Even with a couple of recent roster moves, the Minnesota Twins seemingly don’t know who will fill the much needed role at first base. Carlos Santana had one of the best years of his career in 2024 with the Twins. Not only did he lead the team in home runs, and RBI, but he also won his first Gold Glove Award at first base. This made him a hot commodity on the free agent market and too expensive for the Twins. Santana recently signed with the Cleveland Guardians to return to the franchise where he spent the first decade of his career. Losing their Gold Glove first baseman, the Twins now have a hole to fill at first base. While it is up in the air who will play first base, the Twins have several options.
Twins Evaluate Options for Important Role
Internal Options
José Miranda
Having experience at first base makes José Miranda a top candidate for the job. In Miranda’s first year, 2022, he played 77 games at first base. This past season, he only played 13 games at first base, but that was due to Santana joining the team, and the need to play third base when Royce Lewis was injured. Miranda’s career fielding percentage at first base is .995 and was 1.000 in 2024. This is well above the .993 league average last season. His putouts and assists over innings played at first were also a respectable 8.34, which puts him above the league average of 8.03.
Miranda playing first base daily for the Twins makes a lot of sense. Besides going on a historic run where he hit safely in 12 straight at-bats, Miranda’s slash line in 2024 of .284/.322/.441 made him a consistent presence in the lineup. Giving Miranda a chance to be in the lineup every day would ensure an important bat would constantly be in the lineup.
MAKE IT 12!
Jose Miranda has hits in 12 straight at-bats, the longest streak in the Expansion Era (since 1961). pic.twitter.com/awzt9tRCe1
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024
Edouard Julien
Primarily a second baseman, Edouard Julien has a handful of games at first base. Julien began last season as the Twins’ everyday second baseman after they traded Jorge Polanco to Seattle. Julien’s struggles at the plate ended his stint with the Twins, and the team sent him down to their AAA affiliate. The Twins eventually called Julien back up to the team, mainly due to injuries, but he continued to struggle at the plate, finishing the year with a .199 average.
Twins coach Rocco Baldelli mentioned Julien and Miranda as candidates for the position. When speaking at the winter meetings, Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune noted Baldelli’s stance on the situation, stating, “[if the players prepare] themselves to play first base for us, then we have to just dive in headfirst, do it and get the job done.” Baldelli went on to say, “We’ve seen guys make great jumps defensively for us at different points over the last few years, and we’ll need those two guys…to do the same.” It is clearly on the manager’s radar that they have a viable option at first base and that looking internally is not something new for the team to do.
External Options
Free Agency
After letting Carlos Santana walk away, the Twins are avoiding a large contract at the position. The Twins added depth at first base by signing free agent Mike Ford to a minor league contract, and they will invite him to the big-league camp. Ford has played with six teams during his career and most recently spent some time with the Cincinnati Reds. His best season came in 2023 with the Seattle Mariners where he hit 16 home runs, had 34 RBI, and a .475 slugging percentage in 81 games. He only played in 17 games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2024 before being released. While Ford is someone the Twins may rely on for depth, he does not seem like a long-term option for the team.
The Twins added depth at first base, Mike Ford agreeing to a minor league deal, but the position is shaping up as the biggest question mark on the roster. https://t.co/l4kfFfZIXY
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) January 2, 2025
Trade Market
Before the new year, the Twins shipped reliever Jovani Morán to the Red Sox for catcher/first baseman Mickey Gasper. The 28-year-old was called up to the majors for the first time in 2024 and appeared in 13 games for the Red Sox. The Twins must see Gasper as a player who provides them with some options, even though his ability at the major league level remains unproven. First, he is a switch hitter to allow for an option on both sides of the plate. Also, being a catcher allows for utilizing him at more than one position and possibly allow for more roster changes.
What to expect?
Given the fact that the Twins did not attempt to re-sign Carlos Santana, the remaining free agents for first base seem out of the Twins’ price range. Also, there is no indication the Twins would part with any key prospects to trade for a first baseman, given there was a team willing to trade one. Most likely, the Twins will go with their current roster and camp invitees to fill the hole at first base.
Main Photo Credits: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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