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Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Top 8 Free Agent First Basemen Available

By Otto Johnson |
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo hits an RBI single against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the ALCS. (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo hits an RBI single against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the ALCS. (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
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The Minnesota Twins are facing a tough challenge ahead of the 2023 season. After the 2022 season went awry, fans are angry, and the roster has some pretty major holes. In order to fix things, the team needs to spend, and after seeing nine players entering the free agent pool, there’s lots of money to work with.

In addition to some potential trade moves (the Twins have a lot of decent talent in the high minors), the Twins could use help everywhere other than second base, whether that be another catcher to pair with Ryan Jeffers, a true first baseman, a legit third baseman to non-tender Gio Urshela, any of the outfield spots (Buck needs a backup), or more pitching.

We rank the Top 8 first basemen for the Minnesota Twins to go after in Free Agency.

With all of those needs in mind and free agency about to begin, it’s time to break down the different players that they can spend money on. We’ll go position by position, talk strengths and weaknesses, whether the Twins would be interested, and if there’s a real chance.

For each list, we’ll be breaking down the positions into three groups: decent players who would be disappointments, good players who would fill the need, and top notch players that fans would be thrilled to get. We started this process with catchers yesterday, and we’ll continue today with first basemen.

The Minnesota Twins have much bigger issues than first base, but they don’t have a guaranteed plan there. Alex Kirilloff’s injury history is an issue. Luis Arraez was admirable, but it remains to be seen if the team feels comfortable there. Gio Urshela might not even be on the roster in 2023.

It’s unlikely that the team will spend big on this position, but with so much uncertainty in the lineup, it certainly would make sense if they could find a good deal for one of these players. Options and depth are always good, so with that in mind, let’s get started.

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Carlos Santana hits a single in the seventeenth inning against the Houston Astros. (Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Carlos Santana hits a single in the seventeenth inning against the Houston Astros. (Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports) /

Minnesota Twins Top Free Agent First Basemen: 8-7

  • No. 8: Jesus Aguilar (R)
  • No. 7: Carlos Santana (S)

The free agent first baseman class ahead of 2023 is extremely thin, with guys like Mike Ford, Ronald Guzman, and Greg Bird falling inside of the Top 15 first basemen available. With guys like that on the list and Miguel Sano serving as the ninth-best player available, this list will only include the Top 8, as those are the only ones that should be considered.

Jesus Aguilar is in a similar boat to Sano. Both players are coming off the worst seasons of their career offensively, posting a .661 OPS, his lowest since 2016 when he played in just nine games. Despite this, the former All-Star would likely come cheap (possibly even on an MiLB deal) and offer some depth and veteran leadership to a thin position.

Carlos Santana is in a similar position. The switch-hitting first baseman has posted an OPS of .678 OPS over the past three years, but he still does a stellar job of getting on base and playing reliable defense. Just like Aguilar, he’d be a cheap, reliable veteran to offer that all-too important depth.

If the Twins sign either of these two guys (or somehow reunite with Miguel Sano), it will be a similar move to signing Dylan Bundy in 2021. Adding veteran depth, but moves that won’t move the needle and will eat up a roster spot.

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel hits a single against the Philadelphia Phillies. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel hits a single against the Philadelphia Phillies. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports) /

Minnesota Twins Top Free Agent First Basemen: 6-4

  • No. 6: Trey Mancini (R)
  • No. 5: Yuli Gurriel (R)
  • No. 4: Brandon Belt (L)

Next up, we have three more veteran first basemen, all of whom disappointed in 2022 but should bounce back in 2023 (kind of like the Minnesota Twins team that might look to sign them). In addition, all three are right-handed, offering platoon potential with Luis Arraez and Alex Kirilloff.

Mancini posted a .751 OPS in his first 92 games with Baltimore, and while he struggled after his midseason trade to Houston, he’s still a great locker room guy and has been terrific against lefties throughout his career.

Then there’s Brandon Belt, the longtime San Francisco Giants first baseman. After posting a .285/.393/.595 slashline between 2020 and 2021, his production dipped in 2022, with a subpar 92 OPS+ last season. He may have slipped a little, but the two-time World Series Champion would be able to help step up in the leadership department and fill Carlos Correa’s shoes.

The last member of this group is Yuli Gurriel. Gurriel posted a career-worst .647 OPS last season, but after winning a batting title and Gold Glove in 2021, he’s not done yet. On top of a long history of success, the now-38-year-old was terrific in the playoffs on the way to his second World Series title. If he can be convinced to leave Houston, he’d be a great fit with Arraez and Kirilloff.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu hits a single against the Oakland Athletics. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu hits a single against the Oakland Athletics. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports) /

Minnesota Twins Top Free Agent First Basemen: 3-1

  • No. 3: Josh Bell (S)
  • No. 2: Anthony Rizzo (L)
  • No. 1: Jose Abreu (R)

The last three options on this list would all qualify as star upgrades that would truly lock down the position and allow Kirilloff to play more outfield and give Arraez the ability to play second, first, and designated hitter.

Josh Bell was a major disappointment in San Diego, but he was an All-Star in Pittsburgh and won a 2022 Silver Slugger after posting a .301/.384/.493 slashline in Washington. If the Twins were able to land him, his offensive ability would make him a great player to add to the lineup.

For Anthony Rizzo, he would cost a bit more due to his qualifying offer, but the ability to add a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover, and World Series Champion would be incredible. Still posting excellent numbers at the age of 33, Rizzo would immediately solidify the position for as long as he was here.

The No. 1 player on our list earns that spot for a reason, as the advantages of adding Jose Abreu are three-fold. First, Abreu is a superstar. The 2020 MVP has posted an OPS of under .800 just once in his career (it was a .798) and despite a drop in power in 2022, he still posted a stellar 133 OPS+.

Secondly, he’s durable. Over the past four seasons, he’s missed just 18 games, and for a Twins team that’s struggled to cover the position over the past three years, that’s a necessity. Thirdly, he seems unlikely to return to Chicago, which would significantly weaken the team’s main rival.

The Twins don’t NEED a new starting first baseman. Luis Arraez was a Gold Glove finalist at the position. Alex Kirilloff is coming back. But if the team adds a depth piece like Santana or a superstar like Abreu, the lineup would be all the better for it.

Next. Luis Arraez wins first Silver Slugger Award. dark

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