Free-agent closers who could be a fit for Twins

Free-agent closers who could be a fit for Twins

December 4th, 2018
Minnesota Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey, right, addresses a news conference Tuesday, Oct.2, 2018 in Minneapolis she he announced that Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor was fired, one season after he won the American League Manager of the Year award. In four seasons under Molitor, the Twins went 305-343 with one appearance in the playoffs in 2017. They were 78-84 this year, long out of postseason contention after a series of early setbacks to several key players. Listening at left is general manager Thad Levine. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)Jim Mone/AP

MINNEAPOLIS -- With the Winter Meetings less than a week away, the Twins remain in the market for relief help this offseason, especially at closer after trading veteran to the A's in August.
The Twins bring back , , and to the bullpen, but they could add as many as three relievers this winter, much like last year, when they signed , Reed and Rodney.
May has the look of a future closer, but Minnesota is more likely to find a veteran with closing experience to serve in the role in the short term. Here's a look at available closers in free agency who could be a fit for the Twins:

Kimbrel is fresh off winning the World Series with the Red Sox and has been one of the best closers in the Majors over his nine-year career. The 30-year-old right-hander has a career 1.91 ERA with 333 saves and seven All-Star appearances. He's likely to sign with a contender and could be too pricey for Minnesota.


Soria picked up 16 saves with the White Sox last year before being traded to the Brewers in July. He posted a combined 3.12 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old right-hander has 220 career saves and could be a fit for Minnesota, as he won't command the kind of deal that Familia and Kimbrel are looking for.


Robertson has familiarity with the division, having pitched with the White Sox from 2015-17, but he appears interested in signing with a big-market team after serving as a setup reliever with the Yankees since being acquired in a July '17 trade. The 33-year-old right-hander struck out 91 batters in 69 2/3 innings last season, but he hasn't served as a closer since the beginning of '17. Robertson is interested in a three-year deal, which might be too much for Minnesota.


Britton, who turns 31 this month, was an elite closer with the Orioles from 2014-17, but he dealt with a ruptured Achilles tendon at the end of '17. The left-hander has a career 3.21 ERA with 142 saves and is a ground-ball machine when healthy. Britton could be a bounce-back candidate, especially if he's interested in closing.


The Twins know Allen well, as he served as closer for the Indians from 2014-18, racking up 149 career saves to go with a 2.98 ERA. But he's coming off a down year that saw him register a 4.70 ERA despite striking out 80 batters in 67 innings. The 30-year-old right-hander needs to cut down on his home run rate (1.5 per nine innings in '18), but he is a buy-low candidate for the Twins.


Like Allen, Boxberger could be a good buy-low target, as he was non-tendered by the D-backs after putting up a 4.39 ERA with 32 saves last season. The 30-year-old right-hander has 76 career saves in seven Major League seasons, serving as closer for both the Rays and D-backs.