Twins Bullpen: A Deep Dive into the 2026 Season Outlook
As we gear up for the 2026 MLB season, the Twins find themselves in a challenging position with their bullpen. According to FanGraphs, they're projected to finish 20th in fWAR, a significant drop from last year. This shift leaves the Twins searching for answers, especially after losing key relievers like Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, and Louie Varland.
The Good: Experience and Potential
Despite the grim projections, there's a glimmer of hope rooted in experience. Taylor Rogers and Liam Hendriks, once stalwarts in the league, bring a wealth of knowledge and past success.
Andrew Chafin, with a career 3.35 ERA over 12 years, adds to this seasoned mix. Anthony Banda, Justin Topa, and Eric Orze have also shown promise with sub-four ERAs in recent seasons.
The Twins are banking on this depth of experience to pay off, especially under the guidance of their new bullpen coach, LaTroy Hawkins. Hendriks, although a wild card due to recent health issues, has shown flashes of his former self, with a fastball touching the mid-90s. If he and Cole Sands can stay healthy and effective, the Twins could shore up a bullpen that currently lacks impact righties.
On the left-handed side, the Twins appear better equipped. Rogers, Chafin, and Banda bring a mix of results and experience, particularly in high-leverage situations. Banda's impressive performance with the Dodgers last year, including a 96 MPH fastball, makes him a key player to watch.
The Bad: Concerns and Challenges
However, there are reasons these veterans were available on minor-league contracts or low-cost MLB deals. Rogers, Hendriks, and Chafin, despite their past achievements, face challenges.
Rogers' ERA was respectable last year, but his FIP tells a different story, marred by control issues and a high home run rate. Chafin, Banda, and Orze have also struggled with control, which could undermine their potential contributions.
This year's bullpen mix has only one reliever, Sands, projected by FanGraphs to post a WAR above 0.4. In contrast, last year saw seven Twins relievers surpass that mark. The departure of proven talents like Durán, Jax, and Varland underscores the risk Minnesota took at last year's trade deadline.
The Future: Development and Patience
The Twins are hopeful about developing future bullpen stars from a promising group that includes Kody Funderburk, David Festa, and others. While the potential is there, the process is anything but straightforward. Patience and perseverance will be key as these young arms find their footing.
In the short term, the Twins' bullpen is unlikely to be a strong suit, which could impact their competitiveness and force difficult decisions at the trade deadline.
The Bottom Line
The Twins' bullpen transformation from a strength to a potential weakness is evident. While long-term benefits may emerge from their recent moves, the immediate outlook is challenging.
The Twins will need their veteran relievers to defy the odds and contribute significantly if they're to navigate the early part of the season successfully. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how this bullpen evolves and whether it can rise to the occasion.