Overview
- The Twins announced the departures of pitching coach Pete Maki, assistant pitching coach Luis Ramirez, and assistant athletic trainer Jason Kirkman following another season without a playoff berth.
- Minnesota’s pitching was among the league’s weakest with a 4.56 team ERA, a 4.43 ERA from starters, and a 4.74 ERA from the bullpen, outcomes cited by coverage as the immediate reason for staff changes.
- Critics note that 2025 trades that moved proven relievers left the bullpen depleted and that two traded arms, Louis Varland and Jhoan Duran, posted elite ERAs and high save totals with their new teams.
- The starting staff was further undermined by major injuries, including the season-long absence of Pablo López and extended time missed by Joe Ryan and Mick Abel, which limited what coaches could fix.
- The front office added veterans such as A.J. Minter, Tommy Nance, Jeff Hoffman and acquired Yoendrys Gomez during 2026, but coverage says those midseason fixes arrived after the bullpen depth had already been compromised and may not absolve prior roster choices.