FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Wednesday brings the Twins¡¯ final off-day in Florida this year. With a week left until Minnesota breaks camp, here¡¯s a look at the remaining roster decisions before Opening Day.
Infield/bench
Most of the Twins¡¯ hitters are set. Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach and Harrison Bader will be the primary outfielders. Ryan Jeffers and Christian V¨¢zquez will be the catchers. Ty France and Carlos Correa will be the primary first baseman and shortstop, and Willi Castro will play a variety of positions. With the injury to Royce Lewis, infielder/DH Jose Miranda moves from ¡°very likely¡± to ¡°basically set.¡±
That¡¯s 10 spots, leaving a battle for the last three. And it may just be a battle for one. With Lewis out, Brooks Lee¡¯s switch-hitting and defense become more valuable. He¡¯ll likely be a part of the third-base mix, should see time at second and can back up at short. He¡¯s not totally safe, but he¡¯s in better shape than 48 hours ago.
Austin Martin can be a fifth outfielder, especially if Castro is playing a lot in the infield, which is the likeliest scenario. He can pitch in at second when needed, and he¡¯s one of the team¡¯s few speed threats. Like Lee, the math is more favorable to him than it was before Lewis¡¯ injury.
That leaves one more spot. The Twins could certainly keep Edouard Julien. His offensive potential is exciting, but he didn¡¯t reach it in 2024 and he¡¯s limited defensively -- and he has not had a strong defensive camp.
Julien's been an effective pinch-hitter, and he could get time at designated hitter. However, the Twins may use the DH spot more to rest regulars rather than having a primary option there. With Miranda likely to get significant reps at third base, the need for defense at second goes up, which works against Julien.
The ascendant player may be Mickey Gasper, who is similar but offers a couple of things Julien does not. He can catch if needed, and he¡¯s a switch-hitter. He¡¯s not an exceptional defender, but he¡¯s no less effective in the infield than Julien. Gasper has had an outstanding camp, and he¡¯s definitely on the radar. He caught the ninth inning in Tuesday¡¯s 6-5 loss to Detroit, and he seems set to get more innings there in the next week.
¡°You can put him in a game for an inning or two or three and not worry about him,¡± said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. ¡°He'll be prepared. He¡¯ll work hard behind the plate. He¡¯s a very adaptable young man. And he¡¯ll put a lot into this.¡±
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has an effective spring. However, as a left-handed-hitting outfielder who cannot play other positions, it will be tough for Keirsey to make the roster.
Bullpen
Almost all of the pitching staff seems set. The starting rotation is settled, with Pablo L¨®pez, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, Joe Ryan and Simeon Woods Richardson, and most of the bullpen is known. Jhoan Duran will close. Griffin Jax and Cole Sands will take high-leverage innings, and Danny Coulombe will be the only lefty. Jorge Alcala and Louie Varland provide depth.
That leaves two spots. They could go to righties Justin Topa and Brock Stewart, but each comes with a health question.
Topa is recovering from right shoulder tightness, but he pitched in a game on Monday, and head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta recently said that his status will be a ¡°baseball decision.¡± Stewart appears to be more in question, with a left hamstring strain that has him sidelined.
Even if Stewart recovers well, the Twins could proceed slowly and have him start the year on the injured list. That would open the door for Rule 5 draftee Eiberson Castellano (Minnesota's No. 16 prospect), though some other right-handers do remain in camp, such as Scott Blewett.
The club finds Castellano intriguing, but he must throw more strikes. He¡¯ll get a chance on Saturday, when he makes his first start of the spring against the Blue Jays. Castellano would also have to stay on the roster all season -- limiting flexibility for a club that highly values it. But he¡¯s very much still in the picture.
¡°I think we¡¯re still going to take our time,¡± Baldelli said. ¡°I think there are still some decisions to be made. There are a lot of calls that are difficult at the end of Spring Training. This is a unique one. ¡ But we¡¯ll put our heads together and do what we think the best thing is.¡±