The Minnesota Twins are making bold moves to fortify their bullpen, and it’s raising eyebrows across the league. In a surprising turn of events, they’ve signed veteran right-handers Liam Hendriks and Julian Merryweather to minor league deals while acquiring left-hander Anthony Banda from the Dodgers—a trio of seasoned arms poised to reshape their relief corps. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Hendriks, a three-time All-Star, is returning to the team that signed him as an amateur free agent in 2007, after battling injuries and a Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis that sidelined him for much of the past three seasons. His journey from Australia to the majors, marked by 114 saves and a 2.26 ERA from 2019-22, is nothing short of inspiring—but can he reclaim his dominance after Tommy John surgery? And this is the part most people miss: Banda, who posted a 3.18 ERA in 71 games for the World Series-winning Dodgers last season, is one of just 12 left-handers in MLB with a sub-3.15 ERA and a sub-.215 opponent batting average over the last two years. Meanwhile, Merryweather, 34, brings consistency from his stints with the Cubs. To make room for Banda, the Twins designated Jackson Kowar for assignment, a move that underscores their commitment to this bullpen overhaul. But here’s the controversial question: Are the Twins taking a calculated risk by banking on Hendriks’ health and Banda’s consistency, or is this a masterstroke that could pay dividends in 2025? Let us know what you think in the comments—is this the bullpen boost the Twins need, or are they setting themselves up for uncertainty?
