The Minnesota Twins will need to find more consistent offensive production in 2026. With no signs pointing to an ability to spend substantial money in the free agent market, the Twins could turn to a crop of players who were recently made available at the non-tender deadline on Friday. 

Going into the deadline, it seemed as if the Twins would be keeping an eye on catchers who hit the open market after being non-tendered. The acquisition of Alex Jackson has since then made a move for a catcher no longer needed; therefore, we will turn our attention elsewhere. Here are three players who could help fill some lineup roles for the Twins. 

Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Nathaniel Lowe was non-tendered by the Boston Red Sox, who acquired the left-handed batter mid-2025 from the Washington Nationals. MLBTR projected Lowe to be up for a raise that would land him at $13.5 million, which is too rich for the Twins if Lowe still expects something nearing that. Due to his play, the first baseman’s price should come down considerably, and the Red Sox version of Lowe could help stabilize first base and designated hitter for the Twins. 

In those 34 games with Boston, Lowe slashed .280/.370/.420 with a .790 OPS. The average and on-base percentage are well above his career marks, but the OPS is close to his career mark, in which he has held a .771 OPS. Lowe is approaching age 30, so the dip in production over the last several years is a concern, but he has still been as good as any of the Twins’ current options at first base. 

Alexander Canario OF
If the Twins wanted to try to add some right-handedness to their outfield, a Derek Shelton reunion with Alexander Canario would do that. The 25-year-old got his first significant playing time with the Pirates after spending time in the majors with the Chicago Cubs, where he was once a top prospect. As a prospect, Canario was viewed as someone with good size, which could translate into good pull power, but he hasn’t seen that materialize yet in the majors. 

Canario has shown his bat at lower levels of professional baseball, producing a .850 OPS and 18 home runs with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs in 2024. Last winter in the Dominican Winter League, the right-hander had a .955 OPS. Canario seems like many Twins players who have yet to fully find a way to translate their tools into major league production. If Shelton and the Twins evaluators see something in him, yet he could be worth a flyer to capture a bat with some pop to it. 

J.J. Bleday OF
In the past several offseasons, the Twins’ front office has identified a backup centerfielder to bring into the mix. J.J. Bleday has a lot of experience at the position, playing 157 games there in 2024 and another 55 this past season as a member of the Athletics. In 2024, he played 159 games with the Athletics and amassed 2.1 bWAR, a .762 OPS, and an OPS+ of 120. 

Now, Bleday is unlike those other centerfielders the Twins have employed, as he has struggled with his range in center field. If the Twins believe they can recapture his bat from 2024 and make him into the sort of defender who can spell Byron Buxton in center, there could be a platoon role for Bleday. He would be joining a very full roster of fellow left-handed outfielders, which that redundancy alone may make him a long shot for the Twins.  

What do you think? Can any of these non-tendered hitters help the Twins in 2026? Are there other non-tendered hitters you’d like to see the Twins try to sign?Â