3 Impending Free Agents Need One Last Shining Moment With the Twins

As the season comes to a close, the Minnesota Twins are desperate for a shining moment from one of their veterans. Fortunately, three impending free agents might want to produce one last highlight before moving on to their next chapter.

From finding consistency across the lineup to squeezing out competitive starts from their trio of rookie starters, any surge to the postseason will have to be a group effort. But for guys who can read the writing on the wall about their future with the Twins organization, this might be their best time to land one last punch for a club that has been punchless for a month.

Carlos Santana

Santana has been a bright spot for most of the season, with dazzling defense at first base and an above-average bat that Rocco Baldelli can pencil into the lineup for every game. He’s been one of Minnesota's offensive pillars and has had his best overall season since 2019. Getting that from someone who landed on a one-year, $5.25 million deal? That’s about as great of an outcome as the club could’ve imagined.

But as good as he’s been, he still lacks that signature moment that turns a one-year rental player into a local legend. He needs a Jim Thome

Santana needs another walk-off blast.

Make no mistake, the admittedly minimal investment in Santana’s services already looks like a bargain. Going on the general assumption that a single Win Above Replacement is worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 to $9 million, the 38-year-old’s performance has been worth roughly $25 million.

But think about how much he’d be worth with a quintessential, shining moment that propels his team into a playoff berth.

Kyle Farmer

Farmer's need for a standout moment might even feel more crucial given his regression this season. He has definitely shown fire lately, but his season-long .225/.306/.377 slash line is still slightly below average.

However, it includes the torrid streak he’s been on since mid-August. Since hitting a pinch-hit home run against the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 13, Farmer owns an outstanding .333/.351/.685 clip, albeit in a limited 97 plate appearance sample. Still, that blast reignited something in the 34-year-old infielder.

Imagine what another one could do for the clubhouse-favorite elder statesman. Imagine what it would do to a beleaguered lineup that needs urgent resuscitation if they hope to extend their season.

Caleb Thielbar

Swan songs aren’t reserved for the hitters. There is a notable arm that is getting ready for his first real free agency and needs a notable clutch moment. Thielbar has put together a career that lands him among the best southpaw relievers in club history. However, the sun is starting to set on the lefty from Randolph.

His 5.65 ERA doesn’t match his expected results, which suggests he’s pitched to a good-not-great 4.36 xERA. Still, his sour results match the eye test, which gives the impression that he’s running out of gas as his Twins career likely comes to a close following this season.

However, based on the usage trends of Minnesota's bullpen and the tight scoring that seems to follow this club, there is bound to be at least one more opportunity for Thielbar to pony up when the game is on the line. The Twins are desperate for another option they can rely on besides Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Cole Sands. Still, it will be tough for Thielbar to make sure that he is the one to get another high-leverage chance.

Opponents have clobbered him to the tune of a .350/.480/.550 batting line in high-leverage situations, so it’s easy to see why manager Rocco Baldelli might hesitate to use him with the game on the line. But like with Santana or Farmer, all it takes is one big moment to change the narrative on his season, especially if it shoots the club into postseason glory.