Cody Christie

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Twins fans have seen this story unfold in wildly different ways over the past few months: Byron Buxton appears to be a potential All-Star, the beating heart of the lineup, and one of the most productive center fielders in the American League. Meanwhile, Carlos Correa has taken his fair share of heat from fans and media alike, with murmurs swirling about whether his best days might already be behind him. But here’s the twist: according to Statcast’s expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA), Buxton and Correa are producing precisely the same quality of contact. xwOBA estimates a player’s offensive performance by measuring the quality of contact (based on exit velocity and launch angle), while removing factors like defense and ballpark, to reflect what should have happened at the plate rather than what actually did. Each player holds a .318 xwOBA. That’s a statistical tidbit that might surprise even the most tuned-in fans, considering how different the narrative around each has become. Buxton’s actual wOBA (which measures actual results) sits at .342, overperforming his expected mark by 24 points. Correa, on the other hand, owns a .293 wOBA, underperforming by nearly the same margin. How did we get here? Let’s break it down. Byron Buxton: Outperforming Expectations, Eyeing an All-Star Nod After years of frustration with injuries and inconsistent roles, Buxton has returned to playing center field and has become a staple in Minnesota’s lineup. And fans have noticed. He leads the team in multiple offensive categories, he's healthy, and he looks confident doing it. He’s also made a strong All-Star case, and not just because of the narrative boost. Statcast backs up what the eye test shows: Buxton is absolutely punishing the baseball. Barrel %: 84th percentile Hard-Hit %: 89th percentile Bat Speed: 89th percentile Even if his xwOBA is identical to Correa’s, Buxton’s superior batted-ball metrics explain why he’s overperforming. He’s earned a bit of good luck because his contact is consistently among the hardest in the game. Interestingly, some of his expected stats have dipped from last year. His xSLG has dropped from .502 in 2024 to .458 this season. His xwOBACON (expected wOBA on contact) has also declined slightly from .448 to .438. But those metrics don’t tell the whole story. Buxton’s Hard-Hit Rate (balls hit 95+ mph) is the second-highest of his career, showing he's regularly making elite contact even if his launch angle or spray chart isn’t quite as optimized as last season. So why the outperformance? Some of it could be strategic. Buxton may be focusing on pitches he can drive and keeping the ball off the ground more often than he has in the past. His swing decisions are leading to better overall results. It also helps that Buxton’s elite speed allows him to leg out extra bases or turn would-be outs into singles, an edge few hitters can match. That said, he's also been one of baseball's luckiest batters this season (see #18 below). Carlos Correa: The Numbers Say He's Better Than the Results If Buxton is thriving on the margins, Correa is living on the wrong side of them. Despite producing the same expected offensive value as Buxton, Correa’s season has felt like a disappointment. He’s batting .241 with a .293 wOBA, but there are signs of life. After a sluggish April, Correa has posted a .780 OPS with four home runs and three doubles since May 1, suggesting he’s trending in the right direction. There was also early-season speculation that a minor wrist issue was affecting his swing. If true, that could explain some of his underperformance. Still, there are some troubling indicators. Correa’s Barrel % is down to 6.0%, well below his 9.1% career average. That’s a sign he’s not squaring the ball up as often, and his average launch angle has dropped from 10 degrees to just 5 degrees. That’s a red flag, as he’s hitting more balls into the ground, limiting his power output and overall production. So, while he’s making contact at a decent clip and not chasing many pitches, the lack of lift and loud contact has led to weaker results. Unlike Buxton, Correa doesn’t have elite sprint speed to help him beat out grounders or stretch singles into doubles. His profile is more reliant on barreling the ball in the air, and so far, he’s not doing that often enough. But with nearly 100 games left in the regular season, there’s still time for regression to work its magic. If Correa keeps making the kind of contact reflected in his .318 xwOBA, the hits should start falling. His track record suggests it’s only a matter of time. Same Metrics, Different Mindsets The Buxton-Correa comparison serves as a reminder of how much perception and context influence fan narratives. Buxton’s power, speed, and defense have made him stand out, especially when healthy. His hot start has been a beacon of hope in a sometimes inconsistent offense. Correa, burdened by a hefty contract and a slow April, is viewed more critically, even though his expected production is right in line with Buxton’s. Beneath the surface, the Statcast numbers suggest the Twins' two highest-paid position players might not be so far apart after all. There’s also this: if Correa returns to form and Buxton keeps mashing, the Twins could suddenly have a potent middle of the lineup anchored by two former top picks finally healthy and productive at the same time. That hasn’t happened often during their overlapping tenure in Minnesota, but the next 100 games could rewrite the story. What do you think? Are the numbers deceiving us? Is Buxton really this good, or is Correa about to break out? Let us know in the comments below. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints The Twins have called up right-handed pitcher Travis Adams , a 25-year-old who’s quietly put together one of the most intriguing developmental arcs in the system. After years of being a starter and overcoming a rollercoaster minor-league path, Adams now finds himself on the cusp of contributing in a meaningful way in the big leagues. Adams spent three collegiate seasons at Sacramento State, where he was used primarily as a starter. His junior season in 2021 was solid, if unspectacular on paper, with a 4.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9), and just 1.8 walks per nine innings (BB/9). He wasn’t blowing away the competition, but his ability to fill up the strike zone and limit free passes stood out. The Twins, always on the lookout for high-floor college arms they could develop internally, scooped him up in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. The thinking was simple: Adams already had the command, and with the proper adjustments, the Twins hoped to unlock more velocity and induce more swings and misses in his game. His pro debut with the FCL Twins was not precisely what you'd script. One appearance, two walks, two hits, three earned runs. It was over almost as quickly as it started. But one poor outing in the Florida heat was hardly a reason to panic, and Adams showed why in his first full professional season. Fast Start in 2022 Adams opened the 2022 season in Fort Myers and immediately looked like a polished college arm, making easy work of low-A hitters. In 15 starts, he posted a 3.50 ERA and a crisp 1.04 WHIP over 69 1/3 innings, showing strong command (5.5 BB%) and missing more bats (25.1 K%) than he had in college. The Twins bumped him to High-A Cedar Rapids in late July, and though hitters made more contact (9.8 H/9), his strikeout numbers climbed again (28.5 K%), suggesting that swing-and-miss upside was starting to emerge. By the end of 2022, Adams had built a compelling case as a solid mid-tier arm in the system. He wasn’t flashy, but he was dependable and improving. A Step Back in 2023 Then came the struggles. Adams spent all of 2023 with Double-A Wichita, and it proved to be a humbling experience. His ERA ballooned to 5.66, his WHIP jumped to 1.47, and both his strikeout rate (20.3%) and walk rate (9.0%) went in the wrong direction. Suddenly, whispers began that Adams might be destined for the bullpen. For a pitcher who had built his profile around command and consistency, it was a setback. But it also prompted a turning point. Adjustments and Breakthrough During spring training in 2024, Adams made headlines, but it wasn’t for anything he did on the field. He was in the right place at the right time and was able to save a resident from a house fire. He was staying in a house nearby and heard a loud bang. He and three other local residents had to find a way into the back of the house to get a man to safety. Adams told reporters, "My goal was just to help him out of the house because I didn't know like how much of the house is on fire or, you know, what was on fire. I saw a big old blaze and fire and smoke coming from the house." To open 2024, Adams was back in Wichita, where he was still in the rotation and still facing questions. His first nine appearances didn’t inspire much confidence. Opposing batters hit .291 off him, and his on-base percentage against was north of .330. Then, seemingly overnight, Adams flipped a switch. Over his subsequent 13 appearances, Adams posted a 2.38 ERA and limited batters to a .544 OPS. He struck out 72 and walked only 17 in 68 innings, showing the kind of efficiency and pitch execution the Twins had been waiting for. His velocity ticked up slightly, but more importantly, he improved the shape and location of his pitches. He worked up in the zone more effectively, added deception with his delivery, and leaned into sequencing that emphasized his strengths. The righthander currently stands as the Wichita individual franchise leader in three pitching categories: innings pitched (217.2), strikeouts (206), and starts (44). Minnesota rewarded his dominance with a late-season promotion to Triple-A St. Paul and added him to the 40-man roster this past winter. In their 2024 end-of-year report, MLB Pipeline called Adams “the best performing pitcher in the system in the second half.” For a former sixth-rounder with some minor-league struggles, it was a remarkable turnaround. Embracing the Hybrid Role While Adams had always been a starter in college and the minors, the Saints took a different approach in 2025. Instead of using him in a traditional five-man rotation, Adams began serving as a hybrid long-reliever and piggyback option. He often followed high-upside arms like Marco Raya or Zebby Matthews, providing two to four innings of quality work to bridge the gap to the back of the bullpen. The results have been consistently strong. Through the first two months of the season, Adams has maintained a sub-3.50 ERA and a WHIP of around 1.15. His strikeout rate has climbed to 21.3%, a significant jump from the 11.4% mark he posted during his brief Triple-A stint in 2024. He’s been especially impressive at limiting damage, giving up more than two runs in just three of his appearances. That kind of reliability has made him one of the Saints’ most trusted arms. And now, it’s earned him a ticket to the big leagues. What Can Adams Bring to the Twins? With the Twins entering a tough stretch of games and battling a string of bullpen wear and tear, Adams offers a valuable safety net. His recent experience in a piggyback role mirrors what he’ll likely be asked to do in the big leagues: eat innings, keep the score close, and avoid walks. The Twins have Zebby Matthews and David Festa in the rotation, who are young and will be limited in the amount of innings they can throw in their first big-league campaign. Adams will likely need to serve in a similar role to the one he held in St. Paul by piggybacking on these young starters. He may not light up the radar gun, but he mixes well, competes in the zone, and has shown he can adjust when hitters catch on. In the long run, it’s unclear whether Adams will carve out a permanent role in the bullpen or get another chance to start. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can flash in the upper 90s. His slider has increased in velocity with the Twins, now reaching the mid-80s. He has a cutter and a changeup that he also uses. But his emergence as a flexible, multi-inning option gives the Twins exactly what they need right now: a stable arm with command, experience, and the ability to adapt. It’s always satisfying when a player grinds through setbacks and earns a call-up not because of hype but because of steady, earned performance. Travis Adams isn’t a top-100 prospect or a former first-rounder. But he’s a reminder that player development is rarely linear, and sometimes, those mid-round arms with college polish and quiet grit are precisely what a team needs. What stands out about Adam’s development in the Twins system? Can he succeed in a piggybacking role? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints One of the consistent staples of Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen philosophy has been his desire to carry a long reliever—a pitcher who can bridge multiple innings and preserve the rest of the bullpen during short starts or blowouts. It’s a role the Twins have tried to fill in the past, with mixed results. The tricky part? When a team is in a stretch of tight, low-scoring games, that long man can sit unused for over a week. It’s tough to stay sharp, and even tougher to justify a roster spot for someone who might throw once every 10 days. Having the practical maximum of solid relievers available (even if it be for just two or three outs at a time) is how a club sustains torrid fortnights like the winning streaks that set the team back on track in each of the last two years; long relievers are better for absorbing damage and shortening losing streaks. But with Pablo López now expected to miss 8-12 weeks due to a teres major strain, the calculation changes. The Twins’ rotation is suddenly home to a pair of exciting but unproven rookies, in Zebby Matthews and David Festa. If the team wants to avoid burning out its bullpen by the All-Star Break, the need for a trusted long man might outweigh the usage concerns. That’s where Travis Adams enters the conversation. A Developmental Success Story The Twins selected Adams in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of California State University (Sacramento), a program known for producing polished college arms. From the outset, Adams wasn’t viewed as a flamethrower or a top-of-the-rotation arm, but rather a pitcher with a mature approach and the ability to fill up the strike zone with a mix of average or better offerings. He signed for the modest $253,000 slot value at that pick. In other words, he was tailor-made to become a steady presence in a minor-league rotation. Adams proved to be accurate in his projections over his first two professional seasons, posting solid numbers while steadily rising through the system. His 2024 campaign with Double-A Wichita was particularly impressive. He compiled a 3.67 ERA across 25 starts, with a 24.5% strikeout rate and a 6.3% walk rate. He showed durability and command that many evaluators believed could translate to a swingman or backend big-league starting role. The Twins thought highly enough of him to add him to the 40-man roster in November, to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. That decision is now looking more prescient than ever. Evolving into a Piggyback Specialist The 2025 season has marked a subtle but essential shift in Adams’s development path. While he had functioned primarily as a traditional starter throughout his minor-league career, Triple-A St. Paul has utilized him in a hybrid piggyback role this year. Often following high-upside starters like Marco Raya (and even Matthews and Festa, before their big-league call-ups), Adams has become a dependable multi-inning arm who can bridge the gap between the starter and the best of the bullpen. The results? Impressive. Through the first two months of the Triple-A season, Adams has quietly posted a sub-3.50 ERA, with a WHIP hovering around 1.15, while maintaining a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio. His strikeout rate has improved from 11.4% at Triple-A last season to 21.3% in 2025, which is closer to his career mark. He’s averaging over three innings per appearance and has been incredibly consistent, allowing more than two runs in only three outings. “[Adams has] been great, he’s been great in that role,” said Saints manager Toby Gardenhire. “It’s a new thing for him, but I think he does a really good job in it. He comes out there, throws strikes, pounds the zone, he’s got good stuff, too, so I think he’s doing a really nice job with it, and hopefully we can get him up to the big leagues in that role, too.” It’s that ability to throw strikes, minimize damage, and soak up innings that makes Adams a compelling call-up candidate. Why the Twins Might Need Him Now With Pablo López sidelined, the Twins rotation is currently led by Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and a resurgent Chris Paddack. Those three bring consistency and the potential for six- or seven-inning starts. But behind them, it’s a different story. Matthews and Festa have both shown flashes of brilliance during their big-league tenures, but neither has been a lock to work deep into games. Both have been monitored closely by the Twins, who are understandably cautious about overextending young arms during their first full MLB season. That caution has a ripple effect. Short outings by starters force the bullpen to carry a heavier load, and over time, that can wear down even the most resilient relief corps. The Twins' bullpen has been a strength this season, but asking the likes of Griffin Jax, Louie Varland, and Jhoan Duran to cover four or five innings multiple times per week is a fast track to burnout. Adams could step into that gap. If Matthews exits after 13 or 14 outs, Adams can give the team two or three solid frames and keep the game in reach. If Festa runs up a high pitch count in the third inning, Adams can calm the waters without burning through multiple one-inning relievers. In essence, he’d serve as an MLB-level version of the role he’s already thriving in at Triple A. One of the barriers to calling up a pitcher midseason is often the need for 40-man roster space, but the Twins already cleared that hurdle with Adams last winter. With a spot already secured, they can promote him without the risk of losing another player to waivers or making a difficult DFA decision. Additionally, the Twins have a few bullpen arms who may be optioned or cycled through in the coming weeks. Jorge Alcala has struggled and is unable to be optioned to the minor leagues; he's on DFA watch. Kody Funderburk has been used sparingly as the team’s only lefty. Adams would be a natural fit to replace one of those arms, while giving the Twins a different look in terms of bullpen structure. There’s also a strategic component: in an era when MLB teams are constantly looking for ways to stretch out their pitching staffs without overexposing any one arm, long relievers who can pitch 2-4 innings are as valuable as ever. Adams fits that profile perfectly. While the average fan may not be clamoring for an Adams call-up, the Twins front office and coaching staff likely recognize how important his skill set could be over the next two months. In a season where depth is more vital than ever (and with a playoff race that remains tightly contested), reliable innings might be the most valuable currency in baseball. Adams may not light up radar guns or dominate headlines, but his path through the Twins system and recent success in a piggyback role suggests he’s ready for this next challenge. If the Twins want to weather the storm of López’s injury without overextending their bullpen or rushing their prospects, Adams may be the quiet solution they need and fill Baldelli’s appetite for a long reliever. Do you think the Twins should give Adams a shot in the big leagues? Let us know in the comments below, or head to the forums to weigh in on how Minnesota should manage its pitching depth moving forward. View full article

I agree. I don't think he will have any value as a trade chip because of his age.

I think the Twins will want him to get comfortable coming off the injury. He will be an option in the second half if they need him.

Winokur was also a high school draft pick so he is young for Cedar Rapids. He turned 20 in December so he is over two years younger than the average age of the competition in the Midwest League. He's only faced younger pitchers in 11 plate appearances this season.

Culpepper can play shortstop and third. Winokur plays shortstop, center, and some third. De Andrade has been playing second and third. Lots of versatility in that group.

Image courtesy of David Malamut TRANSACTIONS There were multiple moves on Wednesday that had ripple effects across the organization. 2B Jose Salas assigned to Wichita from Cedar Rapids. 3B Jay Thomason assigned to Cedar Rapids from Fort Myers. 3B Armando Alvarez released by St. Paul. SS Tanner Schobel assigned to St. Paul from Wichita. SAINTS SENTINEL Saints 7, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5 Box Scor St. Paul scored two runs in the eighth inning to squeak out a victory, despite being out hit 11-to-8. Payton Eeles was electric out of the lead-off spot going 3-for-4 with three runs, two steals and a walk. Mickey Gasper, Edouard Julien and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. each drove in a pair of runs. Gasper was the lone Saints batter with an extra-base hit as he cracked two doubles and has 10 on the season at Triple-A. St. Paul left 12 men on base, but still found a way to win. On the mound, Randy Dobnak started and scattered five hits over four innings. He allowed one earned run while walking one and striking out one. He threw 67 pitches and 40 were strikes. Kyle Bischoff and Richard Lovelady combined for three shutout innings to end the game. It was Bischoff’s fourth win and Lovelady’s fourth save. WIND SURGE WISDOM NW Arkansas 6, Wichita 5 (11 Innings) Box Score Wichita scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead but it wasn’t enough and lost in extra innings. Ricardo Olivar led the way offensively with two home runs. He smacked a two-run shot in the third inning and a solo shot in the fifth. Kala’i Rosario went 3-for-5 with a double. Aaron Sabato has reached base in 22 straight games with two walks in this one. John Klein made only his second start of the season. In three innings, he allowed three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Ricky Castro tied a season-high with five strikeouts. He pitched four innings of relief and allowed one run on five hits. John Stankiewicz pitched a scoreless eighth inning to keep the game close. KERNELS NUGGETS Wisconsin 8, Cedar Rapids 2 Box Score Cedar Rapids entered the game on a five game winning streak and Kaelen Culpepper got the game started with a lead off home run. In the top of the fourth, Brandon Winokur crushed a 113 MPH homer to cut the lead to 4-2. However, that’s as close as Cedar Rapids would get. Jose Olivares started and allowed six earned runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Hunter Hoopes made his High-A debut after being called up earlier in the week from Fort Myers. He pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout. Cedar Rapids 15, Wisconsin 2 Box Score Culpepper hit a leadoff homer for the second game in a row and this time the Kernels were off and running. Winokur continued his hot hitting too. He finished game two by going 2-for-3 with his 13th double. Danny De Andrade led the team with five RBI as he had a double and a triple to combine for five total bases. The 15 runs of support were more than enough for starter Cole Peschl. In his third Cedar Rapids outing, Peschl collected his second consecutive win, allowing just a run on two hits with four strikeouts across five innings of work. Samuel Perez finished the game by allowing one unearned run over two innings. MUSSEL MATTERS Palm Beach 8, Fort Myers 1 Box Score Eli Jones retired five straight batters to start the game but things fell apart from there. He failed to make it out of the second inning as the Cardinals plated five runs on four hits against him. His early exit snapped a streak of four consecutive starts of at least five innings for him. Jakob Hall, Josh Bortka, and Peyton Carr combined for six shutout innings to end the game. Bortka struck out four in two innings of work and threw 20 of his 23 pitches for strikes. Fort Myers only managed four hits and no players recorded an extra-base knock. Miguel Briceno and Yohander Martinez each reached base twice. Caleb McNeely drove in the only run of the game with a two-out hit in the bottom of the sixth. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day – Cole Peschl, Cedar Rapids Kernels (5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K, 1 BB) Hitter of the Day – Kaelen Culpepper, Cedar Rapids Kernels (3-for-6, 3 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 1 SB) PROSPECT SUMMARY Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they performed on Wednesday. #6 – Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids): 3-for-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 SB #9 – Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 4-for-6, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB #11 – Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 0-for-6, 1 R, 1 RBI, 5 K #14 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Wichita): 0-for-6, 2 K #17 – Tanner Schobel (St. Paul): 0-for-3, BB, 3 K #19 – Carson McCusker (St. Paul): 0-for-2, 1 R, 1 BB #20 – Ricardo Olivar (Wichita): 3-for-9, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 3 K THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Scranton/Wilkes-Barre @ St. Paul (7:07 PM CDT) - RHP Marco Raya (0-3, 9.26 ERA) Wichita @ NW Arkansas (4:05 PM CDT) - LHP Christian MacLeod (0-1, 1.31 ERA) Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin, Game 1 (6:40 PM CDT) - RHP Ty Langenberg (0-3, 7.98 ERA) Palm Beach @ Fort Myers (6:05 PM CDT) - RHP Jason Doktorczyk (2-2, 5.35 ERA) DSL Rangers @ DSL Twins (11:00 AM CDT) - TBD FCL Braves @ FCL Twins (11:00 AM CDT) - TBD View full article

Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson (Lewis), Matt Krohn (France)-Imagn Images With the All-Star break approaching and the summer heat cranking up, the Minnesota Twins find themselves once again staring down a pivotal trade deadline. Like every contending team, they’ll be forced to decide where to patch holes, where to ride internal options, and whether the upgrade is worth the prospect capital. The American League Central remains winnable, and the Twins are in the thick of it. Still, if the front office is serious about making a run in October, there are a couple of clear roster spots that demand immediate attention. The Hot Corner Is Ice Cold There’s no sugar-coating it because third base has been a black hole for the Twins in 2025. Minnesota ranks dead last in MLB with a -1.0 fWAR from its third basemen, and only the Milwaukee Brewers have posted a lower wRC+ at the position. It’s one thing to struggle; it’s another to have replacement-level production or worse from a premium defensive spot that should also provide some offensive punch. This isn’t how it was supposed to go. Royce Lewis opened the spring as the clear-cut starter at third, but a hamstring injury put him on the IL to start the year. Since returning, he has been one of the team’s worst hitters, including being moved to the bottom of the batting order and even being pinch hit for in late inning situations. He’s now carrying a negative WAR total, and a demotion to Triple-A isn’t out of the question. Brooks Lee was supposed to be the next man up, offering a polished bat and enough glove to hold down the fort. Instead, he’s found himself overmatched at the plate more often than not (76 OPS+), and like Lewis, sits below replacement level for the season (-0.1 fWAR). Rocco Baldelli continues to speak highly of Lee, and there is hope that some of his struggles are due to inexperience at the big-league level. The team has mixed in Jonah Bride and Willi Castro, but neither looks like more than a short-term Band-Aid. Castro’s value lies in his versatility; asking him to be an everyday third baseman is asking too much. And Bride, while competent defensively, hasn’t produced with the bat in limited action (66 OPS+). Jose Miranda, once viewed as a long-term solution at third base, hasn’t made a case for a call-up either. He’s posted a .636 OPS at Triple-A and continues to look lost against anything with spin or velocity. That ship, at least for the time being, appears to have sailed. If the Twins are serious about winning the division and advancing beyond a token playoff appearance, they’ll need to upgrade at third. It’s not just about getting league-average production. It’s about stopping the bleeding. Options at Third Base So, who’s out there? Luis Urias is an intriguing option at third base and is a pending free agent for the A’s, who are expected to be sellers. He has posted a 115 OPS+ this season and has some defensive flexibility. Miguel Andujar is another A’s third baseman who could be a trade target. He has a 106 OPS+ and can play corner infield and outfield. Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez might be the biggest named third baseman traded at the deadline. The Diamondbacks are under .500, and he is a pending free agent. Suárez has 16 home runs and a 124 OPS+. These aren’t sexy names, but the bar is so low for the Twins at third base that even modest production could represent a massive upgrade. Ty France and the First Base Dilemma First base isn’t quite the mess that third is, but it’s trending the wrong direction. The Twins brought in Ty France, hoping he could be a stabilizing veteran bat at the back end of the batting order. So far, he’s been anything but France has posted a 97 OPS+, meaning he’s below league average offensively and at a position where above-average offense is a requirement, not a luxury. Minnesota’s overall first base production sits at a 103 wRC+, good for 16th in MLB. That’s dead average, and average doesn’t cut it when you’re getting replacement-level work at third. What complicates the France situation is that, on paper, he appears to be producing. He ranks near the top of the team in RBI, but that’s more a function of hitting with runners in scoring position than actual offensive dominance. His underlying production, including exit velocity (36th percentile), barrel rate (47th percentile), and walk rate (10th percentile), all indicate a player who is no longer a middle-of-the-order threat. Options at First Base So, what do the Twins do? Josh Naylor is a familiar name to Twins fans after playing the last three seasons in Cleveland. He is a pending free agent for Arizona and has posted a 103 OPS+. However, his $10.9 million contract might be tough for the Twins to absorb, even though they would only be on the hook for a portion of that total. Other potential first-base options look bleak. But with third base being such a clear area of need, first base might be more of a “nice to upgrade” rather than a “must fix” situation unless the right opportunity presents itself. What’s the Priority? There’s no question: third base is Priority No. 1. The production there is actively hurting the team, not just failing to contribute. With no internal solution stepping forward, Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll will need to act. The key will be identifying a buy-low veteran or controllable bat who can provide stability and league-average offense. That alone would represent a sizable upgrade over the current crop of sub-replacement contributors. With the division race tight and the margin for error shrinking, the Twins can’t afford to let the trade deadline pass without action. They’ve built a strong enough foundation to compete, but it’s time to shore up the weak spots. And it all starts at third base. View full article

It's been interesting to see how the team has used Adams this year at Triple-A. He's on the 40-man roster so I expect that he will be called up at some point this year. I wrote about him in last week's Prospect Hot Sheet:

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Hunter Hoopes) The Twins continue to lean heavily on their bullpen at the big-league level, and as the season rolls into the summer months, it's worth keeping an eye on the next wave of arms making noise down on the farm. Development can be a winding road for relief prospects, but May offered several standout performances that could be signs of bigger things to come. Before we get into this month’s honorees, here are a few honorable mentions from the organization’s affiliates. Honorable Mentions - Jarret Whorff (Wichita): 3.18 ERA, 9 G, 17 IP, 15 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 20 K, 1.00 WHIP, .234 BA - Cole Percival (Cedar Rapids): 2.70 ERA, 9 G, 13.1 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 16 K, 1.43 WHIP, .250 BA -Paulshawn Pasqualotto (Cedar Rapids): 2.45 ERA, 8 G, 11 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 3 BB 11 K, 1.27 WHIP, .282 BA #4 - RHP John Klein, Wichita Wind Surge 2.25 ERA, 7 G, 20 IP, 21 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 29 K, 1.35 WHIP, .250 BA Klein, a Brooklyn Park native, went undrafted after attending Iowa Central Community College. Minnesota signed him in August 2022, and he’s steadily made his way through the Twins system over the last four seasons. The Wind Surge have been using him as a bulk man out of the bullpen and he posted some strong numbers in May including striking out 29 of the 90 batters he faced. So far this season, he has 50 strikeouts in 38 2/3 frames. He’s been facing older batters in 84.7% of his plate appearances this season and has held them to a .626 OPS. Klein must find a way to give up fewer base runners to make himself even more effective in a long relief role. #3 - Ruddy Gomez, FCL Twins/Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 0.79 ERA, 6 G, 11.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB 12 K, 0.79 WHIP, .189 BA Identifying relief pitchers in the rookie leagues is tough when pitchers are throwing limited innings. Gomez fits the reliever mold because he hasn’t started a game yet this season and the 25-year-old is significantly older than the competition in the lower levels. Minnesota signed him out of the independent leagues in April. In May, he collected four outs or more in every appearance and didn’t allow a run until his final outing of the month. On May 10, the Twins promoted him to Fort Myers for one appearance when there was a roster need and he pitched two shutout innings by allowing one hit. Gomez won’t appear on any prospect lists, but he’s an interesting story to follow. #2 - Cody Laweryson, Wichita Wind Surge 0.79 ERA, 10 G, 2 SV, 11.1 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 14 K, 3 BB, 0.97 WHIP, .205 BA The Twins selected Laweryson in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He was used as a starter earlier in his professional career but has settled into a relief role over the last four seasons. At 27 years old, he is over two years older than the average age of the competition in the Texas League. In 10 appearances this month, he didn’t allow an extra-base hit and held batters to a .484 OPS. It was quite the turnaround this month since his ERA was over 7.00 in April and batters had an .844 OPS against him. Wichita has been giving him save opportunities and he’s recorded multiple saves where he had to get more than three outs. His veteran experience can help the other young pitchers working their way through Double-A. Twins Minor League Reliever of the Month - Hunter Hoopes, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 0.00 ERA, 9 G, 11.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 17 K, 0.51 WHIP, .069 BA Hoopes pitched his final two collegiate seasons out of the bullpen at the University of Alabama. In parts of four college seasons, he posted a 7.51 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP, which didn’t exactly scream that he should be a draft prospect. Hoopes went undrafted and had to prove himself in the independent leagues. Minnesota signed him last July, but the 25-year-old didn’t make his professional debut until this season. Hoopes put it all together in May for an unbelievable month out of the Mighty Mussels bullpen. He was nearly unhittable as batters slashed .069/.222/.103 (.326) against him with two total hits against him. Fort Myers has been playing some close games and Hoopes is the team’s most reliable high-leverage arm. His final six appearances for the month came in the eighth inning or later and he pitched the ninth and tenth innings of two wins. Hoopes hasn’t allowed an earned run since April 25th and has only allowed earned runs in three appearances this season. If Fort Myers gets back in contention, they need to put a lot of hope in Hoopes. Part of the nature of being a reliever is working in small sample sizes in some of the highest leverage innings. There can be months where a pitcher is nearly perfect (like Hoopes) and other months where one appearance damages a player’s overall numbers. Three of these relievers are old for their level but they are making the most of the opportunity by putting up zeros when the game hangs in the balance. How would your ballot look for the Twins Minor League Relievers of the Month? Let us know in the comments. View full article

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Chris Paddack has been a revelation for the Minnesota Twins in 2025, delivering consistent performances that have bolstered the team's rotation. With nine of his last 10 starts yielding two or fewer earned runs, Paddack's resurgence is noteworthy. However, as the trade deadline approaches, the Twins face a pivotal decision: capitalize on Paddack's current form to address pressing offensive needs, or retain him for a potential postseason push. Paddack was acquired by the Twins in 2022 and made just five starts before his elbow gave out. After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in May 2022, Paddack's future was uncertain. Recognizing his potential, the Twins signed him to a creative three-year, $12.5-million extension in January 2023, securing his services through the 2025 season. This deal provided cost certainty and an opportunity for Paddack to reestablish himself after his recovery. In 2025, Paddack has not only returned to form, but become a linchpin in the rotation. His ability to limit runs and provide quality starts has been instrumental in the Twins' competitiveness. His 32.3% chase rate ranks in the 86th percentile among starters, and his fastball has been one of baseball’s most valuable pitches, worth 8 runs above average. Batters posted a .400 SLG against his four-seamer last season, and he’s dropped that total below .300 in 2025. However, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the organization must weigh the benefits of his current contributions against potential long-term gains from a trade. While Paddack's surface-level stats are impressive, a deeper dive raises questions about the sustainability of his success. His strikeout rate has declined to 18.7%, which is over four points lower than the MLB average this season. Other advanced metrics suggest he's benefitting from favorable batted-ball outcomes, with a .246 BABIP that's nearly 50 points below the league average. Such indicators suggest potential regression, making it imperative for the Twins to determine whether his current performance is a true reflection of his abilities or a temporary peak. It’s also important to note that other teams trading for Paddack will be aware of these numbers, too. Organizational Depth and Future Planning The Twins are fortunate to possess promising pitching talent in Triple A. David Festa, for instance, made three starts (13 innings) for the Twins earlier this year and posted a 1.38 ERA with 15 strikeouts and five walks. Festa dealt with a minor injury and missed a couple of turns in the rotation, but has come back strong. Over his last two appearances (8 2/3 innings), he has allowed one earned run on five hits, with 12 strikeouts and two walks. If not for his injury, he likely would have already been in the rotation over Zebby Matthews. Despite recent struggles leading to a demotion, Simeon Woods Richardson remains a key prospect with significant upside. He has made two Triple-A starts and allowed three earned runs in 12 innings with a 13-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s held batters to a .472 OPS during that stretch. Woods Richardson, Festa, and Matthews provide the Twins with flexibility. Should they choose to trade Paddack, these young arms could step into the rotation, gaining valuable experience and (hopefully) contributing to the team's success. Trade Considerations Trading Paddack isn't merely about offloading salary, because that salary would be useless for the front office (unless they were able to reallocate it to the roster at the deadline). Paddack’s name swirled in trade rumors this winter and indicated the Twins' interest in securing meaningful returns, rather than engaging in a mere salary dump. Given the current market, contending teams in need of pitching depth might offer an offensive asset in exchange. This is a tricky needle to thread, as it is tough to match up on trades exchanging big-league players for one another, especially during the season. However, MLB's expanded playoff picture means more teams are on the fringes of the playoff picture and looking for a boost. The decision to trade Paddack is multifaceted. While his recent performances have been stellar, underlying metrics suggest caution is warranted. Coupled with organizational pitching depth and the potential to bolster the offense, the Twins have compelling reasons to consider a trade. Ultimately, the move should align with the team's long-term vision, ensuring sustained competitiveness in the seasons to come. Should the Twins try to sell high on Paddack? Can they get anything for him? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge Welcome to the Twins Prospect Hot Sheet! We will take a weekly view of multiple players rising on prospect lists due to their recent performance. This could be some of the organization’s top-ranked prospects, but it could also be some under-the-radar names that are putting themselves on the prospect map. Let’s dive in and see who makes this week’s Hot Sheet. SS Kaelen Culpepper, Cedar Rapids Kernels The Twins selected Culpepper with the 21st pick in last June’s MLB Draft, from Kansas State University. He was coming off a strong junior season, during which he posted a .993 OPS while transitioning to shortstop after playing third base earlier in his collegiate career. After signing with the Twins, Culpepper started his professional career by going 11-for-37 (.297) with five extra-base hits in nine Low-A games. Minnesota promoted him to High-A to end the year, where he struggled with a .616 OPS and a 13-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Still, there were high hopes for him entering the season. Hitting the Hot Button: Culpepper missed a little time during the season’s first month with a right wrist strain, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down since returning. Over his last 32 games, he has hit .295/.400/.470 with six home runs and five doubles. He’s gone 11-for-13 in stolen base attempts during that stretch and recorded nearly as many walks (19) as strikeouts (26). He’s cut back on his strikeout rate compared to college, which was likely one of the reasons he fell to the Twins in the draft. The Kernels have also been using him at shortstop every day. The Athletic’s Keith Law updated his top 50 prospects last week, and Culpepper was ranked 45th overall. As Law said, “He’s an above-average shortstop who might get a little better with more consistency, and I might have undersold his bat a little on draft day.” LHP Connor Prielipp, Wichita Wind Surge Prielipp is a name familiar to Twins prospect fans, ever since the club took him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Fully healthy, he would have been a first-round pick, but he was returning from Tommy John surgery, raising questions about his durability. Sure enough, injuries have limited him to 30 total innings during his first two professional seasons. There was a lot of buzz surrounding Prielipp this spring, including his three pitches, all of which can be considered plus offerings. “It’s three 60s -- and the slider might be a 70,” Twins farm director Drew MacPhail said about Prielipp’s pitches on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. “He’s gotten a little slider-happy, which we understand because it’s so good. We want him to mix all three a little more evenly; the changeup is a real weapon. When he’s mixing all three, he’s pretty lethal.” Hitting the Hot Button: Like Culpepper, Prielipp was featured on Law’s updated top prospect list—in that case, as an Honorable Mention—making him a borderline top-100 prospect. The Twins have been careful with his workload this season, as he has yet to throw more than 55 pitches in a game and has pitched a maximum of four innings. Still, the results speak for themselves. He has a 32.1% strikeout rate, with a career-best 5.5% walk rate. Wichita placed Prielipp on its developmental list on May 24, a move that was expected and allows the team to control his innings this season. He returned on Sunday and pitched four shutout innings, with four strikeouts and one walk. There is a chance the Twins could move him to a bullpen role later in the year, if the big-league club needs a lefty with a potential triple-digit fastball and a great slider. (Quick, try to name a club that doesn't.) RHP Eli Jones, Fort Myers Miracle Jones may not be as familiar to fans as the other two players on this week’s Hot Sheet. Minnesota selected him in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB Draft, from the University of South Carolina. In his final collegiate season, he posted a 5.24 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP across 68 2/3 innings in the SEC. After signing last season, the Twins waited to have him make his professional debut until the 2025 campaign. He had pitched a career-high number of innings during his junior year, and the results didn’t match those of his sophomore season. It made sense to have him rest and be ready for the spring. Hitting the Hot Button: In April, Jones struggled to find his footing, as he allowed 12 earned runs in 22 innings with a 1.36 WHIP. His results have improved significantly since the calendar turned to May. In 21 2/3 innings, he has allowed nine earned runs (3.74 ERA) with a 21-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Batters posted a .656 OPS against him in the season’s first month, and he dropped that by over 100 points in May. In two of his last three appearances, he has compiled seven strikeouts in six innings or less. He’s a long way from Target Field, but his changes over the last month are certainly something to keep an eye on. Culpepper and Prielipp’s early-round draft status already places them among the best prospects in the Twins organization. However, their performance so far in 2025 is catching national attention, and they will likely start showing up on other lists later this summer. Both players have a chance to advance to the next level later this summer. Jones isn’t among the team’s top prospects, but he’s showing promising signs. The Twins have had success with developing pitchers taken in the later rounds, and Jones can fit this mold. Which prospect has seen their stock rise the most this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images When fans envision the modern game, it is one dominated by triple-digit four-seamers and knee-buckling offspeed pitches. However, Joe Ryan has never been one to follow the crowd. His fastball is emerging as one of the most valuable pitches in Major League Baseball this season. Despite a slight dip in velocity, Ryan has enhanced the effectiveness of his four-seam fastball, making it a cornerstone of his pitching arsenal. In 2025, Ryan's four-seam fastball boasts a +12 run value, ranking second in MLB behind only Houston's Hunter Brown. Only four four-seamers have been worth 10+ runs this season, and only three non-fastballs have met that threshold. Opponents are hitting just .168 against Ryan’s fastball, with a slugging percentage of .308. Last season, batters posted a .193 batting average and a .378 slugging percentage when facing his four-seamer. These metrics underscore the pitch's dominance and its critical role in Ryan's success this year. Increased Usage and Effectiveness Overusing his fastball was one of the biggest criticisms of Ryan in his early professional career. In the minor leagues, he could mow down batters with a fastball coming from a unique angle that was tough for hitters to square up. In recent years, he has focused on developing his secondary pitches, allowing him to rely less on his fastball, and the overall results have been effective. However, this season, there have been some strategic changes to his primary pitch. After reducing his fastball usage to below 50% for the first time in his career last season (48.3%), Ryan has reverted to relying on it more heavily in 2025, throwing it 56.4% of the time. This increased usage correlates with enhanced performance metrics, including a higher whiff rate (28.5%) and put-away percentage (26.2%), indicating that the pitch is more prevalent and effective in securing outs. Deceptive Mechanics Over Velocity Interestingly, Ryan's fastball has lost nearly a full mile per hour in velocity, averaging 93.1 mph compared to 94.0 last season. Last season’s Velo jump was a career-high, and this year’s velocity is still higher than what he averaged from 2021-23. Ryan dealt with a shoulder issue in the second half of last season, so the velocity decrease could be an attempt to keep his shoulder healthier. However, his velocity decrease hasn't hindered its effectiveness. Ryan's unique arm angle and consistent spin rate contribute to the pitch's deception, making it difficult for hitters to track and connect with. The pitch's movement with 13.4 inches of rise and 12.7 inches of tail, further enhancing its elusiveness. Ryan has changed his arm angle slightly this season with some other positive results. Last season, his arm angle was at 26 degrees, and this season, it is closer to 24 degrees. With the change, he is getting 5.0 inches more tail compared to 4.2 inches in 2024. In 2023, he was only getting 2.9 inches of tail with a 27-degree arm angle, pointing to how Twins coaches have continued to develop him at the big-league level. Ryan's success isn't solely due to the physical attributes of his fastball because his strategic use of the pitch also plays a significant role. He effectively elevates the fastball in the strike zone, disrupting hitters' timing and inducing swings and misses. This approach, combined with precise command, allows him to exploit hitters' weaknesses and maximize the pitch's impact. While the four-seam fastball is his primary weapon, Ryan's diverse pitch mix keeps hitters off balance, including a sweeper, split-finger, sinker, slider, and curveball. His sweeper, in particular, has shown increased horizontal movement this season, adding another layer of complexity to his pitching strategy. Last month, he threw one sweeper that may have been the best pitch in Twins history. His sweeper has a 40.7 Whiff% and a 21.4 Put Away%, making it a perfect pairing with his elite four-seamer. Ryan's four-seam fastball exemplifies how a pitch doesn't need overpowering velocity to be effective. Through strategic usage, deceptive mechanics, and precise command, Ryan has transformed his fastball into one of the most valuable pitches in baseball this season. As he continues to refine his approach, his fastball remains a key factor in his success and a testament to the art of pitching. Do you believe Ryan’s fastball is among baseball’s best despite the velocity drop? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn (Duran, Jax), Jesse Johnson (Varland)-Imagn Images We’re not even to the All-Star break, and the Minnesota Twins are already walking a tightrope when it comes to bullpen management. After a stretch of disappointing offensive output in the early months of the season, the Twins have found themselves in an exhausting cycle of close games. And when you play close games, you call on your best arms. Again and again. And again. The numbers tell the story: Louis Varland, in his first full season as a reliever, is tied for the most appearances in the American League with 28. However, that statistic doesn’t tell the whole story. Varland has logged more innings than the man he's tied with (Robert Garcia), and the workload raises fundamental questions about how long his effectiveness can last under these conditions. Then there’s the duo of Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, who are two of the best setup-closer combinations in baseball over the last two seasons. Both right-handers are just two appearances behind Varland, putting them in a tie for fourth in the league. Their recent dominance has been nothing short of essential for Minnesota, but the concern is less about what they’re doing now and more about whether they'll still be able to do it in August or, more importantly, October. The message is clear: Minnesota’s bullpen strategy is unsustainable unless something changes. A Necessary Evil So Far No one will argue that Duran, Jax, and Varland haven’t delivered when asked. In fact, they're a big reason the Twins have stayed afloat despite some underwhelming run production for much of the season. Duran is flashing his trademark 100+ mph heat again. Jax has looked like the bullpen ace since overcoming some early-season struggles. Varland has found new life in shorter stints, dialing up velocity and attacking hitters with a bulldog mentality (including actual barking in the bullpen). Since April 20th, Jax has led all AL relievers with 0.9 fWAR and 1.15 WPA. Duran is tied for sixth in fWAR (0.6) and has the ninth-highest WPA (0.86). (All stats through 5/29.) But here’s the problem: this isn’t a short-term fix anymore. It's become the day-to-day norm. And arms, especially in the bullpen, don’t operate on endless fuel. Even though relievers pitch fewer innings than starters, the grind of regular high-leverage situations, frequent warmups, and the mental strain of being “the guy” in pressure spots can wear down even the most durable pitchers. Varland is a prime candidate for this concern because he’s new to the role and has never experienced the daily toll that a full season of relief work entails. His arm isn’t used to the frequent ups and downs, both physically and mentally. For a Twins club with playoff aspirations, managing that wear and tear is going to be just as important as managing the win column in July. Who Else Can the Twins Trust? Unfortunately, that’s the tricky question. Brock Stewart, who looked like a revelation when healthy, hasn’t looked quite the same this year. In 11 1/3 innings, he has allowed five earned runs with 18 strikeouts and four walks. Whether it’s lingering physical issues or just regression to the mean, it’s clear the Twins haven’t seen the same dominance from Stewart that made him such a weapon over the last two seasons. Danny Coulombe, one of the team’s most trusted left-handers, is currently shelved with an injury after a strong start to the season. His absence is particularly felt against tough lefty matchups late in games, and it has further funneled opportunities toward the Duran-Jax-Varland trio. Cole Sands was one of the team’s breakout relievers last season, but he showed some early-season struggles in 2025. In his first 12 appearances (10 1/3 innings), he allowed five earned runs and had an 8-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In May, he seems to have turned the corner by allowing one earned run in 13 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk. He’s made 24 appearances in 2025, so his usage is also something to watch. Meanwhile, Jorge Alcala and Kody Funderburk are two pitchers who have yet to gain Rocco Baldelli’s complete trust. Funderburk took over the lefty role with Coulombe on the IL. He has shown some intriguing skills, but he’s often bypassed in close games. Alcala has struggled to find consistency over the last two seasons, having battled injuries earlier in his career. The bottom line is this: if Minnesota is going to ease the burden on its top bullpen arms, it either needs to start trusting those lower-leverage options in big spots or go out and find some new ones. The Offense Holds the Key Of course, there's another angle to this problem, and it's arguably the most straightforward: score more runs. The Twins' offense, to its credit, has shown flashes of life in recent weeks. Carlos Correa has looked more like himself, Kody Clemens has brought energy, and Brooks Lee has chipped in with quality at-bats. Matt Wallner and Byron Buxton are returning to the lineup, which could provide a boost, but inconsistency remains. Too often, the Twins have been locked into one or two-run games, which demand perfection from the bullpen night after night. Give Rocco Baldelli a few more four or five-run leads, and let's see Alcala or Funderburk take the mound in the eighth inning instead of Jax or Duran. It’s a domino effect that starts with the bats. There’s no doubt Baldelli is facing a tricky balancing act. You want to win today’s game, but you also need your best players available down the stretch. That’s the paradox of managing a baseball team through 162 games. Baldelli has often shown a willingness to play the long game, whether it’s resting position players, rotating catchers, or carefully managing workloads. However, this season's bullpen usage patterns suggest that the urgency to win now has taken precedence, and understandably so, given how tight the AL Central race is shaping up to be. But if Minnesota wants to be playing meaningful baseball in October, they need Duran, Jax, and Varland firing on all cylinders when they get there, not running on fumes. The Twins have two clear options: 1. Start trusting more bullpen arms in higher-leverage spots: That might mean giving Alcala or Funderburk a real shot to earn meaningful innings, even if it comes with some bumps along the way. It could also mean calling up a fresh arm from Triple-A or acquiring a midseason bullpen piece via trade. 2. Get more out of the offense: If the bats can put up bigger leads, the bullpen doesn’t need to be perfect every night. That means more power, more timely hitting, and better execution in situational spots. It’s not about becoming the 2019 Bomba Squad overnight. It’s about consistent, quality at-bats that keep the bullpen off the hook. Whatever the path, something has to give. The Twins can’t keep leaning on the same three relievers night after night and expect it to work indefinitely. If they don’t make some changes, this bullpen might burn bright for now, but there’s a real risk it burns out just when the Twins need it most. How can the Twins do a better job of managing the bullpen? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article