Twins relievers entered Monday with a 3.66 ERA that ranked eighth in the American League. While starting pitching will be a top priority during the offseason, the club will look to add relievers as well.
There is no denying that lefthander Glen Perkins (3-1, 2.44 ERA, 14 saves) and righthander Jared Burton (2-1, 2.01, five saves) have become one of the better 1-2 punches around. One unanswered question is if the Twins are ready to go with Perkins as the full-time closer next year. He has thrived in the role since Matt Capps went down because of shoulder problems.
But the Twins ended up using 16 relievers this season, not including catcher Drew Butera's one-inning emergency stint in Milwaukee. And some pitchers have showed their inexperience.
"You can talk about Burton and Perkins, they have had nice years," General Manager Terry Ryan said. "Other guys, they have shown flashes of being pretty decent. But the consistency over a 162-game season is still a question mark. Some of them are young enough where you can say that's expected, as long as you keep them in the right role."
After the season, the Twins will decide which role Perkins will be in for 2013, then try to fill out a bullpen while looking to augment the starting rotation.
"We don't have everything in house," Ryan said. "We'll look at both. If there is someone we like and think is going to help us, we will pursue them."
Capps is back Could Capps be part of the solution? The righthander, who last was seen on a major league mound July 16, was activated from the disabled list Monday after recovering from rotator cuff irritation.
He wants to prove he is healthy so potential suitors won't view him as an injury risk this offseason. He spent about a week in Fort Myers, Fla., pitching to prospects at the Twins annual instructional league.
