What RHRP That Are Left Do You Like?

[DocBauer]

Based on NEED and comments from the FO, the Twins WILL ADD to the current roster, most likely in the pen. (Even though I'd embrace a minor deal for someone's 26yo backup SS/utility player stuck at AAA). It's possible a trade will happen to bring someone in. I'm OK with that. I have doubts Larnach will bring back a ML pen option on his own, but packaged with a solid prospect, that might be an option.

Most years, the FO uncovers a steal of some sort that at least helps. Sometimes it's a Wisler or Clippard for 1yr. Sometimes it's a big surprise like Stewart was. Unfortunately, they had Hoffman in camp but decided against keeping him. Poor choice there. And old friend Thielbar was a MAJOR surprise add.

Regardless of any potential trade options that are really hard to speculate on, I think we can all agree that they will bring in at least ONE remaining FA to add some depth and experience, maybe even TWO. It's pretty doubtful there's anything close to a "savior" remaining, barring some MAJOR surprise. But as Gleeman jokes, it would be prudent to have an "adult" arm or two with experience to just be competent and help deepen the pen construction and lead the way for the young arms that will be making their debut at some point in 2026.

But who's left that YOU like?

Evan Phillips has been mentioned, but he's coming of surgery. He's probably not ready until June at the earliest. So while he might be a smart 2yr signing, he doesn't help much the 1st half. David Robertson, 41yo, has made it a recent habit to sign about mid season on a pro-rated deal for a contender in need. Would he be interested in a cheap 1yr deal to prove he's still "got it"? And is there anything left in his tank?

Jose Leclerc is no stud. But he's got experience and a solid career profile with solid numbers and some late inning experience. Kopech, ready to turn 30yo soon, is a a bit of a lightening rod of health and good/bad production. Healthy and ready to go, he might be a $ cheap BP arm that could establish the next phase of his career with a 1yr deal.

With only a few weeks before ST starts, what surprises me most is how many SP FA are still unsigned. Most of them are 31yo plus. Of course, some are coming off injury. But are any of them open to transitioning to a pen role to prolong their careers and possibly reinvent themselves as hard throwing 1 inning options?

I'm just tossing out ideas. By tomorrow, who knows, the Twins might make a move. But is there ANYONE you really like for the Twins to sign that might help?

[thelanges5]

Kopech and Drew Smith have high ceilings but comewith injury risk. 
 

Call the Rox back up and work out some sort of package including Larnach for Vodnik. 

[bunsen82]

Kopech

Otherwise,  Im not sure I would like it,  but Paddack or Perez or another SP converted bullpen arm maybe for $2-$3 million.     

[DJL44]

Convert a starter, try to flip him at the deadline if the experiment is successful.

[nicksaviking]

34 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Kopech

Otherwise,  Im not sure I would like it,  but Paddack or Perez or another SP converted bullpen arm maybe for $2-$3 million.     

I'm all for converting the starters to relievers. The Twins might have picked the wrong guy, but doing Brock Stewart and Jeff Hoffman was totally the right move. I'm not sure I see similar situations though with this free agent class. It seems to work with former well regarded itching prospects. Maybe Griffen Canning? Or Paddack I guess. I don't care for reunions though.

But aside from that, the Twins have more internal options to convert to the pen. I'm not interested in the remaining free agent relievers so I'd start working with what they already have.

[lecroy24fan]

Canning isn't healthy. Leclerc also not healthy. I'd pass on both. 

Other than Kopech I think Tommy Kahnle might be the only decent option left.

 

 

 

[DocBauer]

7 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Kopech

Otherwise,  Im not sure I would like it,  but Paddack or Perez or another SP converted bullpen arm maybe for $2-$3 million.     

I actually kind of like the Paddack idea. Not saying it fills me with joy, but he has a ton of ML experience,  so he's no rookie being overwhelmed initially. He's got at least limited experience coming out of the pen. And nobody is knocking on his door for a ML job right now.

He's still only 30yo. Is there a chance he could reinvent himself and come on board to extend his career for $2M? I kinda like this idea.

[David HK]

They gotta get Kopech. Make him the closer, promise him 2 years if you have to, but get him. 

[old nurse]

Kopech and Kahnle may still be hoping for the 5+ million contracts.  Kopech with incentives to reach that number would be a good idea. Not sure what his injury wa last year. Kahnle had a bad year, I think Detroit was using him for closer. It might not be what he is suited for 

[Chembry]

I have been meaning to reply to this thread for a while, but life and Friday's news kind of got in the way.

Here are some RHRP still available (in order of decreasing projected WAR): Scott Barlow, Evan Phillips, Dauri Moreta, Ryan Brasier, Liam Hendrichs, Jose Leclerc, Paul Sewald, Jorge Lopez, Luke Jackson, Lou Trivino, Joe Ross, Michael Kopech, Michael Tonkin, Kendall Graveman, Tommy Kahnle, and Scott McGough.  Those are all the RHRP still available with a projected WAR ≥ 0.

For me, two names stand out.  Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips.  Both have an injury history but still have significant upside. Kopech is boom or bust.  He has the highest upside of any FA RHRP available. 

Phillips had mostly minor injuries until TJ surgery in May 2025, so he will be out most of the year. He was the closer for the 2023 and 2024 Dodgers.  I really like Phillips, however standard timetable puts him back around September 1st, so it's really not worth signing him now. 

Of those, I would prefer Kopech.  Barlow is ok, but his walk rate has increased dramatically over the past couple of years, which has corresponded with a decrease in his FB velocity.  Tells me he is trying to dot the corners a bit more instead of relying purely on stuff. His hard hit rate is still pretty low, near the top of MLB though.  In reality, I would be ok with most of those guys. But I am not real high on Tonkin, Sewald, Jorge Lopez (obvious reasons).

There are a few others that are a bit lower in projected WAR, but may be interesting: Rafael Montero, Hunter Strickland.  Shelby Miller would have been interesting, but he is out for 2026.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Chembry said:

I have been meaning to reply to this thread for a while, but life and Friday's news kind of got in the way.

Here are some RHRP still available (in order of decreasing projected WAR): Scott Barlow, Evan Phillips, Dauri Moreta, Ryan Brasier, Liam Hendrichs, Jose Leclerc, Paul Sewald, Jorge Lopez, Luke Jackson, Lou Trivino, Joe Ross, Michael Kopech, Michael Tonkin, Kendall Graveman, Tommy Kahnle, and Scott McGough.  Those are all the RHRP still available with a projected WAR ≥ 0.

For me, two names stand out.  Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips.  Both have an injury history but still have significant upside. Kopech is boom or bust.  He has the highest upside of any FA RHRP available. 

Phillips had mostly minor injuries until TJ surgery in May 2025, so he will be out most of the year. He was the closer for the 2023 and 2024 Dodgers.  I really like Phillips, however standard timetable puts him back around September 1st, so it's really not worth signing him now. 

Of those, I would prefer Kopech.  Barlow is ok, but his walk rate has increased dramatically over the past couple of years, which has corresponded with a decrease in his FB velocity.  Tells me he is trying to dot the corners a bit more instead of relying purely on stuff. His hard hit rate is still pretty low, near the top of MLB though.  In reality, I would be ok with most of those guys. But I am not real high on Tonkin, Sewald, Jorge Lopez (obvious reasons).

There are a few others that are a bit lower in projected WAR, but may be interesting: Rafael Montero, Hunter Strickland.  Shelby Miller would have been interesting, but he is out for 2026.

Like the thought process. I'm onboard. Will Kopech or others sign for $5M?

[Chembry]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Like the thought process. I'm onboard. Will Kopech or others sign for $5M?

I have seen a few predictions on Kopech.  Dodgers nations is ~$6.5M AAV and Just Baseball is thinking ~$7.5M AAV...Those seem way too high for me, but who really knows what is going on behind the scenes.

I would be onboard with Kopech at 1yr/$5M.  That's less than what he earned last year.  I think the others will be between $1.5-3M on 1yr deals.    

[Doctor Wu]

19 hours ago, Chembry said:

Here are some RHRP still available (in order of decreasing projected WAR): Scott Barlow, Evan Phillips, Dauri Moreta, Ryan Brasier, Liam Hendrichs, Jose Leclerc, Paul Sewald, Jorge Lopez, Luke Jackson, Lou Trivino, Joe Ross, Michael Kopech, Michael Tonkin, Kendall Graveman, Tommy Kahnle, and Scott McGough.  Those are all the RHRP still available with a projected WAR ≥ 0.

Jorge Lopez is looking for a job yet again?

[bunsen82]

https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/latroy-hawkins-says-tommy-kahnle-one-of-the-worst-teammates-ive-ever-had-in-my-life

Granted,  this was almost 10 years ago,  but I doubt Kahnle will be signed with Latroy being the bullpen coach.  

[Tjwalsh65]

Littell if he would go to the pen.

[Chembry]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Jorge Lopez is looking for a job yet again?

Yes he is a FA.  He pitched in 26g for the Nationals last year and wasn't very good (24 ip, 6.57 ERA, 1.297 WHIP, 3.50 FIP which suggests he was a bit unlucky).  He was pretty decent in 2024 for both the Cubs and the Mets.

[Chembry]

21 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/latroy-hawkins-says-tommy-kahnle-one-of-the-worst-teammates-ive-ever-had-in-my-life

Granted,  this was almost 10 years ago,  but I doubt Kahnle will be signed with Latroy being the bullpen coach.  

That's interesting...I never knew that.

[LewFordLives]

6 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Jorge Lopez is looking for a job yet again?

No. Just no.