When the Minnesota Twins acquired right-hander Yoendrys Gmez from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash in early May, most Twins fans didn't expect much, as the Rays designated him for assignment after he posted a 6.23 ERA over 17 1/3 innings. Additionally, he spent the 2025 season with three different teams before joining the Rays.
However, Gmez quickly became the Twins' top relief arm . In his first 39 innings with Minnesota, Gmez posted an outstanding 1.85 ERA with 39 strikeouts. Minnesota made Gmez its primary closer, as the right-hander has 22 saves in 24 attempts this year.
Gmez's stretch of dominance didn't last. In his last eight innings, Gmez allowed 12 earned runs, four more than he surrendered over his first 39 innings with the club. His ERA has risen from 1.85 to 3.83.
Unfortunately, Gmez's regression was somewhat predictable. During his strong first 39 innings with the Twins, Gmez had a 4.50 xFIP, .242 BABIP and 11.8% walk rate, all signs that the right-hander would regress. However, even though underlying metrics suggested Gmez's strong stretch wouldn't continue, no one probably expected him to struggle as much as he has lately.
The Twins should still be very happy they acquired Gmez for cash earlier in the season . He proved he can be dominant at times. He should undoubtedly be in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen.
However, Gmez shouldn't be the Opening Day closer. Minnesota should still use him in high-leverage situations at the beginning of the season, but his recent performance has been too lackluster for him to be the Twins' top reliever next year.
Instead of Gmez, right-hander Jeff Hoffman should be Minnesota's closer in 2027.
Since being acquired by the Twins from the Toronto Blue Jays , Hoffman has posted a 2.12 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 26 strikeouts over 17 innings. On Saturday, Hoffman recorded his 100th (and 101st) strikeout of the season, marking the first time the right-hander reached the mark in his career.
Many Blue Jays fans would warn against using Hoffman as a closer. Last year, he converted 33 of 40 save opportunities and blew a save in the biggest possible moment, allowing a game-tying home run to Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning of World Series Game 7. After blowing four of nine save opportunities this year, the Blue Jays moved Hoffman out of the closer role for, ironically, Louis Varland .
Still, Hoffman's strong numbers with Minnesota prove he deserves to be the team's closer next year. If he struggles in the role, the Twins can convert him back to a setup man.
This article was originally published on www.puckettspond.com as Yoendrys Gmez's struggles make Twins' 2027 closer decision obvious .
