Few Fits for Frugal Minnesota Twins Among Top-50 Free Agent Lists

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © David Butler II-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 MLB free agent market is heating up across baseball, and national outlets are rolling out their annual top 50 lists, complete with projected contracts and potential landing spots. For the Minnesota Twins, those lists highlight the financial constraints they may face this winter.

After last year’s midseason sell-off, the Twins ended 2025 with a payroll well below their Opening Day estimate of around $136 million. If ownership directs the front office to cut even further (currently projected at $95 million), it could be difficult for the team to add meaningful talent from outside the organization. Instead, the Twins might once again need to get creative, much as they did in 2024 when they traded Jorge Polanco in January to clear salary and reallocate funds toward more minor free-agent signings.

This offseason could bring more of the same. With significant money tied up in Pablo López, the team could explore trading him and the $43 million owed to him over the next two seasons. Other trade possibilities could include Joe Ryan or Ryan Jeffers, as the Twins look for ways to reshape the roster without inflating payroll.

The Athletic recently released its top 50 free agents for this winter, and only two players were listed as potential fits for Minnesota. Both were ranked in the 40s and were absent from FanGraphs’s own top 50 list. Here’s a closer look at those two names and how they might fit the Twins’ plans for 2026.

Dustin May, RHP
The Athletic Rank: 42
Projected Contract: 2 years, $26 million
May is the type of player who could intrigue the Twins front office, if the team decides to trade away established arms like López or Ryan. May’s upside has always been tantalizing, but constant interruptions have defined his career.

It has been more than six years since his major-league debut, yet May has managed only 57 career starts. The 2025 campaign marked the first time he exceeded 56 innings in a season. Injuries have come in every variety: elbow, back, and even a bizarre esophagus injury that required emergency surgery in 2024 after a piece of salad became lodged in his throat.

From 2019 to 2023, May posted a 3.10 ERA across 191 2/3 innings, flashing frontline potential whenever healthy. In 2025, he made 23 starts and recorded a 4.96 ERA, struggling after a midseason trade to Boston and eventually landing back on the injured list with right elbow neuritis.

For the Twins, May’s appeal would center on his ceiling. If he stays healthy, his stuff could rival anyone in the rotation. However, with The Athletic projecting a two-year, $26-million deal, that price tag may prove too steep for a team prioritizing financial flexibility. (That projection, of course, is not gospel.)

Rhys Hoskins, 1B
The Athletic Rank: 43
Projected Contract: 1 year, $10 million
Minnesota has recently found success with short-term, low-cost first-base signings. In 2024, the team used savings from the Polanco trade to sign Carlos Santana to a one-year, $6-million deal, and he rewarded them with elite defense that earned him a Gold Glove. Last season, Ty France joined on a one-year, $1 million non-guaranteed deal and followed in Santana’s footsteps by winning another Gold Glove. Given that pattern, it’s hard to imagine the Twins committing $10 million to Rhys Hoskins without first clearing significant payroll, possibly by trading López.

Since missing all of 2023 with a torn ACL, Hoskins hasn’t fully recaptured his pre-injury form. He lost playing time late in 2025 as Milwaukee leaned on Andrew Vaughn, and his offensive output dipped. Over the past two seasons, he’s hit 38 home runs but batted just .223 with a 102 OPS+, production that’s solid overall but underwhelming for a first baseman.

Still, Hoskins offers power potential that could lengthen Minnesota’s lineup. If he’s open to a one-year “prove-it” deal closer to the range the Twins have favored recently, he might be a realistic option.

Outlook for 2026
The Twins are facing an offseason of financial restraint. That doesn’t mean they can’t improve the roster, but it does mean they’ll need to rely on shrewd trades, bounce-back candidates, and internal development rather than headline signings.

If the front office can navigate those limitations effectively, Minnesota could remain competitive in the AL Central. But if payroll restrictions tighten even further, fans may have to brace for a quieter winter and hope that creativity and player development can make up the difference.

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Do Hoskins or May fit better into Minnesota’s 2026 blueprint? Are any other top free agents a fit for the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[thelanges5]

I don’t think the Twins will be shopping in the top 50 free agents aisle. Probably find them over in the top 75 to 100 aisle.

[weitz41]

We can only guess right now. The FO and ownership are hiding payroll/new investors like a present from Santa.  Hoskins makes sense. May... not so much unless he's in the BP. Way to many. Could be, may be, I want them to be starting pitchers that will end up on the 40 man. May just doesn't fit

[hlsballer318]

Twins best option is a guy who struggles swallowing food? 🫡 

[sweetmusicviola16]

No way the Twins spend 10-13mil on an FA this off season. Big splash will be a C in the 2-4mil range, lower end more likely. 

[h2oface]

A player would be a fool now to sign as a free agent with the Twins. One would have to suspect their mental competence. Person Woman Man Camera TV. I still got it!

[old nurse]

No to both. How many years in a row has May been injured. I sincerely doubt anyone is going to pay him a 2 year contract. Rhys has a great history. The ACL made him even slower 

[tony&rodney]

Skip to why Josh Naylor makes sense at 3/$75M or why Ryan O'Hearn fits. If the Twins can ratchet their 2026 season opening  budget to $105-110M, there is room for one of them. Unfortunately, for those who dream on Rhys Hoskins or Dustin May, no room.

[rv78]

I prefer they just stay out of the Free Agent market and run with the young guys. The crap Falvey brings in hasn't worked..... ever. I don't understand why anyone wants to keep playing the same broken record. 

[PatPfund]

Neither. Frankly, I doubt anyone is giving May 2 yrs/$26 million (he's likely going to have to sign a one year 'prove it' deal for under $10 million). And I'm guessing the Twins' FA cap is about $5 million for a position player, not $10 million. More likely France again than Hoskins.

[Patzky]

A bit more room got made today for signees, as Cody Lawyerson, Jose Miranda, Thomas Hatch and Genesis Cabrera were cut from the forty man roster. 

Lawyerson was claimed by Anaheim.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Im a No for Hoskins. I see absolutely no reason to pay for someone that has similar stats to Clemens. 

Maybe on May. He missed all of 2024 and came back rusty this past season. He's still in his 20s. If we end up trading a starter, he might be worth a look. 🤷‍♂️ high risk high reward signing. 

I'd prefer to bring in Arraez for a similar price range to play 1st. Need guys to get on base. 

Edited November 7, 2025 by soyouresayingtheresachance

[DJL44]

We all know the Twins will not sign free agents until late January when all that is left are players the good teams with big budgets don’t want. That could be Hoskins this season.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, soyouresayingtheresachance said:

Im a No for Hoskins. I see absolutely no reason to pay for someone that has similar stats to Clemens. 

Maybe on May. He missed all of 2024 and came back rusty this past season. He's still in his 20s. If we end up trading a starter, he might be worth a look. 🤷‍♂️ high risk high reward signing. 

I'd prefer to bring in Arraez for a similar price range to play 1st. Need guys to get on base. 

I wouldn't go hunting for Arraez or May but if I had to pick between the two I'd pick Arraez.

[DocBauer]

Ugh. No. May as a $4-5M pen arm only. I don't care about his potential as a SP. If he can't stay on the field, it's time to try something else. Maybe he's just destined to be a RP.

Of all the young starters they've collected, where would May fit anyway? No way the Twins pay that kind of $ for a fragile rotation option.

Hoskins? He could be a great comeback story. But after a really bad 2025 and a not so great 2024, and at age 33, he needs to be thinking $5-6M, maybe with some incentives, to prove he's not over and done.

[terrydactyls]

Depressing.....

[RpR]

4 hours ago, rv78 said:

I prefer they just stay out of the Free Agent market and run with the young guys. The crap Falvey brings in hasn't worked..... ever. I don't understand why anyone wants to keep playing the same broken record. 

The young guys have not worked, either while being not as good as the vets brought in.

[JADBP]

What Free Agent would want to come to the Twins S### Show?  I am sure there are some desperate suckers out there somewhere but I have to believe that any player we would want on the team (meaning they are good) would be able to find a better landing spot.  

[Doctor Wu]

5 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Of all the young starters they've collected, where would May fit anyway? No way the Twins pay that kind of $ for a fragile rotation option.

Totally agree. We don't need any more arms for the starting rotation (famous last words!), but I would not bet on May's health at all. 

[TopGunn#22]

If the Twins were going to spend that kind of money on May why not just go out and get a Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley to anchor the bullpen?  The need a CLOSER.  They have plenty of young arms to give innings to, and I wouldn't want to have May as a closer.  

I think Hoskins is cooked.  There are better options at 1B/DH.  Tristian Casas or Yandy Diaz would be better upgrades that would require a trade.  Diaz is older (33) and Casas is younger (26).  I'd go for the younger guy as my 1st choice.  

[Doctor Gast]

8 hours ago, Patzky said:

A bit more room got made today for signees, as Cody Lawyerson, Jose Miranda, Thomas Hatch and Genesis Cabrera were cut from the forty man roster. 

Lawterson was claimed by Anaheim.

Letting Lawyerson go may come back & bite us. It's just the beginning.

[Doctor Gast]

We can't take any more of Falvey's creative moves, which help us to become more like the ROXS than a contender.

[sweetmusicviola16]

13 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Letting Lawyerson go may come back & bite us. It's just the beginning.

Yep, and Gasper, Kreiler and Julien still on the team. 

There, I just told you who 3 important members of Shelton's crew for 2026 will be. Shelton will be reminiscing about the good old days in Pittsburgh by the time July rolls around. 

[Doctor Gast]

28 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Yep, and Gasper, Kreiler and Julien still on the team. 

There, I just told you who 3 important members of Shelton's crew for 2026 will be. Shelton will be reminiscing about the good old days in Pittsburgh by the time July rolls around. 

Yeah, I would have kept Lawyerson over Kreiler, Gasper & Julien. 

Shelton just got here, I'm pretty sure that he does everything he's told at this point. Especially pertaining to these matters.

Congers is gone! That's one big plus. Being a catcher himself, he can see how worthless he is. He picked LaTroy as his BP coach, who was my choice I probably have more faith in Sheldon than you do because Molitor picked him as his bench coach. I usually give grace to people until they prove otherwise.

[rv78]

6 hours ago, RpR said:

The young guys have not worked, either while being not as good as the vets brought in.

So, instead of letting the young guys develop into something that is possible, you'd rather continue to bring in the floor type veterans that take playing time away from them, and still be bad. Yeah, makes sense to me. This organization will never spend the amount of money it will take, on enough top of the line Free Agents, to be successful. I'd rather have hope in a young player developing into a difference maker than watching an over-paid FA veteran that isn't a difference maker just to remain an average or below average team.

[Whitey333]

I doubt they will sign anyone for over 5-6 million per year.  Im guessing Shelton was brought in to help shape the Twins into becoming the Pirates of the American League.  I'd like to see them play the younger players too.  However they have done such a terrible job of development.  How can they be trusted?  This franchise is a wreck.

[David HK]

FFS, these guys.  Devastate the BP for no reason at all, let go the hometown future hero, and now they dump the only BP auditioner who actually showed something?  Good grief, this FO needs to go along with the pohlads.

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Yeah, I would have kept Lawyerson over Kreiler, Gasper & Julien. 

Shelton just got here, I'm pretty sure that he does everything he's told at this point. Especially pertaining to these matters.

Congers is gone! That's one big plus. Being a catcher himself, he can see how worthless he is. He picked LaTroy as his BP coach, who was my choice I probably have more faith in Sheldon than you do because Molitor picked him as his bench coach. I usually give grace to people until they prove otherwise.

I'm actually behind Shelton at this point. But he is going to have a very poor team to work with this season. And an awful FO to work for. If this team wins 60 Shelton deserves manager of the year. The 2026 team will not get better either. More trades coming.

[Woof Bronzer]

11 hours ago, DJL44 said:

We all know the Twins will not sign free agents until late January when all that is left are players the good teams with big budgets don’t want. That could be Hoskins this season.

The Nordstrom Rack Strategy.  

[Fatbat]

I’d bet on neither May nor Hoskins because the payroll will be under 100M. I also don’t see any major trades. 
what we will see is a bunch of bullpen dudes sign for small prove it contracts and a vet C like Vasquez for about $3M. 
bottom of the barrel thrift shop shopping. 
Potential to have an epic rookie class is 💯 🏦