3 free agents the Twins need target this offseason if they're allowed to spend
If Minnesota is allowed to spend money this winter, the front office should target these three players in free agency
The Minnesota Twins are currently fighting for their playoff lives down the stretch of the regular season. A solid roster has gotten them this far, but there are some clear areas to improve this offseason if they want to become a true contender.
It's something that should have happened last winter, but ownership cutting out $30 million also cut out the front office at the knees. Improvements weren't able to be made and now the true cost of that is being felt now.
The Guardians seemingly have a recipe to be competitive most years, whether that be in the wild card conversation or at the top of the division like this season. The Kansas City Royals have emerged with Bobby Witt Jr. breaking out as one of the best players in baseball, along with some other smart free-agent signings to help out. The Detroit Tigers have a young roster, but there is some hope for them for the first time in a long time after their performance in August and September.
Kansas City's strategy last offseason could be a good framework for what the Twins do this offseason. That is not necessarily to make big splash moves, but some strategic additions to make the roster more well-rounded. There are some players scheduled to be free agents who should not break the bank, but should improve the Twins' roster.
With that said, let's get to some of the names Minnesota should be in on this offseason.
Top free agents Twins should target this offseason if they're allowed to spend
Gleyber Torres, 2B
The Twins have given a lot of players run this season, with Edouard Julien, Brooks Lee, Willi Castro and Kyle Farmer all getting time, according to FanGraphs. In the long-term, it seems like Castros will be in the outfield, and the Twins could stand to improve from the other options at the position. That is where Gleyber Torres comes in.
On the surface, Torres has not had a great season with the New York Yankees, but when looking deeper, he has performed much like his career norms in the second half of the season. Torres is batting .250 with a .325 on-base percentage this season, good for a 99 wRC+, according to FanGraphs. However, those numbers are dragged down by an uncharacteristically bad March and April (62 wRC+) and a below-average June (91 wRC+). For context, Torres struggled after being hit on the hand in the second game of the season, and that might have contributed to the lackluster start.Torres posted a 112 wRC+ in May before struggling in June again. He has been great since then, posting marks of 103 and 111 in July and August before really heating up in September with a 130 wRC+ so far.
Torres' good months are much more in line with the player he has been in his career, especially over the last few seasons since becoming a full-time second baseman. There is reason to believe that he could perform more like he has in the second half over the course of a full season, especially after leaving New York, where the spotlight is bright.
The Yankees will likely be saving their money to try to re-sign Juan Soto, and Torres' number on the whole this year could lead to him being one of the better value signings this offseason. The Twins should be all over him, assuming his market is not crazy.
Alex Cobb, SP
It could be wise for the Twins to add another starter behind Pablo Lopez this offseason. Not only would it lengthen the rotation, it would allow one of the arms slated to be in the rotation to move to the bullpen, strengthening arguably the biggest concern. Keeping with the theme of potential good value contracts, Alex Cobb fits the bill.
Over the last few seasons, Cobb has really figured things out. He had an up-and-down career during his stints with the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Angels. Then, he joined the San Francisco Giants, one of the best teams when it comes to developing pitching, and had solid seasons in 2022 and 2023. Now, he is with another pitching factory in the Cleveland Guardians. In very limited innings due to injury, Cobb has been effective, pitching to a 2.76 ERA, according to FanGraphs.
Cobb will be 37 entering next season, and there is some inherent risk there. However, that means his free-agent contract will not cost much. Given Cobb's effectiveness in recent years after working with the Giants' staff, he could be a steal on a one-year contract. It doesn't hurt that the Twins would be stealing him from the division rival Guardians either.
Blake Treinen, RP
It is no secret that the Twins need to improve their bullpen in the 2025 season. That was a big goal heading into 2024, and many of the signings did not work out. That does not mean that Minnesota should give up on improving that area of the roster. There are some good options out there in free agency this offseason, and Blake Treinen could be a good target.
The Twins should be targeting multiple relievers, but Treinen could be one of the more notable targets. There are other high-end closers like Tanner Scott or Kenley Jansen who will hit the market, but with Jhoan Duran still in the picture for 2025, it makes sense to sign someone who will be cheaper than those two and is content pitching in any inning. Duran has had some rough luck despite a down 2024, so a resurgent 2025 is not out of the question. Pairing him with someone like Treinen, who has been very good for the Dodgers in recent years, could make the back end of the bullpen look a lot better.
Signing a proven arm like Treinen to pair with Duran on the back end, along with some high-upside signings could be the way to go. Either way, the Twins should get another proven reliever to fortify the bullpen in 2025.
More Minnesota Twins news and rumors
feed