Andrew McCutchen is returning to Pittsburg and joining the Pirates on a one year deal.

 

After getting rid of Garlick, the Twins have an obvious need for a RH OF bat. McCutchen would have fit that bill perfectly. Trey Mancini is another obvious target. 

Any outside of the box trade ideas to fill this need?

 

Not the perfect fit but Christian Walker from the Dbacks would be a nice add. Ryan Mountcastle from the O's would fit the RH 1B/OF need. I don't think either would be easy to get though

We have a RH outfield bat, his name is Buxton.  Also, we have guys that could fill that roll if needed, Lewis for one.  I would not be upset with bringing in someone, but either they need to crush lefties, or at least be competent on defense.  

The RH bat just added (Correa) is pretty good. It would nice to have an additional bench piece that bats right, but no panic is necessary. 

The best FA RH hitting outfielder is Adam Duvall, who was great in '21, injured and ineffective in '22. I would think he is looking for a multi-million dollar contract and full-time duty. I doubt the Twins will spend for that after adding $36M for Correa (and I mostly agree).

The Twins just added a very effective bat against left handed pitching and will have two guys who OPSed over .900 against lefties (Farmer and Jeffers) who weren't around at crunch time last year. 

There are three left handed hitting outfielders in their mid-twenties who could break out and be lineup fixtures no matter who is throwing (Kirilloff, Larnach and Gordon) and in addition the Twins have two right handed hitting prospects (Martin and Lewis) who could be helping the club as outfielders in 2023. I just don't see the need for a veteran right handed hitting outfielder at this point.

All that said, if there is a comparable right hitting corner outfielder to swap for Kepler, it would balance things nicely. Off the top of my head, I don't know of anyone.

12 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

All that said, if there is a comparable right hitting corner outfielder to swap for Kepler, it would balance things nicely. Off the top of my head, I don't know of anyone.

Manuel Margot of the Rays

Jurickson Profar. He's been good in LF for the Padres and has hit pretty well in a pitcher's park. He also has some positional flexibility. 

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

The best FA RH hitting outfielder is Adam Duvall, who was great in '21, injured and ineffective in '22. I would think he is looking for a multi-million dollar contract and full-time duty. I doubt the Twins will spend for that after adding $36M for Correa (and I mostly agree).

The Twins just added a very effective bat against left handed pitching and will have two guys who OPSed over .900 against lefties (Farmer and Jeffers) who weren't around at crunch time last year. 

There are three left handed hitting outfielders in their mid-twenties who could break out and be lineup fixtures no matter who is throwing (Kirilloff, Larnach and Gordon) and in addition the Twins have two right handed hitting prospects (Martin and Lewis) who could be helping the club as outfielders in 2023. I just don't see the need for a veteran right handed hitting outfielder at this point.

All that said, if there is a comparable right hitting corner outfielder to swap for Kepler, it would balance things nicely. Off the top of my head, I don't know of anyone.

This is honestly a great take. I think I am on-board with this thought process. 

Until they start sloughing off some of the existing vets, or trade some of the MLB ready young players, I'd rather just roll with left handed outfielders. I don't want to keep clogging up the roster with questionable veteran bats when there are eager and more talented young guys who are trying to make the team.

Gleeman mentioned that Farmer might get a shot at some reps in LF. If he is at all respectable with the glove there the bat plays. Could be a good option. 

Gotta find somebody to play RF when there’s a left handed starter against us. My assumption is that is a need for 35 games or more. Can’t have Gallo in there, he’s got enough issues with right handers.

Trading for this piece seems unlikely.

Can Martin step in this year? Realize Lewis is a good option for D & Offensive purposes. He’s not available though until mid-July.

Don't the Twins have an opening at DH?  Who am I missing? 

 

LF - Gallo

CF - Buxton

RF - Kepler

3B - Miranda

SS - Correa

2B - Polanco

1B - Arraez

C - Vazquez

 

Is the DH, Nick Gordon? Or whichever of: Gordon/Jeffers/Farmer/Kirilloff/Larnach fits Baldelli's spreadsheet?  I'd be open to an upgrade at DH.  However, I'd rather they upgrade the floor or their rotation first and foremost.

 

Arraez at DH, Kiriloff at 1B on opening day.

2 hours ago, lecroy24fan said:

Arraez at DH, Kiriloff at 1B on opening day.

I hope you're right.  I'm not as optimistic. 

5 hours ago, lecroy24fan said:

Arraez at DH, Kiriloff at 1B on opening day.

Could be Arraez at DH Farmer at 3rd and Miranda at 1B.  Farmer's competitive with the glove and has averaged 15 home runs over the last two seasons.  

3 hours ago, Twodogs said:

Could be Arraez at DH Farmer at 3rd and Miranda at 1B.  Farmer's competitive with the glove and has averaged 15 home runs over the last two seasons.  

Could also be Gordon in the lineup. My thought on Kiriloff is if he's healthy he's in.

Farmer should be in the lineup versus lefties all the time. Perhaps him at third, Miranda at first or DH. I read in another thread that Farmer might also play some outfield for the Twins. If he is acceptable on the grass, the Twins might have enough right handed bats without picking someone else up.