Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins agreed to a deal with one outfielder Friday and may ship another one out in a trade.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, there is a "lot of trade interest in Max Kepler" after the Twins signed Joey Gallo. Heyman previously reported Minnesota agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with the veteran Gallo.

Minnesota is certainly taking a chance with the addition of Gallo.

While he is a two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glover who drilled 38 home runs in 2021 after posting 41 homers in 2017 and 40 long balls in 2018. However, he was also abysmal during the 2022 campaign and slashed .160/.280/.357 with 19 home runs and 47 RBI while splitting time with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

If he bounces back and rediscovers his form, this will be a worthwhile chance for the Twins. If he doesn't, and the team trades Kepler, it won't be what they envisioned.

Kepler, 29, is in somewhat of a similar position as Gallo.

He was excellent as recently as 2019 when he slashed .252/.336/.519 with 36 home runs and 90 RBI during the 2019 season while finishing 20th in American League MVP voting. Yet Kepler looked nothing like that version of himself in 2022.

In fact, he slashed .227/.318/.348 with nine home runs and 43 RBI in 115 games for the Twins last season. Losing someone like that wouldn't be difficult to overcome, although the chance that Kepler could return to form could convince some team to trade for him.

Both players will be looking to bounce back from disappointing efforts in 2023, although it remains to be seen whether they will both be in Twins uniforms.

The Minnesota Twins and outfielder Joey Gallo agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract on Friday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Gallo split last season with the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Once among the game's premier power hitters, Gallo embarked on an abysmal 2022 campaign that saw him get essentially run out of New York before his midseason trade to the Dodgers.

"It makes me feel like a piece of s--t, honestly," Gallo said of Yankee fan reaction, per Randy Miller of NJ.com. "I remember playing here with the Rangers, watching [Yankees] get booed off the field and thinking, ‘Holy s--t! I feel bad for that guy.’ Now it’s me. I do appreciate people reaching out, but it makes me feel like I’m a problem."

Gallo finished the 2022 season batting .160/.280/.357 with 19 home runs and 47 runs batted in. It was by far the worst full-season performance of his eight-year career.

The 28-year-old had hit at least 38 home runs in every season when he's played at least 100 games before this year.

The Twins will hope Gallo's power is reawakened next season after he failed to rebound after joining the Dodgers.

It's worth noting that his average exit velocity and sweet-spot percentage have been dipping in recent seasons. There is a legitimate possibility the left-handed slugger never returns to the All-Star form he exhibited in Texas.

That said, Gallo still ranked among the league leaders in hard-hit percentage and draws a ton of walks. He's an all-or-nothing player and will almost certainly always be one.

But unless Gallo's approaching 40 home runs in a season, he's not worth the whiffs and mediocre defense.

Shortstop Carlos Correa reportedly turned down an offer to return to the Minnesota Twins before signing with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Correa declined to sign a 10-year, $285 million deal with the Twins. Instead, he agreed to a 13-year, $350 million pact with the Giants, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

At $350 million, Correa's contract is the richest ever for a shortstop, surpassing the $341 million deal Francisco Lindor signed with the New York Mets in 2021.

Last year's free-agent market was unique since free agency was interrupted by a lockout, which forced some top free agents to take lesser deals than they typically would have.

Correa was among them, as he signed a three-year, $105.3 million deal with the Twins after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Houston Astros.

The contract included an opt-out clause after the first year, and rather than taking a $35 million salary for 2023 in Minnesota, Correa decided to test the market.

That decision paid off, as the 28-year-old star secured the long-term deal he was unable to get last offseason.

While his annual salary of nearly $27 million is less than what he was making in Minnesota, Correa now has long-term security and likely won't have to test the free-agent market again during his career.

The Twins' final offer, as reported by Heyman, would have paid Correa more per year than the Giants' as well, but the extra three years the Giants were willing to add conceivably helped to seal the deal.

In Correa, the Giants are getting a hugely accomplished shortstop who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft and went on to earn two All-Star nods, one Gold Glove Award and one World Series championship in his seven seasons with the Astros.

Correa remained productive in his only season with the Twins, hitting .291 with 22 home runs, 64 RBI and 70 runs scored, but Minnesota missed the playoffs with a 78-84 record.

The Twins have not been overly active in free agency with catcher Christian Vázquez being their only notable signing thus far. The only splashy signing still potentially available to them is likely that of shortstop Dansby Swanson.

Like Correa, Swanson was a No. 1 overall draft pick, and he went on to have a great run with the Atlanta Braves, securing one All-Star selection, one Gold Glove Award and one World Series win in seven seasons.

Swanson is coming off a career-best offensive season that saw him hit .277 with 25 homers, 96 RBI, 99 runs scored and 18 stolen bases, and he is the last of the big-name shortstops remaining in free agency.

Heyman noted that the Twins will "consider" signing Swanson, although they likely won't be the only team vying for his services.

Minnesota could potentially salvage its offseason by signing Swanson, but if he goes elsewhere, it will essentially be impossible to replace what Correa brought to the table.

Carlos Correa reportedly has no shortage of suitors as his free agency continues.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, "at least six teams are interested" in the shortstop with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs having "the inside track."

This comes after MLB Network Radio's Steve Phillips reported Monday that the Twins and San Francisco Giants were the favorites for Correa.

Shortstop was a major focus of this offseason with Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson all hitting free agency. Turner (11 years, $300 million) and Bogaerts (11 years, $280 million) already signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, respectively, and it may not be a jump to suggest Correa will command an even more lucrative deal.

After all, he is theoretically in the middle of his prime at 28 years old and has a World Series title, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove and two All-Star selections to his name.

He spent his first seven years on the Houston Astros and then joined the Twins as a free agent last offseason. He slashed .291/.366/.467 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI for the American League Central team.

It doesn't come as much surprise the Twins are interested in keeping him given they signed him to a three-year, $105.3 million deal last offseason. That contract featured an opt-out clause that Correa eventually used, but it was clear Minnesota wanted him for multiple seasons.

As for the Cubs, their interest is nothing new.

In fact, Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted they pursued him last offseason before he signed with the Twins. Chicago met with Correa during winter meetings and was also connected to Bogaerts and Swanson at times this offseason.

Whether Chicago's ownership is willing to commit the type of money it will take to sign Correa remains to be seen, but the team is clearly looking to add a shortstop and move Nico Hoerner over to second base.

It will have to beat out the Twins and others, though, if that shortstop is going to be Correa.

Free-agent starting pitcher Carlos Rodón prefers to sign with the New York Yankees, but the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals were "believed to be seriously in play" Tuesday afternoon.

Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reported the news on the 30-year-old left-hander, who went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the San Francisco Giants last season. He struck out 237 batters in 178 innings en route to his second straight All-Star Game selection.

The interest between the Yankees and Rodón is mutual, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that a formal offer from New York was expected to be sent to the eight-year veteran Monday or Tuesday.

Heyman also reported that the Yankees' "main focus" was Rodón and that New York seemed "very serious and hopeful about this pursuit."

The Yankees, however, have competition. Heyman reported Sunday that the Cardinals were in the mix.

St. Louis has already made one major free-agent acquisition in catcher Willson Contreras to replace franchise legend Yadier Molina, and Rodón could be the team's ace.

Rodón is searching for at least a seven-year deal, per Heyman and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Heyman added that the Yanks appeared "reluctant" to give Rodón such a contract.

Rodón would help complete a tremendous rotation in the Bronx led by All-Stars Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes. He'd likely slot in between the two as the Yankees seek their first World Series appearance since 2009.

For now, Rodón has options as the top free-agent pitcher on the market. He is coming off a tremendous two-year stretch wherein he went 27-13 with a 2.67 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

The former North Carolina State star began his MLB career in 2015 with the Chicago White Sox. He signed as a free agent with the Giants in March and opted out of the second and final year of the deal in November.

Veteran catcher Christian Vázquez agreed to a three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins, according to the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham.

Betsy Helfand of the Pioneer Press reported the deal is worth $30 million.

A number of teams had shown interest in the 32-year-old.

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said the team was open to a reunion. Abraham included the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Guardians and San Diego Padres in the mix.

Vázquez split the 2022 season with the Red Sox and Houston Astros. In 119 games between both stops, he hit .274 with nine home runs, 52 RBI and a .399 slugging percentage. He then posted a .551 OPS during the postseason as the Astros went on to win their second World Series title.

Offense hasn't historically been Vázquez's strength. For his career, he has an 85 OPS+, per Baseball Reference, and a .301 wOBA, per FanGraphs. Both peg him as a below-average hitter.

Vázquez's defense is a slightly different story. He ranked 24th in catcher framing runs at Baseball Savant and saw improvements in his pop time to second (1.94 seconds) and third base (1.5 seconds).

The Twins were in need of a veteran catcher with Gary Sánchez, who played in 128 games, hitting free agency.

The biggest domino, Willson Contreras, fell off the board when he signed a five-year, $87.5 million pact with the St. Louis Cardinals. Vázquez was one of the better alternatives still available, and he gives Minnesota a clear upgrade over Ryan Jeffers, who spelled Sánchez in 2022.

Vázquez probably won't provide the Twins with a ton of surplus value, but he offers a high floor for a franchise that wants to rebound after losing 84 games and finishing third in the American League Central.

The market for the best MLB free agent on the board might be narrowing.

MLB Network Radio's Steve Phillips reported Monday the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins are seen as the favorites in the sweepstakes for star shortstop Carlos Correa.

While a few of the top free agents have signed new deals, adopting a more patient approach has worked in Correa's favor.

The pacts for Trea Turner (11 years, $300 million) and Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280 million) have helped shape his market value. You wouldn't expect Correa to get less money than Turner or Bogaerts considering he's better than both.

The Giants and Twins aren't in a strong position to negotiate either.

San Francisco has shown a willingness to spend, but that doesn't matter much if star players don't sign. Having already missed out on Aaron Judge, not landing Correa will make this a bitterly disappointing offseason.

Minnesota, meanwhile, has to pay the same tax often required of smaller-market franchises when a talent as good as Correa is in the picture. Last year, that meant agreeing to a contract that allowed him to walk after only one season.

If Correa prefers a return to the Twins, then he might have to act fast. The Star Tribune's LaVelle E. Neal III reported the team might look toward other targets such as shortstop Dansby Swanson if there isn't a resolution within the next few days.

In general, it feels as though a final decision could come soon because there isn't much more benefit in waiting for Correa. The shortstop market has largely taken shape already, and you would've expected a mystery team to emerge by now.

Carlos Correa's market is starting to take shape.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins are among the teams interested in the 28-year-old shortstop.

ESPN's Buster Olney said on 95.7 The Game's Willard & Dibs on Friday that the New York Yankees could be in play for the best remaining free agent because "they're working on something big" after getting a commitment from Aaron Judge.

Once Judge decided to re-sign with the Yankees, the Giants became the most logical fit for Correa. They had an offer on the table for the reigning American League MVP of around $360 million in total value, per Heyman.

If the Giants offered that much for Judge, why not make the same proposal to Correa?

While Correa isn't the same level of superstar as Judge, at least by name recognition, there's a strong argument he would be a better free-agent investment. He's two-and-a-half years younger than Judge, plays a more important defensive position and has played it at a high level for most of his career.

The Giants have fallen behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the National League West hierarchy. The Padres show no signs of slowing their spending, having signed Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million deal.

Correa alone wouldn't make the Giants a playoff contender, but he would help them close the gap on the top two teams in their division.

The Cubs have put themselves in an interesting spot, even after losing Willson Contreras to the St. Louis Cardinals. They've spent money the past two offseasons to bring in Marcus Stroman, Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon, but they lack high-ceiling players who can get them back into playoff contention in 2023.

Chicago has reportedly been heavily involved in the shortstop market this offseason. Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported team brass met with Bogaerts earlier this month as well as Correa.

The Athletic's Patrick Mooney reported Thursday the Cubs have a "particular focus" on Dansby Swanson.

The Twins are familiar with Correa after he played for them last season. He was a standout in their lineup with a .291/.366/.467 slash line and 22 homers in 136 games.

The AL Central is wide-open every year because none of the teams spend exorbitant amounts of money to sign players. The Cleveland Guardians won the division last season with 92 wins and appear to have a bright future, but their biggest addition has been Josh Bell.

The Chicago White Sox finished .500 and have lost José Abreu in free agency. Their only meaningful addition has been Mike Clevinger.

The Twins have a path to win the AL Central in 2023. If they can bring back Correa, that path becomes easier.

The Boston Red Sox have a huge hole to fill after losing star shortstop Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres. Fortunately, the team can pivot by pursuing one of the best free agents remaining on the market.

Carlos Correa, who spent the 2022 season with the Minnesota Twins after playing the first seven years of his major-league career with the Houston Astros, would be a more-than-suitable replacement for Bogaerts in Boston's infield. He also has a strong relationship with Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was Houston's bench coach during its World Series championship run in 2017.

As one of the more popular names in this year's free-agent class, Correa won't have a shortage of suitors. The Red Sox will face a ton of competition for the 28-year-old, and the team's recent spending habits indicate it's not looking to break the bank.

Bogaerts left for San Diego for a reported $280 million deal over 11 years. The four-time All-Star was considered the face of the franchise, but Boston deemed him too expensive and let him walk. Correa, who is younger and a better defender than Bogaerts, will likely command a similar price or higher.

If the Red Sox are looking for a cheaper option, they could turn to Atlanta Braves free-agent shortstop Dansby Swanson. The 28-year-old is coming off a career year in which he earned his first trip to the All-Star Game and first Gold Glove Award. Boston could look to offer him a short-term deal with a high average annual value in order to address other holes on its roster.

After shoring up their bullpen by signing closer Kenley Jansen on Wednesday, the Red Sox still need to add a reliable starting pitcher to its rotation. The team could look to bring back veteran Nathan Eovaldi, who is a free agent after spending the last four-plus years in Boston, but there are more attractive options on the open market.

Carlos Rodón is the best pitcher available and can be the ace of Boston's staff, but the question remains as to how much the team is willing to spend. Sean Manaea and Chris Bassitt are both dependable starters and would be strong additions to any rotation. Veterans like Corey Kluber and Noah Syndergaard would be cheaper, but riskier, players to target.

The Red Sox have finished last in the AL East twice in the last three years, so this offseason will be crucial to bucking that trend. Boston's front office would be wise to loosen the reins on spending in order to land a big-name player this year. If it doesn't, it runs the risk of further disappointing an already restless fan base.