The World Series is in the rearview mirror, which means the Minnesota Twins and the rest of Major League Baseball can start looking ahead to free agency. Players officially became free agents Oct. 29, but teams have until Nov. 2 to work through their own departing talent before anyone else can sign them.

With the 40-man roster needing a cutdown, Jeremy Zoll has started deciding where to open up spots. The Twins have 10 players that are arbitration eligible next season, but they’ve already kicked one of them to the curb.

Three new free agents depart Minnesota Twins

This season, the Minnesota Twins used 24 different position players and a whopping 34 players threw a pitch. There are only 26 spots on the active roster and 40 on the 40-man roster.

With an offseason cutdown looming, Dan Hayes (The Athletic) reported the first three players the Twins are moving on from. The Twins have since made the moves official.

Tristan Gray and Aaron Sabato are the least surprising of this trio. Gray was brought in as a defensive specialist at shortstop, but he struggled there, posting -7 defensive runs saved (DRS) at the position. Aaron Sabato was a late-season addition and never lived up to his status as a 2020 first-round pick.

Most surprising cut: Anthony Banda

The most surprising of the group is Anthony Banda. Minnesota quickly grabbed him after the Los Angeles Dodgers designated him for assignment in February. The Dodgers didn’t have room for him, but the Twins had a need in their bullpen.

Anthony Banda posted a 4.46 ERA across 34 1/3 innings with the MN Twins this season. His 33-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio was serviceable, and he gave Derek Shelton another lefty out of the bullpen. Unfortunately, his season ended with surgery on his lat muscle, and now he’ll look to make his comeback.

Although Banda was projected for just $2.3 million in arbitration, it’s possible he could come cheaper coming off surgery. The MN Twins could try to bring him back on a smaller deal. If not, he’ll test the open market.