Call to the pen
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Minnesota Twins: Remaining moves to complete the offseason

By Nate Palmer

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 25: Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey of the Minnesota Twins looks on as new manager Rocco Baldelli speaks as Baldelli is introduced at a press conference at Target Field on October 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 25: Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey of the Minnesota Twins looks on as new manager Rocco Baldelli speaks as Baldelli is introduced at a press conference at Target Field on October 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Bullpen Help

All things considered, the Twins actually have a pretty good core of bullpen arms. If they had to start 2018 with the group they have it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world but it also wouldn’t seem to have them on track to be doing all they can do to supplant the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central as division champions.

Parker has 24 career saves under his belt and in 2017 put together a season with a 2.54 ERA, 2.71 FIP, and an 11.5 K/9. Taylor Rogers has developed into one of the better left-handed relievers in baseball after an unreal second half in which he posted a 0.94 ERA over 28.2 innings and a 11.0 K/9. Then there are the likes of veteran Addison Reed, Trevor May, and Trevor Hildenberger who all have experience closing out games as well.

That said the Twins are missing that one reliever to hand the ball over to as either a closer or that fireman type reliever. Reed was supposed to be that guy but there are questions surrounding him after his injury plagued 2018 so the Twins could still benefit from adding another reliever like that. Craig Kimbrel or Adam Ottavino would certainly fit that role, but both are looking for a big payday and will also likely choose a more certain contender than the Twins.

That doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare. The Twins have already been linked to Cody Allen who makes a lot of sense for the Twins if he could bounce back. Brad Brach is another name in that next tier of relievers that could make a lot of sense for the Twins after he finished 2018 with some strong innings for the Atlanta Braves.

Who may in many ways make the most sense for the Twins is left-hander Justin Wilson. He would provide another solid left-handed setup option next to Rogers. Even though Wilson hasn’t been quite as dominant in his past two seasons as earlier in his career he has still been a good reliever. In 2018 the lefty had a 29.2 K%, an 11.36 K/9, and an 11.5% swinging strike rate with the Chicago Cubs.

Wilson would be an upgrade over both Gabriel Moya and Andrew Vasquez who are likely the two vying for the second left-hander role in the Twins bullpen. Moya has also been employed as an “opener” leaving him more available for that role if the Twins added Wilson.

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