Do Any of the Top Remaining Free Agents Fit with the Twins?

[Cody Christie]

Time is running out for the Twins to add to the team's 2023 roster. So, do any of the top remaining free agents fit with the Twins?

Image courtesy of Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking free agents can be a challenging exercise, especially at this point in the off-season when many of the top names are off the board. On Sunday, MLB Trade Rumors updated their list of the best remaining free agents at each position, which includes some players that are potential fits for the Twins. Here is a rundown of that list and how each player fits with Minnesota's 2023 roster. 

Starting Pitcher: Johnny Cueto
Minnesota showed some interest in Cueto last winter but went in a different direction to sign Chris Archer. At the time, the Twins wanted someone ready to jump into the rotation, and Cueto didn't make an appearance until May 16. In 2022, he made 25 starts for the White Sox and posted a 3.35 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP. There are rumors the Twins might be interested in Michael Wacha, who would be the next best free-agent starter. Teams can never have too much starting pitching, but the club's younger arms offer more upside. 

Relief Pitcher: Andrew Chafin
The Twins have done little to add to the bullpen, and a few reliable relievers are left on the market. Chafin is intriguing because he is left-handed, and Minnesota's only lefty relievers are Caleb Thielbar and Jovani Moran. He posted a 10.5 K/9 last season with a 2.83 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He's shown the ability to be effective against righties and lefties, which should secure him a late-inning role with a contending club. Former Twin Michael Fulmer is the best right-handed reliever, and that move makes sense for Minnesota if Chafin signs elsewhere. 

Catcher: Gary Sanchez
Catcher was one of Minnesota's most significant needs this winter, but the club already signed Christian Vazquez to a multi-year deal. The Twins saw plenty of Sanchez during the 2022 campaign, and the team was looking for a better defensive option. It seems highly unlikely for Sanchez to be back in a Twins uniform. 

First Base: Trey Mancini
Last week, I wrote about Mancini being a target for the Twins because he gets some time in the outfield and bats right-handed. However, he posted reverse splits last season, so he might not be the best candidate for this role. Minnesota likely has enough options for first base, with Luis Arraez and Alex Kirilloff getting most of the reps and other players filling in as needed. Signing Mancini makes more sense if the Twins traded any of their other first-base options. 

Second Base: Josh Harrison
Harrison posted a 94 OPS+ in 119 games for the White Sox last season while providing plenty of value on the defensive side. He can fill a veteran utility player role, especially since he ranked in the 84th percentile for Outs Above Average. Minnesota's second base depth chart is already full with Jorge Polanco, Luis Arraez, and Edouard Julien. 

Shortstop: Elvis Andrus
Obviously, Carlos Correa is not officially signed with the New York Mets, and MLBTR was assuming his deal will have a pen to paper. Andrus might be a slight upgrade over current Twins shortstop Kyle Farmer, but they offer similar overall value. Andrus likely wants to play for a team where he will get regular playing time, and the Twins might not be that place for him. Minnesota can add him as another infield option if his market continues to be cold, but that seems unlikely. 

Third Base: Brian Anderson
Earlier this winter, the Twins traded Gio Urshela to open up a regular third base job for Jose Miranda. Anderson's defense declined at third base last season, and he's averaged a 90 OPS+ over the last two seasons. He has some experience in the outfield, so the Twins may be interested in him being a right-handed bench bat.

Corner Outfield: Jurickson Profar
Besides Correa, Profar is the best free agent left on the market. Last season, he hit .243/.331/.391 (.723) with a 111 OPS+ and a career-high 36 doubles. Profar could fit with the Twins because he is a switch hitter and played exclusively in left field last season. Minnesota has Byron Buxton and Joey Gallo penciled into two outfield spots, while Profar could occupy left. It seems more likely for the Twins to use other internal options in the outfield, with the club already having too many corner outfield options. 

Center Field: Albert Almora
Almora is tremendous as a defensive center fielder, but he is substantially below average at the plate. The Twins hope to have Byron Buxton start more than 51 games in center this year. Also, Gilberto Celestino has plenty of upside, even though he still needs to put it all together at the big-league level. Almora isn't signing with the Twins. 

Designated Hitter: Nelson Cruz
Twins fans can dream of Cruz returning to the middle of the team's line-up, but he isn't the same hitter he was two years ago. In 2022, he hit .234/.313/.337 (.651) with a 90 OPS+. He's also entering his age 42 season, so there are no guarantees he will rediscover his swing. Cruz had plenty of memorable moments for the Twins, but the club was lucky to move on from him. 

Which of these players is the best fit with the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[mikelink45]

Only Chafin.  The other positions are full and none of these would be an upgrade.  Hire Nelson Cruz as a hitting coach - not a player. 

With all the talk of catcher shortages the fact that Sanchez is still out there speaks to his reputation and skills. 

[farmerguychris]

Nope - would prefer to go with our younger guys and anyone we can get for Kepler and hopefully Pagan.  No spot for either of them once picked up Gallo and saw what Pagan can do in the pen last year.

 

[Greglw3]

A group of Chafin, Profar and Mancini would strengthen the team, IMO.

[FarmerTim]

Bring back Brad Hand before he’s completely shot!

[CRF]

Bringing back Sanchez would be stupid at this point. None of these other guys make much sense either, other than Chafin. 

[Fatbat]

Fulmer and chafin would be nice but I don’t see that happening. I still wonder why they didn’t sign Profar instead of Gallo. 

[nicksaviking]

Ugh, looking at that list, "Top" free agents is obviously a relative term. 

[cballhitball]

Why does no-one seem to acknowledge Iglesias at SS?  What about Corey Knebel as relief?  I do like Chafin. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

We've already signed Gallo. I don't know what more anybody could want.

[Lonestar]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

Fulmer and chafin would be nice but I don’t see that happening. I still wonder why they didn’t sign Profar instead of Gallo. 

Gallo plays much better corner outfield defense than Profar. Gallo plays better CF defense than Nick Gordon; Profar does not.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Ugh, looking at that list, "Top" free agents is obviously a relative term. 

I mean, the top free agents signed a long time ago. Other than one. Though I guess he did sign. I didn't bother reading the article, frankly. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Lonestar said:

Gallo plays much better corner outfield defense than Profar. Gallo plays better CF defense than Nick Gordon; Profar does not.

Gallo also has tremendous upside. He might not get there, but it's possible. 

[Doctor Gast]

Under present philosophy we could use Chaffin & or Fulmer. 

Forget about Cruz's '22 stats. He has recovered from his eye problem & thrives under our environment. We need a righty bat that can rake on both LHPs & RHPs. We need his leadership, sign him up

[sweetmusicviola16]

27 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Under present philosophy we could use Chaffin & or Fulmer. 

Forget about Cruz's '22 stats. He has recovered from his eye problem & thrives under our environment. We need a righty bat that can rake on both LHPs & RHPs. We need his leadership, sign him up

I agree on Cruz. Everything to gain and nothing to lose except whatever millions it would take to sign him for the year. If he is done done you just cut him loose.

[Parfigliano]

6 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

We've already signed Gallo. I don't know what more anybody could want.

Plus how many corner outfielders does this team need.

[Fatbat]

4 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I agree on Cruz. Everything to gain and nothing to lose except whatever millions it would take to sign him for the year. If he is done done you just cut him loose.

The only problem with signing Cruz would be not playing 4 guys in the DH every 4th day of 1/2 rest. Can we cut that pie into fifths? 

[DocBauer]

I love the Chaffin idea to team with Thielbar, and maybe Moran still, to have 3 LH in the pen, even though Moran is better against RH bats. What a luxury for the pen. And Hand is also still available, probably a couple $M cheaper. He's only had a couple bad seasons in his career and showed in 2022 there may still be some life there.

I've actually been surprised the Twins didn't sign Fulmer weeks ago. He's only going to be 30yrs old in 2023, is a legit 7th inning guy, seems to have miles left on his arm, and has only been relieving for about 2yrs. Lots of miles left, young, and might have 8th inning potential as he continues to grow in this role. 

There are more than a handful of BP arms sitting out there that will probably sign late and have the "if healthy" or "if he finds this pitch again" or "if he can adjust" labels attached to them that might be potential, cheap, steals.

But just like a rotation needs more than 5 arms, the pen needs more than 8. Why, in the name of the baseball gods, wouldn't you take all the $ available to add to the bullpen? 

I love the potential of Moran and Alcala. I think they have real futures. But why not move on from Pagan, Megill and Ortega to some veteran, PROVEN arms who make your pen borderline outstanding? With some of the young arms provIding middle relief, while getting their feet wet, you increase the depth of the ENTIRE STAFF.

I'm dumbstruck at this point.

I like Mancini as a RH bat to help at the corner OF spots and at 1B. Like everyone else, I am HOPEFUL for Kirilloff to be ready to resume his trajectory as a high level bat. And even if he's 100% OK and the Twins decide he could use a month or so to ramp up after so much time missed, there's STILL room for a RH bat on this team. Mancini can probably play the OF as well as Garlick, and is a more proven player/producer. He can also assist at 1B with Arraez and AK. How ISN'T he a fit for team need here?

You're going to bet on Garlick? Or a sudden rise of Martin being ready? Or Celestino isn't better served spending time at AAA, which he's barely played at, to hone his skills and work off some rough edges?

It's so obvious we need to make an addition. And unless the FO thinks they have another "steal" on the market or via trade, how about adding a solid, experienced hitter?

Why does this seem so obvious, pen and RH bat?

Barring a last minute Correa/Boras coming to the Twins decision, SS belongs to Farmer. In my 2023 blueprint I went with Iglesias because his career numbers and OPS were spot on. If not better, with the more "regarded" Andrus. Andrus is ONLY the better choice if you believe his 2022 resurgence is for real. Older than Iglesias, do you want to bet on that for 2023? Or do you run with the comparable Farmer? I think I know what the Twins will do.

Do the Twins trade for a SS? Should they grab Kim from the Padres and let Farmer be a super utility player? Kim is a very fine player and SS. But what's the cost for a short term SS? Maybe we make a deal with the Mets for Guilmore. Again, what's the cost for short term. Are either an upgrade enough to make a difference in the short term?

ADD to the pen. ADD Mancini. 

Everything else is done.

[Blyleven2011]

Bullpen help please and we are good to go ....

Chafin or fullmer ...

[Matthew Lenz]

None of the above. Would rather give our young guys the innings and at-bats to prove themselves. Unless it’s a clear upgrade via trade, I’m ready to roll into 2023 with what we have and see what happens.

[h2oface]

"top remaining free agents" is an oxymoron. You can try to put the words together at this point, but the "top free agents' ship has sailed, even if you put "remaining" with the rest of the words. We are in the "diving" area now. 

Well...... there is Trevor Bauer, I guess. That is the only "top free agent" available now. Or at least, I assume he is a top..... free agent.

[old nurse]

In terms of the position players I could of sworn it was a list of players you wanted to see in St Paul

[MABB1959]

23 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Only Chafin.  The other positions are full and none of these would be an upgrade.  Hire Nelson Cruz as a hitting coach - not a player. 

With all the talk of catcher shortages the fact that Sanchez is still out there speaks to his reputation and skills. 

Sign him and maybe use as a DH and hitting coach!

[MABB1959]

If they are still out there, I highly doubt any would make a difference.  It is time to see what we have in our prospects now. ALWAYS a day late and a MILLION dollars short.  Same conversations year after year.  I also hope they do not sign Correa because just like last year he would only sign with the Twins as his last option available, to me it is the principle.  Get Royce here now before his is too old and beat up.  It seems to me this is a lost year.  Maybe the ALC but that would be it.  

[Fatbat]

38 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

If they are still out there, I highly doubt any would make a difference.  It is time to see what we have in our prospects now. ALWAYS a day late and a MILLION dollars short.  Same conversations year after year.  I also hope they do not sign Correa because just like last year he would only sign with the Twins as his last option available, to me it is the principle.  Get Royce here now before his is too old and beat up.  It seems to me this is a lost year.  Maybe the ALC but that would be it.  

We need another building block in order to win now. Without CC we will have growing pains for the next 2-3 years as the youngster’s start their MLB careers and enter their prime. At least Gallo will be gone, hopefully at the trade deadline or maybe he will be an allstar one last time. As long as we get full seasons out of AK, Buck and TL, Arraez should be close to scoring 100+ runs. Personally, I’m probably going to watch more saints games this year….

[HoskenPowell]

Chaffin would be the only one to get in my opinion.   Would love to see the Twins engage with the Marlins about their starting pitchers. Any of them would be ok with me and TWO of them would be amazing.   Kepler , Pagan and one of the lh young corner outfielders can go in my opinion.  And for the love of god walk away from Correa.

[Luke Thompson]

Fulmer and chafin

[HoskenPowell]

Well Cueto went to the Marlins so they will be trading one of their young starters now for sure...........The brain trust in charge had better have their rear ends on the phones with the Marlins and see what it will  take to land one or two of them......Vulgar display of wealth on the Marlins starting rotation....not even counting 3/4 minor leaguers not that far off.   Miranda / Kepler / Pagan / Araez or one of the LH hitting corner outfielders better be heading that way.

[Battle ur tail off]

9 minutes ago, HoskenPowell said:

Well Cueto went to the Marlins so they will be trading one of their young starters now for sure...........The brain trust in charge had better have their rear ends on the phones with the Marlins and see what it will  take to land one or two of them......Vulgar display of wealth on the Marlins starting rotation....not even counting 3/4 minor leaguers not that far off.   Miranda / Kepler / Pagan / Araez or one of the LH hitting corner outfielders better be heading that way.

I think it would be a mistake to move Miranda. He is young and looks like he can be an impact hitter. A stud if you will. His defense is mediocre, but I think moving a guy like this when you don't seriously hope to contend for a bit isn't smart. You will also have a chance to move him later if you think Lee or Lewis takes over 3rd and/or SS. 

The only way I want Miranda moved for the Marlins starters would be if they will give up their Cy Young winner. Then do whatever is necessary. 

[Battle ur tail off]

Bullpen help is what I want, whether it is one of Fulmer/Chafin or a trade for someone that is an actual impact reliever, they need upgrades to the pen IMO.

Other than that, nothing on that list.