Twins tender deals to all 11 arbitration-eligible players
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins tendered contracts to all 11 of their arbitration-eligible players ahead of Friday night’s 7 p.m. CT non-tender deadline, further agreeing to terms on contracts to avoid arbitration with three relievers: Michael Tonkin, Justin Topa and Brock Stewart.
Among the group, the only realistic non-tender candidate appeared to be Tonkin, who instead reportedly agreed to a $1 million deal to avoid arbitration, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. There may have been some question regarding the status of the oft-injured Alex Kirilloff, but the first baseman/outfielder retired earlier this fall.
The other eight arbitration-eligible players tendered contracts were Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Ryan Jeffers, Royce Lewis, Trevor Larnach and Willi Castro. None of that comes as a surprise, as that group makes up the young core of the Twins’ roster for 2025 and beyond.
Of the bunch, Castro is projected to earn the most this coming season -- estimated by Cot’s Baseball Contracts at $6 million. But even considering the Twins’ anticipated financial constraints this offseason, the 2024 All-Star holds too valuable of a place in Minnesota's roster composition to have been a serious non-tender candidate.
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Tonkin might have been a borderline case, as he never made it into a leverage role in the Twins’ bullpen last season and was even designated for assignment once by the organization earlier in the year -- during which time he also bounced around to the Yankees and Mets. He had a combined 3.63 ERA last season and could be a decent middle-relief option on a reasonable deal.
Between Duran, Jax, Stewart, Cole Sands and Topa, the Twins still have the makings of a solid bullpen core -- along with Louie Varland, who could transfer over to a full-time relief role -- with Tonkin maintaining further depth behind them. There could still be some need for a left-handed relief specialist, considering Caleb Thielbar’s departure and Kody Funderburk’s struggles.
The Twins’ 40-man roster remained at 37 players following the moves.