The MLB offseason is almost here. The World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers will begin on Friday night. Free agents can sign five days after the conclusion of the Fall Classic, which could be as early as Nov. 1 and as late as Nov. 5.
With the offseason near, the Twins should be thinking about what moves they plan to make. Minnesota control person Tom Pohlad said he plans to increase payroll, so the Twins should be active in the free-agent market.
The looming lockout will undoubtedly affect the free agent market. The last time there was a lockout (2021-22 offseason), teams made many big signings right before it began, suggesting the free agent market could be very active next month.
Let's take a look at one free agent the Twins should target from each division rival. These players aren't the most exciting options per se, but they are realistic targets for Minnesota.
1 free agent Twins should pursue from each division rival
Detroit Tigers - RHP Jack Flaherty
Flaherty, a 10-year MLB veteran starter, just completed a two-year, $35 million contract with Detroit. He is coming off a rough, injury-riddled season, posting a 4.48 ERA with 103 strikeouts over 88 1/3 innings.
Minnesota should pursue Flaherty, 31, as he is likely to be an affordable option, and the team could use more starting-pitching depth. If the Twins move on from Joe Ryan and/or Bailey Ober this offseason, adding Flaherty to the rotation mix would make even more sense.
Kansas City Royals - RHP Carlos Estévez
Estévez would be a perfect buy-low option for the Twins. The right-handed reliever made just one big-league appearance this past season due to multiple injuries. He has a $13 million club option for the 2027 season, which the Royals will most likely decline to exercise.
Estévez, 33, represented Kansas City in the 2025 All-Star Game. That season, he posted a 2.45 ERA over 66 innings while striking out 54. He posted a 2.45 ERA in 2024 and made the AL All-Star Team with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.
Cleveland Guardians - LHP Foster Griffin
For the same reason the Twins should target Flaherty, they should target Griffin. Minnesota could use more starting-pitching depth, and Griffin would be a great addition to the rotation.
Griffin would be much more expensive than Flaherty, however. The southpaw signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Washington Nationals this past season after three years in Japan. He recorded a 3.06 ERA over 129 1/3 innings with Washington before being traded to the Cleveland Guardians. He struggled with Cleveland, posting a 5.19 ERA over nine starts, but he had a solid 3.54 FIP with the Guardians. During the 2026 playoffs, Griffin allowed four runs over 10 1/3 innings while striking out 15.
Chicago White Sox - OF Randal Grichuk
The Twins have a full outfield with Byron Buxton, Luke Keaschall, Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't target a platoon option like Grichuk, a right-handed hitter. Jenkins and Rodriguez both hit left-handed, so Grichuk could start in place of one of them against southpaws.
Grichuk began the season with the New York Yankees. The Yankees designated him for assignment in late April. He elected free agency and signed a deal with the White Sox.
Grichuk ended up being a key platoon bat for Chicago this year. The outfielder slashed a remarkable .327/.371/.655 with 11 home runs in 165 at-bats against left-handers in 2026.
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