In a bold move that underscores their faith in young talent, the Minnesota Twins have exercised their $1.5 million club option for reliever Jorge Alcala for the 2025 season. The decision comes despite a rocky conclusion to what had been a promising 2024 campaign for the right-hander, with the Twins banking on a strong rebound in the coming year.
Alcala’s 2024 Season: A Tale of Two Halves
Jorge Alcala’s 2024 season was a study in contrasts. The 29-year-old reliever finished with a respectable 3.24 ERA across 54 appearances, striking out 58 batters in 58 1/3 innings of work. However, his performance was markedly different before and after the All-Star break.
In the first half of the season, Alcala was dominant, posting a stellar 1.56 ERA in 34⅔ innings pitched. His second-half performance, however, told a different story. In 23⅔ innings after the break, Alcala’s ERA ballooned to 5.70, and he was ultimately demoted to Triple-A in mid-September, even as the Twins found themselves in the thick of a tight playoff race.
Control Issues and Home Runs Plague Second Half
Alcala’s post-All-Star break struggles can be attributed to two key factors: an uptick in walks and an alarming propensity to surrender home runs. Over the course of the season, he issued 20 free passes and was tagged for eight long balls. These control issues and the long ball plagued him down the stretch, contributing to his inflated second-half ERA.
Twins Remain Confident in Alcala’s Potential
Despite his late-season difficulties, the Twins’ decision to pick up Alcala’s option demonstrates their unwavering belief in his potential. The organization remains confident that the right-hander can regain the form that made him such a valuable asset in the first half of the 2024 season.
“We’ve seen what Jorge is capable of when he’s at his best,” a team source told reporters. “He’s got electric stuff and the ability to dominate hitters. We believe he’ll bounce back strong in 2025.”
A Key Piece of the Pressly Trade
Alcala’s journey with the Twins began in 2018 when he was acquired from the Houston Astros in exchange for reliever Ryan Pressly. Since making his debut with Minnesota in 2019, Alcala has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been hampered by injuries. In 163⅓ career major league innings, he has posted a solid 3.64 ERA.
Twins Bullpen in Flux
The Twins’ decision to retain Alcala comes amidst a period of uncertainty for the team’s bullpen. Last week, the club declined 2025 options on infielder Kyle Farmer and outfielder Manuel Margot, both of whom are now free agents. With several key pieces potentially on the move, Alcala’s presence could provide some much-needed stability in the late innings.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As the Twins look to build upon their success in the 2024 season, the development of young, cost-controlled talent like Jorge Alcala will be crucial. If the right-hander can rediscover his early-season form and maintain consistency throughout the 2025 campaign, he could emerge as a linchpin in the team’s bullpen and a key contributor to their postseason aspirations.
The $1.5 million option may seem like a gamble given Alcala’s second-half struggles, but the Twins are betting on the reliever’s ability to learn from his experiences and come back stronger. Only time will tell if their faith in the young hurler will be rewarded, but one thing is certain: Jorge Alcala will have every opportunity to prove himself in the coming season.
