The Twins’ Updated Bullpen Picture is Missing Pieces

[IndianaTwin]

6 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.

If Ferris can visit Wrigley, how about bringing Walker to Target?

Still just 31. Considered a stud coming up. Has pitched well, but hasn’t been able to handle more than about 125 innings for several years. 

[Fatbat]

The team has MANY young possible breakout candidates to become high leverage relievers. Exactly zero of them have proven anything.  This is why there are many questions and possibilities. There will be more failure than success but we just need two high leverage options to come from somewhere to make the bullpen relevant. 

[Linus]

4 hours ago, stringer bell said:

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.

My comment on Prielipp was related to his performance in AAA last year. I don’t think he performed at a level that gives him a spot in the show right away. If he is strong to start in AAA get him up in either role. 

[weitz41]

Kopech plz. He has closer upside and Stewart injury risk which fits the FO's MO on free agent pitchers. Then fill in with guys that don't make the rotation that can be optioned.

[TopGunn#22]

Cost is always an issue.  I like the Kopech idea.  He has closing experience and tremendous stuff.  "There is much 'upside' with "the Kopech"  Weedhopper."  

But how much would he cost?  The Twins wouldn't even pay Jhoan Duran $7 million per year.  What would be the cost to sign Kopech??  

Otherwise, I really like the idea of Festa closing.  His stuff is electric and the Twins using him out of the pen this coming season is one of the more interesting storylines of the season.  Will he thrive?  Will he crash and burn?

[weitz41]

27 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Cost is always an issue.  I like the Kopech idea.  He has closing experience and tremendous stuff.  "There is much 'upside' with "the Kopech"  Weedhopper."  

But how much would he cost?  The Twins wouldn't even pay Jhoan Duran $7 million per year.  What would be the cost to sign Kopech??  

Otherwise, I really like the idea of Festa closing.  His stuff is electric and the Twins using him out of the pen this coming season is one of the more interesting storylines of the season.  Will he thrive?  Will he crash and burn?

Getting late in the OS. I'd guess 5 mil on a 1-year deal would do it. I'd like Festa there as well but 1/2 season in the set-up roll seems like a smart move. After the Aug 1st sell off then slide him into the closer roll. Assuming things go that way

[TJSweens]

6 hours 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.

Who is being blocked by Rogers?

[mark sills]

7 hours 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 wouldn't say Morris failed in triple a at all.

 

[arby58]

6 hours ago, Fatbat said:

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

Then why would you remove him and open him up to a claim by every other team? That dog won't hunt.

[HrbieFan]

11 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

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.

I know Tampa offered him $7 and Littel's agent wanted over $10.  At this point, you could probably get Littell for under $10m

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

Then why would you remove him and open him up to a claim by every other team? That dog won't hunt.

Our FO makes bad decisions. The jury is still out on releasing Ohl. 

[Western SD Fan]

Like some of the other posters, I don't see how Rogers slows down any development.  I don't mind seeing Prielipp marinate down in AAA for a little while and then come into the bullpen.  Let's look at Rogers first.  If he stinks, the Twins DFA him.  If he is serviceable, he can still probably get guys out in the 6-8th innings, think Okert or Sergio Romo when they were mildly successful.  If he is really good, he's likely trade bait for a low-level prospect.  In any scenario, he's really not holding anyone back.  As for Prielipp, we have seen starters begin their careers in the bullpen, such as the previously mentioned Santana.  I would also suggest that Liriano and most recently Crochet have made conversions from the bullpen to a starter.  Even Funderburk, who still has some kinks to work out to becoming a trusted bullpen guy, had to start in mop-up work when he was called up.  All this for a pitcher than hasn't thrown a pitch in the majors yet.  Maybe we should see whether he can actually get ML hitters out first before deciding where to place him and his best opportunity to see the majors is in the bullpen.

[Danchat]

14 hours ago, TL said:

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.

I dunno, I think the plan is to go Jeffers-Caratini 50-50 split catching. Jeffers and Vazquez split 50-50 even with the latter being a horrid hitter, now with 3 catchers on the 40 man I think they opt to go that route and try to get Jackson to AAA.

[dxpavelka]

Not disagreeing that there might still be moves to be made but "Kris Atteberry says so" is not really my reason for feeling this way.

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, stringer bell said:

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.

Prielipp’s innings are easily monitored if he’s in the Pen - utilize him there in ‘26! Agreed.

Festa & Matthews to at least start in the Pen well into May…… maybe Klein

5 Vets already positioned for PEN duty.

This group can get the Relied job done!

Bradley gets 7 starts and all is re-evaluated around May 10-15.

[arby58]

11 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Our FO makes bad decisions. The jury is still out on releasing Ohl. 

I didn't say it was a good decision, but they DFA'd him, and the article suggests he is a possible bullpen piece, which makes no sense whatsoever.

[JD-TWINS]

23 hours ago, Old Twins Hat said:

"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?

Perhaps because any organization doesn’t want to lose 4-6 games in April/May because the bullpen is undermanned. Either compete, from the jump, or bail. Can’t “ease your way” into having a competitive staff. Nobody’s trading anyone for a bullpen candidate!

There is no rush in January/February but Team can’t wait until May 15th (in season) to start making moves to be competitive.

[USAFChief]

On 1/25/2026 at 11:44 AM, Old Twins Hat said:

"Patience, Grasshopper."

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

 

I don't need to put money in the bank for a rainy day. Just wait to see if I need it. Then it'll magically appear.

[Cris E]

On 1/25/2026 at 8:33 AM, thelanges5 said:

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

Astros are very near the luxury tax line and are quite cautious about the dollars right now.  The Twins might be best served taking back some money from them, but there don't seem to be any contract dumps that jump out. Maybe someone who knows the org better could help. 

[Chembry]

2 minutes ago, Cris E said:

Astros are very near the luxury tax line and are quite cautious about the dollars right now.  The Twins might be best served taking back some money from them, but there don't seem to be any contract dumps that jump out. Maybe someone who knows the org better could help. 

The one contract Houston is looking to offload is Christian Walker.  He still has 2 years left and $40M remaining.  

[USAFChief]

15 minutes ago, Cris E said:

Astros are very near the luxury tax line and are quite cautious about the dollars right now.  The Twins might be best served taking back some money from them, but there don't seem to be any contract dumps that jump out. Maybe someone who knows the org better could help. 

Maybe we could take Carlos Correa off their hands, if they were to pick up, say, $10M/year of his salary. 

[Cris E]

Maybe they send Walker and $20-25m and pick up $10m of breathing room (plus Larnach and whatever A arms make it right) and we can go out and play kingmaker with that massive* trading chip. 

*  Massive = top 1B on the market. Named Christian.  From Norristown, PA

 

[Fatbat]

5 hours ago, Cris E said:

Astros are very near the luxury tax line and are quite cautious about the dollars right now.  The Twins might be best served taking back some money from them, but there don't seem to be any contract dumps that jump out. Maybe someone who knows the org better could help. 

They got 8 guys making $18M or more and Jeremy Pena making about $10M.  Let’s not enable them to not pay luxury tax. 

[Cris E]

This isn't a morality play, the rules say if they stay on their side of the line they pay no penalty. If that motivates them to make less than ideal trades to manipulate their payroll then why not step up and help them out? 

[Fatbat]

@Cris Eby all means, someone please fleece the astros 

[bjorks]

As a fan, the problem is this is not fantasy baseball. Pitchers/Agents have to agree to make the move from a starter to a reliever and once someone has (reverse) shifted from reliever to starter there isn't very many willing to make that change back to the pen - (I always liked Littell), but he's not making the move to the pen when there's (arguably) 29 other teams who would pay for him to eat up innings as a 4/5. I doubt Raya and his agent are thrilled his (maybe) only path to the bigs is as a career reliever and I would bet Tom Pohlad's salary Prielipp and his agent want to move to the pen without assurances he gets a crack post lockout to prove he can start. Same goes for Festa/SIM/Mathews/Abel/Bradley. Bailey Ober's agent would demand a trade if they asked him to go to the pen with the exception it was a short term "thing" and even then. 

IMHO there's a lot of teams who would role with SIM as a #5. As a #4 I don't like him, but between Mathews/Abel/Bradley one of those needs to show up (not putting Festa in there due to injury) and prove they can be a CONSISTENT #4. We'll have to wait and see how much trust DS has in SIM getting through the lineup more than 3x's, but would anyone be opposed to using Prielipp/Abel as an opener every 5th day and letting them go 2-3-4, especially if they're going to limit them (potentially) in St. Paul anyway? I'd rather have a blowup inning early with a chance to claw back then a bullpen that gives it up with 3 outs or less to comeback. SIM has proven he's a slightly better than average 4-5 inning guy. Maybe the closer role can be fixed with an opener of more than an inning. 

 

[Doctor Wu]

It's pretty sad that we are now in the last week of January and still in need of 3 or 4 more arms for the bullpen. Waiting until the last minute once again.