3 Recently DFAd Players Minnesota Twins Should Pursue

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With the cutoff for Rule 5 protection on Tuesday night, plenty of teams had to designate players for assignment to make room for prospects on their 40-man roster. As a result, a handful of new players are now available to either claim off waivers or sign with a team when they inevitably become free agents. With the Twins on the lookout for roster upgrades, a few names may make some sense.

Jason Foley
Foley was a legitimate high-end reliever for the Tigers in 2023 and 2024, combining for 129 innings pitched with an ERA under 3.00. Previously an undrafted free agent, he beat the odds to become a durable and effective relief option for several seasons. A shoulder injury cost him all of 2025, and he's now in search of a new team at 30 years old.

At his best, Foley is a power sinkerballer, comfortably sitting in the high 90s on his heater to pair with a dominant slider. Foley has high-leverage experience, which would be a welcome addition to an inexperienced Twins bullpen. Health is the big question mark, as his medicals are surely the reason the Tigers chose not to hold onto him. If Foley can take the mound in 2026, the Twins should be very interested.

Nathaniel Lowe
This was the worst season of Lowe's career, and it may drop him into the Twins' price range. He posted a .798 OPS from 2022-2024 before a miserable stint with Washington at the beginning of last season. After landing with the Red Sox for the stretch run, he posted a .790 OPS in 34 games. Lowe has been a starting-caliber first baseman for the better part of four years, and may be just what the Twins need at first base.

Though left-handed (like the incumbent Kody Clemens), Lowe owns an above-average slash line in his career against southpaws, in addition to crushing righties. He doesn't need to be platooned and posts more respectable walk and strikeout rates than Clemens. His pricey arbitration number was likely the driving factor in the decision to cut him, which means he's likely to hit the open market and have plenty of interest at a lower price tag. If the Twins can make it happen, bringing Lowe in on a prove-it one-year deal makes a lot of sense.

Dauri Moreta
It was surprising to see the Pirates part with an interesting arm like Moreta, but another team could benefit by giving him a roster spot. The burly righthander is now out of options, so Pittsburgh decided to part ways rather than gamble on his dominant stuff without the ability to shuttle him to the minors. He posted a 31.8% strikeout rate while limiting homers in 2023, before missing 2024 after Tommy John surgery. He flashed that dominance in his return in 2025, and the hope is that he's at 100%, being another year removed from injury.

Moreta throws a unique slider that typically draws a whiff rate of around 40%. Pairing it with a mid-90s fastball, he should continue to rack up strikeouts. Moreta looked like a rising star before his injury and still has three years of team control. He's just 29 years old. His raw stuff could immediately drop him into a high-leverage role in 2026, and he could become a premier reliever if everything clicks. 

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Are there any other players in similar circumstances whom you would like to see the Twins claim? Let us know below!

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Sign me up for Foley for sure

[CRF]

The two pitchers, yes. Not so much Lowe.

[karcherd]

Foley would be a good addition, no to Lowe.  How much dumpster do we have to do.  We already have Gasper on the roster and Clemens proclaimed as the starting first baseman.  Yet Falvey said he wants to building a contending for next year, either he is completely incompetent or lying or possibly both. Because neither of these moves signal a serious move to contention.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

The pitchers are intriguing for sure, so why not? 

Lowe is definitely better than Clemens, but I wouldn't want to sign him for just 1 year. A multi year deal to solidify 1st base for a while.

The reason is, outside of the bullpen, I dont want to see any 1 year deals. If we're signing someone, make it count for this coming season and the future. I'd rather see someone already in the system play this year over any scrap heap signing. 

[IndianaTwin]

Alex Lange and his 26 saves from 2023. 

 

[1985Fan]

Sign the two pitchers. Why not, BP needs arms and it doesn’t look like the Twins system is ready to fill the void. Why aren’t they looking at the system for a 1B? Sabato had an ok 2025, was a first round pick in 2020, and it’s not like Clemons is too good to displace. Or move Larnach, Wallner, or even Jeffers to 1B (if they decide to keep him. He’s a terrible catcher, so nothing to lose by moving him to 1B.). 
Falvey is either selling fans a fantasy of competing in 2026 (most likely), or he’s completely delusional (not too far fetched based on his past delusions). Go for the rebuild and not the bandaid. There is no way they’re going to win +90 games next year. Take some time to get things right to setup 2027. I’m hoping they win in 2026, but I know I’m a delusional Twins fan (that’s how I have stayed a Twins fan since the eighties!). 

 

[Jacksson]

What about the players cluttering up the Twins 40 Man Roster who should be DFA'd??

[Blyleven2011]

Moreta with 3 years of control is right for the pickings and had some results coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2025 ...

Foley missed the 2025 season and health is a concern  , AAA contract with invite to spring training is all I would offer for depth and a prove it 1 year and free agency again next off season  ....

Lowe's price may not drop significantly enough for the twins to lure him in , im sure as the OP stated he's looking for a 1 year prove it now contract  ... 

Will lowe sign for 1 million like France did , i doubt it very much but if falvey did sign him for 1 million i  WOULD pat him on the back like I do my dog and say good boy ...

Alex Lange with his 26 saves in 2023 has been suggested ...

Every team needs pitching , so none of these players are out of the question for this organization  ...

[thelanges5]

Bullpen can be built by throwing stuff against the wall and seeing if it sticks. Sign the two pitchers to minor league deals and see what happens.

[thelanges5]

18 minutes ago, Jacksson said:

What about the players cluttering up the Twins 40 Man Roster who should be DFA'd??

Plenty of potential room on the 40 man. Gasper, Julien, Kreidler, Keirsey, Outman, McCrusher. 

[Mike Sixel]

Interesting names for sure. Not sure I'd do lowe....

[rv78]

2 hours ago, karcherd said:

Foley would be a good addition, no to Lowe.  How much dumpster do we have to do.  We already have Gasper on the roster and Clemens proclaimed as the starting first baseman.  Yet Falvey said he wants to building a contending for next year, either he is completely incompetent or lying or possibly both. Because neither of these moves signal a serious move to contention.

Incompetent, lying AND delusional. All mentioned in responses to this article and all 3 are Falvey traits. He's been trying to build a contender since he came here and all he's done is take the team in the wrong direction. He took over in 2017 and the Twins have gotten progressively worse since then. They made the playoffs in 2017, 2019, 2020(covid), and 2023. The first 3 times were with players that were from the Terry Ryan regime, not his. 2023 is his lone playoff accomplishment and that was with a few leftovers yet. He's pretty much done nothing to make this team a winner much less a contender.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

Plenty of potential room on the 40 man. Gasper, Julien, Kreidler, Keirsey, Outman, McCrusher. 

All should be gone except Julien.

[RpR]

22 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

All should be gone except Julien.

All should stay except Julien.

[DocBauer]

This a SMART OP by Cody. Even putting aside questions about WTH ownership is doing in regard to the 2026 payroll, as a mid market team, these are the types of players the Twins should ALWAYS be looking at.

Where do you think Stewart, Thielbar, and Castro came from, along with others I could mention. It's NOT dumpster diving in cases like these. It's just being smart, and occasionally lucky.

I've stated many times that in order to rebuild the 2026 pen, the Twins should be looking at quality arms coming off injury, or coming off a poor/mediocre return season following injury.

FOLEY: I think, at 30yo, with a decent background, he's still probably a MILB contract signing with an invite. He's almost a clone for the Stewart signing a couple years ago. And he and his agent will recognize opportunity with the Twins.

MORETA: At 29yo and coming off surgery and still flashing a little bit in 16 IP for 2025, are the Pirates THAT CHEAP that they just cut him?? He's not GREAT in his career, but he's been solid and has solid WHIP and K numbers. I think Foley might be had on a MILB deal. Foley might require an actual ML deal.

I'd like to add Alex Lange via @IndianaTwinas a MILB flier option. As recently as 2023 he was the closer for Detroit. He's never been a stud. But he's had a solid career. And he might also be a really nice  potential rebound add on a MILB deal.

These, and a few other options presented by various posts show that there ARE some options to add to the roster, or bring in to camp, along with some in house conversions to AT LEAST begin to build a decent pen.

But if you don't love the idea of adding Nathaniel Lowe for 2026 you're probably sleeping. As I was before hearing him mentioned previously in a different OP recently.

He hits LH and so does Clemens? Who cares! Clemens is a utility player and Lowe is a starting 1B! And to be blunt, he doesn't suck against LHP for his career so he doesn't have to be platooned. I've been thinking O'Hearn is the next best option from the better and already signed Naylor. 

And then I stopped and looked at Lowe's career. He actually beats O'Hearn in AVG, OB%, and OPS with an almost tie in SLG%. If O'Hearn is speculated to be worth 2yrs at $13M, I would JUMP for a 2yrs younger and just as good producer for the same 2yrs at $13M per. If you can get him cheaper, so much the better. Still only 30yo and nobody ready to replace him? How about 3yrs $30-36M?

Hell, at this point I'd be on board with a solid 1yr deal just to not have a blackhole at 1B for 2026.

[Chembry]

To all those who wouldn't be in on Lowe, can I ask why? Is it just because he bats LH?  Or because you generally think he is overrated? Cost too much? I am generally curious.

He will  be a FA in a few days and won't command a $10M salary...Nobody wanted to pick him up at the deadline for $10M.  My guess right now is he will get between $6-8M/year.

He is a solid 1B and has been for his entire career.  He has only one stint on the IL and that was a 30day stint in 2024.  He is an everyday 1B that doesn't have to be platooned.  Here is his career offensive stats and splits:

 

I	Split	G	GS	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	ROE	BAbip	tOPS+
	vs RHP	777		2433	2133	304	568	99	10	82	300	14	2	273	577	.266	.351	.437	.789	933	49	14	0	13	11	12	.327	104
	vs LHP	494		997	885	94	228	38	3	25	113	1	0	103	259	.258	.337	.392	.729	347	17	5	0	4	0	8	.336	90

 

Defensively, over the last 3 years he has averaged 2OAA (bad 2025 of -5 OAA).  If you look at DRS, he averages 0 defensive runs saved in the past 3 years (again a bad 2025).  He isn't a defensive liability.  In fact, given the Twins track record the past 2 years, that puts him the odds on favorite to win a GG (if the Twins sign him).  With the exception of 2025, he has been a consistent 2-3 WAR level player.  

[Doctor Wu]

19 minutes ago, Chembry said:

With the exception of 2025, he has been a consistent 2-3 WAR level player.  

You are correct. Last year he slipped, but previous to that, when Lowe was with Tampa Bay and Texas, he was an above average hitter and fielder. The Twins could be a lot worse than signing Lowe.  As for the two pitchers mentioned in the article, both seem worthwhile, but I'd opt for Moreta. But as usual, I hope the Twins make some moves SOON and don't wait until February. 

[Fatbat]

Sign them all up. Lowe at 3yrs $22M would put an end to talking about a void at 1B. Both pitchers would likely stick to the opening day roster.  Easy to DFA the AAAA types. 

[Brandon27]

Twins are not going sign anyone until middle to late January they probably going wait until big name free agents sign first and then going after whatever is left 

[Doctor Gast]

11 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

You are correct. Last year he slipped, but previous to that, when Lowe was with Tampa Bay and Texas, he was an above average hitter and fielder. The Twins could be a lot worse than signing Lowe.  As for the two pitchers mentioned in the article, both seem worthwhile, but I'd opt for Moreta. But as usual, I hope the Twins make some moves SOON and don't wait until February. 

I'd dig deeper into Lowe & see why he dipped. If he can be fixed, then jump on him (IMO, he can be). But Twins loves to wait & being unsure of their real needs. They fail to see the seriousness of the condition of their catching. Rortvedt was DFAed because of the LAD's ongoing roster crunch. Rortvedt is a very good defensive catcher; a left-handed-hitting catcher that have been messed up offensively, but had an amazing postseason offensive run with LAD. I have high hopes for this WI native, who could become very good starting catcher or at least a solid floor of backup. Twins missed another one! They are probably waiting for another expensive, inferior FA or another club's true reject, thinking that they can develop, when they can't develop their own. Quit messing around with these catchers & go out & get a good deal on a good catcher.

[Doctor Wu]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'd dig deeper into Lowe & see why he dipped. If he can be fixed, then jump on him (IMO, he can be). But Twins loves to wait & being unsure of their real needs. They fail to see the seriousness of the condition of their catching. Rortvedt was DFAed because of the LAD's ongoing roster crunch. Rortvedt is a very good defensive catcher; a left-handed-hitting catcher that have been messed up offensively, but had an amazing postseason offensive run with LAD. I have high hopes for this WI native, who could become very good starting catcher or at least a solid floor of backup. Twins missed another one! They are probably waiting for another expensive, inferior FA or another club's true reject, thinking that they can develop, when they can't develop their own. Quit messing around with these catchers & go out & get a good deal on a good catcher.

I always liked Rortvedt and thought he would turn into a good MLB catcher, Maybe not a full-time starter, but at least a good backup. I wonder why both Tampa Bay and LA let him go so quickly. He's still relatively young, so it would seem like his skills could not have deteriorated that quickly. 

[LewFordLives]

"It was the worst season of Lowe's career, and it may drop him into the Twins' price range."

That sentence sums up the current state of the Twins.

[JBK]

Are we at the point where we are looking at Pittsburgh castoffs? 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Chembry said:

To all those who wouldn't be in on Lowe, can I ask why? Is is just because he bats LH?  Or because you generally think he is overrated? Cost too much? I am generally curious.

I'd prefer lefthanded. I don't even want to consider platoon specialists at all so his splits are encouraging in order to remove any manager temptation to whip out the platoons and compromise developing talent. 

Nobody should feel he is overrated. Anyone who was released and DFA'd by two clubs in a 3 month span should never be considerations for any type of over rated designations or those foot stomping hand clapping over rated chants from the crowd. 

Yes... He costs too much and that's why he is available. The Nats couldn't trade him and the Red Sox couldn't trade him because he costs too much. Now that he is a free agent. He goes straight into the pile somewhere between O'Hearn and France. He should find his correct level. Where will that level be? 

Can the Twins afford it? This Year Yes... Last Year No. It's a matter of should they? 

I'm going to stay consistent. No more one year contracts? We have to stop this never ending chain of low dollar one year contracts at the 1B position. 

A two year contract could be considered but... free agents sign for the most dollars they can get and most teams have developed a young 1B so it's not a position of scarcity. Therefore whatever Lowe signs for... he will be value maxed out and have NO TRADE VALUE unless he gets playing time and goes nuts.

If Lowe goes nuts and plays better than what he was with the Rangers. Maybe... Maybe he could be traded at the deadline for a Mendez size talent for a Bader type resurgence. However...  right now we are still talking about someone who was released by the Nationals because the Nationals felt it was more important to commit that roster spot to the development of youth despite the Nats owing 10.3 million in full. 

And that is where the Twins should be in 2026. Full commitment to the development of youth. 

So I'm out. 😉

[Whitey333]

Yawn, yawn, and yawn.  Just a typical Twins off season looking at the left overs.  Only more of it this year.

[Permanent Twins Fan]

At this point, the Twins should be willing to take a chance on almost any bullpen arm. Moreta interests me. It sounds like he has a good arsenal, and great stuff. It's harder to get on board with another oft-injured player, but the Twins options are limited, and if he could turn into a 7th-8th inning guy, that would be a huge win.

[Dman]

Gotta believe Foley isn't ready right now and would be questionable health wise this season.  That's the only reason I can see the pitching needy Tigers just letting him go.  If its a minor leagure deal to start I would be interested but not sure he would be my gamble on a 40 man spot.

Moreta is interesting again why would the Pirates let him go? They need everything especially bullpen arms.  Wondering if durability concerns or underlying numbers aren't what they should be.

[Cris E]

The problem with Lowe is that if they commit real resources to him he blocks the experiments that the team needs to conduct at 1B. Someone needs to leave the OF in the coming years and 1B is a place to perhaps park someone's bad glove. (Looking at you, Wallner.) But if it's modest money they can cut him back when better options appear, like they did with Gallo and France.

They can grab both these relievers, but at some point they need to convert a couple young starters to the end of the game and this is the year to begin that. There's a lot more fungibility with bullpen roles, but we need to keep a few chairs for our callow youth and not just fling open the gates like some refugee haven. Remember we already grabbed Orza so this bus is filling up already.

[Chembry]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

I'd prefer lefthanded. I don't even want to consider platoon specialists at all so his splits are encouraging in order to remove any manager temptation to whip out the platoons and compromise developing talent. 

Nobody should feel he is overrated. Anyone who was released and DFA'd by two clubs in a 3 month span should never be considerations for any type of over rated designations or those foot stomping hand clapping over rated chants from the crowd. 

Yes... He costs too much and that's why he is available. The Nats couldn't trade him and the Red Sox couldn't trade him because he costs too much. Now that he is a free agent. He goes straight into the pile somewhere between O'Hearn and France. He should find his correct level. Where will that level be? 

Can the Twins afford it? This Year Yes... Last Year No. It's a matter of should they? 

I'm going to stay consistent. No more one year contracts? We have to stop this never ending chain of low dollar one year contracts at the 1B position. 

A two year contract could be considered but... free agents sign for the most dollars they can get and most teams have developed a young 1B so it's not a position of scarcity. Therefore whatever Lowe signs for... he will be value maxed out and have NO TRADE VALUE unless he gets playing time and goes nuts.

If Lowe goes nuts and plays better than what he was with the Rangers. Maybe... Maybe he could be traded at the deadline for a Mendez size talent for a Bader type resurgence. However...  right now we are still talking about someone who was released by the Nationals because the Nationals felt it was more important to commit that roster spot to the development of youth despite the Nats owing 10.3 million in full. 

And that is where the Twins should be in 2026.

So I'm out. 😉

I appreciate the logic and understand your point.  I agree, we shouldn't consider any more 1 year contracts.  But I disagree he will have no trade value.  That all depends on the contract he signs.  If he signs a $9M AAV contract (which probably won't happen), yes he will have no trade value and the Twins should be out.  If he signs a $6M AAV, he will have some trade value, especially if the contract has options.

The Nationals are out because of his $10M contract, but they also have a prospect ready to step into that role (Yohandy Morales).  The Twins don't have that internal option.  Fedko could considered the closest possible internal option, but he only has played 33g at 1B.   Maybe the Twins give Fedko a chance, but Baseball America just listed Fedko a "player to know" for the rule 5 draft.  There isn't any guarantee that he will be with the Twins in a month. 

My argument is that Lowe's level of production (outside of 2025) are better than the next best free agent option O'Hearn.  O'Hearn has 2 seasons of 2 WAR production or better (2024 a 2.0 and 2025 a 2.4).  Lowe has 4 seasons above 2.0 (2021-2024 between 2.3-3.2).  

Since we don't have a definitive option, and Clemens is more of a utility guy, why not sign Lowe to a 2-year deal? Assuming he would agree to a 2 year contract with options since he is coming off a bad season?  He isn't going to command $10M/yr, that has already been established.  He will be quite a bit cheaper than that. He isn't blocking any prospect.  Unless we trade for a 1B prospect, we will be playing Clemons and Julien at 1B and not investing in the future roster anyway.  Both of which are nowhere near the level of Lowe.  Mendez has yet, to play 1B and more than likely wouldn't be ready defensively in 2026 anyway.  Wallner isn't a 1B and will never be.  Roden has played 1B in the past, so that is an option.

My preferred choice would be to trade for a 1B prospect or for Casas.  I know many people disagree with Casas, but who knows if that is going to happen.  Signing Lowe would be a my next choice, over O'Hearn.