Veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson is back on the market after opting out of his minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Gibson, who had been designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on May 18 following a tough start to the 2025 season—where he posted a staggering 16.78 ERA across four outings—has shown signs of life in Triple-A. In four starts for the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay’s top affiliate, Gibson surrendered only one earned run, signaling he may still have something left in the tank.
Now a free agent once again, the 37-year-old right-hander is expected to draw some interest from clubs in need of pitching depth, particularly those dealing with injuries or underperforming rotations. One possible destination? A reunion with the Minnesota Twins, the organization where Gibson spent the first seven seasons of his Major League career.
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Minnesota is currently dealing with significant rotation troubles. With Pablo López and promising rookie Zebby Matthews sidelined due to injuries, and inconsistent performances from Bailey Ober and others, only Joe Ryan has provided stability on the mound. This leaves the Twins in a precarious position as they attempt to stay in contention for a Wild Card berth, especially after losing eight of their last ten games and falling two games behind the third spot in the American League playoff race.
Should the team continue to struggle leading into the trade deadline, there’s a realistic chance the front office could pivot toward selling rather than buying. However, in the short term, adding a low-cost, experienced arm like Gibson could be an attractive option, especially if their internal options don’t show rapid improvement.
Simeon Woods Richardson, one of those internal options, has shown flashes—such as a strong outing against Houston—but was hit hard by Milwaukee just days later. Similarly, David Festa, another young arm, has shown promise but has struggled with consistency, allowing multiple runs in recent appearances against Cincinnati and Oakland.
Gibson could offer more than just innings. His leadership, familiarity with the organization, and recent minor league success make him a potentially stabilizing presence at minimal cost. Importantly, acquiring him wouldn’t require the Twins to part with any prospects, a key consideration for a team that may be weighing short-term fixes against long-term development.
Still, despite his upside, a reunion remains unlikely. The Twins may prefer to prioritize the development of their young starters, believing they offer greater long-term value. Yet, if Gibson can translate his recent Triple-A success to the majors, the Twins could do worse than turning to a familiar face in a time of need.
