As the calendar flips towards the new year, the Twins front office is notorious for its patient, value-driven approach. For Twins fans this means likely biding its time in the perennial "hurry up and wait" strategy. Particularly targeting bullpen arms and first base. This patience stems from a long-standing organizational philosophy of waiting until the market cools and player prices fall. A tactic that often leaves fans anxious but can yield cost effective acquisitions.
Bullpen Help
The need for bullpen depth in Minnesota is clear, with established pieces like Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax departed, the club has multiple reliever openings. High-leverage free agents like Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez came off the board quickly, but a substantial pool of experienced relievers remains available post-Winter Meetings. Target names that possibly fit the Twins include closer-caliber arms such asPete Fairbanks, or reliable late-inning options like Shawn Armstrong, Luke Weaver, or David Robertson. These pitchers represent the top tier of remaining talent, and their potential drawn-out unemployment is exactly what Minnesota's brass is monitoring, hoping for a significant price drop.
First Base
First base is hard to speculate this time of year. Names of Josh Bell, Rhys Hoskins or Ryan O'Hearn have been bandied about to add some punch into the line up. Perhaps a Luis Arraez reunion is a low percentage speculation if he were to go unsigned late into winter. There's a clear need to add some offense, it really comes down to affordability.
Speculation is challenging because the Twins' targets are often dictated by budget constraints and the eventual price drop. General Manager Derek Falvey has traditionally only handed out one-year deals for veteran relievers, with first base mirroring that philosophy the past few years. This strategy relies on capital depreciation and desperation setting in for agents and players in January and February.
While other clubs have already committed significant funds to secure their late-inning help, the Twins traditional role as a late mover forces a collective holding of breath for the fanbase. Waiting is the Twins signature enigma. Until then, the available names are just targets on a wish list, waiting for the front office to pounce when the price is finally right, upholding the frustrating, "Twins way" of conducting winter business.
Here's an update on the 2026 Minnesota Twins offseason transactions.