The Smartest Reliever Targets for the Twins Aren't the Flashiest Ones

[Sam Caulder]

Image courtesy of David Frerker-Imagn Images

With just under a week until the trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins still don't know exactly what they'll be. They currently sit one game below .500 and will host the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series beginning Tuesday night. The Royals are bringing up the rear in the AL Central at 45-62, giving Minnesota a golden opportunity to build some momentum before the deadline.

If the Twins take two of three from Kansas City, they're back to .500. A sweep would put them over the mark. A strong showing over the next several days should convince the front office to become legitimate buyers—not in the sense that they're going out and trading for Tarik Skubal, but adding pieces around the margins that can make a real impact over the final two months of the regular season. If that's the route Minnesota ends up taking, the bullpen has to be the first priority. With that in mind, here are four lesser-known, under-the-radar relievers the Twins could target before the trade deadline.

Huascar Brazobán, New York Mets
The Mets have been a disaster this season, but at 36 years old, Brazobán has quietly put together an impressive campaign. Across 50 2/3 innings, he's sporting a 2.66 ERA while striking out 47 hitters against 22 walks. Brazobán leans heavily on a sinker-changeup combination, which has helped him produce a ground-ball rate that ranks in the 93rd percentile across Major League Baseball.

He's also been one of the league's best when it comes to limiting loud contact. His hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity all rank in the 99th percentile, making him one of the toughest relievers in baseball to square up. That's exactly the type of profile the Twins should be targeting. They don't necessarily need an overpowering arm; they need reliable innings from someone who can consistently keep the ball on the ground and avoid damaging contact. Brazobán checks those boxes, and because of his age, he likely wouldn't cost all that much in a trade.

JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals
The Twins currently have three left-handed relievers, in Kendry Rojas, Kody Funderburk and Taylor Rogers. But with Rojas serving as a swing man and Funderburk and Rogers impossible to count on, another southpaw could make a huge difference for them.

Romero owns a 3.35 ERA across 43 innings this season. That number sat at an impressive 2.07 last year, and for the most part, his overall performance has regressed in 2026. There's been more hard contact allowed and fewer swings and misses than we've seen in previous seasons. Even so, there's plenty to like. His sinker, sweeper and changeup all feature excellent movement profiles, and one area where he's actually improved this year has been limiting walks. That's an encouraging sign for a pitcher who already has quality stuff.

He's also on the final year of his contract before reaching free agency, meaning St. Louis probably won't be asking for a premium return if they decide to move him. If the Twins are simply looking to add another dependable left-handed option without paying a steep price, Romero makes plenty of sense.

Brennan Bernardino, Colorado Rockies
Bernardino is another intriguing possibility. He's in his age-34 season, but putting together the best year of his career. Over 42 2/3 innings, he's posted a 2.74 ERA with 33 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks. Nothing about Bernardino's arsenal immediately jumps off the page. His sinker averages around 90 mph, and his pitch shapes aren't particularly flashy. But getting outs is more important than looking impressive doing it.

Bernardino is a classic pitch-to-contact reliever, and the contact he allows is exactly what teams are looking for. His barrel rate ranks in the 89th percentile, while both his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity sit in the 96th percentile. He attacks the strike zone, limits quality contact, and has managed to keep his ERA below 3.00 despite pitching half of his games at Coors Field. That's no small accomplishment. Bernardino is someone I'm liking quite a bit as a realistic trade target.

Brent Suter, Los Angeles Angels
Apparently, I have a type when it comes to bullpen targets. Suter is 36 years old and will turn 37 in August. Like the other names on this list, he doesn't light up radar guns, averaging around 89 MPH on his sinker, and his pitch shapes aren't eye-popping.

His 4.42 ERA isn't particularly appealing, but a 3.62 FIP suggests he's been the victim of some bad luck (and some bad Angels defense) this season. He's posted outstanding walk numbers over the past three years, and while strikeouts have never been a huge part of his game, he's another pitcher who specializes in weak contact. His hard-hit rate and average exit velocity both rank in at least the 89th percentile among major-league pitchers. He also generates ground balls at a healthy clip, and thanks to an average of 7.4 feet of extension, that slow sinker plays much harder than the radar gun suggests.

Suter is on a cheap, expiring contract and brings a long track record of success. He's another veteran who could slide into Minnesota's bullpen and provide meaningful innings during the stretch run.

None of these names would generate the biggest headlines if the Twins acquired them, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't make a difference. If Minnesota decides they’re buying at the deadline, the bullpen absolutely has to be the first area addressed. Adding one or even two reliable veteran relievers like Brazobán, Romero, Bernardino or Suter could go a long way toward stabilizing a relief corps that's been the team's biggest question mark all season.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Sounds good to me. I'd love either Brazoban or Weaver (or both) in a deal with the Mets. Curious how much that would cost, but I'd be all for it. Good article!

[Derojo]

Any Rockies pitcher that has an ERA under three, is impressive. The Twins cannot give up much. We do have too many outfielders, and lesser prospects would be ok.

[clone52]

6 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Sounds good to me. I'd love either Brazoban or Weaver (or both) in a deal with the Mets. Curious how much that would cost, but I'd be all for it. Good article!

Lots of good names.

Ryan Helsley last year brought back a #8 and #14 prospect and a lesser arm.  He was a rental.

Weaver has another year of control and would probably take more.  Probably something like Quick, Winokur and lower level arm.  I wouldnt do that.

 

Brozoban has a lot of control but he is 36.  My AI attempt suggests Charlee Soto and Debarge as a reasonable package.

 

I am intrigued by Bernardino.  Older, but cheap trade price.  Let's add him onto a trade for Hunter Goodman.  Would Tait, Keaschall, Quick and Raya get a deal done?  Would it be worth it?  If the Rockies say yes, then trade Jeffers in a package to maybe refill that Quick loss?

[Linus]

Interesting names but without projected costs it doesn’t mean much. 

[old nurse]

10 minutes ago, clone52 said:

Lots of good names.

Ryan Helsley last year brought back a #8 and #14 prospect and a lesser arm.  He was a rental.

Weaver has another year of control and would probably take more.  Probably something like Quick, Winokur and lower level arm.  I wouldnt do that.

 

Brozoban has a lot of control but he is 36.  My AI attempt suggests Charlee Soto and Debarge as a reasonable package.

 

I am intrigued by Bernardino.  Older, but cheap trade price.  Let's add him onto a trade for Hunter Goodman.  Would Tait, Keaschall, Quick and Raya get a deal done?  Would it be worth it?  If the Rockies say yes, then trade Jeffers in a package to maybe refill that Quick loss?

The number 8 prospect for the Mets became the 18th best for the Cardinals. The other 2 were not ranked in the top 30

the Rockies trading Goodman was the GM fishing for compliments about his player. There is n fire there unless it is a blow out 2 top 50 prospects plus kind of trade

[howeda7]

The trades I would make:

 

Jeffers and Taylor Rogers to the Yankees for Brett Headrick and Paul Blackburn

Dasan Hill and Matt Wallner  for Freddy Peralta.

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, howeda7 said:

The trades I would make:

 

Jeffers and Taylor Rogers to the Yankees for Brett Headrick and Paul Blackburn

Dasan Hill and Matt Wallner  for Freddy Peralta.

Why would the Yankees give up their 2 most used relievers in that deal?

[sweetmusicviola16]

Indeed these are the smart moves to make. This isn't the team that you go after a blockbuster name and overpay for. But any number of these guys would help you compete for this season. And I don't believe the price would be steep. You're looking at giving up guys like Klein, Olivares, Gallagher. Prospects that you can afford to lose. Besides not having to protect those prospects this winter. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

There is zero potential they are extremely aggressive. They will work around the margins find some decent arms with maybe even some control for the max player of a Mendez.  How they push it together will be interesting. They said they would be willing to bring up players from the minors. that is interesting.  

[MGX]

The smartest way to add to our bullpen may not involve trading for relievers at all. I'd like to see the Twins add Jose Soriano from the Angels & move Prielipp to the pen for the rest of this season. Connor can always compete for a starting role next season.

[Twins 72]

7 minutes ago, MGX said:

The smartest way to add to our bullpen may not involve trading for relievers at all. I'd like to see the Twins add Jose Soriano from the Angels & move Prielipp to the pen for the rest of this season. Connor can always compete for a starting role next season.

Agree, I think they are going to need another starter. Connor in the pen would be beneficial and allow him to continue pitching throughout the year. Not opposed to adding a reliever as well, but me first priority would be a back-end starter first.

[bean5302]

I'd trade every single one of our top 20 prospects for a World Series title. Targeting middling upgrades isn't worth the effort. Articles like this one, cautiously targeting a potential playoff appearance are the problem with this franchise. "Competitive" = one and done teams.

I don't want to give anything up for an 81-81 record and a 50/50 shot at the playoffs. 

Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller should be the kind of targets the Twins are looking at.

[tony&rodney]

32 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller should be the kind of targets the Twins are looking at.

What players would San Diego receive from Minnesota to accept moving Morejon and Miller? Be realistic.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

4 hours ago, clone52 said:

Lots of good names.

Ryan Helsley last year brought back a #8 and #14 prospect and a lesser arm.  He was a rental.

Weaver has another year of control and would probably take more.  Probably something like Quick, Winokur and lower level arm.  I wouldnt do that.

 

Brozoban has a lot of control but he is 36.  My AI attempt suggests Charlee Soto and Debarge as a reasonable package.

 

I am intrigued by Bernardino.  Older, but cheap trade price.  Let's add him onto a trade for Hunter Goodman.  Would Tait, Keaschall, Quick and Raya get a deal done?  Would it be worth it?  If the Rockies say yes, then trade Jeffers in a package to maybe refill that Quick loss?

That is way too much to trade for Hunter Goodman. Tait,  Keaschall and Quick will all be  productive big league starters for years. Plus Lackey will be a fast riser at catcher. Possibly 2028. We have Caratini for 2027. 

[clone52]

6 hours ago, old nurse said:

The number 8 prospect for the Mets became the 18th best for the Cardinals. The other 2 were not ranked in the top 30

the Rockies trading Goodman was the GM fishing for compliments about his player. There is n fire there unless it is a blow out 2 top 50 prospects plus kind of trade

Fair on those prospects, but Weaver is performing way better than Helsley, so you probably still are talking about a pair like Quick and Winokur.

Getting goodman is a pipe dream, but the package I put together could get close.
Keaschall was a top tier prospect, but now has MLB experience.  Is he a superstar?  No.  But he has a floor and probably a pretty high ceiling.  Was great last year and this year is up and down, but he still has a WAR of 1.0 and an OPS+ of 97.  So even with a roller coaster year, he's league average or slightly better, only 512 ABs into his career.
Tait has slipped a bit, but has been Top 50 prospect and has been on fire lately.
Zebby was never Top 100, just outside I think.  Overall not doing great, but seems to have a floor of a 4 or 5 in the rotation.  Slight improvement this year, so there is room for growth.  4 more years of team control after this year.
Raya is the change of scenary guy.  Former top prospect who's stock has fallen.

Along with my other trades, there are several options of a Hunter Goodman trade I would think long and hard about and maybe pull the trigger.
Tait, Prielipp, Rodriguez, Raya
Tait, Quick, Rodriguez, Raya
Looking at the Rox catching depth, may need to include Alex Jackson in any trade.

The is a big reason I think this might work for the Twins.  Tait is far more valuable to the Rockies than he is the Twins.  After Goodman, they have a nobody on the 40 man and two guy in AAA in the 20s of their organizational rankings.  They drafted 2 college catchers pretty high.  Heck, maybe they'd be interested in Diaw even.  Or any of our AA catchers.
I think we feel like Zebby is a back end rotation guy.  Rockies might see more.  Plus, can back fill with a guy like Robby Ray and get a couple of Zebby 2.0 floor guys from Tampa for Jeffers/Larnach.
I'm okay dangling Keaschall.  He may be a great player, but his defensive location is interesting.  Twins have organizational OF depth.  I hope Culpepper/Houston fill the middle infield.  I don't love the idea of Keaschall as a primary 1B or DH long term.  If using him help gets Goodman, its worth it.

Obviously the Rockies probably start by saying "Jenkins, Prielipp, Tait and Houston".  Twins aren't going to do that, obviously, but something may get worked out.

[clone52]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

That is way too much to trade for Hunter Goodman. Tait,  Keaschall and Quick will all be  productive big league starters for years. Plus Lackey will be a fast riser at catcher. Possibly 2028. We have Caratini for 2027. 

It might be too much, but I don't think so and here is why.  

Goodman is a short term C until Lackey or someone is ready.  He can easily move to 1B, corner OF or DH if we become so flush in C talent.  Plus, I'm projecting Goodman to continue on.  All Star to borderline all star.  WAR of 3-5 yearly.  OPS well above average.  30-40 home runs a year.  He hasn't been the product of an excessively high BABIP.  

Tait is expendable to the Twins now, with other C moves.  Use him to get something. 

Rockies will want a MLB or near MLB pitcher.  Zebby, Prielipp, Quick, maybe Dason Hill.  Twins drafted a bazillion college SPs this year.  There is a good chance at least 1 of them can replace any of these guys pretty quickly if we use them to trade.

Go back to past years top prospect lists for the Twins and ask yourself if you would have liked to trade a top SP prospect who likely would have been productive starters for years.  2023 Prielipp, Raya or Festa, 2024 Prielipp, Raya or Festa or CJ Culpepper.  2025 Prielipp, Raya, Morris, Culpepper, Lewis, 2022 Balazovic or Winder or Canterino.  Could we get burned by trading Prielipp or Zebby or Quick?  Maybe.  But more likely, they don't become top end starters and using one of them to help attain a guy like Goodman makes all the sense in the world.

[clone52]

6 hours ago, howeda7 said:

The trades I would make:

 

Jeffers and Taylor Rogers to the Yankees for Brett Headrick and Paul Blackburn

Dasan Hill and Matt Wallner  for Freddy Peralta.

If that somehow worked for the Yankees, I'd be all over that I think.  A bit risky in that Blackburn is a rental and Headrick could be a flash in the pan this year (or a future closer, he's been insane this year).  Sadly, I don't think the Yankees are trading their 2 most used relievers, and 2 of the more productive ones.

Maybe with Chivilli coming back?

I'd rather do Soto and Wallner for Peralta, but don't mind a trade like that.

[clone52]

3 hours ago, MGX said:

The smartest way to add to our bullpen may not involve trading for relievers at all. I'd like to see the Twins add Jose Soriano from the Angels & move Prielipp to the pen for the rest of this season. Connor can always compete for a starting role next season.

Extremely smart move.  Prielipp probably can't handle the workload of starting the rest fo the year.  He would blow way past is career high in innings and at best, have regression.

 

 

[clone52]

Going cheap on BP help is the way to go (or addons to other trades).  Twins bullpen has been awfully good in July.  I can't find specific bullepen status, but overally pitching staff has had their best month by far.  ERA, OBA, OOBP, OSLUG, OOPS, SV%.  

If you look at SPs, Bradley/Prielipp has been better than average, Ober has been himself, Ryan/Matthews has been way worse.

Current Bullpen
Gomez - 2.16 July ERA
Morris - 0.75 July ERA
Rogers - 1.17 July ERA
Adams - 1.80 July ERA
Funderburk - 1.00 July ERA
Anderson - no runs with Twins (used in 3 out of 4 high leverage appearances)

Rojas is electric
Nance is serviceable in mop up duty.

Thats a pretty solid bullpen right now.  Those are too many names have an excellent month to be purely coincidence.  Maybe find a couple lower level RPs as options if any ot them come back to earth.

 

[clone52]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

What players would San Diego receive from Minnesota to accept moving Morejon and Miller? Be realistic.

I'm sure the original poster was joking.  I wouldn't even want Miller at his price.  But lets just pretend the Twins do and have some fun.

Doing a bit of research and piggybacking off of a few articles speculating for other teams, here is what I've got. 
Culpepper, Prielipp, Quick, Hill and Young
Jenkins, Hill, Young, Agbayani
Culpepper, Hill, Rojas, Young
Jenkins, Houston, Soto

I don't think anything realistic is worth it.

 

[clone52]

Let's right a wrong and go get Varland.

 

Opening offer is Rojas and Roden.

Actual deal is Rodriguez, Raya and CJ Culpepper.

 

Used the Mason Miller trade as a starting point.  That was Miller and a mid rotation starter for a package like Jenkins, Dasan Hill, Kendry Rojas and CJ Culpepper.

#1, only asking for Varland.  #2 Miller was elite for 1.5 years.  Varland has only been that level for half a year. 

I think my trade offer is good.  Maybe even swap on Soto to replace Raya of the Jays insist.

Why I do it?

Varland for Roden/Rojas is only a positive if Rojas becomes a 1 or 2 DP long term.  Its embarrassing.

Rodriguez, Raya (or Soto) and CJ Culpepper for Roden and Rojas looks like a sweet deal for the Jays, but it's a trade loss I can deal with.

 

What do ya think?

If the Jays think Varland stays at this level until next July, he would have one year less control.  A trade similar to Miller could be

Varland and a mid rotation starter
For
Lackey, Hill, Soto and Ellwonger

 

Do the Jays take that risk or do they jump on a deal now.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

3 hours ago, clone52 said:

Let's right a wrong and go get Varland.

 

Opening offer is Rojas and Roden.

Actual deal is Rodriguez, Raya and CJ Culpepper.

 

Used the Mason Miller trade as a starting point.  That was Miller and a mid rotation starter for a package like Jenkins, Dasan Hill, Kendry Rojas and CJ Culpepper.

#1, only asking for Varland.  #2 Miller was elite for 1.5 years.  Varland has only been that level for half a year. 

I think my trade offer is good.  Maybe even swap on Soto to replace Raya of the Jays insist.

Why I do it?

Varland for Roden/Rojas is only a positive if Rojas becomes a 1 or 2 DP long term.  Its embarrassing.

Rodriguez, Raya (or Soto) and CJ Culpepper for Roden and Rojas looks like a sweet deal for the Jays, but it's a trade loss I can deal with.

 

What do ya think?

If the Jays think Varland stays at this level until next July, he would have one year less control.  A trade similar to Miller could be

Varland and a mid rotation starter
For
Lackey, Hill, Soto and Ellwonger

 

Do the Jays take that risk or do they jump on a deal now.

We can’t trade Lackey. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

At this point, I'm more concerned with the line-up than the bullpen - especially if Buck is going to be hampered the rest of the season.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

13 hours ago, clone52 said:

Brozoban has a lot of control but he is 36.  My AI attempt suggests Charlee Soto and Debarge as a reasonable package.

Brazoban wouldn't be a bad addition to the pen, but trading Soto AND DeBarge seems like too steep a price to pay.

[clone52]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

We can’t trade Lackey. 

We could next year.  I was using it as a way to show what the Jays could get if Varland has another full year as good as Mason Miller.

[clone52]

39 minutes ago, Bangkok Twins Fan said:

Brazoban wouldn't be a bad addition to the pen, but trading Soto AND DeBarge seems like too steep a price to pay.

Unfortunately it's the kind of price you are going to pay for good, controllable relievers.

 

Maybe because of his age, Raya and Debarge gets you there.

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I'd trade every single one of our top 20 prospects for a World Series title. Targeting middling upgrades isn't worth the effort. Articles like this one, cautiously targeting a potential playoff appearance are the problem with this franchise. "Competitive" = one and done teams.

I don't want to give anything up for an 81-81 record and a 50/50 shot at the playoffs. 

Adrian Morejon and Mason Miller should be the kind of targets the Twins are looking at.

Currently, the Twins are at 17-8 v. the other 4 current Wildcard Team. (Yankees - Guards - Astros - Red Sox) 

Texas - Chicago - Tampa are the projected Division Winners.

If a Team that’s “competitive” doesn’t see that group of 7 Teams as an opportunity to get through more than one round, not sure when….. right??? ….  Seriously don’t know when they would have a more open path?

Chicago is 2.5 games ahead of Twins at this point…….85-77 has a real shot to win the division. I don’t see the logic in not acting on this opportunity……..they don’t need to sell 4 guys for Mason Miller or the like.

To your point about being aggressive - simplest move in my mind is keeping Jeffers! Trade Caratini to a team in need of a Catcher that can play 1B & is controlled through next year…… throw in whatever prospect arm, for a reliever with probability to be effective.

Trade an attractive package to Giants for Arraez.

Big ….. 2B & offense upgrade with Arraez and then the added reliever. To me, they make a solid run with this group.

[JD-TWINS]

10 minutes ago, clone52 said:

Unfortunately it's the kind of price you are going to pay for good, controllable relievers.

 

Maybe because of his age, Raya and Debarge gets you there.

You are right - everyone over values the guys in their side of trades. If the Twins get effective help this year in the PEN is anyone going to fret over Soto & Debarge?? …….cannot imagine it’s ever mentioned.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

We can’t trade Lackey. 

Nobody is trading the most effective closer in the A.L./baseball ……. with FOUR more years of control!