Much to the delight of the Pohlad family, bullpen help is often acquired cheaply by team president Derek Falvey, who has built several strong relief units without overextending himself.

A number of relievers with Minnesota ties are on the market this winter. Emilio Pagan, once acquired via trade, is one of them, but he won’t be returning for an encore.

Emilio Pagan Signs with Cincinnati Reds

When the Twins decided Chris Paddack was the starter they needed, Falvey sent Taylor Rogers and Brent Rooker to the San Diego Padres, with Emilio Pagan also coming to Minnesota in the deal. The Twins stuck with Pagan through ups and downs, and after finishing his latest stint with Cincinnati, he has opted to run it back in free agency.

The Cincinnati Reds, who were hoping to sign reliever Devin Williams before he went to the Mets, are bringing back Emilio Pagan on a 2-year, $20 million deal. He has an opt out after the 2026 season, per @Ken_Rosenthal/@ctrent

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 4, 2025

Pagan made $8 million with the Reds last season. His new deal includes a $10 million AAV and an opt-out clause, giving him flexibility should the market improve.

During his first season in Minnesota (2022), Pagan posted a 4.43 ERA (4.21 FIP). Underlying numbers hinted at untapped potential, and the Twins were rewarded for their patience in 2023 when Pagan delivered a 2.99 ERA (3.27 FIP) and his career-low 0.6 HR/9.

Seeing Pagan sign with Cincinnati raised eyebrows, considering Great American Ballpark’s reputation for homeruns. His HR/9 has climbed to 1.4 over the past two seasons, but his 3.46 ERA (3.74 FIP) remains more than respectable. Serving as the Reds’ closer last year, he recorded a career-high 32 saves.

Last season, Pagan put up a 2.88 ERA (3.72 FIP) while giving Cincinnati stability after Devin Williams departed for the New York Mets. The Reds remain in the mix for several big names as they pursue slugger Kyle Schwaber, and they were even mentioned in a far-fetched trade proposal involving Twins star Byron Buxton.

One thing is for certain, their bullpen needs to be completely overhauled. The massive exodus at the trade deadline wiped out virtually every relief arm.

Thankfully Falvey has proven relatively adept at building good bullpen groups. Emilio Pagan is a former success story for him, but don’t expect a reunion in the year ahead.

Emilio Pagan is a hot free agent commodity

Just before Opening Day of the 2022 season the Minnesota Twins flipped closer Taylor Rogers to the San Diego Padres for Emilio Pagan and Chris Paddack. The former was an immediately play while the latter was a long-term piece. Pagan wound up working out better than Paddack, and he’s put together some nice years since.

Now 34 years old, the veteran reliever is drawing significant interest on the open market. Cincinnati Reds beat writer Gordon Wittenmyer suggests the market is robust early for Pagan.

Insiders say he has at least 10 teams already showing interest in signing him as a free agent, a healthy enough market that the right-hander who made $8 million each of the last two seasons should command far north of that by the time guys like Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez help establish the closer market.

Cincinnati Inquirer

Pagan spent the past two seasons pitching for the Reds, and it was his 2025 that really jumped off the page. Across 68 2/3 innings this past season, he posted a 2.88 ERA (3.72 FIP) with a 10.6 K/9.

Home runs have routinely been a problem for Pagan (1.5 HR/9 career) and replicating the 0.6 HR/9 from 2023 with the Twins didn’t seem likely in Cincinnati. Great American Ballpark favors hitters, and while Pagan allowed 1.4 HR/9 in his two seasons there, the overall results were still positive.

Emilio Pagán's 2Ks in the 9th. ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/joL3wXtDBb

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 5, 2025

There isn’t a serious concern for aging either. The 95.8 mph average fastball velocity in 2025 was the highest mark of his career. He’s a heavy four-seam, sinker, and cutter guy who misses bats and generates chase.

Each of the past two seasons Pagan has made $8 million with the Reds. It would hardly be a shock to see him get an annual bump from that, and there’s just no way the Minnesota Twins are going to play in that market. Minnesota needs bullpen help, and a reunion would work, but he’s at least $5 million to steep for the franchise.

The Seattle Mariners kicked off free agency spending by handing former Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor a five-year deal on Sunday night. Minnesota must protect their Rule 5 Draft eligible prospects before the Tuesday deadline.

The bullpen issues became a noticeable problem last week. Twins’ relievers blew late leads in three of their last four games and all three ended in losses. It happened twice in LA vs the Dodgers and again on Friday night vs the Angels.

HOW DOES EMILIO PAGAN KEEP FINDING HIMSELF IN HIGH-LEVERAGE SITUATIONS pic.twitter.com/HddAMLtzGA

— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) May 17, 2023

There have been two pitchers, specifically, who have struggled. Emilio Pagan has given up 4 earned runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in his last two appearances. Griffen Jax has been nearly as bad, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk, all coming in the Twins last three losses.

When this sort of thing happens, it’s expected that fans will react negatively. In Emilio Pagan’s case, the fans are demanding the Twins cut bait. Can you blame them? We’re talking about the team’s worst reliever for each of the last two seasons. We get it, he has great stuff. But, that doesn’t matter if your great stuff doesn’t get anyone out.

LaVelle E Neal III stands up for Emilio Pagan

Unless, of course, you are talking to or reading Star Tribune columnist and former Minnesota Twins beat writer, LaVelle E. Neal III, who has decided he will die on the ‘Emilio Pagan is better than you think’ hill.

See, LaVelle is one of the most loyal sports writers the Twins have in this market. Rarely will he question or criticize anything the front office or coaching staff does. And that has proven true again over the last few days, as LaVelle has battled tooth and nail for days with fans on Twitter who are ready to rid the roster of Emilo Pagan.

Twins Twitter is a cesspool of people wanting to dump players after a couple bad outings.

Brock Stewart tho.

Anyway. It's May. Stop firing people in May. Pagan actually has the third best FIP among Twins relievers.

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) May 20, 2023

Don't bleeping come at me with other people's crap. There's numbers out there that show he can be an asset. https://t.co/pMQvlFsXRe

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) May 19, 2023

Looking at some Pagan numbers for a Sunday column. It's not as bad as some think.

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) May 18, 2023

Yes, you read that right. LaVelle E. Neal’s column in this Sunday’s Star Tribune was written in defense of Emilio Pagan, who has a 5.60 ERA, 1.472 WHIP and 79 ERA+ this season, after posting 4.43 ERA, 1.365 WHIP and 88 ERA+ in 63 IP last season.

Neal tries to plead Pagan’s case…

What numbers did he have to prove everyone wrong? Well, his Sunday column is available online Saturday evening and his big “gotcha” stat is right handed batting average against. See, Pagan is using his cut fastball more often and now, righties are hitting just .159 against him vs .270 last summer.

Pagán entered the season looking to establish his cut fastball. After throwing it 19.2% of the time a year ago, he is throwing it 33% of the time this season. And he’s throwing it harder, averaging 87.1 miles per hour. It has allowed him to hold righthanded hitters to a .159 average after they hit .270 against him last year.

LaVelle E. Neal – Star Tribune

It’s true that Emilio Pagan was terrible in 2022. We already established that above. But Neal is the only person in town who would look at his numbers this season and tell you Pagán is better now than he was then. Nearly every single metric suggests he is not. Except one. LaVelle dove deep into Emilio’s numbers from the last two years found literally the only statistic that would shine Pagan in a more positive light this season vs last.

But, even if you accept the false premise that Pagán has been slightly better in 2023 than in 2022, in what world does that mean he should keep his job? At the end of the day, he’s still been terrible for two straight summers. Argue semantics of when he was worse, if you’d like.

Aaron Gleeman (The Athletic), who is much more of an advanced statistics guy than LaVelle, can’t even find any excuses for Pagan. His Win Probability Added (WPA) is worst among MLB relievers since 2020.

Emilio Pagán is the only MLB reliever with an ERA+ below 100 and negative Win Probability Added every season since 2020.

2020: 94 ERA+, -1.0 WPA
2021: 81 ERA+, -0.6 WPA
2022: 89 ERA+, -1.0 WPA
2023: 79 ERA+, -0.3 WPA

His combined -2.9 WPA since 2020 is dead last for relievers.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 18, 2023

This isn’t the first time LaVelle E Neal III has defended the Minnesota Twins in a moment that is indefensible. He was one of the biggest “Pohlad Pocket Protectors” in town before the Twins decided to pay for a competitive roster the last handful of years.his premise was the same then as it is now. It’s not as bad as it used to be so why worry about improving?

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Bullpen Youth Movement

There are still plenty of questions surrounding the reliever staff, however, especially the veteran core… or lack thereof. See, last season, the Twins’ bullpen was hijacked by youngsters like Jhoan Duran and Griffen Jax, who went on to prove themselves far more reliable than any of the more experienced pitchers who were available to Rocco Baldelli.

jhoan duran turns 25 today.

he’s able to rent a car and throw nasty stuff. pic.twitter.com/A7wG7BjwtZ

— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) January 8, 2023

In 2023, a veteran presence in the bullpen is nearly non-existent. In fact, there are only three relief pitchers over the age of 30 who would be considered “locks” to make the final 26-man Opening Day roster (8 likely relievers).

No other projected 26-man reliever has reached the age of 30, or collected even two healthy years of service time in the big leagues. And the three veteran “locks” — Jorge Lopez (30), Emilio Pagan (32) and Caleb Thielbar (36) — have plenty of questions surrounding their effectiveness, going forward.

All Eyes on Jorge Lopez

Jorge Lopez is a starter-turned-reliever who has thrived in his new bullpen role. When I say “new”, I mean that Lopez has only pitched 148 innings out of the bullpen during his 7-year MLB career. He’s been good in those limited appearances, however.

In 273 innings as a starter from 2015-2021, Lopez was horrible. But after being transitioned to reliever by the Baltimore Orioles toward the end of 2021 (8 IP), he showed immediate improvement. Lopez took on a bullpen role for the Orioles full time in 2022 and made the All-Star game.

Mahtomedi native and Orioles pitcher Mike Baumann (currently at AAA) on new #MNTwins reliever Jorge Lopez: “Love that guy. Can’t say enough nice things. I really look up to Lopey. Unbelievable teammate, dawg on mound. Truly a leader on and off the field.”pic.twitter.com/PlYgWS1ApO

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 2, 2022

Then, the Twins traded for Lopez at last year’s midseason deadline. And of course, he immediately hopped aboard the struggle bus, upon arrival. In 22.2 IP as a Twin, Jorge’s ERA ballooned to 4.37, his FIP to 4.35, WHIP to 1.632 and his ERA+ fell below 100 (average), all the way down to 90.

If Lopez gets back to the All-Star caliber reliever Falvine thought they traded for, it could make the difference between Minnesota’s bullpen being good vs elite. If not, it’ll go down as one of the worst trades in Twins’ deadline history. And that’s saying something.

Caleb Thielbar & Emilio Pagan

Caleb Thielbar has become a trustworthy lefty that Rocco Baldelli can lean on. But… he’s 36-years-old and some of his numbers, like ERA, WAR and ERA+, have been slipping the last couple seasons. On the contrary, his strikeouts are up and his home runs, FIP and WHIP were all down.

After posting a 4.61 ERA, 85 ERA+ and 4.71 FIP in 148.1 innings over the last three season, nobody really knows why Emilio Pagan is still on an MLB roster. Twins fans just wish it didn’t have to be theirs…

Yet, here we are. Hopefully, Pagan’s leash is extremely short. Or, even better, the front office finds a way to trade Pagan (apparently there’s interest) for something worthwhile (maybe a bucket of balls) before baseball games start to count in late-March.

Emilio Pagan throws the ball down the middle of the plate and former twin Isiah Kiner-Falefa makes it a 5-2 Yankees lead, can’t make it up #mntwins, only his 2nd home run of the season pic.twitter.com/BB9RrF9U73

— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) September 5, 2022

Other Veterans Relievers in Fort Myers

The only other reliever over 30 years old who has any real chance to make the roster out of Spring Training is LHP, Danny Coulombe (33). The last two over-the-hill bullpen pitchers with invites to Fort Myers are Jose De Leon (30) and Brock Stewart (31).

In other words, there are a lot of questions that surrounding a finite number of Minnesota Twins veteran relievers. If all goes as planned, just one pitcher over the age of 30 (Jorge Lopez) will be counted on to throw high- leverage innings this summer.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

If this was the end of Chris Paddack's season, his final stats will include 135 2/3 innings, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Since 1986, José Fernández and Walker Buehler are the only rookie pitchers to finish with equal or better numbers in those three categories.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) September 12, 2019

Later in the night, Taylor Rogers was reported as part of the package heading back to San Diego. Then Thursday morning, it broke that the Padres were also including right-handed relief pitcher, Emilio Pagan. The final piece to the puzzle came a few minutes later. The Twins were parting with 27-year-old power-hitting corner outfielder, Brent Rooker, an MLB-ready prospect coming off injury.

Rooker or Larnach

Brent Rooker was the worst of three young corner outfield prospects in Minnesota, all of which are much better with the bat then they are chasing down fly balls. Now, they have more at-bats for Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach. Kirilloff will get some time at 1st base too. Larnach projects as a DH down the road and is starting his year in St. Paul. It was Larnach who was rumored to be in this trade last night. That was after he was surprisingly scratched from the Saints lineup just before their second game of the season.

Trevor Larnach is no longer in the starting lineup for tonight, the @StPaulSaints announced. Was originally batting 3rd and playing left.

— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) April 6, 2022

So when driving my kids to school this morning, I was happy to hear it was Brent Rooker heading West and not Trevor Larnach. Settling on Rooker, instead of Larnach, could be why the Twins had to eat a large chunk of Taylor Rogers’ salary, to get the deal done. If so, it was worth it.

Classic Twins move

Make no doubt about it, this is a classic Minnesota Twins move. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good one. Taylor Rogers is scheduled to be a free agent after this season. Clearly, the Twins weren’t going to bring him back. He would’ve been dealt at last year’s deadline had he not been injured. Now, they get an additional year of control in a legitimate bullpen arm, with Emilio Pagan.

The Twins have the young high-powered arms in the Minnesota bullpen, that we shouldn’t miss Taylor Rogers that much. Chris Paddack is more in return than anything they’d get for Rogers at the deadline. Paddack is another back-end starting pitcher — this one with three years of control — who has the upside of a top rotation arm.

If Derek Falvey and Thad Levine couldn’t find a front-end fix to their rotation, this deal with the Padres is as good of a consolation prize as I could have imagined. And still, the Twins roster and payroll is primed for a bigger blockbuster move before the deadline. Hopefully for a playoff-grizzled, still high-end starting pitcher.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan