The Twins have lined up a minor league deal with Germán Márquez, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, and Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports the right-hander will head to Triple-A St. Paul.
It’s a low-risk add for Minnesota, and one that comes with almost no financial downside. The Padres are still responsible for what remains of Márquez’s salary, so if the Twins eventually bring him to the majors, they would owe only the prorated league minimum for the time he spends on the roster.
Márquez is 31 and once looked like a steady big league starter. From 2017 through 2022, he piled up 975 1/3 innings, which ranked sixth in the majors over that stretch. His 4.38 ERA during those seasons doesn’t jump off the page, but that number came while he was making his home starts at Coors Field.
The last few years have gone badly. Tommy John surgery wiped out most of his 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
He returned to make 26 starts last season but struggled to a 6.70 ERA. San Diego took a chance on him this year with a one-year deal worth $1.75 million guaranteed, yet he managed a 5.26 ERA in 13 appearances before the club designated him for assignment and released him last week.
Minnesota’s rotation picture makes the move easy to understand. Joe Ryan just landed on the injured list and joined Pablo López, David Festa, Mick Abel and Mike Paredes there.
That leaves Taj Bradley, Connor Prielipp, Dean Kremer, Bailey Ober and Zebby Matthews in the current mix, with Kendry Rojas and Jack Anderson providing optionable depth. If the Twins run into another injury or need a spot starter, Márquez gives them another name to call.
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