Twins Miss Out on Framber Valdez, But Rotation Reinforcements Still in Play
Twins fans got a bit of a surprise this week when reports surfaced that Minnesota had been a serious player in the Framber Valdez sweepstakes. The top free-agent arm on the market ended up signing a three-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers-an aggressive move that not only boosts Detroit’s rotation but puts them squarely in the driver’s seat in the AL Central race. According to FanGraphs’ Depth Charts, the Tigers now project to have the second-best starting rotation in all of baseball by WAR.
That’s a big swing from a division rival, and it stings a little more knowing the Twins were reportedly “heavily involved” in the Valdez talks. While they ultimately came up short, the interest itself is telling.
This isn’t a front office standing pat. It’s a team actively looking to bolster what’s already a solid rotation, one that currently ranks 11th in projected WAR heading into 2026.
And this wasn’t the first time Minnesota kicked the tires on a high-end arm this winter. Earlier in the offseason, the Twins were linked late to Freddy Peralta before he was dealt to the Mets.
They also reportedly checked in on MacKenzie Gore, who ended up heading to Texas in the wake of Peralta’s move. Neither pursuit came to fruition, and fans weren’t exactly clued in until the deals were already done-but the pattern is clear: the Twins are in the market for rotation help.
So, where do they pivot now?
Zac Gallen: Bounce-Back Candidate with Ace Potential
If Minnesota is still in the mood to make a splash, Zac Gallen is the biggest name left on the board. The former Diamondbacks ace is entering his age-30 season, still relatively young by free-agent standards, and has the kind of upside that can anchor a playoff rotation.
Yes, 2025 was a down year by his standards-his 4.83 ERA was the worst of his career-but he still logged 192 innings, eighth-most in the majors. That kind of durability is hard to ignore.
Look past the ERA, and Gallen’s track record speaks volumes. He was a Cy Young finalist in both 2022 (2.54 ERA) and 2023 (3.47 ERA), showing he can dominate over a full season.
If the Twins believe last year was more of a blip than a trend, Gallen could be a high-upside gamble worth taking. Especially for a club that might need a true front-line arm to keep pace in a suddenly competitive division.
Chris Bassitt: Steady, Durable, and Still Getting It Done
If the Twins are looking for a more stable option-someone who can reliably eat innings and hold down the middle of the rotation-Chris Bassitt fits the bill. At 37, he’s not flashy, but he’s been one of the most consistent starters in the league over the last several seasons. Since 2020, Bassitt ranks eighth in innings pitched among all MLB starters, ahead of some much younger (and more expensive) arms.
Last year, he gave Toronto 170.1 innings over 31 starts with a 3.96 ERA-nothing eye-popping, but more than serviceable, especially if he’s slotting in behind Joe Ryan and Pablo López. You know what you’re getting with Bassitt: a veteran who knows how to pitch, stays healthy, and gives his team a shot every fifth day. For a Twins team that may not have the luxury of a deep bullpen, that kind of reliability matters.
Lucas Giolito: High Reward, Low Risk Comeback Story
Don’t sleep on Lucas Giolito, either. The 31-year-old right-hander quietly put together a strong 2025 campaign with the Red Sox after missing all of 2024 recovering from UCL surgery.
He made 26 starts, logged 145 innings, and posted a 3.41 ERA-his best mark since his breakout 2019 season. Had he thrown just five more innings, he would’ve qualified for the ERA leaderboard and ranked just ahead of Joe Ryan.
Giolito’s familiarity with the AL Central-thanks to his years with the White Sox-adds another layer of intrigue. He knows the ballparks, knows the lineups, and has shown he can succeed in this division. For a team looking to stretch its dollars while still upgrading the rotation, Giolito might be one of the better value plays left on the board.
What About the Big Names?
Yes, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are still technically available, and on paper, either would be a headline-grabbing addition. But let’s be real: both are pushing their mid-40s, and both would command a salary that doesn’t quite align with where the Twins are financially this offseason.
Verlander will be 43 on Opening Day. Scherzer, 41.
Even if they’ve still got a little gas left in the tank, Minnesota can’t afford to miss on a deal that would almost certainly be the largest they hand out this winter.
More importantly, the Twins don’t need a name-they need innings. They need someone who can take pressure off a bullpen that’s still a bit of a question mark.
That’s why pitchers like Bassitt, Gallen, or Giolito make so much sense. They offer a mix of durability, upside, and familiarity that fits what this team needs right now.
Internal Options Still in Play
Of course, there’s always the option to stand pat and roll with internal arms like Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, David Festa, or Mick Abel to round out the rotation. All have shown flashes, and the organization has been high on their potential. But if Minnesota wants to stay in the thick of the AL Central race-and push back against a Tigers team that just made a major move-the safer play might be to add one more proven starter to the mix.
Bottom line: the Twins missed out on Valdez, but the offseason isn’t over. There’s still time-and talent-available to make a meaningful rotation upgrade.
Whether they go with a bounce-back candidate like Gallen, a steady vet like Bassitt, or a resurgent Giolito, the opportunity is there. Now it’s just a matter of whether Minnesota is ready to make that next move.