What's Left at First Base in Free Agency?

[Nick Nelson]

It is perhaps the clearest area of need on the Twins roster. Top options are already coming off the board. Who might Minnesota's front office still be targeting on the free agent market at first base?

Image courtesy of Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The past few days have seen two of the top free agent options come off the board at first base. On Friday the Houston Astros reached agreement with Christian Walker on a three-year, $60 million contract, and on Saturday the Yankees came to terms with Paul Goldschmidt for one year and $12.5 million.

Realistically, the Twins were probably not in the running for either player – certainly not Walker, given their constraints. But given their glaring need at first base, it was fun to dream on the possibility of an impact addition at this level. There are still a few high-caliber options remaining in the field, but more likely the Twins are aiming for the mid-to-lower tiers. 

Here's a quick overview of remaining free agent first basemen (per MLB's tracker), arranged into my own subjective tiers with the pros and cons of each from Minnesota's standpoint. Listed alongside each player is his age and his fWAR over the past twos seasons. The top tier, from my view, is now down to one.

Top Tier 

Pete Alonso (30, 5.0 WAR)

• Pros: Elite power hitter, durable, consistent offensive production, and still in his prime.
• Cons: Will command a high salary a multi-year commitment.
• Viability: High impact but out of financial reach given the Twins' constraints unless they make other moves to clear payroll.

Mid Tier 

Carlos Santana (39, 4.5 WAR)

• Pros: Experienced, excellent plate discipline, strong clubhouse presence. Still productive offensively and (especially) defensively while approaching 40.
• Cons: Age raises concerns about durability and potential decline.
• Viability: Affordable on a short-term deal, a good fit as a veteran stopgap.

[Update: We learned shortly after this article was published that the Cleveland Guardians are signing Santana to a one-year, $12 million deal after trading Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks. So that's another option off the board!]

Justin Turner (40, 2.2 WAR)

• Pros: Battle-tested veteran, strong hitter, and can fill a hybrid DH/1B role.
• Cons: Advanced age and limited defensive value.
• Viability: A reasonable fit if the team values his leadership and is willing to rotate him at DH.

Connor Joe (32, 2.0 WAR)

• Pros: Versatile defensively (1B/LF/RF), solid OBP skills, affordable.
• Cons: Lacks the power typical of a first baseman.
• Viability: A cost-effective platoon or depth piece with some upside.

Donovan Solano (37, 2.0 WAR)

• Pros: Familiar with the team, reliable contact hitter, affordable.
• Cons: Limited power and defensive range.
• Viability: Reunion wouldn't be a terrible idea, but he's better suited for a utility role rather than full-time 1B.

Anthony Rizzo (35, 0.5 WAR)

• Pros: Veteran experience, previously an excellent defender and hitter.
• Cons: Recent concussion issues and other injuries have significantly impacted performance.
• Viability: A risky signing but could be worthwhile if health concerns are resolved.

Ty France (30, 0.3 WAR)

• Pros: Still relatively young, a bounce-back candidate with potential for improvement.
• Cons: Recent performance dip raises concerns about reliability.
• Viability: A low-cost gamble with potential upside.

Josh Bell (32, 0.2 WAR)

• Pros: Switch-hitter, power potential, and streaky offensive bursts.
• Cons: Inconsistent production and below-average defense.
• Viability: Worth considering if available on a short-term, incentive-laden deal.

Bottom Tier

Joey Gallo (31, 0.6 WAR)

• Pros: Familiar with the Twins, elite power, and defensive flexibility.
• Cons: Poor contact skills and declining offensive performance.
• Viability: Likely not a strong candidate to return given fit concerns at 1B.

Yuli Gurriel (41, -0.5 WAR)

• Pros: Veteran with postseason experience and strong contact skills.
• Cons: Age-related decline and minimal upside.
• Viability: Low-cost emergency option, but unlikely to contribute meaningfully.

Ji-Man Choi (34, -0.5 WAR)

• Pros: Capable of getting on base when healthy, low-cost option.
• Cons: Poor recent performance and injury concerns.
• Viability: A reclamation project at best.

Rowdy Tellez (30, -1.2 WAR)

• Pros: Power potential. Great name.
• Cons: Struggles with consistency, defense, and overall value.
• Viability: A buy-low candidate, but better options are out there.

Gavin Sheets (29, -2.4 WAR)

• Pros: Youngest of the group with untapped potential.
• Cons: Defensive liability, hasn't hit in the majors.
• Viability: Possibly of interest on a minor-league deal.

Do any of these options interest you? Who would be at the top of your list? Or do you find these targets uninspiring enough that you'd prefer turning to the trade market or rolling with in-house candidates? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments.

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[tony&rodney]

It will be interesting to see what happens to Pete Alonso. He may just go for a one year deal if nothing materializes. 

As far as the Twins go, they should just stay away from any of these players unless they manage to deal current options like Miranda, Julien, and Lewis making a reunion with Santana a possibility.

[Karbo]

Too bad a new owner isn't near yet, or maybe they could tell the team to boost payroll by 10 mil or so to plug a hole.

[LewFordLives]

Santana will probably have other options. I wouldn't be opposed to having Solano as a part time player. Not really interested in the rest of them.

[Greglw3]

I’d inclined to take a chance on Andrew Binentendi who  has a nice offensive track record and dealt with an achilles muscle problem last year while nosediving to a very atypical .229 average. He’s only 29 and has been quite hitterish along the way.

[bean5302]

Meh. The only one listed who I would bet on being significantly better than Jose Miranda is Pete Alonso, and I wouldn't be interested in meeting Alonso's asking price regardless of the team budget.

[bean5302]

2 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

I’d inclined to take a chance on Andrew Binentendi who  has a nice offensive track record and dealt with an achilles muscle problem last year while nosediving to a very atypical .229 average. He’s only 29 and has been quite hitterish along the way.

Benintendi was terrible in 2023 as well, even if we were ignoring him being a left handed hitting outfielder rather than a first baseman. Even looking at Benintendi's career numbers, he's just a tick over average as an MLB batter.

Furthermore, he's not a free agent. He's under contract with the White Sox until 2028.

[High heat]

As sad as it sounds with current payroll Joey Gallo looks like the best fit (would take a million dollar maybe 2)  The best defensively and lefty bat to platoon with Miranda.  Letting Julien prove it and learn 1B in the minors.  
 

Polar bear, Santana, Turner, Rizzo are all signing for more then 5 or 6 million.  Unless the market all drys up and someone’s left out in the cold come late February.
 

 

[tony&rodney]

20 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Too bad a new owner isn't near yet, or maybe they could tell the team to boost payroll by 10 mil or so to plug a hole.

That ship has sailed. The determination on spending needs to be made by the close of the World Series. Perhaps the team owners are not totally set on exactly $130M or less, which allows for something in the neighborhood of $135M. We can be pretty sure though that nothing significant will added to payroll and live with the loss of Paddack's contract via a trade as a minimum reality.

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, High heat said:

Joey Gallo looks like the best fit

I read that the Twins already completed their coaching hires for next year.

[Brandon27]

I let Miranda,lee and julien fight it out to play first cause other probably going play 3rd a day other going be the DH 

[Brett]

What I want: let the kids have shot - Miranda and Julien in this case.

What the Twins will do: sign Tellez. I can actually feel this happening and I don’t like it. Or it’s gas. It could be gas.

[CRF]

More than likely, they do nothing. You can forget about Alonso...he ain't coming here. No interest in the rest of those guys, and I don't want Santana back. With the ownership situation in flux, they're not going to spend any money on anyone.   

[Parfigliano]

No problem.  Miranda and Julie at 1B.  Spend money on good relief pitching.

[sweetmusicviola16]

They have to make a trade first before they can sign anybody unless it's an ST invite, who will only take AB's away from the kids.

[Blyleven2011]

At the beginning of the offseason we the fans were told that the FO was going to be creative  ...

After the winter meetings the fans were told we will have to wait and see ...

Sitting on their a$$es neither one is getting done , if the team wants to drop contracts , I personally think it should be done ASAP in the off season  , so there is the rest of the offseason time to fill the holes ...

Maybe we will get a Christmas present in our stocking but it's doubtful  , I'm expecting  the same as past years , a lump of COAL ...

[Doctor Gast]

Last offseason was absolutely awful but this offseason is unbearable. Our greatest concern should be up the middle, SS is good, CF is good, if we take Julien out of the equation at 2B we are good. Catcher, we are sitting in the middle of the pack at best. Twins want to trade Vazquez that'll put us in the bottom of the barrel, so we pick up an inferior back up for $5M. You put that together with $5M that we'll have to eat when we trade him coming a grand total of zero savings. In contrast, losing a very good defensive catcher who knows & works together well with our pitchers for someone who is inferior defensively & don't know our pitchers. 

Sorry to say but before we even think about FA, we have to think about how we are going to bring payroll down to the target goal. All of TD articles should be on how we can meet budget. With everybody filling out their rotation, here we are with Paddack still on our roster, he should have been moved at the Winter meetings. All of us especially FO have to use our creativity to move Dobnak, there's a good market for Paddack & Jeffers, get it done. If we sit around & wait. very quickly any doors will be closed. Then FO will go to plan A, which is to trade Correa, Lopez, Castro, Ryan or Ober so we can afford going to FA to sign Santana.

The main offseason goal shouldn't be meeting budget or shopping FA . It's getting better. Trading Correa, Lopez, Castro, Ryan or Ober doesn't make us better. These guys are core players at key positional depth. How does removing any of these core guys so we can sign an expensive non non-premium 1Bman make us better? We need to figure out how to meet budget & still get better. By signing Santana last offseason made us better this offseason? By signing Santana or a more inferior 1B FA this offseason will make us better next offseason? Fangraph has projected Santana at 1.1 WAR after his career season. They have projected Miranda at 1.5 WAR after a disappointing season. Santana is on his downside, Miranda is on his upside. Santana is expensive, Miranda is very cheap. Sign Santana & it's another lost year for Miranda. Do the math who should we stick with? Any holes we have can be easily filled by trades.

I can see the scenario now. Twins push the "We have to have Santana" narrative. After months of sitting & waiting they'll declare we can't move Dobnak, Paddack, & Vazquez so we have to trade Castro. That's not enough, we still need to clear more salary to meet budget & we have to have Santana & maybe another RH OF bat. So we'll have to trade Lopez. Then comes "Darn Pohlads & their budget, it's all their fault". Just to let you know I'm not a Pohlad fan.

[Guest]

Who cares if top options are off the board! Did you really think they would be Twins? Hopefully a competent fielder/hitter is signed, as I do not see one in the organization at this time.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, High heat said:

As sad as it sounds with current payroll Joey Gallo looks like the best fit (would take a million dollar maybe 2)  The best defensively and lefty bat to platoon with Miranda.  Letting Julien prove it and learn 1B in the minors.  
 

Polar bear, Santana, Turner, Rizzo are all signing for more then 5 or 6 million.  Unless the market all drys up and someone’s left out in the cold come late February.
 

 

LOL, Joey Gallo. It's always surprising when I see people advocate for him. He's still semi-popular despite not being a quality baseball player.

[DJL44]

First base is not their biggest problem. Miranda would be just fine if they can't get Santana to come back for the same money as last season.

The big hole is at 2B or 3B, depending on where Royce Lewis is playing. If they decide to add a 1B I expect MIranda to move to 3B as the starter.

[DocBauer]

Goldschmidt for 1yr and $12.5M? That's about what I was HOPING the Twins would grab him for before it became apparent they weren't going to have any $ to work with this season. I would love to have that deal for the Twins in 2025.

Oh well.

The Twins need SOMEONE besides Miranda to play 1B. Not sure if that's Julien or Helman or Severino (non to man option). But if this is what we are to consider, there's only 2 I think I'd even consider.

Santana offers good defense at least, should his 39yo bat suddenly hit the end. I don't like his generally poor hitting ability against RHP, and no matter how well he conditions himself, Father Time is going to claim in sooner rather than later. Could he be used as a part time player and defensive replacement in 2025? Or would his $ be too high for that kind of role? I only ask because again, the age factor. But at least the defense is legitimate 

Bell is a guy I've had my eye on for weeks now. He's not a guy I want playing 1B daily, but he can at least fill in and work with Miranda to Miranda isn't pressured to be THE GUY from day one. But unlike Santana, Bell has almost neutral splits in his career so he can provide a solid bat with some OB ability and power in the 6th or 7th spot in the lineup as a DH/1B and could be a valuable veteran PH from either side as well. He's averaged about 47 XBH and 72 RBI the last 3 seasons since he turned 30yo. I've had a hard time finding any speculation on his worth for a signing, but I've seen $5.5-7M. I'd spend that for a veteran switch hitter with some power and decent production who can help at 1B. 

[TwinsFan98]

1 minute ago, DocBauer said:

Goldschmidt for 1yr and $12.5M? That's about what I was HOPING the Twins would grab him for before it became apparent they weren't going to have any $ to work with this season. I would love to have that deal for the Twins in 2025.

Oh well.

The Twins need SOMEONE besides Miranda to play 1B. Not sure if that's Julien or Helman or Severino (non to man option). But if this is what we are to consider, there's only 2 I think I'd even consider.

Santana offers good defense at least, should his 39yo bat suddenly hit the end. I don't like his generally poor hitting ability against RHP, and no matter how well he conditions himself, Father Time is going to claim in sooner rather than later. Could he be used as a part time player and defensive replacement in 2025? Or would his $ be too high for that kind of role? I only ask because again, the age factor. But at least the defense is legitimate 

Bell is a guy I've had my eye on for weeks now. He's not a guy I want playing 1B daily, but he can at least fill in and work with Miranda to Miranda isn't pressured to be THE GUY from day one. But unlike Santana, Bell has almost neutral splits in his career so he can provide a solid bat with some OB ability and power in the 6th or 7th spot in the lineup as a DH/1B and could be a valuable veteran PH from either side as well. He's averaged about 47 XBH and 72 RBI the last 3 seasons since he turned 30yo. I've had a hard time finding any speculation on his worth for a signing, but I've seen $5.5-7M. I'd spend that for a veteran switch hitter with some power and decent production who can help at 1B. 

Well about Santana...he's not coming back.

[1985Fan]

Santana just signed with Cleveland for one year @ $12M. 

If they can’t swing a trade for Diaz or some other quality 1B hitter, then let Miranda play there. If they want to platoon, and we know they will whether makes sense or not, then platoon Larnach there. 

[DocBauer]

4 minutes ago, TwinsFan98 said:

Well about Santana...he's not coming back.

Just saw that! 6 minutes ago according to the article I read. LOL

$12M for 1 year? Sorry, but no, not for a 39yo hoping to have a 3rd straight rebound season.

Makes my argument for Bell all that more poignant.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Of the mentioned Joe and France have the most to offer. Bell and Solano could play a role. But without a trade none can happen. By the time this occurs none will likely remain. Other teams also have needs and I see Solano as the only one this team might be able to muster the $$$$ for.

Rowdy here come the Twins!!

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Last offseason was absolutely awful but this offseason is unbearable. Our greatest concern should be up the middle, SS is good, CF is good, if we take Julien out of the equation at 2B we are good. Catcher, we are sitting in the middle of the pack at best. Twins want to trade Vazquez that'll put us in the bottom of the barrel, so we pick up an inferior back up for $5M. You put that together with $5M that we'll have to eat when we trade him coming a grand total of zero savings. In contrast, losing a very good defensive catcher who knows & works together well with our pitchers for someone who is inferior defensively & don't know our pitchers. 

Sorry to say but before we even think about FA, we have to think about how we are going to bring payroll down to the target goal. All of TD articles should be on how we can meet budget. With everybody filling out their rotation, here we are with Paddack still on our roster, he should have been moved at the Winter meetings. All of us especially FO have to use our creativity to move Dobnak, there's a good market for Paddack & Jeffers, get it done. If we sit around & wait. very quickly any doors will be closed. Then FO will go to plan A, which is to trade Correa, Lopez, Castro, Ryan or Ober so we can afford going to FA to sign Santana.

The main offseason goal shouldn't be meeting budget or shopping FA . It's getting better. Trading Correa, Lopez, Castro, Ryan or Ober doesn't make us better. These guys are core players at key positional depth. How does removing any of these core guys so we can sign an expensive non non-premium 1Bman make us better? We need to figure out how to meet budget & still get better. By signing Santana last offseason made us better this offseason? By signing Santana or a more inferior 1B FA this offseason will make us better next offseason? Fangraph has projected Santana at 1.1 WAR after his career season. They have projected Miranda at 1.5 WAR after a disappointing season. Santana is on his downside, Miranda is on his upside. Santana is expensive, Miranda is very cheap. Sign Santana & it's another lost year for Miranda. Do the math who should we stick with? Any holes we have can be easily filled by trades.

I can see the scenario now. Twins push the "We have to have Santana" narrative. After months of sitting & waiting they'll declare we can't move Dobnak, Paddack, & Vazquez so we have to trade Castro. That's not enough, we still need to clear more salary to meet budget & we have to have Santana & maybe another RH OF bat. So we'll have to trade Lopez. Then comes "Darn Pohlads & their budget, it's all their fault". Just to let you know I'm not a Pohlad fan.

I am  fine with Miranda being the primary 1B this season. But with Santana now gone chances are Falvey/Zoll will react, and maybe not in a good way. 

Has Zoll started his job as GM yet? I am beginning to wonder.

[CRF]

Cleveland traded Naylor and signed Santana,,,for his 3rd go round with them. 

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Santana will probably have other options. I wouldn't be opposed to having Solano as a part time player. Not really interested in the rest of them.

Santana just signed by Cleveland. Resigned.

[stringer bell]

28 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

Santana just signed with Cleveland for one year @ $12M. 

If they can’t swing a trade for Diaz or some other quality 1B hitter, then let Miranda play there. If they want to platoon, and we know they will whether makes sense or not, then platoon Larnach there. 

Both last year and in his career, Miranda has hit better against right handed pitching, so platooning makes no real sense. Either he’s good enough to play every day, or he shouldn’t be on the roster IMHO. He has an injury history of nagging back pain that seems to really diminish his effectiveness, which makes it hard to count on him. 

[Patzky]

53 minutes ago, TwinsFan98 said:

Well about Santana...he's not coming back.

He signed with the Guards tonight