Old Friends the Minnesota Twins Could Bring Back in 2027

[Ray Stuedemann]

Image courtesy of William Liang-Imagn Images

Every offseason brings change, but sometimes, the best way to fix a team’s weaknesses is by looking back. As the Twins head into the 2027 offseason, a few familiar faces could make sense, as the team looks to fill holes from the 2026 roster. Of course, nostalgia alone isn’t enough. The numbers must back it up, whether that means a former Twin still has the bat, arm, or underlying metrics to contribute. Here are a few “old friends” who are 2027 free agents, and whom the Twins could therefore consider bringing back.

Ty France – 1B, San Diego Padres

After a disappointing 2025 campaign offensively, he still won a Gold Glove for his first base play for the Twins and Blue Jays. The offseason didn’t present a ton of opportunity for France, as he signed a minor-league deal with the team that initially drafted him. The 32-year-old has had a resurgence this year, slashing .295/.363/.502 in 500 plate appearances while clobbering 21 home runs, a career high. France could be the primary first baseman for the Twins in 2027, as well as another right-handed bat to plug into the middle of their lineup. While France will have suitors this offseason, the Twins should at least put in an offer, given the revolving door they had at first base in 2026 and how popular France was in the clubhouse during his brief stint with the team.

Luis Arraez – 2B, Philadelphia Phillies

This season was a tale of two teams for Arraez, as his first half with the Giants led to a trade to the contending Phillies. He slashed .324/.360/.440 in 464 plate appearances for San Francisco, compared to .278/.309/.369 in 191 plate appearances for Philadelphia. The main development for Arraez this season was his defense. The 29-year-old spoke out this offseason about wanting to return to second base, and he backed it up, posting the highest Outs Above Average of his career (12). 

It was a nice return to form for Arraez offensively, given his 101 OPS+ with the Padres the season before, a career-low mark. He could be an option for the Twins to add at second base. Is it the most realistic option? Certainly not, given the Twins' infield depth, plethora of left-handed bats, and young players penciled into roles for 2027 already. Still, with the uncertainty surrounding Royce Lewis’s place on the Twins, an infielder could (and should) be added, so why not Arraez?

Isiah Kiner-Falefa – UTIL, Boston Red Sox

This one is stretching a bit, as Kiner-Falefa was a Twin for not even two days (in the offseason, at that) before being traded to the Yankees. He’s bounced around since then, spending time with the Blue Jays, Pirates, and now the Red Sox. His offensive ability isn’t great, as he slashed .242/.322/.311 in 183 plate appearances in Boston this year. Kiner-Falefa’s career OPS+ is 81, so he wouldn’t be brought in to provide meaningful at-bats at the top of the order.

The 31-year-old could still provide value as a defense-first utility man off the bench, though. He appeared at all four infield spots, though he spent most of his time at second base. The Twins could have a player such as Ryan Kreidler or Ben Ross fill the utility infield role, but Kiner-Falefa is still a plus defender, posting 8 OAA in 2026, and he could contribute as a fill-in player for Culpepper at short and whoever's playing second base.

Brusdar Graterol – RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Injuries have been the roadblock of late for Graterol, who went to the Dodgers in the Kenta Maeda trade back in 2020. After posting a 1.4-fWAR season in 2023, the 28-year-old has only thrown 7 1/3 big-league innings since 2024, missing all of the last two seasons and undergoing back surgery in June. Still, when he is healthy, Graterol is effective. His career ERA is 2.78 (3.20 FIP), with a WHIP of 1.04. Graterol should not be relied on to provide any kind of consistency for a team in 2027, but if the Twins were to sign him to a minor-league deal, he would be a low-risk, high-upside signing that teams with budgets such as the Twins are always searching for. Other relievers (such as David Bednar or Bryan Abreu) would be surer things, but if Graterol is healthy and performing as he has before, he could be a very productive player.

Steven Okert – LHP, Houston Astros

Okert has become a completely different pitcher since he departed Minnesota after the 2024 season. The 35-year-old signed with the Astros and hasn’t looked back, posting a 2.58 ERA (2.99 FIP) in 139 1/3 innings in Houston over the two seasons he's pitched there. His slider has been his best pitch—almost the only one, but good enough to allow him to thrive without much of a complement. He isn’t just a platoon pitcher, either. His OPS allowed to right-handed batters is only slightly higher (.591) than his OPS allowed to lefties (.545).

There may be some cause for concern given his home/road splits (0.97 ERA at home, 3.52 on the road), but the need for a left-handed arm is there for the Twins. Taylor Rogers and A.J. Minter are both headed out the door. Okert would be another trusted veteran arm for Derek Shelton and the new pitching coach (whoever that may be) to utilize in the bullpen, alongside Jeff Hoffman, Andrew Morris, Yoendrys Gómez, and others.

Beyond the five above, there are a few other names who are possibilities but might not make sense. The Twins may have a need at catcher. Mitch Garver and Christian Vázquez could be cheap, low-risk options, although it's hard to imagine either being excited about a reunion—or fans being happy about one, either. Gary Sánchez could be a major-league backup option, though. Tyler Austin and Lamonte Wade Jr. could provide some first-base depth, while veteran starters such as Tyler Mahle and Martín Pérez could be options to add some depth to the starting rotation. Caleb Thielbar would be another familiar, low-cost bullpen option, if he doesn’t retire, but his numbers were not great in his age-39 season (4.70 FIP in 50 innings). None of these names would be major additions, but each could provide some depth—and maybe some upside, if the right opportunity presents itself.

The Twins don’t need to bring back every former player purely based on nostalgia, but there are certainly names here who could help the team in 2027. None of them should be out of the Twins’ price range, especially with the Pohlads insisting they will invest in the team’s payroll. Nevertheless, the Twins have lots of decisions to make about the 2027 roster, and a reunion or two could boost the on-field play, as well as fan sentiment. The best offseason moves aren’t always the biggest names on the market, but rather, cheaper players who can fill a role for a team that needs it. Besides, who doesn’t love a reunion?

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What are your thoughts? Could any of these names be contributors for the 2027 Twins?

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[soyouresayingtheresachance]

Ty France wouldnt be my 1st choice to play 1B for us, but hes not the worst safety net option. Definitely better than Lewis in the offensive and defensive areas of the game.

I had Kody Clemens filling in at 2B until Houston was ready to come up, but Arraez is one of my favorite players, so I'd welcome the addition. He'd be good to hit 3rd for us and provide plus Defense. 

Absolutely no interest at all in Isiah K-F. Redundant. Kriedler and/or Ross will be just fine in that role. 

Brusdar Graterol would a great minor league signing, but not someone to count on. 

Okert is a no from me. I dont trust a player that is only successful in Houston. 

[DJL44]

What infield depth is keeping them from bringing in Arraez? Ryan Kreidler or Royce Lewis?

[Linus]

14 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

What infield depth is keeping them from bringing in Arraez? Ryan Kreidler or Royce Lewis?

The allure of Marek Houston. I believe you have read about him here 😀

[TheLeviathan]

25 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

What infield depth is keeping them from bringing in Arraez? Ryan Kreidler or Royce Lewis?

Agreed, 2B looks mighty open to me.  

[DJL44]

8 minutes ago, Linus said:

The allure of Marek Houston. I believe you have read about him here 😀

If Houston works out, they can trade Brooks Lee or Kody Clemens. No problem fitting Arraez on the roster.