Just four months ago, the Minnesota Twins had an elite bullpen that included righties Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland and Brock Stewart and lefty Danny Coulombe. Because of the team's struggles and ownership's desire to shed payroll, the Twins traded all five of those relievers this past July. It's not as if they all are free agents now, either, with Coulombe being the only one of the bunch currently on the free agent market.
So, let's build the Twins' dream bullpen to return to the success the team's relievers had in the first half of the 2025 campaign.
Creating the dream Twins bullpen to return to late-inning domination on the mound
RHP Justin Topa
The Twins avoided arbitration with Topa by agreeing to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. Before the agreement, Minnesota declined Topa's $2 million option for 2026, giving him a $225K buyout.
Topa wasn't the Twins' best reliever by any means last season, but he proved he still belongs in an MLB bullpen. In 60 innings during the 2025 campaign, Topa had a 3.90 ERA (3.04 FIP) with an 18.3% strikeout rate, 6.7% walk rate and 47.7% ground-ball rate after throwing just 2 1/3 innings the season prior. If he remains healthy, he has the potential to be a late-inning arm.
LHP Kody Funderburk
Earlier in the 2025 season, it felt that Funderburk wouldn't be a Twin much longer. However, following the trade deadline, he allowed just two earned runs while collecting 28 strikeouts in 24 innings to finish the season. With no other lefty relievers on the 40-man roster, Funderburk will undoubtedly crack Minnesota's Opening Day roster unless he is injured.
RHP Eric Orze
The Twins made a solid move earlier in the month by acquiring Orze from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher Jacob Kisting. Orze, 28, had a 3.02 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 19 walks over 41 2/3 innings with the Rays this past season. He also had a 2.20 ERA in 28 2/3 innings in Triple-A during the 2025 campaign. He has a chance to pitch some big innings for the Twins next season.
RHP Cole Sands
Sands ended up being one of Minnesota's most counted-on bullpen arms after the trade deadline. He had a rough September, but still should be in the Twins' bullpen plans for next season. Since making his MLB debut with the Twins in 2022, Sands has posted a 4.19 ERA with 198 strikeouts, 57 walks and a .239 opponent batting average in 195 2/3 innings.
RHP Pierson Ohl
Overall, Ohl had a rough rookie season in 2025, posting a 5.10 ERA over 30 innings. However, he finished the season strong, hurling eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts over six outings to finish his season. Given how strongly he finished the year, he has a good shot at making the Opening Day roster.
LHP Danny Coulombe
The Twins should bring back Coulombe for a third time this offseason. He struggled after the Twins traded him to the Rangers, but he was dealing with shoulder fatigue. With Minnesota this past season, he dominated with a 1.16 ERA in 31 innings. Adding Coulombe on a one-year deal would help rebuild the bullpen, and the Twins could always trade him again if they are sellers at the trade deadline.
RHP Emilio Pagán
Pagán is another former Twin whom Minnesota should bring back. Projected by MLB Trade Rumors to receive a two-year, $16 million deal, Pagán could return to Minnesota with the expectation of being the team's closer. Last season with the Reds, he had a 2.88 ERA with 32 saves, 81 strikeouts and 22 walks in 68 2/3 innings.
One of these RHPs: Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson
As far as starting pitchers go, the Twins have Matthews, Festa, Woods Richardson, Joe Ryan, Pablo López, Bailey Ober, Mick Abel and Taj Bradley. They also have several starting pitchers in the minors ready to make the jump to the big leagues. The team could trade one or more of its starting pitchers this offseason in exchange for some young hitters. But even if it does, the rotation will still be crowded.
Injuries could also make the decision on who should be in the starting rotation easy for the Twins. But if not, moving a starter who has shown flashes of dominance, like Matthews, Festa or Woods Richardson, to the bullpen could turn into an All-Star-caliber reliever. Marco Raya, Andrew Morris and other minor league starting pitchers could also convert to relievers.