Jeffers awaits Deadline; Kremer joins team; Bradley gets no-decision

SEATTLE – As the Twins prepared to board a flight to Kansas City following a hard-fought 7-6 loss to the Mariners on Sunday, most players could be confident they’re not going anywhere.

The club will be attending an afternoon screening of the Odyssey for much of Monday afternoon as the Deadline approaches, interested and hopeful for significant additions, but mostly unworried about their own individual fates. It’s a change from a year ago, when players gathered in hotel rooms as one after another veteran was dealt off the Major League roster.

It’s a bit different for Ryan Jeffers, however. While it’s highly unlikely that Jeffers will be dealt – the Twins have made it clear they’re buyers, not sellers, and it would be hard to improve the 2026 roster with a Jeffers trade – he won’t be sure until the Deadline passes. He’s a free agent at the end of this year, and his name has appeared in rumors for much of the year. There will be a sense of relief when the time finally comes.

“For me, I just want some clarity,” he said. “I want a decision to be done. I want 6 p.m. Eastern [on Monday] just to be done with. I love going to battle with this group. I've been a Twin my whole career. I love this group we have, but it's one of those decisions that is out of my control. So yes, I'm excited for that Deadline to come down.”

Most players seemed unconcerned, though there’s certainly optimism for further upgrades. Minnesota has already added lefty reliever A.J. Minter and right-handed starter Dean Kremer, and the front office is pushing for at least one more move. But the general unease of a year ago, when the Twins limped into the Deadline, is gone.

“We're going to have a team party in the movie theatre -- everyone's ringers on loud,” Jeffers said. “And keep being a group of brothers. We're going to keep going to battle with each other until they pull us out one way or the other. I think we really appreciate the group we have and the bonds we've built and hope it stays like this.”

Kremer arrives

A day after the deal bringing him from Baltimore was finalized, Kremer joined the Twins and threw a bullpen session. He’s scheduled to start Wednesday in Kansas City. Rookie reliever Jack Anderson was optioned to Triple-A to make room for him on the roster.

Manager Derek Shelton has said that the club believes it can help Kremer make some adjustments to find the form that made him one of the American League’s more reliable starters for several years. They haven’t had the time to go over those things just yet, though.

“I just met everybody this morning,” Kremer said. “I haven't had to have any of those conversations yet. But definitely looking forward to hearing the ideas they have and what can work on going forward.”

Strange game for Bradley

Taj Bradley had his good stuff on Sunday, averaging 97.9 miles per hour on his four-seam fastball and above his season average velocity on all of his pitches. But he struck out just two batters, walked four, and allowed seven two-out baserunners.

All told, then, the final line was probably a fair one for Bradley – a quality start, three runs in six innings, and no decision. It was just an unusual way to get there.

“To give them credit [but] they got lucky at times, found some holes, late on some balls and slapped them the other way,” Jeffers said. “Give them credit, they're good hitters. I thought his stuff was really good. There's a couple batters obviously you want back. But I thought he looked really good. That's not a bad start by [any] means.”