As the Minnesota Twins look to how to contend in 2019 here is a set of ideas for what trades to make and free agents to sign this offseason.
The Minnesota Twins have a wild offseason ahead of them. With very little money committed to the roster next season there is plenty of space to add where needed. If I were in charge of the Twins this is what my offseason would look like.
Free Agents
The following players are set to hit free agency this offseason:
Matt Belisle-The Twins will have more possible upgrades in free agency and Belisle might just retire.
Chris Gimenez– Already have 3 catchers on 40 man roster. Same as Belisle he might retire.
Logan Forsythe– At the beginning of his Twins tenure he looked like a solid candidate to bring back as a bridge to Nick Gordon but Forsythe really fell off towards the end of the season. Better players available.
Joe Mauer– Has a place on the team if he wants it but will most likely retire.
Ervin Santana (after buyout)- Won’t be brought back at current option price but might be a cheap option.
Logan Morrison (after buyout)- Might be a good idea to move on after a rough season.
These moves put the 40 man roster at 37.
Re-Add to 40-man roster
The following players have to be re-added to the 40 man roster after being on the 60 man DL.
This puts the 40-man roster at 40
Players removed from 40 man (DFA)
Oliver Drake-There will be better options to be acquired.
Johnny Field- Has been DFA ‘d once and was claimed more as a filler than part of future.
Matt Magill– See Drake, better options to be acquired.
Robbie Grossman should receive a non-tender. Good player but is not needed anymore with Jake Cave and others now on the team.
These moves put the 40 man roster at 36.
Players added to protect from Rule V draft
Nick Gordon- A top prospect that could be very easily stashed on a major league roster. He is probably still a year away from being a full time contributor but since he is added would be first man up with injuries.
Lamonte Wade- Another player a year away but would be a quick call up due to injury. He also could be stashed like Gordon.
Jake Reed– Solid RP that probably should’ve been called up for September. He snuck through last year but I doubt it happens again.
Luis Arreaz- Solid infield prospect that could be a big league contributor in a couple years. He is the most debatable case to be added. Not the higher rated prospect Gordon and Wade are.
This puts the roster at 40 on 40-man roster
Other eligible guys:
Contract Extensions
Jose Berrios– get him extended before his value balloons too much more. As the Twins GM I would try and work out an offer to buy out his arbitration years and possibly a year or two of free agency. That would be a very worthwhile move. 6 Years $60 Million. Backload the deal so he gets a fair bump this year but not $10 Million per year right away. Deal goes $5 Million in 2019 $7 Million in 2020 $10 Million in 2021 $10 Million in 2022 and $14 Million in 2023 and 2024.
Byron Buxton– not an extension but need to consider bumping his salary to make up for the non call up in September when he was probably deserving. If you hope to keep him around after he reaches free agency might want to patch things up now. Something like a bump from his current $1.2 Million in 2019 to $3 Million.