Extension Time?

Over the weekend, fans at TwinsFest were given the opportunity to ask general manager Thad Levine about multiple topics. One of the most intriguing answers was about the Twins looking to sign their younger pieces to long-term deals.

“Without getting into names, we’re actively having some conversations behind the scenes and we as a club would like nothing more than to be able to announce one, two, three of those types of extensions at some point here in spring training,” Levine said.

Here are some of the potential options for long-term contracts.

Byron Buxton, CF

Arbitration Eligible: 2020

Free Agent: 2023

Buxton is coming off one of the lowest points in his young career. The front office decided not to make him a September call-up and in turn, the team picked up an extra year of control over the former top prospect. Minnesota already gave him a hefty off-season raise to try and make up for the September smite. Another way to smooth the waters could be to give him some financial stability and buy out some of his free agent years. If he has a bounce-back year, next off-season his value could be even higher.

Miguel Sano, 3B

Arbitration Eligible: 2020

Free Agent: 2022

Sano has been dealing with on and off the field issues over the last calendar year. He was accused of assault, ran over a police officer, and wound up being sent all the way back down to High-A last year. There’s obviously some room to grow and adding veteran Nelson Cruz to the roster could help Sano reach his former all-star ability. He will reach free agency a year earlier than Buxton so it might be more pressing to sign the slugger to a longer-term deal. Minnesota is building a power line-up this year and Sano could be the biggest power bat for the team.

Jose Berrios, SP

Arbitration Eligible: 2020

Free Agent: 2023

Last year, Berrios made the All-Star Game for the first time and he was one of the team’s most valuable pitchers. His value might be at an all-time high so it could be in the club’s best interest to wait a year and see how he performs in 2019. He has yet to reach the 200-inning mark in any big-league season. However, he is one of the hardest working players in the system and he seems to fit the mold of the new front office. Minnesota is always short on starting pitching so it might be nice to have Berrios locked into the rotation for the great part of the next decade, even if he can’t be the team’s ace for that entire time.

Eddie Rosario, OF

Arbitration Eligible: 2020

Free Agent: 2022

Rosario was arguably the team’s best hitter last season and he can provide value on the defensive side of the ball as well. Minnesota has other outfield options working their way towards Target Field as also. The front office will need to decide if Rosario is part of the club’s long-term plans. He’s coming off his best big-league season; so, like Berrios, it might not be the best time to give him an extension. He’s also the oldest player on this list and he will be a free agent at age 29. It might be better to go through the year-to-year arbitration process for a player like him.

Kyle Gibson, SP

Free Agent: 2020

Next season could be Gibson’s last in a Twins uniform. His major league career has been full of ups and downs. He was the team’s best starter back in 2015 when he posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 194.2 innings. Last year at age-30, he had an even better season with a 3.62 ERA and a 179 to 79 strikeout to walk ratio. Is Gibson finally finding himself at baseball’s highest level or is the club going to rely on some of the younger talent in the organization?

Other players in consideration would have to be Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler. Who should be a priority for the team to sign to an extension? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.