Adrián Morejón Could Be the Test of Tom Pohlad's Promise

[Sam Caulder]

It’s not customary for the Minnesota Twins to be particularly aggressive in the free-agent reliever market. In fact, the only bullpen arm they’ve signed to a multi-year deal over the last decade was Addison Reed, and that didn’t turn out particularly well. But times are changing. Tom Pohlad has pledged to take this organization to new heights. With that in mind, perhaps it’s time for the Twins to rethink how they invest in their bullpen. If Pohlad truly wants to do things differently, it starts with putting more money into the roster. One way to do that this offseason would be to pursue free-agent left-hander Adrián Morejón.

Morejón ranks eighth overall on DiamondCentric’s free-agent list and is the top-ranked reliever available this winter. He made his major-league debut with the San Diego Padres in 2019 (at just 20 years old) and has spent his entire big-league career with the organization. He isn't ninth-inning specialist, having recorded just eight saves on 19 opportunities over the last three years. However, there might not be a better setup man in baseball, and his stuff is more good enough to warrant a relief ace role.

He’s finished each of the last three seasons with an ERA of 2.83 or better and a FIP of 2.79 or better. He's been remarkably effective, and a change in his pitch mix this year helped take things to another level. In previous seasons, Morejón leaned on six different pitches to keep hitters off balance. This year, he simplified things a bit, relying more heavily on his changeup alongside his sinker, slider and four-seam fastball. The results speak for themselves.

His whiff and chase rates both ranked in at least the 97th percentile among major-league pitchers. He struck out more than three of every 10 batters he faced, and even when hitters managed to make contact, they weren't doing much damage. Morejón's hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity allowed all ranked in the 90th percentile or better. His ground-ball rate was elite, too.

All four of his primary pitches finished with a Stuff+ grade of at least 128, and each offers something different to keep hitters guessing. He regularly touches triple digits with his sinker, and that makes his changeup particularly nasty. It generated a whiff on 56% of swings against it. When hitters did make contact with either pitch, they frequently pounded the ball into the infield grass. Morejón allowed just one home run on those two pitches all season.

The movement profiles of those offerings also complement each other beautifully. His sinker generates a lot of arm-side run, while his changeup features significant late drop. That's a particularly difficult combination for hitters to handle, especially when Morejón can turn to his slider, as well.

His slider doesn't quite reach the elite 3,000-RPM threshold, but it comes close at just under 2,900 RPM. It’s also his main secondary offering against left-handers. They have to account for a fastball that can run in on their hands before trying to recognize a pitch that's roughly 10 MPH slower and moves sharply in the opposite direction. With that kind of spin and the movement of his other pitches, it's another weapon that makes his arsenal so difficult to square up.

Then there's his four-seam fastball. It doesn't feature exceptional movement on its own, but that's hardly a problem when you're throwing it 99 MPH with a vertical movement profile that's entirely different from the sinker. Hitters have to prepare for two high-velocity fastballs that move differently, along with a changeup that falls off the table and a slider that can finish them off. Morejón's four-seamer generated a 43% whiff rate, which is an incredible mark for a pitch that hitters generally expect to put in play more often.

Morejón's stuff is disgusting. Unfortunately for Minnesota, that ensures that he won't come cheap. The two most expensive relievers in baseball are also left-handed. Josh Hader signed a five-year, $95-million contract with Houston before the 2024 season, while Tanner Scott landed a four-year, $72-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 2025 campaign.

There’s an important distinction, though. Both Hader and Scott had established themselves as closers, while Morejón wasn't the Padres' primary ninth-inning option with Mason Miller in the mix. Scott also recorded more saves with San Diego after arriving at the 2024 trade deadline than Morejón managed over the course of that entire season. Still, a pitcher with Morejón's arsenal deserves an opportunity to close games. He'll likely be paid accordingly, regardless of whether a team initially views him as a setup man or its future closer.

He’ll be 28 on Opening Day 2027, putting him in a position to seek a three- to five-year contract. An average annual value around $20 million, give or take, might be what it takes to get a deal done. That's nowhere close to what the Twins have historically been willing to spend on relief pitching. But if Pohlad is serious about taking this team to new heights, he'll need to get comfortable making investments that Minnesota has traditionally avoided.

The Twins entered 2026 with a bullpen that was a glaring weakness, and they're still facing plenty of uncertainty heading into the offseason. They need to increase their payroll, improve the overall quality of their relief corps and find a dependable left-handed option to balance the group. Morejón checks those boxes. He's young enough to be a long-term piece, has the stuff to handle high-leverage situations and has already demonstrated that he can produce at an elite level.

Of course, there's a difference between identifying a great free-agent target and actually being willing to pay him. Morejón would represent a significant financial commitment, and there's no guarantee the Twins would be willing to compete with other teams for his services. But if Minnesota wants to build a better bullpen and prove that its approach to roster construction is changing, this is exactly the kind of opportunity Jeremy Zoll should explore.

Image courtesy of Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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[Vanimal46]

Sign him and convert him into a SP. I will bet that’s the team who wins the bid. 

[weitz41]

This is a pipe dream, but I want them to sign Morejon. Not for we'll see money but you're our closer money. Also, not for a season or two 4-5 seasons. No point in going any farther. Pipe dream...

[stringer bell]

He's young to be a free agent, so it would figure he is not yet on the downside of his career. I would think that he will be used as a closer with whatever team he signs with. Bringing in a new "best" relief pitcher moves everyone down one slotand really helps the entire 'pen. Color me skeptical that the Twins can get this move done.

[HerbieFan]

Couldn't we really just say this about any above average reliever that is set to be a FA?

[SE23]

This kind of move makes sense if you have a chance to make a deep run in October. I don't believe we do. Our 2027 season is a ramp up into 2028-29, allowing young players to develop (at every level in the organization). Our ceiling is 80-odd wins and a WC berth by our fingernails. 

We foolishly declared ourselves contenders in August and failed to sell off some valuable pieces for solid returns. Let's not immediately make the same mistake in November. Save the splashy FA signing(s) for when we're closer to challenging the best teams for an AL pennant. Like maybe heading into 2028!

[MeleMouth]

Finally, an article about an actually good reliever that also discusses his pitch quality! Thank you!

The Athletic's Jim Bowden predicted 3 years for Morejon at $14 million a year. The Twins should definitely be in on that. Bowden's numbers are iffy, however, but even more would be OK. Having a good bullpen - and good catchers - will be helpful for developing young starters. If he's good and the Twins aren't, trade him in July.

[tony&rodney]

41 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

Finally, an article about an actually good reliever that also discusses his pitch quality! Thank you!

The Athletic's Jim Bowden predicted 3 years for Morejon at $14 million a year. The Twins should definitely be in on that. Bowden's numbers are iffy, however, but even more would be OK. Having a good bullpen - and good catchers - will be helpful for developing young starters. If he's good and the Twins aren't, trade him in July.

Bowden is always sending out something iffy but he is likely close. It is interesting to read and compare the different predictions for salaries when they are published. 

I'm in for Adrian Morejon and 3/$45M sounds possible. Looking further at the list, I'll take David Bednar for 3/$60M too. Perhaps the Twins wind up going toward one of Vesia, Matsui, or Newcomb from the left side and choose Bryan Abreu or another quality arm from the right side. It would be nice to add two good reliable bullpen pitchers.

I noticed that Bowden had Ryan Jeffers going for 2/$15.5M. Even if Bowden is off by a bunch, there is no way the Twins offer a qualifying offer. I do think Jeffers could get 3/$30M possibly. We never heard any rumors of firm offers or real interest in Jeffers at the trade deadline, but just that teams had asked about him. Twins Daily put that down to the Twins wanting to keep Jeffers. The reality is that we have no idea what went on behind the scenes.

[Riverbrian]

Now you are talking. 

Morejon. Pay it. 

[TheLeviathan]

This is an accurate article about holding ownership to their talk.  I approve that aspect.  

At the same time.....

[darin617]

Doesn't Morejón want to start? I'm pretty sure I saw it somewhere. It would make sense since starters earn more money.

[Vanimal46]

55 minutes ago, darin617 said:

Doesn't Morejón want to start? I'm pretty sure I saw it somewhere. It would make sense since starters earn more money.

Yes he does. 

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, darin617 said:

Doesn't Morejón want to start? I'm pretty sure I saw it somewhere. It would make sense since starters earn more money.

That could be the mechanism that gives the Twins a chance at signing him.

Offer him starter money and a starting rotation spot. 

The big boys are going to go after him for their big boy bullpens.

Be the team that is dead serious about the rotation and compete with starter money and that will take some of the big boys out. 

Ryan, Lopez, Ober and Kremer will be walking arm and arm into free agency after this season. The Twins will need to mitigate the crash into that wall. Replace one or two of that 4, with a longer term contract. Bradley and Morejon can help usher in 2028. 

 

[saviking]

They could have tried to extend Durhan but they didn't ... 

[jmlease1]

13 hours ago, MeleMouth said:

The Athletic's Jim Bowden predicted 3 years for Morejon at $14 million a year. The Twins should definitely be in on that. Bowden's numbers are iffy, however, but even more would be OK. Having a good bullpen - and good catchers - will be helpful for developing young starters. If he's good and the Twins aren't, trade him in July.

If Bowden's numbers are anywhere in the ballpark then the Twins should definitely be in on him. 3 years and anything below $50M would be absolutely worth it. for this guy. I just don't know that's going to be the price. I'd be nervous about tacking on the extra year...but I might be willing to go 4 for $60M. I just generally think that Bowden is a fool who makes up numbers and projects every FA to sign with 6 clubs total, none of which will ever be in the midwest (despite his tenure in Cincy)

But he'd be a great fit. Absolute death against LH hitters, doesn't get beat up against RH hitters (last season he crushed them quite nicely too) and if paired with Hoffman would give you 2 guys that you can deploy against the heart of the other team's order in late & close. 

[NYCTK]

Tom Pohlad's promise is as worthless as the promises from any other parasitic billionaire.

And fans here have to stop pretending he's any different than the long line of loser Pohlads that came before him. 

[DJL44]

 $20M on 60 innings is the least effective way the Twins could spend a limited budget.

[1985Fan]

Morejon or some other high quality arm is required to rebuild this BP. In today’s MLB a shut down BP is necessary when this group of Twins is ready to enter their competitive window, whether that’s next year or 2028. Morejon has the stuff and is the right age to sign to a longer term deal so he’s around for 3-5 years. 

[Road trip]

20 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Bowden had Ryan Jeffers going for 2/$15.5M. Even if Bowden is off by a bunch, there is no way the Twins offer a qualifying offer. I do think Jeffers could get 3/$30M possibly. We never heard any rumors of firm offers or real interest in Jeffers at the trade deadline, but just that teams had asked about him. Twins Daily put that down to the Twins wanting to keep Jeffers. The reality is that we have no idea what went on behind the scenes.

I think this is a serious mis-read by Bowden, which would be nothing new.

1. Jeffers is easily the best catcher on the free agent market.  He should still be in his prime for another 3 or so years.

2. A 34-year-old, seriously in decline JT Realmuto got $15M/Year for 3 years just last year.   The idea that a much younger Jeffers will only get a shorter commitment is laughable.

3. The Yankees need a catcher.  So do the Rangers, the White Sox, and several other teams.   Heck, it might be easier to count the teams that wouldn't like to upgrade catcher.

Money will be spent.  Jeffers will have multiple offers.  I'd like the Twins to keep him, but he won't be in the bargain bin.

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, Road trip said:

I think this is a serious mis-read by Bowden, which would be nothing new.

1. Jeffers is easily the best catcher on the free agent market.  He should still be in his prime for another 3 or so years.

2. A 34-year-old, seriously in decline JT Realmuto got $15M/Year for 3 years just last year.   The idea that a much younger Jeffers will only get a shorter commitment is laughable.

3. The Yankees need a catcher.  So do the Rangers, the White Sox, and several other teams.   Heck, it might be easier to count the teams that wouldn't like to upgrade catcher.

Money will be spent.  Jeffers will have multiple offers.  I'd like the Twins to keep him, but he won't be in the bargain bin.

We shall find out soon enough. I hope Jeffers gets his money, a ton. The Twins will not offer the QO or get involved in contract talks. The club began to turn the page with a concern towards improving the defense. Jeffers is not much of a catcher as a defender. Twins fans have enjoyed players like Jeffers and Larnach. It is time to move forward. I understand that a number of people want to roll it back again but there has been enough small change to indicate the front office is considering the voices in the dugout (manager and coaches). Defense matters.

[Brandon]

130-135 million payroll is pretty meaningful after spending around 100 million.  We have more than 1 hole to address this off-season.  Let's not spend it all on a reliever.  Minter is just as good for around 9 million a season give or take.  

[purplesoldier4u]

14 hours ago, Brandon said:

130-135 million payroll is pretty meaningful after spending around 100 million.  We have more than 1 hole to address this off-season.  Let's not spend it all on a reliever.  Minter is just as good for around 9 million a season give or take.  

Huh? If the Owners get their way, a $171.2 million floor would make the Twins bring their payroll way up! If the MLPA's offer of a floor with a $150 million soft floor, is accepted the team will still need to make the leap or pay the tax.

Tommy P's from was made because he knew he was going to have to taise it.

[Brandon]

52 minutes ago, purplesoldier4u said:

Huh? If the Owners get their way, a $171.2 million floor would make the Twins bring their payroll way up! If the MLPA's offer of a floor with a $150 million soft floor, is accepted the team will still need to make the leap or pay the tax.

Tommy P's from was made because he knew he was going to have to taise it.

I'm not operating above the norm until news breaks that we have a higher floor.  There will also be more parity in revenue sharing if that happens.  So the last 15-40 million can get spent after the lockout not before.  And if payroll does need to go up.  The Twins can frontload extensions to anyone, Lopez, Ryan, Jenkins, Culpepper, Keaschall. ....