Minnesota Twins: Top 1B Trade Candidates for the Twins to Target

The Minnesota Twins remain atop the American League Central, holding a solid lead over the Cleveland Guardians. The team is buoyed by a strong (though often inconsistent) offense and the ability to cruise through a weak division.

Unfortunately, if the team wants to compete in the playoffs and end their streak of 18 consecutive playoff losses, they need to go after three or four positions to upgrade the team. To help look at some options, we’re going to look at some players the team can go after.

When looking at different players, we aren’t looking at players from contending rosters. So this means all current contenders and most potential contenders were off limits. We took a look at third base yesterday and we’re moving on today to first base.

We rank the Top 4 Third Basemen for the Minnesota Twins to go after before the trade deadline.

We all know that the Minnesota Twins’ most desperate need is still relief pitching, but the Twins could stand to add some help on the offensive side too. We talked a little bit about third base and a more serious need is at first base.

Luis Arraez is best used at DH, because his defense isn’t great and Alex Kirilloff is needed to play in the outfield. The team could use a boost there as well, in addition to another bat in the lineup that would allow for a little injury protection. We’ll start off with the fourth option.

Minnesota Twins 1B Trade Candidate No. 3: Trey Mancini, Baltimore Orioles

Speaking of the Baltimore Orioles, the team who the Twins just walked off last night, the next candidate is Trey Mancini. In addition to first base, Mancini can also play the corner outfield spots for the Twins when needed.

Mancini is currently slashing .279/.355/.420 with a 122 OPS+, his second year returning from a cancer diagnosis that caused him to miss the entire 2020 season. He might not have the same power that he had last year, but he’s still playing at a high level. Even better, his Baseball Savant page suggests that his play can only get better.

His defense is also really strong, as he’s yet to make an error at first all year. The defense may have some lapses when he has to play in right field, but that’s not where he’d be primarily used in Minnesota.

He’s only under contract for the rest of this season, so the Orioles would probably be willing to let him go for a single solid prospect and not a huge haul. If the Twins can add him to the roster, he’d be a big playoff asset.

Minnesota Twins 1B Trade Candidate No. 2: Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins

Similar to the last article, we’re going after the Miami Marlins’ corner infielders, and today it’s Garrett Cooper. The first baseman and designated hitter is in the midst of an excellent season, building off of two stellar seasons in 2020 and 2021.

He’s slashing .321/.385/.469 with a 140 OPS+ and he’s hitting the ball hard. Despite a lack of homers, he’s currently tied for tenth in the National League in doubles, proving that he’s clocking the ball regularly.

His defense isn’t as good as it’s been in previous years, but playing in a strong system in Minnesota with Jorge Polanco next to you and Carlos Correa at shortstop will probably help Cooper perform better.

On top of this, Cooper is under contract through 2025, so the Minnesota Twins would be able to have his consistent bat in the lineup for the next three years. If the Marlins are willing to deal him, the Twins should take a stab at bringing him to Minnesota.

Minnesota Twins 1B Trade Candidate No. 1: Josh Bell, Washington Nationals

The last and definitely best bat that the Twins should be going after is Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell. Bell is only be under contract for the rest of 2023, so the rebuilding Washington Nationals are going to send him to the team with the best offer.

Bell is currently slashing .321/.403/.511 and is absolutely MASHING the ball right now. Here’s his slash line over the last week, two weeks, and over a month:

• Over the last week: .546/.615/.773, 5 XBH, 1 RBI, 4-2 BB-K, 17 total bases
• Over the last two weeks: .462/.544/.667, 7 XBH, 6-5 BB-K, 26 total bases
• Over the last month: .356/.448/.690, 15 XBH (6 HR), 15-17 BB-K, 60 total bases

On top of Bell’s offensive prowess, he’s also a reliable defender at first base, one who’s in the sixty-fourth percentile in outs above average. Finally, he’s played a league-leading 78 games, showing how reliable he is.

He’s an excellent option for the Twins’ new cleanup hitter as well. The Twins’ first three hitters (Arraez, Buxton, and Correa) are remarkably consistent, but the cleanup position has been very hit or miss. He’s truly the perfect bat for the Twins to go get in 2022 and solve their offensive inconsistency.