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The deadline for MLB team’s to tender contracts to players is coming up this Friday, November 18. The Twins have as many as two players who could be non-tendered on Friday; Emilio Pagan, and Gio Urshela.
With a lot of focus in Twins Territory with the non-tender deadline on Gio Urshela and if the Twins will keep him or non-tender him, there are still many other names from other teams that could be good or better fits for the team’s needs than those currently on the free agent market.
The only notable name likely to be non-tendered for the Twins' biggest need at shortstop is the man they traded alongside Josh Donaldson to have money available for Carlos Correa. There are still some names to help bolster the Twins' outfield and pitching rotation depth to avoid the troubles seen in 2022.
Here are five players who are likely to be non-tendered on Friday that the Twins Front Office should consider pursuing.
5. Jeff Hoffman
A former top prospect that was a part of the deal that brought Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays, Jeff Hoffman had a decent season in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen posting a 3.83 ERA in 34 relief appearances. Hoffman has seen time in and out of the starting rotation throughout his career but had his first full season as a reliever this year.
Hoffman does not pop out as a top-quality, high-leverage reliever. He is still someone who fits the model of the current front office’s methods of relievers to pick up off the market.
There is potential there for Hoffman to be a strong reliever as he has two breaking balls with a splitter and a slider. The average velocity for his fastball hits 94.5 mph.
If the Twins front office takes their time, as usual, this offseason to sign free agents, Hoffman may be one of those late off-season patches to help the bullpen.
4. Lou Trivino
Trivino had a very bad season in 2022, at least until he was traded from the Oakland A’s to the Yankees. Just how bad was his time in Oakland this year? Trivino had a 6.47 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 39 games.
While the trade to the Yankees didn’t help his teammate Frankie Montas, the trade was certainly worthwhile for Trivino. In 25 games he posted a 1.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 238 ERA+.
Trivino’s season rebound after leaving Oakland could make him a highly-sought reliever if he is non-tendered. The only thing that could keep Trivino from leaving the Yankees is their own belief in him being a boost to their bullpen with the departure of Aroldis Chapman. And given Chapman’s problems with the organization at seasons end, the Yankees will be trying all the relievers they can for the closer role.
3. Brian Anderson
Originally drafted by the Twins out of high school in 2011, Anderson opted to go to college at the University of Arkansas instead. Brian Anderson could be a good right-handed bat to add to the Twins' depth chart in 2023.
Anderson has often split time between third base and right field throughout his career. If the Twins do non-tender Urshela, he would be a valuable backup at that position to Jose Miranda and fill in well as a much-needed right-handed hitter in the outfield.
The biggest concern when it comes to Brian Anderson is his health. Anderson has not played over 100 games since 2019 and in the last two seasons has had significant setbacks with shoulder injuries.
The shoulder injuries have also set back Anderson’s offensive production. He has failed to hit more than 10 home runs in the last two years and averaged a .687 OPS in 647 plate appearances in that course of time.
Maybe a change of scenery could help Anderson on the field as his health improves over that time. The Twins may consider Anderson as a platoon option between third and right field pending the decision on Urshela this Friday.
2. Elieser Hernandez
Elieser Hernandez is an interesting case for the Twins and any team interested in him. The Miami Marlins have touted him on the mound both as a starter and reliever over his five-year career.
This season, Hernandez split his time evenly as a starter and reliever this season. He actually saw more success in the rotation versus the bullpen, but his season ERA came to 6.35 with a 1.42 WHIP and ERA+ of 64.
Hernandez’s time in Miami is likely coming to a close as he has a 5.04 ERA across the five seasons there. He is a reclamation project for any team that picks him up, and when it comes to the Twins, he levels himself in a similar position to Ronny Henriquez or Cole Sands.
These two prospects still have starter potential but are likely shifting into bullpen roles. Hernandez's velocity on his fastball isn’t the highest as it averages out to 91.6 MPH.
Many still see the potential of Hernandez to turn his career around as he turns 28 next May. There is a case to be made for the Twins to go out and sign him to a one-year deal and see what comes out of it.
1. Hunter Renfroe
This right fielder is the complete opposite of Max Kepler over the last two seasons. Renfroe is known for being a power hitter with little defensive value while Kepler is a top defender at his position but has struggled mightily with the bat.
With David Stearns stepping down from the role as the Brewers' President of Baseball Operations, there is heavy speculation the Brewers may tear down their roster. Renfroe hits this list as his salary is estimated at $11.2 million, according to John Bitzer of Baseball Trade Values, and not to mention, the top five Brewers prospects on MLB.com are outfielders.
As the Twins limped their way to the end of the 2022 season with their outfielder, right-handed hitting outfielders were missing altogether with Buxton out and Kyle Garlick struggling mightily. Given a good track record of health and posting a .257/.315/.497 (.812) line in the last two seasons.
Renfroe would be a good one-year pick-up for the Twins outfield while Trevor Larnach, Alex Kirilloff, and Matt Wallner find their footing with good health in the Majors.
All five of these non-tender candidates have something to offer the Twins. Whether they enter the free agent market or not is still up in the air until Friday, but there is a good chance one of them could be in a Twins uniform for 2023.
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