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.

[SteveLV]

How about Lewis for Casas?  Lewis might flourish playing half his games in Fenway with his pull-heavy approach and the Monster;  Twins could take a flyer on Casas getting healthy and returning to form.

[MeleMouth]

1 hour ago, Woof Bronzer said:

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.  

In context of the team's talent deficit, the Twins have pretty consistently lost, sometimes in a big way, much more than half of their trades in the last few years, whether your metric is (1) value of talent received exceeds the value of talent lost; or (2) improving the chances of the Twins to be a very competitive team (better than a puncher's chance to win the ALCS, not just "playing meaningful baseball in September") in the next few years.

[Coach]

1 hour ago, killercarewoliva said:

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.

I would like the Twins to keep Bell.  He was born to DH, he's affordable, and he fits in well in the clubhouse.  I don't like the idea of DH by committee.  I would like to see a consistent batting and fielding lineup.

[Cory Engelhardt]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

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

The next best is Jake Bauers.....

Lowe will probably have the QO attached

[MeleMouth]

22 minutes ago, SteveLV said:

How about Lewis for Casas?  Lewis might flourish playing half his games in Fenway with his pull-heavy approach and the Monster;  Twins could take a flyer on Casas getting healthy and returning to form.

This trade is basically trading a guy who had a great 2023 but has been mediocre since (Lewis) then for a guy who had a decent 2023 and has been either bad or completely unavailable since then, plus is probably a worse fielder (Casas). Casas also just had wrist surgery, after missing much of the last two years for other injuries.

[Wedman13]

2 hours ago, Sven said:

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.

Do not trade him but your point is spot on.  Josh bell was our issue? Cmon 

[Cory Engelhardt]

4 minutes ago, Coach said:

I would like the Twins to keep Bell.  He was born to DH, he's affordable, and he fits in well in the clubhouse.  I don't like the idea of DH by committee.  I would like to see a consistent batting and fielding lineup.

If everyone is healthy (and that’s a big if always) and you have Bell, that means every single game one of Buxton, Keaschall, Jenkins or Emma won’t play. I like that less than keeping Bell. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just now, MeleMouth said:

This trade is basically trading a guy who had a great 2023 but has been mediocre since (Lewis) then for a guy who had a decent 2023 and has been either bad or completely unavailable since then, plus is probably a worse fielder (Casas).

So, it works? 

[killercarewoliva]

7 minutes ago, Coach said:

I would like the Twins to keep Bell.  He was born to DH, he's affordable, and he fits in well in the clubhouse.  I don't like the idea of DH by committee.  I would like to see a consistent batting and fielding lineup.

That's very good. I just don't see many responses towards keeping Bell. maybe the slump he had during the season for God's sakes baseball players are going to have slumps.

[MeleMouth]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Other 1B who are easily obtainable by trade

Christian Walker, Jorge Polanco

You go down the list of available 1B far enough and teams will probably give you a prospect just to take their salary off their books.

[DocBauer]

I like the idea of a trade for Bush...assuming he's available...but I wonder what the cost would be?

I'd also be interested in Kyle Stowers from the Marlins as a less expensive option. He'll be 29yo next season and is a bit of a late bloomer having finally established himself in 2025. He wasn't as good in 2026, but still had an OPS of .789 and an OPS+ of .121.

I love the idea of signing FA Brandon Lowe and keeping our prospects. I suppose it would be obvious to move Clemens to 1B at that point. But would it be better to move the 32/33yo Lowe to 1B and keep Clemens at 2B? We've had 5' 10" 1B before...even shorter...and with success. It might even prolong his career a bit, and it would allow a smoother transition for Clemens to move back to a daily utility role when Houston comes up to take over SS and bring on the Lee/Culpepper to 2B debate. (I'd keep Lee at 3B). 

[MeleMouth]

Just now, killercarewoliva said:

That's very good. I just don't see many responses towards keeping Bell. maybe the slump he had during the season for God's sakes baseball players are going to have slumps.

The problem with rostering Bell, Larnach, and similar players is that playing a bunch of 1 WAR veterans doesn't do anything for you. Their salaries prevent you from getting someone really good, while although you won't win enough to be a good team, you'll win just enough to avoid a high draft pick and trick your front office into trading away prospects so you can play "meaningful baseball." 

[killercarewoliva]

1 hour 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? 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. 

okay, let's do that then. keep Bell one more chance as DH how close can he come to 96 runs batted in again and put Jenkins and Rodriguez out there. and yes, there are people like Gonzalez who had a little bit of time in left field in Minnesota. also, Rolen

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

Having Clemens and his .679 OPS against Lefties being your full time first baseman seems like a bad idea. The plan for him should be super utility. Playing everyday somewhere against right handed pitchers, sitting him against left handers, and having him come off the bench late in games to pinch hit against a right handed hitter (for Erod/Roden)

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

12 minutes ago, killercarewoliva said:

okay, let's do that then. keep Bell one more chance as DH how close can he come to 96 runs batted in again and put Jenkins and Rodriguez out there. and yes, there are people like Gonzalez who had a little bit of time in left field in Minnesota. also, Rolen

Would love to here you plans for the 13 active players on the roster that includes Bell and doesn't harm the progress of the young guys?