The Minnesota Twins' 2026 season officially concluded with a 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota's roster will likely look pretty much the same in 2027, but there are a handful of players who will become free agents after the World Series. Let's take a look at which Twins will hit free agency and predict their fates.
Predicting fates of Twins' 2026-27 free agents
C Ryan Jeffers
Jeffers will be a free agent this offseason after posting 2.8 bWAR and an .814 OPS with 14 home runs and 56 RBI over 92 games this year. Those are solid numbers, but a second-half slide following a return from a hamate bone fracture could impact his earnings potential.
Victor Caratini will be Minnesota's lone catcher on the 40-man roster once the offseason begins, so the team will need to address the backstop position. The Twins could consider re-signing Jeffers, but with top catching prospect Vahn Lackey sitting in the minors, Minnesota's brass might want to allocate payroll to other areas of the roster.
There's a solid chance the Twins extend Jeffers the qualifying offer in the offseason. MLB Trade Rumors projects the QO price will be set at $23.1 million. While that would be a high price to pay for a season of Jeffers, the Twins should be happy if they could keep Jeffers for one more season; then hopefully, Lackey will be ready for the majors in 2028. Jeffers may be interested in accepting the QO, but it seems more likely he will look for a multi-year contract elsewhere.
Prediction: Jeffers turns down QO from the Twins and signs a multi-year deal with another team.
DH/1B Josh Bell
Bell had a decent year at the plate, slashing .255/.319/.419 with 21 home runs and 96 RBI. He will be a free agent this offseason unless he becomes the first player in over a decade to have a mutual option exercised.
It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for Minnesota to re-sign Bell for another year. However, his poor first base defense makes him a primary designated hitter, which could block a high-upside prospect from receiving regular playing time. The Twins will want to give outfielders Byron Buxton, Luke Keaschall, Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez. Having a primary DH next year would mean one of those outfielders wouldn't play regularly.
Prediction: Bell signs with another team.
LHP A.J. Minter
Minter will be a free agent this offseason. Minnesota acquired the southpaw from the New York Mets for infield prospects Billy Amick and Bruin Agbayani on July 31.
Minter impressed in his short time with Minnesota, recording a 2.78 ERA with 21 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings. He has 10 years of big-league experience, a career ERA of 3.15 and a World Series ring.
The Twins should want to avoid the same bullpen mistake they made last offseason. The bullpen is already in a much better spot this offseason, with midseason acquisitions Jeff Hoffman, Tommy Nance, and Yoendrys Gomez returning, but they should still add to the group of relievers.
Prediction: Twins re-sign Minter to a two-year deal.
LHP Taylor Rogers
The Twins signed Rogers to a one-year deal over the offseason. He didn't have his best year, posting a 4.33 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 60 1/3 innings. He had great moments, but plenty of bad ones as well. Ultimately, I think the Twins will decide to move on from the left-hander.
Prediction: Rogers will sign with another team.
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