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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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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.

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