The Five Best Relief Pitcher Targets for the Twins

Bednar keeps coming up but he is not even arbitration eligible until 2024 so you wouldn't think the Pirates would trade him unless someone offers an absurd return.

This is a good list.  I still like Jorge Lopez, even though he blew two saves when pitching against the Twins.  Obviously, Bednar is the prize and would be VERY expensive.  As bad as the closers have been for the Dodgers, I see them making a play with their deep farm system, but the Twins could certainly look for cheaper options.  We just simply need a deeper bullpen.  I still think there are some "In-House" arms as possibilities, as Cody Pirkl wrote not long ago too.  

Any of them would help, but don’t want Wallner included in any trade. He’s having a breakout year that I believe is sustainable, and he’s not a base clogger. 

Way to think outside the box with this one. "Anthony Bass - Miami Dolphins - 34 yrs old 0.9 fWAR 1.60 ERA 2.34 FIP 8.0 K/9"  Looking to the football field for a relief pitcher.  HAHAHA 

Bass is probably the only one get able without having to over pay due to team control or within division.  

I would kick the tires on Effross tho, he might be a guy worth getting with team control and could learn and work with Joe Smith.  

I would welcome some of these players but at what cost?  Personally, I would focus on players on expiring contracts like Robertson, Bard, Fulmer, Chafin, etc. who have experience pitching in high leverage spots and in the postseason if possible. Only If one of the young studs is available on a good deal and not an overpay would I consider them. 

Get them all!

1 hour ago, RJA said:

I would welcome some of these players but at what cost?  Personally, I would focus on players on expiring contracts like Robertson, Bard, Fulmer, Chafin, etc. who have experience pitching in high leverage spots and in the postseason if possible. Only If one of the young studs is available on a good deal and not an overpay would I consider them. 

I agree with this approach.  Don’t sell the farm to get a long-term option, just get what we need to make it through this year.

I like them all and throw in Bard & Robertson. I don't think DET will deal w/ us, Bednar too expensive IMO MIA will keep Bass. I agree that FO will look for a 1 yr. deal because they want Pagan as the future closer no matter what.

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I like them all and throw in Bard & Robertson. I don't think DET will deal w/ us, Bednar too expensive IMO MIA will keep Bass. I agree that FO will look for a 1 yr. deal because they want Pagan as the future closer no matter what.

I doubt Detroit would care much about trading with the Twins for Fulmer.  They would be giving up a guy that probably won't resign with them.  Sure, they'd have to face him for the rest of the season, but they're out of contention, so that shouldn't matter much.  

It's the Twins that might be warry.  They'd probably have to give up a prospect that could come back to haunt them for 6 years.  I personally think it's worth the risk. 

Bednar. Trade the likes of Martin, Richardson, and 1 or 2 more prospects.

I think the title of the article should have been "The Five Best Relief Pitcher Targets for the Twins After Trading for David Robertson."

Bednar would be likely to cost as much a Kimbrel did before he became a White Sox. Effross wouldn’t be too far behind on that price tag. Mantiply a bit further back. I would doubt the FO would spend that kind of capital unless there were prospects that the other team loved that the FO wasn’t that enamored with. If either were with Oakland or Miami it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall. Detroit will trade Fulmer to anyone. They are not going anywhere this year, he is a free agent afterwards. Divisional rivalries do not matter. This FO might be reluctant to give Detroit a good prospect.  Seeing someone for a few years on a rental wouldn’t be fun. Then again, it is Detroit. I am sure when Fulmer is traded the people here will be more than correct with the “we could have matched that garbage”

That leaves Bass

Love the idea of Bednar in tje Twins bullpen, he'd would create badly needed depth in tje 8th/9th inning. 

15 hours ago, RJA said:

I would welcome some of these players but at what cost?  Personally, I would focus on players on expiring contracts like Robertson, Bard, Fulmer, Chafin, etc. who have experience pitching in high leverage spots and in the postseason if possible. Only If one of the young studs is available on a good deal and not an overpay would I consider them. 

Who cares about cost?  They have the money and if they go far in the playoffs it will pay off this and next year.  We have to stop going cheap and play with the big-boys!

I like the list of effective relievers, but outside of Bass, I don’t think the Twins should chase any of them. The Twins can save prospects by chasing after short-term options, plus relievers can change drastically in the matter of a singular season, dropping hefty 2-3 Prospects for Lopez, Bednar, or Effross would be very costly. Stick to consistency and role in some veterans.

The Angels are in a nosedive and they have some expensive, decent relievers on the roster. Raisel Iglesias has a contract that could turn ugly but Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup are just modestly overpaid. 

I like Bass & Bednar and they may cost what there worth. That’s ok. The Marlins are looking for position players especially out field. Celestino or Urbina. Pittsburgh (Bednar) may take more pitching and position prospects. Sabato, Canterino  & Strotsman. When I look at the Twins current roster promotions and the prospects list I see the named prospects as extendable. I also see Martin & maybe Wallner extendable for a starting pitcher such as Lopez (Marlins), Costillio (Reds), Montas (A’s), Mahle (Reds).  Another Marlin pitching  prospect who is on the ten day injury list Cabrera is very intriguing to me.