The Minnesota Twins have signed right-hander Huascar Ynoa to a minor league contract, as reported by Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated. The deal includes an invitation to the Twins' big league Spring Training camp.


Ynoa, who played in parts of four MLB seasons with the Atlanta Braves from 2019 to 2022, had his best year during the 2021 season. That year, he pitched 91 innings, recording a 4.05 ERA, a 26.9% strikeout rate, and a 6.7% walk rate. Ynoa stepped into the Braves' rotation as an injury replacement and played a key role in their unexpected run to a World Series title. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury forced his removal from the NLCS roster, and earlier in the season, he missed three months after breaking his hand in frustration.


The following season was equally challenging for Ynoa. He pitched only 6 2/3 MLB innings in 2022 and spent most of the year at Triple-A. His career hit another setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. He managed to pitch 29 2/3 minor league innings in 2024 before being sidelined again by a stress reaction in his right elbow. The Braves decided to non-tender Ynoa, preferring to open up a roster spot despite his modest $825K projected arbitration salary.

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With the Twins, Ynoa has a chance to prove himself and potentially make a comeback. His invitation to Spring Training will provide him an opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster and demonstrate his ability to contribute at the major league level once again. Fans and analysts will be keeping an eye on his progress as he aims to overcome his recent injury struggles and return to form.

The Minnesota Twins are grappling with tight payroll restrictions this offseason as they look to rebound after narrowly missing the playoffs due to a late-season collapse in September. With the club's budget for 2025 reportedly set at $130 million and a current payroll projection of $142 million according to RosterResource, it's clear the Twins are considering trades to shed payroll this winter.


Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that this financial situation has led some teams to inquire about the availability of star shortstop Carlos Correa. Although these inquiries are reportedly still in the preliminary stages, the prospect of a Correa trade was addressed by president of baseball operations Derek Falvey during Day 1 of the Winter Meetings on Monday.


"Obviously, you expect teams to call on players like that, especially with where we are and some of the conversations we're having with other clubs," Falvey said regarding Correa. "But we want to win, so a high bar is set."


This marks a shift in tone from last month when Falvey emphasized that a Correa trade wasn't something the club was "focused on" and called Correa a "key" part of the team's plans alongside Byron Buxton and Pablo Lopez. Despite this, The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported Monday that multiple sources within the Twins indicated it's "hard to envision" the club parting with Correa.

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Given the apparent reluctance to trade their star shortstop and the preliminary nature of the inquiries, it seems more likely than not that Correa will remain in a Twins uniform for Opening Day 2025. However, with tight payroll constraints, the team will need to make strategic decisions to balance their budget and improve their roster for the upcoming season.

The Minnesota Twins have finalized their coaching staff for the upcoming season, announcing three key new hires. Trevor Amicone joins as the assistant hitting coach, Ramon Borrego takes on the role of first base/infield coach, and Rayden Sierra steps in as co-hitting coach. Additionally, former first base/catching coach Hank Conger has been promoted to assistant bench coach while continuing to work with the catchers.

Amicone arrives from the New York Yankees organization, where he has spent the past five years. He began his professional coaching career as an instructor at their alternate site in 2020 and subsequently served as a hitting coach for the Yankees' affiliates in the Dominican Summer League from 2021 to 2022. For the past two seasons, Amicone has been the hitting coach for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.


​Sierra and Borrego are both promoted from within the Twins' minor league system. Sierra has held various roles over the past five years, including hitting coach at Class-A Fort Myers and assistant minor league hitting coordinator. He spent the 2024 season as the assistant minor league hitting coordinator for the Twins.


Borrego brings extensive experience to the big league staff, having been with the Twins for over two decades. He has managed the Twins' Double-A affiliate since 2019 and has developed strong relationships with several of Minnesota’s homegrown talents, such as Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda, Matt Wallner, Edouard Julien, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax. Borrego also served as a coach for Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

As the Minnesota Twins look to strengthen their bullpen for the upcoming season, veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman has emerged as a potential target, according to David Hill of Yardbarker. The Twins are one of three teams listed as possible landing spots for Chapman.

"There were plenty of reasons why the Minnesota Twins imploded over the final two months of the 2024 season. The Twins' bullpen was a key part of the problem, their 4.50 ERA from Aug. 1 through the end of the season ranking 23rd in the majors," Hill wrote.

The Twins' struggles with left-handed relief pitching were particularly glaring. Their left-handed relievers posted a league-worst 5.75 ERA and ranked 28th with a .328 batting average on balls in play against them. Currently, the only left-handed pitcher in the bullpen is Kody Funderburk, who struggled with a 6.49 ERA and a 1.615 WHiP in 34.2 innings.

Chapman, who went 5-5 in 68 appearances for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024, recorded a 3.79 ERA and 14 saves. His addition could provide the Twins with the reliable left-handed reliever they desperately need.

​Pairing Chapman with closer Jhoan Duran could give the Twins a formidable back-end bullpen duo, positioning them to make significant improvements in 2025. With Chapman's experience and proven track record, he could be the key piece to help stabilize the Twins' bullpen and contribute to their success in the upcoming season.

The Minnesota Twins have re-signed right-hander Scott Blewett and first baseman Yunior Severino to minor league contracts, according to the team's transactions tracker on MLB.com.Both players had been outrighted by the Twins a few weeks ago and opted for free agency, but they are now rejoining the organization as depth options.

For Scott Blewett, this marks the second consecutive offseason signing a minor league deal with the Twins. The 28-year-old pitcher had an impressive season last year, performing well in both Triple-A and the majors. In 54 2/3 innings with the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, Blewett posted a 3.79 ERA, striking out 22.7% of batters while maintaining a solid 7.1% walk rate. When called up to the majors, Blewett continued to shine with a 1.77 ERA over 20 1/3 innings. However, his strikeout and walk rates were more modest, and advanced metrics like FIP (4.00) and SIERA (4.05) suggested he benefitted from a high strand rate.

Yunior Severino, 25, once ranked among the Twins’ top 10 prospects but has struggled with contact issues that have affected his stock. In 2023, Severino showcased his power by hitting 35 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, but he also struck out in nearly a third of his plate appearances. This year, he reduced his strikeout rate to 27.8% in Triple-A but saw a decline in power, managing just 21 homers and a drop in ISO from .274 to .180.

Severino's defensive position has also been a point of concern. Initially a middle infielder, he has transitioned to primarily playing first base, where he is not considered a strong defender. Additionally, he is a below-average runner. Despite these challenges, Severino’s raw power remains impressive, and he will have another opportunity to prove himself in Triple-A.

The Twins’ first base situation is currently in flux, following Carlos Santana’s free agency and former top prospect Alex Kirilloff’s surprising retirement due to multiple injuries. Severino’s power could make him a valuable asset as the team navigates these changes.

​Both Blewett and Severino will look to make an impact as they return to the Twins organization, providing valuable depth and potential as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The Minnesota Twins have strengthened their 40-man roster by adding right-handers Marco Raya and Travis Adams. This move, aimed at protecting these promising pitchers from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, brings the Twins' 40-man roster to 37 players.

Marco Raya, one of the Twins' top pitching prospects, was an obvious choice for protection. The 21-year-old right-hander, drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, had a commendable 2024 season. He spent the majority of the year in Double-A, where he performed admirably against more experienced competition. Raya capped off his season with an impressive five shutout innings in his lone Triple-A start. Over the season, he posted a 4.05 ERA in 97 2/3 innings, with a 24.6% strikeout rate and a 10.5% walk rate.

Raya is praised for his high spin rates on his 96 mph fastball and his mid-80s slider, both of which are effective strikeout pitches. He also mixes in a changeup, curveball, and cutter, making him a versatile pitcher. While he may not make the Opening Day roster, Raya is expected to be in the mix for a rotation spot if the Twins need pitching assistance next summer.

Travis Adams, 25, was a sixth-round pick out of Sacramento State and has been a reliable starter in the minor leagues. This past season, Adams made 22 starts out of 26 appearances across Double-A and Triple-A, achieving a solid 3.90 ERA over 127 innings. He maintained a league-average 22.6% strikeout rate and an impressive sub-7% walk rate. Adams' consistent performance has earned him a spot on the 40-man roster, providing the Twins with valuable rotation depth. He is poised to potentially make his MLB debut next season.

​These additions demonstrate the Twins' commitment to safeguarding their top prospects and preparing for the future. As Raya and Adams continue their development, they offer the Twins promising options to enhance their pitching staff in the coming seasons. Fans will be watching closely to see how these young talents contribute to the team's success.

The Minnesota Twins have made it clear that they intend to retain their core players, including Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Pablo López, despite facing a challenging financial situation this winter.

Carlos Correa, a star shortstop, Byron Buxton, a dynamic center fielder, and Pablo López, a key starting pitcher, have all been instrumental to the Twins' success in recent seasons. Their performances have not only bolstered the team's chances in the highly competitive American League but have also made them fan favorites. The Twins' management recognizes the importance of keeping these cornerstone players as they continue to build for the future.

However, the decision to retain these core players comes with financial implications. The Twins are navigating a payroll crunch, and balancing the budget while keeping top talent is no small feat. The team's front office will need to be strategic in their offseason moves, potentially making tough decisions on other contracts and exploring creative solutions to manage their finances.

Despite these challenges, the Twins' commitment to retaining Correa, Buxton, and López signals their dedication to remaining competitive and continuing their pursuit of postseason success. The fans can look forward to seeing their favorite players in action and can take solace in the team's efforts to maintain a strong roster.

​As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Twins navigate their financial constraints while aiming to keep their core players and strengthen their squad for the coming seasons. The decisions made in the next few months will undoubtedly shape the team's future and their prospects for success in the highly competitive MLB landscape.

The Twins announced the reinstatement of INF Royce Lewis from the 10-day injured list, while adding OF/INF Willi Castro to the 10-day IL with a mild left oblique strain.