The Twins’ Updated Bullpen Picture is Missing Pieces

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © ​Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

For months, the Twins bullpen has felt less like a plan and more like a collection of possibilities. That changed this week. The Twins made an important move on Thursday by reportedly reuniting with former All-Star reliever Taylor Rogers on a one-year, $2 million deal. It is a step in the right direction for a team that desperately needed bullpen help after trading away its top five relievers last summer. More work is needed, but Rogers is a meaningful addition, even if he is not the pitcher he was during his first stint in Minnesota.

This move finally gives Minnesota a foundation. While not dominance or certainty, it’s a framework to build upon, a departure from the question marks that plagued this group. The bullpen now has a starting point, but not yet a solution.

As things stand right now, here is a realistic snapshot of the current bullpen picture.
Locks: Rogers, Cole Sands, Justin Topa
On the fence: Eric Orze, Kody Funderburk
Wild cards: David Festa, John Klein, Travis Adams

With the Rogers addition, Connor Prielipp gets bumped out of the projection. It seems unlikely that the Twins will elect to carry three lefties. Prielipp could certainly take the place of someone like Klein or Ohl, but roster math alone works against him.

That does not diminish the upside. Prielipp, Twins Daily’s No. 6 prospect and reigning minor league pitcher of the year, seems like a long shot for Opening Day but a very real bullpen factor in 2025. Injuries limited him both at Alabama and early in his pro career, but he stayed healthy enough last year to throw 82 2/3 innings and strike out 98 batters. Already 25 years old, he profiles as a potential high-impact bullpen arm if his health finally stabilizes. Derek Falvey has already mentioned both Prielipp and Marco Raya as candidates for bullpen transitions this winter, indicating the organization is open to internal conversions.

Raya has been one of the team's top pitching prospects for multiple seasons. Minnesota pushed him aggressively up the organizational ladder with him reaching Triple-A during his age-21 season. However, his workload has been monitored and controlled by the organization's development staff. Last season, he struggled in St. Paul with an ERA north of 6.00 with a 22.6 K% and a 12.6 BB%. His pitch mix and dominant curveball could make him an intriguing bullpen option.  

Beyond the prospect group, it feels increasingly likely that at least one of the Twins’ young starting pitchers will be shifted into a relief role. That list includes Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, Mick Abel, and Taj Bradley. Festa feels like the cleanest fit right now, given his shoulder issues last season and how his stuff could play up in shorter stints, but Bradley also stands out as a logical candidate. With nearly 400 major league innings already on his arm, the starter evaluation phase may already be complete, and a power relief role could unlock a new version of his value.

For the long relief side, Pierson Ohl and Travis Adams feel like the most natural mop-up options, with Andrew Morris also fitting that profile if needed. These are the innings eaters, the bridge arms, the guys who make the rest of the bullpen functional, even if they are not headline names.

The bullpen is now more coherent than before, but it’s not yet dependable. That gap is what the Twins must close if they want real stability. If you squint, you can see the outline of something workable. To improve the bullpen, add a legitimate late-inning right-hander and replace one or two fringe arms. Doing so would make the group resemble a true eight-man bullpen rather than a developmental experiment.

That is why, even after these moves, free agency still matters here. Fortunately for Minnesota, veteran options remain available on the free agent market. David Robertson, Liam Hendriks, Paul Sewald, Michael Kopech, Scott Barlow, Hector Neris, and Ryan Brasier all represent different levels of risk and upside. Each would bring something the current bullpen lacks: experience and a track record of handling leverage.

None of these names is perfect. Some come with age, some with injury risk, some with volatility, and some with all three. But the Twins do not need perfection. They need someone competent and reliable who can pitch the seventh or eighth inning without making the game feel fragile.

Outside of free agency, Minnesota should consider trading one of its surplus left-handed hitters for a controllable bullpen arm. This targeted move addresses both roster imbalance and bullpen needs while preserving top pitching prospects and keeping payroll steady.

At the end of last week, Twins radio broadcaster Kris Atteberry was part of a Winter Caravan group that stopped in Fargo, ND. At this stop, a fan asked Glen Perkins about who was going to be the closer for the 2026 Twins. Perkins responded with a few names, like Sands and Rogers, without overcommitting to one name. However, Atteberry interjected that the current bullpen picture isn’t complete. He told the crowd that the Twins will have multiple other bullpen options on the roster before the team heads to Fort Myers next month.

Adding one veteran reliever or trading for a proven arm is the difference between a bullpen that’s a liability by default and one that can support Minnesota’s rotation all season. Rogers is the start, not the finish. Real functionality demands another move.

The Twins now face a crucial decision: settle for a bullpen with fragile upside, or take clear steps to build a group strong enough for contention. The structure is emerging and the challenge is to finish it.

How will the Twins complete their bullpen? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

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[DJL44]

I think converting a free agent starting pitcher to relief is a higher upside play than signing one of the remaining free agent relievers.

[DJL44]

Bailey Ober should get some consideration for the bullpen. If he pitches as he did last year then he isn’t one of the top 5 starters on the depth chart. Moving to the bullpen could bring back his lost velocity and along with it his effectiveness.

[arby58]

Agree that there are likely moves yet to be made. Disagree on Ohl being part of the picture - or why would they remove him from the 40 man roster? 

[Old Crow]

What is the market for swing and miss left handed power hitting  corner outfielders as we have seemed to have cornered the market?

[Whitey333]

None of the internal options move the needle at all.  Im pretty sure that's where our bullpen comes from.  I do like the Roger's signing even though he is definitely on the down slide of his career.  Good low budget possible good outcome signing.

[Coach Wheels]

I consider the bullpen to still be a mess. Rogers was an average closer when he was here before and now he's 5 years older and less efficient.

I completely agree with moving a current starter, Festa or Mathews come to mind but I'm open to anything. 1 month before pitchers/catchers report, lots of work has to still be done.

[old nurse]

They have pitchers they need to trade for relievers or make relievers out of them. 

[JD-TWINS]

As the article states there are 5 guys now that are 5th inning - 8th inning pieces:

Topa - Funderburk - Sands - Orze - Rogers …… nothing wrong with these 5. They cannot be viewed as how Team will close out games!

Klein - Raya - Adams - Morris are all in the mix as alternatives or just depth.

Someone above suggested some signing a FA starter to transition to reliever v. trying to sign what’s left in the Reilef FA Pool. I like Zack Littell for $11M/yr …….. to me, this brings absolute stability to the rotation, if left there, for the next 2 years (186 innings in ‘25) and allows to be aggressive with young arms shifting to the PEN in the short-term.

Same guys as mentioned PLUS Matthews & Prielipp. Seems between them, there is a closer or potentially situational tandem closers.

Potentially, if Bradley/Abel are pitching well it opens the door to move the arm(s) of choice for an established BAT at the deadline.

[thelanges5]

Astros reportedly looking for LH bats. How about Larnach + someone for Sousa Or Blubaugh? (pick a Stros reliever not named Okert)

[DJL44]

 

On 1/24/2026 at 8:08 AM, Cody Christie said:

As things stand right now, here is a realistic snapshot of the current bullpen picture.
Locks: Rogers, Cole Sands, Justin Topa
On the fence: Eric Orze, Kody Funderburk
Wild cards: David Festa, John Klein, Travis Adams

To pencil in a plan, I think I'd move Ober and Prielipp to the bullpen to bump out Adams and Klein.

[David HK]

I'm gonna pimp my post of a coupla weeks ago- putting the band back together!

Danny C, Jorge Lopez, and Liam Hendricks are still out there!

(I'll be they'll sign Kopech, tho!) 😅

[Blyleven2011]

Oh what a tangled web we weave , when first we practice to deceive  ...

Falvey and big boy Tom fit the bill of half measures so far  ...

We aren't spending over 3 million on a bullpen arm and most likely with our strength of pitching , our bullpen will be from our in-house surplus of young arms  ...

[jorgenswest]

Do any of Lopez, Ryan, Woods Richardson, Ober, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Festa or Prielipp need more time in the minors? I think they are all better off facing major league hitters.

The bullpen will be 8 pitchers. The last spot might rotate between Klein and Adams or maybe even Raya. The rest of the spots should go to the 7 best arms. The battle for the bullpen should be wide open and the best late inning options might come from that list of 9 potential starters.

 

 

[JD-TWINS]

29 minutes ago, David HK said:

I'm gonna pimp my post of a coupla weeks ago- putting the band back together!

Danny C, Jorge Lopez, and Liam Hendricks are still out there!

(I'll be they'll sign Kopech, tho!) 😅

Lopez needs to come with a full time psychologist……. Coulombe - yes! I think Liam is washed.

[TJSweens]

The best part of the Rodgers signing is that it reduces the talk of Prielipp to the pen. There is no reason not to continue stretching him out now. There are a few starting prospects who failed at AAA and are candidates to move to the pen. Raya, Morris, Festa and Lewis can all move to the pen. There is no reason to move Prielipp, who has yet to fail.

[Linus]

19 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Do any of Lopez, Ryan, Woods Richardson, Ober, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Festa or Prielipp need more time in the minors? I think they are all better off facing major league hitters.

The bullpen will be 8 pitchers. The last spot might rotate between Klein and Adams or maybe even Raya. The rest of the spots should go to the 7 best arms. The battle for the bullpen should be wide open and the best late inning options might come from that list of 9 potential starters.

 

 

This has been my thought as well (although I think Preliepp could use a little time in AAA). This is a very un-Falvey like idea however so I am expecting a couple more re-tread signings with some of those named pitchers cooling their heels in St Paul. I think Festa could be a good closer plus think of the entrance show as the Slim Reaper comes in from the pen. 

[TL]

Larnach and Jeffers both should be available in trades and can help bring in RPs for the back-end of the bullpen.

That really feels like the plan given the Cantarini signing and the fact that Larnach is totally redundant, yet they tendered him. Get 2 guys with years of control and even throw in a decent prospect with Larnach if you need to. Bullpen could look pretty good at that point.

[DJL44]

33 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

The best part of the Rodgers signing is that it reduces the talk of Prielipp to the pen. There is no reason not to continue stretching him out now. There are a few starting prospects who failed at AAA and are candidates to move to the pen. Raya, Morris, Festa and Lewis can all move to the pen. There is no reason to move Prielipp, who has yet to fail.

This is exactly why I don't like the Taylor Rogers signing. Another example of blocking the rookies with low upside, marginal veterans.

[DJL44]

51 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

Do any of Lopez, Ryan, Woods Richardson, Ober, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Festa or Prielipp need more time in the minors? I think they are all better off facing major league hitters.

The bullpen will be 8 pitchers. The last spot might rotate between Klein and Adams or maybe even Raya. The rest of the spots should go to the 7 best arms. The battle for the bullpen should be wide open and the best late inning options might come from that list of 9 potential starters.

Based on last year I'd have Lopez, Ryan, Woods Richardson, Bradley and Abel in the rotation with Festa, Prielipp and Ober in the bullpen. Matthews becomes the 6th starter with Morris, Rojas and Culpepper as starters 7-9. I think there's still room to bring in another arm to keep Klein, Adams and Raya stashed in AAA to start the season.

We'll see which players show up healthy and performing in a month and it should sort itself out.

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Astros reportedly looking for LH bats. How about Larnach + someone for Sousa Or Blubaugh? (pick a Stros reliever not named Okert)

If they want to make roster space they move Larnach. If they want talent in return they move Wallner.

[stringer bell]

23 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

This is exactly why I don't like the Taylor Rogers signing. Another example of blocking the rookies with low upside, marginal veterans.

There will be plenty of innings available for youngsters and rookies. Acquiring Rogers or someone like him really was necessary.

[UpstateNewYorker]

I'm not advocating for this, because I think it's a dumb idea, but are the Twins still talking about openers and "bulk relievers" and/or bullpen games?  If so, I suppose this would affect the composition of the bullpen.  

[stringer bell]

49 minutes ago, Linus said:

This has been my thought as well (although I think Preliepp could use a little time in AAA). This is a very un-Falvey like idea however so I am expecting a couple more re-tread signings with some of those named pitchers cooling their heels in St Paul. I think Festa could be a good closer plus think of the entrance show as the Slim Reaper comes in from the pen. 

How many innings will Preliepp be allowed to throw this year? If he is ready to get major league hitters out, but limited to mayble 100 innings, I'd rather he throw them out of the bullpen over the whole year. If he is great, move him next year. I have no problem with three lefties in the 'pen if they are three of the most effective relief pitchers.

It appears that there are five legitimate relief options right now, although none would be regarded as a high-leverage guy (Topa, Rogers, Funderburk, Sands, Orze). One position for Green Line Shuttle and the two best arms that don't make the rotation. I'd prefer that it is one rotation candidate to the bullpen, but that would require adding another at least semi-proven arm for the bullpen.

[mrtwinsfan]

14 minutes ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

I'm not advocating for this, because I think it's a dumb idea, but are the Twins still talking about openers and "bulk relievers" and/or bullpen games?  If so, I suppose this would affect the composition of the bullpen.  

[Exiled in Illinois]

Quote

1 hour ago, Blyleven2011 said:

 

Oh what a tangled web we weave , when first we practice to deceive  ...

Falvey and big boy Tom fit the bill of half measures so far  ...

We aren't spending over 3 million on a bullpen arm and most likely with our strength of pitching , our bullpen will be from our in-house surplus of young arms  ...

 

I agree.  But on a positive note, isn't at least a little nice that someone can talk about "our strength of pitching" and "our in-house surplus of young arms" without being laughed out of the room?

 

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, TJSweens said:

The best part of the Rodgers signing is that it reduces the talk of Prielipp to the pen. There is no reason not to continue stretching him out now. There are a few starting prospects who failed at AAA and are candidates to move to the pen. Raya, Morris, Festa and Lewis can all move to the pen. There is no reason to move Prielipp, who has yet to fail.

I get the desire to have Prielipp succeed as a starter! You say he hasn’t failed yet - sure. He hasn’t exactly lit it up though either. Solid potential to develop further. His history, prior to limited use in ‘25 is hurt, hurt, & hurt. If he/his arm would benefit developing under monitored innings, I’d suggest using him from the PEN in ‘26.

Guys can pitch as a reliever and then revert back to starter (i.e. Johan Santana) with success. I think the desire to have a new “shiny toy lefty” is swaying many here. He’s maybe the 10th guy in line as a starter for depth/talent in the system, with fellow lefty, Rojas just in front or just behind him.

TEAM needs effective innings in the PEN from available arms. If no more FA’s lessen the burden, it makes sense to me to use both Prielipp & Matthews & probably Festa in the PEN as organization sees fit.

[LA Vikes Fan]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I think converting a free agent starting pitcher to relief is a higher upside play than signing one of the remaining free agent relievers.

I'm going to continue to beat the drum for David Festa, closer. I think he's a great candidate - power arm with lots of swing and miss, 2 strong pitches, a in 94-98 MPH fast ball that could tick up in shorter stints  and a plus slider, with a developing change up. Shoulder issue that makes 100 innings this year seem unlikely.  Perfect candidate for a late inning high leverage relief option. He can build back up and if we want we can convert him back to starting next year. 

The clincher is he has the perfect closer nickname - "The Slim Reaper". I can see the video and light show now as he strides in to pitch the 9th with (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult or Creeping Death by Metallica playing....

[Old Twins Hat]

"Patience, Grasshopper."

The Twins don't need a great bullpen until they see how good of a team they've got.

A team can totally retool a bullpen during the season:  promotions from the minor leagues, waiver claims, trades.

I say "no rush".  Everything is as it should be. 

If Twins suck to start the year, then they don't need to do anything at all.  Why trade your talent or stock the bullpen before you understand how good your squad is?

[Fatbat]

5 hours ago, arby58 said:

Agree that there are likely moves yet to be made. Disagree on Ohl being part of the picture - or why would they remove him from the 40 man roster? 

Because he is only 26 yo and he could still develop into a Jeff Hoffman type.