The Minnesota Twins are in the midst of an April free fall that’s reached panic proportion for many fans across the state. Alex Colome has helped fuel that downfall, surrendering 13 runs in 8 innings (only 6 earned) while posting a -1.4 WAR, 13.5 HR/9, 1.750 WHIP and a 5.85 FIP. Gross.

Finally, Rocco Baldelli is waving the white flag on the Alex Colome experiment, announcing today that he will be demoted into a lower-leverage role inside of the Twins bullpen.

Rocco Baldelli said the #MNTwins will move Alexander Colomé into a lower-leverage role for the time being. Baldelli spoke to Colomé earlier today to let him know. More on that upcoming.

— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) April 27, 2021

Rocco says the #MNTwins are moving Alexander Colomé into some lower-leverage roles to find himself following his early-season struggles.

"We could see him earlier in the game. We could see him, potentially when we're up, but maybe when we're down as well."

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 27, 2021

Buxton Back

In more good news, Byron Buxton is back in the lineup where he will bat 3rd tonight and play centerfield. Buxton missed yesterday’s game wit “patella tendonitis” (sore knee) and Baldelli told reporters that Buxton has dealt with pain in his knee all season.

Game 2 of the series this evening. https://t.co/xCBQtBBBro #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/zYUdg3NhYq

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 27, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

It is being reported from multiple outlets (see below) that the Minnesota Twins are signing (CP) Alex Colome to help the back of their bullpen. These rumors have been building up for a while now, and picked up after Falvine re-signed Nelson Cruz this morning.

Bob is spot on. #MNTwins https://t.co/6IDvKtv27c

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) February 3, 2021

Colome has spent the last two seasons with the Chicago White Sox. He had two pretty successful years with a combined 2.27 ERA and 7.7 K/9 in 83.1 innings. He was absolutely dominant in the shortened 2020.

It is unclear whether or not Alex Colome will actually be the official “closer”, because the Twins have shied away from bullpen labels in the past. We know he will join Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers to pitch in late games when it matters most.

Confirming that the #MNTwins have an agreement with Alex Colomé pending physical. $5M for 2021 with a mutual option for ‘22, including a $1.25M buyout that’s exercised if the Twins decline the option.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) February 3, 2021

Colome’s five full MLB seasons:

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Twins

Just hours after flirting with Marcell Ozuna, the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a one-year deal with designated hitter Nelson Cruz, worth $13 million. Cruz has been the main bat in this Twins lineup for two years now and he will be returning for one more.

Sources: Nelson Cruz signs one-year deal with the #MNTwins is worth $13 million.

— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) February 3, 2021

Over the last two seasons in Minnesota, Cruz has been one of the best hitters in baseball. He has played in 173 games and hit .308/.394/.626 (1.020) with 57 homers and 141 RBIs.

Cruz will be 41 years old when the season ends, but he hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down. If he can be 80% as productive as he has been the last couple seasons then this is a great move. Tom Brady is 43 and playing in the Super Bowl this weekend.

Other Details

The Twins reportedly (Darren Wolfson – KSTP) offered Marcell Ozuna yesterday, on top of extending a new offer to Nelson Cruz. It’s hard to believe that wasn’t a negotiating tactic at this point, especially since the offer to Ozuna wasn’t all that competitive.

Dan Hayes (The Athletic), who broke the Cruz signing, reports that the Twins offer to the Dominican slugger had sat no higher than one-year/$11 million, up until two weeks ago when they started to up the ante. If another team would have swooped in with a two-year deal then the Minnesota Twins would have walked away, according to Hayes.

Alex Colome up next?

Nelson Cruz wasn’t all Dan Hayes was scooping late last night. He also reports that the Twins are “interested in the services of right-hander Alex Colome”. I suspect that the relationship between the Twins and Colome is much more than “interesting”, if Hayes is writing it into the bottom of an article breaking the Nelson Cruz contract.

Colome would fill the desperate need Minnesota currently has at the back-end of their bullpen and answer the question on whether they trust Taylor Rogers in the closer role.

UPDATE: Hayes’ report regarding the Twins’ “interest” in Colome is now being confirmed by Jon Heyman.

After getting Cruz back in the fold, #MNTwins focus now is on bullpen, including the back end, and Alex Colome is one of many on their radar. May sign multiple guys for pen.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 3, 2021

How good is Alex Colome?

Alex is 32 and he’s been in the league for five seasons. He started in his first full season in the big leagues but has been much better in the bullpen, where he’s been since 2016. He hit super-saiyan level in 2020.

Eric Strack and Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan