Where Do Minnesota Twins Free Agents Stand in New MLB Tier Rankings?

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Nov 20, 2024

Max Kepler, Minnesota Twins — Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports

Before the Minnesota Twins start signing new talent this offseason, they must evaluate the current state of their own roster. On Tuesday the organization added a pair of prospects to the 40-man roster. On Friday they’ll need to make non-tender decisions. When they ultimately dip into free agency, there should be plenty of options. They could even consider a return for some of their own departures.

Max Kepler’s free agency should be fascinating for Minnesota Twins to observe

Max Kepler has known nothing but the Minnesota Twins over the course of his professional career. He signed with the organization as a teenager out of Germany, and now at 31 years old, he gets to experience free agency for the first time. MLB insider Mark Feinsand placed the outfielder amongst the third tier of his comprehensive free agent rankings.

“It’s been five years since Kepler’s breakout 2019 season, during which he set career highs with 36 home runs and 90 RBIs. He might have to settle for a one-year pillow deal to reestablish his value, but Kepler remains a solid defender with 25-home run power, making him a solid risk-reward candidate.”
Feinsand on Max Kepler (MLB.com)

Minnesota extended Kepler on a six-year, $41.13 million deal prior to the 2019 season. They certainly didn’t know the baseball was going to be juiced, but he became a key member of the Bomba Squad. That 123 OPS+ has never been matched by Kepler, and the years since have been largely mediocre. Across 519 games, he owns a 102 OPS+ that includes average counting stats across the board.

Kepler’s offensive profile has always been limited because of his approach at the plate. He doesn’t hit the ball hard, and doesn’t lift the baseball. He also doesn’t draw walks. The path to success is such a tight threading of the needle that it has always resulted in substantial ebbs and flows.

There’s no reason why Kepler won’t find a home though. His defense remains well above average as a corner outfielder. If he can land in an advantageous ballpark like Cleveland or New York, then the offense could come back around as well. It would be a shock to see the Twins bring him back, and someone should be willing to pay him in the $10-15 million range per season.

MIGHTY MAX 💪💪💪

Max Kepler takes Trevor Bauer yard AGAIN. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/4kB6MB2MJc
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) July 13, 2019

No matter where he ends up, seeing Kepler in a different uniform is going to be jarring for a bit. You can bet there will be a tribute video the first time he returns to Target Field.

Former Twins litter lower tiers of free agency

It’s not just Max Kepler that is hitting the open market. Minnesota had multiple veterans depart this offseason, and there are plenty of players with ties to the organization that show up on Feinsand’s breakdown. Unfortunately for all of them, they check in among the lower tiers.

Name	Age	Previous Team	Position	Tier
Jorge Polanco	31	Mariners	INF	4
Martin Perez	34	Padres	LHP	4
Carlos Santana	39	Twins	1B/DH	4
Danny Coulombe	35	Orioles	LHP	5
Kyle Farmer	34	Twins	INF	5
Joey Gallo	31	Nationals	1B/OF	5
Kyle Gibson	37	Cardinals	RHP	5
Jorge Lopez	32	Cubs	RHP	5
Lance Lynn	38	Carindals	RHP	5

*Other tier 5 notables include Gary Sanchez (32), Donovan Solano (37), Gio Urshela (33), and Michael A. Taylor (34)

It seems relatively unlikely that Minnesota would be interested in the vast majority of their former talents. Jorge Polanco could be a decent stopgap at second base if he wanted to return on a cheap deal. There is a need at first base, but Santana may have had the last productive season of his career.

The Twins could be suitors for names like Roki Sasaki (Tier 2), Yusei Kikuchi (Tier 3), Tyler O’Neill (Tier 3), or any number of players in the lower tiers. Falvey must work his magic this offseason due to payroll constraints, and how that shakes out will determine where Minnesota finds themselves once the regular season begins.