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Sonny Gray Contract: 2-years, $20.33 million ($12 million team option for 2023) Gray has revamped himself since joining the Reds rotation. Over the last two seasons, he has a 3.07 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 277 strikeouts in 231 1/3 innings. He might be the best starting pitcher available on the trade market this winter and the asking price will likely be high based on his recent performance and his years of team control. Gray would help bolster the top of Minnesota’s rotation that already includes the trio of Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios, and Michael Pineda. Gray would help the team in the short-term, but the asking price might be higher than the front office wants to pay. Luis Castillo Contract: First-year arbitration eligible (Earliest Free Agency 2024) While Gray can help the Reds to cut cost, Castillo is still relatively cheap since he is entering his first year of arbitration. A team looking to acquire Castillo might also have to be willing to take on a veteran with a higher salary to help the Reds cut costs (see below). Since the start of the 2019 season, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.35 ERA and a 3.42 FIP in 260 2/3 innings. He has an electric fastball that sits in the upper-90s and his slider is improving. It seems like someone Wes Johnson would love to help take to the next level. https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1340696149972365326?s=20 Nick Castellanos Contract: 3-years, $46 million ($20 million mutual option for 2024) Twins fans are likely familiar with Castellanos from his time in a Tigers uniform and his contract might be one that a team will have to acquire to have a chance at Castillo. Castellanos can fit multiple roles with the Twins including corner outfielder or designated hitter. Over the last two seasons, he has hit .273/.327/.515 with 41 home runs and 69 doubles in 211 games. Making a deal that includes Castellanos likely puts the Twins out of the running for Nelson Cruz, but it can mean the club acquires a big-time arm like Castillo. Amir Garrett Contract: First-year arbitration eligible (Earliest Free Agency 2024) Garrett is one of the players that will have a chance to take over the closer’s role in Cincinnati following the departure of Iglesias. Like Castillo, he is in his first year of arbitration so there won’t be urgency to trade him unless a perspective team is willing to take on other salary. Since the start of 2019, he has a 3.03 ERA and a 4.19 FIP while racking up 104 strikeouts in 74 1/3 innings. Minnesota has multiple holes to fill in their bullpen, so would the team be willing to overspend to get a very good left-handed arm. Lucas Sims Contract: Pre-arbitration eligible (Earliest Free Agency 2025) Sims was a first-round pick in 2012 out of high school and he joined the Reds organization back in 2018 in a deadline deal with the Braves. He hasn’t even reached arbitration yet and so the cost to acquire him will be steep. Over the last two seasons, he strikes out nearly 12 batters per nine innings with a 1.08 WHIP and a 125 ERA+. Cincinnati can put him in the closer’s role for a couple seasons and get a higher return for him after he has the “proven closer” label applied to him. Which players would you like the Twins to target? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email

Other American League Previews AL West: Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem AL East: New York State of Mind Key Additions: Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer, Matt Moore, Tyson Ross Josh Harrison, a two-time All-Star, will take over at second base. The Pirates declined his $10.5 million option and Harrison signed with Detroit on a one-year, $2 million deal. He can play multiple positions, but he figures to get the majority of his time at second base. During the last three seasons, he has hit .270/.317/.398. Jordy Mercer joins the Tigers from the Pirates organization. He hopes to fill the middle infield hole left by Jose Iglesias. Over the last three seasons, he has hit .254/.324/.387 while averaging 10 home runs and 25 doubles. According to SABR’s Defensive Index, he was the third worst defensive shortstop in the NL last season. Matt Moore and Tyson Ross signed one-year pacts in Detroit, and they will fight to be in the rotation. Moore was once considered one of the best pitching prospects in the game. Over the last three seasons, he has posted a 5.20 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Tyson Ross has put up similar numbers over the same stretch with a 5.21 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. However, Moore has pitched 270 more innings than Ross. Key Departures: Victor Martinez, Alex Wilson, James McCann, Jose Iglesias Victor Martinez retired at the end of last season and that leaves a hole in the Tigers offense. James McCann leaves a spot open behind the plate for Greyson Greiner to take over. Wilson pitched 60 innings or more in each of the last four seasons, but he wasn’t tendered a contract. Since 2015, Jose Iglesias has started a minimum of 119 games at shortstop. He was an All-Star in 2015. Cincinnati signed him to a minor league contract at the end of February. Due to an injury, he will get to begin the year as a starter for the Reds. Potential X-Factors: Nick Castellanos It’s no secret that Detroit has been trying to deal Castellanos this off-season. He will be a free agent at season’s end. That being said, he is coming off a year where he hit .298/.354/.500 with 23 home runs and 46 doubles. Entering his age 27 season, he might be playing for a decent off-season contract. He’s played third base in the past, but he has shifted to the corner outfield in recent years. Corresponding with that shift has been a much-improved offensive player. His slugging percentage has been .490 or higher in each of the last three seasons. Can he be part of the solution in Detroit? Or will a hot start from Castellanos result in a trade before the deadline? FanGraphs Projected 2019 Record: 66-96 My Projected 2019 Record: 63-99 2018 Record: 64-98, (3rd Place in the AL Central) 2017 Record: 64-98 (5th Place in the AL Central) 2016 Record: 86-75 (2nd Place in the AL Central)

MINNESOTA TWINS – TREVOR PLOUFFE 2014 was a big season for Trevor Plouffe. With uber-prospect Miguel Sano looming, Plouffe put together his most productive season. He set career highs in most offensive categories. As important to Plouffe and the Twins, his defense at the hot corner was markedly improved. Plouffe considers his job with the Twins to be a run producer, and his 80 RBIs led the team in that category. Unfortunately his season ended a couple of games early with a fractured left forearm. Sano is healthy again and still seems to be part of the Twins future, but unlike a year ago, it does feel as though there is a good chance that Plouffe will remain in the Twins plans as well. What kind of numbers can be expected from Plouffe in 2015? One key for him is, and has been, his health. 2015 is a big year for Trevor Plouffe on the field, but also off the field. He and his wife are excited to welcome their first child this summer. Here are the projections of our Twins Daily writers: Seth – .267/.337/.443 (.780) with 37 doubles and 19 HR. Nick – .250/.335/.410 (.745) with 25 doubles and 15 HR Parker – .260/.330/.420 (.750) with 20 doubles and 20 HR John – AL CENTRAL THIRD BASEMEN Opponent – Player – 2015 Age – 2014 Statistics Chicago – Conor Gillaspie – 27 - .282/.336/.416 (.752) with 31 doubles, 7 HR Cleveland – Lonnie Chisenhall – 26 - .280/.343/.427 (.770) with 29 doubles, 13 HR Detroit – Nick Castellanos – 23 - .259/.306/.394 (.700) with 31 doubles, 11 HR Kansas City – Mike Moustakas – 26 - .212/.271/.361 (.632) with 21 doubles, 15 HR AL CENTRAL THIRD BASEMAN RANKINGS #1 – Trevor Plouffe - Minnesota #2 – Conor Gillaspie - Chicago #3 – Lonnie Chisenhall – Cleveland #4 – Mike Moustakas – Kansas City #5 – Nick Castellanos - Detroit NOW IT’S YOUR TURN Give it some thought and then go to the comments section below and post two things. First, make your statistical projection for Trevor Plouffe in 2015. Second, how would you rank the AL Central third basemen? Of course, then discuss with the rest of the Twins Daily community. Finally, check back throughout this next week as we’ll do these same things for each of the positions.