3 Free Agents Relievers the Minnesota Twins *Need* to Avoid this Offseason

Craig Kimbrel
In 2019, when Craig Kimbrel was a free agent entering the start of the season, many across Twins Territory were clamoring for the Twins to sign him. At the time he was a flame-throwing reliever, flirting with just about every potential record that existed for relievers. Ultimately the Twins steered clear though, and it appeared that the Twins avoided disaster. In 2019 and 2020, Kimbrel posted a 6.00 ERA in just 36 innings.

Since 2020, though, Kimbrel’s numbers have improved. In the two seasons following that disastrous stretch, Kimbrel owns a 3.01 ERA with a 12.9 K/9.

Kimbrel hasn’t convinced me, though. While his 3.75 ERA in 2022 is a solid number, that number was as high as 4.57 through mid-October. Additionally, Kimbrel is going to be 35 years old in May. Kimbrel has seen his fastball velocity dip in three consecutive seasons and his K/9 dipped by five from 2021 to 2022.

Being the big name that he is, Kimbrel should get big money on the free agency market and the Twins would be prudent to steer clear.

David Robertson
David Robertson was the top reliever on the trade market at the 2022 trade deadline, and many thought that he would have been a good addition to the Twins at the time. Robertson ended up catching on with the Phillies, but now the Twins have a chance to sign the right-hander this offseason. 

They would be wise to not do that, though.

While Robertson had a great season in 2022, posting a 2.40 ERA to go along with an 11.5 K/9, Robertson will be 38 years old when the 2023 season begins. Additionally, Robertson posted an unsustainable strand rate of 86%.

Relief pitchers can be dominant for a long time and suddenly fade away. Given his age and the fortune that he sustained in 2022, the Twins would be best to find other options for the reliever position.

Taylor Rogers
Not a stranger to anyone in Minnesota, there has already been chatter of the southpaw returning to Minnesota in free agency this offseason. The Twins should avoid signing Taylor Rogers this offseason, though.

There are certainly reasons to believe in a rebound season for Rogers in 2023. While Rogers had a rough 4.76 ERA, his underlying stats showed that he was better than that. Rogers posted a FIP of 3.31 and a K/9 of 11.8, right in line with his career K numbers.

There are non-statistical reasons that the Twins should avoid Taylor Rogers. First of all, he will likely garner a multi-year contract in free agency. As a 31-year-old, Rogers will certainly be trying to secure his final multi-year deal of his career and will likely receive such a contract. The Twins’ front office has shown time and time again that they don’t want to sign relievers to multiple years, and that is definitely a prudent way to think.

Additionally, the Twins really don’t have a need for a southpaw, especially one with the pedigree of Taylor Rogers. With Caleb Thielbar and Jovani Moran in hand, the Twins should be in good shape with left-handed relievers and would be better off attacking righties in free agency.

Are there any other free-agent relievers you think the Twins should avoid? Leave a comment and start the conversation!