3 Changeup Specialists Twins Will Target in MLB Free Agency

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The 2026 American League Central is likely to be wide-open. The Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers have each put together two straight winning seasons, but each time, they benefited from the extreme weakness of the Chicago White Sox. In 2025, none of them won more than 88 games. The Twins are stuck very much in the middle, but they do have some chance of putting together a good enough team to compete in the Central in 2026, even as they change direction and attempt to recover from two straight disappointing campaigns.

Most fans expect little activity from the Twins this offseason, but then, most expect little activity from the other three pretenders to the crown, too. Detroit has already brought back (albeit in a passive way, by having each opt in at significant salaries) Jack Flaherty and Gleyber Torres, but they don't have the flexibility to make another big splash. Nor can Cleveland or Kansas City make major outlays to bolster the rosters they've constructed.

Whatever the Twins do spend will go further than it might in other divisions. They're likely to sign a couple of free agents, even if it takes until the endgame of the offseason (as it has in each of the last two winters) and those players sign one-year deals for low salaries. Specifically, they can go shopping in the cheapest aisle of the hot stove marketplace, because it's also the place where the things they need most are stocked. Here are three relievers who could help the Twins make an unexpected playoff push in 2026; who would be lovely trade chips if the season breaks bad; and who fit the team's philosophy of pitching perfectly. The Twins love a good changeup, and all three of these guys have one.

Tommy Kahnle
No pitcher in baseball throws the changeup more than Kahnle. In fact, it's barely a changeup when he throws it, because it's the pitch batters have to be expecting each time he kicks and fires. Kahnle threw his change 85.6% of the time in 2025, with an extraordinary ability to kill spin. He doesn't use a split grip, but the way he sharply turns his hand outward as he delivers the change turns the pitch into something close to an old-fashioned forkball.

The way that pitch tumbles allows Kahnle to succeed despite throwing it practically all the time. He induced whiffs on over 26% of opponents' swings on that offering in 2025, and has ridden the offering to a 3.61 career ERA. Next year will be his age-36 season, and he's coming off a down year in Detroit—one in which he had a 4.43 ERA. For the six years before that, though, he'd posted an aggregate 2.90 mark. Because he lost some velocity and saw his numbers slip this year, Kahnle will come very cheaply. He's probably not actually out of steam, though.

There is that one other thing, though. New Twins bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins famously called Kahnle "the worst teammate" he'd ever had during a broadcast in 2017. Kahnle himself shrugged that off even in the moment, and Hawkins said he'd put the divide between the two in the past, but presumably, there's still no relationship or positive feeling between them. It doesn't need to be disqualifying, because Kahnle and Hawkins butted heads in 2014. Each has lived a lot of years since, and Kahnle has been well-liked in several subsequent stops. It's possible he's evolved in ways that would impress and delight Hawkins. The two could well move beyond their past and form a productive partnership. Before signing Kahnle, though, the team would need to talk to Hawkins.

Luke Weaver
It's a much more traditional pairing of fastball and change from Weaver. He throws a mid-90s fastball with good life about 60% of the time, and leans heavily on the changeup only as a complement thereto. Although he bloomed late, Weaver has been a sturdy presence in the Yankees bullpen for the last two-plus seasons. Discovering the right changeup changed his career. His pitch is much more of a power change, with fade and downward action but not the telltale, erratic tumble of the lower-spin split-change he used to employ. Batters whiff on this version of the cambio over 40% of the time, which has driven a 29.4% strikeout rate since he arrived in the Bronx.

Our DiamondCentric Top 50 Free Agents list ranked Weaver 37th and forecasted a two-year, $16-million deal for him this winter. That still looks like a reasonable projection. It's probably also the highest the Twins would go to get him, but Weaver would be an instant closer for the depleted relief corps.

Kyle Finnegan
Considering Finnegan is like studying the midpoint between Kahnle and Weaver. He uses his splitter more than Weaver uses his change, but less than Kahnle does. Kahnle is 36; Weaver is 32; Finnegan is 34. The former Nationals closer came to Detroit at the trade deadline in July and enjoyed one of the best stretches of his career. He throws harder than either of the others and has a highly kinetic delivery, launching himself at the batter in a way that makes his sharply sinking splitter especially deceptive.

Way down at 48th on the DiamondCentric Top 50, Finnegan is projected for a one-year deal worth $6 million. If he actually signs for anything in that range, he'd be perfect for the Twins. He'd be eminently tradeable, if it came to that, but he'd also deliver high-octane heat and that swing-and-miss splitter to a pen that has missed those things since the trades that sent away Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax.

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The Twins threw more offspeed pitches than all teams but the Angels and Tigers in 2025. They love changeups and splitters, not only for their ability to keep hitters off a good fastball, but for the way they thwart opposite-handed batters. Finnegan and Weaver have huge platoon splits, but they go in the opposite of the usual direction: they're better against lefties than righties. Kahnle has only occasionally been that good against lefties, but his change plays against righties, too.

All three of these hurlers would be solid back-end relief options for the Twins, who need to be better than average at converting late leads into wins if they want to sneak to the front of the crowded but unintimidating AL Central. None will come at great expense. While it might be a quiet winter for Derek Falvey and Company, even on a tight budget, opportunities abound.

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[Otaknam]

Finnegan would be the best option of the three on a one year $6 million deal, assuming the Twins would pay that. But they might not pay that for the entire bullpen, given the cheap ownership. Not too many soft tossers succeed in today’s major leagues, so not a fan of Kahnle. And Weaver would be too expensive and will have better options for a more competitive team. 

[bunsen82]

The one reliever I wanted just came off the market.  Spotrac had Devin Williams at a 1 yr 7 million contract -  yeah he signed for 3 yrs $51 million.  No wondered I liked him at those prices LOL.  I wanted him for the closer role,  the Mets signed him as the closer/set up dependent on whether they can resign Diaz.  

[old nurse]

The dive will have to be deeper than this to figure out what the Twins will do.  Any of these would only be signed at a lower price in late February because no one else was signing them. Look for a Fernando Rodney type signing as well as a couple of unproven arms that they think Hawkins can fix. I don’t think they will go the oft injured pitcher route again 

[Nashvilletwin]

So, let’s say you are looking for a new job and are being courted by several potential employers. Which of these do you choose?
 

A. The one where the boss hates your guts.

B, The one that potentially pays you a little bit more (but may have higher taxes), but the company really can’t compete and is going absolutely nowhere while you will be there, the facilities are subpar, the best employees are either leaving or want to leave, and the culture has been noxious.

C. Anywhere else as long as the pay is somewhat comparable. 
 

Let’s face it. The Twins are not a premier destination for top FAs 

[mluebker]

They all sound interesting. Let’s see who’s still on the shelf in February.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Matthew Trueblood said:

It's possible he's evolved in ways that would impress and delight Hawkins

But it's a thousand times more likely they still don't like each other.

[Whitey333]

At this point the Twins may not even beat out the White Sox for last place in the Central.  They need a lot of help and a lot of luck.

[AceWrigley]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

Finnegan would be the best option of the three on a one year $6 million deal, assuming the Twins would pay that. But they might not pay that for the entire bullpen, given the cheap ownership. Not too many soft tossers succeed in today’s major leagues, so not a fan of Kahnle. And Weaver would be too expensive and will have better options for a more competitive team. 

Finnegan for closer would be fun, "Twins go to Finnegan for the win again." 😆

[terrydactyls]

The Twins may only win 75 games this upcoming season.  Why spend any money on older relief pitchers?  I am of the opinion that turning minor league starters who aren't on the fast track to becoming major league starters should be given 2026 to prove they can be MLB relief pitchers.

[Blyleven2011]

I know our TD writers love our twins and I do too  ...

Compete , ha ....

Competitive  , ha , ha ...

Contend , ha , ha , ha ....

They first have to find a team of Consistency ...

Let's hope a change in coaching will help them achieve all this ...

You may not believe what the owners or FO says but I speak the truth  ...

You want a change up pitcher bring back La tuga ...

[GNess]

13 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I know our TD writers love our twins and I do too  ...

Compete , ha ....

Competitive  , ha , ha ...

Contend , ha , ha , ha ....

They first have to find a team of Consistency ...

Let's hope a change in coaching will help them achieve all this ...

You may not believe what the owners or FO says but I speak the truth  ...

Yes. The premise that the AL Central is weak enough for the Twins to contend seems dubious. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I agree these are realistic signings but it's hard to get excited about any of these guys except possibly Weaver. That's before considering Hawkins public spat with Kahnle and Finnegan being on record saying he wants to go back to Detroit. I do think we need at least one experienced RP but I think it's much more likely to be someone like one of the Rogers twins, Caleb Theilbar, Drew Pomeranz, or Danny Coulombe.

Next year is a development year, so why not develop in the BP as well? Start the year with Festa and Prielipp in the MLB bullpen and Raya or John Klein closing in St. Paul. The MLB bullpen starts the year with Sands, Topa, Ohl, Funderburk, Orze, Festa, Prielipp, and one free agent - my vote is Tayler Rogers or Coulombe, but I could live with Theilbar. The idea is to pick up a LH who can pitch high leverage.  Try Festa as the closer. He's a high strikeout guy with a good changeup and a high spinning slider. His shoulder may not be able to handle a starting workload and he's been passed by SWR and Bradley, and maybe by Matthews, Rojas, and Abel. That puts guys like Sands and Funderburk in late inning, non-closing roles, and lets Topa, Ohl, Orze, and Prielipp handle middle relief and multi-inning assignments. Pick up a LH FA who can pitch high leverage and you have the outlines of a competent bullpen. Even better is Festa's nickname - "The Slim Reaper" is a great, dare I say perfect, nickname for a closer.  

[tony&rodney]

34 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

The Twins may only win 75 games this upcoming season.  Why spend any money on older relief pitchers?  I am of the opinion that turning minor league starters who aren't on the fast track to becoming major league starters should be given 2026 to prove they can be MLB relief pitchers.

75 wins might be optimistic, all things considered. That said I would suggest that a young team trying their best suffers when the bullpen is brutal. Working hard only to see it destroyed in the last inning is deflating. The Twins should be using any or all of Festa, Prielipp, Raya, Matthews, and others in relief if they are not starting. That still leaves room for a couple of decent relievers though. Pete Fairbanks or Robert Suarez along with Tyler Rogers would be expensive and worth it if they remain healthy. No one can predict pitcher health. Two relievers would cost up to $25M a year for 2-3 year contracts. The Twins traded away 3 top relievers so we can predict they won't do anything. That, in turn, will make 75 wins nearly impossible.

I don't see any of the changeup specialist as good signings.

[NJM]

I think Finnegan would be the best bang for your buck. He has been super consistent with the Nats and Tigers in the past few years, he would be a really solid closer for this team which desperately needs bullpen help. Though I have high hopes for guys like Topa, Adams, and Funderburk this year Finnegan would be an awesome addition.

[mickster]

Make the commitment to Festa at the back end of the bullpen.

[Nashvilletwin]

52 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

75 wins might be optimistic, all things considered. That said I would suggest that a young team trying their best suffers when the bullpen is brutal. Working hard only to see it destroyed in the last inning is deflating. The Twins should be using any or all of Festa, Prielipp, Raya, Matthews, and others in relief if they are not starting. That still leaves room for a couple of decent relievers though. Pete Fairbanks or Robert Suarez along with Tyler Rogers would be expensive and worth it if they remain healthy. No one can predict pitcher health. Two relievers would cost up to $25M a year for 2-3 year contracts. The Twins traded away 3 top relievers so we can predict they won't do anything. That, in turn, will make 75 wins nearly impossible.

I don't see any of the changeup specialist as good signings.

As usual, you make a sage, nuanced point.  Bullpen failures are devasting to the morale of the team. If you are Ryan or Lopez and you pick your heart out, say going six innings and leave up 3-2 - only to see that potential win evaporate time and time again…….

Or the weak hitting lineup scratches out some much needed runs only to see a lead go away…..

Think of the pressure building on the entire team on every pitch and AB….

Not fun.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, mluebker said:

They all sound interesting. Let’s see who’s still on the shelf in February.

AKA....the leftover dregs.

[DocBauer]

I'm going to yea to Finnegan and no to the others. He offers up the most upside to stabilize the pen and is the closest projected salary...as presented here...to what the Twins MIGHT be able to afford. Weaver is WAY too expensive and as pointed out, Khanle lacks some OOMPH in his velocity and there could be some residual bad feeling between him and Hawkins. 

But here's the #1 problem Matt... though I appreciate your thoughts...Addison Reed and his 2yr $16M deal remains the biggest deal thus FO has signed a RP for, and we know how that turned out. If memory serves, since then, the most they have paid a reliever in any given season was $4 or $4.5M. And I think that's really more the target zone we have to be looking at. If there was ANY way they could grab Finnegan for $5M, the Twins should JUMP at that for 1yr. I'm just not sure they can get him for that, but it sure would be nice to do so.

I'm just not certain it's a realistic hope. I haven't had time to peruse the normal, looong list of available RHRP to offer up solid options. But I've heard Ian Hamilton's name mentioned. He had 2 good years with the Yankees but slipped some in 2025. But did he really? ERA for a RP is a very tenuous thing. His hits per 9 was actually better in 2025 than 2024, but he BB went up, and he still K'd over 9 per. I've heard Ryan Pressly mentioned. IIRC, he was actually very good the first 2-2 1/2 months of 2025 and then suddenly slid. Is he toast? Or is there an adjustment to be made that might get him back on track for at least 1 more solid season?

I recently read a partial fluff, partial series idea of brining in the Rogers Twins. And while it would be a tremendous story, it's also a very interesting idea to fill the Twins pen needs. Combined, they'd offer a pair of veteran pieces coming off solid seasons that could help from both sides for a speculated, combined $9M-ish.

There is hope and potential for Raya, Lewis, and Klein to be quality pen arms that are transitioning from the rotation. This is nothing new for the Twins who have a great history of doing so. But most all the previous arms that have done so have also had experience...with very mixed results...at the ML level before they transitioned successfully to the pen. Does that mean a rookie CAN'T make an immediate transition and do well? Absolutely not. But you really want a couple experienced veterans to help lead the way IF you have ANY idea of being a competitive team in 2026.

If they're serious about moving Prielipp to the pen, then Festa also has to be considered. History says he's borderline awesome ONCE through a lineup, and pretty good the second time. But that's when he starts to be questionable. That doesn't mean he can't improve and develop in to a solid ML SP. But take those results, pure stuff, need, opportunity, and his recent shoulder injury, and he's a PERFECT candidate to be the next Varland/Jax, and MAYBE the next Duran. 

So again, if they're serious about Prielipp, why not Festa? And let's say the last 2 months of Funderburk was actually a turning point for him. How about a veteran LH option to help lead the way and help stabilize the pen? While long in the tooth, Coulombe, Rogers, Chaffin, and Thielbar ALL had quality 2025 seasons. Why not one of them for $3-4M on a 1yr? And why not THREE LH options in the pen? It was a luxury the Twins had in the early '00 when Gardenhire managed some very good teams.

But the pen really needs a solid veteran RH arm to work along side Festa, in MY scenario, along with Sands, Orze, Topa, Ohl, and Adams, along with the new converts to help bridge the gap for the likes of Raya, Lewis, Klein, and others.

Finnegan would be ideal. I just think payroll is going to indicate a lower cost option. I'm just not sure who that is right now.

[Doctor Wu]

8 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Finnegan would be ideal. I just think payroll is going to indicate a lower cost option. I'm just not sure who that is right now.

Of the three pitchers highlighted in the article, Finnegan would be my choice by far. But doubtful that he will still be available in February, the most likely time when the Twins end up signing anyone.