One Player From Each A.L. Playoff Team Twins Could Sign in MLB Free Agency

[Ray Stuedemann]

As the Minnesota Twins look ahead to the 2027 season, the rosters of the 2026 American League playoff teams offer several options to consider this offseason. With teams evaluating their own rosters and making changes for the year ahead, Minnesota could look to capitalize on opportunities to add experienced players who would fill specific needs. From bolstering the bullpen to shoring up position-player depth, these six players stand out as targets the Twins could pursue from this year’s American League postseason field.

White Sox: OF Randal Grichuk

A true platoon bat, Grichuk could help the Twins as an upgrade over unsatisfying righty corner outfield options Austin Martin and Gabriel Gonzalez. The 35-year-old has a career .839 OPS versus left-handed pitching, and was even better in 2026, slashing .327/.371/.655 with 11 home runs in 178 plate appearances. Grichuk would not be a big-name addition, but he could provide valuable at-bats for a 2027 outfield corps comprised of left-handed batters Emmanuel Rodriguez, Walker Jenkins, and Alan Roden, with Kody Clemens also in the mix.

Red Sox: SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa

While Kiner-Falefa doesn’t provide much offensive value with a career 81 OPS+, the 31-year-old plays good defense. He was worth 8 Outs Above Average in 2026, and he doesn't strike out much at the plate—just 14.8% of the time this season. While a career-high walk rate (10.4%) may not stick moving forward, Kiner-Falefa is a fine defender and would be a good emergency fill-in for Kaelen Culpepper in 2027.

Yankees: RP David Bednar

Bednar turned it around after a disastrous 2024 season put his future in jeopardy. Since a mid-2025 trade to the Yankees, he has a 2.39 ERA with 111 punchouts and just 28 walks over 94 innings. He boasts a 1.01 WHIP and a 2.61 FIP. His struggles from 2024 seemingly behind him, Bednar throws plenty hard (96.1 MPH on the fastball), while inducing a ton of chases and weak contact. He's as reliable a ninth inning as you'll find and has a relationship with Derek Shelton already, having spent 2021 through 2025 in Pittsburgh under Shelton.

Astros: RP Enyel De Los Santos

Relievers Bryan Abreu and Steven Okert have been connected to the Twins often as fans look toward the offseason, but De Los Santos would be a much cheaper option than those two. While his 4.79 ERA does not look good, his FIP (4.11) and xERA (3.42) look significantly better. The 30-year-old has bounced around, as Minnesota would be his ninth team in MLB, but he could be a solid option. He limits both walks and barrels much better than an average hurler.

Guardians: SP Foster Griffin

Griffin came back from Asia to little fanfare, but he put together one of the best seasons among impending free-agent starters. He doesn’t throw the ball particularly hard, topping out in the low 90s. His primary pitch is his cutter, which he throws about a third of the time, and he mixes in a sweeper, four-seamer, changeup, and sinker to keep batters uncomfortable. The 31-year-old commands the ball well, which helps him limit hard contact. He did considerably worse after a trade from the cellar-dwelling Nationals to the pitching-savvy Guardians, but that may have been a product of bad luck. His FIP while with the Nationals was 4.10 to his 3.06 ERA, while in Cleveland, it dropped to 3.54, against a 5.19 ERA.

The Twins could look to pounce, as the rotation behind Joe Ryan, Pablo López, and Taj Bradley has major question marks, but starting pitching is expensive, and another domino would have to fall. Still, Griffin would be a welcome addition to the staff, giving Minnesota a reliable innings-eater who could stabilize the back of the rotation.

Rays: UTIL Jorge Mateo

The cheapest option on the list, Mateo has been a poor offensive player over his entire MLB career, slashing .219/.264/.356 for a 74 OPS+. However, he does provide defensive versatility and speed. He has 125 career stolen bases, something the Twins could use: they ranked 20^th in stolen bases this season. Like Kiner-Falefa, Mateo could give Minnesota a veteran option to provide shortstop depth behind Culpepper while offering flexibility across multiple positions.

None of these players qualify as franchise-altering acquisitions, but each could address a need for the Twins heading into 2027. Minnesota has several avenues to add a platoon bat, improve the bullpen, or provide speed off the bench, and exploring the rosters of the teams that outperformed them in 2026 could be a good place to start the offseason. The Twins should be competing in the American League Central in 2027, so they ought to at least take note of the players their top rivals are set to lose.

Image courtesy of David Dermer-Imagn Images

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[Linus]

I’m eagerly awaiting @Riverbrian to comment on Grichuck 😂. Bednar yes, everyone else no. 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

David Bednar as our Closer. 

Everyone else is a hard no. 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

I’m eagerly awaiting @Riverbrian to comment on Grichuck 😂. Bednar yes, everyone else no. 

The Poster Boy 

[Brandon]

On my off-season check list, I have the Twins signing a C, a reliever or two and possibly a 1B.  I was thinking the Twins would keep Bell but I think Larnarch makes for a better DH next season.  I think Larnarch gets 30-40 starts in the OF and 85-95 starts at DH.  This way the OF gets moved around.  I think the Twins sign a 1B too and I like the idea of Nathaniel Lowe who was written about the other day.  He makes a lot of sense or just run with Lewis again, and Roden can probably get 20 starts there too.  C is either Jeffers which I doubt or Stephenson from the Reds on a 2 year deal possibly 3.  3/33 or 3/36 maybe.  Relievers would be Minter and someone low cost who we trade Ober for.  I don't know here as I couldn't find a fair trade.  I think it will be a low cost player cause now my payroll is in the 130-135 million with Correa"s 10 million included.  But these moves cover the holes and we can still sign a few guys to long term extensions too. 

[JD-TWINS]

Jorge Mateo - De Los Santos ……..these guys do not help the Club improve or win games! Can’t add guys that can’t hit ……  like Kiner-Faleffa …… have that guy in Ryan Kreidler (not as polished w/glove, but certainly effective)

Bednar currently pitches for the Yankees…… seriously, people here need to be realistic…….. the Twins may have the 7th best offer to Bednar’s agent across MLB…… at best.

Grichuk wasn’t signed by Team the past two seasons so now, after his best season v. LH hitting he is in Waaaay to high of demand for the Twins to be involved. …… I’d like him due to experience and grit & obviously, his ability with the bat…….just do not see this as realism with other franchises competing for his services.

Tough to pry guys away from Playoff teams after a good year since, if they are at all worthwhile, the 2026 Club will extend a competitive offer.

[Twins GFP]

IKF, De Los Santos, and Mateo should not be in any conversations. They bring nothing that can't be found in-house other than "veteran leadership".

Grichuk is a piece you add when you are rounding out a strong team, not adding a reliable core-type player.

Why sign Foster Griffin when you already have Bailey Ober?

Bednar would be a candidate, but you would be buying high and probably paying for it. Are you getting the 2024 version or the 2026 version. Gotta love the volatility of RP... 

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, Brandon said:

On my off-season check list, I have the Twins signing a C, a reliever or two and possibly a 1B.  I was thinking the Twins would keep Bell but I think Larnarch makes for a better DH next season.  I think Larnarch gets 30-40 starts in the OF and 85-95 starts at DH.  This way the OF gets moved around.  I think the Twins sign a 1B too and I like the idea of Nathaniel Lowe who was written about the other day.  He makes a lot of sense or just run with Lewis again, and Roden can probably get 20 starts there too.  C is either Jeffers which I doubt or Stephenson from the Reds on a 2 year deal possibly 3.  3/33 or 3/36 maybe.  Relievers would be Minter and someone low cost who we trade Ober for.  I don't know here as I couldn't find a fair trade.  I think it will be a low cost player cause now my payroll is in the 130-135 million with Correa"s 10 million included.  But these moves cover the holes and we can still sign a few guys to long term extensions too. 

Generally, like the thoughts…… I live in Cincinnati and Stephenson is a guy to stay away from……..after August 1 he had 12 hits and one HR over last 2 months. Certainly can’t sign more than a year at a time! Weak defense (arm) and hits as hot & Cold just like Caratini of 2026. Do not understand his WAR at 2.5?? To me,  Jackson is better on both O & D…….no idea what he’d do in a bigger role though.

Push HARD to sign Jeffers and then eat some of Caratini’s salary with a trade. Jeffers & Jackson works for me. Jeffers for $37M over 2 years …… money well spent.

I keep Ober and transition him to PEN. He can be effective starting innings and could go 2+ innings a couple times per week.

To me (& you) the Larnach move is obvious! 73% of pitchers are RH and he fits as a 15 game starter in OF who gets replaced in late innings if needed. Steady DH v. RH starters …… solid PH in appropriate situations?

Lowe signed w/Reds for next to nothing ……. seems his value probably went up considerably with performance in Cincy & Cleveland. I guess he doesn’t exude power with his frame, but Clemens seems to have elevated to Lowe’s level or better……… I like a mix of mostly Lewis & maybe 25-30% Clemens at IB in ‘27. Kreidler or youth at 2B when Clemens is at 1B.

Spend $$ on Jeffers and a Minter type (experienced/successful reliever) Minter seems as good of a choice as any other, on a healthy one year deal.

With Ober - Matthews - Rojas - Prielipp - Festa (2 of the 4 at a minimum) in the PEN, then  adding Sands & Banda to the mix………..I don’t see huge need for more PEN moves…….they have a dozen in the mix and with a Minter signing (or like) they could be very effective.

[bjorks]

More a state of the Twins, but just an ugly list. W/exception to Bednar and maybe Griffin, the rest of those names barely register as improvements, which says a lot about our bench. 

We don't need a ANY guys who are below average and arguably barely upgrades. IKF and Mateo are gonna be THAT big of an improvement over the Kriedler's of the World? Randall had a great year and I'm betting that AVE vs. LHP dips again next year. 

The names we go after with a hope and prayer is just sad. Mateo is gonna be 32, but his metrics say he's never gotten a chance and we really feel this is the year he puts it all together. Get out here with this nonsense. It's literally decades of the record on repeat. 

[JD-TWINS]

4 minutes ago, bjorks said:

More a state of the Twins, but just an ugly list. W/exception to Bednar and maybe Griffin, the rest of those names barely register as improvements, which says a lot about our bench. 

We don't need a ANY guys who are below average and arguably barely upgrades. IKF and Mateo are gonna be THAT big of an improvement over the Kriedler's of the World? Randall had a great year and I'm betting that AVE vs. LHP dips again next year. 

The names we go after with a hope and prayer is just sad. Mateo is gonna be 32, but his metrics say he's never gotten a chance and we really feel this is the year he puts it all together. Get out here with this nonsense. It's literally decades of the record on repeat. 

I’m not sure the suggestions were/are a reflection of Team’s current in-house options (the bench) v. just being poor suggestions. …… the guys gotta write about something though.

[Senior Softball Guy]

Reunion with RH Glove firstbaseman?

[Twins GFP]

1 hour ago, bjorks said:

More a state of the Twins, but just an ugly list. W/exception to Bednar and maybe Griffin, the rest of those names barely register as improvements, which says a lot about our bench. 

We don't need a ANY guys who are below average and arguably barely upgrades. IKF and Mateo are gonna be THAT big of an improvement over the Kriedler's of the World? Randall had a great year and I'm betting that AVE vs. LHP dips again next year. 

The names we go after with a hope and prayer is just sad. Mateo is gonna be 32, but his metrics say he's never gotten a chance and we really feel this is the year he puts it all together. Get out here with this nonsense. It's literally decades of the record on repeat. 

I think the elephant in the room with this kind of list is the caveat "players that fall into the Twins historical  spending category". Though the FA list this tear looks a little thin, this list looks vastly different if you include guys that might command $15M+ annually.

[bjorks]

Yes, IKF/JM def fall in the bucket of "typical" players we go after. My frustration is guys who barely had a prime, shouldn't be our targets. Need a change of philosophy at the MiLB levels. If you can't beat the big spenders (or have to overpay for someone like a Bauers/Bohm), IMHO you're better investing in your development and make it the best facilities...wait that costs money. 

[DJL44]

My list 

Yankees - Jazz Chisholm

Red Sox - Sonny Gray

White Sox - Joey Bart (non-tender candidate) or Sean Newcomb

Guardians - Shawn Armstrong 

Astros - Abreu

Rays - Gavin Lux (on a minor league deal)

 

[Brandon]

5 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Generally, like the thoughts…… I live in Cincinnati and Stephenson is a guy to stay away from……..after August 1 he had 12 hits and one HR over last 2 months. Certainly can’t sign more than a year at a time! Weak defense (arm) and hits as hot & Cold just like Caratini of 2026. Do not understand his WAR at 2.5?? To me,  Jackson is better on both O & D…….no idea what he’d do in a bigger role though.

Push HARD to sign Jeffers and then eat some of Caratini’s salary with a trade. Jeffers & Jackson works for me. Jeffers for $37M over 2 years …… money well spent.

I keep Ober and transition him to PEN. He can be effective starting innings and could go 2+ innings a couple times per week.

To me (& you) the Larnach move is obvious! 73% of pitchers are RH and he fits as a 15 game starter in OF who gets replaced in late innings if needed. Steady DH v. RH starters …… solid PH in appropriate situations?

Lowe signed w/Reds for next to nothing ……. seems his value probably went up considerably with performance in Cincy & Cleveland. I guess he doesn’t exude power with his frame, but Clemens seems to have elevated to Lowe’s level or better……… I like a mix of mostly Lewis & maybe 25-30% Clemens at IB in ‘27. Kreidler or youth at 2B when Clemens is at 1B.

Spend $$ on Jeffers and a Minter type (experienced/successful reliever) Minter seems as good of a choice as any other, on a healthy one year deal.

With Ober - Matthews - Rojas - Prielipp - Festa (2 of the 4 at a minimum) in the PEN, then  adding Sands & Banda to the mix………..I don’t see huge need for more PEN moves…….they have a dozen in the mix and with a Minter signing (or like) they could be very effective.

I'm fine with the no on Stephenson.  But if we are spending more on Jeffers, we are definitely not going to be able to keep both Ober and Kramer. Even with meaningful spending next season, I doubt we go over 130-135 million next season.  I think we sign a reliever and trade for one.  Ober in that deal.