Minnesota Twins Suddenly Eager to Spend in Free Agency and Falvey is Eyeing Up Outfielders

Following the departure of longtime 2nd baseman Jorge Polanco on Monday, the Minnesota Twins suddenly find themselves with even more financial flexibility this offseason; $6.5 million to be exact. The Twins have already said they plan to take that money and put it back into the roster.

Minnesota Twins looking to spend… on Adam Duvall?

According to Dan Hayes (the Athletic), the Twins may be eyeing some free agent names that baseball fans might actually recognize. Among the speculated targets is 35-year-old outfielder, Adam Duvall, and others.

“One possibility is a reunion with Taylor, who is still available in free agency. Another name they’ve considered is Adam Duvall, who can play all three outfield spots and posted a 119 OPS+ last season in Boston when he earned $7 million. The team may also look at veteran utility man Kiké Hernández, though they already have Willi Castro and Nick Gordon on the roster.”

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

Adam Duvall emerges as one of the top free agents this offseason. Despite being 35 years old, his impressive track record includes being a former All-Star (2016) and Gold Glove winner (2021). Last season, he showcased his productivity in 92 games for the Red Sox, tallying 21 home runs, 58 RBIs, and an .834 OPS.

Related: Rocco Baldelli May Have Talked Twins Front Office Out of Trading Max Kepler

Known for his versatility, Duvall can effectively play all three outfield positions and excels against right-handed pitching. He had an .863 OPS last season against righties and could be the perfect platoon option for Byron Buxton, to start the season. Additionally, his postseason experience, including winning the World Series in 2021, which adds valuable depth to his profile.

Fenway Park was MADE for Adam Duvall! 🔥#MLBCentral | @markdero7 | #DirtyWater pic.twitter.com/bim4XP6AnS

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 28, 2023

Hayes also suggests Kiké Hernández as another potential option the front office is investigating, though he notes that Nick Gordon and Willi Castro are already on the roster and seemingly fit the same role. It’s even possible we see the return of Michael A. Taylor.

Adam Duvall was also highlighted alongside Brandon Belt in a recent MLB.com article, where they were identified as best fits for the Minnesota Twins. While Belt, a 36 year-old first baseman, could offer productivity to the Twins lineup, Duvall appears to be a more feasible option at the moment.

Twins Aren’t Done Yet?

It was initially reported that the Twins weren’t expected to make any significant moves this offseason, due to uncertainty surrounding their TV deal for the next season. But they’ve already cut that salary. Now, they’re looking to spend a little bit and, depending on how these TV talks play out, the cash they have on hand to spend could go up even more.

This report certainly flies in the face of what the Twins were trying to sell to reporters at Twinsfest, that they’re so confident in Byron Buxton’s knee that they are comfortable rolling into the season with only Willi Castro and Austin Martin as his backup plan, in case of injury.

Related: Byron Buxton Extremely Confident He’s Ready for Center Field Duties Again

Rocco Baldelli made it clear that he’d expect some more fireworks before the start of the season at the end of March. Will it be Duvall or any of the other names mentioned above? Time will tell. There are plenty of names out there still, and it will be intriguing to see who the Twins ultimately choose.