7 Potential Landing Spots for Max Kepler in Free Agency

[Cody Christie]

Max Kepler has been a member of the Twins organization since he was a teenager. Now, he will test free agency for the first time in his career. Here are seven teams that might have a fit for the versatile outfielder.

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Max Kepler is navigating the uncharted waters of free agency for the first time in his career. The veteran outfielder has been a staple for the Minnesota Twins since his MLB debut in 2015, but the 2024 season was one he'd rather forget. Limited by injuries and struggles at the plate, Kepler enters the offseason with something to prove. Over the last three seasons, he has averaged a 102 OPS+ with 21 DRS. MLB Trade Rumors projects the 31-year-old to land a one-year contract in the $6-10 million range, a significant drop from where he entered last offseason. 

While Kepler’s 2024 numbers may not jump off the page, his track record of solid defense, average offensive totals, and positional versatility make him an intriguing option for teams needing outfield depth. Here are some potential landing spots for Kepler as he looks to rebuild his value:  

New York Mets  
Current Projected RF: Starling Marte
The Mets are no strangers to reclamation projects, and Kepler could be a perfect fit for a team looking to make a deeper run into October. Their outfield situation remains in flux, with injuries and underperformance plaguing the roster. Kepler’s ability to play all three outfield positions would give manager Buck Showalter flexibility if Kepler is willing to spend some time in center field.  

Seattle Mariners
Current Projected RF: Victor Robles
Seattle’s roster is built on pitching and defense, which aligns well with Kepler’s strengths. The Mariners are set in center field with Julio Rodríguez, but they could use a veteran presence to stabilize a corner spot. Kepler’s glove would shine in spacious T-Mobile Park, and his pull-heavy approach could benefit from the stadium's design.  

Toronto Blue Jays  
Current Projected RF: George Springer
The Blue Jays need left-handed bats to balance some of the right-handed hitters in their lineup, and Kepler checks that box. Toronto is in a tricky place when it comes to its winning window. The team disappointed in 2024, and some of its veteran players are close to free agency. Additionally, the Blue Jays might be intrigued by Kepler, an appealing stopgap option.  

 

San Diego Padres
Current Projected RF: Fernando Tatis Jr. 
After their payroll shrunk last winter, the Padres face an uncertain offseason, but Kepler could be a cost-effective addition. His ability to provide steady defense and occasional pop would help stabilize their lineup. Kepler would need to switch positions because the Padres are likely not going to move Tatis Jr. from right field. San Deigo must surround its core with affordable veterans, and Kepler fits the bill.  

Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Projected RF: Joshua Palacios
Pittsburgh is attempting to emerge from a rebuild, and adding a player like Kepler could help solidify their young roster. He would bring veteran leadership to a team that showed flashes of promise in 2024. With PNC Park’s cavernous right field, Kepler’s defense would be a valuable asset. Plus, the Pirates have some payroll flexibility to take a flier on a player looking to re-establish himself.  

Colorado Rockies
Current Projected RF: Sam Hilliard
The Rockies remain perpetual wild cards in free agency, but their need for defensive upgrades could bring Kepler into the picture. Coors Field can amplify even modest power, and Kepler’s gap-to-gap approach could thrive in Denver. Additionally, his defensive instincts would help mitigate some of the challenges posed by the thin air in Colorado. A successful season with the Rockies could put him in a better position to hit free agency again next winter.  

Miami Marlins 
Current Projected RF: Griffin Conine
The Marlins took a step back in 2024, so they are searching for consistent offensive production. Kepler’s left-handed bat could slot nicely into their lineup, and his defense would bolster their outfield behind a strong pitching staff. Miami was one of baseball’s worst teams last season, so a veteran like Kepler can help rebuild some of the clubhouse culture that suffered in 2024.

Kepler’s market will depend largely on how teams view his injury-marred 2024 campaign. Is he a player in decline, or can he return to being the steady, versatile outfielder he was earlier in his career?  A one-year deal with incentives seems like the most likely outcome, allowing Kepler to prove himself before testing free agency again in 2025. The teams mentioned above stand out as the best fits, but Kepler’s combination of experience and versatility ensures that multiple teams will be interested in giving him a fresh start.  

Where will Kepler play in 2025? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

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[bean5302]

Spotrac MV 3yrs $31MM
ESPN Est. 2yrs $24MM
MLBTR = 1yr Below $8MM

Mets - It seems a popular speculation around here for 2024 Twins players who weren't good to end up in NY because the Mets can afford to spend, but the Mets can afford to spend on good players. Why would they spend on guys like Paddack or Kepler when they don't need to bottom feed?

Mariners - Already have a veteran corner OF in Arozarena. Can't see them choosing Kep over the cheaper, and just as good (or better) Victor Robles.

Rockies - Are cutting salary so I can't see them signing Kepler, though Coors would be a great place for Kepler to rebound.

Marlins - No idea about this club, but it doesn't feel like a good fit on the surface. Nobody wants to play for them, that much I'd bet money on. The owner, Bruce Sherman, is busy talking about tech and development expenditures and downplaying free agency. Historically, the Marlins are not free agent spenders. Their biggest FA contract ever was $53MM, and they've only handed out a $10MM+ contract 4 times in team history.

I think Kepler is going to have to settle for a 1 year deal to get into the $10MM+ AAV range. I think the Royals are a good candidate to sign him. The Royals need a corner OF with at least a league average bat, and they have some payroll flexibility. Kepler should rebound to a solid 2 WAR season and meet their needs.

[rdehring]

I am going to miss Max, especially his defense.  I dread watching the Twins with Larnach and Wallner in the corners.  And when Buxton isn't in center, could get real ugly.  Crossing my fingers one of the young studs gets here soon.

[LambchoP]

I could see him going to the Royals or maybe the Blue Jays on a one year deal. We'll miss his defense in right field, but we can replace his offense with Wallner and Larnach. I just hope we sign a good RH outfielder who can play center field for Buxton. Castro can play left occasionally but I don't think Austin Martin is a good choice to play center. Keirsey can probably do a good job there but he's also a lefty.

[gman]

I'm thinking Kepler will probably be a late spring signing on a 1 year deal. I would be surprised if he got more than $7.5mil.

[Blyleven2011]

Did I read that right  , buck showalter  is managing the Mets  , no way is Kepler a good fit with either new York teams  , he would fold under the pressure the fans expect  ...

Kepler would be a good fit with Oakland playing in a minor leagʻue stadium  , if he's a late spring signing for 5 million  ...

Toronto has needed left handed hitters for quite sometime  , we should have traded some of our lefties for some of their righties  , we still can ...

Colorado would work for Kepler ...

Tampa Bay is another possibility  as a cheap late spring signing , playing in a spring training facility ...

We'll just have to wait and see  ...

[Trov]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Spotrac MV 3yrs $31MM
ESPN Est. 2yrs $24MM
MLBTR = 1yr Below $8MM

Mets - It seems a popular speculation around here for 2024 Twins players who weren't good to end up in NY because the Mets can afford to spend, but the Mets can afford to spend on good players. Why would they spend on guys like Paddack or Kepler when they don't need to bottom feed?

Mariners - Already have a veteran corner OF in Arozarena. Can't see them choosing Kep over the cheaper, and just as good (or better) Victor Robles.

Rockies - Are cutting salary so I can't see them signing Kepler, though Coors would be a great place for Kepler to rebound.

Marlins - No idea about this club, but it doesn't feel like a good fit on the surface. Nobody wants to play for them, that much I'd bet money on. The owner, Bruce Sherman, is busy talking about tech and development expenditures and downplaying free agency. Historically, the Marlins are not free agent spenders. Their biggest FA contract ever was $53MM, and they've only handed out a $10MM+ contract 4 times in team history.

I think Kepler is going to have to settle for a 1 year deal to get into the $10MM+ AAV range. I think the Royals are a good candidate to sign him. The Royals need a corner OF with at least a league average bat, and they have some payroll flexibility. Kepler should rebound to a solid 2 WAR season and meet their needs.

I agree I think he will be signing a 1 year deal.  He has only been, for most of his career, an overall average hitter.  His numbers never lined up with his hit profile, but at this point it is what it is.  He is a good to great defender in RF, but aging.  He is getting hurt more often.  He either needs to chase the little money he can get left, or be willing to do a 1 year on a contending team as 4th OF or platoon type guy. 

[chpettit19]

Pittsburgh, KC, San Fran, and Houston feel like places he could end up in. I don't think he's going to get a big deal so I think his options are going to be pretty open for a lot of playoff hopeful teams looking for a 2 win veteran who plays good defense and isn't embarrassing in the batter's box. There's 3 teams in the Central itself that could probably use his services for 2025. His willingness to move off right field may determine a lot of what his options are.

Much like San Diego wouldn't move Tatis, Houston isn't moving Tucker. How open is Kepler to playing some CF or making a full-time switch to LF? Rumors here were that he wasn't willing to play any CF really. Is that true of everywhere he'd sign? Max will have options, but I'll be pretty surprised if he signs for more than 1 year at any kind of real money. I expect a contender to give him a 1-year deal to be a glove first, platoon corner outfielder and show he's healthy and has more gas in the tank.

[DJL44]

42 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

buck showalter  is managing the Mets

Carlos Mendoza is the Mets manager

[Reptevia]

You’ve left off a bunch of Japanese teams. 

[Doctor Wu]

14 hours ago, Reptevia said:

You’ve left off a bunch of Japanese teams. 

Seriously, that may not be such an unlikely outcome for Max.

[jmlease1]

I think if anyone offers Max a 2 year deal he should jump on it. I doubt anyone is signing him expecting him to play an inning of CF at this point, either.

He should get an offer from someone; it's not like he can't play. But you're going to get a player who is inconsistent offensively, probably needs a platoon role, and will likely spend some time on the IL. He'd be a nice 4th OF...but I doubt he can adequately defend in CF at this point, so unless a team has another option for CF they're taking a risk there.

Wish him luck. Ended up with a bit of a strange career, where he always looked like he was going to be a star (big, strong, fast) but only rarely produced like one. In 9 seasons with the Twins he was an above-average offensive player 3 times. A zero-time all-star, and it's hard to really argue that he was screwed over there. Never a bad player, and usually a capable starter. Frustrating power outages. Good contact skills. 

It will be interesting to see what the league thinks of him.

[laloesch]

I'm sure he'll get a bunch of minor league offers.  That's the maximum potential he has.  Contract always was an albatross

[TopGunn#22]

I would think if he's looking at a one-year contract, Colorado may be a good spot to rebuild his value if he's willing to gamble on himself.  He could always get spun off to a contender at deadline by the Rockies.  His Spotrac and ESPN values seems high to me.  He could make sense with the Yankees if Verdugo is gone (which he will be) and depending on what happens with Juan Soto.

He's not a better option than Starling Marte for the Mets.  San Diego and Houston don't seem like good fits.  It seems like the Giants would stick with Yastrezmski.  The Royals could be a fit.  The way Max has clobbered Cleveland pitching in his career, the Guardians may sign him just so they don't have to face him.  

I can't see the Marlins being interested.  And if I was Miami, for roughly the same money, I'd be more interested in Vasquez to handle my young pitching staff.  Miami has the worst catching situation in MLB.  If the money is near equal, I could see Miami being more interested in Vasquez in the right trade.  

 

[Blyleven2011]

23 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Carlos Mendoza is the Mets manager

I am aware of that but the OP  stated that Kepler would give Mets manager  showalter flexibility  ...

[bean5302]

People around here talking about Kepler like he was Manny Margot or something. 
fWAR & bWAR
2016 = 2.0 & 2.4
2017 = 1.8 & 1.9
2018 = 2.4 & 3.5
2019 = 3.9 & 4.0
2020* = 2.9 & 2.6
2021 = 2.2 & 2.1
2022 = 1.5 & 2.1
2023 = 2.8 & 2.9
2024 = 1.0 & 1.0
*162/62 x WAR

Kepler has averaged 2.1 fWAR and 2.5 bWAR per season for the last 9 years. Last year was the worst season of his career, and also the most injury shortened. Worst case scenario, he looks like a 1.5 WAR player.

I think Kepler will probably be viewed like Wil Myers was in the 2022-2023 offseason, but without the negative connotations associated with an albatross contract. Myers got 1 year and $7.5MM from the Reds.

[Doctor Gast]

20 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I would think if he's looking at a one-year contract, Colorado may be a good spot to rebuild his value if he's willing to gamble on himself.  He could always get spun off to a contender at deadline by the Rockies.  His Spotrac and ESPN values seems high to me.  He could make sense with the Yankees if Verdugo is gone (which he will be) and depending on what happens with Juan Soto.

He's not a better option than Starling Marte for the Mets.  San Diego and Houston don't seem like good fits.  It seems like the Giants would stick with Yastrezmski.  The Royals could be a fit.  The way Max has clobbered Cleveland pitching in his career, the Guardians may sign him just so they don't have to face him.  

I can't see the Marlins being interested.  And if I was Miami, for roughly the same money, I'd be more interested in Vasquez to handle my young pitching staff.  Miami has the worst catching situation in MLB.  If the money is near equal, I could see Miami being more interested in Vasquez in the right trade.  

 

Rox seems like a good fit, many ex-Twins got a 2nd chance there & did well. I can see them signing him & he does well at Coors & then they trade him to a contender at the deadline for prospects. That seems to be their MO. MIA most certainly won't be interested because they are in a rebuild unless they get him dirt cheap & they could also flip him at the deadline for prospects. 

[MesaTwinsFan]

Personally I'd love to see him back as a great 4th OF would be the best Twins have had in recent memory. At 6-10m it's a bargain . But FO needs to acquire great off the bench players like Margot Farmer to keep up their egos. Maybe it's time to get someone involved near the top who has played or coached instead of read the computer print out of stats that are good until a new AI statcomes out next week.

[Doctor Gast]

On 12/2/2024 at 10:14 AM, Blyleven2011 said:

 

Toronto has needed left handed hitters for quite sometime  , we should have traded some of our lefties for some of their righties  , we still can ... 

Yes TOR was a great landing spot for one of our (LH) OFers in trade but again that ship has sailed. TOR has done a good job of restocking their OF with (LH) Ofers.

[dxpavelka]

"Their outfield situation remains in flux, with injuries and underperformance plaguing the roster. Kepler’s ability to play all three outfield positions would give manager Rocco Baldelli flexibility—if Kepler is willing to spend some time in center field."  Amazing how much perspective ya get my merely changing two words in a sentence.

[dxpavelka]

20 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I am aware of that but the OP  stated that Kepler would give Mets manager  showalter flexibility  ...

Good point.  We COULD take that a step further and change that name to Rocco Baldelli and have the statement be just as true.