Twins Unique Bullpen Approach Hinges On Dominant Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax

Bullpen strategy and usage can be the difference between a team being competitive and one falling short of postseason expectations. While most teams are content with the traditional closer role locked up for one reliever, the Twins have embraced an approach known in certain circles as Primary Save Share (PSS). According to The Athletic, the concept behind PSS is straightforward: “The team prefers one reliever as the primary option for saves. However, the player may also be used in match-up-based situations, whether dictated by batter-handedness or batting order pockets in the late innings. This provides multiple relievers with save chances each series or week throughout the season.” 

Only three American League teams (Red Sox, Royals, and, of course, the Twins) along with a pair of NL teams, the Reds and Rockies, have subscribed to this modern twist. That puts Minnesota in rare company and adds a fresh dynamic to a bullpen that needs every edge it can get. 

At first glance, PSS might appear tailor-made for a staff already stacked with high-caliber arms like Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, both of whom entered the season with the lofty expectations of being among the league’s best. Yet, their early season results have been subpar. Jax ranks in the fifth percentile or lower in Barrel%, Hard-Hit%, GB%, and xERA. Simply put, Jax has been far from elite, but relievers work in small sample sizes when it takes time to recover from a couple of bad outings. 

Duran’s start this season has also been underwhelming. While he’s managed to avoid the catastrophic contact levels seen by Jax, his struggles aren’t easily dismissed. His strikeout percentage has taken a hit, and his expected slugging (xSLG) numbers suggest he’s not maintaining the kind of dominance he’s shown in the past. Perhaps most concerning is his BB%, up from a respectable 6.6% last season to an alarming 13.3% this year. Duran's recent numbers could spell trouble in a bullpen that relies on high-leverage arms.

When you consider the broader picture, it’s clear that the Twins’ PSS strategy is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it allows the team to allocate save opportunities in a way that adapts to opponents’ lineups. This flexibility means that even if one arm falters, another might pick up the slack within the same series. On the other hand, this diffusion of responsibility places immense pressure on the staff’s top performers to deliver every single time they step on the mound. The downfall of stars like Jax and Duran early in the season has forced the coaching staff and front office to reassess the rotation of responsibilities. The pressure is only amplified given Minnesota’s ongoing offensive struggles.

Yet, there is hope on the horizon. Brock Stewart is slated to return from injury and could represent a much-needed upgrade to the back end of the bullpen. Stewart has been electric during his Twins tenure, but his availability has been severely limited. He recently threw a bullpen session, and the team estimates he will return in May. His return will not only boost the bullpen’s overall depth but also potentially stabilize a role that, until now, has been marred by inconsistency. For Minnesota, this could be a huge bonus with the struggles of the other high-leverage arms.

The modern bullpen is a complex puzzle, and the Twins’ version is a case study of innovation meeting necessity. With specialized roles evolving and traditional save roles being reinterpreted, few teams manage to stay afloat when their best relievers underperform in the spotlight. Meanwhile, other bullpen arms like Cole Sands, Jorge Alcala, Danny Coulombe, and Louis Varland find themselves in a precarious position. For these arms, the possibility of regular closing opportunities seems more theoretical than practical, as the leadership roles are increasingly consolidated into the hands of those expected to be versatile enough to handle both traditional save situations and match-up-specific scenarios.

As the Twins work to stay relevant in the AL Central this season, every bullpen blowup has implications. The PSS system hinges on the ability of its chosen messengers to rise to the occasion when the game hangs in the balance. The pressure is immense for a franchise struggling to put runs on the board consistently. Each reliever must shut down an opponent and adapt in real-time to a shifting landscape of matchups, hitters, and in-game dynamics. The formula is deceptively simple, yet its execution (especially in the high-stakes innings) has not worked in 2025.

In essence, the Twins’ bullpen is emblematic of modern baseball's broader challenges. Strategic innovation like the Primary Save Share system represents an effort to distill every drop of potential from a roster. However, with performance gaps in key roles and offensive support lacking, Minnesota’s roadmap to success is anything but straightforward. The Twins bullpen was expected to be among the league’s best and their strategic use of late inning arms won’t matter if their pitchers continue to struggle. 

Are the Twins using the wrong bullpen strategy? Leave a comment and start the discussion.