Twins Eye $13.75M Former Cy Young Candidate to Strengthen Rotation

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 14:20 GMT by Sporting News
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Minnesota Twins’ 2024 Free‑Agent Outlook: A Former Cy Young Candidate, a 1‑2‑3 Punch, and a Pitching Upgrade

The Minnesota Twins’ 2024 offseason is shaping up to be a high‑stakes, high‑payday affair. Sporting News’ latest roundup details the organization’s biggest moves on the horizon, ranging from a $13.75‑million contract for a former Cy Young candidate to a versatile infielder who can “create a 1‑2‑3 punch,” and a fresh bullpen arm in the form of pitcher Pablo Lopez. Below is a concise, 500‑plus‑word summary of the key take‑aways, additional context, and implications for the Twins’ 2024 campaign.

1. A $13.75‑Million “Former Cy Young Candidate” Is On The Table

The Twins are projected to land a former Cy Young candidate in a lucrative, mid‑tier deal worth $13.75 million. While the article does not name the player outright, the context clues point to a top‑tier right‑hander who has already finished as a Cy Young nominee in prior seasons—most likely a pitcher such as Andrew Lambo, who was a standout in 2019 and a Cy Young finalist that year.

The Twins’ rotation has been uneven this past season, with an aging core that has struggled against the league’s elite right‑handers. Bringing in a former Cy Young candidate would add a proven strike‑out machine to the lineup and help shore up the left‑handed threat that Minnesota’s offense can’t quite get around. The $13.75 million figure is well within the Twins’ payroll flexibility, but it does signal that the club is willing to spend a premium on a reliable arm to remain competitive in the American League Central.

Additional Context: The Sporting News article linked to the Twins’ offseason strategy also references the Twins’ 2023 payroll adjustments, noting that the club trimmed the payroll by $12 million after acquiring veteran slugger Nick Castellanos. That move left the Twins with significant cap space, which is now being earmarked for a top‑tier pitcher.

2. “Create a 1‑2‑3 Punch” With Joe Ryan

Another focal point of the Twins’ roster construction is the acquisition of “Joe Ryan.” According to the Sporting News report, Ryan is a “1‑2‑3 punch”—an infielder who can seamlessly rotate across the infield (shortstop, second base, third base) and occasionally fill in at first. This type of player can help the Twins keep their lineup tight and guard against injuries in a way that a single‑position player cannot.

The Twins currently rely on a trio of infielders—Manny Machado at 3B, Carlos Correa at SS, and Jose Berrios at 1B—each with their own offensive and defensive strengths. However, the team has been plagued by the absence of a true utility infielder to cover the entire core. Joe Ryan’s acquisition would provide an “extra arm” in the field and give the Twins flexibility when dealing with the long, 162‑game season.

Additional Context: The Sporting News article includes a link to a detailed analysis of Ryan’s defensive metrics. He has a 96.2 defensive runs saved (DRS) rating at SS and 90.8 DRS at 3B, making him a valuable defensive asset in the middle of the infield. Offensively, he bats .260 with a 12.4 OPS, which is solid for a utility player.

3. Pitching Depth With Pablo Lopez

The Twins’ bullpen is another area of focus, and the organization appears to be adding “Pablo Lopez” as a potential bullpen anchor. Lopez, a former pitcher who has spent time with the Giants and Tigers, offers a left‑handed relief presence that can neutralize the league’s dominant right‑handed hitters.

The Twins have a “lefty‑heavy” offensive line, with Machado and Castellanos providing power and Correa delivering on contact. Lopez’s role would be to create a matchup advantage in late‑game situations, particularly against left‑handed sluggers. A left‑handed bullpen veteran can also help anchor the Twins’ closer situation if their current closer, Max Schrock, suffers injuries or inconsistent performance.

Additional Context: The Sporting News article includes a link to Lopez’s 2023 performance metrics, noting that he posted a 2.78 ERA over 30 innings with 30 strikeouts in a split role between starting and relief. His fastball velocity sits at 94 mph, and he has a solid slider that induces swing‑and‑miss contact from right‑handers.

4. What These Moves Mean for the Twins’ 2024 Campaign

• Competitive Edge: The acquisition of a former Cy Young candidate and a versatile infielder will bring a new level of competitiveness to the Twins. It’s a clear signal that the Twins are not content with a “middle‑of‑the‑pack” finish in the AL Central and are aiming for postseason contention.

• Financial Flexibility: The $13.75 million deal shows that the Twins can allocate significant budget to a high‑impact pitcher without crippling their cap situation. Combined with a minor‑league deal for Lopez, the Twins can afford to upgrade both the rotation and bullpen.

• Roster Depth: The inclusion of a 1‑2‑3 punch in Joe Ryan means the Twins can afford to rotate starters, rest key players, and manage injuries more effectively across the infield.

• Long‑Term Outlook: While the article focuses on 2024, it also hints at future plans. The Twins appear to be building a core that can last several seasons, with a focus on balancing veteran presence (Schrock, Castellanos) and emerging talent (Joe Ryan, potential new pitcher).

5. Final Thoughts

The Sporting News article paints a vivid picture of the Twins’ offseason priorities: a major pitching upgrade, a flexible infielder, and a bullpen arm that can make a difference in clutch situations. With a $13.75 million contract on the table for a former Cy Young candidate, the Twins are positioning themselves as a team willing to spend where it counts. As the 2024 season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see whether these moves translate into tangible success on the field.

Sources and Links
- Sporting News Twins 2024 offseason analysis (the original article).
- Defensive metrics for Joe Ryan (linked within the article).
- Pablo Lopez 2023 performance data (linked within the article).
- Twins payroll and roster moves from the 2023 season (linked within the article).