In a move that’s sure to spark debate among baseball fans, the Minnesota Twins have quietly brought back a familiar face to their bullpen—but is it a step forward or a missed opportunity? The Twins have re-signed reliever Cody Laweryson to a minor league deal, just weeks after he was released by the Los Angeles Angels. But here’s where it gets interesting: despite his solid minor league numbers, Laweryson’s return raises questions about the team’s strategy in addressing their bullpen woes. And this is the part most people miss—his journey back to Minnesota is a tale of potential, skepticism, and the harsh realities of Major League Baseball’s competitive landscape.
First reported by Matthew Leach of MLB.com, Laweryson’s presence at the Twins’ Spring Training complex signaled a reunion with the organization that drafted him in the 14th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Maine. Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star-Tribune later confirmed the deal, which includes an invitation to big league camp. For Laweryson, this marks a return to the only franchise he’d known until November, when the Twins dropped him from their 40-man roster despite having one of the league’s weakest bullpens.
Standing at 6’4”, the right-hander made his MLB debut last September, appearing in five games and allowing just two runs (one earned) over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters without issuing a single walk—an impressive feat for a rookie. His Triple-A performance was equally promising, posting a 2.86 ERA while striking out 25% of opposing hitters. At 27 (turning 28 in May), Laweryson boasts a strong statistical track record, with a 3.39 ERA and a 27% strikeout rate across 327 minor league innings.
But here’s the controversy: Despite these numbers, teams remain skeptical about his ability to consistently dominate big league hitters. His 93.2 mph average fastball isn’t considered overpowering, and his secondary pitches—a cutter sitting 85-86 mph and a low-80s changeup—lack the wow factor often sought in MLB relievers. The Angels, who claimed him off waivers, released him to make room for Yoán Moncada, further highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his future.
The Twins’ bullpen is a wide-open competition, with former big leaguers like Liam Hendriks, Julian Merryweather, Dan Altavilla, Matt Bowman, and Grant Hartwig vying for spots. Laweryson’s return adds another layer to this battle, but it also begs the question: Are the Twins settling for familiarity over high-impact talent? Or is this a calculated gamble on a player they believe can still break through?
What do you think? Is Laweryson’s return a smart move by the Twins, or are they missing an opportunity to address their bullpen needs more aggressively? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to heat up as Spring Training unfolds.
