This list would have been much longer if the Twins hadn't traded most of their impending free agents before the July 31 Trade Deadline; Willi Castro, Harrison Bader, Danny Coulombe, Chris Paddack and Ty France, all of whom were traded by the Twins this summer, are impending free agents. Anyway, let's take a look at the upcoming free agents who are still on the Twins' roster.
Which Twins are impending free agents after trade deadline fire sale?
C Christian Vázquez
Vázquez likely would have been one of the Twins to be moved at the trade deadline this summer if the Twins had been able to receive any value in return. Clearly, there wasn't much of a market for Vázquez, who has been sidelined since August 6 with a left shoulder infection.
Since signing a three-year contract worth $30 million with the Twins following the 2022 season, Vázquez has posted 1.5 fWAR with a 57 wRC+ in 869 plate appearances. The Twins are likely ready to move on from Vázquez, unless they want to lock up a veteran catcher on a cheap deal to back up Ryan Jeffers in 2026. It's also possible that the Twins will try to trade Jeffers, creating a more likely scenario where Vázquez is a Twin next year. Still, there likely will be better options than Vázquez available for a relatively affordable price this offseason.
RP Erasmo Ramírez
The Twins signed Ramírez to a minor-league contract this past offseason, adding him to the big-league roster after dismantling the bullpen at the trade deadline. In seven games with Minnesota this season, Ramírez, 35, has a 3.12 ERA (5.31 FIP) with five strikeouts and one walk in 8 2/3 innings. The veteran reliever has been on seven teams throughout his 14-year MLB career, posting a 4.35 ERA with 650 strikeouts across 857 2/3 innings.
P José Ureña
The results for Ureña, who the Twins signed in June after he was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers, during his short time with Minnesota have been outstanding; in three appearances (two starts), Ureña has a 2.13 ERA with seven strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings. However, his 4.46 FIP, 10 hits allowed and six walks issued suggest he won't continue his success.
RP Génesis Cabrera
The Twins signed Cabrera, a lefty, to a minor league contract on Thursday after he was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Twins became his fourth major league team this season after selecting his contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. He made his Twins debut on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, hurling one perfect inning on nine pitches with one strikeout.
RP Justin Topa (club option)
It's up to the Twins to pick up Topa's option, worth $2 million, for next season if they want him back. Although there have been some hiccups, Topa, who was part of the Jorge Polanco trade, has mostly been a solid bullpen option for the Twins this season, posting a 3.66 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51 2/3 innings.
The Twins front office will, in all likelihood, bring Topa back next year, especially since they traded almost their entire bullpen this summer. He has a 2.83 FIP and an elite ground ball rate (47.9%), and has allowed just one run in eight innings since being moved to a late-inning role after the trade deadline.
Other Twins relievers, such as Thomas Hatch, Brooks Kriske, Anthony Misiewicz and more, might end up as free agents this offseason as well.