The Twins Daily Table Setter: December 7, 2023

Teams packed up in Nashville and headed home yesterday, but the rumor mill continues to swirl about the Twins and other teams across the baseball landscape. The Winter Meetings allow teams to set the groundwork for free-agent signings and potential trades, which will unfold quickly over the next two weeks. Minnesota tends to be patient when making their offseason moves, and they're sticking to that strategy so far this winter. Here are some trending storylines that will impact the Twins’ plans.

Multiple Teams Interested in Michael A. Taylor
Taylor had a career year with the Twins at age 32. He hit a career-high 21 home runs and posted his highest OPS+ (94) since 2017. Taylor’s defense continues to be among baseball’s best, with 5 Defensive Runs Saved and 8 Outs Above Average. The Red Sox traded Alex Verdugo to the Yankees earlier this week, opening a spot in the Boston outfield. Jon Morosi reported that the Red Sox, Reds, Blue Jays, and Mets are rumored to be interested in Taylor, which is intriguing, since some of these clubs are big-market teams with money to spend. Taylor seemed likely to sign a one-year contract, but a team might have to offer a two-year pact to beat out other interested teams. Notably absent from the list of teams engaged, at least in that report, are the Twins.

Marlins Open to Trading Young Pitching
Last winter, the Twins traded Luis Arraez to the Marlins for Pablo Lopez, in a deal that worked well for both clubs. Miami continues to have a plethora of young starting pitching, and Jon Heyman reported that the Marlins are listening to trade talk on pitchers Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera, and Trevor Rogers. Do the Twins think they can help any of these pitchers take the next step, as they did with López last season?

Luzardo is under team control through 2026 and posted a 3.58 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 in 2023. Garrett isn't even arbitration-eligible yet, and can’t become a free agent until after 2028. Over the last two seasons, he has posted a 3.63 ERA, with a 246-to-53 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 247 2/3 innings. Cabrera is on the same free-agent timeline as Garrett, but would likely come at a lower cost than the other two names. He struggled with control, including 6.0 BB/9 in just under 100 innings last season. Injuries derailed Rogers in 2023, but he should be ready for next spring.

Shohei Ohtani Decisions Looming
Many teams are waiting to make their key moves until Ohtani, arguably the biggest free agent in MLB history, picks his destination. Jon Morosi reported that Ohtani is expected to make his decision by the end of the weekend. Some teams still rumored to be courting Ohtani include the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants, and Cubs. Following his signing, teams can focus on other free agents and trade options, which should help add some heat to the Hot Stove. 

Juan Soto Trade to Yankees is Official 
Juan Soto was the second-biggest name available this winter, but is still one year away from free agency. Wednesday night, the Yankees finalized a deal to land the extraordinary left-handed slugger and on-base machine. Two of New York’s top young pitchers, Michael King and Drew Thorpe, headline the haul for San Diego, with three others along for the ride and center fielder Trent Grisham also joining the Bronx Bombers.

While You Were Sleeping...
There were a couple of late-night moves that you may have missed. 

E-Rod Heading West 
Some Twins fans may have thought that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez should be a target this offseason. He opted out of the remaining three years and $49 million on his contract with the Detroit Tigers, signed two years ago. According to reports, Rodriguez signed a four-year, $80-million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes a vesting option for a fifth season and some incentives that could push the total value of the deal to about $100 million.

Reds Sign Jeimer Candelario
Long-time Tigers infielder Jeimer Candelario signed a three-year, $45-million contract with the Cincinnati Reds late on Wednesday night. After parts of six seasons in Motown, Candelario signed a one-year deal with the Nationals last year. He hit .258, with 30 doubles and 16 home runs in 99 games for Washington before he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. He added nine doubles and six homers in 41 games on the North Side. Candelario will likely play both corner infield spots for the Reds. Spencer Steer, who had a tremendous rookie season in 2023, will find himself in left field most often. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will likely continue to get time at first base, but also do plenty of DHing.

Do you think Taylor will get a multi-year deal? Can the Twins and Marlins agree on another trade for a starting pitcher? What team will sign Ohtani? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.