For as slow as this offseason has felt for the Minnesota Twins, consider that at this point last year, the Twins had yet to sign Harrison Bader, Danny Coulombe or Ty France, their most significant moves of the offseason. All three signings came in February, in the days leading up to spring training.
In just two weeks, the Twins will gather once again in Fort Myers, Fla., but at TwinsFest, the team’s annual fan convention, club officials acknowledged there’s still work to be done this offseason, particularly in the bullpen.
Kody Funderburk #55 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning of game two of a doubleheader at Comerica Park on April 13, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Duane Burleson / Getty Images)
The Twins added first baseman Josh Bell and catcher Victor Caratini in free agency. They also reunited with left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers on a one-year deal.
They have made smaller roster additions, as well, such as a minor trade for reliever Eric Orze. But a bullpen that was stripped down at last year’s trade deadline remains an area of concern.
For president of business and baseball operations Derek Falvey and general manager Jeremy Zoll, there is time to tweak.
“For better or worse, (they) have a history of adding pieces late,” new executive chair Tom Pohlad said. “I’m sure you are going to continue to see that. We know that we have to continue to improve the bullpen, and we’re going to continue to be opportunistic about creative pieces that can improve this team across the field.”
Zoll acknowledged he and Falvey feel they have the financial flexibility to add players, though many of the top free-agent relievers already have inked deals. He also mentioned trade opportunities and noted he felt the trade market was starting to “open up more as some of the dominoes are falling across the rest of the league.”
“I think that feels like the most obvious opportunity for us to find ways to raise the floor and improve the club, so we’ll keep working on that and figure it out,” Zoll said of adding to the bullpen.
The bullpen became offseason need No. 1 after last year’s trade deadline when their top five relievers — Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Louie Varland, Brock Stewart and Danny Coulombe — were sent to contending teams as part of a massive sell off in which the front office shipped off 11 players.
With Rogers now in the mix along with fellow southpaw Kody Funderburk, who should have a leg up on a spot after a strong end to last season, adding a right-hander — or possibly multiple — to join the likes of Cole Sands and Justin Topa seems to be a particular focus.
Aside from trades and free agency, the Twins have been having ongoing conversations about which starting pitchers could be potential bullpen candidates. That’s a path that has produced some of the best Twins relievers in recent years, including Rogers, Duran and Jax. Prospect Connor Prielipp is a name that is often talked about possibility for that.
“I think we’ve shown the ability to build bullpens well in the past in creative ways and different ways,” Zoll said. “They can look like really strong bullpens in a lot of different configurations and how you allocate resources there. So I’m looking forward to working through that.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Topa #48 of the Minnesota Twins reacts as he exits the field after pitching to the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at Target Field on September 03, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The White Sox defeated the Twins 4-3. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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