Minnesota Twins Could Land Aging All-Star to Handle Closing Duties

The Minnesota Twins need a closer and Raisel Iglesias may be the best one available. Iglesias posted a 2.55 ERA in 2026, saved 34 games in 59 appearances with the Atlanta Braves. He struck out 64 hitters across 60 innings. His WHIP sat at 1.083.

After a rough stretch to open the year, he was nearly unhittable from June 9 and beyond, posting a low ERA the rest of the way. He made his first All-Star Game this season at 36 years old, which speaks to how good he has been.

Iglesias spent six seasons in Cincinnati before the Reds traded him to the Los Angeles Angels ahead of the 2021 season. He thrived there immediately, posting a 2.57 ERA with 34 saves and 103 strikeouts in 2021 and earning a four-year, $58 million contract.

The Angels then flipped him to the Braves at the 2022 trade deadline, and Iglesias did not skip a beat. He posted a 0.34 ERA in 28 appearances after the trade. Atlanta re-signed him last offseason on a one-year deal worth $16 million.

Now he hits the market again, and this time the bidding figures to be more competitive. He is coming off one of the best seasons of his career at an age when most relievers are in decline. 

The Twins are the team that needs him most. Minnesota's bullpen finished 26th in MLB this season with a 4.74 ERA. The unit blew 21 saves and converted just 68.2% of save opportunities.

Losing Jhoan Duran to the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2025 deadline gutted the back end. Yoendrys Gomez stepped into the closer role and saved 21 games. This roster has too much talent in the rotation and lineup to keep losing games in the ninth inning.

There is going to be a ton of competition for Iglesias. The Braves want to bring him back, but they have another option already on the roster in Robert Suarez signed for two more seasons.

Minnesota's front office knows that rebuilding the bullpen is the top offseason priority. Iglesias probably will be seeking a two-year deal, which is reasonable given his age. It just depends on how much he is going to ask for per year.

The Twins have the need, the payroll flexibility, and the motivation. Iglesias has a long track record of closing games. This could be the move that fixes Minnesota's biggest problem entering 2027.