The Minnesota Twins are not known for their free-spending ways when it comes to offering contracts in free agency. However, perhaps the Twins are tired of looking up at the Cleveland Guardians and did not like the idea of finishing behind the Chicago White Sox in the 2026 season.
As a result, the Twins are letting players, agents and prominent media members know that they are preparing to get involved in the free-agent market. This year's market figures to include a fairly surprising number of early contract offers since the current Collective Bargaining Agreement will come to an end December 1.
National baseball writer Bob Nightengale reported that the “Twins are telling everybody” that they will be involved in free agency.
Many of the game's closest observers are expecting a significant work stoppage because owners reportedly want to impose a salary cap in the upcoming CBA, while players are determined to keep it out of Major League Baseball.
Players have been successful in their negotiations with management since the first players strike in 1972, and their track record indicates that the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) will stick to its position longer than the owners might stick to theirs.
In the interim, the Twins could make at least one or two key signings. While it doesn't seem likely that top free-agent pitcher Tarik Skubal would be in their price range, the Twins seem likely to make an offer for their own catcher Ryan Jeffers.
He is scheduled to be a free agent after a solid season that saw him slash .256/.353/.461 with 14 home runs and 56 runs batted in while playing in 92 games. Jeffers hit 21 home runs for the Twins in 2023, and that is his career high.