5 First Base Upgrades the Twins Could Target Via Trade

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

In looking over the projected 2027 Twins roster, the clearest opportunity to upgrade the lineup is at first base, where Royce Lewis is coming off another sub-par season. Twins officials have signaled a willingness to invest. The problem is that this year's free agent class at the position is not particularly strong. There are only a few truly good hitters on the market and competition will be high for them, meaning trades could be the better avenue for landing an impact bat, especially with the Twins being open to dealing from their pitching depth.

Here are five names that stand out as potentially available targets capable of meaningfully improving a position where the Twins ranked 26th out of 30 MLB teams in fWAR this season.

Yandy Díaz, Tampa Bay Rays

Coming off an All-Star campaign (his second), Díaz has one remaining year of team control at $13 million. That makes him a prototypical Rays trade candidate. He's an excellent all-around hitter with a 127 career OPS+ and his right-handed bat would be a nice fit in the heart of the Twins' order. 

It's reasonable to wonder if Díaz is a credible defensive first baseman at this point. All of the 35-year-old's starts this year came at DH, and 114 of his 150 appearances last year. The Twins had little tolerance for Josh Bell's glove at first and it's not clear Díaz would be any better. 

 

Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals

Biggest prize the Twins could hope to land. He led the majors with 116 RBIs as No. 3 hitter for the Cards. Burleson is two years from free agency and turning 29 next month. He has produced a 129 OPS+ over the last two seasons with a high-contact swing that produces a lot of power. He'd be the kind of slam-dunk acquisition this team needs to generate enthusiasm and back up big talk.

The question is availability. St. Louis has no real impetus to shop him, especially since they already had one of the worst offenses in the league this year. Minnesota's front office would need to knock their socks off with an offer.

 

Spencer Steer, Cincinnati Reds

Reunion alert! Steer has been a pretty average hitter for the Reds since being sent over in the Tyler Mahle trade, but there's value in that — especially because he brings some defensive versatility that would be handy. For example, as a righty hitter he could pop out to left field and start against a southpaw. 

Steer's overall .242/.327/.421 slash line in 586 games is mediocre, but he has an .838 OPS against lefties and that's what makes him interesting for a Twins team trying to overcome a perpetual weakness. He's controlled through 2028 and reportedly received "plenty of interest" at the deadline.

 

Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox

High risk, high reward. Casas was a Rookie of the Year contender in 2023 and had a 126 OPS+ through 222 MLB games. He was slumping in 2025 before suffering a torn patellar tendon against the Twins in early May. He hasn't appeared in a game since, with his recovery complicated by soft tissue injuries and a wrist issue requiring arthroscopic surgery. Injuries have ravaged the 26-year-old and derailed a promising career. 

Maybe a change of scenery helps him get it back on track. Casas has two remaining years of control and will be cheap in terms of salary, making him an efficient payroll fit that maintains spending flexibility to upgrade elsewhere. Gambling on him to finally get healthy and return to form would be a bold course with a lot of downside. 

 

Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles

More of a floor raiser than a ceiling raiser. Cost to acquire him would presumably be low because he's become highly redundant in Baltimore. Missed all but one game this year due to a fractured foot, and he was not a good hitter in 2025. Prior to that, however, he was a reliable 110-ish OPS+ right-handed power bat.

Based on recent history, it's not clear he's a superior option to Lewis, so this isn't the most exciting proposition, but there's little question that Mountcastle is attainable he's still only 29. 

 

None of these options is perfect, in terms of both clear availability and fit. But if the Twins are serious about bolstering an offense that will need to replace the lost impact of Bell and Ryan Jeffers, first base offers an opportunity to be aggressive.

They have pitching depth to deal from and an obvious need to address. Whether it's a blockbuster for Burleson, a calculated gamble on Casas or something in between, this feels like an area where the Twins should be actively exploring every avenue this winter.

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[DJL44]

Burleson is the only upgrade from Lewis. Diaz is a DH.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

Díaz has one remaining year of team control at $13 million. That makes him a prototypical Rays trade candidate.

Very true, but I just don't see Tampa parting with a beloved player like Diaz, especially they make it to the World Series. And as DJL44 noted, he's not much of a first baseman at this point. 

[Whitey333]

Interesting article.  I dont see any of those in a Twins uniform.  Dump Lewis and a couple other fringe players in a trade and get a realistic first baseman.

[mike8791]

Agree completely that replacing Lewis with a power hitting 1B should be a top priority.  Other than Burleson, who is probably untouchable, the rest of the list is sort of meh.  Agree with idea that Twins could part with Ryan - a pitcher the Cubs would love to have.  Would they consider trading Michael Busch?  He fell off in '26 but his '25 year showed his potential.  He is young, a great fielder and with the Cubs strong offense, might be replacable.  I would like to see the Twins also receive one of the top Cub prospect pitchers also, but at the very least, the fit is there.

[Woof Bronzer]

Is there any evidence to indicate that trading MLB talent for MLB talent is a sustainably successful approach for a middle revenue team?  

[Cory Engelhardt]

Why not Michael Busch of the Cubs? He is from Inver Grove Heights, and his minor league hitting instructor from his time with the dodgers was current Twins hitting coach Keith Beauargard. He was really good in 2025, he still has 3 years remaining and getting back with his former coach while also playing for his hometown team could be a good match right?

[Coach]

SI: First Team: First Base: "Matt Olson has been terrific this season, crushing 36 home runs and tallying 77 RBIs. His 4.1 fWAR leads all first basemen."

TD: "Clemens was one of the year's biggest surprises. He appeared in 145 games and provided a power boost that few could have predicted, launching 27 home runs and driving in 81 runs."  At the end of May he was leading the league at 1B in DRS (5).  2.5 fWAR 2026 for all fielding positions.

BTW: 

1B (MLB Leader) DRS

Ty France

15

1B (MLB Runner-Up) DRS

Matt Olson

11

[Twins GFP]

Casas feels like a typical Twins move, especially if they move on from Lewis. They have a pretty good track record of getting the most out of these types of guys.

Steer would only potentially raise the floor, but only if he plays strong defense.

Everyone else is out of the Twins price range.

[Paul Walerius]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Twins Fan said:

Díaz has one remaining year of team control at $13 million. That makes him a prototypical Rays trade candidate.

Very true, but I just don't see Tampa parting with a beloved player like Diaz, especially they make it to the World Series. And as DJL44 noted, he's not much of a first baseman at this point. 

Rays don't care about player/fans feelings.  I could see a possible trade. Don't pick up Bell's option, he can be DH then.  What does it cost then? They are probably asking for Houston right? I am ok with Lewis over there with Diaz/Clemens filling in on days off.  

[Mike h]

I'm sort of scratching my head here.  These are 5 candidates the Twins could consider for 1B?  One hasn't played in 2 years, one hasn't played in 1 year, one doesn't even play 1B, one (Steer) isn't an upgrade, and Burleson, the one and only prize on this list, is virtually unobtainable.  They might as well just hand the job to Sabato or stick with Clemons there and find a different super utility man.

Also, I have to disagree that the Twins have pitching depth from which to deal.  Not so long ago they had a bunch of promising prospects but now they have been tried and are mostly suspects.  It's possible Lopez won't be ready, Ryan might be traded, Ober might not be tendered, and the bullpen is not set  either.  Who are the in-house replacements who can elevate the team?  In order to compete in 2027 they need proven, hopefully elite, pitchers, which I don't see on staff, and what there is isn't going to excite another team enough to bring back a great 1B.

[Brandon]

I was thinking Ryan OHearn with Pittsburgh.  He is a 1 year rental and Pittsburgh could use that money towards a Brandon Lowe contract.  Or we could go after Lowe.too......

And with the lack of options it might just make sense to keep Lewis and Sabato for another year and see what happens 

[terrydactyls]

Joe Ryan for Michael Busch and a AA pitcher with an upside.

[1985Fan]

If they’re going to make a 1B trade, look at NYY. They have a bit of a logjam at 1B when Judge is healthy. Garcia might be odd man out, even though they just traded for him. He’s young at 26, so he could fit Twins timeline for contending. 
Bush from Cubs would be a good add as well, but the cost would probably be very high. Not sure how that would look. 
Im also ok with staying the course with Lewis at 1B to start the season. Give him another two months before pulling the plug on him. Then give Sabato a chance for a month to see if he can stick. If not, fall back to Clemons for the rest of the year. 
 

[Woof Bronzer]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Why not Michael Busch of the Cubs? He is from Inver Grove Heights

Matt Wallner is from Forest Lake...just sayin....

[miller761]

Are there any options for 1B on the free agent market? 

[Brandon]

The best free agent option is signing Brandon Lowe and moving Clemens to 1B

The next best is Jake Bauers.....

[Blyleven2011]

It would be nice if the FO could fill the position , do they see a problem here , they haven’t in years , playing ring around the rossie ..

it’s time to be smart or go home , a permanent player for 3 years or more of control at first base would be nice that can hit both lefties and righties …

It’s time we get everyday players that can hit and play defense and use the utility players as utility players

[mike8791]

1 hour ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Is there any evidence to indicate that trading MLB talent for MLB talent is a sustainably successful approach for a middle revenue team?  

If the team has a surplus in one area and a deficit in another, then absolutely such a trade makes a lot of sense.  Much better yjan nibbling around the edges - a longtime Twins FO philosophy that has ensured non-contention.  This offseason is a big test for Pohlad and Zoll to swing big.

[rdehring]

The only one I would like to see is the guy from St. Louis, who is likely either unavailable or way too expensive.  The others are either injured or can't play first base.

Isn't Clemens as good an option as any of these guys except the St. Louis guy?  Move him to first full time and find a second baseman.  Maybe give Lewis two-thirds of a season to prove he can get the job done.  Should he fail, Houston comes up and Culpepper moves to second.  If Lewis succeeds and Houston is ready at the trade deadline, move Lewis.

[Coach Wheels]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Twins Fan said:

Díaz has one remaining year of team control at $13 million. That makes him a prototypical Rays trade candidate.

Very true, but I just don't see Tampa parting with a beloved player like Diaz, especially they make it to the World Series. And as DJL44 noted, he's not much of a first baseman at this point. 

The Rays front office is very good and the only way they walk away from Diaz is if the resources someone gives them make them better. I would be scared to death to trade with the Rays. 😀

[Senior Softball Guy]

Arreaz at 2nd, Clemons at first?

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Interesting article.  I dont see any of those in a Twins uniform.  Dump Lewis and a couple other fringe players in a trade and get a realistic first baseman.

I'd agree but there isn't one to get. The best available FAs are Jake Bauers, Ty France, and Alec Bohm. None are great, all are over 30 (France will be 33 in '27), and all play for contenders and are likely to be retained by their current club and/or would be very expensive for slightly above average production. Besides, why would the 1B from a playoff team who could stay with that team come to the Twins unless it was for a whole lot of extra money, i.e., because they would be overpaid. 

We got to think bigger and more holistically. We have a 1B who as good or close to as good as the other options in Clemens. He's also below average with the glove at 2B. The 2B market actually has some interesting names and better trade possibilities. I would try to sign Arraez, Lowe or even Gavin Lux, or trade for someone like Xavier Edwards or Nick Sogard, and move Clemens to 1B. I would then try to trade Lewis for a talented but underperforming change of scenery candidate (like Lewis) such as Carmen Mlodsinski, Bobby Miller, Grayson Rodriguez, Evan Carter, Jordan Walker, Tristan Casas, Brett Baty - someone similar to Lewis in that they're talented but just haven't performed at the LB level. By doing so, we've improved the 2B defense, put a better bat at 1B with only a minimal defensive downgrade if any, and added a guy with potential that maybe we can unlock. I would go with one of the pitchers and target Rodriguez, Mlodzinski, Miller, or Ryan Feltner. 

[DJL44]

30 minutes ago, Brandon said:

The best free agent option is signing Brandon Lowe and moving Clemens to 1B

The next best is Jake Bauers.....

The best options after that are signing Jazz or Arraez and moving Clemens to 1B. The next best after that is signing Gleyber Torres and moving him to 1B.

[TheLeviathan]

Coby Mayo is a far more likely target and a better fit for this list than Burleson.  The Cardinals have zero reason to deal him, his presence on this list feels severely out of place.

Though I understand the weirdness of it, the Twins' mixed messaging has made it impossible to tell what to expect.  I would caution this though, if you're dipping your toes in waters as optimistic as Burleson...you may want stop huffing the hopium before you get yourself hurt.

[Jeff K]

It's been mentioned before, but perhaps the best move is to go big and sign Jeffers for market value and move him to first in 28.  

[tony&rodney]

Nick, this seemed like a strange article from you. Diaz is a DH and will almost certainly stay with the Rays. The Cardinals are not trading Burleson and the other three are not even worth a roster spot. I'm confused .

There are options and we don't know if the Twins can convince a free agent to sign with the club. There are opportunities to trade. Michael Busch is likely available because the Cubs need pitching. Alternately, Kody Clemens remains an option.

If the Twins declare that Royce Lewis will be their first baseman in 2027, that will be the canary in the coal mine for next season.

There are options but the Twins need to be proactive and act before December and their choice may cost money. My choice would be Ty France but he will want to remain with the Padres. If San Diego does not sign France, the Twins should offer at least 2/$25M. 

My one concern is that the Twins roster a player who is not a positive glove at first base.

[Sven]

All of a sudden RBIs are important when you are not talking about Bell??  They should not trade any young pitching.  Last year showed you can never have enough good arms.  Trade a lefty outfielder...Erod would get somebody good.

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

It's been mentioned before, but perhaps the best move is to go big and sign Jeffers for market value and move him to first in 28.  

The Twins began to move away from being the worst defensive team during this past season. Jeffers is a DH/PH/C. He is pretty brutal at first base. That isn't an option they should consider. The team needs to move forward towards fielding above average gloves whenever possible. 

[Twins GFP]

I am surprised Arraez has not come up more in this conversation, either at 1B or 2B, with Clemens filling the other role. A top of the lineup of:
R-Keaschall
L-Arraez
R-Buxton
L-Clemens
S-Lee
L-Jenkins

There is a lot of potential in that group.