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

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.