Pending Free Agents to Keep an Eye on the Rest of the Postseason

[Matthew Taylor]

Although the Minnesota Twins have been eliminated from the 2020 MLB playoffs, there are still many reasons to continue watching October baseball. One reason being that there are many impending free agents playing, who the Twins could pursue this offseason.Starting Pitchers:

With Kenta Maeda, José Berríos, and Michael Pineda due back for the Minnesota Twins in 2020, the Twins’ starting pitching situation is in a lot better shape than it was at this time last season. The Twins have a decision to make on pursuing Jake Odorizzi and have guys in the system (Dobnak, Duran) who will surely be a part of the 2021 rotation, but if 2020 showed us anything it’s how valuable starting pitching depth is. The Twins will definitely need to dip into free agency at the starting pitcher position for a back-end starter or two.

 

Mike Minor - Oakland Athletics

Coming off of an excellent 2019 season in which he finished the season 8th in Cy Young voting, Mike Minor struggled from start to finish in the 2020 season. Although he saw an uptick in strikeout numbers in 2020, he struggled with his command for much of the season on his way to a 5.56 ERA. At just 32 years old, there’s reason to believe that Minor could still turn back to his old self. Over 588 innings from 2014-2019, Minor owned a 3.90 ERA and 117 ERA+.

 

Mike Fiers - Oakland Athletics

While he is mostly known for being the whistleblower in the Houston Astros cheating scandal, Mike Fiers is also a quality pitcher in his own right. Since 2018, Fiers owns a 3.85 ERA and 112 ERA+. At 35 years old, Fiers isn’t likely to garner a huge contract and could be a back of the rotation free agent signing for the Minnesota Twins this offseason.

 

Garrett Richards - San Diego Padres

Garrett Richards has struggled with injuries for a large portion of his career, but when he’s healthy, he has proven himself to be a really good starting pitcher. Richards owns a career ERA of just 3.62 and is still just 32 years old. The injury history of Richards is certainly a concern (hasn’t pitched 150 innings in a season since 2015), but could also mean a steep discount for a really good MLB pitcher.

 

Relief Pitchers:

As with starting pitching, depth in the bullpen will be huge for the Minnesota Twins next season. Currently, the Twins will have a decision to make on Sergio Romo ($5M team option for next season), as well as Trevor May and Tyler Clippard entering free agency. While the Twins may try to retain all three of these pitchers, the Twins could still use a top-end relief pitcher that they trust in big spots of big games. The Twins bullpen has been burned in big spots in each of the past two bullpens, but this year’s crop of relief pitchers touts some big time names the Twins could acquire.

 

Liam Hendriks - Oakland Athletics

A name that Minnesota Twins fans should remember, Liam Hendriks pitched with the Minnesota Twins for three seasons as a starting pitcher, posting a 6.06 ERA and 5.8 K/9 over that time. Over the past two seasons, though, Hendriks has completely reinvented himself and turned himself into arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball. Since the start of 2019, Hendriks leads all MLB relievers with a 1.66 ERA and 5.2 fWAR. Using his upper-90s fastball, Hendriks strikes out an absurd 13.2 batters per 9 innings. Given his ability, he will certainly go for big time money, but Hendriks would be an excellent fit in the Minnesota Twins bullpen and immediately slot in as the high leverage arm with a proven track record in the biggest moments.

 

Blake Treinen - Los Angeles Dodgers

In 2018, Blake Treinen posted one of the greatest seasons out of the bullpen that we have ever seen, putting up a 0.78 ERA over 80 innings with the Oakland Athletics. After a down season in 2019 riddled by injury, Treinen signed a 1 year deal with the Dodgers this season and has gotten back on track, posting a 3.86 ERA with a more favorable FIP of 3.15. Treinen still owns a fastball in the upper-90s, though his strikeout numbers have dipped in consecutive seasons. Treinen will go for less money than Hendriks but still has the upside to be a big-time contributor for the Minnesota Twins.

 

Trevor Rosenthal - San Diego Padres

An incredible comeback story, Trevor Rosenthal rebounded from Tommy John surgery in 2018 and a 13.50 ERA in 2019 to become one of the more lethal relief pitchers in baseball in 2020. Between his time in Kansas City and San Diego this season, Rosenthal combined for a 1.90 ERA and a 14.5 (!!!) K/9 in 23.2 innings in 2020. Rosenthal can hit triple digits with his fastball, and at the ripe age of 30-years old, is a good bet to continue his dominance into next season and beyond if the Minnesota Twins decide to pursue him in free agency.

 

Position Players:

Barring a major trade of a key player, the Minnesota Twins starting lineup is pretty much set for 2021 with their returning players or their farm system (hello, Alex Kirilloff!). Where they have a major need to fill, though, will be in a utility role with Marwin Gonzalez and Ehrie Adrianza both impending free agents and the Twins unlikely to re-sign both. The Twins will need a utility man who can play all over the infield to fill in for injuries that will pop up to oft-injured Josh Donaldson and Miguel Sanó, with a bonus for shortstop ability.

 

Tommy La Stella - Oakland Athletics

Tommy LaStella has been an adept-hitting utility man in this league for a long time and is putting up the most productive season of his career in 2020. La Stella has put up back-to-back seasons with an .800+ OPS and at just 31 years old, could warrant a multi-year contract at an affordable rate. La Stella plays solid defense at first, second and third base, though does not possess the chops to play shortstop. The other strike against La Stella is that he is a left handed bat, where the Twins struggled to hit left handers all season in 2020.

 

Kiké Hernández - Los Angeles Dodgers

A name that baseball fans have gotten to know over the past handful of seasons thanks to his constant postseason presence, Hernández is an impending free agent who could certainly bring postseason experience to the Minnesota Twins. Hernández can literally play all over the diamond, including the shortstop position with an average right handed bat. Over the past three seasons Hernández owns a .749 OPS, as well as a .750 OPS in the postseason.

 

Jurickson Profar - San Diego Padres

Profar was a top prospect prior to making it to the Majors, but he struggled initially after arriving. Profar has made strides at the plate over the past few seasons, though, posting a .755 OPS over his past three seasons as a switch hitter. Profar mostly plays corner outfield and second base, but has prior experience playing third base and shortstop. Profar’s glove isn’t exactly elite, but at just 27 years old he has a lot of room to improve in his all-around game and could become an asset for the Minnesota Twins off the bench, should the Twins decide to pursue him this offseason.

 

Which of the above players do you think the Minnesota Twins should pursue this offseason? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

 

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[JW24]

Of all the names listed above, the only one I would be interested in is Treinen, assuming that Trevor May goes elsewhere.

 

I think the cost required to acquire the starting pitchers would be greater than their potential value to the Twins, and the same goes for both Hendricks and Rosenthal (possibly).

 

At the right price, there is not a bad signing in the group above. But the right price to the Twins will likely be below what each of them sign for elsewhere.

[mikelink45]

That is one of the least inspiring lists of free agents I have seen in years.  Only Liam and Treinen and Rosenthal interest me. 

[DocBauer]

The jist of the article is very accurate, but remains limited in scope as these options are only some of what may/will be available. Further, there are trade possibilities as well.

 

The Twins DO NEED to add a couple of SP. Re-stating what I have expressed previously, a healthy Odorizzi is probably the easiest and smartest play to make. Does the FO have another Odorizzi or even Maeda trade target in mind? Great! But Oddo back just makes so much sense for both sides. But they will need another back of the rotation arm to compete with Dobnak and help hold the fort until Duran is ready. (And others).

 

Maybe I'm forgetful or being naive, but it seems to me any sort of closer option is developed, not signed. And I can't honestly remember the last closer that was traded for. I think about the closers that the Twins have had going back decades now, and they came from within, or were acquired via trade like Aguillera, (though he was a solid SP at the time) or Nathan, similar to Pressly, acquired as a set-up man turned to a closer.

 

Despite depth and prospect arms, trade or FA, I think the Twins need to add another experienced arm. But I don't see a guaranteed closer type waltzing through the door. It comes down to the right arm to help, or maybe ready for the next step forward.

 

They also need a versatile utility player who has a decent bat to help across the infield, especially should Donaldson have any flare ups. There are a couple guys here that are intriguing to me. And I don't know that I'm overly concerned if they hit RH or LH.

 

I could easily add a veteran 4th OF who can play a solid CF and be able to contribute offensively.

 

TOTALLY appreciate the intent of the OP, and some of these guys could be options and shouldn't be dismissed as such. But the need for such players, so early in the process, is probably more the point and not necessarily THESE options.

[Det95Twins]

I think the biggest off season needs will be SPs and a veteran utility player. I’d bring up Gordon to replace Adrianza, whose defense was not as good as advertised, and let Gonzalez go. I’d keep Hill and push hard for Bauer.

[Trov]

I have a feeling there is going to a bit more non-tender FA options out there.  The third year arbitration guys that will not warrant the high raise, but still worth a flier at less of a cost.  This years FA will be very crazy I think, with not only COVID questions about butts in seats, and pending work stoppage. 

 

Overall, none of the starters impress me much mentioned, but if you can get one cheap for depth that is always worth something.  See how much depth we needed this year.  In terms of pen, I would never give long term big money deals to them, they are volatile and hard to predict from year to year how they will do.   Position players I think too many internal options. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

That is one of the least inspiring lists of free agents I have seen in years.  Only Liam and Treinen and Rosenthal interest me. 

To be fair, these are only the pending free agents still playing on the final 8 teams that might interest the Twins (according to this writer).

 

Additional free agents this winter include Trevor Bauer, George Springer, DJ LeMahieu, Michael Brantley, and Marcell Ozuna. (And Nelson Cruz, of course.) A second tier could include Odorizzi, Andrelton Simmons, Jose Quintana, Marcus Stroman.

[Matthew Taylor]

 

To be fair, these are only the pending free agents still playing on the final 8 teams that might interest the Twins (according to this writer).

 

Additional free agents this winter include Trevor Bauer, George Springer, DJ LeMahieu, Michael Brantley, and Marcell Ozuna. (And Nelson Cruz, of course.) A second tier could include Odorizzi, Andrelton Simmons, Jose Quintana, Marcus Stroman.

 

This is a great point, Spycake! Thanks for clarifying!

[Doctor Gast]

I`d love if we could obtain Trevor Bauer but after a great 2020, I doubt we can afford him. I`d keep Hill but hope to use him like I suggested all along in relief & spot start. He could turn out as a viable closer

[bighat]

 

That is one of the least inspiring lists of free agents I have seen in years.  Only Liam and Treinen and Rosenthal interest me. 

Yep. And I'm not even sure the names you listed are particularly desirable. Yeesh.