The Minnesota Twins finished the 2021 season last in the American League Central with a 73-89 record.
While they may have some pieces in place to make a postseason run in 2022, it seems highly unlikely without some outside help.
These three free agents would be of great help for the 2022 Twins.
3. James Paxton
James Paxton, 33, could only pitch 1.1 innings last season with the Seattle Mariners before blowing out his elbow for the second time in his career.
He needed Tommy John surgery in late April, putting him on a June-July timeline.
If his market doesn’t develop as planned, the Twins should definitely pounce with a two-year deal, or a one-year pact with an option.
Paxton is injury-prone, but when healthy, he has one of the liveliest fastballs in the game and can actually put up excellent numbers.
For his career, he has a 3.59 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and 831 strikeouts in 754.2 innings.
Even if he pitches half a season and puts up those averages or slightly worse, Paxton would be an upgrade over Randy Dobnak, Griffin Jax, Devin Smeltzer, and other pitchers projected to have a rotation spot as of now.
The Twins’ idea is to contend in 2022, in what will be the last arbitration eligibility seasons of Byron Buxton and Taylor Rogers, and Paxton can help in the second half.
Twins still have a roster where they can compete in 2022. Get Buxton his extension and go get an ACE. https://t.co/WYbYdNdU7S
— Josh Nelson (@josh_jman) July 30, 2021
2. Alex Wood
It’s clear that the Twins need pitching.
my only question is this a proper use of resources as I believe 90% of Twins 2022 budget should be on pitching if they truly want to contend in 2022.
— Travis Aune (@TravisAune) September 29, 2021
Besides youngsters Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, there is not too much going on in Minnesota pitching-wise, at least not in the big league team (there are some promising arms in the high minors, like Simeon Woods Richardson and Josh Winder).
Some outside help would be welcome, since it appears the team will head to the 2022 season with the intention of making the playoffs.
Perhaps the Twins won’t be able to lure the very top tier of the starting pitching free agents, but they could target the middle-tier.
Alex Wood is certainly an interesting name for them, as he is somewhat injury-prone, but very talented and crafty.
He is coming off a very good season with the San Francisco Giants: 138.2 innings pitched, a 10-4 record, a 3.83 ERA, 152 strikeouts, and a 1.18 WHIP.
Those are very good numbers that could potentially be had at a good value, if the Twins decide to loosen their purse a little on outside free agents.
1. Andrew McCutchen
The Twins have Buxton firmly entrenched as the team’s star and starting center fielder.
He led the team with 4.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) while playing only 61 games: he is that good.
Around Buxton, in the outfield corners, there will be Max Kepler and a combination of rookies Trevor Larnach and Alex Kirilloff.
Minnesota probably needs an experienced hitter capable of working walks, hitting bombs, and bringing some leadership and clubhouse presence.
Andrew McCutchen can offer all that.
He is one of the most competitive players out there even at 35.
In 2022, he hit .222/.334/.444: even though the average was low, he was productive nonetheless, with 27 home runs and a boatload of walks.
He can take both Larnach and Kirilloff, extremely promising but inconsistent hitters, under his wing and offer guidance for them.
McCutchen to Minnesota could be a win-win marriage.
NEXT: Mitch Garver Quietly Had A Great 2021 Season Despite Injuries