Do Any of the Top Free Agents Fit in Minnesota?

[Cody Christie]

Last winter, the Twins surprised the baseball world by signing one of the best free agents on the market. Do any of this year’s top free agents fit in Minnesota?

 

Even with the Twins in the midst of a division race, it’s never too early to look ahead at plans for this winter. Minnesota’s starting rotation will have plenty of options for the start of 2023, but there are other holes to fill in the roster. Here are the top pending free agents and how they may or may not fit with the Twins. 

Aaron Judge, OF
Judge bet on himself this spring and that bet is paying off. New York offered him a contract north of $215 million but he will make significantly more than that based on his monster 2022 season. He’s the likely front runner for the AL MVP and the Yankees are dominating one of baseball’s best divisions. Back in June, ESPN’s Buster Olney named the Twins as a potential landing spot for Judge. The team has the payroll flexibility to make a deal work, but the Twins also have quite a few options in the outfield. Judge likely gets a contract he is looking for from one of the big market teams. 

Trea Turner, SS
Turner may be a sneaky fit for the Twins if the market plays out in their favor. Judge may be the top player on the market but Turner has skills on both sides of the ball that front offices covet. For the second consecutive offseason, the free agent shortstop class is considered strong. Turner is slightly older than Carlos Correa (see below) so a seven or eight-year deal will lock him up through his late 30s. As he ages, he will need to shift to a different defensive position, but he is currently one of the game’s best overall players. 

Nolan Arenado, 3B
Like Judge, Arenado is in the midst of his best big-league season in a contract year. Arenado is under contract through 2027, but he can opt out of the remaining $144 million he is due after this season. He compares similarly to Anthony Rendon who signed a seven-year, $245 million contract entering the 2020 season. Arenado is in his age-31 season, so he is older than the other players on this list. Even with his age, he is considered one of the game’s premier defensive players, but the bulk of a long-term contract will be outside the prime of his career. For the Twins, Arenado may be slightly cheaper than the other players on this list. 

Carlos Correa, SS
If Correa stays healthy, it is expected that he will opt out of his contract at the season’s end. Correa slumped to start the 2022 season and has struggled over the last couple of months. He is still having an overall good year, but the Twins and Correa were both expecting more during the 2022 campaign. His defensive numbers have declined this season, but there may be some reasons for his decline (see below). Even with his slump, Correa is younger than all of the players on this list which has a chance to result in a 10-year contract that takes him through his age-37 season. It would be out of character for the Twins front office to sign him to this kind of contract, but his first deal with the club was also uncharacteristic. 

Do you think any of these pending free agents are a good fit for the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

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[mickster]

I have hopes that Correa opts in to prove his "down" year was just that.   Judge is a dream, as it would allow the Twins to deal Kepler for more pitching.   Realistically, I am not sure if any of them sign -but then if you would have told me we would sign Correa last winter I might still be laughing, so anything is possible.    We will need a C though as well.    Sano we all know is gone, but Kepler, Palacios and Gordon - along with one top pitching prospect will need to be used to secure some arms and maybe a 1B with Kiriloff being a question mark now

 

[Mark G]

It seems that our best young players and prospects are SS, 3B, and OF.  See above free agents.  Do you see any catchers, first basemen, or pitchers?  Seems to me that those positions are what we should be looking for; any of those out there that look good?  

[Battle ur tail off]

I want no part of any of them other than if Correa decides to come back. Or I guess if any of the rest of that bunch would be willing to accept the same type of deal. High AAV, but short terms years, then yes any of them.(won't happen)

Huge, long term contracts to guys already in their 30s never work out. Stay away. 

[bean5302]

Nope.
Judge is will stay in NY.
Turner will stay in LA.
Arenado is on pace to win the NL MVP this year and he's not in the Twins' budget or their needs.
Correa will be out of the Twins' budget.
 

[USAFChief]

The only way any of these players are with the Twins next year is if Correa opts in.

And that's unlikely. At best.  Not impossible,  but unlikely. 

[TwinsDr2021]

"The team has the payroll flexibility to make a deal work, but the Twins also have quite a few options in the outfield."

Are you talking about the sames one from the last two years? Because I would say the Twins have very few options for outfield and that is why Gordon, Cave, Beckman, Garlick and Celestino have played so much.

Would take any of these guys with a short contract and big money, maybe two would sign 3 year 110 million, probably not but we can dream.

 

[Mike Sixel]

How is Contreras not on this list? I'd be very happy if they signed him, and I'm a Jeffers fan. 

[MTV]

This’ll be another interesting offseason. The Twin’s needs aren’t as monumental as last year, but they still exist. If Correa opts out they’ll need an SS, they need a long-term catcher, and this team is still without a true Ace in a market about to be full of Ace-Caliber starters, but lacks the roster space to hold any new starters. 

[Shaitan]

I'd take any of them...on another 1-year deal.

[Trov]

26 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

The only way any of these players are with the Twins next year is if Correa opts in.

And that's unlikely. At best.  Not impossible,  but unlikely. 

For most part I would agree, but I am sure if we were asked last year if we would sign Correa to a deal everyone would say no way no how.  Yes, last year was an interesting off-season that most likely led to the deal, but Correa was not given the contract he wanted, so he signed the "pillow deal".  Judge turned down big deal to bet on himself, but will people pay what he is asking?  I do not believe any will be signed by Twins, but we did shock everyone with the Correa deal. 

[cHawk]

Aaron Judge will not leave the Yankees. No way in hell. Both him & Trea Turner will be too expensive.

I hope Correa opts in to the 2023 option, no matter how likely or unlikely they may be.

[gman]

I'm doubtful on any of them signing here

[USAFChief]

27 minutes ago, Trov said:

For most part I would agree, but I am sure if we were asked last year if we would sign Correa to a deal everyone would say no way no how.  Yes, last year was an interesting off-season that most likely led to the deal, but Correa was not given the contract he wanted, so he signed the "pillow deal".  Judge turned down big deal to bet on himself, but will people pay what he is asking?  I do not believe any will be signed by Twins, but we did shock everyone with the Correa deal. 

Well anything's possible. 

Except Judge or Turner signing with the Twins.

[Dman]

I think they go with what they have on the hitting side.  I could see them going after Contreras but other than they have enough hitters\position players at the MLB L level and in the system, they need better pitching though.  So if I were them I would go low years high AAV on difference making pitching.  I think that is what they need the most.

[Whitey333]

I don't think any of those mentioned will sign with the Twins.  Good riddance Correa!!  If this is what you get for 35million then split it up and get some pitching.  We've needed it for several years and we still do.

[TwinsDr2021]

22 minutes ago, Dman said:

I think they go with what they have on the hitting side.  I could see them going after Contreras but other than they have enough hitters\position players at the MLB L level and in the system, they need better pitching though.  So if I were them I would go low years high AAV on difference making pitching.  I think that is what they need the most.

 

5 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

I don't think any of those mentioned will sign with the Twins.  Good riddance Correa!!  If this is what you get for 35million then split it up and get some pitching.  We've needed it for several years and we still do.

What pitchers are you thinking?

[Dman]

6 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

 

What pitchers are you thinking?

Maybe DeGrom, Verlander, or Rodon if he opts out.   There are other guys but I think they might might mid rotation or lower Like Bassit, Manea, Eovaldi.

[roger]

No, no, no and no.

What the Twins need this offseason is one or two really good short relievers, preferably two.  If Correa opts out, as expected, go with Palacios until Lewis is ready then play whichever of the two plays best.

Everything else can be filled by internal candidates, including the starting rotation.  What they need to do with their money this offseason is to extend several of their current players....beginning with Arraez, Mahle, Gray and Fulmer.  Maybe sign whomever finishes the season best, Bundy or Archer, to a one year deal.

[farmerguychris]

I'd be ok if Carlos stays to be our SS for 1 more year while Lewis continues to heal.  Other than that I want pitching and would love to see Judge go to the NL for someone like the Mets just to drive Yankee fans crazy.

[Doctor Gast]

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

It seems that our best young players and prospects are SS, 3B, and OF.  See above free agents.  Do you see any catchers, first basemen, or pitchers?  Seems to me that those positions are what we should be looking for; any of those out there that look good?  

Good point Mark, we should be in the market for a catcher. Contreras comes to mind as far as FA is concerned. But I'm afraid that FO is sold on Jeffers.

I don't think Falvey will actively pursue Correa but he'll portray that he's interested. If Correa can't find any desireable suitors, IMO they'll agree to another short term deal or if they are both serious they could go longer.

But right now my concerns are the here & now,

[bean5302]

The only Contreras the Twins are going to sign is playing in AAA for the Saints right now.

[Reptevia]

Correa would be a fool to not opt back in with the Twins. No way he gets $35M anywhere else. A 7-10 year deal probably isn’t in the cards either. Gordon, Palacios and Kepler for top of rotation arms?  You couldn’t get one for all three. Gordon has a short period of offensive competence. Kepler has become a defensive specialist and Palacios hasn’t proven anything. 

[MABB1959]

1 hour ago, Reptevia said:

Kepler has become a defensive specialist

I don't think anyone would pick him up if we just let him go.  Did Duffey get picked up yet?   Right field?  Isn't that usually for good hitters and okay defense?  

[IndianaTwin]

20 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

I don't think anyone would pick him up if we just let him go.  Did Duffey get picked up yet?   Right field?  Isn't that usually for good hitters and okay defense?  

Duffey signed with the Rangers. 

[bean5302]

 

29 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Duffey signed with the Rangers. 

Good on him, though it's a minor league deal. So long as Duffey performs in their AAA club for a few games, he'll get called up quick.

[RpR]

1 hour ago, MABB1959 said:

I don't think anyone would pick him up if we just let him go.  Did Duffey get picked up yet?   Right field?  Isn't that usually for good hitters and okay defense?  

Only a mediocre team is happy with mediocrity.

[umterp23]

Needs:

Starting Rotation (2) guys.  4 inning Archer doesn't help and Bundy just isn't worth the money he would get.  

Relief Pitchers (2) guys. Do we have AAA guys that fit that bill or make a splash with a FA? Don't know.

Correa should opt back in for year 2 of his (3) one year deals.  Hitting less than .270 with multiple days off this year won't get him a big payday. He bet on himself but Judge bet and will win, Correa not so much

Catcher paired with Jeffers is a help. I don't think they spend big money on Contreras though

 

[h2oface]

There were several reasons Correa was not signed until he was last year, and that most teams didn't want him at his price. I don't want him either. There will be several shortstops on the market again, and Trea Turner is one of them, but not for the Twins. Correa is not performing at anywhere close to his salary this year. Maybe not even half of it. If Correa is not coming back, they should play him everyday. Why rest the guy that is leaving, anyway? Plus, he is highly motivated to perform better so when he opts out he can get other teams to ignore his cheating track reacord and sign him long term face of the franchise that he wants. Can a "clubhouse leader" really be the guy that was one of the top cheaters and least reticent about it? Correa could change that and make his decision early to not opt out for 2023 (still could for 2024), but he won't. So quit treating him like value for the future, and use him up!

I hope they go for pitching. And Verlander will be opting out. I would have much rather have had Verlander with Correa's current contract than Correa of 2022. Verlander is one of the only ones that will be looking for a shorter term contract. High dollar, short term. Kershaw too, but he will stay with Dodgers if he continues. Kershaw should do the Clemons, and start gearing up in June, and play July Aug Sept and postseason, and save his back and go shorter seasons but not miss the postseason.

It would be really ironic if Trea Turner signed elsewhere, and the Dodgers signed Correa! If it wasn't telling how the Twins fans had short memories from the booing last year to the fawning now, it would really be interesting to see how memories changed and how hypocritical Dodger fans might be.

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, Dman said:

Maybe DeGrom, Verlander, or Rodon if he opts out.   There are other guys but I think they might might mid rotation or lower Like Bassit, Manea, Eovaldi.

Rodon is definitely opting opt.  He has had a good year.  No way he sits on one remaining year when he can sign a lucrative long-term deal.