The Minnesota Twins are coming off their second straight non-playoff season, and one of the main reasons is that they finished 24th in baseball with a 4.55 team ERA. They have yet to acquire a premier pitcher via free agency or trade this offseason. Still, they did agree to a minor league contract with right-hander Dan Altavilla on Thursday, via independent reporter Francys Romero.

The 33-year-old notched a 2.48 ERA over 28 appearances for the Chicago White Sox in 2025 and has a 4.00 ERA over 152 career outings. Before this past season, he pitched for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals.

Altavilla could be a valuable player for Minnesota in 2026, but he does little to move the needle. Conversely, the division-rival Detroit Tigers signed veteran closer Kenley Jansen after reaching Game 5 of the AL Division Series this past season, per MLB's transactions page. The latter player is baseball's active career saves leader and recorded a 2.59 ERA across 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals have already acquired left-hander Matt Strahm, right-hander Nick Mears, and left fielder Isaac Collins via trade and extended third baseman Maikel Garcia's contract. The Royals are a fellow AL Central squad coming off a non-playoff season, but they're being more aggressive this winter.

Minnesota still has time to improve, but it can't keep letting its competitors take all the shine this winter. It would behoove the club to sign free-agent pitchers such as Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, and Pete Fairbanks.

Gallen is coming off a down season, as he recorded a 4.83 ERA over 33 starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the 30-year-old has a 3.58 career ERA over 176 starts, so the Twins could acquire him and bet that he returns to form. He has a market value of four years, $74.8 million ($18.7 million average annual salary), per Spotrac. 

Meanwhile, Giolito had a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season. The 31-year-old had one of his better years, as he sports a 4.30 career ERA over 206 outings. He has a market value of three years, $61.3 million ($20.4 million average annual salary), per Spotrac.

Lastly, Fairbanks pitched to a 2.83 ERA and 27 saves across 61 games for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. The 32-year-old has a 3.19 ERA with 90 saves over 275 career games. He has a market value of three years, $43.8 million ($14.6 million average annual salary), per Spotrac.

Whether the Twins get one of those players or a different one, they must continue to replenish their pitching staff as their competitors make upgrades.