As the MLB offseason winds down, most of the big names have found homes-but there are still a few impact arms left on the board. At the top of that list?
Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen. And while the next tier includes veterans like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito, it’s clear that this winter’s free-agent pool is still deep when it comes to starting pitching.
For the Minnesota Twins, though, that’s a bit of a paradox. Starting pitching has been the foundation of their roster the past two seasons-led by Pablo López and Joe Ryan, who’ve given the club a legitimate one-two punch at the top of the rotation.
It’s the one area of the roster that hasn’t crumbled under pressure. So on the surface, chasing another starter might not seem like a priority.
But here’s the thing: when you’re trying to go from good to great, you don’t just plug holes-you build on your strengths. And if the Twins want to take a serious step forward in 2026, adding another high-end arm could be the move that gets them there.
Right now, Bailey Ober is penciled in as the No. 3 starter. But after an up-and-down 2025 that saw him struggle with both injuries and command, it’s fair to wonder how much the Twins can count on him to be a consistent presence.
Slotting in a proven starter ahead of him would push Ober into a more manageable role and give the team valuable depth. That’s especially important considering the Twins are leaning on a group of young, controllable arms who may need more seasoning-either in the bullpen or down in Triple-A St.
Paul.
Enter Framber Valdez.
At 32, Valdez isn’t just experienced-he’s reliable. A two-time All-Star who’s averaged nearly 200 innings over the past four seasons, he’s the kind of durable, high-impact arm that can transform a rotation. Zac Gallen may be just as steady, but Valdez offers a rare combination of volume and dominance that could elevate Minnesota’s pitching staff from solid to elite.
And that’s the key. The Twins aren’t likely to slug their way to a division title this year.
Their offense, as it stands, looks average at best. But if they can become one of the best run prevention teams in the league, they’ve got a real shot in the AL Central.
A front three of Valdez, López and Ryan in October? That’s a group that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
Of course, a move like this depends on more than just fit-it depends on cost. Valdez entered the offseason hoping for a long-term, nine-figure deal.
That hasn’t materialized. And while the Twins aren’t typically the kind of team to throw around big contracts in February, they’ve surprised us before.
With their current payroll projection sitting around $108.9 million, there’s some room to maneuver-especially if Valdez’s market continues to soften.
A creative deal structure could bridge the gap. Think back to what the Padres did with Nick Pivetta: a four-year deal worth up to $55 million, with opt-outs after the first two seasons and backloaded payments that gave the team some early flexibility. Something along those lines could work for both Valdez and the Twins, giving him a chance to rebuild his value while giving Minnesota a frontline starter without breaking the bank.
There’s also the context of change in the front office. With Derek Falvey's recent departure, it’s easy to assume the Twins might stay quiet the rest of the offseason.
But the messaging from the club has been consistent-they want to improve. And right now, with the market thinning out, signing Valdez might be one of the only ways left to make a real impact.
If they pull it off, the Twins could head into spring training with one of the most formidable rotations in the American League. And in a division that’s still wide open, that might be enough to carry them back to October-and maybe even beyond.