Ryan Jeffers (27) of the Minnesota Twins bats during game four of the Division Series against the Houston Astros. - Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Minnesota Twins fans could certainly be excused if they have opted to take a nap during the first part of this offseason. With one major league free agent signing and some arbitration agreements, there have been no visible fireworks displays at Target Field so far this winter. Just a nice winter slumber.
No Need to Panic
Perhaps no panic is necessary as the Twins over the past few seasons have made their biggest player acquisitions well into the free agency period. Players such as Carlos Correa, Pablo Lopez, and Sonny Gray have been brought on board well after New Years Day.
Still the announcement by Twins president Derek Falvey that the payroll will be sliced by at least $20 million has fans rightfully concerned. This of course is related to their uncertain television contract situation that has yet to be resolved.
Twins Lone Free Agent Signing This Far
In December, the Twins agreed to terms with ex-Kansas City Royals reliever Josh Staumont on a one-year contract. Health problems have caused a regression in his performance over the past two seasons. But the Twins hope that this low-cost reclamation signing works as well as the Brock Stewart project did in 2023. This is the team’s only major league free agency move of the offseason so far.
Twins Have Been Busy in Arbitration
Regarding arbitration, the Twins have settled one-year contracts with six of their seven arbitration-eligible players:
Infielder Kyle Farmer ($6.05 million),
Utilityman Willi Castro ($3.3 million),
Reliever Caleb Thielbar ($3.225 million),
Catcher Ryan Jeffers ($2.425 million),
First baseman Alex Kirilloff ($1.35 million)
Reliever Jorge Alcala ($790,000)
Good Deals Made
The Twins did better than expected financially on these agreements. This provides hope that they may allocate more funds for additional player acquisitions.
These signings also are significant because they involve two everyday starters; Jeffers and Kirilloff, their most consistent reliever; Thielbar, and two super utility players, Farmer and Castro. There is still a chance that Farmer could be included in a future trade. But his flexibility as a player and the thriftiness of his contract makes his retention more likely.
Utilityman Nick Gordon was the only Twins player who didn’t reach an agreement on terms, and he could head to an arbitration hearing. He requested a $1.25 million salary and the Twins countered at $900,000.
If it’s not resolved before a hearing, then a three-person panel will pick a side. My guess though is that Gordon has played his last game with the Twins. He missed most of last season with a fractured right tibia and Farmer and Castro have moved ahead of him on the depth chart.
Veterans on the Trade Block
Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco have been on the trade block all winter as have Farmer and Christian Vazquez. The Twins will make space for incoming rookies this season. Players such as top prospect infielder Brooks Lee, pitcher Matt Canterino, and the flexible Austin Martin.
But the Twins are looking to acquire MLB players in “need-for-need” trades and will not trade the likes of Polanco or Kepler for prospects. Hang on to your hats Twins fans. The offseason fun has just begun.
To read more of Greg’s articles, please click here
