Nick Nelson

I wish I could relate. Personally I lost all interest after the MLB license was lost. Tried the college-themed versions a couple times, never did much for me.

Good submissions Tom. I can't believe I didn't mention Tony La Russa Baseball given the timely relevance. It came out in in 1991, six years before Luis Robert was born! Lookit this beaut:

Last week, a new generation of video games officially kicked off, with both Sony and Microsoft launching their latest consoles. As such, I thought it'd be a timely moment to reflect on baseball's rich history in gaming. Here are my picks for the best baseball video games of each past console generation.I recently published my first book, VERSUS: 25 Head-to-Head Battles that Shaped the Evolution of Video Games. Created in partnership with designer Jerrald Spencer Jr., it is available via Lulu (paperback) and Gumroad (digital). Over the course of 25 chapters, we navigate the history of gaming through a series of dualities and dichotomies. With the ninth generation of video games now underway, here's a look at Jay's graphic from the book depicting highlights of the first eight: Download attachment: generationhighlights.png Baseball itself has been a staple throughout gaming's history, dating all the way back to the 1960s. Today I'll take a stroll through the evolution of our favorite sport in the virtual realm by sharing my choices for the best and most influential titles of each console generation. I'll sprinkle in a few Twins-related tidbits along the way, too. Note: We're skipping the first generation, which consisted of various rudimentary "gaming systems" producing some rough early efforts in the baseball genre. None are worthy of mentioning here, so we'll start with the second generation, when Atari 2600 brought home gaming to the mainstream. 2nd Generation: Home Run For Atari 2600 (1978) Download attachment: homerun_atari2600.png At this point things were still pretty rudimentary. I listed Atari's Home Run in VERSUS among memorable (if simplistic) titles on the breakout home console: "As a baseball geek I’ve gotta include this primitive interpretation of the dusty diamond. There were no fielders other than the pitcher, who delivered from second base." Created by Atari designer Bob Whitehead, Home Run wasn't exactly a convincing baseball simulation, but it had its retro charm. 3rd Generation: R.B.I. Baseball For Nintendo Entertainment System (1988) Download attachment: rbibaseball_nes.png When people think of classic baseball video games from the early days, this is typically the first that comes to mind. It was a massive step forward – the first title to feature an MLBPA license and thus, actual player names. Now, R.B.I. Baseball didn't have a license from MLB itself, so there were no team names or logos, but Minnesota was one of the eight selectable clubs in the game. (The Twins were, after all, reigning World Series champs at the time.) In the screenshot above you can see Frank Viola delivering to Detroit's Alan Trammell. The progression from Atari and Home Run is plain to see. Here we have colorful expansive fields with nine players and fairly genuine baseball action – varying pitch types and speeds, player stats, differentiated player attributes, etc. 4th Generation: Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball For Super NES (1994) Download attachment: Griffey-jr-mlb-cover.jpg By the fourth generation, video games were starting to come into their own. Sega and Nintendo competed to advance the industry with their popular 16-bit consoles, and sports titles started to emerge as prime attractions. While I myself owned a Genesis, and was rather fond of Sports Talk Baseball, no one can rightly deny that the highlight of the generation was Nintendo's smash hit for the SNES. The game starred Seattle superstar Ken Griffey Jr. – no coincidence, as Nintendo's president Hiroshi Yamauchi had purchased the Mariners in 1992 – but no other real big-leaguer players. In contrast to R.B.I. Baseball, this game had the MLB license and not the MLBPA license, meaning real teams and logos but fictional players. Twins fixtures included first baseman A. West, designated hitter J. Hendrix and closer W. Herzog. Taking advantage of the relatively powerful SNES hardware, Griffey brought a heightened sense of speed and scale to the baseball sim. It had an arcade-style feel with the exaggerated player builds and rapid pacing. This game was just plain fun. 5th Generation: Triple Play Baseball 2000 For PlayStation & Nintendo 64 (1999) Download attachment: Triple_Play_2000_Coverart.png The fifth generation of consoles was all about making the jump to 3D graphics. Sony's PlayStation entered the fold to compete with the Nintendo 64 and ill-fated Sega Saturn on this front. In retrospect it was kind of an awkward transition for the gaming medium; polygonal graphics opened up a new world of possibilities, but developers were still figuring out how to design with them and hardware capabilities were limited. As such, you had a whole slew of games released that were impressive at the time, but didn't age all that well. Triple Play 2000 is a fine example. Watching the gameplay footage below (with Kevin Tapani as Chicago's starting pitcher!), you may cringe at the blocky players, blurry textures, and choppy animations. Still, I went with this choice because I look back on it as my favorite of an era that bridged the gap to the third dimension and greater immersion. Triple Play 2000 was well received at the time, earning a 9.2 out of 10 from IGN, whose review lauded its authenticity: "It's all here but the hot dogs." Most vitally, the Triple Play series laid groundwork for what it would eventually become the pinnacle of baseball video gamedom (covered next). 6th Generation: MVP Baseball 2005 For PlayStation 2, Xbox & GameCube (2004) Download attachment: MVP_Baseball_2005_Coverart.png The next generation of consoles saw tremendous advancement in 3D graphical prowess. It also saw Electronic Arts retire the Triple Play series, rebranding their mainstay as MVP Baseball. The overhauled franchise came with strong efforts for the 2003 and 2004 editions, but MVP Baseball 2005 is widely regarded as the best baseball video game of all time (maybe even the best sports video game). It's hard to put a finger on exactly what made this game so damn good. EA really just perfected the whole package. The graphics were stellar for the time (and, tellingly, still look decent today). Gameplay was thoroughly enjoyable, with innovative meter-based pitching and zone-based hitting interfaces. Numerous game modes could be played, including a deep franchise mode that put users squarely in the GM's chair, accounting for things like team chemistry and fan happiness. You even managed minor-league teams, all the way down to Single-A! Tragically, this was also the final installment of the MVP Baseball series. While the sixth generation of consoles brought us many outstanding games (MLB Slugfest 20-04 is an honorable mention here for sure), it also marked a dark turning point for the sports genre. With its Madden franchise facing stiff competition from Sega's (superior) NFL 2K on the football front, Electronic Arts struck an exclusive licensing deal with the NFL, taking every other publisher out of the running. Shortly after, competing publisher Take Two Interactive returned fire by striking an exclusivity deal of its own with MLB, effectively killing EA's MVP franchise. It sucked. I wrote about this series of events at length in Chapter 18 of VERSUS. 7th Generation: MLB 10: The Show For PlayStation 3 (2010) Download attachment: MLB_10_The_Show_Cover.jpg One nuance of Take Two's exclusivity pact with MLB is that it still allowed for first-party licensing, which meant Sony could continue to produce its MLB: The Show series. For that, gamers were truly fortunate. Major League Baseball 2K, the third-party baseball sim series published by Take Two Interactive, was never much good and fizzled out. Meanwhile, MLB: The Show continued to distinguish itself, year after year, continually resetting the benchmark for balanced realism and enjoyability. The 2010 installment was especially noteworthy because its cover (and ) featured our guy Joe Mauer, fresh off an MVP season. The game also did a slick job portraying Target Field in its inaugural season. [/center] 8th Generation: MLB The Show 20 For PlayStation 4 (2020) Download attachment: MLB_The_Show_20_cover.jpg In a decade since MLB 10: The Show, the baseball games genre has stagnated somewhat. Granted, Sony has enhanced its flagship franchise each year, but without much in the way of competition, there's been a little pressure to innovate. Here I went with the most recent edition of MLB The Show, because it's as good as any from the latest generation, and also because its an opportunity to mention "The Show Must Go On," a simulated 2020 season I chronicled back in the early summer while MLB sat in limbo. The clip below of a Twins vs. White Sox game illustrates just how far the virtual baseball sim has come since the days of Home Run. MLB The Show has obviously reached unprecedented levels of realism and quality. But to be honest, I found myself using this newest iteration more for roster experimentation and simulating outcomes (a la OOTP Baseball, a mainstay in the PC gaming realm) than actually playing through games. As crisp as it is, there's just nothing all that novel about the experience anymore. With a new generation of consoles upon us, I'm hopeful to see the folks behind MLB The Show unlock new frontiers, along with other contenders stepping up their games to spark a little friendly competition. ~~~ As mentioned earlier, last week my friend and I released a book called VERSUS: 25 Head-to-Head Battles that Shaped the Evolution of Video Games. It's a self-published 246-page journey through gaming history with filled with full-color illustrations, sidebars, charts and plenty of fun. It's available for purchase now as a high-quality paperback ($30) or immediately downloadable ebook ($15). VERSUS makes for an excellent holiday gift, and by grabbing it you will be supporting a couple of independent creators. We'd love if you gave it a look! Click here to view the article

The Minnesota Twins seem very likely to make at least one trade this winter. While there are an endless array of variables and moving parts, any deal they complete is all but certain to take one of three shapes: Take on money, free up money, or pony up a top prospect. What might each model look like in practice?On Thursday night's episode of Offseason Live, I was joined by Tom Froemming and Nash Walker as we exchanged and dissected Twins trade proposals that we view as plausible and sensible. You can watch that below to see the specific ideas and discussions: I won't relitigate the debates. Each Armchair GM can speak for himself above (also available via podcast). But what I will do is lay out the three different high-level categories that all of our proposals – or any realistic Twins trade to be made this offseason – fall into. MODEL 1: TWINS TAKE ON MONEY I think this route is probably the odds-on favorite heading in. Ken Rosenthal reported recently that rival executives expect Minnesota to be aggressive in a market where many are scaling back. If the ownership and front office are ready to keep pushing, they stand to gain a very real advantage. This could manifest in free agency, with the Twins outbidding other lukewarm suitors for top talent. But a willingness to spend might be even more valuable on the trade market. Certain clubs will be desperate to unload burdensome contracts, under a mandate to get leaner for the economic uncertainty to come. In our Offseason Live episode, we looked at a couple such examples. Francisco Lindor is essentially a lock to be traded by Cleveland, and while an intra-division trade is unlikely, I gave my pitch for what might get it done. Nash stumped for Trevor Story of the Rockies on a similar basis. Download attachment: twinsstorytrade.png None of these superstar players are coming for free, but with a lack of aggressive contenders to pit against one another, teams like Cleveland and Colorado will be limited in their ability to drive up returns for expensive one-year rentals. At the same time, their front offices are likely feeling unique pressure to get SOMETHING done. It's not often you have opportunities to pry loose top-tier talents in their prime, much less without giving up a painful haul. The Twins are very much in a position to do so – IF ownership is prepared to capitalize on a winning window by taking a bold financial risk. MODEL 2: TWINS FREE UP MONEY Then again, maybe the Pohlads are much like the vast majority of ownership groups: prepared to take a conservative wait-and-see approach this offseason. To be honest, I couldn't fault them for it, so long as they're not making extreme cuts with baffling implications. There aren't many guaranteed contracts on the 2021 books that could be viewed as unfavorable for the Twins, even in this environment. Their highest-paid player Josh Donaldson would qualify, but there's nothing to be done about his $21 million commitment. The next-biggest guaranteed salary belongs to Miguel Sanó, at $11 million. Here the Twins may have a viable trade chip. The downsides of Sanó's game go without saying, and he's relatively replaceable in the scope of Minnesota's organizational depth. An argument could be made that the $11 million he's owed could better spent elsewhere. But this is a 27-year-old former top prospect with elite power, controlled for two more years. The Twins aren't giving him up for nothing, or even close. For those reasons, they wouldn't need to. It's tricky, but not impossible, to envision a Sanó trade that works for both sides, with the Twins saving a bit of money and getting back immediate impact talent. Tom took a shot at actualizing such this with his seven-player, three-way hypothetical trade shared on Offseason Live. I'm not even gonna try to explain it. Download attachment: tomstrade.png MODEL 3: PONY UP A TOP PROSPECT With Model 1, the Twins would likely need to relinquish at least one very good prospect. Nash and I had them surrendering Jhoan Duran or Jordan Balazovic, respectively, to acquire Lindor or Story. Those are the best arms in Minnesota's system. But I don't think either could objectively be described as a "top prospect" in the big picture. In this sense, the Twins have exactly three players in their system who – based on aggregated rankings across industry publications – could be considered true top prospects: Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach. In an offseason environment where high-upside, cost-controlled, near-ready talent will be coveted like perhaps never before, the Twins have an opportunity to make hay. This third model – not ENTIRELY distinct from the first one – is represented by Tom's suggestion in Offseason Live of trading Kirilloff for Rays ace Blake Snell, or by Nash posing a Larnach-led package for Milwaukee's two best pitchers. Such give-and-get scenarios invoke a veritable cocktail of emotions: exhilarating energy mixed with nauseating FOMO. It's a scenario, and feeling, that Twins fans know all too well. Because we literally just experienced it. In February, Minnesota gave up Brusdar Graterol – a bona fide "TOP PROSPECT" by anyone's definition (other than Boston) – in order to acquire Kenta Maeda. It was the epitome of a trade that, at least so far, has worked out brilliantly for both sides. Maeda leveled up in Minnesota and instantly became the Twins' most valuable player (in our eyes), and a Cy Young runner-up. He was the ace this franchise has long coveted. Meanwhile, Graterol was every bit the late inning weapon Los Angeles envisioned. He helped propel the Dodgers to a long-awaited championship, and remains under their control for five more years – a cost-effective successor for Kenley Jansen. Hey, it hurts to lose Graterol. It'd hurt to lose Lewis, or Kirilloff, or Larnach too. But Maeda has been a transformative difference-maker for the Twins. And his presence only bolsters their position as a front-running pennant contender in 2021, furthering the case for another move in the Model 3 vein. The time is now. Let us know in the comments which model(s) you'd prefer to adopt this winter. And by all means, share your own outlandish trade in the comments section. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and be ready for the final planned installment: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: (Thurs, 11/12)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Coming Soon)MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

In this strange offseason, where front offices are compelled to weigh strategic team-building against stark financial realities, trades are expected to be a popular avenue. Thursday night on Offseason Live, we shared some ideas for specific moves the Minnesota Twins could make to fire up Hot Stove SZN.I was joined via live-stream by Tom Froemming and Nash Walker on Thursday night as we submitted our (ostensibly realistic) trade proposals on behalf of the Twins this winter. Does Minnesota have a chance to acquire the market's top prize, Francisco Lindor? Is there a way they could deal Miguel Sanó's contract and get real value back?? JUST WHO might be involved in Tom's hypothetical three-team, seven-player swap??? (I wish I was kidding.) Find out by watching below. Tune into future live broadcasts via Twins Daily's Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube page. It'll be an interactive show where viewers help steer the conversation via comments and questions. You'll also be able to catch replays on the site, or via audio by subscribing to our podcast. Who are the names to watch on the trade market this year? Find out below. Check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: (Thurs, 11/12)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Tues, 11/17 ) Click here to view the article

Relief pitching was a major source of strength for the Minnesota Twins in 2020. If they hope to keep it that way next season, they might have their work cut out for them. The bullpen faces losing much of its core to free agency, but the good news is that (for related reasons) a deep market awaits. Let's explore it.On Thursday night's episode of Offseason Live I was joined by Tom Froemming and Matt Braun. Each of us submitted our own preferred targets for the bullpen, and those choices were discussed and debated. You can watch it all play out below, or keep reading for a breakdown of what's available, and which targets stand out as our favorite fits for the Twins. Free Agent Relief Pitchers at a Glance The Need: Sergio Romo, Trevor May, and Tyler Clippard are all free agents. Those three represented more than a quarter of Minnesota's bullpen innings in 2020, nearly all of them high-leverage. Toss in Taylor Rogers, who is by no means a lock to be retained with an arbitration pricetag in the $6-7 million range, and the Twins may be seeking to replenish a vast majority of their late-inning firepower. Granted, any or all of those relievers could be brought back (we discussed those possibilities on the and episodes), but there are many intriguing external options out there to sift through as well. The Market (This list is not comprehensive): Liam HendriksBrand HandTrevor RosenthalAlex ColoméBlake TreinenKirby YatesSean DoolittleBrandon WorkmanGreg HollandShane GreeneMark MelanconTrevor MayYusmeiro PetitKen GilesShane GreeneKeone KelaPedro BáezJoakim SoriaOliver PérezJustin WilsonJeremy JeffressSergio RomoTyler ClippardJake McGeePedro StropJuan NicasioFor this episode of Offseason Live, each of the three panelists was asked to pick one target in three different tiers.Tier 1: Ambitious and relatively expensive high-end free agent relievers. (Rogers tier)Tier 2: Mid-level options in the $3-5 million estimated salary range. (Clippard/Romo tier)Tier 3: Sleepers and flyers available potential minor-league deals. (Wisler tier)Our Tier 1 Targets Kirby Yates, RHP Age: 33 Former Team: San Diego 2020 Stats: 4.1 IP, 12.46 ERA, 2.54 WHIP, 16.6 K/9, 8.3 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: One could argue that a top-tier closer is Minnesota's most glaring need this offseason. Rogers and Romo partnered for that role in 2020, and both are expensive and optional to bring back. The Twins could theoretically save much of the money it would've cost to pay them and instead sign someone like Yates, who's coming off a season lost to injury (and surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow) but was previously perhaps the best closer in the majors. In 2019 he led the NL in saves with a 1.19 ERA. There's obviously some risk at age 33 with the elbow uncertainty, but for that reason he could be a value buy. Estimated 2021 Salary: $5 million Brad Hand, LHP Age: 30 Former Team: Cleveland 2020 Stats: 22 IP, 2.05 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.6 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: Hand is similar to Yates in that he's a proven All-Star closer, but there's less risk since he's coming off an outstanding (and healthy) 2020 campaign. Hand led the AL in saves and posted a 2.05 ERA for Cleveland, but the Indians declined his $10 million option nonetheless. He could serve as either a Rogers replacement, or a high-powered complement at the back end. Estimated 2021 Salary: $8 million Liam Hendriks, RHP Age: 31 Former Team: Oakland 2020 Stats: 25.1 IP, 1.78 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 13.1 K/9, 1.1 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: For all the same reasons as Hand and Yates, basically. Like them, Hendriks brings the ability of an elite All-Star closer. But he also brings the least risk, because he's been incredibly consistent and durable since blossoming for the A's. Since 2019, he ranks first among MLB relievers in fWAR, leading the pack by a wide margin. He has a decisive argument as the best reliever in baseball. Granted, it's a volatile position and a difficult one to invest premium dollars into, but Hendriks is about as reliable as it gets, and the circumstances of this offseason may create a unique opportunity to lock the former Twin up at a relatively reasonable rate. Estimated 2021 Salary: $10 million Our Tier 2 Targets Yusmeiro Petit, RHP Age: 35 Former Team: Oakland 2020 Stats: 21.2 IP, 1.66 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: He's a more realistic target than Hendriks among departing A's. No, Petit wasn't quite at Liam's level, but he's been extremely good in his own right over the past two seasons with a 2.49 ERA in 104 ⅔ innings. During that span he's made 106 appearances, more than any other MLB reliever. The appeal of Petit is simple: a durable, experienced, and highly effective veteran setup man. Estimated 2021 Salary: $5 million Tommy Hunter, RHP Age: 34 Former Team: Philadelphia 2020 Stats: 24.2 IP, 4.01 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: He's a righty power arm to replace May. Hunter has a 3.24 ERA in eight seasons since moving to full-time bullpen duty. He's been a dependable bullpen workhorse and would provide some steadiness as the Twins experiment around him. Also, his fastball and curveball both have crazy high spin rates, so there might be another level to unlock. Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million Justin Wilson, LHP Age: 34 Former Team: Philadelphia 2020 Stats: 19.2 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 10.5 K/9, 4.1 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: If the Twins don't re-sign Clippard, they'll lose their nominal "lefty specialist." Wilson would be a high-upside option to fill that role, and he's similar to Clippard in that he's more of an all-around asset: excellent against lefties, good against righties. Wilson has posted a K/9 above 10.0 in five straight seasons. Shaky control is his biggest red flag, but the BB/9 rate has dropped in consecutive seasons. Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million Our Tier 3 Targets Brandon Kline, RHP Age: 29 Former Team: Baltimore 2020 Stats: 5.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, 5.4 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: This was a deep dive from Tom. Kline is a 29-year-old who's thrown only 46 total innings in the majors, with a 5.48 ERA to boot, and now enters the free agent pool without much of a rep. What he does have is a lively upper-90s fastball, and as a former second-round draft pick, a bit of pedigree. He'll almost certainly be available on a non-guaranteed deal, and is an example of the upside project this front office has gravitated toward. Estimated 2021 Salary: $1 million or minor-league deal Nate Jones, RHP Age: 34 Former Team: Cincinnati 2020 Stats: 18.2 IP, 6.27 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 Why He's a Fit: Twins fans are familiar with Jones' premium velocity and general dominance from his days with the White Sox. He's got a terrific arm but has hit some speed bumps lately, which is exactly why he'll be available on an incentive-laden, possibly non-guaranteed deal. This is the kind of arm you bring into camp and take a look at, because if he's healthy and clicking, he's a real difference-maker. Estimated 2021 Salary: $1 million or minor-league deal David Robertson, RHP Age: 35 Former Team: Philadelphia 2020 Stats: Did Not Pitch (TJ Surgery) Why He's a Fit: Robertson's not much different from Jones, except that his ceiling and risk are both higher. He was very consistently one of the best and most overpowering relievers in baseball for a decade up until his disaster $23 million contract with Philadelphia, in which he made several total appearances over two seasons. Now 35, he needs a chance to prove he's still got it. Minnesota offers an inviting contender destination. Estimated 2021 Salary: $1 million or minor-league deal Let us know in the comments who you like at these positions, or if there's another approach you'd prefer to free agency. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Thurs, 11/12)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Tues, 11/17)MORE FROM TWINS DAILY— Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

A huge chunk of Minnesota's high-leverage relief innings from 2020 just went into free agency, and it's not entirely clear that closer Taylor Rogers will be back. If the Twins want veteran reliability in the bullpen next year, they'll need to hammer out some deals. Thursday night on Offseason Live, we sized up the market.I was joined via live-stream by Tom Froemming and Matt Braun Thursday night at 8:00 PM as we looked over the free agent landscape for relief pitching. We each brought a few names to the table that we view as good fits, and those targets were discussed and debated. You can tune into future live broadcasts via Twins Daily's Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube page (or just watch it above). It'll be an interactive show where viewers help steer the conversation via comments and questions. You'll also be able to watch the replay tomorrow here on the site, or via audio by subscribing to our podcast. Who are the names to watch in free agency this year? Find out tonight. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Thurs, 11/12)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Tues, 11/17) Click here to view the article

The World Series is over, and free agency is about to open up for business. With that, one of the most unusual and unpredictable offseasons in the history of Major League Baseball will get underway. No one knows exactly what's coming. But we can make a few educated guesses.It's been widely anticipated that MLB teams would uniformly cut spending this offseason – perhaps significantly – in the face of severe economic setbacks. The league reports losing more than $3 billion during the abbreviated 2020 season, and while 2021 may bring us closer to a sense of normalcy ... no one's confident it'll be THAT close. As things stand now, the expectation is for partial-capacity stadiums, lingering pandemic-related complications, and more reduced revenues. That outlook could well change over the coming four months, but with the offseason officially underway, teams must operate based on what they know. In the days immediately following the conclusion of the World Series, suspicions of a chilly offseason market were reaffirmed, with a stunning array of team-friendly options declined. Brad Hand, Charlie Morton, and Darren O'Day are among the most head-scratching. Under normal circumstances, each of these guys would be a no-brainer to keep. But as we're seeing, these are no normal circumstances. The wildest thing to me is that, in the case of Hand, he went through outright waivers. That means any other team could've simply taken on a one-year, $10 million contract for an elite closer, no strings attached. Nobody bit. This isn't just Cleveland's cheapness – although, it is that too. Baseball owners are taking an understandably cautious approach with an ambiguous financial landscape ahead. I don't necessarily blame them. In a refreshingly candid and open series of quotes shared with La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, Jim Pohlad laid out the ownership viewpoint well: “Yes, I believe there will be fans in the ballpark, but I can’t tell you when or at what level, I just don’t know. I don’t think the fact that we lost money in 2020 — which we did, and we are right in the middle of that pack — I don’t think that’s the driver for what we are going to do in 2021 ... There is uncertainty, and we are going to have to figure out an ‘uncertainty discount,’ and we will.” How might this "uncertainty discount" play out in practical terms, and how might the Twins specifically be affected? Here are three key threads I see playing out. 1: Many players will end up accepting deals for well below market value, with an eye on guaranteed money. If it hasn't already, it'll quickly become apparent to the current free agent class (and more importantly their agents) that spending is at a premium this winter, especially when it comes to hard-and-fast commitments. I foresee a lot of guys ultimately forced to accept non-guaranteed or incentive-based deals, for whom that'd normally who never be the case. In this tough environment, there could be opportunity for front offices. Think about it: If you're the Twins and you offer, say, Jake Odorrizi a multi-year deal that would seem perfectly reasonable under normal market circumstances (three years, $36 million?), does he just jump on it? Normally he might take a passive approach and see what else the market has to offer. But this year, when he knows that there are many other starting pitchers vying for the same limited funds? And when he knows that only a select few true contenders will be actively spending to win? If the Twins move on and sign a Marcus Stroman, they're out of the running for him. And that's one club checked off the list. Scales have been tipped. Supply will outweigh demand in this strange offseason. 2: The first couple of months will be very slow, followed by a late flurry in February and March. Because of the lopsided supply/demand ratio, buyers will hold all the control. Front offices will feel little urgency to address needs in what I expect to be a slow-developing offseason. Especially for this reason: financial parameters figure to grow clearer as the winter progresses. We have no idea right now whether 25% league-wide stadium capacity in 2021 is a feasible possibility, let alone 50% or more. In February, we'll have a better idea – albeit maybe not a definitive answer. This means patience is not only a luxury, but to some extent a mandate for front offices held to account. If this eventuality is obvious to us, then it's surely evident to parties on both sides ... which brings me back to the point above. I think there will be serious opportunity to strike fair yet team-friendly deals in the early stretch of the offseason, when adaptive free agents make the most of their situations and avoid the painful saturation to come in January and February. 3: Tensions between the league and union will be further inflamed, and that's bad news for everyone. Things turned ugly during the league's negotiations to start up a reconfigured COVID season in the early part of the summer. This only underscores a well-known truth: The two sides are very much at odds with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire after next season. Overdue to be addressed are many inequities. Suffice to say that the cost-slashing we're about to see will not help matters. Free agent big-leaguers who already felt undervalued, and hindered in their earning power, will face devastating market prospects. In his interview with La Velle, Pohlad said the following, which I think fairly reflects the position of his peers at large: "In a sense there has been, in my view — and I’m not speaking for the players or the union — there has to be some degree of risk sharing here ... Basically the owners bore the entire brunt of the short season. The players got their prorated salary for the games they played in. In terms of lost revenue, they bore no risk to it. But they were cooperative in getting the games started, and that’s a big deal. Going forward, it just comes about as a result of a depressed market that is, in effect, players bearing their share of the risk also.” This is a reasonable statement on its face, from a strictly operational standpoint. But let's be honest: It's a sentiment that will hit sourly for players who undertook great burden and risk to make this season work. And that disconnect will only serve to foment the tensions brewing as a huge juncture for MLB approaches. Unlike the first two predictions, there's not some potential Twins-related silver lining here. Even if they wanted to, the well-meaning Pohlads and Falvine Machine could do nothing to prevent a contentious impasse at the highest level, which would existentially threaten the game we love. I feel like we danced close to this line in May and June. In fact, there's no real takeaway on this one. I'm just nervous. Nervous about this, and a lot of other more important things at the moment. Throw it all into the pot. Hey, 2020! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Over the past two seasons, Eddie Rosario and Nelson Cruz rank first and second among Twins hitters in RBIs, with 151 and 141. No one else is close. There's a very good chance one or both depart this offseason. How will Minnesota replace all that run production? Free agency may offer some sensible answers.On Tuesday night's episode of Offseason Live I was joined by Twins Daily writers Lucas Seehafer and David Youngs. Each of us submitted our own preferred targets at these positions, and those choices were discussed and debated. You can watch it all play out below, or keep reading for a breakdown of what's available, and which targets stand out as our favorite fits for the Twins. Free Agent Designated Hitters at a Glance The Need: With Cruz hitting free agency and likely generating significant demand, coming off back-to-back monster seasons, the Twins will need to address a position that's been arguably their greatest competitive advantage. The Market (This list is not comprehensive): Nelson CruzMarcell OzunaMichael BrantleyShin Soo ChooJay BruceYasiel PuigRobbie GrossmanYoenis CespedesNick MarkakisLogan MorrisonMatt Kemp Our Targets: Jay Bruce Age: 33 Former Team: Philadelphia 2020 Stats: .198/.252/.469, 6 HR, 14 RBI Why He's a Fit: He's a very accomplished lefty hitter, with 314 home runs and a .783 career OPS in 13 major-league seasons. But his somewhat diminished performance over the past three seasons (.217/.282/.448) should keep his pricetag in check. He can still play some first base and corner outfield, so Bruce won't be restricted to DH. Estimated 2021 Salary: $3 million Shin-Soo Choo Age: 38 Former Team: Texas 2020 Stats: .236/.323/.400, 5 HR, 15 RBI Why He's a Fit: Choo brings many of the same qualities as Bruce, but to a greater extent. He's also older and will probably be a bit more expensive. The 38-year-old left-handed hitter owns a .275/.377/.447 career slash line, and has consistently been around that in Texas, reliably scoring 85-95 runs, hitting 20-25 homers and 20-30 doubles. If you're looking for stable, rock-solid veteran production to replace Cruz at around half the price, Choo is a fine choice. Estimated 2021 Salary: $7 million Matt Kemp Age: 36 Former Team: Colorado 2020 Stats: .239/.326/.419, 6 HR, 21 RBI Why He's a Fit: Kemp figures to be very affordable. Last year he had to settle for a minor-league deal before a bouncing back a bit in Colorado. What I like about Kemp (aside from the low cost) is that he has a track record of mashing lefties – he hit .300/.375/.480 against this year and .313/.373/.536 in his career. This addresses a critical weakness from the 2020 Twins team, and – much like the two targets above – he brings a wealth of experience to help replace what you're losing with Cruz. Estimated 2021 Salary: $2 million Free Agent Outfielders at a Glance The Need: If the Twins keep Rosario, there really is no need. But as we discussed in the , that seems uncertain if not unlikely. Minnesota faces stark financial realities, with Rosario likely to command $10-13 million in his last year of arbitration. Can the Twins save money in left field, or use it more wisely? Let's take a look. The Market (This list is not comprehensive): George SpringerMarcell OzunaMichael BrantleyJackie Bradley Jr.Josh ReddickJoc PedersonRobbie GrossmanKevin PillarMatt JoyceYasiel PuigNick MarkakisCameron MaybinJarrod DysonBilly Hamilton Our Targets: Jackie Bradley Jr. Age: 30 Former Team: Boston 2020 Stats: .283/.364/.450, 7 HR, 22 RBI Why He's a Fit: Bradley will probably require a multi-year deal at an annual rate in the same range as Rosario is lined up for in 2021. So there's no real opportunity to save money here. But what you are doing with this move is making a long-term investment in someone who could become a core player. Bradley is an elite defender and can play all three outfield positions. He's a lefty hitter with patience and power. Estimated 2021 Salary: $11 million Joc Pederson Age: 28 Former Team: LA Dodgers 2020 Stats: .190/.285/.397, 7 HR, 16 RBI Why He's a Fit: He's a left-handed power stick to replace Eddie at a lower cost. Pretty simple. Pederson struggled a bit in the 60-game season but still hit seven homers, and in 2019 he launched a career-high 36. Much like Bradley Jr., Pederson has plenty of experience playing on the big stage in October, which is where the Twins are focused on getting over the hump. Estimated 2021 Salary: $6 million Yasiel Puig Age: 29 Former Team: Cleveland 2019 Stats: .267/.327/.458, 24 HR, 84 RBI Why He's a Fit: Looking for a Rosario replacement? Puig sure seems to fit the bill. He brings some fire and brashness with his personality, and while he didn't play in 2020, his fairly typical production in 2019 (see above) was almost exactly what you'd expect in a given year from Eddie. He will, however, cost substantially less, and his right-handed bat helps balance out Minnesota's current LH-heavy corner outfield depth. Estimated 2021 Salary: $2 million Michael Brantley Age: 33 Former Team: Houston 2020 Stats: .300/.364/.476, 5 HR, 22 RBI Why He's a Fit: Similar to Bradley Jr., Brantley offers the opportunity to swing for the fences, replacing Rosario with a new building-block type who brings more to the table. Brantley is a four-time All-Star with a .297/.354/.440 career slash line, and unlike most others on this list he was on top of his game in 2020. He's the real deal and one of the best players on the free agent market. Estimated 2021 Salary: $11 million Kevin Pillar Age: 31 Former Team: Colorado 2020 Stats: .288/.336.462, 6 HR, 26 RBI Why He's a Fit: Pillar represents a different approach to addressing the outfield. While many of the other players are of similar molds to Rosario, Pillar is more Buxton-like. He's a terrific center fielder and an aggressive right-handed hitter with some power and speed. Sound familiar? Pillar gives you a credible replacement in the event that Buxton goes down, and if the Twins are fortunate enough to keep the latter healthy, Pillar is a great piece to rotate around the outfield spots. Estimated 2021 Salary: $6 million Robbie Grossman Age: 31 Former Team: Oakland 2020 Stats: .241/.344/.482, 8 HR, 23 RBI Why He's a Fit: Unthinkably, Grossman has reinvented himself as an outstanding offensive outfielder since leaving Minnesota. By various defensive metrics, he's become an asset in either corner spot, and he's also a patient, OBP-centric switch-hitter who could fill in regularly at DH. He's just a very functional asset. Estimated 2021 Salary: $5 million Let us know in the comments who you like at these positions, or if you'd rather stick with Rosario and Cruz. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12)MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

If the Twins lose Eddie Rosario and/or Nelson Cruz this offseason (very possible), how will they fill the resulting chasmic voids in proven offensive production? On Tuesday night we explored the free agent market.I was be joined via live-stream by David Youngs and Lucas Seehafer Tuesday night at 8:00 PM to look over the free agent landscape at outfield and designated hitter. We each brought a few names to the table that we view as good fits, and those targets were discussed and debated. You can tune into future live broadcasts via Twins Daily's Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube page. It'll be an interactive show where viewers help steer the conversation via comments and questions. You'll also be able to watch the replay tomorrow here on the site, or via audio by subscribing to our podcast. Who are the names to watch in free agency this year? Watch and find out. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12) Click here to view the article

Yeah, it's interesting to think about. And if it was solely about cutting losses for 2020, I think they might consider it. It's the uncertainty about next year that makes it hard for me to believe they won't cut. Maybe MLB lost $3 billion this year, maybe not, but with no assurances around fan attendance for next season I've got to imagine MLB owners as a whole are gonna take a conservative approach. FWIW, I bet the Twins reduce spending by less than the vast majority of teams. Which theoretically puts them in an advantageous position.

It's basically guesswork. We took the amounts we would normally expect these players to make in a typical free agent market and trimmed them down a bit. Far from scientific, and open to scrutinizing for sure. But I don't think they're too far off for the most part.

In running the first several episodes of Offseason Live, and tinkering with our Twins payroll tool, it's become evident to me that the Twins will face some real challenges and difficult decisions this offseason. Here's what I've learned.If you could simply take the same team from this year and run it back, in a full season without the disruption and abbreviation of 2020, would you do it? I know I would. I felt great about this group coming in. Despite all the setbacks and shortcomings, and despite the disappointing finish, they played .581 ball over 62 games (94-win full-season pace) and won the division. But here's the thing: returning that same group intact just isn't an option. Which brings us to... Hard Truth #1: The Twins are going to lose some key pieces First of all, , here and across baseball. Everyone took major revenue hits this year, and those impacts figure to carry forward, at least to some extent. So frugality will undoubtedly be a guiding principle, near and far. Beyond that aspect, with so many Twins players hitting free agency or escalating their salaries via arbitration, simply retaining everyone would raise payroll above $150 million, by our estimates. Even in the most optimistic of scenarios, there's just no way the Twins are raising payroll by 10% from this year. Download attachment: payroll1.png Okay, so let's remove all of the guys we identified as tough calls, or expendable assets, in the and episodes: Nelson Cruz ($14 million free agent projection)Jake Odorizzi ($12 million free agent projection)Eddie Rosario ($10-12 million arbitration projection)Taylor Rogers ($6-7 million arbitration projection)Trevor May ($6 million free agent projection)Rich Hill ($5 million free agent projection)Sergio Romo ($5 million team option with $250K buyout)Marwin González ($3 million free agent projection)Tyler Clippard ($3 million free agent projection)Alex Avila ($3 million free agent projection)That's 10 players, each of whom (with the exception of Odorizzi) played a significant role for the team in 2020. Losing all those players would be a far cry from keeping the team intact, but the good news is that the Twins don't need to lose all of them. Here's where the front office begins to find itself hamstrung in setting and evaluating priorities. Hard Truth #2: If the Twins retain their big-name properties, they'll have minimal flexibility to do anything else Where will payroll land in 2021? No one knows right now, but we're setting the bar at a reduction of 10% from this year, which would put the Twins around $125 million. Subtracting all the pieces mentioned above, our baseline spending commitment for next year is about $85 million, meaning we've got something like $40 million to spend on LF, DH, UTIL, C, two SP spots and 4 bullpen spots. Let's say we want to bring back two of the lineup's most reliable producers in Rosario and Cruz. That's about $25 million shelled out on two players, soaking up more than half of our available funds. Wanna bring back Rogers too? Add another $6 million or so. Now we've got less than $10 million to address multiple rotation spots, a critical backup infielder role, and the remaining half of the bullpen. Download attachment: payroll2.png Not really gonna work. This year proved out once again the vital importance of quality depth. The Twins would be negligent not to account for that by building up the back of their rotation, the end of their bullpen, and the contingencies behind their uncertainty-plagued infield. (Especially at the hot corner.) Hard Truth #3: Josh Donaldson's presence makes it very hard to justify keeping Nelson Cruz When they handed Donaldson an historic free agent deal, the Twins knew they were signing up for four years of lopsided and restrictive payroll commitment. Just one year in, we are already feeling the impact. As the front office tries to trim down spending, and work around Donaldson's team-leading $21 million figure, they also need to invest in a capable backup option behind him. It's not Donaldson's salary alone that weighs on the Twins, but also his status as an undependable commodity. In fantasy football terms, he needs a "handcuff." There are lingering question marks all around the Twins infield – from Luis Arráez's knee to Jorge Polanco's angle to Miguel Sanó's neck – but no member is more valuable or vulnerable than Donaldson, who turns 35 in December and has had a good chunk of his post-30 career wiped out by calf issues. Having an untested rookie like Travis Blankenhorn or a no-hit utilityman like Ehire Adrianza as his top backup is simply not palatable. Standout free agent options to fill this role, like Kiké Hernández and Jurickson Profar, figure to land in the $7-9 million annual range, not unlike González when he first hit the market out of Houston. Signing a player like that in addition to Cruz would leave the Twins with minimal flexibility to address their rotation and bullpen. Download attachment: payroll3.png What you've really got to ask yourself: Can the Twins afford to pay Donaldson and Cruz – two aging right-handed sluggers with inherent durability concerns and fairly similar functions – around $35 million in combined money next year? That's more than a quarter of the total projected payroll. Having both these guys in the lineup was a luxury, and one the team probably can't necessarily justify preserving. In my opinion, they likely knew this when they signed Donaldson. He was always going to be Cruz's replacement, even if not an immediate one. Especially when you consider that keeping Donaldson healthy and on the field will likely require mixing him in semi-regularly at DH, to ease the burden on his legs. That's not compatible in the short term with a scenario where Cruz is re-signed. Hard Truth #4: Maintaining the pitching staff's strength means relying on the offense to get right without its most established run producers The Twins won at a .600 clip during the 2020 regular season mainly due to their pitching staff. Their arms proved a decisive advantage in the division, holding strong while Chicago's faltered down the stretch. Cleveland built its recent AL Central dynasty on pitching, which is partially why the Twins plucked Derek Falvey away from them. It behooves this organization to invest in building upon their world-class pitching staff this offseason. With Odorizzi, Hill, May, Romo and Clippard all hitting the market, there are several key roles needing to be backfilled. And while internal options exist – Randy Dobnak, Devin Smeltzer, Lewis Thorpe, Edwar Colina, etc. – it's probably best not to view any of them as Option A for important duties. In the example below, I've got the Twins re-signing Odorizzi as fourth starter for $12 million (feel free to swap in someone at a similar level, like Marcus Stroman, James Paxton, or Jose Quintana) and Drew Smyly for $4 million as the Homer Bailey-esque fifth starter gamble (as needed, substitute Mike Fiers, Tijuana Walker, Michael Wacha, etc.). I also tried to keep the bullpen somewhat intact by bringing back Romo and Clippard, although we lose May. As you can see, these moves – in combination with signing Hernandez (or Profar, or Jonathan Villar, or Tommy La Stella) as the backup infielder and Donaldson insurance – gobble up all of our available payroll. Download attachment: payroll4.png We're right up to that $125 million threshold, even with minimum-salary rookies replacing Rosario and Cruz. And I get why it seems horrifying to people who see the 300 runs those two have driven in over the past couple years, and wonder how to possibly replace that offensive production. I would submit it's not as hard as one might think. Donaldson will hopefully play more, and more effectively. Ditto Garver. Sanó can be more consistent and Brent Rooker can factor in more heavily. Plus there are intriguing right-handed options on the free agent market at OF an DH that will be much cheaper and a Cruz or Rosario. We'll cover several of them Tuesday night on Offseason Live. The question it comes down to is whether you want to spend available funds on creating functional depth, in the lineup and pitching staff, or you want to funnel it into retaining a 40-year-old designated hitter who's been the heart and soul of your club. It's not an easy decision. There aren't many ahead of the Twins this offseason. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

While their flexibility on the open market will be largely dictated by their decisions with payroll, internal free agents, and arbitration, the Minnesota Twins will surely be active in addressing needs via free agency this winter. Today we examine key targets at catcher and infield.On Thursday night's episode of Offseason Live I was joined by Andrew Gebo and David Youngs. Each of us submitted our own preferred targets at these positions, and those choices were discussed and debated. You can watch it all play out below, or keep reading for a breakdown of what's available, and which targets stand out as our favorite fits for the Twins. Free Agent Catchers at a Glance The Need: Ryan Jeffers essentially locked himself into Minnesota's 2021 plans with a stellar rookie performance. Mitch Garver will be back to accompany Jeffers in a timeshare, barring the unlikely event of a Garver trade at a time where his value is down. Most likely, the Twins will be seeking a veteran backup to provide some security and experience here, with Garver in a state of uncertainty and Jeffers having only 62 MLB plate appearances. The Market (This list is not comprehensive): James McCannJ.T. RealmutoYadier MolinaAlex AvilaJason CastroRobinson ChirinosTyler FlowersAustin RomineStephen VogtKurt SuzukiMatt WietersJeff Mathis Our Targets: Stephen Vogt Age: 35 Former Team: Arizona 2020 Stats: .167/.247/.278, 1 HR, 7 RBI Why He's a Fit: Vogt has a $3 million club option with the D-backs, but because of his poor season they're unlikely to activate it, and for that same reason he should be available cheaply. He's a lefty bat to complement the two righties, and has tons of MLB experience with a generally good track record for hitting with a career .250/.308/.421 slash line in 2,169 plate appearances with five different clubs. Estimated 2021 Salary: $2 million Robinson Chirinos Age: 36 Former Team: NY Mets 2020 Stats: .219/.242/.375, 1 HR, 7 RBI Why He's a Fit: Another veteran with loads of experience, including in the postseason (he was part of Houston's 2019 World Series run). Chirinos is reputed as a very strong defender and receiver, and would likely have plenty of advice and guidance for Garver and Jeffers. He does swing righty, however, and is likely to be on the pricier side of this pool. Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million Jason Castro Age: 33 Former Team: San Diego 2020 Stats: .188/.293/.375, 2 HR, 9 RBI Why He's a Fit: Castro is of course familiar to the Twins, having played here from 2017 through 2019, and he grew into a very nice complementary fit with Garver by the time he left. There's no reason to think he can't offer the same value in a lesser role with Jeffers also in the mix. Like Vogt, Castro swings lefty to bring platoon appeal, and should be affordable coming off a rough year at the plate. Estimated 2021 Salary: $3 million Free Agent Infielders at a Glance The Need: With both Marwin González and Ehire Adrianza hitting free agency, the Twins are losing all of their crucial infield depth. Those two utilitymen combined for 300 plate appearances – or 14% of the team's total – in 2020, as the infield was besieged by injuries. And while the starters are locked for next year, Josh Donaldson, Luis Arráez and Jorge Polanco all carry their own red flags, creating a need for multiple high-quality backups. The Market (This list is not comprehensive): DJ LeMahieuAndrelton SimmonsDidi GregoriusJustin TurnerA. HechavarriaJurickson ProfarTommy La StellaKiké HernándezJonathan VillarJonathan SchoopAsdrúbal CabreraMarwin GonzálezEduardo NuñezFreddy GalvisEhire AdrianzaBrad MillerJosh HarrisonZack CozartBrock Holt Our Targets: Kiké Hernández Age: 29 Former Team: LA Dodgers 2020 Stats: .230/.270/.410, 5 HR, 20 RBI Why He's a Fit: This year he served in a handy utility role for the best team in baseball, and has starred for Los Angeles in the playoffs, so naturally he's garnering a lot of buzz among Twins fans. Hernández made starts at five different positions for the Dodgers this year (2B/SS and all three OF spots), and is a righty hitter with a .263/.345/.474 career slash line vs. LHP. Estimated 2021 Salary: $7 million Asdrúbal Cabrera Age: 34 Former Team: Washington 2020 Stats: .242/.305/.447, 8 HR, 31 RBI Why He's a Fit: Like Hernández, Cabrera has recent experience on the big stage, having helped the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019. He's a switch hitter who can play every infield position other than short, and has been extremely consistent at the plate. He has a career OPS+ of 106, and has finished within 15 points of that number every year for a decade. Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million Jurickson Profar Age: 27 Former Team: San Diego 2020 Stats: .278/.343/.428, 7 HR, 25 RBI Why He's a Fit: He is arguably the best infielder on the free-agent market, beyond the "clear-cut everyday starter" tier. Once unanimously considered the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Profar is still fairly young and seems to have untapped upside. But the current version is pretty dang solid (and versatile): His 1.3 fWAR in 56 games this year would've ranked second among Twins position players. While second base is his best position, the switch-hitter can play first, third, and all three outfield spots. Estimated 2021 Salary: $9 million Ehire Adrianza Age: 31 Former Team: Minnesota 2020 Stats: .191/.287/.270, 0 HR, 3 RBI Why He's a Fit: The Twins likely need multiple utility infield types, and they're probably not going to end up with super high-caliber players in both roles. Adrianza is deservingly going to be signed as a backup, and paid like it coming off a career-worst season at the plate, but he's a useful piece – especially because he can play shortstop viably (unlike perhaps anyone listed above), and questions swirl around Polanco. Estimated 2021 Salary: $1 million Tommy La Stella Age: 31 Former Team: Oakland 2020 Stats: .281/.370/.449, 5 HR, 25 RBI Why He's a Fit: Because he's a very good player. La Stella has posted an OPS of .819 or above in three of the past four seasons, and was an All-Star in 2019. He's a disciplined contact hitter with great on-base skills and solid pop. The lefty swinger isn't plagued by harsh platoon splits, with a respectable .261/.337/.365 against southpaws. He can play every infield position capably other than short. Estimated 2021 Salary: $7.5 million Freddy Galvis Age: 30 Former Team: Cincinnati 2020 Stats: .220/.308/.404, 7 HR, 16 RBI Why He's a Fit: Primarily because he plays shortstop. Except unlike Adrianza, Galvis could potentially be Minnesota's 1A backup option in the infield. He's been a full-time starter for the past six seasons, and that might deter his willingness to sign with the Twins, but there should be no shortage of playing time for him here. Galvis has been an outstanding defensive shortstop in the past, and has also put in plenty of time at second. He brings an undisciplined but powerful approach at the plate. Estimated 2021 Salary: $5 million Which of these options do you like best? Are there other names higher on your priority list? Sound off in the comments. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: Free Agency – Outfield & DH (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12)MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Alex Avila, Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza all played fairly significant roles on the 2020 Twins (for better or worse), and all three are set to hit free agency this offseason. How will the front office fill these important roles? Thursday night, we took a look at what the open market has to offer.I was joined via live-stream by Andrew Gebo and David Youngs as we looked over the free agent landscape at catcher and infield. We each hrought a few names to the table that we view as good fits, and those targets were discussed and debated. You can tune into future live broadcasts via Twins Daily's Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube page. It's be an interactive show where viewers help steer the conversation via comments and questions. You can catch what you missed via audio by subscribing to our podcast. Who are the names to watch in free agency this year? Find out with us. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: Free Agency – Outfield & DH (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12) Click here to view the article