Twins likely to tender all 6 arb-eligible players

November 29th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have six players eligible for arbitration and there's a strong chance the club will tender contracts to all six before Friday's 7 p.m. CT deadline.
Infielders and , reliever , outfielder Robbie Grossman and right-handers and are eligible for raises via arbitration. Left fielder barely missed the cutoff for Super 2 status, so he won't be eligible until next year.
Grossman is the most likely of the group to be non-tendered, but with his strong on-base skills and ability to serve as a part-time outfielder and designated hitter, the Twins could look to bring him back next season. Grossman hit .246/.361/.380 with nine homers and 45 RBIs in 119 games. He had the second-highest on-base percentage on the team behind Joe Mauer but didn't offer much power for a corner outfielder/DH.

The Twins are on the lookout for a right-handed power bat this offseason for a role similar to Grossman's last year, and if they feel Grossman isn't the kind of player they want to be their part-time DH, he could be non-tendered or traded. Grossman is eligible for arbitration for the first time, however, so he wouldn't command a huge raise.
Escobar is the lone player eligible for a third and final time, and made $2.6 million in 2017 while enjoying a breakout season, hitting .254/.309/.449 with 21 homers and 73 RBIs in 129 games. With his versatility and surprising power, Escobar is a lock to be tendered a contract.
Gibson is also considered a lock after an impressive second half that saw him post a 3.76 ERA in 16 starts, including 70 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings. After a 6.31 ERA in the first half and a trip to Triple-A Rochester, it looked like Gibson would be a non-tender candidate this offseason, but he pitched his way back into Minnesota's plans. Gibson made $2.9 million last year in his first year of arbitration.

Pressly is an interesting case, as his impressive stuff didn't match his numbers, as he posted a career-high 4.70 ERA with 10 homers allowed in 57 appearances. But he struck out 61 in 61 1/3 innings with his fastball averaging 96 mph to go along with his curveball and slider that have the best spin rates on the team, per Statcast™. Pressly earned $1.175 million in his first year of arbitration last year, and given his potential, the Twins are expected to tender him a contract again.
The Twins picked up Adrianza via waivers to compete with Danny Santana for the super-utility spot, and he performed better than expectations last season. Adrianza had his best year offensively, hitting .265/.324/.383 in 70 games, while seeing time at first base, second base, shortstop, third base and left field. Adrianza is eligible for the first time and with his versatility, it would make sense for the Twins to retain him as a backup infielder with Escobar.

May is coming off Tommy John surgery that saw him miss the entire 2017 season, but is expected to be healthy in 2018. It's unclear if the Twins see him returning as a starter or a reliever, but he's expected to be tendered a contract despite the injury, as the 28-year-old still has plenty of potential.