Handbook Preview: The Big Bats of Free Agency

The Minnesota Twins' stark aversion to handing out large contracts has historically been limited to the pitching side. 

From Kirby Puckett to Joe Mauer, Josh Donaldson, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, the Twins have shown a willingness to shell out big-money deals for everyday players who can make a special impact offensively. 

So this week we turn our attention to difference-making bats on the market.

Image courtesy of Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

There was much vitriol directed at the pitching staff this year, which is understandable because it wasn't very good. At the same time, though, it wasn't expected to be very good. The 2022 club wasn't built around the strength of its pitching, but rather a deep and star-studded lineup, which really failed to click and sustainably produce at any point all year.

Even within the wreckage of the rotation and bullpen, you could find some legitimate sources of promise going forward: Joe Ryan, Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, and Bailey Ober, not to mention a couple impressive late debuts. Such silver linings were harder to find on offense. 

Aside from Carlos Correa and Luis Arraez, there really weren't any resoundingly positive performances to be found. Jorge Polanco was unspectacular and had his most injury-plagued season. Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Ryan Jeffers missed huge chunks of the campaign. So did Byron Buxton, who faded considerably after a brilliant start. Max Kepler was terrible.

While they do have some good upcoming position-player talent, the Twins don't necessarily have any clear high-end hitters in the wings. As such, it's very possible they view an impact veteran bat as the best way to flex their ample spending flexibility, especially since that market figures to be in lower demand than frontline starters and All-Star shortstops – thus potentially allowing their dollars to stretch farther.

We explore many of these possibilities and scenarios in the newest chapter of the Offseason Handbook, "Hunting for a Big Bat," which is now available to download for all Caretakers. In it we profile an assortment of potential targets who could upgrade the heart of the Twins lineup, ranging in splashiness and plausibility from A(aron Judge) to Y(uli Gurriel). 

Hot Stove Season is about to kick into high gear, with the arbitration tender deadline coming up this week and the Winter Meetings fast approaching. Get yourself up to speed by reading all available chapters of the Offseason Handbook! If you're not yet a Twins Daily Caretaker, it's a great time to sign up! (Whispers: due to supply limitations, it might be the only way to get a ticket for the Winter Meltdown ... details coming soon.) 

Otherwise, stay tuned to the site this week as our writers will be highlighting a variety of possibilities on the big bats front.

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