This season, the Minnesota Twins finished with a 77-85 record. They were largely sunk by a bullpen that couldn’t keep games together after their starter departed. Of course, that group was depleted at the trade deadline during the 2025 season. Tom Pohlad and Jeremy Zoll opted against rebuilding it during the offseason.

It made sense to trade expiring relief assets from a team that ultimately finished with a 70-92 record. It didn’t make much sense to part out future assets for pennies on the dollar.

That’s what the MN Twins did with hometown talent Louis Varland, though. Now, less than two years later, he’s won an award as the best reliever in the American League.

Louis Varland finds new heights away from MN Twins

A former 15th-round pick, Louis Varland found success in the Minnesota Twins bullpen. He finished with a 2.97 ERA in 2025, but it was dragged down by a 4.94 ERA with Toronto after he was sent to Canada. A year later, he posted a career-best 1.27 ERA.

Varland reached a career-high 72 2/3 innings in 2025, and then outdid that number with 78 in 2026. What was more impressive, though, is that he took over the closer job from former teammate and new Twins pitcher Jeff Hoffman. That meant his innings this past season largely came in high-leverage spots.

The Blue Jays used the former Division II Concordia St. Paul product to rack up 35 saves. He struck out 97 while walking just 23 and allowing only two home runs. After pushing his average fastball velocity to 98.1 mph in 2025, he reached new heights with a 98.8 mph average this season.

A close vote for the AL Reliever of the Year award

Voting for American League Reliever of the Year was incredibly close. Varland finished with 146 points and 16 first-place votes, while Cade Smith (Guardians) was second with 133 points and seven first-place votes. Bryan Baker (Rays) was third with 111 points, and Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox) and Josh Hader (Astros) also received votes.

The award adds to a season in which he was named an All-Star for the first time as well. Still under team control through 2030, Varland remains a bargain and has made just shy of $2.3 million over the course of his career. He’ll be an integral part of the Toronto bullpen again in 2027, and there’s no reason to think he won’t still be among the game’s most dominant arms.