A Six-Pack of High-Impact Relievers to Consider for Twins – Twins

It seems unlikely that the Minnesota Twins will add help to their roster. Brooks Lee currently has an opportunity and Matt Wallner has been knocking on the door of a promotion for some time. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. could be considered and there is hope that Édouard Julien will eventually turn things around and return to the major leagues. Barring a catcher to replace Christian Vazquez, if it isn’t Jair Camargo, there aren’t many opportunities for upgrades.

The opposite is true in both the starting rotation and the bullpen. Both groups have weaknesses down low, and that’s probably where Derek Falvey should focus the vast majority of his energy and resources. Specifically in the relief corps, Minnesota needs an upgrade. Caleb Thielbar is not up to par. Cole Sands and Steven Okert remain fragile. Josh Staumont could see a big decline.

Here are six names to consider for the Twins:

Kenley Jansen (Red Sox)
This is arguably the least likely arm to be considered for a few reasons. First, even if they don’t win the division, the Red Sox are squarely in the wild-card race. Why they would trade their healthy closer remains unclear, but they’re apparently open to the idea. He’s also making $16 million this year, and while Minnesota would only have to pay a prorated portion of that, it requires owners to spend money. Jansen was a trade I liked before the season, though, and if he could be added to the high-leverage arm group that includes Griffin Jax and the current version of Jhoan Duran, sign me up.

Fernando Cruz (Reds)
If Cruz strikes you as a bit of a Jorge Lopez, I get it, but there are differences here. Yes, he’s older at 34 and has just over 100 major league innings under his belt. However, he has a track record of success as a reliever, unlike Lopez, and his secondary numbers are even better. Cruz is a strikeout machine, and while he’s under team control through 2028, there’s really no reason for the Reds to hang on to a reliever who won’t be there when they’re competitive. Cruz is a strikeout machine, costs the major league minimum, and would be a great addition for Rocco Baldelli. Given team control, though, he likely costs something like bringing back Cade Povich and Yennier Cano for Minnesota. For now, that could mean moving CJ Culpepper or Cory Lewis.

Kirby Yates (Rangers)
It may be presumptuous to expect the defending World Series champions to trade their services, but if the Rangers are still 10 games under .500 at the trade deadline, they might choose the more conservative route. Max Scherzer would be fun as a starter, and David Robertson works as a reliever, but both carry sky-high price tags. Yates, however, is only due $4.5 million this season, and he’s an impending free agent. With years of experience closing out, he’s currently putting up the best numbers he’s ever had as a major leaguer. A sub-1.00 ERA is backed by a dazzling FIP, and his strikeout rates remain strong. Yates is perhaps the most coveted reliever on the trade market, and that means the price will be high even if he is an aging veteran rental.

Andrew Nardi (Marlins)
This inclusion may be surprising, but look closer. With Thielbar struggling, a lefty could be a priority to pair with Okert and Kody Funderburk. Nardi isn’t eligible for arbitration until 2026, and he’s only 25, but the Marlins have no direction. He owns an inflated 5.12 ERA this season, but has a 2.53 FIP. He’s giving up hits in front of a terrible Miami defense. Last season, in 57 1/3 innings, Nardi had a 2.67 ERA. He records a bunch of strikeouts, has a 37% chase rate, and has consistently had a 13% whiff rate throughout his career. Sitting at 94 mph on his fastball, he’s not a soft pitcher, and throwing a slider more than 40% of the time, he’s in the Twins’ lane.

Yimi Garcia (Blue Jays)
Currently on the disabled list, the Twins will have to evaluate the Blue Jays reliever with caution or watch the Target Field faithful grab their pitchforks. In 28 innings this year, Garcia has posted a 2.57 ERA and has the highest strikeout rate of his career. Jordan Romano has been Toronto’s slugger, but Garcia has experience in that department as well. He’s in the final year of a $16 million contract and is only due a prorated portion of his $5 million salary. While he’s expected to pitch again soon, seeing Garcia back in action for a few weeks before the deadline would make him much more appealing.

Nick Mears (Rockies)
There are caveats to taking on any Rockies player, but Mears could be a prime candidate for a bargain buy. The 27-year-old right-hander owns a 5.92 ERA but a 2.79 FIP. He’s actually been terrible on the road, unlike his pitching role at Coors Field, but a better-equipped organization could be the key to unlocking his full potential. There’s no significant track record of success, and Mears can’t be the only pitcher Minnesota acquires, but he’d be a nice second addition to the group. Already blessed with a 96.7 mph fastball, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Minnesota push him into triple digits by the time he hits free agency in 2028.

The Twins should stay away from Mason Miller. He’s been great and it’s nice that the Oakland Athletics have something redeemable in them, but let someone else pay that price.

In your opinion, which names in this group intrigue you the most and why?