Griffin Jax’s Role with 2025 Minnesota Twins Confirmed
The Minnesota Twins don’t have any money to spend this offseason. Despite the limitations imposed from the Pohlad family, Derek Falvey still has holes to fill. That has led to some creative suggestions being thrown about.
Among those was a move for Rocco Baldelli’s star reliever, Griffin Jax, heading back to the starting rotation. That would leave a hole in the bullpen, and there are real questions as to whether Jax would work there. We now know the plan moving forward.
Minnesota Twins bullpen stays intact
Last season there was a hope that the Minnesota Twins bullpen could be among the best in baseball. Due to injuries, that never materialized. Griffin Jax was among the best relievers in baseball, however. He’s going to stay out there too.
Have this confirmed. He will remain in #MNTwins bullpen. https://t.co/sBCbh5lQf6
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) January 9, 2025
Related: Minnesota Twins Reach Arbitration Deals with Multiple Young Contributors
Thursday was the deadline for Minnesota to agree on contracts for arbitration eligible players. Jax was among those due for a raise and agreed at $2.365 million. That comes in below projections, but is reflective of his performance as a reliever.
Last season Jax established himself as the best reliever in Minnesota’s bullpen. He owned a career-low 2.03 ERA with an even more ridiculous 1.94 FIP. His 12.0 K/9 was a career high and he had never walked just 1.9 per nine innings before.
Griffin Jax's Deadly 87mph Sweeper with 19 inches of Horizontal Break…and 3097 RPMs. ☠️⚔️
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 8, 2024
That's mean. pic.twitter.com/shxKKMVkSB
One of the most devastating pitches across all of baseball is Jax’s sweeper. He is able to make batters look foolish on the offering, and his ability to command a sizable repertoire makes him dangerous.
The expanded repertoire, consisting of five different pitches, is why there has been allure to move him back into the rotation. Jax worked there initially, but it has been in relief where he has really shined.
Minnesota should still be expected to move Chris Paddack this offseason. Shedding the salary is a positive, but they will need to backfill his spot in the starting rotation. There are internal candidates to do so, but Jax no longer will be considered among them.
Related: Minnesota Twins Top Prospects to Keep an Eye on in 2025
We won’t know the Twins complete pitching plan until closer to Opening Day. For now though, it’s good to see that the strength of the bullpen is a priority.
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