Did the Twins Actually Fix Their Bullpen at the Trade Deadline?

The Twins aggressively addressed their bullpen at the deadline, and the early returns are already paying off.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Jeff Hoffman. Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Two and a half weeks removed from the MLB trade deadline, the biggest test for the Minnesota Twins was to see how the new additions to their bullpen integrated. So far, the returns have been solid, with the bullpen overall improving significantly, and it has looked like a top ‘pen in the sport as of late.

Early Returns

New York Mets relief pitcher AJ Minter. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

According to FanGraphs, the Twins have posted a combined 3.19 ERA, good for sixth-best in baseball. In games before the deadline, the Twins had a bullpen ERA of 4.91, which was fourth-worst in baseball. The bullpen ERA dropped by a run and a half, which has made some decisions for manager Derek Shelton much easier.

Jeff Hoffman, one of the big deadline additions for the Twins, has been good with the team aside from one bad outing, posting a 2.57 ERA. The walks have been a bit high so far, but outings like the one he had against the Braves on Thursday (1 IP, 1 H, 3 K, 0 R) are why the Twins acquired the former closer.

A.J. Minter has also posted strong numbers with the Twins, posting a 1.04 ERA in his 8.2 innings, issuing two walks, and striking out five. This season, Minter has been more of a contact-oriented pitcher coming off what was a season-ending lat strain injury with the Mets. 

A Weakness becomes a Strength

Jun 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Having a good bullpen is so important for contenders. Having a bullpen that can come in in big spots, and get big and efficient outs has such a huge ripple effect. It allows the starting pitchers to relax a bit and know that there is a better chance that if they get into a jam late in their outing, the bullpen can pick them up. It allows Shelton to manage in a more aggressive fashion, as we saw in the series against the Braves, because there are more effective options available to him. 

Likewise, it also helps to ease the workload of some of the high-end options that have been on the team the entire season. For example, Yondreas Gomez has worked a lot this season, and because of the options the Twins now have, they might not be forced into using him every time a save needs to be recorded. 

While it’s important to stack wins now during the season to get to October, the relievers the Twins have need to be effective in October, and overuse now will be to their detriment. The bullpen has improved since the deadline, a credit to the front office for being aggressive in making those moves, but the next step is for the bullpen to remain consistent as the season progresses to the stretch run.