The Twins likely won’t be trading for a reliever, but here’s some good options if they do.
Given the oft-reported payroll constraints the Twins will be facing at the deadline, I don’t think it’s very likely there’s a reliever worth trading for at the deadline. Let’s get that part of the way first. However, that’s also a testament to the relative strength of the bullpen, even after Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have struggled in the past week.
The aforementioned relievers make up a strong end game pair. They’re supplemented by Jorge Alcala, who has reemerged as a late-inning option, and Brock Stewart, who has been elite in a Twins uniform. That group could get even better next week as Justin Topa is expected to return to the Twins after a successful rehab outing. Even their relievers in the next tier down, Cole Sands and Josh Staumont, have been surprisingly reliable. Put that all together and you have a bullpen that ranks 8th in reliever fWAR and ERA, 6th in FIP.
However, Sands and Staumont have been inconsistent, Brock Stewart has never remained healthy for more than a month at a time, and Justin Topa’s lingering knee issue isn’t going away. If they are confident in Lopez, Ryan, and Ober starting in the playoffs, Derek Falvey and Co. may find the cost to acquire relievers more palatable than starting pitchers. But any acquisition needs to clear what I’ll dub the “Cole Sands Bar of Competence” in order to be an upgrade.
Tanner Scott, LHP, Miami Marlins
You may have noticed that none of the good relievers I mentioned in the intro were their trio of lefties, Caleb Thielbar, Steven Okert, and Kody Funderburk. All have shown flashes, but none have been consistent enough to warrant high-leverage innings. If the Twins want to rectify that, the best reliever available at the deadline just happens to be left handed.
Scott’s high velocity fastball and high spin rate slider from the left side make him a Josh Hader-esque weapon that can get anyone out, but his surface level numbers aren’t quite as good as they seem. His 14.4% walk rate and low fly ball to home run ratio are asking for regression, but his 2.92 xERA is still strong, just not as shiny as a 1.24 ERA. The Marlins are having a fire sale, the only question remaining is where Scott ends up.
Kirby Yates, RHP, Texas Rangers
The ageless wonder has revived his career after health issues put it in question. A semi-strong bounce-back with Atlanta in 2023 put him back on track, and he’s been back to his dominant self with the Rangers this season. He began the season in lower-leverage innings, but since has surged to the top of their bullpen to the tune of a 1.22 ERA/2.12 FIP, 1.3 fWAR, and a staggering 35.7% strikeout rate in his second All-Star season.
Yates doesn’t have the strongest fastball anymore at 37-years-old, but it plays up when paired with his filthy splitter. He’s a veteran with closing experience, great numbers, good pitches, and a rental, meaning he would be cheap to acquire if Texas decides to sell.
Carlos Estevez, RHP, Los Angeles Angels
I can’t blame you if you’re unfamiliar with Estevez’s work. The Angel closer has been relatively anonymous throughout his career with the boring Colorado Rockies and incompetent Los Angeles Angels. The righty also has a bit of smoke-and-mirrors to his stats with his chase rate, average exit velocity, and ground ball rate all ranking toward the bottom of the league, but he would still easily slot in as the Twins’ third-best reliever behind Jax and Duran.
Estevez, like many relievers, relies almost exclusively on his fastball and slider, but will mix in a changeup every so often. And while he doesn’t get batters to chase, he has one of the best walk rates among relievers and generates a ton of in-zone whiffs with all three of his pitches. There’s plenty of ways to get it done in The Show.
Clears the “Cole Sands Bar of Competence”
The Rays are always looking to move relievers, and they have a few that could interest the Twins. Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam have been strong high-leverage options in recent years, though both have seen their stuff dip in 2024. Both are controllable through 2026, which can be good or bad depending on the Twins’ financial situation.
The White Sox have Michael Kopech and John Brebbia, both of whom have bad surface numbers but things to like under the hood. Paul Sewald was the catalyst to the Diamondbacks’ World Series run last year. Andrew Chafin of the Tigers is a competent lefty who is seemingly dealt at every trade deadline. Another potential lefty upgrade is Miami’s AJ Puk, who has inflated numbers due to a failed attempt at starting to begin the season. His ERA is below 2 since moving back to the ‘pen. Yimi Garcia has elite stuff and should be cheap to acquire.
If that Twins want to get creative, the Dodgers have shown a willingness to do that in the past with the Twins and are in desperate need of outfielders. They have a trio of vets in Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen, and Evan Phillips who would be clear upgrades for the Twins if they’re willing to part with Max Kepler and a wild card on the complex.
A final list of names to rattle off that I’m less excited about but I think would still clear the bar: Aroldis Chapman (PIT), Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC), Kyle Finnegan (WAS), Lucas Erceg (OAK), TJ McFarland (OAK).