Twins 2020 non-tendered free-agent targets

A few weeks ago we took a position-by-position look at the Minnesota Twins and potential free-agent signings.

On Wednesday, as the deadline to tender arbitration-eligible players hit, over 50 more players hit the market after being non-tendered by their teams (such as the Twins did with outfielder Eddie Rosario).

Would any of these newfound free agents be a fit for Minnesota?

Let’s take a look at a few possible names:

TYLER ANDERSON, LHP

Minnesota probably needs a starting pitcher. Maybe two. Anderson actually pitched decently in his time with Colorado from 2016-19, recording a 104 ERA+ and 8.0 K/9. Last season with San Francisco, however, he posted a 4.37 ERA (98 ERA+), 1.381 WHIP and a career-low 6.2 K/9.

ARCHIE BRADLEY, RHP

A host of right-handed relievers hit the market Wednesday and Bradley will likely command the most attention. He has closer’s experience (18 saves in 2019) and since 2017 has a 2.95 ERA (152 ERA+), 1.197 WHIP and 9.9 K/9.

JOHN BREBBIA, RHP

Brebbia was a late arrival to the majors, debuting days before his 27th birthday in 2017. In three seasons with the Cardinals he posted a 3.14 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.013 WHIP and 10.2 K/9. He missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, which he had in June, meaning he’d likely miss some time in 2021 as well.

CURT CASALI, C

If the Twins aren’t sold on Ryan Jeffers as the backup to Mitch Garver, Casali would make sure there’s some pop at the position. A career backup, he slugged .450 in 2018 with Cincinnati in 156 plate appearances, .411 in 2019 (236 PA) in 2019 and .500 with a .366 on-base percentage last season (93 PA). He’s not great defensively, but adequate (career 2.2 dWAR; by comparison, Garver has a career 0.7).

ALEX CLAUDIO, LHP

Minnesota perhaps could use another lefty in the bullpen and only three were let loose by teams Wednesday. Claudio has put up decent numbers in his seven-year career with Texas and Milwaukee, posting a 3.44 ERA and 1.271 WHIP. However, he’s hasn’t been that good against right-handers over his career, although he’s been better over the last couple of years. Last season they hit .268/.348/.390 off him.

NOMAR MAZARA, OF

Minnesota isn’t really in the need for an outfielder, but what about designated hitter? Nelson Cruz is waiting to see if MLB has a universal DH in 2021 – which obviously would open up suitors and jack up his price. Instead, how about Mazara, who turns 26 in late April? He’s not the best defensive outfielder (but could fill in in a pinch if needed, unlike Cruz). The question is, how much did 2020 affect him and why did he do so poorly with the Chicago White Sox (.228/.295/.294) after four solid seasons in Texas, where he hit 20 home runs three straight seasons and 19 in 2019.

HANSEL ROBLES, RHP

Someone else with experience as a closer (23 saves in 2019). Just have to decide which was an aberration: 2019, in which Robles had a 2.48 ERA and 1.018 WHIP or 2020, when things ballooned to a 10.26 ERA and 1.740 WHIP. Either way, he can strike guys out (career 9.7 K/9).

DANNY SANTANA, UT

Would the Twins be up for a reunion? Santana played for Minnesota from 2014 until being traded to Atlanta in May 2017. He had what appeared to be a breakout season with Texas in 2019, slashing .283/.324/.534 with 28 home runs and 21 steals. But in 63 plate appearances in 2020 he went just 8-for-55 (.146) with one homer. Santana can play all over the field – he’s played every position but catcher in his major-league career – which is always a valuable asset.

KYLE SCHWARBER, DH

Schwarber will likely want to move over to the American League in pursuit of a designated hitter role after his first six MLB seasons were spent in the NL with the Chicago Cubs. Schwarber, who started 439 games in left field for the Cubs, owns a dWAR of -3.6. But he’s got pop in his bat. Schwarber mashed a career-high 38 home runs and 29 doubles to go along with a .250/.339/.531 slash line in 2019. He struggled in 2020 — .188/.308/.393 in 59 games — but his powerful bat could fill the gap if the Twins decide to let Nelson Cruz walk.

CHASEN SHREVE, LHP

As mentioned earlier, only a few left-handed relievers are fresh on the market and Shreve might be the best of the trio. He’s been good at getting both lefties (.228 OBA) and righties (.227) over his career. In 2020, left-handers were just 2-for-32 against Shreve. Both hits, however, were home runs, which has been a problem over Shreve in his seven-year career (1.6 HR/9). He also walks too many batters (4.5 BB/9). He does strike a lot of guys out (10.5 K/9) and is coming off a year with the New York Mets in which he had a 1.160 WHIP, thanks to a career-low 6.1 H/9, as well as a career-high 12.2 K/9.

RYAN STANEK, RHP

Stanek had 2+ good years for Tampa Bay before being dealt to Miami in 2019. Coming out of the bullpen and also being used as an opener Stanek recorded a 3.55 ERA, 1.225 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 with the Rays over 142 innings. His time with the Marlins didn’t go as well. In 31 1/3 innings he recorded a 6.03 ERA and 1.755 WHIP (but 11.2 K/9).

RYAN TEPERA, RHP

Tepera made headlines this offseason when he accidentally received a vote for the NL MVP. While he’s not that good, he’s been a capable reliever over his six-year career. In five seasons with Toronto, he posted a 3.64 ERA (120 ERA+), 1.156 WHIP and 8.5 K/9. Last season with the Chicago Cubs, his WHIP went up to 1.403, mainly due to an uptick in walks (5.2/9), but he did whiff 13.5/9. And got an MVP vote.

TONY WOLTERS, C

If defense is more your style for a backup, we present Wolters, who owns a career 61 OPS+ despite playing in Colorado from 2016-20. His career dWAR is 4.4, including 2.1 in 2019 when he played a career-high 121 games. As an added bonus Wolters can play second base (25 career games, 12 over the past two years), third base and shortstop.

JOSE URENA, RHP

Miami’s opening-day pitcher in 2018 and ’19 has struggled the past two seasons. But from 2017-18 he recorded a 3.90 ERA and 1.228 WHIP while pitching a combined 343 2/3 innings. If the Twins think they can help him recapture that form, Urena might be worth taking a flier on, although still just 29 he could have several suitors.