Minnesota Twins: Remaining Free Agents the front office should pursue

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 25: Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins looks on as General Manger Thad Levine speaks as Baldelli is introduced at a press conference at Target Field on October 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 25: Manager Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins looks on as General Manger Thad Levine speaks as Baldelli is introduced at a press conference at Target Field on October 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Minnesota Twins
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 08: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Jed Lowrie

This is a name that I had sort of let go off of my own radar in regards to a fit for the Twins. That had a lot to simply do with the Twins seemingly going bargain bin shopping when it came to their offseason approach.

When we did our FanSided MLB GM simulations one of my goals was to try and sign Jed Lowrie to take over third base and move Sano over to first. Brandon Warne reminded me of that idea on Twitter and it still seems like one good way the Twins can improve their lineup.

The Twins could really use an impact bat in their lineup. Yes, Max Kepler could emerge, Byron Buxton and Sano could figure it out, but with the Indians trading away talent I would rather not hope for just those things to happen. Lowrie is a right-handed bat who could provide a continued threat to opposing pitchers.

Last season Lowrie hit .267/.353/.448 with a .801 OPS and 23 home runs in a season when he was selected as an All-Star. Lowrie has been a force in the Oakland Athletics lineup for the past two seasons and the Twins would hope for that to continue in their lineup.

With the ability to play second base he also provides some defensive flexibility which allows him to rotate in and out of third, second, and even DH if needed. Lowrie’s signing would really accomplish a similar goal as the rumored signing of Nelson Cruz but with less power but added defensive versatility.

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