Just How Bad is the Minnesota Twins Bullpen Right Now?

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Steven Okert
Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

The answer to that question isn’t going to be pretty, but if you’ve been watching the games you already know that. Rocco Baldelli’s Minnesota Twins bullpen is not going well, and he has been pushing a few of the wrong buttons this week.

How bad is it for the Minnesota Twins bullpen?

Bad is relatively subjective, but not good is pretty straightforward. Since the All-Star Break the Minnesota Twins bullpen owns the third-worst ERA in baseball. That’s a problem, and it’s one that could certainly sink them as they look to make noise down the stretch.

Prior to the trade deadline the Twins had an opportunity to add talent in both the rotation and bullpen. Effectively they were told neither was feasible by ownership. Trevor Richards was acquired for the bullpen. A right-handed reliever with reverse splits and mediocre peripherals is all that Baldelli was given.

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Now, as the Twins look to piece things together in front of Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, it’s a dice roll many nights.

Rocco Baldelli blasted by Minnesota Twins bullpen

As their series against the San Diego Padres comes to an end, Rocco Baldelli has made a couple of poor pitching moves. Jorge Alcala, who has otherwise been among the Twins best relief arms, got shelled for five runs in his last outing against the Texas Rangers. Rather than trust him again in a spot that made sense, the Twins skipper went with Steven Okert in a high-leverage situation. It did not go well.

There is some needle-threading taking place for Baldelli. Outside of his two high-leverage arms (Jax/Duran), he has just Alcala and Cole Sands he can trust. No substantial relief help came at the deadline. Caleb Thielbar has been better of late, but has not had a good year. Okert, Ronny Henriquez, and Trevor Richards will all cause the manager to be without fingernails in short order.

Josh Winder was great in his most recent recall. Louie Varland could be an option in the pen if Minnesota wants to roll the dice on their starters. No matter what, the group needs some serious help. Hector Neris is currently a free agent, and move arms could be coming prior to the end of August.

Related: Minnesota Twins Could Still Luck into Pitching Help… if Pohlads Play Ball

The Twins are a very good baseball team. A lack of self awareness can’t be what sinks them down the stretch.

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