Twins named potential fit for key Diamondbacks free agent this offseason
By Josh Hill
With the World Series over, and the Texas Rangers crowned champs, we've officially reached the offseason.
That means the rumor mill is about the start turning fast and furious as the other 29 ballclubs around MLB try to chase Texas and be in their position this time next year. For the first time in a very long while, fans in Minnesota can say with confidence that the Twins are firmly in that conversation.
Not everything was perfect this year, but Minnesota finally won a playoff game for the first time in almost two decades and clinched a series for the first time since 2002. While there was euphoria over the curse ending, it felt less like something ending and more like the beginning of a new era.
That's the mentality the Twins are taking into the offseason, as the team has a handful of moves to make and a growing list of potential free agents to target.
Will Twins pursue Tommy Pham in free agency?
In a piece looking at some key D-Backs free agents and where they might land this winter, FanSided's Kevin Henry connected the Twins with outfielder Tommy Pham.
"With a salary from 2023 at $7.5 million, Pham will likely come at a decent price for any team looking to add a veteran to their roster. Pham will be looking to earn his first ring and will find an opportunity to do that with the Minnesota Twins. After all, Pham doesn't need to be a starter for a team, but he can certainly be a capable fill-in when needed," Henry wrote.
It's not the first time the Twins have been linked to Pham, and likely won't be the last as Hot Stove SZN begins to heat up. Back at the trade deadline in August, Minnesota was mentioned as a potential landing spot for Pham as the Mets shopped him, but he ended up in Arizona instead.
We all know what happened with the Twins and moves at the deadline, but signing Pham this winter could be a nice coda to that whole ordeal. At the time fans were incensed -- rightfully so -- that the team didn't make meaningful moves to improve the roster.
It all ended up turning out alright, as the Twins broke their dreaded 19-year postseason losing streak anwyway, and now they could have their cake and eat it too. Rather than giving up assets to acquire Pham at the deadline, Minnesota can now sign him in the offseason without sacraficing anything other than some payroll.
That noise you hear is Derek Falvey and Thad Levine getting the last laugh.
Pham remains as much a fit for the Twins now as he did at the deadline. He played both corners of the outfield in Arizona and spent seven games in center while with the Mets. Given the uncertainty of Byron Buxton's health and the looming exit of Michael A. Taylor, Pham could fill in nicely as an outfield utility man. Not for nothing, but Pham spent the most time serving as DH for the Diamondbacks, so he offers a ton of value that will likely still intrigue the Twins this winter.
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