Front Page: Do Any of These Underrated Free Agents Fit in Minnesota?

[Cody Christie]

Derek Falvey and Thad Levine did a good job identifying some underrated free agents last off-season. Nelson Cruz had a monster season and Marwin Gonzalez and Jonathan Schoop also provided value. This off-season there will be plenty of other undervalued free agents, so could any of these names wind up in Minnesota?Richard Justice of MLB.com identified the following eight players as being underrated. With multiple outfielders and corner infield options, only a few of the names would be a fit with the Twins.

 

1. Howie Kendrick, UTIL, Nationals

Kendrick helped the Nationals to their first World Series title, and he was an offensive threat the entire season. According to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 92nd percentile or higher in exit velocity, xBA, Hard Hit %, xwOBA, and xSLG. He will turn 37 next season and he seems more valuable to a team that could use him as a designated hitter. The Twins have multiple players for that role.

Twins Fit: No

 

2. Marcell Ozuna, OF, Cardinals

Ozuna never really lived up to expectations after being traded to the Cardinals. His last season in Miami saw him accumulate a .924 OPS and his two years in St. Louis resulted in a .779 OPS. His Exit Velocity and Hard Hit % were both above the 92nd percentile. He will be 29-years old throughout next season so there might be some room for him to continue to grow. That being said, the Twins outfield is pretty full unless the team makes a trade.

Twins Fit: No

 

3. Rich Hill, LHP, Dodgers

Hill is coming off an injury-plagued season that limited him to 13 starts. This isn’t exactly promising for a player set to turn 40 in March. Over the last three seasons, Hill has amassed a 3.30 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a 3.89 FIP while averaging almost 110 innings per season. Minnesota needs as many rotation arms as possible so taking a flyer on a veteran pitcher could help to shore-up the rotation until some of the younger arms are ready to step-in.

Twins Fit: Yes

 

4. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B, Nationals

Zimmerman had to deal with plenty of regular season and playoff woes before finally seeing the Nationals raise the World Series trophy. It feels weird to think of him outside of a Nationals uniform and he hasn’t played in over 85 games since 2017, his last All-Star season. With limited defensive flexibility and an aging body, Zimmerman likely won’t be calling the Twin Cities home.

Twins Fit: No

 

5. Hunter Pence, OF, Rangers

Pence was an All-Star last season at the ripe age of 36. He was forced to sign a minor league deal and earn his spot on the Rangers roster. A back issue limited him to 83 games, but he posted a .910 OPS when he was on the field. Plenty of rebuilding clubs could take a flyer on Pence, but Minnesota likely wouldn’t have a need for him unless an injury were to arise.

Twins Fit: No

 

6. Eric Thames, 1B, Brewers

Thames came back from Korea three seasons ago and he reestablished himself as a very good power hitter on some strong Milwaukee teams. Like many others on this list, he has little defensive value and that could make his free agent market disappear quickly. His Exit Velocity and Hard Hit % were both in the 80th percentile, but Minnesota has multiple corner infield options at this point.

Twins Fit: No

 

7. Alex Avila, C, Diamondbacks

I’m in love with the idea of a catching duo of Alex Avila and Mitch Garver. Avila will turn 33 this winter and he could fall into a similar role as Jason Castro this season. Avila showed some of the best catch framing skills in all of baseball last season and that fits what the Twins were looking for when they signed Castro a few seasons ago. Garver could also start to see some time at first base when Avila would be behind the plate. I want the Twins to make this signing yesterday.

Twins Fit: Yes

 

8. Tyler Clippard, RHP, Indians

Clippard had quite the bounce-back season in Cleveland last year as he posted a sub-3.00 ERA for the first time since 2015. Taylor Rogers was relied on heavily in Minnesota’s bullpen and Clippard could help to add a late-inning arm from the right side. Minnesota did little to address their bullpen issues last off-season and I think the club will sign at least one veteran arm in the weeks ahead.

Twins Fit: Yes

 

If you were running the Twins, would you sign Avila? What about Clippard or Hill? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[darin617]

1. Jordan Lyles

2. Jose Iglesias

3. Martin Maldonado

4. Danny Salazar

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Rich Hill, sure. If we've already signed both Wheeler and Ryu. Otherwise we shouldn't even be discussing him.

 

We need a backup C. Best ones would appear to be Avilla and Maldonando. Either way more time should be given to Garver. I don't expect Castro back since the role is backup and I suspect he may have higher aspirations than that.

 

Clippard could be a solid uninspiring addition. If Cron is let go Kendrick would be very useful to add too.

[Mike Sixel]

Isn't Kendrick a plus defender at first, who could play third occasionally? Who hit better, him or Cron? Which will cost more?

 

Depending on how you answer those questions, I'd consider changing your answer...

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Igleias and Avila.

[mikelink45]

No.  Avila is the only one I would consider.  I want any signing we do to move us beyond what we were last year and Avila would plug in to keep us the same while the others do nothing for me.

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

Isn't Kendrick a plus defender at first, who could play third occasionally? Who hit better, him or Cron? Which will cost more?

Depending on how you answer those questions, I'd consider changing your answer...

All things being the same, I'd far rather have Kendrick. More versatile, far better hitter. Obvious power difference. 

 

But I read on traderumors that the Twins are looking into 3B. That would for sure rule out Kendrick as Sano would move to 1B.

[cmoss84]

Would love Moose or castellanos.

[alphanumeric]

No mention of Alex Wood?   I'd really like to see the twins try and get him,  i think he could still be a very good #4.  He's only 28 and his price tag might be down significantly (so we can throw it all at Wheeler).

[Major League Ready]

Avila would be a nice back-up to Garver and add a veteran presence with young pitching. I had not thought about Kendrick but he would be a good bridge if we could get him on a 1 year deal. Would prefer to see the rumor of Josh Donaldson come to fruition and move Sano over. Wow... that would be a scary offense.

 

Add Wheeler and Pineada and you have a 105 win team, right!

[tvagle]

 

Isn't Kendrick a plus defender at first, who could play third occasionally? Who hit better, him or Cron? Which will cost more?

Depending on how you answer those questions, I'd consider changing your answer...

Review of the entire playoffs and one could say Howie was a Hero with the stick because he couldn't catch a cold at 1B...I think having Ryan Zimmerman start at 1B over him at the end is proof enough that he's a hitter playing first at best

 

I'll pass on the this new old Truck

[Homer Hanky]

I would love if any new signings had World Series experience.... since that is where we need to be. 

[Cody Pirkl]

A left handed catcher like Avila would be perfect to pair with Garver. Rich Hill would make a great addition if he were penciled into the 5th rotation spot with the assumption that someone like Dobnak would fill in for him when he's inevitably going on and off the IL. I think both are doable if we sign a Wheeler type and trade for a Jon Gray type. That scenario would also give us an opportunity to go after some further position help.

[SomeGuy]

Alex Wood would be my pick for a rebound/underrated candidate.  Injured most of 2019 but has been consistently good for 6 seasons before that. One of the younger free agent starters and a lefty.

 

2013-2018 3.29 ERA and 3.36 FIP

2016-2018 3.29 ERA and 3.39 FIP

[MMMordabito]

I would be pleased if the Twins signed Avila.  He'd be a solid option to team with Garver. Clippard would be a solid veteran add, if it was a one year deal.  He might get two from someone else though. Rich Hill is interesting. His performance when available is still good, but you have to have a plan that assumes he won't be making 30 starts. The Twins just may have that with the lightly experienced group currently penciled into those last three rotation positions.

 

I'd pass on the rest of the list.

 

I don't understand all the replies mentioning players not listed in the article.  The OP was clearly looking for opinions on the listed players.

[jmlease1]

Avila would be nice if Castro isn't returning.

 

Rich Hill is fine as a 5th starter on the cheap if you've already signed a Wheeler or Ryu and added someone else via trade or signing for the 4th spot, but that's where the expectation and contract scope should be on him. pencil him for #5 at a contract where you can cut him if he's injured/cooked, but if he's still got the stuff to get people out you can space him out and keep him fresh.

 

Kendrick...might be interesting if Cron goes, but he's probably going to want more than 1 year and had a big enough season last year that he could get it. Not sure he's worth a multi-year, would probably prefer to ride Cron for a bounceback year.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Sounds like the Mariners could be shopping Omar Narvaez. Falvine should give him some due thought. One of the best sticks at C and bats LH. Defense isn't great but is improving. Narvaez would be a huge upgrade over the available FA's imo.

[darin617]

 

Sounds like the Mariners could be shopping Omar Narvaez. Falvine should give him some due thought. One of the best sticks at C and bats LH. Defense isn't great but is improving. Narvaez would be a huge upgrade over the available FA's imo.

He is a poor defender.

[sweetmusicviola16]

 

He is a poor defender.

A guy who is improving his defense. 

 

Rich Hill, undergoing surgery. Will miss opening day. A flyer sure. But we need to sign better and reliable ahead of him.

[MMMordabito]

More on Hill:

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/rich-hill-has-surgery

[ashbury]

A guy who is improving his defense.

He'll be 28 by Opening Day. I'd be surprised if there are any angles the coaches can try by this point.

[kenbuddha]

 

He'll be 28 by Opening Day. I'd be surprised if there are any angles the coaches can try by this point.

Mitch Garver will be 29 by Opening Day. He seems to have found some new angles this past season by working with a new coaching staff. Unfortunately, the catching coach was hired away, but the philosophy is still around, so one never knows what a 28 year picks up.