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By now you’ve seen the San Francisco Giants back out of a mega-deal with former Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa. The New York Mets then took advantage of an opportunity to sign him, but have come up with red flags as well. Did the Twins miss something when they signed the shortstop last spring? Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports After Derek Falvey was able to shed Josh Donaldson’s salary in a trade with the New York Yankees, the Twins all of a sudden had additional funds. Thinking they were linked to Trevor Story relatively heavily, it wound up being Carlos Correa that they made a pact with in the wee hours of the night. Scott Boras and Minnesota’s front office came together on a creative deal to bring the former Houston Astro to a mid-market club. While the deal was officially a three-year pact, the opt out ability after one year was always going to be exercised. Correa landed the greatest single-season average annual value for an infielder passing Anthony Rendon, and he got to explore the market again this season. While it wasn’t a ten-year deal, the Twins still were looking to protect their investment in doing a physical prior to things being finalized. Nothing out of the ordinary came up and both sides went about their business. In a new report from the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, it was revealed that the holdup for Correa in regards to his physical deals with a surgery he had in 2014. Correa fractured his fibula as a prospect and the injury impacted his ankle more than his knee. The New York Mets apparently have similar concerns to the San Francisco Giants, but it’s not so much about what Correa’s body has indicated at all. Looking at MRI results from that surgery, and how he has healed since, there is a question as to how his leg may hold up over time. As Twins Daily’s own Lucas Seehafer points out, that may not be the best way to utilize an MRI, and could be much ado about nothing. Obviously Correa’s agent, Boras, has pointed out that he has missed very little time over the recent portion of his career and it has never been in relation to an ankle or leg injury. Correa’s back was problematic for a time, but that doesn’t seem to be anything of a concern for the teams willing to spend $300 million on him. When Boras began shopping Correa’s services again following the Giants decision, or lack thereof, the Twins were consulted but didn’t want to raise an already low offer and had questions about the physical as well. That may have been an opportunity for them to put their best foot forward and make an offer he’d actually consider, but reopening the physical discussion didn’t do them any favors either. The Twins last put Correa through a physical in March when they signed him during Spring Training. His injuries this season were related to the hit by pitch he took, and shouldn’t have created cause for concern regarding a malady they were unaware of. It’s not so much that the Twins missed something, but more likely that they evaluated a future differently. Although Minnesota’s training room has been turned over now with Nick Paparesta coming in, they had plenty of eyes on his previous medicals. The Twins ultimately would have seen the same MRI that both San Francisco and New York have concerns over, but rather than extrapolate it as indicative of future issues, assessed current condition and known outcomes while weighing them more heavily. Correa has already lost $35 million from his originally agreed upon deal with the Giants, and more could be lopped off if the Mets need to re-negotiate things. Maybe they go the route of including specific contract language like we have previously seen with J.D. Martinez, or maybe the deal goes belly up altogether. Either way, it sounds like Minnesota shouldn’t be thinking they missed something or that there is more they need to know. If somehow Correa again comes calling, the third time may be the charm. View full article

The Minnesota Twins are just over one-third of the season through their first with superstar shortstop Carlos Correa. He’s been as advertised putting up numbers near the top of his career bests, and leadership remains the name of his game. He’s all but certain to opt out of his deal with Minnesota, but then what happens for both parties? Over the weekend Joel Sherman wrote a piece for the New York Post taking a look at the free-agent shortstop class that was, and the one that is to come. The tandem of the two may go down to be one of the best back-to-back case studies in free-agent history. It’s not rocket science to suggest that Carlos Correa will opt out with Minnesota, but Sherman reiterates it again saying, “Barring catastrophic injury, Correa will opt out of the final two years at $70.2 million owed by the Twins. That will send him right back into the market, along with Bogaerts, Turner and Dansby Swanson.” That’s always been the expectation and should’ve been from the moment Scott Boras negotiated the contract with those terms to Derek Falvey and Minnesota’s front office. Although the certainty of Correa opting out is there, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s gone. What happened this offseason was a reflection of the Twins being the best, and maybe most creative, bidder. They could certainly pony up the money again in order to keep their superstar. Minnesota has only $108 million on the books next year and that includes Correa’s $35.1 million. Their $73 million tied to 24 is virtually halved after Correa opts out. In short, there’s plenty of room for them to again, Pay. The. Man. This would obviously be the best case outcome. A few weeks ago Twins Daily’s Cody Christie wrote about options Minnesota has at the position in the wake of Royce Lewis being lost due to a second torn ACL. We know that he’ll be out for around 12 months, and the only thing guaranteed is that he won’t be ready for Opening Day. What a second substantial knee injury does to a player is anyone’s guess though. One of the greatest strengths to Lewis’ game is his speed. He came back faster and stronger from his last injury, but there’s no telling if the body will respond the same this time around. Whether he’s a shortstop at all after this rehab will be something all parties must take a wait and see approach on. While Minnesota has to decipher what they will do, and Cody’s options are among those they are weighing, Sherman’s story goes on to paint a cautionary tale when it comes to free agents as a whole. The reality is that money spent with multiple suitors for services often far outweighs actual production. Correa is the lone player from last year’s class performing admirably, but he’s doing so having missed substantial time due to injury and health related issues. As Sherman points out, Correa and Story were both there for Twins fans to clamor over because their markets weren’t what was expected. We’re only talking about this opt-out because Correa’s deal was set up with an ability to kick the can down the road for a year and hope a more lucrative and longer-term situation played out. With the production tied to nearly $1 billion in spending on shortstops last offseason coming nowhere close in terms of equal value, it’s certainly fair to wonder how teams will respond. In summing up his piece Sherman says, “In short, the next class at short again is going to be star-studded. Will the previous free-agent class and the coming class of prospects hurt the coming market?” In that, there’s maybe hope that even with an opt-out, Correa finds himself between opportunity and familiarity. Very few instances will ever find the Minnesota Twins as a top bidder, but given needs by all parties in this scenario, there may be reason to believe an agreeable situation can be struck for all. Carlos Correa is going to opt-out, but then what? View full article

Rumors about the Twins pursuing shortstop Trevor Story in free agency has rendered a large portion of Twins fans excited. However, every time a former Colorado Rockie draws interest from other teams, some fans will inevitably point out the “Coors Effect.” Should that really dissuade the Twins from signing Story? First and foremost, I believe it’s crucial to get as much important information about this topic as possible out in the open. People shouldn’t just stick to shallow common-places when there’s so much in-depth information and analysis out there. That’s especially true when it comes to the effects of altitude in baseball. In this brilliant 2020 article, Rox Pile’s Kevin Larson buts the myth that hitters at Coors Field only succeed because of the altitude. I’ll be quoting a few parts of that article here, but I think everyone would learn a lot if they read the whole thing. Basically, Larson advises people to do two things when analyzing players' performances at Coors: Take into account the unique circumstances Rockies hitters live through, having to adjust to different pitcher approaches in Denver and on the road; Ignore the traditional stats splits and focus on Park Adjusted stats, like wRC+, OPS+, and DRC+, which can paint the big picture more nicely; Then, Larson goes on to provide several examples of both hitters who improved their wRC+ after leaving the Rockies, but also the contrary, players whose offensive productivity decreased after they joined the Rockies from other teams. Can you guess a former Twin, winner of an MVP in Minnesota, who falls in that last category? The bottom line is, things aren’t as simple as “hitters won’t succeed after leaving Coors.” Trevor Story's traditional splits sure don’t look good, but that shouldn’t be a reason not to bring him to Minnesota. Not only would the Twins be giving up on a potentially above-average right-handed hitter, but they would be bailing on one of the best defenders in the game. One of the best examples of former Rockies who succeeded elsewhere is second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who was signed by the Yankees in 2019 and has since won two Silver Slugger awards and received MVP votes in two seasons (finishing third in 2020). Take a look at some of his numbers. DJ LeMahieu's splits during his time with the Rockies (2012-2018), per Fangraphs: Home .329/.386/.447 (.834) .374 wOBA 96 wRC+ 13.4% K% 8.6% BB% Away .267/.314/.367 (.681) .298 wOBA 84 wRC+ 17.0% K% 6.2% BB% DJ LeMahieu as a Yankee, overall (since 2019), per Fangraphs: .307/.370/.461 (.831) .356 wOBA 126 wRC+ 13.2% K% 8.8% BB% The same way the belief that “Coors hitters do badly once they leave Colorado” shouldn’t be a rule, LeMahieu’s example isn’t a rule either. Former Rockies cornerstone third baseman Nolan Arenado, for instance, didn’t improve his numbers the same way LeMahieu did. However, his overall numbers in St. Louis didn’t get worse either. They were actually slightly better than his road numbers while with the Rockies. Nolan Arenado's splits during his time with the Rockies (2013-2020), per Fangraphs: Home .322/.376/.609 (.985) .409 wOBA 129 wRC+ 13.7% K% 8.0% BB% Away .263/.322/.471 (.793) .334 wOBA 108 wRC+ 16.3% K% 7.8% BB% Nolan Arenado as a Cardinal, overall (since 2021), per Fangraphs: .255/.312/.494 (.807) .336 wOBA 113 wRC+ 14.7% K% 7.7% BB% In conclusion, Trevor Story’s splits shouldn’t dissuade the Twins from trying to sign him. As someone who follows the Rockies very closely, I can attest to how talented and hard-working he is, and also how fun it is to watch him play every night. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

It's hard to erase the mess that was the 2021 Minnesota Twins from our collective memories. It was bad. The 2022 Minnesota Twins have a chance to be great. In this piece, we lay out some pathways for the Twins to finish their roster construction ahead of a new season and the outcomes they might produce. The availability heuristic is humanities’ tendency to use information that comes to mind quickly when making decisions, inferences, or predictions. Also known as recency bias, the concept is pervasive in sports. Try, for example, convincing yourself that the Vikings could do anything except sign a defensive tackle the minute free agency opens, it’s almost impossible. Baseball is no different than other sports in this regard. Consider the Twins' win-loss record over the last decade and it's easy to see why fans take a ‘what have you done for me lately’ approach to the team. This applies in numerous ways to Minnesota. It’s easy to assume that the White Sox will run away with a poor AL Central in 2022 after the Twins collapse in 2021, and they might. Take a peek under the hood, however, and the Twins are poised to compete. Let’s dig in. Baseball Prospectus dropped its initial PECOTA standings on Tuesday. If you’re not familiar, PECOTA is Baseball Prospectus’ projection system, that is used to simulate end-of-season records for all 30 teams. As of March 15th, PECOTA has the Twins finishing second in the Central at 84-78, not so terribly far behind the 91-71 White Sox. First of all, wow. I am deep in the weeds on Twins Twitter. It’s been understandably sour this offseason. Let’s ground ourselves in the fact that this team, as currently constructed, is a .500 team. Even though a large part of this stems from the Twins getting to play a lot of games against pretty bad teams, it still feels pretty hard to accept, given the Twins have just traded their best two right-handed hitters in Josh Donaldson and Mitch Garver. Garver was a fan favorite and will be sorely missed. Donaldson was divisive and is probably undergoing mediation with Gerritt Cole in the parking lot of the Yankees spring training complex in Tampa. Jokes aside, we know the Twins still have plenty of work to do this offseason. I wrote this winter about the Twins' pursuit of a 40-WAR team in 2022, so let’s look at some possible remaining paths and what outcomes they might result in. The Twins currently sit in 16th with a cumulative fWAR of 36.3 (although this is changing by minute). Let’s examine some possible next steps for the Twins and how they might us towards that magical 40 fWAR mark. For the purposes of these pathways, I’m ignoring the bullpen for a couple of reasons; relief pitching doesn’t lend itself well to fWAR, and I ain’t got time for that. So, here goes. Pathway 1: Acquire an Elite Shortstop and an Elite Starting Pitcher Twins sign SS Trevor Story: 4.5 fWAR Twins trade for SP Frankie Montas: 3.2 fWAR This would net the Twins around 7 additional fWAR and bring them to around a 43 fWAR projection. That’s well within playoff range, but also still a distance from the White Sox mark of 47 fWAR. This is a team ready to challenge for the division and certainly compete for a wild card spot. Pathway 2: Acquire an Elite Starting Pitcher and Mediocre Shortstop Twins trade for SP Frankie Montas: 3.2 fWAR Twins trade for SS Elvis Andrus: 0.9 fWAR In this package trade, the Twins acquire Montas and Andrus together, Andrus as a salary dump for Oakland. This would bring the Twins to a 40.5 fWAR and they likely compete for a wild card spot. Pathway 3: Acquire a Mediocre Starting Pitcher and Elite Shortstop The Twins sign SP Michael Pineda: 1.8 fWAR The Twins sign SS Trevor Story: 4.5 fWAR This is where we see the value of potentially adding Story for the Twins. This path would bring the Twins to a projection of 42.6 fWAR before any additional outfield, right-handed bat, and bullpen enhancements. In short, Trevor Story is by far the highest leverage player the Twins have a realistic chance of adding. Pathway 4: Mediocre Everything The Twins sign SP Michael Pineda: 1.8 fWAR The Twins trade for SS Elvis Andrus: 0.9 fWAR I’m not suggesting the Twins would or should do this, I’m merely using it as an example as Andrus offers very little for 2022. In the ‘bare minimum’ pathway, the Twins get to 39.0 fWAR. After the tumult of trading Garver, flipping Kiner-Falefa to the Yankees, and trading away Donaldson, combined with the acquisition of Gray, this would be a brutal disappointment. Again, it’s just an example to underscore the divergence of the paths ahead for the Twins. The Twins are in a much better spot for 2022 than we are conditioned to think. How much they are willing to risk moving forwards will determine if this years’ team is likely to be average, or has a chance to be great. View full article

The Minnesota Twins are reportedly interested in former Colorado Rockies shortstop and current free agent Trevor Story. There's been a lot of analysis on how much his bat will play leaving Coors Field, but I wanted to take some time to highlight his impressive overall defensive metrics. Being so solid with the glove means Story has a high floor. View full video

The Twins have a lot to sort out when free agency reopens, but they need to establish a base to their offseason after failing to do so before the lockout. Three moves in particular would go a long way in improving the roster across the board and could be the beginning of a return to contention. Sign Yusei Kikuchi to a 2 year, $25m deal Kikuchi isn’t necessarily the best pitcher left in free agency, but the left-hander would make a great addition to the Twins rotation. At 30 years old, Kikuchi hasn’t been all that good in his three years in the league with over 350 innings and an ERA around 5.00. The lefty has obvious talent, however, averaging over 95mph on the fastball in 2021 with a wicked slider that resulted in dominant stretches. Kikuchi wouldn’t break the bank and has number 2-3 upside, but even as is he would go a long way in rehabbing a pitching needy roster. Striking out a batter per inning with a mid 4s ERA as he did in 2021 would slot in just fine, and coming near the 160 innings he’s averaged in his career would make a huge impact on a rotation that expects some young additions during the season. Even if there isn’t a tweak to be made, Kikuchi is the type of pitcher the Twins should be throwing money at for multiple years. Sign Richard Rodriguez to a 1 year, $3m deal I’ve long wanted to see Richard Rodriguez in a Twins jersey. It turned out paying up would have been a mistake, as Rodriguez turned into a bit of a pumpkin in 2021. His strikeout rate dropped by an incredible 20% despite nearly identical velocities year over year. The former Pirate’s closer lost effectiveness with his slider which led to his being non-tendered after a trade to Atlanta. He did still manage a sub 3.00 ERA, however. Relievers are volatile, but Rodriguez has shown no physical red flags at 31 years old which makes you wonder whether there’s just a small adjustment to make to his once dominant breaking ball. It would be a similar deal to what the Twins gave Hansel Robles in 2021, although Rodriguez is coming off a year where he was still a useful reliever. The right-hander was quietly one of the better closers in baseball in 2020 and could help lead a bullpen that will see several young arms debut and battle for jobs. Sign Trevor Story for to a 4 year, $92m deal The game of musical chairs is coming to an end in the free agent shortstop market, and Story may run out of options. With less leverage, Story shouldn’t need the 5+ year deals we’ve seen this offseason that the Twins are unlikely to sign. Still just 29, the Twins would still get Story in the prime of his career. Without a clear-cut shortstop on the way, Story would fill this historically problematic position for the foreseeable future rather than kicking the can down the road with another one year Andrelton Simmons type. In what was certainly a down year in 2021, Story still accumulated 3.5 Wins Above Replacement, which would have been third in Minnesota behind Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco. He’s still always capable of a 30 home run, 30 steal season with a respectable on base ability and never having hit below .250. The right-handed slugger would be a huge addition to the already great lineup. Adding such a big bat would make the trade of another established hitter for pitching much easier to swallow. The Twins have much more work to do than just three moves, but these three in particular offer a good amount of floor as well as a ton of upside. The bullpen and offense/defense would considerably improve, and the hole in the rotation would shrink by adding an arm that could have a surprising payoff. As we all get fed up with the lockout that has no end in sight, there’s little left to do but dream on the flurry of moves that will absolutely follow. Are there any moves you’d like to see the Twins prioritize? Let us know below! — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email — Follow Cody Pirkl on Twitter here View full article

In December, I wrote about Kris Bryant and what his bat may bring to the Minnesota Twins lineup. Not long after, Matthew Taylor wondered about the club going all-in on offense. Nick Nelson recently wrote about the Twins simple solution at shortstop, but it comes with pitfalls. Why not imagine Trevor Story in Minnesota? The first fact we’re dealing with is that Rocco Baldelli needs a shortstop. As The Athletic’s Dan Hayes pointed out, Jorge Polanco would not appear to be a desirable choice. Even if it weren’t for the ankle injury concerns, there’s the reality that he’s just simply not good defensively at the position. Taking him from a place of strength at second base and causing a step backward in the field at two spots (when inserting Luis Arraez) would be suboptimal. The second fact is that waiting on prospects is a very tricky proposition. I believe Royce Lewis will return in 2022 and make the time missed look like a minor speed bump. That said, I’m still not convinced he’s a shortstop at the Major League level, and I think it’s fair to assess that Minnesota believes Austin Martin isn’t ticketed for that role either. In that scenario, both of the Twins top prospects up the middle would be looking at the outfield or elsewhere when it comes to playing time. Prospects can force a club’s hand and work their way in, but holding a position for them isn’t always the best path towards success. The third fact is that while Derek Falvey has money to spend, it will not be enough for Carlos Correa. Even before joining forces with Scott Boras this offseason, the former Astros shortstop was said to be looking for a $300 million deal. The New York Yankees need a shortstop, and Correa’s price tag immediately makes them a logical fit. As the premier option on the open market, it makes sense that he’d go where the highest payday can be achieved. So, what about Story then? ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle ranked the fits for Trevor Story back at the end of December and called the Twins a “two-star fit.” His two caveats to spending on the spot are Lewis’ return and the need to spend on starting pitching. We discussed Lewis above, and shy of spending for Carlos Rodon, Minnesota isn’t going to be able to spend on pitching through free agency. As Matthew Braun recently pointed out, Minnesota has largely failed Josh Donaldson. After inking him to a franchise-record deal, there’s been little done to supplement that talent throughout his contract. With two years left, signing Story to a five-year pact would be the right foot forward in terms of that narrative. After becoming a two-time All-Star in 2019, Story has seen declining offensive numbers each of the past two seasons. He was barely above league average in 2021, posting a 103 OPS+, and he failed to eclipse the 30 homer plateau. Every time you play your home games at Coors Field, you’ll warrant talk about splits, and it’s fair to note Story’s .752 OPS on the road is well below the .972 OPS at home. However, as a righty, the left-field line at Target Field could play to his pull tendencies. The slight decline could also lend itself to a more manageable number on the dotted line. I don’t think Story is a must for Minnesota, but there’s no denying the shortstop position is integral amongst the infield. I’d bank on the Twins trading for their frontline starter, which will eat up some capital, but spending still will fall short. Rather than taking the risk on an expensive arm, being more calculated while throwing dollars at a 29-year-old offensive star seems to fit well. I don’t want to see Polanco relocated across the diamond, and I’m out on Andrelton Simmons or Jose Iglesias even at the lowest dollar amount. Do something to move the needle. Adding Story would accomplish that. Where are you at on Trevor Story? If Minnesota can't spend on pitching, how interested are you in the dollars going to a shortstop? Comment below. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Order the Offseason Handbook — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

The Minnesota Twins' need for starting pitching has been well-documented, but what if the Twins pivoted and went all-in on offense? The Minnesota Twins have long struggled to acquire top-end starting pitching. This was the case with prior Twins’ front offices and has been the case under Falvey/Levine’s leadership. Whether it is because of injuries (Kenta Maeda) or poor evaluation (J.A. Happ), betting on starting pitchers is extremely risky as the Twins have seen play out season after season. After getting largely shut out from the first wave of free agent starting pitchers, the Twins have now found themselves in a spot where they need to sign Carlos Rodón, trade for starting pitching (they shouldn’t), or be in for another long season with a better shot of fighting for the number one pick in the draft than a playoff spot. But what if there is another direction that the Twins could go? What if the Twins went all in on offense? While there is a shortage of impact starting pitching left on the free agency market, there are no shortage of bats. This surplus of bats on the market could present an opportunity for the Twins to pivot, settle for back-of-the-rotation arms, and instead go heavy on bats to bolster up what is already a strength of the Minnesota Twins. Names like Trevor Story, Kris Bryant, Nicolas Castellanos, and Michael Conforto are all all-star bats and are all still available as free agents. Not only is there a nice supply of big bats left on the free agent market, but the Twins have a need to fill multiple holes in their lineup as well, including shortstop, outfield and (potentially) designated hitter. The Minnesota Twins committed to Byron Buxton this offseason with a seven year contract. Additionally, the Twins have the young bats of Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Royce Lewis and Austin Martin ready to contribute for the next decade as well. An intriguing path for the Minnesota Twins to take would be for them to sign even more bats, completely lean into their offense and take on the identity of a bat-first team that will out-hit all of its opponents for years to come. Assuming that the Twins have $55M to spend this offseason, they would have the funds to bring in two superstar bats this offseason like Trevor Story and Kris Bryant. They could then fill out the rest of their team with fringe starting pitching, or trade Max Kepler and a marginal prospect for a moldable arm. Yes, this would leave the Twins with quite the shaky starting rotation, but with a lineup core of Trevor Story, Kris Bryant, Byron Buxton, and Alex Kirilloff, on top of Josh Donaldson, Luis Arraez and Jorge Polanco. John Bonnes could be pitching for the Minnesota Twins and they’d be in good shape with that potent lineup. I mean..just look at this team: You hear about football teams that take on an offensive identity and out-score their opponents in order to win games, but you hardly find that in baseball. The Twins are in a position that they could go all in on offense and outscore the rest of the league by producing fireworks all Summer at Target Field. What do you think? View full article

Some of the top free-agent shortstops have already signed, and the Minnesota Twins still have a hole at the position. Let's revisit the top-five remaining free-agent shortstop options for the Twins. Last winter, Minnesota was rumored to be interested in infielders like Marcus Siemen and Didi Gregorious. Both players signed with other clubs, and the Twins turned to Andrelton Simmons on an $11 million deal. At the time, Minnesota touted the agreement as a way for the team to improve defensively. Simmons lived up to his defensive reputation, but he hit new career lows in many offensive categories. The Twins are also in an intriguing position when it comes to the shortstop position. Both of the team's top prospects, Royce Lewis and Austin Martin, have played shortstop in the minor leagues. However, neither player is guaranteed to stick at shortstop for the long term. Each of the players below is still available with the league's shutdown now at hand. Included with each player is his projected salary, according to the Twins Daily Offseason Handbook. 5. Andrelton Simmons TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3 million/season Twins fans may not want to hear it, but bringing Simmons back can make a lot of sense for the club. Offensively, he is coming off his worst big-league season, and that is going to significantly reduce his cost. His defensive skills are still near the top of the league and that might be beneficial to whomever the club has in the rotation. 4. Freddy Galvis TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3 million/season Galvis is a below-average offensive player who is coming off a career-best awful season (91 OPS+). In 104 games last season, he got on base over 30% of the time, and he collected 30 extra-base hits. Defensively, he's not at the same level as Simmons, but he can hold his own at shortstop. There are some rumblings that he may be headed to Japan, but he seems like a player that is good enough to get a big-league deal for 2022. Galvis may be a good fill-in option until Lewis or Martin is ready to take the reins. 3. Jonathan Villar TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $5 million/season Villar doesn't have the defensive chops of some of the other players on this list, but the Mets used him at shortstop for a good chunk of the 2021 campaign. Last season, he posted a 102 OPS+ with 38 extra-base hits in 142. He's better than Galvis offensively and worse on defense. Villar can be acquired on a cheaper deal than the team paid for Simmons last winter. 2. Trevor Story TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $22 million/season Story is one of the top-tier shortstops he's projected to make over $100 million this winter. Colorado surprisingly didn't trade him at last year's trade deadline and instead decided to make him the qualifying offer. Among National League shortstops, he ranked third according to SABR's Defensive Index. Story is a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner that is one of the game's best shortstops. It would be great for the Twins to outbid other teams, but many large-market teams are looking for a shortstop upgrade. 1. Carlos Correa TD Offseason Handbook Prediction: $30 million/season Correa is one of baseball's best players, and there's a good chance his contract will be close to $300 million. He's hitting free agency at a relatively young age (27), and his contract will lock him up for the entirety of his prime. Correa ranked as the best defender in the American League last season, and he has plenty of playoff experience. Twins fans can dream of a Correa/Polanco middle infield combo, but it doesn't seem likely for the team to allot that much money to one player for a decade. Do you think the Twins will be able to add any of these shortstops? 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 emai View full article

The Minnesota Twins will be in the market for an answer at shortstop again in 2022. With Andrelton Simmons gone, they’ll inevitably have someone new covering the position. So, who will it be? Assuming Minnesota doesn’t decide to slide second basemen Jorge Polanco, back across the diamond, they’ll need an answer at shortstop for the upcoming season. Polanco going back to his old position would allow Luis Arraez to start and an avenue for consistent playing time geared towards Jose Miranda. That said, it’d also be a decision in reverse with Polanco having been moved off the position in an attempt to avoid his defensive deficiencies there. Having lost the 2021 season due to a torn ACL, Royce Lewis won’t be an option out of the gate, and Austin Martin looks more the part of an outfielder than an infielder. Fortunately for Derek Falvey, this free-agent crop is littered with good shortstop options. So, let’s rank them by considering a fit and potential contract. 5. Marcus Semien What a difference a year makes. Last offseason, the Twins were runner-up for Semien’s services before he chose the Toronto Blue Jays. At that time, the longtime Athletics infielder was coming off a .679 OPS in 2020. Fast-forward to where we are now, and he posted an .873 OPS with a career-high 45 home runs. Semien isn’t going to win the MVP, that’s ticketed for Shohei Ohtani, but he’ll be in the top five and could finish right behind teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. As a first-time All-Star, Semien just recently turned 31-years-old. He’s going to get paid and should be looking for no less than a four-year deal. Right now, that isn’t going to fit into the Twins plans given the uncertainty of Lewis’s future role. Coming off such a poor season, that type of commitment could pigeonhole Minnesota negatively in the immediate future. 4. Corey Seager If there’s a guy in this group that doesn’t change teams, I will bet on it being Seager. A second straight season with an OPS north of .900, the Dodgers shortstop has established himself as one of baseball’s best players. He’ll be 28-years-old next season and has spent his entire seven-year career with Los Angeles. Finding something in the range of six to eight years would seem suitable for him, and that’s not going to come cheap. After acquiring Trea Turner at the deadline this season, it would make sense for the Dodgers to run it back with their up-the-middle-duo. The Dodgers are also set to lose Chris Taylor to free agency this offseason, and some of that blow could be cushioned by retaining the services of Seager. He’s been so good for so long, and it’s plenty logical that his prime remains in front of him. 3. Carlos Correa Having just turned 27-years-old, Correa is the youngest option on this list, and he’s quite possibly the most talented. Injury concerns have been a part of his past, by the Astros shortstop did play in 148 games this season. His .850 OPS was not a career-high, but the 26 long balls were. Correa has the cheating scandal tied to him, but it’s clear that the talent is there with or without additional help. A serious on-base threat, Correa has posted a least a 124 OPS+ in five of his seven big-league seasons. He presents the combination of contact, power, and plus-defensive ability, which only enhances his premium at the position. I wouldn’t be shocked if he gets a bigger deal than Seager or Semien, but I think that could go either way, and I believe he’s the best bet for future success. 2. Trevor Story Once assumed to be ticketed out of Colorado at any point during the 2021 season, Story hung on and finished the year there. His .801 OPS was the second-lowest tally of his career, and his 24 dingers matched the lowest full-season totally of his career. Still posting a 103 OPS+, he was above league average, but there’s nothing about 2021 that substantially increased his earning potential. This is Story’s big chance for a long-term payday as well, which would seem counter-productive to the Twins plans. That said, if he’s open to a one-year deal in hopes of increasing his value, that’s where Minnesota should look to pounce. He, too, combines strong defense with contact and power, making the offensive addition equally as enticing. 1. Javier Baez This looked like a better fit when Minnesota still employed Baez’s brother-in-law, Jose Berrios. That said, the soon-to-be 29-year-old still fits wonderfully for the Twins. He’s an elite defender that should be looking to regain some positive momentum on a one-year deal, and Minnesota can afford to pay him handsomely over a single season. Baez posted a lackluster .775 OPS with the Chicago Cubs but turned it on to the tune of a .886 mark in 47 games with the New York Mets. His actual production is probably somewhere in the middle of that, but he should trend above the career .783 OPS as he enters his prime. Javy is an elite defender, can play on both sides of second base if needed and would be a great teacher for Minnesota’s blossoming infield talent. A fan and clubhouse favorite, this is where I’d throw my money if I held the Twins bankroll. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

For the second consecutive off-season, Minnesota is in the market for a starting shortstop. Fans may want the team to spend big, but all of the top-tier free agents have flaws. Minnesota has the opportunity to make a big splash this winter by jumping in on (arguably) the best free-agent shortstop class in baseball history. It will cost the team a lot of money to be in the mix for the top-tier players. To put that in perspective, Francisco Lindor was supposed to be part of this free agent group, but he signed a 10-year, $341 million deal with the Mets. Each of these players comes with some red flags that interested clubs will need to consider. Carlos Correa (2022 Age: 27) 2021 Stats: 7.2 WAR, .279/.366/.485 (.850), 26 HR, 34 2B, 131 OPS+ As a 27-year old, Correa is reaching free agency at the prime of his career, and he is the top free agent in this winter’s crop of available players. It’s likely going to take $30 million per season for six years or more to sign Correa. Injuries have been part of his professional career, but he has played 99 games or more in five of his seven big-league seasons. There’s also a good chance he will need to move off shortstop as he continues to age. Flaws: Injury history Corey Seager (2022 Age: 28) 2021 Stats: 3.7 WAR, .306/.394/.521 (.915), 16 HR, 22 2B, 145 OPS+ Like Correa, injuries have been part of Seager’s story, including missing a good chunk of 2021 with a hand fracture. He’s played over 130 games in three of his six full big-league seasons. His 2020 playoff run was outstanding as he won the World Series and NLCS MVP. Teams that miss out on Correa will likely turn to Seager, but he is a year older and has missed more time in his big-league career. Flaws: Injury history Marcus Semien (2022 Age: 31) 2021 Stats: 7.1 WAR, .265/.334/.538 (.873), 45 HR, 39 2B, 133 OPS+ Minnesota was interested in signing Semien last winter, but he decided to go to Toronto. His season north of the border was memorable as he will likely finish in the top-5 for the AL MVP. He is the oldest shortstop among the top-tier free agents, and he played all of last year at second base. Last winter, he signed a one-year deal for $18 million, and he will be getting a pay raise in the months ahead. Flaws: Age Javier Baez (2022 Age: 29) 2021 Stats: 4.5 WAR, .265/.319/.494 (.813), 31 HR, 18 2B, 117 OPS+ Baez is certainly an exciting player, but he swings and misses a lot. He led the National League with 184 strikeouts, and he has struck out 144 or more times in each of the last four full seasons. As far as contracts go, he is projected to get a lower average value than the names above because his personality can rub people the wrong way. Can Josh Donaldson and Baez coexist in the same clubhouse? That might not be an experiment a team wants to explore. Flaws: Strikeouts, Volatility Trevor Story (2022 Age: 29) 2021 Stats: 4.2 WAR, .251/.329/.471 (.801), 24 HR, 34 2B, 103 OPS+ Story has been a 20-20 player throughout his professional career. He is also hitting free agency at a tough time as he is coming off a poor campaign by his standards. There are also concerns about how he will fare outside of Coors Field. At home, he hit .303/.369/.603 (.972) while on the road, he was limited to a .752 OPS. Flaws: Home/Road Splits To read more about these shortstops and other off-season options, make sure to pre-order your copy of the 2022 Offseason Handbook. Designed to serve as an essential companion for the Twins offseason ahead, this digital Handbook places you in the shoes of the general manager, equipping you with all the information you need to construct your own team-building blueprint (or predict what the real front office will do). Which flaws worry you the most? Will the Twins make offers to any of these players? 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 View full article