The Twins have a decision to make.
The Minnesota Twins have endured a difficult start to the 2026 MLB season. However, they do want to win this year. In order to do that, they will need to make some changes. One specific decision could help the ball club take a step forward.
The Twins should look to have one closer. It seems as if they may be set to operate with a closer-by committee approach. While that can work, consistently turning to one guy in the 9th inning while having two setup men who can handle the 7th and 8th innings is often a reliable strategy. The relievers know their roles as a result.
Twins' Closer Situation
Cole Sands, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa are all potentially in the closer conversation. Sands is the only pitcher who has earned a save so far in 2026. Topa, however, has a 3.38 ERA across three total games pitched. Rogers has yet to allow a run across his two outings.
Perhaps Minnesota will give multiple relievers opportunities to see if any of them can run with the closer role. The Twins may struggle in 2026 so there may not be many save opportunities, but 2026 could provide the ball club with the chance to find their closer of the future.
Topa is 35 years old. He has quietly emerged as a reliable reliever in recent years. In 2025, he pitched to a 3.90 ERA across his 54 outings. He added four saves.
Sands, 28, pitched to a 4.50 ERA in his 69 appearances a season ago. In 2024, though, he recorded a 3.28 ERA across 62 outings.
Rogers, a 35-year-old southpaw, turned in a 3.38 2025 ERA between his time with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. He is a veteran who the Twins know they can trust.
In the end, Minnesota does not have to decide who their closer is going to be right now. The Twins can be patient with the decision. Still, it is a decision they are facing.
It will be interesting to see if any reliever performs especially well and establishes himself as the clear candidate to earn the full-time closer role.
The Twins, who are 1-3 to begin the new campaign, will play the 2-2 Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM EST in Kansas City in what should be an intriguing matchup between the American League Central opponents.