With Pablo López undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery today, the Twins would feel a lot better about their rotation if they added another starter. The Twins reportedly offered left-handed starter Framber Valdez a multi-year contract before he signed with the Detroit Tigers, so it isn't far-fetched to suggest Tom Pohlad and company could be considering adding to Minnesota's starting rotation.
Lucas Giolito, a former All-Star with the Chicago White Sox, is far and away the best starting pitcher on the free agent market. The righty posted 2.1 bWAR and a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts with the Boston Red Sox last season after missing the 2024 campaign due to undergoing a right elbow ulnar collateral ligament repair. If Giolito is willing to sign a one-year deal, the Twins should do their best to convince him to come to Minnesota.
If Giolito signs elsewhere, then Minnesota should consider reuniting with righty Zack Littell.
Zack Littell should be Twins' backup plan if they miss out on Lucas Giolitio
The Tampa Bay Rays traded Littell, who played for the Twins from 2018 to 2020, to the Cincinnati Reds at last summer's trade deadline. He had a 4.39 ERA with a 18.5% strikeout rate and 5.0% walk rate in 53 1/3 innings over 10 starts with Cincinnati. With Tampa Bay, Littell had a 3.58 ERA in 133 1/3 innings over 22 starts last season. He'd be a solid and likely affordable addition for the Twins, and he could convert to a long-relief role if needed.
Littell was a reliever when he was with Minnesota. He had an outstanding 2019 season, pitching to a 2.68 ERA in 37 innings across 29 outings during the regular season.
After a rough 2020 season with the Twins in which he allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings, Littell had a strong 2.92 ERA in 61 1/3 innings with the San Francisco Giants in 2021. He had a poor 5.08 ERA over 44 1/3 innings with the Giants in 2022, then landed on his feet with the Rays in 2023 after a brief stint with the Red Sox. The Rays converted the righty to a starter, and he flourished in that role. He had a 3.93 ERA in 87 innings over 26 outings (14 starts) with Tampa Bay in 2023 before posting a 3.63 ERA in 156 1/3 innings across 29 starts in 2024.
While Giolito is the best addition Minnesota could make to improve its pitching staff, adding Littell wouldn't be too bad either.