Minnesota Twins Make Sneaky Reliever Signing

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New Minnesota Twins pitcher Drew Smith (with the New York Mets)
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins bullpen held up okay on Opening Day. We saw three different relievers (Funderburk, Topa and Rogers) allow a total of two runs against the Orioles, which was too much for a feeble Twins offense.

Now 0-1 on the season, heading into game two of their three-game set in Baltimore, Minnesota will run Taj Bradley onto the mound. The Orioles will counter with Kyle Bradish.

Since Rocco Baldelli was hired in 2018, the MN Twins have taken a lot of criticized from the fanbase for calling on the bullpen too early, or pretty much once just about any starter has seen the opposing lineup twice. If they use that strategy this summer, however, the criticism could reach an all time high… as the blown leads pile up.

Gone are Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louie Varland, who were all traded at last summer’s deadline. Replacing those high-end relievers are Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda and a few other guys you’ve probably never heard of.

Minnesota Twins sign right-handed reliever Drew Smith

But on Saturday, the Minnesota Twins added some more MLB bullpen depth to the organization, signing 32-year-old right-handed reliever Drew Smith to a minor league contract.

Drew Smith has pitched in nearly 200 Major League Baseball games (all with the New York Mets), since he made his debut in 2018, at 24 years old. And his numbers, for a guy that the MN Twins got of the clearance race, after the regular season had already started, are pretty impressive.

Related: MN Twins Manager Defends Late-Game Royce Lewis Decision

Over 196.1 innings, Smith has compiled a 3.48 ERA (4.36 FIP), 1.278 FIP, 9.3 SO/9 and 115 ERA+. His availability, at this point in the baseball calendar, is likely due to his unavailability in 2025, due to Tommy John surgery he underwent in July 2024, which forced him to miss the last 1.5 seasons.

The last time Drew Smith pitched regularly, the former third round draft pick out of Dallas Baptist posted a 3.06 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 131 ERA+ in 19 appearances (17.2 IP). He also struckout 11.7 batters per nine innings. In other words, if the Minnesota Twins get that dude… he’ll immediately be a very important reliever in their 2026 bullpen.

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