American League
Sign in
Sign in and connect Sleeper to unlock personalized fantasy insights.
12 articles
MIN • Pitcher • #48
14 days ago
Topa came in to get the final two outs after Eric Orze struggled to get through the ninth. It’s the first save for Topa, and while it’s possible he could get a few chances as the season continues, there’s not going to be enough opportunities to suggest he’s worth rostering.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
16 days ago
Richie Palacios hit a two-run homer as the first batter Topa faced today. Topa then went on to give up a single and a walk with one out, getting him pulled in favor of Taylor Rogers. Rogers allowed one of the inherited runners to score while walking two batters. All of this came after Cole Sands pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings in a tie game, so it was a particularly encouraging day for those rostering Sands in the hopes of getting some saves from a Twins reliever.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
19 days ago
It was 2-0 when Cole Sands took over against the top of the Royals order in the eighth. He gave up a run on singles from Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. and a Vinnie Pasquantino sac fly before exiting with two outs. Taylor Rogers then struck out Joc Caglianone to end the inning. That seemed to set up Topa’s first save chance, but the Twins hit three homers in the top of the ninth to make it 5-1. It seemed the bottom of the ninth still might get interesting after Royce Lewis committed an error on a Jonathan India grounder and Isaac Collins walked to start the frame, but Lane Thomas grounded into a double play and Kyle Isbel struck out to end it. We’re guessing the Twins would have gone the other way here and used Topa in the eighth and Sands in the ninth if it weren’t all the Royals’ best hitters due up in the eighth. Still, it’s a fluid situation at the moment. We wouldn’t be excited about rostering any Twins relievers in a standard league, but Sands is probably the best bet for now.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
about 1 month ago
Even though he’s struck out five, Topa has allowed nine runs in 2 2/3 innings. Topa had a 3.90 ERA in 60 innings last season before missing the final two weeks with an oblique strain. He also picked up four saves in August after Jhoan Duran was traded. Because the Twins have done nothing to replace Duran, Topa remains a closing option for the team. Still, it’s really difficult to recommend any Twins reliever right now.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Darren Wolfson of KSTP adds that Topa will be guaranteed $1.225 million with the new one-year pact. The 34-year-old right-hander earned $1 million during a 2025 campaign in which he registered a 3.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 49/18 K/BB ratio over 60 innings for the Twins. He’ll once again function in a middle relief role for the Twins in 2026.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune adds that he’ll get a $1 million base salary for 2026 and the deal will include a $5 million mutual option ($225,000 buyout) for the 2027 season. The 34-year-old right-hander earned $1 million during a 2025 campaign in which he registered a 3.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 49/18 K/BB ratio over 60 innings for the Twins. He’ll once again function in a middle relief role for the Twins in 2026.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
Topa has really struggled since taking a high-leverage role with the Twins after the Jhoan Duran trade, and there’s a chance his season is over. The 34-year-old should be a late-inning reliever for Minnesota again in 2026, assuming he’s back with the organization.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
The Twins called upon Topa to clean up the mess left by Kody Funderburk and he could not deliver. He entered the up by two, with runners on first and second, and one out. Then, he gave up back-to-back hits which drove home both inherited runners plus one of his own on his way to a loss. This was his second blown save in this series alone as it looks like he’s no longer the trusted closer in Minnesota. It may very well be Funderburk, but this bullpen is a total mess.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
One of the Twins’ top closing options, Topa was asked to pitch the eighth with a one-run lead today, but he couldn’t get the job done. If he had, it probably would have been Cole Sands closing this one out. Kody Funderburk, who had the Twins’ last save Friday, worked a scoreless seventh today.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Working with a three-run lead, he gave up a single and an RBI double with two outs. All four of Topa’s saves have come since the Twins’ Great Bullpen Purge of July 31. He’ll continue to be the top option in the ninth unless he begins to struggle
MIN • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Topa’s grip on the closer’s role with the Twins continues to tighten. The 34-year-old right-hander put up another scoreless outing that lasted longer than three outs and picked up the save against the White Sox on Friday. The Twins have to be satisfied with what Topa’s giving them right now, which gives him fantasy value as long as he stays in the role.
MIN • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Topa breezed through two innings to secure his second save of the season and looks he has at least a strong share of the closer’s role in Minnesota. He closed out their last two saves opportunities and pitched during a tie game in the ninth inning between them. Not exactly a conventional closer as a righty who sits around 94 mph with a sinker and sweeper, but he’ll have value as long as he has this role.