The Minnesota Twins have worked their way back into the American League playoff conversation after spending much of the season hovering below expectations. They currently sit just under the .500 mark and remain within striking distance of the AL Central leaders, giving the front office a difficult decision as the MLB trade deadline approaches. Rather than becoming sellers, the Twins may now have a legitimate opportunity to strengthen the roster for a postseason push.
The team’s offense has been one of the American League’s most productive units throughout the season, consistently providing enough run support to compete. However, the bullpen has repeatedly undermined those efforts. Late-game collapses, inconsistent command, and a lack of dependable relief options have exposed one of Minnesota’s biggest weaknesses. If the Twins decide to invest in the roster before the deadline, adding bullpen help appears to be their highest priority.
Here are three relief pitchers who could make sense as trade targets.
Kenley Jansen
Veteran closer Kenley Jansen remains one of baseball’s most recognizable relief pitchers, even if he is no longer performing at the dominant level that defined much of his career. Now 38 years old, Jansen has battled inconsistency this season while pitching for Detroit. Injuries, occasional command issues, and a higher-than-usual walk rate have contributed to results that fall short of his previous standards.
Despite those struggles, there are encouraging signs beneath the surface. His expected statistics paint a more favorable picture than his traditional ERA, suggesting he has pitched better than the numbers indicate. Jansen also continues to limit hard contact effectively, an important trait for any late-inning reliever.
His trademark cutter may no longer feature the overpowering velocity it once had, but it remains his primary weapon. He throws the pitch the vast majority of the time, and opposing hitters still have difficulty making solid contact when he locates it properly. While he may no longer be the elite shutdown closer he once was, he still possesses the experience and ability to handle pressure situations.
For Minnesota, Jansen could represent an ideal low-risk acquisition. Because he is nearing the end of his career and is unlikely to command the premium prospect package associated with younger elite relievers, the Twins might be able to acquire an experienced bullpen arm without sacrificing significant future talent. His leadership and postseason experience would also add value to a relief corps searching for stability.
Brock Burke
Another intriguing option is left-handed reliever Brock Burke. Like Jansen, Burke has experienced command issues this season, but several advanced metrics suggest he remains an effective pitcher despite those concerns.
One of Burke’s greatest strengths has always been his ability to limit hard contact. Hitters rarely square him up consistently, and for much of his career he excelled at generating ground balls that helped erase scoring opportunities. This season, however, those ground-ball numbers have declined significantly.
The change appears to coincide with adjustments Burke and his coaching staff made before the season. Alterations to his mechanics and pitch usage have not produced the desired results, leading to reduced command and fewer ground balls. Even so, Burke has continued to post an impressive ERA, demonstrating that he has still found ways to prevent runs despite the inconsistency.
For the Twins, Burke represents a classic bounce-back candidate. Rather than evaluating him solely on this year’s struggles, Minnesota could believe its coaching staff is capable of helping him rediscover the form that made him a reliable reliever in previous seasons.
His contract situation also makes him attractive. As a rental player approaching free agency, Burke would likely require only a modest return in a trade. That affordability could appeal to a Twins front office that wants to improve the bullpen without giving up top prospects.
Minnesota also has a need for dependable left-handed relief. Several internal options have shuffled between Triple-A and the major leagues throughout the season, preventing the bullpen from developing consistency from the left side. Burke could immediately fill that role while providing valuable depth for the remainder of the season.
Keaton Winn
Among the three pitchers, Keaton Winn may be the most appealing long-term solution, but he would almost certainly require the largest trade package.
Winn has enjoyed an outstanding season with San Francisco, producing strong results while demonstrating excellent control. Unlike some relievers who struggle with walks, Winn consistently throws strikes and forces hitters to earn their way on base. His ability to combine command with quality stuff has made him one of the more dependable bullpen arms available.
His underlying metrics are equally impressive. Winn ranks among baseball’s leaders in limiting hard contact, allowing very few barrels while consistently producing weakly hit balls. He combines above-average velocity with an ability to keep the ball on the ground, making him an ideal fit for high-leverage situations.
Another factor increasing his value is team control. Winn remains under club control beyond this season, giving any acquiring team additional years before free agency becomes a concern. That long-term value naturally increases his asking price, but it also makes the investment more worthwhile.
For Minnesota, acquiring Winn would accomplish more than simply improving the bullpen for the current playoff race. He could become a foundational late-inning reliever for multiple seasons, strengthening one of the organization’s weakest areas moving forward.
Deadline Decision Still Ahead
Whether the Twins ultimately become buyers or sellers depends on how they perform over the next couple of weeks. Every game before the trade deadline will shape the front office’s strategy.
If Minnesota falls out of contention, selling veteran players could become the logical path. However, if the club continues to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot or challenges in the AL Central, standing still may not be enough.
The offense has already shown it can compete with some of the league’s best teams. The primary obstacle has been protecting leads late in games. Strengthening the bullpen could significantly improve the team’s chances of converting close victories into wins and sustaining a postseason push.
Jansen offers experience and leadership at a potentially affordable cost. Burke provides left-handed depth with upside if he regains his previous form. Winn delivers the highest ceiling and long-term value, although acquiring him would require a larger investment.
Each pitcher presents a different level of risk and reward, but all three would address Minnesota’s most pressing weakness. As the trade deadline approaches, the Twins’ front office must determine whether reinforcing the bullpen is enough to transform a fringe playoff contender into a legitimate postseason threat.