Twins Video
The Minnesota Twins have several needs to address as they prepare for the 2027 season. They need more production from their infield, additional power in the middle of the lineup, and significant improvements to a bullpen that has struggled to hold leads over the last three seasons.
It would be exciting to see Minnesota make a serious run at Tarik Skubal to anchor the rotation or sign Randy Arozarena to provide another dynamic presence in the outfield. Skubal posted a 2.72 ERA with 186 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings in 2026, while Arozarena hit .281/.381/.484 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases. Both would represent significant investments for a team coming off several seasons of payroll reductions. Even with owner Tom Pohlad pledging to invest meaningfully in the roster, though, it remains difficult to envision the Twins winning a bidding war for the most expensive free agents. Minnesota needs to improve several areas, rather than spend most of its available resources on one player.
Diamond Centric's 2026-27 free agent rankings provide a useful starting point for identifying potential targets. Several players further down the list could make sense for Minnesota, especially if the club prioritizes shorter contracts and familiar faces. Here are some of the most intriguing possibilities.
Infield Bats
Brandon Lowe and Bo Bichette, Nos. 2 and 3 Ranked Free Agents
Lowe and Bichette could both fill Minnesota’s need for an infield bat, but their expected contracts likely put them out of the Twins’ price range. Lowe hit 35 home runs in 2026, while Bichette brings a strong track record as a hitter and the potential to play multiple infield positions. Both are among the top three free agents in DiamondCentric’s rankings and should attract interest from teams willing to offer significant multiyear deals. Minnesota has too many roster holes to address to commit a substantial portion of its budget to either player, making more affordable alternatives a likelier path.
2B Luis Arraez, No. 9 Ranked Free Agent
Arraez is a fascinating reunion candidate. The former Twin remains one of baseball's premier contact hitters, collecting 185 hits and batting .310 in 2026. He finished the season with a .765 OPS, demonstrating both his ability to reach base through contact and the limitations of a profile that relies less on power.
His familiarity with Minnesota makes the connection easy to understand. Arraez could help the Twins improve their ability to put the ball in play and keep innings alive. He has also won three batting titles, giving him a résumé that few available hitters can match.
The question is whether his overall offensive profile fits the team's biggest needs. Minnesota could use more home run power, and Arraez is a virtual zero in that department. His defensive limitations also require careful consideration when determining where he fits. Still, he could be a more attainable alternative to Lowe or Bichette if the Twins want to improve their lineup without chasing the most expensive hitter available.
2B Jazz Chisholm Jr., No. 17 Ranked Free Agent
Chisholm offers something the Twins have often lacked: a combination of power, speed and athleticism. After recording a 30-home run, 30-stolen base season in 2025, he stole 41 bases in 2026 while hitting 19 homers. His .711 OPS was less impressive, but his speed and defensive range remain attractive. He also recorded 15 Outs Above Average, placing him among the game's stronger defenders at the keystone.
Chisholm could give Minnesota a different kind of offensive weapon. He's also young enough to fit into the club's longer-term plans. His inconsistency at the plate and potential contract demands are concerns. The Twins would need to decide whether they're buying a player coming off a down year and ready to rebound, or one already heading into early decline.
1B Ty France, No. 23 Ranked Free Agent
France might be a more realistic reunion candidate. He produced a strong 2026 season, hitting .295/.363/.502 with 21 home runs, 72 RBIs and an .865 OPS. Those numbers made it his most productive offensive season by OPS, giving him an appealing case for another opportunity in Minnesota.
France does not fill the same positional need as Lowe, Bichette or Chisholm, but he could stabilize the corner infield and add another dependable hitter to the lineup. A return would depend on the cost and how the Twins envision using their other corner infielders. With several young players needing opportunities, Minnesota should be careful about paying for a veteran who does not represent a substantial upgrade over its internal options.
Relievers
Adrián Morejón and David Bednar, Nos. 8 and 15 Ranked Free Agents
Morejón and Bednar could both stabilize Minnesota’s bullpen, but their expected contracts could put them out of the Twins’ price range. Morejón struck out 107 batters in 86 innings with a 2.83 ERA in 2026, making him an appealing left-handed option who could handle high-leverage situations. Bednar recorded 35 saves with a 2.47 ERA, giving him an established track record as a closer. Both ranked among the top 15 free agents, and their recent success could lead to significant offers. The Twins have been reluctant to commit multiple years to relievers, making it difficult to envision them winning a bidding war for either pitcher.
RHP Raisel Iglesias, No. 24 Ranked Free Agent
Iglesias could be a compelling alternative if the Twins decide they need a veteran capable of closing games. He recorded 34 saves with a 2.55 ERA in 2026, adding 64 strikeouts across 60 innings. The veteran will turn 37 during the 2027 season, which could make a shorter contract more appealing than the type of multiyear agreement a younger reliever might command. His experience and track record in high leverage situations would be valuable for a bullpen that needs more reliability.
There would still be age-related risk, but Iglesias could offer a reasonable balance of established performance and contract flexibility. If the Twins want an experienced closer without making a long term investment, he deserves consideration.
RHP Bryan Abreu, No. 32 Ranked Free Agent
Abreu is another name worth monitoring because Minnesota already pursued him before the 2026 trade deadline. The Houston Astros reliever recorded a 3.73 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings during the 2026 regular season. He also collected nine saves. His strikeout ability gives him a chance to be a valuable high-leverage option, even if his 2026 ERA was not as impressive as those of some of the other pitchers on this list.
Abreu would not necessarily be an inexpensive addition, but his lower ranking makes him a name to watch if Minnesota looks beyond the top tier of the relief market. The Twins could decide that adding one established reliever is preferable to signing several lower cost arms and hoping one emerges as a dependable late-inning option.
Catchers
C Ryan Jeffers, No. 11 Ranked Free Agent
Jeffers might be the most complicated free agent on Minnesota's list because the team already knows what he can provide. He hit .270 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs and an .872 OPS in 92 games during 2026. A fractured hamate bone limited his availability, but he was producing at a high level before the injury.
Jeffers is the highest ranked catcher in DiamondCentric's rankings, and his offensive production should give him a strong case for a multiyear contract. The Twins must decide whether to make a qualifying offer, explore a longer agreement or prepare for life without him.
Accepting a qualifying offer would give Jeffers another season in Minnesota, but it would come with a substantial one year salary. Declining it and pursuing a multiyear contract elsewhere could be the more attractive route for a catcher entering his prime.
The Twins also have Victor Caratini under contract for 2027, with approximately $10 million remaining on his deal. That financial commitment complicates the decision, although it should not prevent the front office from retaining a player who has become one of its more productive hitters.
If Jeffers accepts the qualifying offer, he would be the highest ranked free agent the Twins retain from this group. The more difficult scenario would be convincing him to sign a multiyear deal while managing the rest of the roster's needs.
C Carson Kelly, No. 26 Ranked Free Agent
Kelly could be an alternative if Jeffers departs. The veteran has experience as a starting catcher and offers a more established major league résumé than many of the younger options Minnesota could consider. Kelly provides a combination of defensive experience and offensive potential, although his production has fluctuated throughout his career. His 2026 season was worth 1.9 WAR, suggesting he can still provide value beyond simply filling a roster spot.
Minnesota would have to weigh the cost of another veteran catcher against the money already committed to Caratini. A Kelly signing would make more sense if the Twins decide they need a clear replacement for Jeffers rather than a lower cost backup.
C Tyler Stephenson, No. 35 Ranked Free Agent
Stephenson is another potential option who could provide more offensive upside than a traditional defensive backup. He hit .241 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs and a .727 OPS in 2026. Those numbers were not exceptional, but his history of contributing offensively makes him an interesting candidate.
At 30 years old entering the 2027 season, Stephenson could still have several productive seasons ahead of him. However, his 2026 production would make it difficult to justify a major investment without confidence that he can return to a higher level. Minnesota could look at Stephenson if it decides to make a substantial change behind the plate. Otherwise, Caratini and Alex Jackson could enter the season sharing the catching duties while the organization evaluates its younger options.
Who Is the Most Realistic Target?
The Twins have several interesting choices, but their spending decisions will determine which players are realistic. Morejón and Jeffers are among the highest ranked names who directly address Minnesota's needs. Both could require commitments that the club has historically been reluctant to make.
Arraez is an intriguing option because of his connection to Minnesota and his ability to produce hits, although the team needs more power. Iglesias and Abreu could help the bullpen, while France offers a familiar bat who could be less expensive than the top infield targets.
My prediction is that Ty France, ranked No. 23, is the most realistic candidate to become Minnesota's highest-ranked new free agent signing. He provides a potential offensive upgrade without requiring the type of investment likely needed for Lowe or Bichette, and his familiarity with the organization makes a reunion easy to envision.
If the Twins decide to spend more aggressively, Arraez at No. 9 becomes an intriguing alternative. And if Jeffers accepts a qualifying offer, he would immediately become the highest ranked player on this list to return to Minnesota. The key question is how much flexibility the front office actually has. The Twins need to add more than one player this winter, and the best signing might not be the biggest name available.
Who will be the highest-ranked free agent signed by the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now