After a ho-hum start to offseason acquisitions, the bullpen still has to be addressed. Following the 2025 trade deadline, which saw the departure of core high-leverage arms, the bullpen currently resembles more of a blank slate than a solidified depth chart. On the free agent front, Derek Falvey is likely to revert to their Twins value mining strategy, targeting high upside veterans on short-term prove-it or bounce-back deals with versatile arms and specific analytical traits. Among the available free agents, four names stand out as logical fits for Minnesota’s current profile.
Scott Barlow
At the top of the priority list is Barlow, as he represents the "goldilocks zone" of free agent relievers' salary and profile. He possesses closing experience (59 career saves) without the premium price tag of an elite, Tier 1 flamethrower. Possessing a four-pitch mix with a nice sweeper, he would be a quality addition. For a Twins team that finished 2025 without a defined ninth-inning solution, Barlow offers immediate professional stability. He fits the profile of a veteran who can stabilize a young clubhouse on a one-year deal while potentially serving as a valuable trade chip if the season goes south.
Jakob Junis
Complementing a potential closer like Barlow is Junis, a pitcher who embodies the Twins' need for a high-leverage pitcher late in games. Junis has successfully reinvented himself as a multi-inning weapon, utilizing a nice slider and elite control. His ability to bridge the gap between a young starting rotation and the late innings, paired with his recent sub-3.00 ERA, makes him a high-floor acquisition that safeguards the middle of the game.
Tommy Kahnle and Lucas Sims
In the bounce-back category and for late-inning upside, both present intriguing opportunities. Kahnle, despite being 36, still boasts one of the most devastating changeups in baseball. After a turbulent 2025, he is a prime candidate for a low-risk, high-reward contract. Similarly, Lucas Sims offers the high spin rates and swing-and-miss profile that Minnesota's analytics department covets and likely comes at a lower cost after a shaky 2025 season. Last season, Twins relievers often struggled to put hitters away. Sim's potential ability to generate whiffs would provide a much-needed boost.
Ultimately, the Twins' 2026 success hinges on their ability to turn young up-and-comers and mid-tier veterans into a cohesive unit. By targeting Barlow, Junis, Kahnle, and Sims, Minnesota could efficiently spend its limited resources to transform a "torn down" bullpen back into a competitive asset.