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While focusing in on Carlos Correa in free agency, the Twins have had multiple conversations, made offers, and ultimately looked to pick their spots. That has led to just a few deals, but there is still one player available that could be of benefit to them. Image courtesy of Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports It shouldn’t be crazy to think that the prize of the Minnesota free agent spending spree will be Carlos Correa. Regardless of how he wound up back with the Twins, they stand to benefit massively from his return on a six-year deal. He joins both Joey Gallo and Christian Vazquez as talents paid for during this cycle. Two areas have still gone unaddressed by Derek Falvey and Thad Levine. A need for a pitcher with at least Sonny Gray stuff, and a right-handed bat to help balance the outfield. We have heard plenty regarding trades involving either Luis Arraez or Max Kepler, but at this point, any return would be unknown. Looking at the free agent market, there is still a formidable asset available in the form of Jurickson Profar. A former top prospect, Profar has settled into a utility role that has him largely focused on the outfield. Last season with the San Diego Padres saw him produce a 111 OPS+ and 2.5 fWAR. After making $8 million in 2022, we should have some idea as to where a new deal could come in. He would ultimately be replacing Kyle Garlick as the right-handed platoon option for the Twins, and the threshold of value would need to be something similar to that of Kepler’s. With Adam Duvall, Wil Myers, A.J. Pollock, and Tommy Pham all getting deals just slightly below what Kepler is set to make in 2023, it could also be argued that Profar wouldn’t be worth a massive payday. In theory, Profar could produce 3.0 to 4.0 fWAR over a full season. Admittedly, that would be a high-water mark for him, and his playing time probably won’t be what it was in San Diego. We do know that the Twins offered Andrew McCutchen the same deal that he took from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and they at least had some dialogue with Pollock. Getting more than just a right-handed masher has value as well, and Profar actually has better splits when facing righties anyways. With plenty of money to spend on upgrading the roster, you can bet leaders like Correa and Byron Buxton are still pushing for the front office to add. Profar would represent an addition with upside and help to even the outfield. If they opt to go a different route, they likely need to trade from their major-league surplus, and pushing the needle on either Arraez or Kepler could have challenges in and of themselves. At this point, things should start to get interesting for the Twins' front office. Falvey told the media that he expected the trade market to pick up after the New Year. They hooked the big fish in Correa over two weeks ago. With less than a month until Spring Training, finding a way to finalize deals should be the focus. If there is something we should have learned by now, it’s that this front office is never done seeking ways to improve. As long as the offseason is still going, and even into the action down in Fort Myers, they will continue exploring all avenues. If the Twins are looking for an impact right-handed outfielder in free agency, Jurickson Profar is probably the final option. If not him, then they will need to make a trade and lose talent to gain talent. View full article

The highlight of the last week for the Twins was when Carlos Correa shocked the baseball world and returned to Minnesota on a long-term deal. Everyone involved with the organization has been riding that high, but did they miss a big opportunity as Andrew McCutchen returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates? Image courtesy of David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports First and foremost, it is important to note that it seems as though Andrew McCutchen is looking for a farewell tour. The Pittsburgh Pirates are not good, will not be good, and probably won’t be any better any time soon. That said, McCutchen is among the best clubhouse guys in baseball, and he certainly can make an impact from a veteran leadership standpoint. McCutchen recently turned 36 years old and is going back to the place he was drafted by and called home for the first nine years of his Major League career. He opted to do that despite reports suggesting the Minnesota Twins made the exact same offer, and the Mets were willing to pay him even more (though we do know the Pohlad’s can best Steve Cohen when they want). Knowing that it wasn’t purely a financial decision for the former MVP winner, there is no real reason to wonder what it would have taken for him to wind up in Minnesota. What is understandable to be disappointed about is that his addition to the roster could have made a substantial difference. Over the course of free agency it is clear that Minnesota has engaged with right-handed hitting outfielders to help balance their roster. Currently ripe with left-handed hitters, someone to expand upon the role Kyle Garlick had last year is a must. Someone like Mitch Haniger could have been an option, although much more expensive. A.J. Pollock was a player the Twins had discussions with, and McCutchen is obviously a guy they saw being a fit. Looking at what is left, it is hard not to be at least a little bit disappointed it won’t be the Pirates outfielder. As noted previously, McCutchen would have been a great addition to a clubhouse that really seems to have gelled. Correa already brings back a high level of leadership, and McCutchen would have only added to that alongside Byron Buxton. He also remains very fast down the line, and it is clear his plate approach can be utilized especially when facing southpaws. It would seem odd for the Twins to suddenly cease attempting to find another right-handed option, so we’ll now have to be patient with what emerges. Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall could be a fit, or maybe there is someone on the trade market that Minnesota’s front office likes better. We won’t be able to evaluate if the alternative is better than what McCutchen could’ve brought until we know who it is, but right now it looks too bad that the talented star wanted to head home. View full article

The Twins failed to secure any of the top right-handed bats on the free agent market. Could they look to a former MVP to marginally improve their offense? He may not be the superstar that he once was, but Andrew McCutcheon does something that this front office loves: he raises the floor. Image courtesy of © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports At the onset of the off-season, the Minnesota Twins were in dire need of a big, right-handed bat that could be penciled into the middle of the lineup for the 2023 season and beyond. Carlos Correa was their primary target, but all signs seem to indicate he is landing elsewhere. Not only that, but many of their fallback options to fit that role were signed by other teams in the meantime. While Joey Gallo is a solid, albeit misplaced addition from the left-handed side of the batter’s box, the club could still use a reinforcement on the other side of the plate. Enter Andrew McCutchen. He certainly fits this front office’s pattern of finding veteran hitters whose market isn’t developing as fruitfully as they’d like. But could the former MVP make a positive impact if he were to land with the Twins? His 2022 was rather unexciting, but he is only one year removed from a 27-home run season and has had a great clubhouse reputation throughout his career. Is that enough to make unsatisfied Twins fans forget about Correa? Of course not. But the former star shortstop is all but gone. As Ferris Buehler said: you’re still here? It’s over. Go home. The question isn’t whether McCutchen would be better than Correa. But rather, how much of an improvement would he be over their current fourth-outfielder options such as Gilberto Celestino and Kyle Garlick. These two are currently the only other right-handed outfield options beyond Byron Buxton. With the assumption that the star centerfielder will need to see some time at designated hitter and on the bench entirely, their backup plans need to be solidified. Gallo presents a solid defender in center field when that happens, but it would be prudent to have a capable right-handed hitter slide into a corner outfield spot should the opposing pitcher be a southpaw. McCutchen shouldn’t be counted on to hold a majority share of an outfield platoon. After all, he only saw 53 games in the field last season, with his remaining 82 games played coming from the designated hitter slot. However, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to count on him for spot starts in the field. Despite his -11 outs above average over the last three years, he still possessed speed in the 90th percentile in 2022. He may not be the show-stealing, defensive star that he once was, but maybe he could thrive in a supporting role if he’s willing to accept it at this stage of his career. Celestino presents a younger internal option that has had little success offensively so far in his major league career (.222/.292/.300, 71 wRC+) and has been relatively neutral on defense (0 OAA, -2.4 UZR). Those uninspiring numbers mixed with his lapses in judgment that became all too familiar in 2022 signify that he could use more seasoning at Triple-A. Garlick was rather great as a strict, right-handed platoon in the outfield (.243/.305/.500, 128 wRC+ vs. left-handed pitchers). But he too was limited by injuries in 2022, and was slightly worse than Celestino on defense (-3 OAA, -3.3 UZR). Again, McCutchen didn’t have his finest season in 2022, as made evident by his .237/.316/.384 (98 wRC+) slashline on the year. But that overall figure includes a disastrous first eight weeks of the season. From June 5th on, McCutchen had a stellar .252/.343/.427 (118 wRC+) and appeared in nearly every game for the Brewers. That line is spot-on when compared to his combined slashline of .244/.352/.436 (114 wRC+) from 2018-2021. His performance against lefties after getting back on track starting on June 6th was exactly what the Twins could use in 2023 and beyond. He hit a whopping .245/.345/.479 (131 wRC+) against southpaws from that point on. If the Twins could get that version to show up in a potentially more-limited role, it would be a huge boost to the offense. That’s a big if for a player going into their age-36 season. While he’s a fun player to root for with some upside, there’s still plenty of red flags when it comes to his fit with the Twins. Whether it’s his age, diminishing defensive metrics, his inability to hit sliders or lack of true star-level upside, McCutchen is far from a perfect player. Not to mention, the Twins decision-makers have a reputation for sticking with a struggling veteran for far too long in recent years, as was the case for players such as JA Happ, Matt Shoemaker and Andrelton Simmons. Would they be able to pull the plug if McCutchen got off to another horrid start? It’s clear that McCutchen won’t save the Twins after they lost out on re-signing Correa. It’s a huge task to replace a superstar shortstop in the prime of their career. He’s not the big bat that the Twins desperately needed when the off-season began. But there is certainly a lot that the former MVP could do to marginally improve the team on the field and in the clubhouse. Does he do anything for you? View full article

Minnesota’s roster is full of corner outfield options, but most of those players are left-handed. Can the team find a way to upgrade the outfield with a veteran bat? Image courtesy of Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports Over the last two seasons, the Twins have used Kyle Garlick as the team’s primary right-handed hitting outfielder. He has hit .233/.283/.446 (.728) with a 103 OPS+ in 102 games. Garlick performed even better when put into favorable match-ups. Against left-handed pitching, he posted an .805 OPS with seven extra-base hits in 74 at-bats last season. Garlick has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, so multiple free-agent outfielders might be an upgrade in the outfield. AJ Pollock 2022 Stats: .245/.292/.389 (.681), 26 2B, 14 HR, 91 OPS+, 138 G Pollock has been a strong offensive player with a career 113 OPS+, including a 133 OPS+ from 2020-21. Most of his defensive innings have come in center field, but he has shifted to left field in recent years. Byron Buxton and Joey Gallo are penciled in as the team’s starters in center field and right field, which could allow Pollock to slide into left field. Even in an offensive down year, he dominated lefties with a .935 OPS and 20 extra-base hits in 126 at-bats. The Twins have three young outfielders projected to get significant playing time this season, so Pollock would have to agree to a backup role. Andrew McCutchen 2022 Stats: .237/.316/.384 (.700), 25 2B, 17 HR, 99 OPS+, 134 G McCutchen is well known as a five-time All-Star and a former NL MVP, but he hasn’t been that caliber of player in multiple seasons. He spent 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers and finished with an OPS+ below 100 for the first time in his career. Over 60% of his starts came as a designated hitter, and the Twins like to be able to rotate players through that role. For this reason, he might make him less of a fit for the club. His OPS (.738) was 53 points higher when facing left-handed pitching. His veteran presence would be a welcome addition to the clubhouse, but he might need to be willing to take on a lesser role on the field. Trey Mancini 2022 Stats: .239/.319/.391 (.710), 23 2B, 18 HR, 101 OPS+, 143 G Mancini started the 2022 season strongly with a 113 OPS+ in 92 games for the Orioles. The Astros acquired him for their World Series run, but he struggled after the deal. In 51 games, he hit .176/.258/.364 (.622) with seven doubles and eight home runs. Houston used him sparingly in the postseason as he went 1-for-21 (.048 BA) with eight strikeouts. Last season, Mancini had reverse splits with an OPS that was 88 points lower against lefties. He has posted almost identical splits against righties (.786 OPS) and lefties (.790 OPS) for his career. Mancini had a solid start to the 2022 season, so a team adding him will be looking for him to return to his previous form. Entering the offseason, I planned a perfect offseason for the Twins, and little has gone favorably for the club. One of the pieces of that plan was to add a right-handed power bat to the bench. I identified Mancini as a target for the team, and he might have the highest upside. However, McCutchen and Pollock can provide an upgrade compared to Garlick if put into the right situation. Do any of these players make sense for the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Going into this offseason the Minnesota Twins have some very clear needs. Deciding what to do in the infield, and adding a few relief arms are chief among them. If there's a position that isn't immediately on the radar it's adding a body in the outfield. That being said, we don't know what the offseason will bring, and there's a free agent of intrigue on the market. After being the 11th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, Andrew McCutchen spent the first nine years of his big league career with the same organization. Traded to the Giants prior to 2018, he was then shipped to the New York Yankees down the stretch. This isn't the same perennial MVP candidate that Pennsylvania natives came to love from 2012-2015, but there's something left in the 32 year-old's tank. At 29 in 2016, there was a real fear that McCutchen was hitting the skids and looking at the downside of his career. A .766 OPS and awful centerfield defense brought plenty of questions heading into the 2017 season. He responded by moving to right field and putting up an .849 OPS which was bolstered by a near-career high home run total. 2018 saw Cutch post a .792 OPS that was buoyed by a strong .368 OBP and a very nice 25 game stretch for the Yankees. Coming off a $14.75 million salary in 2018, and a long term deal with the Pirates, McCutchen gets to test the waters for the first time in his career. His market will be interesting, but I'd think that logic suggests years may be the greater focus than a high AAV. If he could be had for something like three years and $30 million you'd certainly find teams willing to play the role of suitor. With Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, and Eddie Rosario in tow for the Minnesota Twins there isn't an immediate opening. However if I'm Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, two of those players should absolutely be made available on the trading block. Max Kepler likely has the lower value at the moment given his statistical output, but I'm fine in believing he could end up being the superior player. In 2018 Eddie Rosario was deserving of being Minnesota's representative at the All Star game. He was on fire in the first half and finished with an .803 OPS. Playing in 138 games, he displayed power and production at the plate. From where I sit however, I think we're seeing the absolute peak of what Rosario can bring to the table. If there's a partner out there willing to match the Twins asset with real value, that's a guy to move with certainty. Never mind that despite the All Star caliber start, Rosario put up lower numbers in 2018 than he did the year prior. His plan at the plate has always been to work as a bad ball hitter, and that didn't change last season. He chased 43% of the pitches he swung at, and he whiffed nearly 13% of the time. On top of that, his walk rate remained at an ugly 5%. When the lumber connects things go well, but that's a trio of numbers just begging for a chance to fall off the table. Since his debut, Rosario's outfield defense has also taken a dip. As a rookie the outfield assists piled up and were a number to recognize. While his arm strength is a known commodity at this point, he sees himself tested less. Although he did perform positively in 2018, there's still more than a handful of blunders due to routes and decision making that have negative impacts on the scenarios at play. Make no mistake, there should never be a suggestion to move a 27 year-old Rosario for a 32 year-old McCutchen. Looking at how this could play out however, we aren't operating in a vacuum. If another team wants to bring Rosario on board in exchange for pitching help or something of equal value to the Twins, it's a swap that needs to be heavily considered. At 27 Rosario isn't a kid anymore, and his approach doesn't lend itself to production heights much higher than what we've seen. If the Twins can cash in before things go belly up, it'd be a move you'd need to applaud. The front office needs to inject this current roster with a bit of leadership, some significant on-base prowess, and talent that can challenge the Cleveland Indians in the very weak AL Central. There's more than one way for them to get that done this winter, and it will be interesting to see how it all takes place. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Justin Morneau hasn’t appeared in a big league game since 2016 and it sounds like he is officially ready to hang up his cleats. His 14-year MLB career seemed destined for greatness before multiple concussions limited near the end of his career. There was some talk of Morneau joining a club last season but that never came to fruition. Now it appears, the Canadian slugger is ready to move on to his next chapter in the baseball.Reports are that Morneau will officially retire and become a special assistant in the Twins. The team has yet to make the announcement official but that could come as Twins Fest approaches. Under the Twins new front office, the club has added former players like Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer and LaTroy Hawkins as special assistants. Morneau became a star in the Twin Cities on his way to being elected to four All-Star Games. From 2006-2010, he hit .298/.372/.528 (.900) while averaging 27 home runs and over 100 RBI per season. On his way to the 2016 AL MVP, he compiled many of the numbers voters like to see with 34 home runs, 130 RBI and a .934 OPS. In 2010 with the Twins leading the AL Central, Morneau looked well on his way to another MVP. He posted an eye-popping 1.055 OPS with 44 extra-base hits in 81 games. A slide into second base in Toronto resulted in a concussion that ended his season. Over the next two years, multiple concussions limited his playing time. Morneau had plenty of other memorable moments throughout his career. Josh Hamilton’s performance in the 2008 Home Run Derby was legendary but it was actually Morneau who took home the title that year. He returned to Target Field for the 2014 Home Run Derby and received a standing ovation from Twins fans. His 2014 season was also memorable for the fact that he won the National League batting crown. Over 135 games, he hit .319 and outlasted Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen. During his time in Minnesota, he also took home two Silver Slugger awards (2006, 2008) as the top hitting first baseman in the American League. Morneau ranks very highly in multiple categories on the Twins all-time lists. His 221 home runs are third behind Harmon Killebrew and Kent Hrbek and one ahead of Tony Oliva. He ranks sixth in RBI, ninth in runs and third in slugging. What was your favorite Justin Morneau moment? Leave a COMMENT and join the discussion. Click here to view the article

The Winter Meetings are set to begin later today in Washington D.C. No time during the year, with the exception (maybe) of the July trade deadline, are there more rumors. Some are real. Some are baseless. But it is a fun time of the year for baseball fans. Each day, we'll have an official thread for the day. Use this as an area to discuss any rumors you hear or read, or a place to mention transactions as they happen. Obviously if (or when) the Twins make any transactions, we'll have a full article on it, but this is a good place to discuss moves and rumors from around the league. Be sure to check back frequently. Let's get to the rumors:Right away this morning, we had the following tweet from USA Today's Bob Nightengale: So, let the rumors begin... Julio Urias? We can wish. Jose Deleon? Should be the minimum as a starting point. Cody Bellinger is their top prospect, a left-handed hitting outfielder who can also play first base. But the Twins need pitching, so names like Yadier Alvarez, Walker Buehler and Jordan Sheffield should be in discussions as well. And maybe a shortstop too, like Gavin Lux. Mike Berardino wrote yesterday that Thad LeVine is saying that the team would have to be "inspired" to deal Dozier. In my mind, that means at least two of the names mentioned above, and one of them being Urias or DeLeon. Dozier is obviously the big talker, but the Twins have far more to do than just consider dealing the second baseman. Adding pitching will be the key. Derek Falvey and Thad LeVine, along with a full contingent of Twins front office types, will make the trek to DC today. In case you missed it, LaVelle Neal wrote a really nice piece on Falvey that you should read. In Case You Missed It: Brian Duensing signed a one-year deal with the Cubs.Casey Fien signed a one-year, split contract with the Mariners. In the big leagues, he would make $1.1 million with more available in incentives. Since he has an option remaining, he would make a different amount in AAA.Is Andrew McCutchen going to the Nationals and teaming with Bryce Harper in the outfield?Will Mark Melancon go to the Giants or Nationals?Houston has been very active early. Will that continue?Again, keep tabs of rumors here, and if there is a Twins transaction, we'll soon have an article ready to discuss that too. If you hear a rumor, come back here and post it in the comments! Click here to view the article