The Minnesota Twins are headed into an offseason where the budget will remain snug, but there will be flexibility. With the current roster and estimated arbitration totals landing around $95 million, even a payroll reduction to $125 million (down from $140 million in 2025) would leave Derek Falvey and company with roughly $30 million to spend.

That isn’t enough to lure a Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman, but it does put Minnesota in a position to shop the second tier of free agency. MLB.com recently highlighted the top 10 free agents for this winter, and while those players may be out of the Twins’ reach, there are still plenty of interesting fits just outside that group. Let’s look at eight names that could realistically make sense in Minnesota.

1B Josh Naylor
Profile: The 28-year-old left-handed slugger terrorized the Twins in five years with the Cleveland organization. Over the last four seasons, he has averaged a 122 OPS+ while being a below-average defender at first base (0 OAA).

Fit in Minnesota: With the Twins lacking a consistent first baseman, Naylor would provide an offensive upgrade for a team that needs veteran consistency. He’d stabilize the infield and immediately slot into the middle of the order. Last winter, he signed for just under $11 million, so the Twins could hope for a similar deal. 

1B/DH Luis Arraez
Profile: A familiar face, Arraez won three straight batting titles from 2022-24, but is having a down season (.286 BA). Power will never be part of his game (107 OPS+), but the bat-to-ball skills are elite. It will be his first chance at free agency, so he might be looking for a multi-year contract. 

Fit in Minnesota: Bringing Arraez back could solve Minnesota’s revolving door at first base while also giving them a natural leadoff hitter. The Twins moved on for Pablo López, but if the Pohlads want to score some points with fans, a reunion would be a feel-good and practical move.

2B Gleyber Torres
Profile: Torres has been inconsistent since bursting onto the scene with the Yankees, but he still provides 20-HR pop from the middle infield. He’s entering his age-29 season with plenty left in the tank. Last winter, he signed a one-year pact with the Tigers for $15 million and has a 2.4 rWAR. 

Fit in Minnesota: If the Twins don’t fully trust Edouard Julien or Luke Keaschall at second base, Torres could step in as a proven bat. Julien could shift into a DH role, and Keaschall could move to a corner outfield spot. Torres is a right-handed bat with a 111 OPS+ over the last four seasons. 

3B Eugenio Suárez
Profile: Suárez has long been one of the streakiest sluggers in baseball, capable of 30+ HR power but also prone to high strikeout totals. He brings veteran leadership, but should shift to a DH role due to his poor defense at third. 

Fit in Minnesota: The Twins have Royce Lewis at third, but Suárez could provide insurance if/when Lewis deals with injuries. If Lewis stays on the field, Suárez’s power would still lengthen the lineup, especially for a Twins team lacking right-handed pop. 

OF Cedric Mullins
Profile: Mullins has been an above-average hitter since he was an All-Star in 2021, but the 2025 season has been his first with a sub-100 OPS+. He’s still capable of 15+ home runs and 20+ steals with 4 OAA in center field. 

Fit in Minnesota: The Twins have hunted the free agent market for affordable center field options over the last two offseasons. Think of him as next season’s Harrison Bader. Mullins could give the Twins a left-handed option in center behind Byron Buxton while also offering speed at the top of the order. 

DH Marcell Ozuna
Profile: Ozuna remains a defensive liability but has transformed into one of the game’s most reliable power DHs. Over the last three seasons, he has produced over 3.0 WAR per season, with an OPS+ of 138. 

Fit in Minnesota: The Twins could add 30-HR power to their lineup by signing Ozuna, but he’d lock up the DH spot and limit flexibility. His presence could make it harder to rotate players through the DH spot, but maybe that’s in the team’s best interest. 

RHP Merrill Kelly
Profile: Kelly has quietly been one of the most consistent starters in the National League, posting multiple seasons with a sub-3.50 ERA for the Diamondbacks. He thrives on command and a deep pitch mix rather than overpowering stuff.

Fit in Minnesota: With López and Joe Ryan leading the rotation, Kelly would slot in as a reliable No. 3 starter. He’d give the Twins veteran stability behind their top arms. He will be 38 next season and likely looking for a multi-year deal, so it seems likely for the Twins to avoid signing him. 

RHP Ryan Pressly
Profile: The former Twins reliever has spent the past half-decade closing games for Houston, thriving in the postseason spotlight. His stuff has dipped (5.06 FIP, 1.52 WHIP), and the Cubs released him at the end of July. 

Fit in Minnesota: Minnesota’s bullpen has a lot of holes for next season, and adding Pressly would give them a veteran option. Pressly might want to finish his career where he started, as a feel-good story. He will likely come on a cheap deal if he wants to continue to pitch. Candidly, he looked cooked this summer, but relievers sometimes do that—only to unaccountably bounce back one last time.

The Twins are unlikely to chase the headline names at the top of free agency, but with $30 million to work with, they can make meaningful additions. A first baseman like Naylor or Arraez could lock down a position of need. A rotation stabilizer like Kelly or a bullpen arm like Pressly could add much-needed depth.

The front office’s choices will determine whether Minnesota uses its financial flexibility to make targeted upgrades or spreads money across multiple positions. Either way, second-tier free agents could play a first-rate role in shaping the 2026 Twins.

Which free agent would fit the best in Minnesota? Leave a comment and start the discussion.Â