Twins Looking For Outfielder, May Consider Donovan Solano Return

[Brock Beauchamp]

On Monday evening, the news Twins fans were waiting three months to hear finally happened: Jorge Polanco had been traded. In a five-player swap, Minnesota freed up approximately $6 million of salary, which should allow them to pursue help in other areas.

Jon Heyman speculated today that Donovan Solano might be in the mix. Other rumors have circulated that the Twins could pursue a low-cost designated hitter, perhaps Joey Votto or Carlos Santana.

What Heyman seems more sure about is that the Twins are looking for outfield help, probably in center field. With the oft-injured Byron Buxton perpetually a question mark, a backup center field option could be prudent.

Are we looking at a return of Michael A. Taylor in 2024?

 

View full rumor

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

I applaud what MAT and Solano brought to the table last season - but...admittedly, if that's what Falvey was talking about when he was commenting on reinvesting the savings from the Polanco trade - meh.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

No offense but its clear the Heyman tweet is just conjecture and no actual info.  

[SaberNerd]

Really meh about Solano.  Would mean that Miranda goes to AAA, and I'd rather figure out if Miranda can bounce back than go for a solid rental player.  If needed, it shouldn't be hard to get a Solano-level player via trade midseason.

 

Ideally, we get a 4th OF that can hit LHP well to platoon with Kepler/Wallner and can fill in for Buxton when he gets hurt.  Gordon would be fine if he wasn't a lefty.  Of the FA players, MAT is probably the best available for this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade to fill this.

[JD-TWINS]

Can’t spend money on Taylor IMO! Too many potential internal options that, on the lower side of offensive production, are better or as good as Taylor.

Solano, for under $4M, is a potential great value as the RH compliment to Kirilloff at 1B. Experienced & well liked!! He’s a safer option to Miranda - if Miranda has a good year, he is at best the same as Solano, with 6 - 8 more homers. I like the security Donny Barrels provides at his cost!

[Cory Engelhardt]

JD Martinez or Jorge Soler would both be fantastic fits for the middle of the lineup.

I'd also be ok with Solano coming back, especially if they don't trust Miranda's shoulder coming back fully.

 

Unrelated; I saw a rumor (courtesy of Trevor Plouffe) connecting the Twins to Dylan Cease. I'm not saying it means anything, but he would be a FANTASTIC addition via trade.

[IndianaTwin]

I'd welcome a repeat of that Saturday morning two winters ago when I woke up and freaked out to the news of a Correa signing, this time with Bellinger. The handedness is wrong, but there's not many guys who could solve the challenges of having a Buxton backup, a proven first baseman and an extra bat with one roster spot. 

His agent is, ahem, Mr. Boras, and the Twins have shown the willingness to be creative with him late in the offseason. This FO also been good at pulling off deals and signings that were completely under/off the radar.

 

(You heard it here first, film at 11. 😀)

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

32 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

I'd welcome a repeat of that Saturday morning two winters ago when I woke up and freaked out to the news of a Correa signing, this time with Bellinger. The handedness is wrong, but there's not many guys who could solve the challenges of having a Buxton backup, a proven first baseman and an extra bat with one roster spot. 

His agent is, ahem, Mr. Boras, and the Twins have shown the willingness to be creative with him late in the offseason. This FO also been good at pulling off deals and signings that were completely under the radar.

 

(You heard it here first, film at 11. 😀)

Remember that morning very well. Had the breaking news alert on my phone when I woke up. Had to stare at it for a minute or two because I didn't trust my eyes.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

JD Martinez or Jorge Soler would both be fantastic fits for the middle of the lineup.

I'd also be ok with Solano coming back, especially if they don't trust Miranda's shoulder coming back fully.

 

Unrelated; I saw a rumor (courtesy of Trevor Plouffe) connecting the Twins to Dylan Cease. I'm not saying it means anything, but he would be a FANTASTIC addition via trade.

I would be curious to see that rumor.  However giving the sun and moon for Cease doesn't seem to be ideal.  

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, SaberNerd said:

Really meh about Solano.  Would mean that Miranda goes to AAA, and I'd rather figure out if Miranda can bounce back than go for a solid rental player. 

Miranda needs to go to AAA regardless. He was bad in AAA and needs to show he can be good in AAA before he gets another promotion. No scholarships for the young players.

[Greglw3]

J.D. Martinez or Adam Duvall and C.J. Cron or Joey Votto who I think will bounce back if healthy, which he appears to be and I think Austin Martin could be ready for CF.

There’s also an outfielder who hit 21 HR with 74 RBIs last year who is available and proven effective in the AL Central.

[jorgenswest]

43 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Miranda needs to go to AAA regardless. He was bad in AAA and needs to show he can be good in AAA before he gets another promotion. No scholarships for the young players.

Isn’t it a question of heath? Doesn’t he have an OPS of .852 in AAA over 649 PAs? 

I hope the Twins are a little more open minded in spring training and particularly the work outside of the games. I expect that he will need some time in AAA but I would hope he has a chance to excel and win a major league job this spring. 

[darin617]

2 hours ago, SaberNerd said:

Really meh about Solano.  Would mean that Miranda goes to AAA, and I'd rather figure out if Miranda can bounce back than go for a solid rental player.  If needed, it shouldn't be hard to get a Solano-level player via trade midseason.

 

Ideally, we get a 4th OF that can hit LHP well to platoon with Kepler/Wallner and can fill in for Buxton when he gets hurt.  Gordon would be fine if he wasn't a lefty.  Of the FA players, MAT is probably the best available for this, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade to fill this.

Any reason why Miranda can't figure it out in St Paul? Makes no sense to "try" him up with the Twins. Let him play everyday with St Paul and if he's ready he will get promoted. Pretty simple.

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

I would be curious to see that rumor.  However giving the sun and moon for Cease doesn't seem to be ideal.  

I don’t know that I’d call it a rumor so much as it is Plouffe saying that Cease to the twins would be fun.

And I do agree with that part :)

[Rik19753]

30 minutes ago, darin617 said:

Any reason why Miranda can't figure it out in St Paul? Makes no sense to "try" him up with the Twins. Let him play everyday with St Paul and if he's ready he will get promoted. Pretty simple.

Because signing a Solano is going to kill any chance of Miranda getting a promotion barring injury. If Miranda is raking in AAA in April, are they going to cut Solano to make room for him? Absolutely not. Nor are they going to carry Kirilloff, Solano and Miranda on the same roster when those players provide tremendously limited positional flexibility.

Also, the chances are pretty high that Miranda's production collapsing last year is due to injury. It's just so rare that someone that once showed he was a competent major league hitter suddenly can't hit AAA pitching without something going on behind the scenes. Similar to Kirilloff of previous years, the FO should have a pretty good idea of what they can expect from him given his condition in the spring.

The answer at 1B should be to go with Miranda/Severino + and to look to see who sticks IMO.

[jkcarew]

IMO, they need an center fielder that adds value even if he has to play every day. Not a RH platoon option.

Because we KNOW he’ll have to play every day for long stretches. (And that ain’t MAT). Such is probably only available in a trade.

[Cory Engelhardt]

9 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

IMO, they need an center fielder that adds value even if he has to play every day. Not a RH platoon option.

Because we KNOW he’ll have to play every day for long stretches. (And that ain’t MAT). Such is probably only available in a trade.

Do you have someone in mind?

[jkcarew]

7 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Do you have someone in mind?

No. But, I wouldn’t prioritize a RH bat, platoon-type, for CF depth…I’d prioritize the best all-around player at CF I can get. So, I’m HOPING that someone is out there (probably in a trade) that gets us more than a MAT. This is what I think they should be trying for before settling on a MAT.  (MAT would be better than nothing, though.)

[Jocko87]

I think there is really only room for one additional player for the full time 26 man.  My vote is a RH thumper who can function in both the corner outfield and first base.  There aren't many of those out there.  Solano doesn't quite do it for me, MAT might be interesting in the role he was intended for last year but I think the bat is more important.  

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, jkcarew said:

No. But, I wouldn’t prioritize a RH bat, platoon-type, for CF depth…I’d prioritize the best all-around player at CF I can get. So, I’m HOPING that someone is out there (probably in a trade) that gets us more than a MAT. This is what I think they should be trying for before settling on a MAT.  (MAT would be better than nothing, though.)

What if that player is Buxton?

[FlyingFinn]

13 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

I think there is really only room for one additional player for the full time 26 man.

Agreed for hitters. The right trade for a #2 starter would certainly fit though as well.

[jkcarew]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

What if that player is Buxton?

You willing to bet on that?

He’s played 100 games in center one time in his career. That was 7 seasons ago. Since then, he’s topped out at 86. If he miraculously, somehow, makes 100 games in 2024…as unlikely as that is…it leaves 60+ for someone else, some of which, in all likelihood, would be playoff games, (if the Twins make it).

[Cory Engelhardt]

5 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

You willing to bet on that?

He’s played 100 games in center one time in his career. That was 7 seasons ago. Since then, he’s topped out at 86. If he miraculously, somehow, makes 100 games in 2024…as unlikely as that is…it leaves 60+ for someone else, some of which, in all likelihood, would be playoff games, (if the Twins make it).

Castro and Martin can both do that, or Keirsey or even bubba Thompson. At least defensively they may be fine 

[arby58]

4 hours ago, Greglw3 said:

There’s also an outfielder who hit 21 HR with 74 RBIs last year who is available and proven effective in the AL Central.

At first I thought you were referring to Taylor, who had 21 HR but only 51 RBIs, but I see you were referring to Eddie Rosario. I dunno, between the two, I think I'd rather have Taylor, just for the sake of my sanity.

[DocBauer]

With all due respect to Salano and what he contributed to the 2023 Twins, I'd have a hard time spending anything other than a milb deal for a 36yo utility INF who had his one more moment in the sun. I'd be OK if he's willing for a milb deal because I think that he's only going to get that at this point.

There's arguements about the Twins adding a RH bat. That makes sense. But I don't think that bat should be a DH only because the Twins want to keep that spot reserved to run half days off for EVERYONE, including Buxton here and there.

Don't get me wrong. If the Twins signed  someone like Martinez as a DH the lineup could use him. But the depth and potential depth of this team and lineup doesn't mesh with a DH only player. 

And I really don't want to spend $ on a throw away guy.  Today, right now, a couple weeks before ST. Jorge Soler or Adam Duvall should not only be targets for the Twins, but they semselves should realize the market is not what they hoped for. I like Duval better than Solar because he's just a much better defensive player.  If we are spending available payroll to a bat Duvall is my choice. Hands down.

[UK Twin]

11 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Remember that morning very well. Had the breaking news alert on my phone when I woke up. Had to stare at it for a minute or two because I didn't trust my eyes.

My jaw almost hit the floor.

[nclahammer]

As much as I LOVE Eddie Rosario, I don't see a reunion between him and the Minnesota Twins in the future;

[arby58]

6 hours ago, DocBauer said:

And I really don't want to spend $ on a throw away guy.  Today, right now, a couple weeks before ST. Jorge Soler or Adam Duvall should not only be targets for the Twins, but they semselves should realize the market is not what they hoped for. I like Duval better than Solar because he's just a much better defensive player.  If we are spending available payroll to a bat Duvall is my choice. Hands down.

Agree that Duvall is a far better defensive outfielder than Soler and has played a little first base (Soler never has), so he provides that platoon option as well. Duvall hasn't played more than 92 games in a season since 2021 and has had hand and wrist injury issues. He's also 3 1/2 years older.  Both players strike out a lot and have had their ups and downs - probably not surprising they are still waiting around for 'the right offer.'

[arby58]

13 hours ago, jkcarew said:

IMO, they need an center fielder that adds value even if he has to play every day. Not a RH platoon option.

Because we KNOW he’ll have to play every day for long stretches. (And that ain’t MAT). Such is probably only available in a trade.

I guess I don't understand the not Taylor comment about playing every day for long stretches - he played 129 games for the Twins last year, which suggests he was close to an everyday player (at least in today's baseball). Granted, he was much better against right handed pitching (149 OPS+ versus 80), but the glove makes up for some of that.

[TopGunn#22]

I'm a "NO" on both Taylor and Solano.  Taylor had a career year and I do not envision a repeat.  The defense is good, I'll grant him that.  But if Castro ended up as the primary backup for Buxton I be more than satisfied with that. 

Cesar Tovar didn't have a primary position with the Twins from 1966-1968.  Then in 1969, he forced his way into the lineup as a regular playing 113 games in the OF while still playing 41 at 2B and 20 at 3B.  He primarily played 2B when Rod Carew was doing his weekend stuff with the National Guard.  He played 3B when Killebrew was removed late in games for defensive purposes.  But he played a lot of CF and LF.  Castro can be a similar type of player.  I like his speed out of the 9-hole in the batting order.  There is also Austin Martin.  I'm at the point where I think CF behind Buxton is covered internally.

Solano really has no place on the Twins in 2024.  He's going to be 37 during the regular season and he's a punch-less hitter.  When you already have options like Kirilloff, Miranda and Julien you just don't need to waste your time on a 37 year old journeyman.  He had a nice year for the Twins in 2023, but I say "Thank You" to him and Taylor and move on.

What the Twins COULD use is some RH power in their outfield.  Duval is a better glove than Soler, but if I had to choose between the 2 of them I'd go Soler.  Again, Castro has CF covered.  Austin Martin is an option.  But Soler in LF with occasional stints at DH hitting in the middle of the lineup would be tremendous.  He's got power and he's a proven RBI guy, something that gets underrated in today's baseball.   

I'm not sure what the Twins have for money to spend.  I'm not sure what Soler is looking for or what he would accept.  And I'd rather spend that money by taking on a contract of a GOOD SP in a trade.  But Soler would be a good addition.