MN Twins Interested in Former (Familiar) Top Reliever

The Minnesota Twins traded nearly 40% of their roster prior to the MLB trade deadline. Of those moved, five-of-eight bullpen spots were turned over. Rocco Baldelli once had baseball’s best bullpen, and now has next to nothing.

After Travis Adams made his first career start, and looked good doing so, Noah Davis came on and blew the game against Detroit on Monday night. There is going to be much more of that if Baldelli can’t get a level of competency from his bullpen.

The Twins don’t have much to play for, but they could put a better foot forward in terms of pride. That may have them grabbing a quality arm off the open market, and Ryan Pressly now happens to be there.

Ryan Pressly drawing MN Twins interest

Before the season the Houston Astros traded closer Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs in a salary dump. It gave the former Twins setup man an opportunity to rack up saves again. Unfortunately he has struggled this year and was DFA’d when the club acquired former Twins closer Taylor Rogers at the deadline. Now he’s on the Twins radar.

With an inexperienced back end of the bullpen, multiple league sources said the Twins have reached out to veteran free agent Ryan Pressly about a possible reunion. Pressly converted five of seven save attempts and notched seven holds with a 4.35 ERA in 44 games this season before he was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs on Thursday and released on Friday.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

As The Athletic’s Dan Hayes points out, the Minnesota Twins would represent a reunion for Pressly. Minnesota grabbed him as a Rule 5 pick from Boston prior to the 2013 season and he spent the first six seasons of his career with the Twins.

Pressly went on to win a World Series with the Houston Astros, and continued his development from Minnesota to become an elite high-leverage arm. Pressly made two separate All-Star appearances while pitching in his home state, and has turned in a very nice career.

Related: Report: MN Twins Reliever Requested Trade

Now 36 years old, Pressly owns a 4.35 ERA (5.02 FIP) for Chicago. The strikeouts have dipped, the walks have risen, and his 1.3 HR/9 is the second highest of his career. With Minnesota though, the pressure would be non-existent and he could look to rebuild value going into next season.

Suitors aplenty for Ryan Pressly

Although Pressly has had a tough go of it this season, he still represents a level of upside. Checking with a direct source, Pressly has multiple options to consider and the Twins are just one of them.

He is making $14 million this year in the final season of his three-year contract signed with the Houston Astros. After clearing waivers though, he can be signed for the major league minimum. A team may need to do a bit better to secure his services, but he won’t cost much of anything.

Related: Recently Traded Pitcher Suggests MN Twins Facilities are Lacking

Although the Twins don’t represent a level of competitiveness, they do have a potential advantage. Pressly and his family are familiar with the organization and city. Beyond that, he’d immediately assume whatever role he wants in the bullpen. It gives him a level of control he may not have elsehwere.

It would be a fun full circle moment if things can fall into place.