It’s Time for the Minnesota Twins to Get Creative at First Base

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins enter the 2025-26 offseason facing a familiar question. Once again, the team lacks a clear answer at first base, one of the most critical positions in the lineup. The organization has tried multiple approaches in recent years, mixing veteran free agents with internal options, but none have provided a long-term solution. As the front office looks to retool the roster while keeping payroll manageable, finding a productive and affordable first baseman will be one of the club’s biggest challenges.

Minnesota’s path forward may depend on creativity. With several roster holes to fill and limited financial flexibility, the Twins are unlikely to chase a top-tier free agent. Instead, the solution might come from within, possibly by reimagining how the team uses some of its existing players. The front office has not been afraid to take unconventional approaches before, and this offseason could be another test of their resourcefulness.

Recent Free Agent Attempts at First Base
Over the past two seasons, the Twins have turned to veteran free agents to fill their first base void. In 2024, the club signed Carlos Santana to a one-year, $6-million deal, and the move paid off in a big way. Santana provided steady production at the plate (109 OPS+), while capturing a Gold Glove, giving Minnesota a reliable veteran presence both on and off the field.

This past offseason, the front office had less financial room to work with and opted for a low-cost addition in Ty France. The team signed him to a $1-million, non-guaranteed contract, but his stay in Minnesota was short-lived. France and Louis Varland were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the July trade deadline, leaving the Twins (once again) without a clear solution at first base. The veteran stopgap approach has produced mixed results; France posted an 87 OPS+. With payroll limitations expected to continue, the club may need to explore other options.

Reviewing the Internal Options
After France’s departure, the Twins turned to Kody Clemens and Edouard Julien to cover first base. Clemens displayed some power by hitting 19 home runs, but with a 94 OPS+, he fell short of being an impact hitter. For a club attempting to contend, that level of production does not cut it at a power spot like first base.

Julien’s 2025 season was even more uneven. He spent most of the year at Triple A and posted a 76 OPS+ in his limited big-league time. His bat did not meet expectations, and his defense remains a liability, especially at first base. It is becoming increasingly clear that neither Clemens nor Julien projects as a viable everyday option. Clemens could stick around as a bench player, but Julien’s future in the organization looks uncertain.

Getting Creative at First Base
If the Twins are serious about keeping costs down, they will need to think creatively about who handles first base next season. One option could be shifting Matt Wallner to the position. Wallner’s bat has proven capable of impacting games, but his outfield defense has been below average. A move to first base might help maximize his offensive value, while minimizing his defensive shortcomings. Even in a down year, Wallner remained one of Minnesota’s more productive hitters, and finding a way to keep his bat in the lineup makes sense.

Another possibility is Trevor Larnach, though his future with the club is less certain. With an estimated arbitration salary of $4.7 million for 2026, Larnach may be a non-tender candidate, given the team’s payroll constraints and their younger, cheaper corner outfield options. Wallner’s path to first base looks clearer, and if the Twins are willing to experiment, he could emerge as their next productive power hitter at the position.

First base has been a revolving door for the Twins in recent years, but that does not mean a solution is out of reach. Whether it comes from a position change or another low-cost acquisition, the front office must find stability at a spot that has long lacked consistency. Wallner’s potential move to first could bring both offensive firepower and roster flexibility, helping the club stretch its limited budget while maintaining competitiveness. For a team built on resourcefulness, finding a way to make first base work in 2026 could be one of the defining storylines of the offseason.

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Is Wallner the team's best option at first base? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[CRF]

I don't think the word "creative" is in this FO's vocabulary. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

I certainly like having Wallner at 1B or at DH if he is going to be on the team compared to still in right. With Jenkins and Rodriguez close, and Rodan and Martin in the outfield now with Buxton, the range in the outfield should be a strength regardless. Love Wallner and his arm. If he can take to 1B, I think that'd be great. Otherwise looking outside the organization for a 1B makes sense too

[mikelink45]

There is both DH and 1B where Wallner can be used and Larnach if he is still on the team.  But it depends on Rodriguez and Walker - Roden and Outman and Martin don't fill the corner OF spots if we are looking to upgrade, but Martin has the best potential of the three.  We also have Gonzales with a hot bat that does not do as well in the OF.  

A little creativity and some help to let the rookies adjust and we can take care of 1B for more than a few months.

[mikelink45]

Maybe TD can do a complete creative look if we combine the AAA and MLB rosters what is the best combination of players on the field, rotation and pen.  This might be more realistic than thinking they will sign of trade for someone significant.

[Doctor Gast]

29 minutes ago, CRF said:

I don't think the word "creative" is in this FO's vocabulary. 

It's definitely in his vocabulary because he is always using it. But he definitely doesn't know what it means. Just like his phrase  "taking full responsibility", he has no idea what that means. Otherwise, he'd step down.

[Mahoning]

Of course we have no idea if either of those guys can field a ground ball, much less backhand an errant throw.

[Bodie]

21 minutes ago, Mahoning said:

Of course we have no idea if either of those guys can field a ground ball, much less backhand an errant throw.

Well, since the "creative solutions" lack the fundamentals of the positions they've played for years professionally, I'd say this falls much closer to wishful thinking than creative. 

Polishing a (litteral) terd isn't creative, it is a sign of mental illness!

[Doctor Gast]

Twins seem to think that defense doesn't matter except at 1B when they went outside the organization to sign Santana in '24. In '25, they threw defense out the window & went outside the organization & committed totally 1B to France. These moves helped us go from division champs & postseason success to 4th divisional place. IMO, Wallner could have been a pretty good RFer if he had been coached better. But with Emma & Jenkins coming up, he'll be squeezed out. So that means Wallner has to move. We could get something good for Wallner via trade which is my 1st choice, but I don't trust Falvey to do it. 

In house has always been our best option at 1B, IDK how quick Wallner can be at 1B, but he could use his height to his advantage. IMO, Royce Lewis could be a better option & have Wallner as DH. But it wouldn't hurt playing both there a lot this coming spring training. Whoever in house player(s) they choose they need to commit to them so we can finally improve at 1B. Instead of this stupid FA musical chairs they play every year. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

If I were Wallner, I'd buy a first baseman's mitt and arrange a week long retreat in Ft. Myers and pay all the expenses of men like Morneau, Hrbek, JT Snow and Mark Grace to come be my guest for some golf and lots of advice. I would also invite Rod Carew to drive the golf cart and share his wisdom.  Finally I would also invite a personal trainer to also listen to the advice of these former first basemen and to work on my lateral movement and my footwork around the bag daily all off season, to see if I can move laterally quickly enough and to position my feet quickly enough to play competent first base. I would also hire a person with a fungo bat to hit grounders and line drives to me at first base and pop ups in foul territory on windy days. Finally I would hire some infielders to make 100 throws a day to me at 1B, insisting that half of the throws are to be in the dirt. Sounds like a plan.

[Eris]

“Even in a down year, Wallner remained one of Minnesota’s more productive hitters”

There was previous discussion on TD about Wallner. The main takeaway was despite having great numbers, he has a  negative WPA. From fangraphs, for 2025 his WPA = -0.87. The values were ~+0.5 in 2023 and 2024. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I do not subscribe to the theory of putting your big guys who can't run fast nor move laterally quickly at first base. I feel first base is a very important defensive position, which requires quickness laterally and really good footwork. I'm more than OK with not getting 20 home runs out of a first baseman who can hit .250 and win a gold glove.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I should add, I really want them to have someone at 1B next year who is at least average if not above average defensively. I don't really care if it is a free agent or via trade. There are definitely options available.

[Doctor Gast]

11 minutes ago, Eris said:

“Even in a down year, Wallner remained one of Minnesota’s more productive hitters”

There was previous discussion on TD about Wallner. The main takeaway was despite having great numbers, he has a  negative WPA. From fangraphs, for 2025 his WPA = -0.87. The values were ~+0.5 in 2023 and 2024. 

This the point that I wanted say for my reason for trading him but as he still look good on paper & Falvey ineptness that won't happen. So we are stuck with him.

[tony&rodney]

Does anyone else find it inconceivable (cue-"I don't think that word ....") that no coach or manager has ever experimented with either of Wallner or Larnach at first base? The results were ....?

I have been collecting thumb's down on a consistent basis by suggesting that Matt Wallner has more value in trade (from a team that needs his power) than he does as a Twin. I want to eat my words but it seems unlikely. The guy can hit bombs but in the field he is vastly overrated.

My fear as a Twins fan is that Falvey goes 3-3 (2023, 2024, 2025) on decisions that the roster now has all the talent it needs to win. We have watched this before. Will he play it again? It would be his own personal three-peat. Or ...... hey, maybe this current roster wins the 2026 World Series with Matt Wallner playing first base.

I'm goofing around with the 2026 Twins 26 person roster at $111 million. It includes Josh Naylor on a 4/$80M contract, which may not be high enough to get him to sign. There is my first baseman. I'm also wondering if Tampa Bay can be coerced into trading Tre' Morgan. He is not quite ready yet and is not a power hitter, but he would provide outstanding defense, hit for a fair average, and put the ball in play to give the team more than it has now. 

[DJL44]

I am not sure what is creative about taking a below average outfielder and making them a first basemen. That's been done thousands of times throughout baseball history. Usually, you end up with a below average fielding first baseman.

It's interesting that 1B offense has fallen since the introduction of the DH in the National League. There's now enough room for players who have a bat and nothing else to offer. Fielding has improved at 1B as offense has declined.

There also appears to be a glut of potential first basemen on the market this offseason. The Twins don't need to retrain Trevor Larnach and pay him $5M to play 1B when they can get an experienced 1B off the free agent market for the same price or less.

Potentially available 1B

Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Ryan O'Hearn, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, Luis Arraez, Miguel Andujar, Paul Goldschmidt, Rhys Hoskins, Yandy Diaz, Ryan Mountcastle, Triston Casas, Yoan Moncada, Carlos Santana, Justin Turner, Josh Bell, Ty France, Lamonte Wade Jr, Rowdy Tellez

That's 19 guys to pick from.

Edited October 13, 2025 by DJL44
adding Triston Casas makes 19

[Trov]

There is nothing wrong with having Wallner get a 1B glove and give it a shot, but I would not plan to have him out there and slot him in.  As Money Ball loves to point out, playing first base is not as easy as one would think.  The thought is that you just need to catch the ball is false, if you want to help the team win at least.  Yes, there is long history of bad defending 1B that mash and so you keep them out there because their bat needs to be in the line up, and I will not discount that.

However, unless they are super elite hitter and cannot play another position at all, you need to think does having a terrible defending 1B worth it?  I am not saying he will be terrible, but playing OF his whole career suggests he most likely has hardly if ever played 1B.  Will he hopefully catch all the balls within a decent target sure, but will he scoop bad throws?  Doubtful.  Will he have good footwork, doubtful early in doing it.  Will he know how to do a good flip to pitcher, make good cuts, make a good throw from 1st to 2nd, field a good bunt?  All unlikely to start.

Throw in fact we are not 100% set in OF.  I get he is not a good defender overall there, but his arm does play in RF well.  He can gun people down at high rates, or at least hold them from taking extra bases sometimes.  Now, I do think Jenkins and E-Rod both should get chances early on next year, if Buck is still with team that will be better OF defense and would make Wallner DH or 1b would be a good try. 

[TopGunn#22]

Frank Howard at 6:7 and supposedly 255 pounds might be a good comparison to Wallner, although Wallner will never come close to being half the hitter "Hondo" was.  

Howard was the N.L. Rookie of the Year" in 1960 for the Dodgers.  He played thru the 1964 season with L.A. before they traded him to the Senators for Claude Osteen.  Howard primarily played RF (he also had a very good arm) a little LF and once in a Blue Moon would get a game at 1B.  In fact, Howard only played 4 games in 1960 and 7 games in 1961 for the Dodgers at 1B.  He played exclusively in the OF, again primarily RF for the Dodgers in 1962-1964.

Upon the trade to the Senators, Howard didn't play ANY games at 1B until 1967, and that was only 4.  He never played more than 70 games at 1B, which he did in 1972.  By that time, "Hondo" was still 6:7 but he had to be somewhere between 280-300 pounds.  He was never a good 1B.  But until 1973 he had to play SOMEWHERE to get his bat in the lineup.

I'm not sure Wallner could ever learn the position well enough to be described as anything other than a "butcher" at 1B.  Anyone who saw the stellar backhand pickup Freddie Freeman made in the 9th inning to close out the Phillies, or saw Kent Hrbek operate at the position knows you play with fire if you minimize it's defensive importance.  Harmon Killebrew was never a Gold Glove winner, but his athleticism allowed him to be a competent 1B and 3B after he transitioned from the outfield.  I don't think anything close to Killebrew could be expected of Wallner.

I still maintain that Wallner should be used as trade bait to get a young catcher.  I'm not a believer in his magnificent OPS.  But I believe other teams would be intrigued.  I'd trade Wallner  (22.50 BBTV) and Larnach (1.3) 23.8 total to the White Sox, straight up for Kyle Teel 24.8.  Or Wallner for Edgar Quero (14.6) and Jordan Leasure (7.8) 22.4 total.  (Leasure would be a competent BP arm who could potentially be a Closer).  

The Twins could throw money at Josh Naylor for 1B.  That might be to rich despite all the savings already realized with the deadline fire sale.  They could trade for a 1B.  Tristan Casas as a Red Sox throw in for Joe Ryan (Casas should be ready for spring training) or even Tampa Bay's Yandy Diaz (4.7 BBTV).  A trade of Andrew Morris could come close to getting it done.  Diaz is under contract for $12 million in 2026 and has a club option for 2027.  He's a solid RH bat who would fit nicely in the #5 or #6 spot in the lineup.  

So I'm not looking for the FO to get creative and try to turn Wallner or Larnach into a 1B.  That ship has sailed.  What I'm looking for out of the FO is the creativity to solve the position long term (Tristan Casas trade or a Josh Naylor signing) or shorter term with a Yandy Diaz type for 2 years.  I don't want to see Clemens, Julien or Ty France types.  I could live with a Royce Lewis/Luke Keaschall at 1B if trades were made that filled their other positions.  

[Blyleven2011]

Cody I'm sorry but you've been listening to falvey way to long ...

Im tired of falvey using words like creative  and we'll just half to wait and see ...

To be creative  , WE FIRST HAVE TO FIRE THE FRONT OFFICE AND get NEW OWNERS ( Limited partners NO , majority partner YES )  ...

[jmlease1]

38 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I am not sure what is creative about taking a below average outfielder and making them a first basemen. That's been done thousands of times throughout baseball history. Usually, you end up with a below average fielding first baseman.

It's interesting that 1B offense has fallen since the introduction of the DH in the National League. There's now enough room for players who have a bat and nothing else to offer. Fielding has improved at 1B as offense has declined.

There also appears to be a glut of potential first basemen on the market this offseason. The Twins don't need to retrain Trevor Larnach and pay him $5M to play 1B when they can get an experienced 1B off the free agent market for the same price or less.

Potentially available 1B

Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Ryan O'Hearn, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, Luis Arraez, Miguel Andujar, Paul Goldschmidt, Rhys Hoskins, Yandy Diaz, Ryan Mountcastle, Yoan Moncada, Carlos Santana, Justin Turner, Josh Bell, Ty France, Lamonte Wade Jr, Rowdy Tellez

That's 18 guys to pick from.

I agree that the Twins should be able to find a 1B at a reasonable price that fits even their limited budgets (and frankly they should be able to spend a decent amount rather than just dumpster dive unless the Cheap Pohlads are bound and determined to clear an 8 figure profit for themselves and their new partners in year 1 of this limited whateverness).

But whoof, there's a lot of dumpster diving on that list. Guys to avoid: Santana (really be betting on a bounce back at his age of 912?), France (who defended well, hit poorly), Bell (a butcher in the field), Wade (poor 1B and really sucked last season), Tellez (probably worse than Clemens), Turner (probably cooked at 41 and retiring), Moncada (never played 1B), Hoskins (hasn't been the same player since a serious injury), and Goldschmidt (hit the age wall and rep will overprice him).

Increasingly it looks like there's 2 guys at the top of the market in Alonso & Naylor (probably out of the Cheap Pohlad league). The Japanese guys would be showing some creativity. Could we land either? No idea, but it's intriguing.

Best of the rest: Mountcastle (who swings at everything), Diaz & Andujar (not good defensively, but they can hit and do it from the right side), Arraez (bad defender, unplayable against LHP, declining), and O'Hearn (not great defensively either, wish he was RH). Diaz, if he's let go by TB ($12M isn't unreasonable, but it's TB) might still be gettable? Andujar might hit enough to be worth a shot and maybe getting him permanently at 1B ticks the D up? 

If the Cheap Pohlads don't tank the payroll completely (I can't believe I'm begging for a payroll of $125M from these greedy twerps) I'd go hard at Diaz (if TB lets him walk) or Andujar early and get a RH 1B on a 2-year deal if they'll go for it. Might be a little too high on Andujar, but he's going to thump LHP, can hold up on RHP well enough (and get spelled by someone like Clemens) and there's a little more upside there. Diaz will hit. Won't do a lot else, but...

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

If I were Wallner, I'd buy a first baseman's mitt and arrange a week long retreat in Ft. Myers and pay all the expenses of men like Morneau, Hrbek, JT Snow and Mark Grace to come be my guest for some golf and lots of advice. I would also invite Rod Carew to drive the golf cart and share his wisdom.  Finally I would also invite a personal trainer to also listen to the advice of these former first basemen and to work on my lateral movement and my footwork around the bag daily all off season, to see if I can move laterally quickly enough and to position my feet quickly enough to play competent first base. I would also hire a person with a fungo bat to hit grounders and line drives to me at first base and pop ups in foul territory on windy days. Finally I would hire some infielders to make 100 throws a day to me at 1B, insisting that half of the throws are to be in the dirt. Sounds like a plan.

A very solid plan ...

WON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE THE EXTRA WORK COULD CREATE AN INJURY ...

That's the way I've seen it for years , Rocco has said he wants his players to be ready to play the game  , if they take pre-game batting and fielding practice  , FINE  , if they don't take the extra practice  HE WAS FINE WITH THAT TO ..

This team is so worried about injury that they've given up on practice  , practice  and practice which is failing , failing and failing to produce an average player ...

I hate how they start the year in spring training games , basically playing the depth players and leaving the 26 man players on the practice field when they should be getting game reps hitting and 100 mph grounders  , no wonder why the players start the season off slowly  ...

Have a nice day  🫥 ....

 

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Twins seem to think that defense doesn't matter except at 1B when they went outside the organization to sign Santana in '24. In '25, they threw defense out the window & went outside the organization & committed totally 1B to France. These moves helped us go from division champs & postseason success to 4th divisional place. IMO, Wallner could have been a pretty good RFer if he had been coached better. But with Emma & Jenkins coming up, he'll be squeezed out. So that means Wallner has to move. We could get something good for Wallner via trade which is my 1st choice, but I don't trust Falvey to do it. 

In house has always been our best option at 1B, IDK how quick Wallner can be at 1B, but he could use his height to his advantage. IMO, Royce Lewis could be a better option & have Wallner as DH. But it wouldn't hurt playing both there a lot this coming spring training. Whoever in house player(s) they choose they need to commit to them so we can finally improve at 1B. Instead of this stupid FA musical chairs they play every year. 

Hey doc , 

Does wallner have good reflexes  , he's never had a 100 mph ball hit to him in the infield  , I'd definitely be afraid he'd get one in the noggin , but off season or spring training is the time to try  ...

Right now your Lewis choice is the better in-house choice  ...

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Twins seem to think that defense doesn't matter except at 1B when they went outside the organization to sign Santana in '24. In '25, they threw defense out the window & went outside the organization & committed totally 1B to France. These moves helped us go from division champs & postseason success to 4th divisional place. IMO, Wallner could have been a pretty good RFer if he had been coached better. But with Emma & Jenkins coming up, he'll be squeezed out. So that means Wallner has to move. We could get something good for Wallner via trade which is my 1st choice, but I don't trust Falvey to do it. 

In house has always been our best option at 1B, IDK how quick Wallner can be at 1B, but he could use his height to his advantage. IMO, Royce Lewis could be a better option & have Wallner as DH. But it wouldn't hurt playing both there a lot this coming spring training. Whoever in house player(s) they choose they need to commit to them so we can finally improve at 1B. Instead of this stupid FA musical chairs they play every year. 

Prior to somewhat of a resurgence at 3B the last 3 months, I loved the idea of Lewis at 1B. I assume he & his management (personal management) would fight this. I think it’s a potentially great landing spot for him. Keeping him healthy needs to be a priority - he’s not a China Doll but he’s not far from that type of fragility.

Anyone that can play average defense at 1B and be a positive offensively would be a welcome sight.

Santana was a great signing and had nothing to do with Team’s woes, relative to the Playoffs, in ‘24. Lead Team in HR - RBI & won Gold Glove. A great result to a potentially blah signing in hindsight! France, while not a perfect solution at 1B, had a reasonable 4 months in a Twin’s uniform…..need to strive for better than “reasonable”, I agree the bar needs to be higher.

Matt Wallner could ………”be better in RF if he was coached better”. I don’t get this, at all? If a guy has been playing baseball for 15 years and he can’t handle the basic fundamentals of playing RF, he should quit. The Team practices regularly and works on fundamentals as a group and as individuals. Playing RF isn’t some deep mystery…….none of baseball is very deep. Executing what you’re coached to do is the tricky part!

To me, with just OK skills behind the plate, Jeffers is the guy to move to 1B. He can be the 3rd Catcher on the Roster which provides flexibility and depth. Have him catch 18-20 games through the season to stay sharp. He can DH some after catching to stay fresh - seems like an option. Focus on Catching in free agency or via trade - easier said than done.

Larnach, Keaschall, Gonzalez, Wallner, along with Jeffers are alleged internal guys that could make sense at 1B………probably won’t happen.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I should add, I really want them to have someone at 1B next year who is at least average if not above average defensively. I don't really care if it is a free agent or via trade. There are definitely options available.

Any reasonable thoughts that can be shared on potential FA guys at 1B? I’m not in tune with guys other than Alonso & France (big spread there). Have my fingers crossed!

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just now, JD-TWINS said:

Any reasonable thoughts that can be shared on potential FA guys at 1B? I’m not in tune with guys other than Alonso & France (big spread there). Have my fingers crossed!

Josh Naylor (depending on whoever the mystery investors are) is most likely out of their price range. I do think Falvey knowing him from his time in Cleveland doesn't hurt, but I don't see that happening. He is more of a pipe dream for me. But yeah, his defense and attitude and experience hitting in the middle of the order is exactly what this team hasn't had for years now.

Ryan O'Hearn is someone that I'd love to get. His range at 1B is pretty solid, and he has experience in the central and with our (current) hitting coach. He's looked pretty good with the Padres too. I don't know if he'll NEED more than a 1 year deal or 1 year and an option.

Beyond that, honestly, I'd probably more be looking at the trade market. Naming off names there feels like a shot in the dark, but it's certainly possible that some team really likes giving a chance on Bailey Ober or Matt Wallner for someone who could be a bounce back here too. 

[Greglw3]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

If I were Wallner, I'd buy a first baseman's mitt and arrange a week long retreat in Ft. Myers and pay all the expenses of men like Morneau, Hrbek, JT Snow and Mark Grace to come be my guest for some golf and lots of advice. I would also invite Rod Carew to drive the golf cart and share his wisdom.  Finally I would also invite a personal trainer to also listen to the advice of these former first basemen and to work on my lateral movement and my footwork around the bag daily all off season, to see if I can move laterally quickly enough and to position my feet quickly enough to play competent first base. I would also hire a person with a fungo bat to hit grounders and line drives to me at first base and pop ups in foul territory on windy days. Finally I would hire some infielders to make 100 throws a day to me at 1B, insisting that half of the throws are to be in the dirt. Sounds like a plan.

I like your plan with all the hirings but I think the most important influence would be Rod Carew! Wallner is unusable anywhere, IMO, if he doesn’t start making better contact, stop swinging from the hips constantly and put the ball in play more often. I totally discount wRC+ and OPS+ in his case because those stats are biased very strongly in his direction, ignoring the .204 batting average and the historic low of about 40 RBIs on 22 HRs, which indicate aside from the HR (which were not as a group as impactful to games as Clemens’) means for the whole season, he drove in roughly 5-10 runs on SF, Groundout, 1B, 2B, 3B, BB, HBP. All the while making no attempt at adjusting his approach to mitigate the massive holes in his strike zone.

I think he’s a big risk for a team looking to clean house, start over, new approach, different direction, etc. I’d rather try Gabriel Gonzalez there, if he has a good spring due to his monster offensive numbers at 3 levels in 2025. Or sign a 1B who hits like Binentendi in or near his prime. Every position is crucial to fixing this severe offensive problem the Twins have.

[srlarson]

Hard no a Wallner, hitting .202 is not major league level talent......Larnach not worth the arbitration level...if you can get him for less.....

[Riverbrian]

2023 - Solano

2024 - Santana

2025 - France

No more one year deals. Stop this train. 

The kind of creativity that I'm looking for is the type of creativity that avoids this yearly search for a cheap one year deal.  

 

[TL]

22 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

To me, with just OK skills behind the plate, Jeffers is the guy to move to 1B. He can be the 3rd Catcher on the Roster which provides flexibility and depth. Have him catch 18-20 games through the season to stay sharp. He can DH some after catching to stay fresh - seems like an option. Focus on Catching in free agency or via trade - easier said than done.

I like this idea. His bat should play up with less stress on his body and I’d trust him to be able handle it defensively much more than a converted outfielder. We’d need a stop gap catcher next year but Tait may be ready by 2027 at some point and he looks like the future. 

[DJL44]

36 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Andujar might hit enough to be worth a shot and maybe getting him permanently at 1B ticks the D up? 

I'd go hard at Diaz (if TB lets him walk) or Andujar early and get a RH 1B on a 2-year deal if they'll go for it. Might be a little too high on Andujar, but he's going to thump LHP, can hold up on RHP well enough (and get spelled by someone like Clemens) and there's a little more upside there. Diaz will hit. Won't do a lot else, but...

I like Andujar and based on his past contracts and how cheaply the Reds got him in a deadline deal I think he's undervalued. His defense has been declining in the OF as his sprint speed has dropped but has held at 3B and 1B. Even with the decline, he's still playable at 4 positions. He is coming off the best stretch of hitting in his entire career (153 OPS+ for the Reds). He's only 30 so he should have a few good years left. I am curious as to what it will take to sign him.

If they can't get the guy they want early, there will be at least a half-dozen guys without a spot in February willing to sign for $1M.