5 First Base Upgrades the Twins Could Target Via Trade

[Wedman13]

#freebillyamick (and trade something to get him back)

[Woof Bronzer]

23 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

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.

I guess I'm unaware of this "surplus" of which you speak.  This team has won between 72-80 games 3 years in a row.  We have an overall talent deficit.  Unless we've got a skilled GM who is always fleecing the other team (LOL!!!) then MLB player trades are a marginal upgrade at best.  The strategy of trading all our bad players for some good ones only works on fan blogs.  

I'll keep saying it.  Look at how the Brewers, Rays, Guards, etc build their teams.  They absolutely aren't doing it through marginal MLB for MLB trades.  

[DJL44]

Other 1B who are easily obtainable by trade

Christian Walker, Jorge Polanco

[Woof Bronzer]

8 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

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. 

Plus they'd be paying a defensive premium on his contract for 1 year at a premium defensive position.  Jeffers as a poor defensive 1B at slightly above average offense is not worth the $20m/year for 3-4 years it would cost to sign him.

I am also surprised by the number of fans who 1) trash Buxton for playing 60% of games, and yet 2) want to resign Jeffers, who also only plays 60% of games, to a long term deal into his 30s.  

[Jeff K]

13 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

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. 

I'm all about improving the fielding.  I'm not aware of Jeffer's past performance at first base.  If it's bad, then I agree 100%

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

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

This is a real rip off for the Cubs. One year of Ryan for multiple years of a starter, and another guy? 

This list from Nick is terrible. It also shows that it isn't so easy as.... Trade for a first baseman.

Their better bet is a minor league player target. 

[nicksaviking]

Burleson absolutely cannot hit left handed pitching, and this organization loves to platoon. I think you'd end up getting a part time player. And if he even takes a minor step back in his ability hitting right handers, he's going to look like a huge bust considering no one likes his defense.

And while I'd be happy to take Yandy Diaz (who was DH exclusive this year), the Rays FINALLY got their new stadium approved and the league looks to be installing a salary floor. They're also on the doorstep of a World Series appearance. I don't think we're going to see the old Rays frugal ways again for awhile. 

[DJL44]

23 minutes ago, Twins GFP said:

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.

I would not be surprised if Arraez and Carson Kelly combine for the same salary commitment as Ryan Jeffers.

[1985Fan]

If an alternative approach is to add a 2B and move Clemons to 1B, then maybe look at Volpe from NYY. He’s fallen out of the lineup but still has talent. He looked great against the Twins at TF recently, so he can play, just not at the high expectations Yankee management and fans had when he was primary SS. He might be cheap to get in a trade since he’s fallen out of favor in NY. 
If they go 2B and move Clemons to 1B, don’t shut out moving KC to 2B when Houston arrives. Something to keep in mind….

[killercarewoliva]

1 hour ago, Twins GFP said:

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.

Casas and Mountcastle. these are hurt players. The twins seem to like to take a chance on pitching that has a history of arm injury. could be a good upside though with Israeli going to be an upside, especially when a guy spends over a season and a half not playing. well we can get them for less. there's a reason why you can get them for less leave these people alone. nice people I'm sure. but hey they are injured. like that football coach Herman Edwards would say the object of the game is to win the game. that means you need people on the field that can stay on the field but no team is going to be injury free. that's what sports does to you, but let's don't start out that way.

[Andy MacPhail]

Any good 1Bman, teams aren't looking to trade. We can do better than Steer & Montcastle, inhouse. Casas & Garcia could be available but I'd rather move Keaschal to 1B. Why keep testing his glove ^& pushing his arm to the limits in the OF? He could be a walking timebomb. Twins should have kept Keaschal at 1B, where they moved him after he hurt his arm. Develop him there & we'd have have a pretty good 1Bman by now. We'll never rank well at 1B if we keep playing this expensive FA merry-go-round. 1 year of Diaz at 1B (who's bad there) is no different. 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Is Willson Contreras available? He would be a great 1B candidate. Much better bat and could hit Cleanup for us. 

Another option, see if Brandon Lowe could come in and make a move to 1B. 128OPS I think. He could also bat cleanup for us. 

From what the article suggested, only Burleson would work and I doubt he's available without an overpay. He would look great in a Twins uniform. What would it take to get him? ERod & Tait?

[killercarewoliva]

2 hours ago, Coach said:

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

Josh Bell finish 13th in baseball with runs batted in and 5th in the American League with his 96 RBIs. this very nice gentleman writing here is speaking of Kody Clemons with his 81 rbi's. that is believed to be in this article a very successful season which it is but 90 Bell got 15 more so I'm still having a hard time understanding why people don't think Belle was a good idea for the twins team. clemmons plays a lot of really good defense. not the best but much higher than average and Bell doesn't do that very well. being fifth in the league in runs batted in is certainly worth another look-see before he gets too old. we hit 707 runs batted in as a team.

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, Andy MacPhail said:

Any good 1Bman, teams aren't looking to trade. We can do better than Steer & Montcastle, inhouse. Casas & Garcia could be available but I'd rather move Keaschal to 1B. Why keep testing his glove ^& pushing his arm to the limits in the OF? Twins should have kept Keaschal at 1B, where they moved him after he hurt his arm. Develop him there & we'd have have a pretty good 1Bman by now. We'll never rank well at 1B if we keep playing this expensive FA merry-go-round. 1 year of Diaz at 1B (who's bad there) is no different. 

This. 

I mean, I expect Houston to be in Minnesota after half a year. So Clemens can move to first then. 

I'm fairly certain Tommy boy will trade for a first or second baseman, giving up real value for a short term player. 

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, miller761 said:

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

Outside of Ty France, the FA pickings are exactly the same guys who were out there last season, only none of them got better. And seems likely that SD will try to keep France.