In a move that’s sparking conversations across baseball circles, the Chicago Cubs have quietly strengthened their pitching arsenal by signing a former Minnesota Twins minor leaguer—and it’s not just any player. Meet Tyler Beede, a 32-year-old right-handed pitcher whose journey from a first-round draft pick to a minor league deal is as intriguing as it is complex. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Beede’s release by the Twins a missed opportunity, or a smart organizational decision? Let’s dive in.
The Cubs’ recent addition of Beede to a minor league contract, as reported by Ari Alexander of 7News Boston WHDH, comes on the heels of his brief stint with the Twins. After signing with Minnesota on April 15, 2025, Beede made just seven appearances for their Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints. His performance? A staggering 8.00 ERA with seven strikeouts and nine walks in nine innings. By June 1, he was released. But this isn’t the end of his story—far from it.
Before joining the Twins, Beede, a 2014 first-round pick by the San Francisco Giants, had already logged MLB innings with the Cleveland Guardians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Giants. Across five MLB seasons, he’s posted a 5.55 ERA with 181 strikeouts and 92 walks, though his bWAR sits at -1.1. Once a top-100 prospect by MLB and Baseball America, Beede’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After his Twins release, he pitched 21 1/3 innings in the Atlantic League and 13 1/3 innings in the Mexican League, showcasing his determination to stay in the game.
And this is the part most people miss: The Twins’ decision to release Beede in 2025 wasn’t just about his performance. With a roster brimming with young, MLB-ready pitchers, keeping Beede might have blocked opportunities for more promising arms. Plus, there’s speculation that Beede himself may have sought his release to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. If true, the Twins did him a favor by letting him go. But even if that’s not the case, was it the right call? After trading away five relievers—Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Danny Coulombe, and Louis Varland—the Twins could’ve used Beede’s experience. Yet, they easily replaced him with affordable journeymen like Noah Davis and Michael Tonkin. Given their 2025 season was already a write-off after trading nearly 40% of their roster, Beede’s value was likely marginal.
Here’s the bold question: Did the Twins make a mistake by letting Beede go, or did they wisely prioritize their future? And for the Cubs, is Beede a hidden gem or a calculated risk? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
