Minnesota Twins Need No. 1: Bullpen Help
The Twins’ biggest need is crystal clear and has been for a little bit, but after last year, it became even more so. The team has to fix the bullpen, and as of right now, the team only has Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, and Griffin Jax as real options for next season.
Jorge Lopez will be back, but there’s a 50/50 chance that he returns to his All-Star level. Jovani Moran is phenomenal and a lefty, but his walk rate is through the roof. Trevor Megill, Cole Sands, Emilio Pagan, Cody Stashak, and Danny Coulombe are all options, but instead, the team needs to upgrade the slots.
Rocco likes to use Duran as a moveable reliever instead of a closer, but if the team is going to do that, they need to find a legitimate ninth inning arm to install in the closer role. They could also use some more reliable help so that the team doesn’t have to rely so heavily on that group of top arms.
A reunion with Taylor Rogers would offer a cheap lefty with some potential, but the team should go all out in their spending both at shortstop and here, bringing in at least two big-money relievers to try and shore up the area.
The teams that win championships in baseball all have stellar bullpens, groups that are deep with at least two legitimate weapons. With Duran, the Twins have one, and while Alcala could be one, they’d be best served by adding more talent here.