The Latest on the Minnesota Twins Free Agency Rumors

[Cody Pirkl]

With high-end, free agent options dwindling and the Twins nowhere near their 2022 payroll, it’s unclear what kinds of additions may be on the horizon, but the offseason is far from over. Let’s check in on what we’ve heard of late.

Image courtesy of Twins Daily

Free agency options for the Minnesota Twins have dwindled over the past three weeks as every high-profile position player and starting pitcher has left the free agent board, often at shockingly high prices. However, even though all of the high-profile arms are gone, decent options remain in free agency this offseason. We're going to run through some of the remaining names.

Nathan Eovaldi
Hands down the best-remaining starting pitcher on the free agent market, Eovaldi has built a surprisingly low amount of steam on the rumor mill. Despite a five-man rotation already being penciled in, the Minnesota Twins still appear to be a potential suitor. Eovaldi's medicals may scare some teams away from the long-time Red Sox starter, who will play his age-33 season in 2023.

Despite a down season, Eovaldi would make an excellent addition to the rotation as a potential #2 starter if he can stay on the field. Health, of course, is a big question for the Twins, who were burned tremendously by pitching injuries in 2022. Also, the Qualifying Offer attached to Eovaldi means it would cost the Twins a draft pick if they sign him. Is it a gamble they’ll see as worthwhile on a pitcher who would likely become a top 5 contract given out in Twins free agent history?

Regarding the remaining pool of free-agent starting pitchers, there hasn’t been much smoke in the Twins. Likely, they aren't as interested in signing depth pieces for the rotation as they have been in recent years, given the current 1-5 and the depth of arms in the high minor leagues.

Brandon Drury
Also noted by local reporter Darren Wolfson is an increase in interest among free agent Brandon Drury, who had a career season in 2022.

Drury’s market was slow for the past month but may be building in recent days. A third baseman primarily, Drury has played a bit of corner outfield, and the Twins would undoubtedly benefit from another right-handed bat with some thump. Drury’s 123 wRC+ would have ranked 5th in 2022 behind Luis Arraez, and his 28 homers would have tied Byron Buxton for the lead. He may not slot in at a particular position every day, but his bat would be a welcome addition.

AJ Pollock
After the more prominent names signed with other teams, Pollock has recently been linked to the Twins. With an already full outfield that will likely lead to a trade, the Twins appear to be searching for another right-handed bat capable of holding down an outfield spot.

For a good reason, Pollock has not been mentioned much so far this winter. At 34, he had what can only be described as a lost season as he posted his first below-league-average batting line since 2016 and battled injuries throughout. It’s not exciting, but it’s one of the few options the Twins have left to add a right-handed outfielder. Even last season, Pollock was 61% above league average against left-handed pitching. With Gallo, Gordon, Larnach, Kirilloff, Kepler (at this point), etc., the Twins could set themselves up with platoons in both corner spots to try to make up for the offense lost in the departure of Carlos Correa.

Craig Kimbrel & Zach Britton
Finally, on the free agent reliever side, the market has been quiet since big names such as Kenley Jansen and David Robertson have signed. Many potentially impactful options remain, though many come with their fair share of question marks. Could the Twins meaningfully dip their toes in the free agent relief market despite their history of reluctance to do so? They certainly have the payroll space.

Household names such as Kimbrel could make sense, as although he had a down year by his standards in 2022, the Twins could take a gamble with multiple arms, such as Jorge Alcala, being question marks. Adding Kimbrel in a position where he doesn’t have to close or even set up on day one could offer the Twins some insurance if one of their high-leverage arms misses time or struggles. The same goes for lefty Zach Britton who’s coming off an injury but has long been a reliable back-end reliever. There hasn’t been much development in the market either. They could also turn their eyes to Matt Moore, who had a resurgent season in Texas, posting a sub-2.00 ERA in 74 innings. It’s likely with this tier of reliever that, we won’t hear much momentum on deals until they’re just about wrapped up.

The Minnesota Twins trade market is likely to get rolling soon, though, for a team that rarely leaks information, we’re left with little more speculation on what it could entail. Still, with about $24m to spend to get to the 2022 level of payroll, we will likely see this gap closed across the next few weeks through free agency. Even though it won’t be spent on Carlos Correa or a similar level player, it should be fascinating to see what the rest of the winter has in store for Twins fans.

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[sweetmusicviola16]

No to Eovoldi. Not worth the QO pick loss. The price is steep. Not to mention he's hardly ever remained healthy. 

I'd like to see them look closely at Zach Greinke. Easy pass for me on Pollock. Drury? Sure if they were to trade Arraez. Hope that doesn't happen.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I hope the Twins spend the $24,000,000 on signing the best FA relievers who are available. There's not much left in position players of SP which I would want to be playing ahead of what the Twins currently have or will have when Lewis returns. 

[tony&rodney]

Matt Moore is worth a small contract.

[jmlease1]

I think the FO has been fairly clear in their disinclination to spend significant money on relievers...which TBH I tend to agree with. Outside of the best of the best, relievers get pretty fungible and you're frequently better off developing them out of failed starters and internally in your system than spending big money to get an "impact bullpen". So I'm not expecting that to be where money goes.

not excited about Drury. I think this piece understates what a career year this was for him: last season was really the first time he was both healthy and good for a full season. he doesn't have particularly significant splits in his career to show that he's a guy who mashes lefties. Do we really want to make Minneapolis even more Cincinnati?

Eovaldi is interesting: he's clearly got talent if healthy, but there's major medical risk. 

Pollock is interesting, but I get the reluctance of people to get a veteran looking to bounce back after a bad year. But as a platoon bat, he might be a good RH fit who could still play in the corners? Anyone thinking that he can still play CF will be sorely disappointed, though. they'd definitely need to shuffle some things around if they add both him and Gallo.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

20 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

No to Eovoldi. Not worth the QO pick loss. The price is steep. Not to mention he's hardly ever remained healthy. 

I'd like to see them look closely at Zach Greinke. Easy pass for me on Pollock. Drury? Sure if they were to trade Arraez. Hope that doesn't happen.

Greinke?  Did you watch him pitch this past season?  He is basically Dylan Bundy at this point in his career.  Maybe worse.

[Rik19753]

6 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I think the FO has been fairly clear in their disinclination to spend significant money on relievers...which TBH I tend to agree with. Outside of the best of the best, relievers get pretty fungible and you're frequently better off developing them out of failed starters and internally in your system than spending big money to get an "impact bullpen". So I'm not expecting that to be where money goes.

While that is certainly true, this year could be an exception. Since it is already very slim pickings at this point, I think the FO would dish out a lot of money to any worthwhile player if it is on a 1 year contract, like they did with Gallo. 

Guys like Eovaldi and Drury are unlikely to take 1 year deals even if you give them a lot of money, but I think 1 year, high AAV deals are just what relievers like Kimbrel and Britton are looking for.

[DJL44]

23 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I hope the Twins spend the $24,000,000 on signing the best FA relievers who are available. There's not much left in position players of SP which I would want to be playing ahead of what the Twins currently have or will have when Lewis returns. 

I don't think they have enough roster space to add $24M worth of relief pitchers to the payroll. That would be nearly a whole new bullpen.

[CRF]

No...on Eovaldi, Pollock, KImbrel, and Britton. Big no, on Grienke. I like Drury, but I doubt they go after him.  

[Brandon27]

They are better off making trades then signing someone 

[DJL44]

The Twins could use 2 more relief pitchers. They will have 2 spots on the roster open up when spring training starts - Paddack and Canterino. That means they will need to sign the pitchers to "minor league" deals that pay very well if they pitcher is added to the MLB roster. They shouldn't limit their search to pitchers who worked out of the bullpen last year. There are some 5th starters available who might do well if you put them into the bullpen.

Here is an article that ranks the pitchers by their statcast stuff. Adam Ottavino is one of the better ones - he's playing in the WBC. Matt Moore and Aroldis Chapman also get mentioned.

Here's another article showing what might be available on a minor league deal. Carlos Estevez and Chris Martin get mentioned there.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I'd love Eovaldi, and I'd also love a go at Pablo Lopez. I think IF they can bring in both guys, then moving Gray makes more sense. We'll see. 

[DJL44]

There is one more member of the 2020 Reds who is an ace pitcher and very available. I don't think the Twins should be interested in Trevor Bauer but he's very obtainable.

[Doctor Gast]

Big no to all of them, Drury maybe if could play SS but he can't. Pick up Nelly Cruz as our RH bat. We need his leadership. 

[Nashvilletwin]

Dumpster diving.   Zzzzzzzzz…

 

[mikelink45]

I suggest we trade Gallo for a RP!  Or almost anything.  The bottom of the barrel should not be exciting.  

[Florida Flash]

12 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I suggest we trade Gallo for a RP!  Or almost anything.  The bottom of the barrel should not be exciting.  

I doubt anyone would want to pick up that $11M contract based on his recent productivity.

[Reptevia]

I suspect they will go after quantity rather than quality. 

[Fire Dan Gladden]

I have been wondering about Trevor Bauer lately... I wonder how players look at him and what the behind-the-scenes POV is as well.

 

[Kipp35]

Still have to love articles and rumors about Twins players using "if". "IF" Buxton can stay healthy, he'll be an MVP. "IF" Eovaldi can stay healthy, he'd be a #2 starter. "IF" we could have signed Correa...

I'd like to add a new one; "IF" we had a capable front office, then we wouldn't need to stop everything in the offseason to pursue ONE person, and let ALL others sign elsewhere. Seems other teams have no issues in working on several FA's at a time.

[Minderbinder]

I second this is "dumpster diving."  Let's just face facts.  The Twins will roll with what they have, which is actually not bad, hope for development and health for Kiriloff, et al.  If hope doesn't work out, then they'll be sellers at next summer's deadline, including Gray and Maeta.

I'm one of those who is willing to roll with Farmer and Gordon at SS until Lewis is ready.  Why they spent money on Gallo is anyone's guess, but they have enough OFs and have plugged the hole at C.  If they can solidify the bullpen and steady the starting five, then they might surprise in 2023. 

[High heat]

I wonder what both Kimbrel and Britton would cost.  
 

Maybe you get both to have bounce back years and suddenly you have a great back end of the bullpen.  I know it’s drawing at straws at this point. 
 

The Twins have a lot of middle rotation “options” if you had a good back of the bullpen to go with that you could have a successful season and see that as the only option remaining to put together a good year.  

[DocBauer]

I like Eovaldi, but health risk and reward when he's healthy vs cost scares me. I think I might be put.

Drury is intriguing, but 2022 was his first good/full season since 2017. I think Pollock made a huge mistake opting out of his deal, but a like him as a reserve/platoon RH bat. I don't believe he's going to cost much. But I think Myers or Mancini might be better choices. Go grab one of them!

Please, no more trial and error with Pagan. Bring in someone to replace him. And while I think Alcala has a chance to be a difference maker, why not TWO RP so that our biggest problem is a roster crunch vs trying to flesh out said roster. 

Lastly, I'm really thinking someone like Iglesias for SS might be smart. Nothing special, to be sure, but experienced and solid and it allows Farmer to be a super utility instead of locking in to one position.

[nicksaviking]

If they want one of those name brand relievers, fine. They can underwhelm just as well as non-name brand relievers I guess.

Hard pass on all the others. Just because we've heard of these guys, doesn't mean they're good. Brandon Drury has been either hurt or awful since 2017. You're going to give a multi year deal to a 30-year-old after ONE bounce back season? Get out of here, we've all seen how this con plays out. And QO or not, we should all read the warning label on 33-year-old pitchers who lost a MPH on their fastballs the year prior. Even if that doesn't scare anyone, how about we stay away from groundball pitchers in the season where the shift is being banned. 

With that last sentence still in my head, the trade rumors regarding Sonny Gray make a bit more sense.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I don't think they have enough roster space to add $24M worth of relief pitchers to the payroll. That would be nearly a whole new bullpen.

Exactly, minus 1 or 2. :) Just kidding. 

[jmlease1]

55 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I like Eovaldi, but health risk and reward when he's healthy vs cost scares me. I think I might be put.

Drury is intriguing, but 2022 was his first good/full season since 2017. I think Pollock made a huge mistake opting out of his deal, but a like him as a reserve/platoon RH bat. I don't believe he's going to cost much. But I think Myers or Mancini might be better choices. Go grab one of them!

Please, no more trial and error with Pagan. Bring in someone to replace him. And while I think Alcala has a chance to be a difference maker, why not TWO RP so that our biggest problem is a roster crunch vs trying to flesh out said roster. 

Lastly, I'm really thinking someone like Iglesias for SS might be smart. Nothing special, to be sure, but experienced and solid and it allows Farmer to be a super utility instead of locking in to one position.

100% agree on Myers. I thought he was a good fit and upgrade from garlick at the start of the offseason.

[tony&rodney]

3 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

I have been wondering about Trevor Bauer lately... I wonder how players look at him and what the behind-the-scenes POV is as well.

 

He is done.

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, cheeseheadgophfan said:

Greinke?  Did you watch him pitch this past season?  He is basically Dylan Bundy at this point in his career.  Maybe worse.

How about a Maybe to Eovaldi at 33? Have the budget. If things go south, or, if for some reason we have an abundance of starting pitching come the All-star break, we can make trades then. Want to be in a position of possibilities then & not desperation.

Why is the QO draft pick such a sensitive issue? Are we drafting the next Rod Carew with that pick?

Wacha is a wildcard. Sorry, Grienke at 39 is Dylan Bundy. Maybe another couple starters worth low balling - doesn’t bode well for any solution though.

$$ on relievers is respectable move - Thielbar isn’t a lock & getting no younger. Like Fulmer’s consistency & familiarity! Britton may be a comeback guy that’s worth risk. Matt Moore is 42, I think….doesn’t sound good!

Nelson Cruz for $4-5M or as I’ve suggested, Evan Longoria for similar DH money……..Possible 20 games at 3rd base?

[JD-TWINS]

6 hours ago, Brandon27 said:

They are better off making trades then signing someone 

What’s the logic here? Curious!

We are concerned about losing young talent and QO draft pick but when we have budget to spend, don’t want to spend  $$ on available talent, with no strings. ???

 

[CRF]

Drury to the halos for 2 yrs $17 mil. We ain't gettin him.