Twins should jump the line for this reliever.

[thelanges5]

The Dodgers released Anthony Banda today. Set to make $1.6mm this year he’d be a good fit for the Twins bullpen. Maybe they’d take Outman back to jump the line 😂

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/dodgers-designate-anthony-banda-for-assignment.html

[Chembry]

40 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

The Dodgers released Anthony Banda today. Set to make $1.6mm this year he’d be a good fit for the Twins bullpen. Maybe they’d take Outman back to jump the line 😂

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/dodgers-designate-anthony-banda-for-assignment.html

I was coming here to say the same thing!  I am guessing right now that someone will jump the line to get him.  I hope the Twins do it.  I don't care if he is LH.  His ERA+ was 131 over the last two years. Plus, still under control through 2027 at a reasonable rate.

[DocBauer]

He's cheap and has a solid history. Even in a "down" 2025 he wasn't terrible, and we all know relievers are volatile year to year generally speaking. I mean, I actually have some confidence that Funderburk...with the opportunity presented to him post deadline...might have actually raised his game and started to "figure it out". But what if...hopefully not...that was an illusion. Only the Twins really know how confident we should feel about him. But why not another, cheap, solid, LH option in case Funderburk turns back to a pumpkin?

The problem is we still have ZERO idea about the payroll. Granted it's now Tom instead of Joe, and Zole instead of Falvey, but HISTORY would indicate the vault isn't closed yet. The Twins have often made late signings just before ST began, or even as it begins. I'd have no problem with Banda as his contract is pretty small. But if $1.6M is pushing the payroll wall even a bit, I think I'd hold back and use that for a "decent" RH option. There's not a lot left other than the "roll the dice" Kopech, who I'm IN on, but there are a handful of "Clippard" types for around $2M that MIGHT be better options.

[bunsen82]

This seems like a slam dunk addition.  By all standards and what they stated they wanted, 2 bullpen arms was the minimum in addition to Rogers.   Now I would take Banda in stead of Rogers if that was the question.  He has a bit more stuff remaining,  both fastballs are not getting the movement or miss and swings needed.  In either case, he was a 7th, 8th pitcher for the Dodgers last year and was coming in leverage situations with runners on.   Now they stated he did let a lot of inherited runs score, even if his ERA was lower.  In either case its a real live bullpen arm.  That would likely slot in somewhere between #2 and #5 arms in the current bullpen.   Now we will see who gets him, and whether, waiver wire,  cash considerations, or a prospect flyer.  

$20 million was the allotted budget that was stated.  

Caratini - $7 million 

Bell - $5.5 million

Rogers - $2 million

Remaining - By my count still have around $5.5 million and with a contract like Banda it is only $800k over minimum salary.  I see no problems with running 3 lefties either.  So this would leave approximately $4 million.   By my count the Twins have picked up around $200 - $250k in cash considerations in trades and waiver wires.  As Doc says,  other than a flyer in Kopech,  Kahnle who is a likely no go,  or a starter conversion -  there is nothing else left that I would have any confidence in.  I am honestly surprised a trade didn't materialize for him before, unless the Dodgers are trying to sneak these players through waivers.  So far none of the players have - and they had to drop Banda to bring Rortvedt back.  

 

[Chembry]

2 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

This seems like a slam dunk addition.  By all standards and what they stated they wanted, 2 bullpen arms was the minimum in addition to Rogers.   Now I would take Banda in stead of Rogers if that was the question.  He has a bit more stuff remaining,  both fastballs are not getting the movement or miss and swings needed.  In either case, he was a 7th, 8th pitcher for the Dodgers last year and was coming in leverage situations with runners on.   Now they stated he did let a lot of inherited runs score, even if his ERA was lower.  In either case its a real live bullpen arm.  That would likely slot in somewhere between #2 and #5 arms in the current bullpen.   Now we will see who gets him, and whether, waiver wire,  cash considerations, or a prospect flyer.  

$20 million was the allotted budget that was stated.  

Caratini - $7 million 

Bell - $5.5 million

Rogers - $2 million

Remaining - By my count still have around $5.5 million and with a contract like Banda it is only $800k over minimum salary.  I see no problems with running 3 lefties either.  So this would leave approximately $4 million.   By my count the Twins have picked up around $200 - $250k in cash considerations in trades and waiver wires.  As Doc says,  other than a flyer in Kopech,  Kahnle who is a likely no go,  or a starter conversion -  there is nothing else left that I would have any confidence in.  I am honestly surprised a trade didn't materialize for him before, unless the Dodgers are trying to sneak these players through waivers.  So far none of the players have - and they had to drop Banda to bring Rortvedt back.  

 

Theo Tollefson stated on a recent podcast that based on what he is hearing, the Twins still have $10M more in the budget and maybe more for the right move.

It’s also stated in this article from a few days ago saying there is still room in the budget and Zoll is still looking to add.

https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-zoll-still-looking-to-improve-twins-roster

[bunsen82]

19 minutes ago, Chembry said:

Theo Tollefson stated on a recent podcast that based on what he is hearing, the Twins still have $10M more in the budget and maybe more for the right move.

It’s also stated in this article from a few days ago saying there is still room in the budget and Zoll is still looking to add.

https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-zoll-still-looking-to-improve-twins-roster

I don't know how they get that high unless with trades.   

If bullpen is what you are looking at what is available? 

Kopech?? Nick Martinez?  I assume Martinez was outside our Market so hadn't even considered him as I thought he would sign as a Starter somewhere, specifically the Yankees.  Who could use someone to start out as a starter early in the season then switch the bullpen as Rodon and Cole come back.  If Martinez is in play he would be a very nice fireman type pitcher.  Would he sign for $8-$10 million.  Is he better than Dominguez??  I don't see Paddack wanting to come back unless we are clearly his best offer to convert to bullpen full time.  He had flashes in the bullpen, but I don't trust him.  

I just am not seeing how they plan put it together.  I still think Banda is a no brainer.   

[Blyleven2011]

The twins are desperate for good arms for the bullpen , have we really added a formidable pitcher yet ...

Banda is a no brainer , if banda was a free agent this past off season  , he would have already been plucked off the free agent market at a more substantial salary  , It's a no brainer ...

[bunsen82]

52 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

The twins are desperate for good arms for the bullpen , have we really added a formidable pitcher yet ...

Banda is a no brainer , if banda was a free agent this past off season  , he would have already been plucked off the free agent market at a more substantial salary  , It's a no brainer ...

Other than Martinez and maybe Kahnle,  he is the best reliever arm at $1.6 million.   Someone is going to get a good reliever for cheap.  

[bunsen82]

Dang for an arm that feels like a must get,  I think I am going to be impatient waiting to hear if the Twins can pull this off.   

[Doctor Wu]

On 2/7/2026 at 9:23 AM, DocBauer said:

there are a handful of "Clippard" types for around $2M that MIGHT be better options.

That always seems to be the case. If it's not "Clippard" types, it's "Chaffin" types. 

[bean5302]

[bunsen82]

19 hours ago, bean5302 said:

The Dodgers held onto him all season.  The Dodgers have Vesia, Dreyer and Scott as left handed relievers.   Plus another left handed prospect that may be in the bullpen this year.   Lets not forget the Dodgers also signed Edwin Diaz to a 3 year $60 million contract.  Comparing the Dodgers decision making and finances to build a bullpen are slightly different than the Twins.  

We just signed Rogers to a $2 million contract and he is expected to have around a 4.2 ERA.  You can think he isn't good enough for what the Twins need.  They used Banda last year more as a leverage guy.  So I am not surprised some of the stats were a little worse.  even still he is working with an arsenal he is trying to maximize effectiveness to maintain in the big leagues.  He is not a strikeout pitcher so I do agree we have to anticipate with our defense the stats will go up some.  The Twins have historically been able to get a little more velocity and refinement on the slider, so I could see his stuff getting slightly better.   

Twins bullpen - Sands, Rogers Topa, Funderburk, Orze 

@bean5302- Thats all we have currently.  Adams and Raya are the 2 arms they have stated have fully transitioned to the bullpen.  They stated someone else could but they would prefer keeping them lengthened out for now.  So I don't see a situation where Festa is coming in to be our closer. 

So as of right now we have 5 spots filled,  2 pitchers with options that should be in AAA refining their stuff and 3 holes.  Go look whats remaining for free agents.  Its not much.   Banda is a real live bullpen arm,  that maybe the Twins can get some more out of.  In either case he is better than what we threw at the end of the year last year.   Its a no brainer to add him to the team.  

[bean5302]

It’s not hard to find a 4.50+ ERA reliever on waivers. Being a good team’s cast off doesn’t move the needle for me wanting them. I think it’s a lot more likely people got focused purely on Banda’s ERA and not the chances that ERA is going to persist. The Dodgers, of course, recognize the low likelihood Banda will be a quality reliever which is why they DFA’d him.

8.45 K/9, 4.71 BB/9, a .227 BABIP, and a strand rate of 83% taken together just scream regression. Banda is not “something” or a “real live bullpen arm” he’s a magician who has likely run out of smoke and mirrors.

[bunsen82]

48 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

It’s not hard to find a 4.50+ ERA reliever on waivers. Being a good team’s cast off doesn’t move the needle for me wanting them. I think it’s a lot more likely people got focused purely on Banda’s ERA and not the chances that ERA is going to persist. The Dodgers, of course, recognize the low likelihood Banda will be a quality reliever which is why they DFA’d him.

8.45 K/9, 4.71 BB/9, a .227 BABIP, and a strand rate of 83% taken together just scream regression. Banda is not “something” or a “real live bullpen arm” he’s a magician who has likely run out of smoke and mirrors.

Go find me some certifiable relievers with a 4.5 ERA on the waiver wire now.  There weren't any at the end of the year last year when we needed bullpen arms.   5 to 6+ ERA yes.  

Give me a 4.3 to 4.4 ERA reliever for $1.6 million.  you still didn't fill our bullpen yet Bean - ignoring the issue we have 3 spots available and not much left to acquire.  

[Brandon]

I would like to see us get another reliever or two before opening day.  The sooner the better too so we can start seeing what we have and make plans for our pen.  I am not sure of Banda's stuff but 2 years in a row of success tells me he has figured something out and could continue to be successful.  His ERA could be worse by a run and we would still have more stability with him in our pen.  

[bunsen82]

There went Martinez.   A 2.9ERA as a reliever for $13 million to Tampa Bay.  

Edit: Paddack just went for $4 million to Marlins.  

There are 3 remaining arms I like and 1 of them Latroy Hawkins once called the worst teammate he ever had.    So much for rebuilding a bullpen.  

[nicksaviking]

I don't think I'm interested; looks like there's significant control issues. The Twins need to restock the back end of the bullpen, that's going to take time and effort once again converting internal starters into relievers. It's not going to happen with a bunch of flavor of the month cast offs from other teams. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Dodgers don't make a lot of personnel mistakes. If they dumped him, then he's likely about to hit the end of his shelf life as a reliable reliever. 

[Brandon]

52 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't think I'm interested; looks like there's significant control issues. The Twins need to restock the back end of the bullpen, that's going to take time and effort once again converting internal starters into relievers. It's not going to happen with a bunch of flavor of the month cast offs from other teams. 

It doesn't matter as much to me going into spring training.  If we are going with suspects we want as many decent suspects as possible to figure out which ones are the best suspects to keep in our pen and keep a few in the minors for when one of the suspects bombs and we need to replace with the next best suspects.  

[nicksaviking]

20 minutes ago, Brandon said:

It doesn't matter as much to me going into spring training.  If we are going with suspects we want as many decent suspects as possible to figure out which ones are the best suspects to keep in our pen and keep a few in the minors for when one of the suspects bombs and we need to replace with the next best suspects.  

They have enough options. When it comes to finding good long term bullpen assets, the Twins history clearly shows they have far and away the most success finding them from their internal starters. But not when they are yo-yo’d for a season between starting and relieving, only after they’ve been committed to the pen. 
 

They need to start on those guys now because there are so many of them to try. Wasting time on other teams’ castoffs is just going to delay a meaningful rebuild.

[Brandon]

7 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

They have enough options. When it comes to finding good long term bullpen assets, the Twins history clearly shows they have far and away the most success finding them from their internal starters. But not when they are yo-yo’d for a season between starting and relieving, only after they’ve been committed to the pen. 
 

They need to start on those guys now because there are so many of them to try. Wasting time on other teams’ castoffs is just going to delay a meaningful rebuild.

For me what matters is the number of options they have at the end of spring training.  If the Twins are going to cobble together a bullpen, I would rather they start with large numbers and whittle it down in spring training.

[bunsen82]

9 hours ago, Brandon said:

For me what matters is the number of options they have at the end of spring training.  If the Twins are going to cobble together a bullpen, I would rather they start with large numbers and whittle it down in spring training.

How many think Orze, Funderburk, Sands, Topa, and Rogers will make it through the season with ok to good stuff? I expect 3-4 to be able to make and 1-2 will struggle or get injured.  Even with young arms we need 1-2 more options reliable or not to add to the mix.  My preference would be 7 relievers with experience then rotating through 1 spot with young relievers or the AAA invitees.  There is no fireman or closer in this group.  Sands has the best potential and Funderburk flashed.  Orze may be able to give you some innings.  Beyond that there isn't much that gives me confidence.  

[thelanges5]

It would be nice to have a few more veterans to help stabilize this pen as the young guys are learning. These “failed” starters are going to be asked to make changes physically and psychologically as they convert. Starters have a predictable schedule. Relievers have to get ready after a phone call, pitch back to back days, get shelled and come back the next day ready to go etc. 

[thelanges5]

Bobby Nightengale:

Twins are acquiring LHP Anthony Banda in a trade with Dodgers for international signing money. Jackson Kowar was designated for assignment.

[Brandon]

We added quite a few relievers lately.  Does anyone know the pecking order going in to spring training?

Anyone going to make a march reliever madness bracket to see who will be the top 8 relievers going north with the Twins on opening day from the 30+ options in camp, and which 1 will go all the way to team closer.......

[stringer bell]

19 minutes ago, Brandon said:

We added quite a few relievers lately.  Does anyone know the pecking order going in to spring training?

Anyone going to make a march reliever madness bracket to see who will be the top 8 relievers going north with the Twins on opening day from the 30+ options in camp, and which 1 will go all the way to team closer.......

Yeah, there are a lot of categories. 1) Locks 2) Rostered with options 3) Rostered-no options 4) Non-rostered veteran (age 30+, 2 or more year service) 5) Non-rostered (team controlled) and you could add left handed and right handed, but it appears all of the competition will be between the right handers.