The Twins do not need to swing big to help their bullpen, and San Francisco Giants left-hander Sam Hentges has the look of a useful, low-cost fix.
Minnesota could explore a small deal built around one lower-tier pitching prospect, with the idea of bringing in a reliever who can compete for middle-inning work. Before any move, the Twins would want a clean medical review and comfort with his 2027 salary. The concept here is simple: solve one bullpen hole without burning the kind of assets needed for bigger additions.
Hentges would give Minnesota another arm for the outs that decide whether the game gets handed off to the preferred late-inning pitchers with a lead still in place. In 2026, he logged a 3.19 ERA with 41 strikeouts across 36 2/3 innings, and that strikeout total is enough to justify a look at what he might offer in the sixth and seventh innings.
That is the lane this move should occupy from the start. The Twins could view him as a complementary left-hander, then let his performance determine whether he earns something tougher.
The fit is obvious enough on paper, especially with A.J. Minter and Taylor Rogers gone to free agency and Anthony Banda’s recovery from lat surgery leaving the left side of the bullpen less settled.
Kody Funderburk gives Minnesota an internal option, but another left-hander would help spread the workload around and give manager Derek Shelton more flexibility when a starter exits before the late innings. It would also give Jeff Hoffman a little more breathing room. If Minnesota can get through an earlier matchup without dipping into its preferred late-game arm, it keeps more options intact for later.
There are reasons to be cautious, too. Hentges finished with a 1.64 WHIP, so runners on base were still a real issue. That kind of profile can be hard to trust in exactly the situations Minnesota is trying to cover.
The health record adds another layer. Hentges missed 2025 after shoulder surgery and later landed on the injured list in 2026 with a forearm strain. Any team thinking about him would need a clear read on his readiness and workload before putting a number on his value.
That is why the suggested price stays modest: one lower-tier prospect. It matches the injury questions, the traffic on the bases and the fact that he has limited control left. Minnesota should keep its better prospects in reserve for targets with more certainty and more long-term upside.
San Francisco has its own decision to make. After finishing 65-97, the Giants could decide that turning a 30-year-old reliever’s final year of control into a younger player makes sense for their timeline. Then again, they also have a real need in their bullpen, and if they think Hentges can give them solid innings at an acceptable arbitration salary, holding onto him could be the better call.
Minnesota should also keep another route in mind. If the Giants non-tender Hentges, the Twins could chase him in free agency without giving up a prospect at all.
For a team trying to cover catching and pitching needs, this is the kind of move that can make sense without forcing the issue. Hentges would be one piece of a broader pitching plan, not the whole solution. If he is healthy and effective, the gamble could pay off.
In Other News...
Twins Just Opened A New Question At DH
Minnesotas offseason began with a clean little roster reset, and one of the first openings is at designated hitter. Josh Bell, who spent this past season as the clubs primary DH while also filling in at first base at times, is now a free agent after the Twins declined his mutual option. It is the kind of move that does not close the door on a reunion, but it does put one of the teams more familiar bats back on the market.
The same day brought another contract decision with a longer horizon attached to it, as the Twins moved on from Joe Ryans 2027 mutual option while keeping him under club control through arbitration for 2026. For now, the bigger short-term issue is Bells spot in the lineup and whether Minnesota wants to shop for a different answer there, or see if the market and its own plans line up again before spring. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Roster Cleanup Leaves One Bullpen Question Fans Will Watch Closely
The Twins used a roster-clearing move to open some space this week, parting ways with Anthony Banda, Aaron Sabato and Tristan Gray and trimming down a 40-man roster that is likely to keep shifting as winter progresses. Bandas situation is the clearest of the three, with the left-hander coming off surgery to repair a lat strain and expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season, a setback that makes his departure more a matter of practicality than surprise.
What comes next is the part Twins fans will be watching closest, especially in the bullpen, where the front office is weighing several ways to add depth. Taylor Rogers remains a possible reunion, while Adrian Morejon and Raisel Iglesias are among the other arms being discussed as Minnesota looks for help that can stabilize the relief corps rather than simply fill innings. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Suddenly Have A Rotation Decision Fans Will Notice
Michael Kings decision to decline his 2027 player option has put one of the markets more intriguing arms on the board, and the timing makes him worth watching for teams still sorting out their pitching plans. The right-hander can first negotiate exclusively with the Padres for a five-day window before he is free to talk with every club, and that has naturally raised the question of whether the Twins should even consider getting involved as they evaluate their rotation depth.
King has been one of the more effective starters in baseball over the past three seasons since arriving in San Diego from the Yankees, which is exactly why his name comes up when teams start looking for stability at the top and middle of a staff. Minnesota is not widely viewed as a likely landing spot, but the Twins have enough uncertainty on the mound that a proven arm like King would at least fit the profile of the kind of swing that can change a winter, even if the path to making it happen still looks long. [Read more 🡒]