Search the Community

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

Going into this offseason the Minnesota Twins are going to need a replacement for a couple of backup infielders. Both Marwin Gonzalez and Ehire Adrianza are free agents, and I’d expect the Twins to move on from both. They served key roles on the active roster however, so seeking out a replacement will be necessary. Marwin was signed under the premise that his 2017 was repeatable, and had they know it was a trash idea, Minnesota likely would’ve looked elsewhere. Adrianza was a glove first guy that performed up to that distinction when getting run with the Twins. In finding an alternative, Rocco Baldelli will need a player that can be an asset when filling in. The reality is that Minnesota has some serious issues when things go awry on the dirt, and we saw that with both Josh Donaldson and Luis Arraez in 2020. Having a backup plan there is a must going into a new season. Marwin and Ehire posted a .606 and .557 OPS respectively, so aside from occupying space, them being in the game was a serious negative. I don’t know that I’m hung up on any one person for their replacements, but there’s definitely a profile I’d like to see. Marwin brought an outfield ability to the utility role, but that should be less necessary with the readiness of Alex Kirilloff and the combined emergence of Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade Jr. To me, the Minnesota utility man has to be able to play both second and third base while also owning a productive bat. Traditionally second base hasn’t been a position of immense offensive production, but that’s shifted in recent years. There are some truly exceptional offensive two-baggers in the game and carrying that profile to a position that needs to contribute offensively at the hot corner, is a very good thing. I don’t want to live in a world where the Twins are sans Donaldson or Arraez for consistent stretches, but they need to be better prepared if they are. So, what are some names to consider? This is actually a decent free agent class if you’re shopping in the middle. It’s not especially noteworthy at the top however, and that could create some additional competition around the mean. Regardless, there’s some names I’d be more than happy to see wearing baby blue at Target Field. Jurickson Profar The former top prospect will be 28 in 2021. He has arguably the most positional flexibility of anyone in the group and that presents a lot to like. He posted a .793 OPS with the Rangers in 2018 and was at .771 this season for the Padres. He’s hardly been the elite prospect that he was billed, but there’s legit power and on-base skills here when he’s going good. If the Twins see a way to unlock another level in what should be his prime, a solid commitment wouldn’t be shocking. Tommy La Stella Traded to the Athletics during the 2020 season, La Stella enters the open market coming off a second straight strong season. His .819 OPS followed an .832 mark as a first time All Star in 2019. He’s primarily played second base but has 84 starts at the hot corner as well. The power potential isn’t a huge draw here, but he did launch 16 dingers in 80 games during 2019. Jose Iglesias A number of years ago Iglesias struck me as an ideal candidate to be the Twins shortstop. He’s a strong defender there and it’s been the only role he’s played since 2015. It remains to be seen whether the downgrade in role is one he’d agree to, but there’s also a good option to spell Jorge Polanco when needed. The .956 OPS in 39 games with the Orioles this year is a definite outlier however, and Minnesota would need to be convinced they’re getting above the .700 career mark. He’s probably a boost on Ehire while being Marwin or worse. Asdrubal Cabrera This one would definitely be just a one-year deal as he’ll be 35 in 2021. Cabrera has been around for a while, having just completed his 14th year in the majors. He won a ring with the Washington Nationals a season ago and took over as the primary second basemen from former Twins great Brian Dozier. Cabrera is more second basemen than he is third but can play both roles. What I like here is that the offensive floor is pretty safe. He’s probably not going to post much lower than a .750 OPS and you’ve got a chance for him to scratch near .800. There’s power, there’s some walks, there’s something to like. Jedd Gyorko I’m not going to write him up as the Brewers have an affordable team option and it’d make little sense for them not to use it coming off the season he just had. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz