The Minnesota Twins made their first real move of the offseason on Friday, locking in veteran slugger Josh Bell on a one-year, $7 million deal. Bell, a switch-hitting first baseman with a track record of power and production, is expected to take over as the club’s primary option at first base while also seeing time at designated hitter. It’s a solid addition for a team looking to keep its offense humming, but the move also raises some important questions about roster depth-especially at third base and across the infield.
Bell’s defense at first base hasn’t exactly turned heads in recent years-he’s posted a combined -13 Outs Above Average (OAA) at the position over the past two seasons-but the Twins have shown they can get creative with defensive positioning. They’ve managed to get the most out of similar profiles before, and Bell’s bat is clearly the main attraction here. That said, with Bell likely to log a fair number of games at DH, the Twins may find themselves needing more flexibility at the corners, particularly if Royce Lewis-who’s had his share of injury setbacks-misses any time at third base.
That’s where Mark Vientos comes into the picture.
Vientos, who just wrapped up a rollercoaster 2025 season with the Mets, is reportedly available in trade talks. And for a Twins team that could use a right-handed power bat with some positional versatility, he checks a lot of boxes.
After breaking out in 2024 with a .266/.322/.516 slash line, 27 home runs, and a 132 wRC+, the 26-year-old took a step back this past season, hitting .233/.289/.413 with 17 homers and a 97 wRC+. The tools are still there-Vientos has legitimate pop-but the inconsistency at the plate and a high swing-and-miss rate make him one of the streakier hitters in the league.
Defensively, Vientos is no gold glover at third base-he posted -7 OAA at the position last year-but he’s been passable at first, where he’s logged -1 OAA across 112 innings in his career. In Minnesota, he wouldn’t be asked to carry the load at third unless Lewis were sidelined.
In that case, Vientos could step in and help keep the offense afloat while the team waits for its young star to return. And when everyone’s healthy, the Twins could rotate Bell and Vientos between first and DH, maximizing matchups and keeping both bats in the lineup.
What makes Vientos even more appealing is his contract status. He’s pre-arbitration and under team control through 2029-a big plus for a Twins front office that has to be mindful of payroll.
But acquiring him won’t come cheap. Despite a down year, Vientos still holds value as a young, controllable power bat.
The Mets are looking for MLB-ready starting pitching, and that’s an area where Minnesota has some depth to deal from.
A trade scenario that makes sense? Veteran right-hander Bailey Ober could be a fit for New York, especially if the Twins can get Vientos and a mid-tier prospect like Boston Baro or Heriberto Rincon in return.
If the Mets are more focused on long-term upside, a package centered around Simeon Woods Richardson might get the conversation going. Either way, it would take a legitimate piece from Minnesota’s pitching staff to make it happen.
Vientos is one of the more intriguing bounce-back candidates heading into 2026. He brings raw power, positional flexibility, and team control-all things the Twins could use as they look to build on last season.
He’s not a perfect player, but in the right environment and with the right role, he could be a difference-maker. And with the Mets reportedly open for business, Minnesota might be one of the more logical landing spots.
A deal may not come together before the calendar flips to 2026, but don’t be surprised if the Twins make a serious push. They’ve already addressed one need with the Bell signing. Vientos could be the next piece that helps round out a dangerous lineup heading into spring.