Twins should target at trade deadline to boost the bullpen as they prepare to land the ace
With a couple of additions at the deadline, the Twins bullpen could be lights out.
A good bullpen is one of the best weapons a baseball team can have, especially down the stretch and into the playoffs.
In the offseason, the Minnesota Twins made some moves to help strengthen their bullpen. They traded away Nick Gordon to bring in left-hander Steven Okert and added Josh Staumont from the Kansas City Royals. Both those moves have helped the Twins bullpen so far.
But not all the moves worked out so well. Jay Jackson was an offseason addition who is no longer with the team. According to Fangraphs, the Twins bullpen was ranked third going into the season but things have fallen off a cliff it seems — something that Minnesota needs to correct before it’s too late.
With a few trades at the deadline, though, they could be ranked first.
2 relievers the Twins should target to give them the best bullpen in the league
The Oakland Athletics are constantly rebuilding and are taking offers for some of their best players at the trade deadline.
Despite their willingness to sell, Miller would cost the Twins a lot, but it would be worth it.
The 25-year-old has been nearly unhittable this year, posting a 2.21 ERA, a 0.836 WHIP, and striking out 70 batters in just 40 2/3 innings. In addition to his fantastic numbers, he is not a rental, he’ll be under team control until 2030 and on a cheap contract.
To bring in Miller, the Twins will face a lot of competition but have the pieces to complete the deal. It would cost the Twins a couple top prospects, starting with Emmanuel Rodriguez and adding on from there. But it would give them the best bullpen in baseball for years to come.
The Twins already have Griffin Jax, who has been pitching at an All-Star level this season, Jhoan Durán, who is already one of the best closers in baseball, and good secondary pieces in Staumont, Okert, and Jorge Alcalá.
Miller would instantly give the Twins the star power to be the most feared bullpen in the league, as Miller has dominated some of the league’s best hitters.
In addition, it would help protect them from any potential injury issues that could arise. Miller would cost a pretty penny at the deadline, but young talent with team control doesn’t come available too often.
So far, through the first four months of the season, the Minnesota Twins have been good.
The playoffs, even another division title, look like a real possibility. Much to the frustration of fan, management seems unwilling to take on significant contracts or make major moves because of the financial situation.