The AL Central isn’t exactly the juggernaut of divisions heading into 2026. In fact, it’s shaping up to be one of the most wide-open races in baseball.
Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit have each strung together back-to-back winning seasons, but none of them cracked 89 wins in 2025-and all three benefited from a White Sox team that spent the year in a tailspin. That leaves the Minnesota Twins sitting in the middle of the pack, trying to regroup after two straight underwhelming seasons.
And while expectations around the league are low for a big splash in Minneapolis this winter, that doesn’t mean the Twins are out of the fight.
In a division where 85 wins might be enough to take the crown, even modest upgrades can make a major difference. The Twins aren’t likely to go on a spending spree, but they don’t need to.
The market for relievers-especially those who specialize in offspeed wizardry-offers some intriguing low-cost options that fit right into Minnesota’s pitching philosophy. And if the season doesn’t break their way, these same arms could become valuable trade chips by midsummer.
Let’s break down three relievers who could quietly become difference-makers in the Twin Cities.
Tommy Kahnle: The Changeup King
If you’re looking for a pitcher who lives and dies by the changeup, look no further than Tommy Kahnle. In 2025, he threw his changeup a staggering 85.6% of the time-far and away the highest rate in the league.
It’s not just a show-me pitch for him; it is the show. And while it’s not technically a splitter, the way Kahnle manipulates the ball with his wrist action gives it that same late, violent tumble that hitters struggle to square up.
Even at age 36, Kahnle’s changeup remains a weapon. He generated whiffs on over a quarter of swings against the pitch last season, and while his ERA climbed to 4.43 in a down year with Detroit, his career mark still sits at a respectable 3.61.
From 2017 through 2023, he posted a 2.90 ERA across six seasons. The dip in velocity and effectiveness this past year will likely push his price down, but there’s reason to believe he’s got more in the tank.
Now, there’s a bit of history to navigate. New Twins bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins once called Kahnle “the worst teammate” he’d ever had-on air, no less-during a 2017 broadcast.
That friction dates back to their time together in 2014. But that was over a decade ago.
Kahnle has since earned positive reviews in several clubhouses, and Hawkins has indicated he’s moved on. If the Twins see a fit-and have a conversation or two to clear the air-this could be a worthwhile reunion with upside.
Luke Weaver: The Power Change Specialist
Weaver’s arsenal is a more conventional mix: a lively mid-90s fastball paired with a power changeup that’s transformed his career. After bouncing around early in his MLB tenure, Weaver has found stability-and success-in the Yankees’ bullpen over the last couple of seasons.
His changeup isn’t the floaty, slow-speed variety. It’s got late fade and depth, and he uses it to generate swings and misses at an impressive clip-over 40% of the time, to be exact.
That’s helped Weaver post a 29.4% strikeout rate since arriving in the Bronx, and he’s done it while keeping hitters off balance with a simplified, effective pitch mix. He’s no longer dabbling with the lower-spin split-change he once used. Instead, he’s leaned into a firmer, more reliable version that’s helped him thrive in high-leverage spots.
Weaver ranked 37th on DiamondCentric’s Top 50 Free Agents list, with a projected two-year, $16 million deal. That’s on the higher end of what the Twins typically spend on relievers, but if they’re willing to stretch the budget, Weaver could step in as their closer on Day One. With the bullpen thinned out after trades involving Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax, Weaver’s swing-and-miss stuff and closing experience would be a welcome addition.
Kyle Finnegan: The Middle Ground with Edge
Finnegan falls somewhere between Kahnle and Weaver in both age and style. At 34, he’s still bringing upper-90s heat, and his delivery is pure energy-he practically launches himself toward the plate.
That violent motion adds deception to a splitter that dives hard at the bottom of the zone. It’s a pitch that plays well off his fastball and gives lefties fits.
After a midseason trade from Washington to Detroit, Finnegan put together one of the best stretches of his career. He looked like a different pitcher-more confident, more consistent, and more dominant. He’s projected to land a one-year deal worth around $6 million, and if that’s the going rate, the Twins should be very interested.
Finnegan fits two key needs: late-inning experience and stuff that misses bats. He also brings trade value if the Twins decide to pivot midseason. But if they’re in contention, he’s the kind of arm who can help shut the door in tight games-something Minnesota needs after losing multiple high-leverage relievers.
Why These Three Make Sense for Minnesota
The Twins have leaned heavily into offspeed usage in recent years-only the Angels and Tigers threw more non-fastballs in 2025. Changeups and splitters are baked into their pitching identity, and these three relievers fit that mold perfectly.
What’s more, all three have reverse platoon splits. That’s a rarity among right-handed relievers, but it’s a valuable trait in today’s game.
Weaver and Finnegan, in particular, have been more effective against lefties than righties, giving manager Rocco Baldelli some flexibility in late-game matchups. Kahnle’s changeup works well against righties, but he’s also shown flashes of effectiveness against lefties when his command is sharp.
None of these guys are going to break the bank. They’re not headliners.
But they’re the kind of savvy, under-the-radar additions that can quietly swing a division race. In the AL Central, where no team looks poised to run away with things, that matters.
The Twins don’t need a full-blown rebuild or a blockbuster signing to get back in the mix. They just need a few smart moves. And if they shop wisely in the bullpen aisle-especially for changeup artists like Kahnle, Weaver, and Finnegan-they might just find themselves right back in the thick of the playoff hunt.