There are five free agents the Twins should consider this offseason

The Minnesota Twins have already begun making changes, parting ways with four assistant coaches just days after a disappointing season ended with a catastrophic collapse.

But that’s just the beginning of what’s likely to bring even bigger changes within the organization this offseason. It is clear that a new approach is needed as last season’s moves did not work. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he could do more as the team’s manager and the on-field performance throughout the year simply wasn’t good enough.

Baldelli said he plans to make changes to his approach this offseason, but there are certainly roster changes that need to be made as well. After the disappointment of the 2024 season, very little is set in stone for the Twins.

“I don’t want to challenge individual players, but we have very few permanent spots in our team,” said Baldelli before the last game of the season on Sunday. “We have to earn our chances. I think this should be clear to everyone, but I don’t think there’s any harm in saying it. That’s how it’s going to be and the boys have to go out there and earn their place. Guys are going to show us who’s out there ready to play winning baseball.”

With very few positions set, it’s worth exploring some of the options for the Twins to add to the roster in free agency. As is the case in most offseasons, the Twins probably won’t spend a lot of money, but they also don’t plan on cutting payroll, and there are a number of needs on the roster, particularly in the bullpen, and they are there Players available who can help the team.

Here are five free agents the Twins should consider this offseason:

Torres will be the best free agent second baseman on the market after another solid year for the New York Yankees. While the Yankees don’t often let go of top talent, they will also have to deal with Juan Soto leaving in free agency this offseason.

The 27-year-old Torres hit .257/.387/.709 with 26 doubles, 15 home runs and 63 RBIs for the Yankees this year. He was the everyday second baseman, playing in 154 games and providing consistent performance to the lineup throughout the year.

The Twins aren’t necessarily looking for a new second baseman, but of the players who moved at the position last year, none were a consistent force in the lineup. The Twins even tried to gain experience at second with Royce Lewis toward the end of the year, perhaps indicating that they want a more consistent hitter in the lineup. Torres would fit that bill, but he would also have had to pay a higher price, having earned $14.2 million that season. And the Twins have other options with young guys Edouard Julien and Brooks Lee, utility Willi Castro and possibly Kyle Farmer, who has a common option for next season.

The Twins’ starting rotation was dysfunctional from the start, as Anthony DeSclafani never pitched an inning. Due to injuries to Chris Paddack and Joe Ryan, the Twins had three rookies in the starting lineup at the end of the season.

Despite having several top players on the market, it’s unlikely the Twins will pursue a top starter in free agency. But the Twins could certainly use an additional starter, even if one of the rookies is ready for a full-time position after this year’s experience.

The 31-year-old Pivetta was an integral part of the Red Sox rotation last season, posting a 4.14 earned-run average over 145 2/3 innings in 27 appearances – 26 starts. He fanned out 172 and has a solid 4.76 ERA over his eight-year career.

The bullpen certainly needs to be addressed this offseason, and Graveman seems like the type of low-risk, high-reward move the Twins are comfortable making. Graveman’s 2024 season did not turn out as he had hoped, as he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in the spring before suiting up for the Houston Astros.

But Graveman, 33, has nine years of productive experience in which he posted a 3.95 ERA and struck out .494 in 652 innings. Perhaps Graveman, who almost returned to the Astros at the end of the year, could return to form with the Twins.

Kahnle, 35, is another arm who could help bolster the Twins’ bullpen. The right-hander had a standout year for the Yankees, posting a career-best 2.11 ERA and pitching 46 2/3 innings in 50 appearances.

He is expected to earn just over $11 million within two years.

The Twins didn’t have a reliable left-handed reliever last season. Steven Okert was eventually called up, Caleb Thielbar had his ups and downs and probably won’t be back next season, and Kody Funderburk was up and down from Triple-A.

The 35-year-old Suter could be the reliable left-hander in the bullpen, although it will depend on whether the Cincinnati Reds pick up his $3.5 million team option for 2025. If he hits the open market, the Twins could certainly benefit from a left-handed hitter who posted a 3.15 ERA in 47 games last season, striking out 50 over 65 2/3 innings.