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The Twins should always be looking to bolster their relief corps, even if the additions aren’t destined to see many high-leverage opportunities. It could take some time before they pay off, but could these three recently non-tendered arms be worthwhile additions on minimal commitments? Image courtesy of © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK Twins decision-makers have never been keen on paying top dollar for the best relievers on the market, and this off-season appears to be no exception. While the top of the free-agent class features high-caliber options such as Josh Hader and Hector Neris, the Twins are likely to seek complementary arms to their current group on one-year or non-roster deals. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Multi-year commitments to relievers have a strong tendency to come back and bite the team who signs them, even if the immediate impact of an addition appears enticing. The Twins have a spotty track record when it comes to bringing in sufficient depth to last a full season, but there’s no denying the fact that they have hit on some underappreciated arms who subsequently turned into bullpen buzzsaws for them. From Caleb Thielbar to Matt Wisler to Brock Stewart, the current front office has been able to identify talent in the off-season scrapheap in recent years. Some in this class of player might need some tweaks, whether it be mechanically or through modifying their pitch repertoire, but the upside is waiting to be tapped into. If these experiments fail to deliver fruitful results, the commitment should be minimal enough to be able to cut bait without much blowback. Here are three recently non-tendered pitchers who could be interesting pickups for the Twins as they seek low- and medium-leverage arms for 2024 (and beyond). Lou Trivino The former Oakland setup guy underwent Tommy John surgery in early May, so it’s hard to know how a team like the Twins would evaluate his potential value. He won’t have any impact in the first couple months of the season, but Trivino has a solid track record in the majors and has been a bullpen mainstay for the A’s and Yankees since debuting in 2018. Over his last three seasons, the veteran righty carried a 3.76 ERA through 150 ⅔ innings, with an encouraging 9.6 K/9. He did have a walk rate that hovered around 10%, which should be cause for concern, especially after coming off of elbow surgery. Trivino uses a heavy sinker that he was able to throw for strikes consistently and that averaged more than 95 MPH before the operation. He used a handful of other pitches, including a cutter, four-seam fastball, changeup and a rarely-thrown curveball. What might interest the Twins most is his development of a slider in early 2022, before being traded to New York. The pitch achieved good results in a small sample. Then, the Yankees pumped its usage up substantially with a great outcome (41.7% whiff rate after the trade). If the Twins can reel Trivino in on a team-friendly deal, whether that means a minor-league contract with an invitation to Spring Training or a very affordable major-league guarantee, he could be a worthwhile project. Maybe they could simplify his pitch mix by having him focus on that slider and just one fastball, as they have with other success stories in the past. He'll become a free agent again next winter if only signed for a season, as he has no extra years of team control remaining. If he's amenable, the best move might be a two-year pact that guarantees him a bit more money but gives the Twins a chance to get a full season from him in 2025, should things go well. Derek Law As an old flame of the Twins, Law pitched 74 ⅓ innings across the last two years since leaving Minnesota, with a 3.74 ERA and handful of unappetizing parts under the hood. He had pedestrian strikeout numbers (7.5 K/9), a high-risk walk rate (10.2%) and a 4.77 expected ERA (xERA, derived from walks, strikeouts, and batted-ball data), but was able to avoid greater damage thanks to his ability to induce weak contact. Law’s 87-MPH average exit velocity allowed was among elite company across baseball, as opponents were limited to a 4.8% Barrel rate. We know the Twins have had interest in Law in the past, so the appeal might still be there, especially on a minimal commitment. Like with Trivino, the club could try to simplify the 33-year-old righty’s pitch mix. That could entail ditching his cutter, which has been his primary pitch for the last two years but has yielded lackluster results. Law could instead pair his plus slider with his four-seam fastball, which had far superior expected results in 2023 (.178 xBA, .272 xSLG). He threw six pitches last season, which is at least two more than he needs. Simplifying things could further unlock him, and he's already joined the fraternity of relievers who find their best velocity in their 30s, so the profile gets interesting in a hurry. Law might not raise the ceiling of the Twins’ bullpen, even if he pans out, but he could help raise the floor in low-leverage spots. Penn Murfee The last name on this list looks like it was simulated by MLB The Show, but might be the most intriguing one of the bunch--or it was, until Atlanta signed Murfee to a big-league deal Wednesday night. Murfee’s lack of notoriety probably comes from the veil of playing on a West Coast club, where he succeeded in mostly low-pressure relief opportunities for the Seattle Mariners. But the 29-year-old righty’s run ended in June when he succumbed to a torn UCL, requiring Tommy John surgery. Thus, Murfee was dropped by Seattle, and subsequently picked up and dropped by the Mets and Braves. After Atlanta non-tendered the Vanderbilt product in order to avoid paying him all season while he navigates the risky rehab and return process, the two parties got back together on a split contract. Murfee will make one salary while he's in the big leagues, and another, lower one if and when he needs to be optioned to the minors. Whereas many other teams (including the Twins) might have wanted him on a minor-league deal, Atlanta used their wide-open 40-man roster to their advantage and guaranteed him a spot. Murfee’s fastball sat around 88-89 MPH over the last few years, but he made up for it with a wicked sweeper that he used as his primary offering. That high-spIn pitch helped limit opponents to an anemic .177 batting average, and could be the kind of offering that the Twins’ front office loves. We already know they like guys who can give opponents unusual looks, and the lanky, sidewinding Murfee certainly does that. Since he's no longer available, maybe the Twins could turn to submariner Adam Cimber to provide that unique angle. The Blue Jays non-tendered Cimber after a rough 2023, but no reliever who was non-tendered has a more robust track record in MLB. Unlike Murfee, Cimber would almost certainly require a straight-up big-league deal, but it's likely to be a small one. What do you think? Should these non-tendered pitchers be of interest to the Twins? Who else would you rather see them chase in free agency? Let us know what you think in the comments, and as always, keep it sweet. View full article

On Friday night, Major League Baseball teams were forced to make decisions on their arbitration-eligible players for the upcoming 2024 season. The Twins had seven candidates outstanding, and tendered contracts to all of them. Many other players became free agents and can now be considered as potential additions. Image courtesy of Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Derek Falvey will again look to build Rocco Baldelli a roster flush with depth. After the 2022 season saw the Twins fade down the stretch due to injuries, it was notable depth that provided Minnesota with staying power en route to an AL Central title last year. There has been plenty of talk about how the payroll will shake out with decreased television revenues, and other cast-offs could provide options for the Twins. The landscape of non-tendered players included former first round picks and plenty of big names. Not all of them are fits for Minnesota, but while looking for starting pitching, a bat, and centerfield help, a few could make sense. Here are ten names to think about: Spencer Turnbull - RHP Minnesota knows Turnbull well as he has spent the entirety of his career with the Detroit Tigers. He underwent Tommy John surgery and did not pitch in 2022. Throwing just 31 innings across seven starts last year, he posted an ERA north of 7.00. From 2019 through 2021, however, Turnbull owned a 4.13 ERA with a 3.67 FIP. His 8.5 K/9 was respectable, and his 3.5 BB/9 kept him out of trouble. Turnbull isn’t a dominant arm by any means and doesn’t come close to replacing Sonny Gray’s production, but he could be an excellent back-end depth option for the rotation. Command is generally the last thing to return post-elbow surgery, and if he goes back to being stingy against the long ball, that’s a usable arm. Austin Meadows - OF Acquired by the Tigers from Tampa Bay for Isaac Paredes, Meadows is a former 9th overall pick and a one-time all-star. He played only 42 games in Detroit battling against both physical and mental health issues. A change of scenery could be a big boost for him, and he was wildly productive from 2019 through 2021 with the Rays. His 125 OPS+ in that stretch would work well in any lineup. Meadows is more of a corner outfielder than an option in center, and he is left-handed, but there are plenty worse dice rolls a team could make on a low-cost deal. Juan Yepez - UTIL One of the youngest players to be non-tendered this offseason, Yepez hasn’t yet reached arbitration and has an option remaining. He’s a right-handed bat that can play in the outfield and is also a first base option. After posting a 109 OPS+ two years ago in his first 76 games for the Cardinals, he got just 28 games of action last year. At Triple-A this past season, Yepez posted a .736 OPS. He’s not a huge power threat, but he should be reliable for double-digits in a full-time utility role. Mike Ford - 1B/DH The former Yankees slugger was a late bloomer and didn’t make his rookie debut until he was 26. His 137 OPS+ across 50 games in 2019 put him on the map, but Ford has never again flashed that production. In 2022, he split 50 games between the Giants, Mariners, Braves, and Angels while producing just a 77 OPS+. Seattle gave him significant run last year, playing in 83 games, and Ford rebounded with a solid 122 OPS+. He hit 16 homer runs last season for the Mariners, and while he’s not at all a batting average guy, he takes enough walks to support a passable OBP. Ford can handle first base as a left-handed bopper but is better suited for the designated hitter role. Rowdy Tellez - 1B/DH After three seasons with the Brewers, Milwaukee decided that Tellez was expendable. His 153 games in 2022 produced a 113 OPS+ and was propped up by 35 homers. Last year, he played in just over 100 games, and the dip to an 82 OPS+ largely reflected the lack of power production. Tellez hit only 13 long balls last season and has continued to put up poor on-base numbers. Tellez is also left-handed and is not someone you want to play at first base for any significant stretch of time. If the home run production had continued, he probably wouldn’t have found himself without a deal. Without the power though, his benefit to any offense is limited. Daniel Vogelbach - 1B/DH There is very clearly a theme in the type of player that finds themselves on the outs when it comes to non-tender time. Vogelbach is very similar to Ford and Tellez while having also played for the Mariners and Brewers. The New York Mets cut ties with Vogelbach after playing him for 159 games the past two seasons. Vogelbach was above league average last season with a 104 OPS+, but he hit just 13 home runs in 104 games. Vogelbach is left-handed as well, and with Pete Alonso at first base for the Mets, he didn’t make an appearance in the field. Dakota Hudson - RHP A former first round pick for the Cardinals, Hudson will be 29 years old in 2024. After owning a 3.14 ERA through his first 249 2/3 major-league innings, Hudson posted a 4.64 ERA across 221 innings the past two seasons. His peripherals aren’t anything to get excited about, and the strikeout numbers make it difficult for him to see a high level of success. Utilizing him as an option for the fifth rotation spot, or even as a sixth candidate in a long-man role, could be of some benefit. Realistically, Hudson may be a better fit as an innings eater for a bad team. Lou Trivino - RHP Just a couple of years removed from compiling 22 saves as the Oakland Athletics closer, Trivino didn’t pitch at all for the Yankees in 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. New York traded for him in 2022, and he posted a 1.66 ERA after leaving the Athletics. He is now 32 years old, but if he’s worked his way back from the surgery, he could be a great pickup for a bullpen. Trivino has pitched in high-leverage spots previously, and while he wouldn’t supplant Jhoan Duran for the Twins, slotting in the group of Griffin Jax, Caleb Thielbar, and Brock Stewart is an exciting possibility. Adam Cimber - RHP Another familiar name as he has pitched in the AL Central for the Cleveland Guardians, Cimber had his first truly poor year for Toronto in 2023. Cimber dealt with a shoulder issue last season that shelved him for a good amount of the year. He pitched in just 20 2/3 innings, and the shoulder impingement never allowed him to pitch after June 18. He did begin a rehab assignment before the end of the year, and an entire offseason should allow him an opportunity to get healthy for 2024. He’s more deception than dominance, but there’s a usable middle-relief arm here if he’s right. Brandon Woodruff - RHP Scheduled to make roughly $11 million in arbitration for 2024, Woodruff is easily the biggest name to hit free agency. It’s not that he isn’t a dominant pitcher when healthy, but there are real questions about whether he’ll ever be healthy again. Woodruff underwent a capsule procedure in his throwing shoulder, which will be a substantially more uncertain return than someone returning from an elbow issue. He is an ace-level arm if and when he’s healthy, so taking a risk on a multi-year deal makes some sense. No one should expect him to throw in 2024, but if the Twins want to risk throwing away money, the come-up in 2025 and beyond may be massive. Which non-tendered free agent are you most interested in the Twins targeting? Is there someone you’d prefer them to avoid completely? View full article

On Monday, we identified three realistic free agent targets for the Minnesota Twins’ bullpen. Today, we’ll focus on three realistic reliever trade targets. Trades are a good route for baseball teams to acquire talent in that they can bring back quality players at a cost-controlled rate that free agency can’t offer. While there is a good argument for why the Minnesota Twins should avoid making a trade this offseason, the three relievers below figure to bring value to the Minnesota Twins without costing much prospect capital to be acquired. Target #1: Chris Stratton, Pittsburgh Pirates After struggling in a starting pitcher role over the first few years of his career, Stratton moved into a reliever role full time after being acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019. Since that time, Stratton owns a 3.69 ERA and 9.9 K/9 in 156 innings. Stratton is a ground ball pitcher who has found success with high spin rates on his fastball and curveball, landing in the 99th and 98th percentile on those respective pitches, the type of reliever who can come into jams with runners on and get out of them with double plays. The right hander still boasts two more years of team control via arbitration. Target #2: Cole Sulser, Baltimore Orioles Hiding on the lowly Orioles, Cole Sulser was quietly one of the better relievers in the American League in 2021. In 63 innings last season, Sulser posted a 3.71 ERA with a K/9 of 9.3 while walking just over three batters per nine innings. The righty boasts an impressive changeup, which allowed him to neutralize left handed hitters last season, allowing them to hit just .186 on the year. Sulser is still pre-arbitration, which means he will come with an affordable price tag over the next handful of seasons. Target #3: Lou Trivino, Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics are reportedly open for business as they look to shed salary and right handed reliever Lou Trivino is one of their more intriguing names. In 72 1/3 innings last season, Trivino posted a 3.18 ERA and showed that he has the chops to close ball games, earning 22 saves. While Trivino doesn’t have big time strikeout numbers (9.0 career K/9), he does throw a fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s and specializes in limiting contact, with an opponent exit velocity of just 87.4 MPH. Trivino is set to earn about $3M in 2022 and still has two more years of arbitration after that, making him an intriguing trade target for the Twins. Which of the above names would you be most interested in seeing the Twins go after in a trade? Are there any other potential trade targets not listed? Leave a comment below and start the conversation! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article