If the Twins want to be competitive, though, this front office has to find a way to bulk up Rocco Baldelli’s bullpen. Last year, a handful of rookies established themselves as realistic big league options. Still, to bet on David Festa , Zebby Matthews and Simeon Woods Richardson would expose 2025 to the same lack of depth dangers as 2024.
Anthony DeSclafani was a throw-in from the Jorge Polanco trade. Had he been healthy, the 34-year-old could have, at the least, provided veteran depth to the rotation. There are a lot of free agents, like Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Andrew Heaney, who could offer different levels of intrigue, this offseason. But there are three names hitting the market who would offer more upside and a better fit.
It’s (finally) Yusei Kikuchi time for the Minnesota Twins
Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
There is no pitcher that has been a hotter name when it comes to recent Twins interest than that of Yusei Kikuchi . The former Toronto Blue Jays starter was dealt to the Houston Astros for an absolute haul. Minnesota was interested in his services , but probably intelligently, didn’t pay that freight.
Now a free agent, Minnesota can simply pay Kikuchi. They were interested in doing so before he signed with the Blue Jays and could resume those intentions. Kikuchi is going to get something around $15 million per year, and it’s going to be a multi-year deal. That probably takes him out as a realistic possibility for the Twins, but maybe he’s the player they make an exception for.
Kikuchi posted incredible numbers down the stretch with the Astros. That should have been expected given his advanced metrics. Minnesota could help to massage that same sort of production.
Twins could resurrect a healthy Walker Buehler
There was a time Walker Buehler was one of the best young prospects in baseball. He is now 30 years old and has pitched just 140 1/3 innings since 2021 . Health has been a problem, and so too has effectiveness. He owns a 4.75 ERA across that stretch.
Buehler dealt with hip issues in 2024 and was shelled against the San Diego Padres during the National League Division Series. The totality of his situation will certainly limit his earning potential this offseason. Paid just over $8 million this year, he is a perfect candidate for a pillow contract. A one-year deal to get right could help to get him paid on a long-term deal in 2026.
If the Twins can get Buehler for something close to $10 million next season, he would be a near-perfect addition to the rotation. There’s a significant amount of risk, but he has the upside of a Cy Young candidate.
How about Matthew Boyd to Minnesota?
It’s weird to think that Matthew Boyd has legitimate value in the year 2025, but here we are. After being a realistic trade chip for years with the Detroit Tigers , Boyd was never moved and wound up being bad. He signed a minor league deal with Cleveland this year, and earned the starting nod in a decisive Game 5 ALDS matchup .
Boyd owned a 2.72 ERA across eight starts for the Guardians this season. He struck out batters at a high clip once again, and he has never allowed fewer home runs. The reality is that an eight-start sample is probably too small to earn a massive payday, but he’s going to get a shot somewhere. Boyd would give Minnesota a left-handed starting option, and he obviously knows the division well.
Of the three names mentioned, Boyd represents the lowest ceiling and lowest floor. That makes him a risk, but his price tag shouldn’t be substantial either. Boyd has made more than $6.5 million in a season just once during his 10-year career.
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