Could the Minnesota Twins Embrace a Six-Man Rotation in 2025?

With spring training on the horizon, the Minnesota Twins enter 2025 with intriguing questions surrounding their starting pitching unit. Could they join the growing trend among MLB teams utilizing a six-man rotation? It’s a conversation worth having, especially considering recent changes across the league and the organization’s pitching depth.

The Six-Man Trend
In 2025, teams like the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Mets are expected to implement six-man rotations, mainly due to pitchers returning from injuries. The benefits of this approach are becoming increasingly evident. For the first time in MLB history, more starts occurred on exactly five days of rest than four in 2021. This trend has continued, with the gap widening in 2023 and 2024. As of last season, 42% of starts came on five days of rest compared to 32% on four.

There are multiple theories on why teams are embracing this change. Some suggest that extra rest helps keep pitchers healthier, while others believe it enhances individual performances. A six-man rotation can also lighten the bullpen’s workload or be a way to accommodate a surplus of capable starters. Whatever the reason, teams are increasingly experimenting with more rest between starts.

The Twins’ Rotation Options
Minnesota’s projected starting five for 2025 consists of Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Chris Paddack. Each brings unique strengths, but questions remain about their durability. For example, Ober has faced durability concerns earlier in his career, Paddack returned from Tommy John surgery last season, totaling less than 100 innings, and Ryan missed extensive time with a right shoulder strain. Injuries are part of the game, but starters only have so many pitches per season and each additional one thrown adds a little bit to the risk. Spreading out their starts is one strategy to attempt to keep pitchers healthy.

The Twins also have notable depth at Triple-A, with promising arms like David Festa, Zebby Matthews, and Marco Raya waiting in the wings. This depth makes a six-man rotation a viable consideration, as it would allow Minnesota to ease the workload on their core starters while providing valuable MLB experience for their younger pitchers. This trio of young pitchers reached career highs in innings last season, so they will need to continue to build off those totals in 2025. 

The Pros and Cons of a Six-Man Rotation
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that giving pitchers additional rest can have long-term benefits. Fewer days between starts could reduce injury risk, especially for pitchers like Ryan, who are coming off a season-ending injury. Additionally, Festa and Matthews — and especially someone like Raya — have yet to prove they can handle the rigors of a full MLB season without additional support. A six-man rotation could help these pitchers stay healthy and effective over the grind of 162 games.

Moreover, extra rest could optimize performance. While not universally proven, some pitchers thrive with an additional day between starts, showing improved velocity and command. These incremental gains could be crucial for a Twins team aiming to reclaim their AL Central crown.

Of course, a six-man rotation isn’t without drawbacks. It reduces the number of starts for the team’s top pitchers, potentially limiting the impact of Minnesota’s top 3 pitchers: López, Ober, and Ryan. Many projection models view those three pitchers among the AL’s best for next season, and taking innings away from them can result in lost value. Additionally, carrying an extra starter can strain roster construction, forcing tough decisions about bullpen arms or position players.

The Twins would also need buy-in from their pitchers. Some thrive on routine and may struggle with the adjustment to a different schedule. The pitcher may also need to be sold on why the Twins are moving to this model. For a six-man rotation to work, the team must communicate clearly and manage workloads effectively. 

A Balanced Approach?
The Twins could consider a hybrid model rather than committing fully to a six-man rotation. This approach might involve using six starters during stretches with heavy workloads, such as long road trips or weeks without off days while reverting to a traditional five-man rotation during lighter periods. Such flexibility would allow the team to reap the benefits of additional rest without losing too many starts from their top arms.

As the 2025 season approaches, the Twins’ depth and the evolving landscape of pitcher usage make a six-man rotation an intriguing possibility. While not without challenges, the potential health and performance benefits could outweigh the risks. With pitchers like Festa, Matthews, and Raya ready to contribute, Minnesota has the depth to experiment with this progressive strategy.

The six-man rotation is no longer a radical idea, as some of baseball’s top organizations are embracing the idea. It’s becoming a viable option for teams seeking a competitive edge. For the Twins, it might just be the key to navigating the marathon of a season while keeping their pitching staff fresh for October.

Should the Twins switch to a six-man rotation for 2025? Would the hybrid approach work for the team? Leave a comment and start the discussion.