The Minnesota Twins are making a significant push to bolster their bullpen, and it feels like they're adding experienced arms daily! If you've noticed a flurry of new relievers joining the team, you're not far from the truth. The Twins' front office has been actively working to fill gaps in their relief corps as spring training gets underway.
They've recently brought in left-hander Anthony Banda via a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Additionally, Liam Hendriks, Julian Merryweather, Andrew Chafin, and Cody Laweryson have all joined the organization on minor-league contracts, complete with invitations to major league spring training. This influx of talent is particularly noteworthy because it injects a much-needed veteran presence into a group that, at one point, seemed destined to be quite young.
Let's talk about experience: Hendriks, at 37, kicked off his major league journey back in 2011. Chafin, 35, made his debut in 2014, and Banda, 32, has already accumulated parts of nine seasons in the majors. This is on top of welcoming back Taylor Rogers in January on a one-year deal.
Manager Derek Shelton is particularly pleased with these additions. He highlighted, “I love the fact that they’ve all pitched in big games and they’ve pitched in the ninth inning. They pitched in high-leverage on really good teams, championship teams, World Series games.” This speaks volumes about the kind of pressure situations these pitchers have thrived in.
But here's where it gets really interesting... Both Hendriks and Rogers have achieved all-star status as closers – Hendriks in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and Rogers in 2021. Banda, who arrived from the Dodgers, has even pitched in the last two World Series, bringing invaluable recent championship experience to the Twins. This isn't just about adding arms; it's about adding proven performers.
While these recent signings aren't guaranteed spots on the final roster out of camp, their mere presence offers immense value. For the established group and especially for the younger relievers in major league camp, having this level of major league knowledge is a game-changer. Shelton elaborated, “The fact that they’ve been there and young guys that are in (the) back end of the bullpen can ask them about situations or ask them about things that happened, there is no better coaching that will happen than player to player or peer to peer. When players coach themselves, it’s vital.” This peer-to-peer learning is often the most effective kind of mentorship.
For Anthony Banda, being designated for assignment by the Dodgers on February 6th came as a complete surprise. He admitted it was a “blindside” and that he was getting “antsy” at home while waiting to see where his career would lead. The trade to the Twins for international bonus pool money marked a new beginning. “It was a roller coaster for sure,” Banda shared, “But hey, new chapter, new opportunity.”
And this is the part most people miss: Opportunity is precisely what the Twins' bullpen has offered numerous relievers since last season's trade deadline. Now, a host of veterans are vying to seize that chance. What's more, some of these veterans, like Hendriks and Chafin, are known for their larger-than-life personalities. Shelton believes this is a significant plus: “I think that’s really important when you’re adding a different subset of personalities into a group. I think it’s good for our young players.”
Briefly:
- Jackson Kowar is no longer with the team. He was designated for assignment to make room for Banda on the 40-man roster and was subsequently traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.
- All players have now reported to camp, and the Twins are set for their first full-squad workout on Monday.
- Live batting practice commenced on Sunday, with Joe Ryan (who is heading to the World Baseball Classic) throwing three sessions. New first baseman Josh Bell managed to hit a home run off Zebby Matthews during this practice.
What do you think about the Twins' strategy of bringing in so many veteran relievers? Does this approach guarantee success, or could it stifle the development of younger talent? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
