4 free agents the Twins should still be considering

The Twins television resolution is resolved, which could lead to another addition from the free agent market.

The Minnesota Twins have reported to Spring Training and but that doesn't mean that their offseason has concluded. 

The Twins could use an upgrade in several areas and with a projected payroll of $123 million, the Twins have about $16 million to spend on a player based on the initial projection of $125 to $140 million back in December from Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

With several big names left on the market, the Twins may be able to swoop in and make an addition and some names make sense as they prepare to build off their first postseason win since 2003.

Michael Lorenzen

One of the Twins' biggest needs heading into this season is starting pitching, but unlike most seasons, they need depth more than they need an actual ace.

Pablo López has filled the top spot in the rotation after coming over in a trade last winter but the Twins lost Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda in free agency leaving 288.1 innings to fill this season.

The return of Chris Paddack and the addition of Anthony DeSclafani is expected to fill some of those injuries but depth was part of the reason why the Twins' staff was so successful a year ago and it could lead them back to the free-agent market.

Lorenzen is one player the Twins have been connected to in recent weeks and is coming off a tale of two seasons. Lorenzen made his first All-Star appearance after going 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts for the Detroit Tigers but dropped to 4-2 with a 5.51 ERA in 11 game (seven starts) after being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline.

Lorenzen's metrics also weren't great a year ago but hitters have had issues squaring him up at times as his 85.5 average exit velocity was in the 99th percentile during the 2019 season and he threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals last August.

Michael Lorenzen’s family’s reaction to his no-hitter is everything 🥹pic.twitter.com/8oFUJkOu3N

— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) February 11, 2024

This screams of a typical bargain bin signing for the Twins but it also represents a strength in numbers. If the Twins want to add another major league arm to their staff, they could do worse.

Tommy Pham

The Twins also need some outfield depth as Matt Wallner and Max Kepler don't have much behind them to start the season. With trade speculation surrounding Kepler leading nowhere this offseason, the Twins could look to Pham to help fill the role.

A 10-year veteran, Pham got off to a solid start, hitting .268/.348/.472 with 10 homers, 36 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 79 games with the Mets before hitting .241/.304/.415 with six homers, 32 RBI and 11 more steals in 50 games after being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

While Pham's numbers are impressive, his biggest value would come against left-handed pitching. Pham hit .245/.322/.465 with a .787 OPS against southpaws in 2023 and would fit nicely on a team that ranked 19th with a .726 OPS against left-handers last season.

At 36 years old, Pham could be had on a one-year deal and prices could be dropping after Randal Grichuk signed with the Diamondbacks for a $2 million deal on Saturday. If they like Pham, he shouldn't be a high-dollar addition.

Twins still need a right-handed-hitting outfielder.

Grichuk is off the board, and for only $2 million.

Twins likely prefer Michael A. Taylor, Adam Duvall or Tommy Pham, but this at least suggests prices are dropping now that spring training has started.https://t.co/CKShLW9TLd

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 17, 2024

Cody Bellinger

Now that we have the bargains out of the way, let's talk about some of the real issues. The Twins saddled up with Bally's Sports Network for another year and although they are getting less money than the reported $54 million they made a year ago, it could be in the area of the $44 to $48 million range the Cleveland Guardians are making after taking a paycut to remain with Bally this season.

If the Twins pay cut is somewhere around $8 and $10 million, it could justify going big on one free agent – especially with the added revenue that a long-awaited playoff win would bring.

This could lead the Twins to Bellinger, who revived his career last season with the Chicago Cubs hitting .307/.356/.525 with 26 homers, 97 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 130 games last season. After spending time at first base and center field, he would be a viable option if either Alex Kirilloff or Carlos Santana falter in first base or Buxton's return to center field is short-lived.

There is a "buyer beware" element here as Bellinger hit .203/.272/.376 with a .648 OPS in three seasons after winning the National League MVP Award with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. But at 28 years old, there could be a lot in the tank and give the Twins what they need.

Blake Snell

Twins fans have been screaming for a starting pitcher all offseason. While DeSclafani added depth, some fans want to see the Twins get a top-of-the-rotation starter to pair with López and make Minnesota a legitimate contender next offseason.

If the Twins want to go big, Blake Snell is the top option on the market.

Snell won his second Cy Young Award last season after going 14-9 with a league-low 2.25 ERA in 32 starts with the San Diego Padres. He threw 180 innings and has made at least 20 or more starts in his six full seasons in the majors and made 11 starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

A pitcher like this is usually out of the Twins' price range but teams have balked at giving him a big contract this offseason. The situation is somewhat similar to Carlos Correa, who tried to get a big contract in 2022 but ultimately signed with the Twins on a three-year, $105.3 million contract that included opt-outs after each season.

If no team is willing to give Snell what he wants, the Twins could reach out to Boras (who just happens to be Correa's agent) and negotiate a similar deal to reinforce his value.

Perhaps it's a pipe dream for a team that has been persistent on its approach to slash payroll this offseason. But with fans finally starting to come around, taking a swing on Snell would be worth any financial loss the Twins could take.

Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports