota would end when they are traded away at the deadline.  Might just as well go with the kids and an assortment of castoffs because this team will not even think of or have a chance at contending until at least 2028, if even then.

[big dog]

Duensing!!!

[wavedog]

I think a veteran presence would be a good idea in the bullpen and we need a lefty - so I would take any of these three.    We will probably cycling through a lot of the young arms in the bullpen so I would like to add a proven arm as stability and perhaps a mentor.   Can always deal them at the trade deadline if necessary.     

[darin617]

Coulombe and Rogers wouldn't be a bad idea. Both can be flipped at the deadline if the Twins are not in the playoff hunt. Rogers would be interested since he would be the closer.

[rv78]

I find it comical that some of you posting here think any of these 3 guys are going to make a difference. Reading your posts it's like you are expecting the team to be in contention for the division and we need them to put this team over the hump. 1.The Pohlads are not going to spend the money for any of them and 2.It won't matter if they did. 

[Otaknam]

All three of these lefties will prefer a team with a chance to compete, unless the Twins offer a lot more money. But after 8-10 years in the bigs they have enough money. I think being on a team with a chance to make a strong playoff run would be a bigger incentive. 

[saviking]

23 hours ago, luckylager said:

Getting the band back together doesn't seem like the best idea. 

That ought to strike fear into the other teams in our division .. 

[DocBauer]

I'd add Andrew Chafin as a 4th option to add, though he doesn't have ties to the Twins. 

For now, I'm going to assume that Funderburk's last 2 months wasn't a complete illusion, and that he has turned a corner to at least be part of the 2026 pen.

There's 3 LH arms that could all pitch for AAA this year and might get called up at some point later in the season. But they need a 2nd LH option. All 3 of these guys, plus Chafin, had quality years in 2025 even though father time is working against them. But the Twins are looking for a handful of relatively inexpensive 1yr options to round out the pen. I really don't know who is the best option to bring on board, I just hope they make a good choice and bring one of them on board. We need help, and we need bodies.