Three remaining veteran free agents that could help the Twins on a short term contract

It seems unlikely that the Twins will be making any more major additions to their squad at this point in the spring, but there are a few guys still out there looking for contracts that could provide an incremental upgrade. Each of these veterans come with some question marks, but each may fill a need for the Twins.

Gio Gonzalez, LHP

Gonzalez is a 32 year old lefty, so a long term deal probably wouldn’t make a ton of sense here, but a one or two year flier could be a good fit for both sides. While the Twins have a crowded pitching staff already, Gonzalez would be a veteran upgrade, if he landed in Minnesota. He spent most of his career in the National League, but has had success on the junior circuit, with the Oakland As, early in his career. His career ERA is 3.69, and he pitched very well for Milwaukee in down the stretch last season. He also has significant playoff experience, and could serve as a great mentor for some of the Twins young pitchers, if that is his mindset. While the Lance Lynn experiment last season may sour the Twins on adding a free agent starter this late in camp, the bigger impediment here is the successful spring turned in by Martin Perez. Still, Jake Odorizzi has struggled, and Michael Pineda has some unresolved injury related questions, so Gonzales could be a good reinforcement for the Twins.

Tony Sipp, LHP

Sipp is a left handed reliever, who has spent his entire career pitching for American League teams. He is another veteran who turned in a great season for a playoff team last year, in this case Houston. In his age-34 season, Sipp turned in a 1.86 ERA, appearing in 38.2 innings. The Twins bullpen is currently short on experience, which Sipp would provide in spades as a World Series winner. Even with his expected regression, he could provide a huge upgrade on the back-end of the Twins’ bullpen. He would likely bump Tyler Duffey or Gabriel Moya down to the minors, and provide insurance in case Addison Reed doesn’t put it together, or someone suffers an inevitable injury. He would be another great short-term addition.

Jose Reyes, IF

The Twins do already have Ehire Adrianza, Ronald Torreyes, Marwin Gonzalez, and Willians Astudillo as insurance options for third base, but none of those players provide much experience in that position. Reyes is a veteran who has primarily played shortstop, and at one time was one of the best in the game at that position. Over the last few years, however, the Mets have asked him to primarily play third base and take on a bit of a utility role. While his bat disappeared last season, at age 36, his career numbers are still great. If the Twins suspect Miguel Sano may lose more of the season, the Twins could bring in the veteran and ask him to play a utility role. Adding more flexibility to the bench is never a bad thing, and if Reyes bounces back just a little bit, he could provide just that for the Twins. On a one-year deal, there would be very little to lose — if he doesn’t produce, cut him, and promote Torreyes from Rochester. If he does, the Twins have bolstered their depth.