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Minnesota Twins: Three recently non-tendered players of interest

By Nick Stevens

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 19: A detailed view of a Minnesota Twins baseball hat and a Rawlings glove sitting on the dugout steps during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 8-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 19: A detailed view of a Minnesota Twins baseball hat and a Rawlings glove sitting on the dugout steps during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 19, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 8-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Twins
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Which recently non-tendered players could help the Minnesota Twins? These three could.

Nearly 60 new players joined the free agent pool on Wednesday evening after being non-tendered by their respective ballclubs, hopefully jump-starting what has been a quiet offseason to date. A few of these new free agents may be of interest to the Minnesota Twins as they look to fill a few holes in their roster.

As expected, outfielder Eddie Rosario was not tendered a contract due to his expected $10 million salary in 2021 through arbitration, but he wasn’t the only one. Surprisingly, reliever Matt Wisler was also non-tendered after an impressive 2020 campaign.

Are any of these recently non-tendered players possible fits for the Minnesota Twins? With a need for backend starters to fill out their starting rotation, bullpen help after the departures of Wisler and Trevor May (signed with Mets), a utility option for depth, and possibly a DH with the Twins and Nelson Cruz yet to budge on a deal, there are a few names who stick out as possible fits.

Here are three non-tendered players the Minnesota Twins should target.

RHP Archie Bradley

Just about every team is likely to be interested in Archie Bradley, but with a need for a late-inning arm, the Minnesota Twins should already be on the phone with his agent.

The 28-year-old split his time in 2020 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds, going 2-0 with six saves, a 2.95 ERA and just three walks in 18.1 innings. He didn’t walk a single batter in his 7.2 innings with the Reds to close out 2020.

Bradley was Arizona’s closer in 2019, saving 18 games and striking out a career-high 27.4% of hitters. He would be a solid upgrade to Minnesota’s bullpen and help ease the sting from losing Wisler and May.

Since transitioning to a full-time relief role in 2017, Bradley was been worth 4.2 Wins Above Replacement and routinely posted high groundball numbers while keeping the ball in the yard.

At 28 and with his track record of success, Bradley could be a long-term fit for the Twins at a reasonable price tag, allowing Minnesota to spend bigger money elsewhere, whether it’s to bring back Nelson Cruz or acquire another high-impact bat.

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