Twins' Biggest Roster Needs for 2025

[Matthew Lenz]

As a preview to the Twins Daily Offseason Handbook--available exclusively to Caretakers as a series of in-depth articles on the site, this year--let’s take a look at the Minnesota Twins' biggest roster needs heading into the 2024-2025 offseason.

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

 

It's easy to forget that the Minnesota Twins were a playoff-caliber team for the vast majority of the 2024 season. For better or worse, they have the option to run it back with almost the same team in 2025--with the exception of Carlos Santana, who will trundle back out into free agency. While the organization is headed into another offseason with a self-imposed salary cap and a TV rights situation that promises more long-term than immediate value, they are in a position to be a playoff contender even if they were to make smallish changes.

That said, they also have the opportunity to repurpose some of that "cap space” to address some of the shortcomings of their 2024 team, by making smart arbitration decisions and exploring the trade market. Let’s look at the top three needs for the team, roughly six months away from first pitch at Busch Stadium next March.

Tender or Replace Willi Castro
The most difficult arbitration call for Derek Falvey is to determine if they can afford Willi Castro, whom MLB Trade Rumors projects to receive $6.2 million via that process next season. The super-utility man is worth well more than that figure, and given his contributions to the big-league club over the last two seasons, it’s critical that the Pohlads look under their couch cushions to keep the fan favorite. If the Twins don’t find a way to keep their 2024 All-Star, then it will be crucial for them to find his replacement, and while they do have some internal options, they likely wouldn’t come with nearly the same level of production.

Resolve the Christian Vázquez Problem
Another decision that’s about the dollars and cents, rather than the value of the player, and this may be the route the Twins go to retain Willi Castro. Vázquez remains a very good defensive catcher and a decent option to split time with Ryan Jeffers, but a 60 wRC+ makes it hard to justify the $10 million salary within a payroll lacking wiggle room. Moreover, the Twins have an internal option in Jair Camargo, who can spell Jeffers throughout the season--although this move would likely require him to take on a bigger role than they've envisioned for him. Otherwise, they do have the option to explore a cheaper backstop in free agency, but only if they can move Vázquez's money.

Re-tool the Bullpen
It's hard to capture this properly, in numbers. For the season, the Twins had the fifth-most WAR from relievers, according to FanGraphs, despite being 16th in innings pitched. All year, though, and especially down the stretch, the bullpen just felt… unreliable. Jhoan Durán looked very human, and at one point or another, almost every bullpen arm had a tough stretch. While that is somewhat expected with such a volatile position, the Twins need to prioritize finding arms to buttress the back end of the bullpen.

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What are your needs ahead of the 2025 season? Are there specific arbitration or trade decisions that you’d make? Anyone realistic you’re targeting in free agency? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more in depth coverage in the Twins Daily Offseason Handbook!

 

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[jmlease1]

The biggest need the Twins 2025 roster has is good health. But since that's caught up in a bunch of players already on the roster, I'm not sure how we impact that directly. 

[chpettit19]

Offense. Consistent offense. That's need #1. Add some improved defense to that and they're in a pretty solid place for contending for the Central.

[Karbo]

IMHO the list of what needs to be done is long and probably impossible with the payroll limitations they have.

[Ricky Vaughn]

Camargo must not be considered much of an option considering he got ZERO playing time when he was with the team this year.

[Rosterman]

They need to address a big bat. Right now, the DH is someplace for guys to go to rest. They could use a 26th player bat off the bench, a Nelson Cruz/Jim Thome type who could maybe give you that long fly out in a pinch hitting situation, fulfill designated hitetr duties for the msot part, and maybe play a little in the field, be it a corner spot or first base.,

The Twins need to decide roles for Lewis, Correa and Lee. Put them at a spot and play them there. Lee may need a tad more seasoning to start 2025, but not sure what the alternative is. Also, first base. Do you go internal with Miranda, Julien, Kirilloff as the main pieces. What about Severino? How does he fit into Twins plans.

Is Castro worth $6.2 million to the team. What about Helman as a replacement, Or, better yet, Castillo Payton Eades. This is one hard decision. If you cut Castro, will he command that m uch money in the free agent marketplace?

The Twins could add an innings eater to the rotation pushing Paddack to the 5th spot. Making it a battle between him and SWR with a strong Matthews and Festa in the wings. There is strength in the rotation, but better to have too many than not enough.

The Twins need soemthing left-handed. Headrick MIGHT be an answer. I like the idea that he can face a run thru a batting order. But be ncie to have something better than Fuunderburk or Thielbar next season. Moran should be back, but not counting on him to break spring training.

[mickster]

This will be unpopular opinion, but I would like to see:

Resign Santana and sign Castro

Keep Zebby in the minors for a full year, Festa???  Sign a 4th starter so SRW can slot at #5

Trade Brooks Lee, Austin Martin, and maybe other prospects for a RH outfielder

Quit platooning Larnach and Wallner so much and let them play everyday.

Miranda at 1B and 3B, but if others like his potential - send him packing.

None of this matters if Lewis, Buxton and Correa don't play in the same lineup for over 80 games.

 

 

[thelanges5]

My thoughts are similar to others that I’ve read. Agree with what’s written in the article. 
 

Id add:

RH power bat - we haven’t had this since Cruz was traded

Mid rotation starter - let Festa and Zebby start at AAA

[Cory Engelhardt]

I’d add a consistent middle of the lineup option.

[Vanimal46]

54 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Offense. Consistent offense. That's need #1. Add some improved defense to that and they're in a pretty solid place for contending for the Central.

Spot on. I’ll also add to the list an overhaul of the training program again. It’s absurd reading about players running out of gas in late August. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

This is a tough one, because there isn't much money and there are always "creative" ways to make things happen through trades (which sometimes open up another hole). 

I completely agree that a decision needs to be made on Castro.  They will certainly offer him a contract, but they need to decide whether they are trading him or keeping him.  Unfortunately, that may be on of the few places to save money and get something back in return that the team can bear.  I would probably trade him, with catching being my number one target.  I would be willing to add to get to the right target, but not a lot more than Kiriloff or Julien. 

I think we leave the catcher position alone, as it will cost money to get rid of Vasquez and you won't get anything back in return -- UNLESS we pull off something amazing in the Castro trade.

I let the rotation ride on.  The starting five is solid and we have backup plans available.  Maybe an "emergency starter" type veteran that can be stashed at AAA would be useful just in case.  I trade Paddack, as I think he has at least a small amount of residual value and that clears $7.5M from the payroll.  Someone will take a chance on him. 

Bullpen. . . I am in the market for a good left handed option.  Maybe from one of the trades, but more likely searching the free agent world.   You don't need one if ALL of your right handers are studs, but that's too big of an if.  I'm putting Louie Varland there permanently, which gives us Duran, Jax, Sands, Varland, at the back end.  It's possible there could be a leftover young starter that needs to go to the bullpen (I'm looking at you Prielipp!). 

We need a first baseman, unless you want to ride with Miranda and Julien and hope for the best.  That's not completely crazy as both have demonstrated that they CAN do well, even if they haven't put it all together yet consistently.   Kiriloff is out of the picture.  Severino in AAA could be the emergency backup plan.  Maybe we resign Santana, although his battle with Father Time is going to be lost sooner rather than later. 

In a perfect world, I would like Lee to start in St. Paul.  He got his doors blown off by the end of the season and needs a little re-set.  I also get Lewis over to second base (perhaps kicking and screaming) so that Lee can take over third when he comes up.  Miranda can man the spot in the meantime. 

My backup plan in CF is E-Rod.  I'm going to hope that Buxton can start the season healthy and that we can survive with some Austin Martin for rest days.  If an injury happens (and we know that it will), hopefully it will be late enough that the youngster is ready for prime time. 

It's not pretty.  It's not sexy.  But it does put a team on the field and manage to hit some payroll marks that have been imposed on the team.  There should be a few bucks available to try to find that lefty reliever or find some lightning in a bottle in a one year veteran deal.  That being said, I think that they can compete (always barring catastrophic injuries) in the division next year, and given the improvements shown by KC, Cleveland, and Detroit, that won't be an easy push.

 

 

 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

Spot on. I’ll also add to the list an overhaul of the training program again. It’s absurd reading about players running out of gas in late August. 

I was watching the Dodgers and Padres last night and found it fascinating that Michael King threw 173.2 regular season innings this year after having maxed out at 104.2 last year. 2.95 ERA and 10.4 K/9 for the year and a 1.57 ERA with 9.4 K/9 in September say he didn't "run out of gas." Is that just his DNA vs Twins pitcher's DNA. He was a reliever up until the end of last year. Wasn't great last night, but was incredible in his first postseason start.

Why are the Twins players wearing down? Something isn't working. I find it very hard (impossible) to believe that they just happened to pick 20 dudes who all wore down. Outside of Royce Lewis who hasn't played near a full season in what feels like a decade, none of them should be wearing down. Need to figure that out if they want any chance of making noise in the playoffs ever.

[Doctor Gast]

The moves that was made this last season haven't helped us one bit for this season & IMO made us worse. The absence of Margot will help a lot. Trade is our best weapon, let's use it. Our main need is still a veteran mid-rotation inning-eater to conserve our young SPs. Switch Paddack with Jax? maybe. If we can get a good trade to dump Paddack's salary, go for it. Start Varland in the BP. Maybe it's too late to trade for LHRP butt at least try.

Next re-educate our hitters from focusing on swinging for the fences to have good ABs, take what pitchers give you, clutch hitting with RISP not striking out. Of course, if a pitcher serves a big meatball, give it a ride. That'll help our offense the most. IMO these were the biggest reasons for our downfall this season. 

It's not late to pick up a promising young catcher although sooner would have been better than later. Not only for now but mainly for the future. Our systemic depth at catching is pathetic. We have been very lucky to have Vazquez & Jeffers healthy these 2 years. If you want this team to tank by all means trade Vazquez. Unless these needs are dropped in Falvey's lap, I don't see any change.

[IndianaTwin]

Budget question: Has anyone from the Twins actually said they are looking to keep the same budget as this year?

All I've heard is that they they've said they won't be reducing the budget. It's easy to hear that as "keep it the same," but that's not what "won't be reducing" means. Said another way, if this year was $130M and they keep their word, they are saying next year won't be $120-$125M, but not precluding it being $135-$140M.

 

(And I get that people are in a bad mood about the FO these days, so we tend to read the worst into a statement. I'm not asking for commentary with my question -- I'm just asking if there've been actual statements that I've missed.)

[DJL44]

They need a RH outfield bat who can field the ball (not Martin or Margot). That could be Willi Castro but then they need to find a 2B. I floated bringing back Polanco for < $5M on a different thread.

Castro won't be non-tendered. He has more trade value than Polanco did last season (costs half as much, plays more positions competently, more team control, younger).

[In My La Z boy]

18 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Budget question: Has anyone from the Twins actually said they are looking to keep the same budget as this year?

All I've heard is that they they've said they won't be reducing the budget. It's easy to hear that as "keep it the same," but that's not what "won't be reducing means." Said another way, if this year was $130M and they keep their word, they are saying next year won't be $120-$125M, but not precluding it being $135-$140M.

 

(And I get that people are in a bad mood about the FO these days, so we tend to read the worst into a statement. I'm not asking for commentary with my question -- I'm just asking if there've been actual statements that I've missed.)

I found it interesting that this Detroit Tigers playoff roster has a total salary of only $16M after ditching Maeda off of it. While I'd love to have a workable salary budget to compete, the 3 other teams in our division are proving its not the Golden Ticket to the playoffs. Who would have bet in June that 3 in our division make the playoffs, and we're not one of them. No excuses. We didn't get it done. I agree the biggest need we might have is in the Strength & Conditioning department. We ran out of gas? We got tired? That doesn't sound legit to me. We certainly got out managed and out front officed.

[tony&rodney]

55 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I was watching the Dodgers and Padres last night and found it fascinating that Michael King threw 173.2 regular season innings this year after having maxed out at 104.2 last year. 2.95 ERA and 10.4 K/9 for the year and a 1.57 ERA with 9.4 K/9 in September say he didn't "run out of gas." Is that just his DNA vs Twins pitcher's DNA. He was a reliever up until the end of last year. Wasn't great last night, but was incredible in his first postseason start.

Why are the Twins players wearing down? Something isn't working. I find it very hard (impossible) to believe that they just happened to pick 20 dudes who all wore down. Outside of Royce Lewis who hasn't played near a full season in what feels like a decade, none of them should be wearing down. Need to figure that out if they want any chance of making noise in the playoffs ever.

Thought the same thing. My take is that the search for bats has left the Twins with less athletic players. The pitchers mostly looked capable of going another inning here and there. 

Why are they breaking down? Hard to say and especially difficult to see Royce Lewis, among others, gassed by mid August. Meanwhile Jackson Merrill is wishing for more games as is Bobby Witt Jr., although I would not compare anyone to Jr.

With Santana moving on (if not resigned), the Twins are looking at putting below average defense on the field nearly everywhere. It is tough to get four outs every other inning for pitchers and difficult for the bats to out hit the leaked runs. Some changes need to happen, I'm afraid.

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Offense. Consistent offense. That's need #1. Add some improved defense to that and they're in a pretty solid place for contending for the Central.

Was going to say performance to expectations but this is the same thing.

They have shown they can do all the right things, just do it consistently.

[mikelink45]

They are stuck at catcher - Vasquez does not have the value that his salary suggests so a trade would mean eating some of the money and if that is the case would the amount we have to absorb and the cost of another catcher be much less than what we are paying Vasquez?  Do they really trust Camargo?

I want the young players who got their experience in the rotation to build on it and thus I would trade Paddock.  Too many health issues to feel confident with him.

It is too hard to speculate on the roster when the finances are such a mystery.

[DocBauer]

1A couple quick comments first:

A] I would be SHOCKED if the Twins signed any kind of middle of the rotation arm. As of this moment, you have 4 SP already locked in, plus Paddack still on the roster, plus a good looking collection of young arms at AAA. With a very tight budget, where does the $ come from to sign this potential starter? And does you really need one with what's on hand?

B] A proven, middle of the order bat would be really nice. And there's a few small scenarios via trade and/or the dumping of salaries to make it happen, but it seems to we're probably back to a $ issue again. It seems to me lineup depth and continued improvement from the players on hand is more realistic than the addition of a big bat.

As to NEEDS?

1] 1B: Other than saying we COULD go with Miranda, maybe Julien if he turns it around, give AK one last shot, 1B is a big open hole right now. I don't see a 39yo Santana as a fix, with all due respect. I'm not certain there's any likely FA at this time. But is there a solid, dependable, affordable LH 1B to add via FA or trade to work with Miranda?

2] RH CORNER OF: IMO, I'm giving Keirsey a LOOONG look as my primary backup CF option to begin 2025. He also gives speed off the bench. Rodriguez might be ready later in the season, but I'm talking a quality defensive CF to begin the season. Can they find a RH OF who can beat up LH arms without being horrid against RH pitching and play solid defense? Not needing an All Star, just a good, solid, RH OF. No more Margot specialists who are below average in most areas and end up playing more than wanted.

3] LHRP: You don't have to have a LH in the arm just to have one. There's no room for a LOOGY any longer. But at least ONE lefty who can be OK against RH bats gives the pen a lot more depth and an important option in crunch time. There's a couple interesting internal options on hand, but I'd rather have them as 2nd options and not the primary one. Is there room and opportunity to add one, good, solid option here?

If Paddack can be moved to a team who sees him and his rather small $7.5M contract and replace him with a rookie, that gives a small amount of $ to play with. Maybe that adds the OF and the LHRP? Then what do you do at 1B? And if that $7.5M could help bring in a 1B, then you've got to go pretty cheap to try and find options for the other two spots I've mentioned.

I think the team is weaker without Castro. His cost isn't great. I'd do everything to keep him. And I'm not sure moving Vazquez provides enough help, especially considering you've got to replace him on the roster, but it might help the $ a little.

I guess what I'd DREAM of is moving Paddack and the FO being willing to bump to around $140M-ish? You don't have a lot to work with for moves, but you at least can play a little bit, and maybe use your system for a good addition or two. 

I think you have to TRY and address the 3 spots I've mentioned, and try to find a more consistent offense between new coaches, better health, and continued development of the young bats. 

[RpR]

Biggest needs:

Resign Santana, Kepler and Farmer.

[strumdatjag]

Left-handed Pitching!!!!!!!!!!

[EGFTShaw]

25 minutes ago, RpR said:

Biggest needs:

Resign Santana, Kepler and Farmer.

it is October, so this is Scary.

🫣

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Call me cautious, but I would be totally fine with another year of Santana at $5m.  I am not 100% sold that Miranda is "fixed" and Santana provides indirect insurance for another Lewis injury at 3B.

Many comments about Martin, Lee, Kiersey, Julien, et. al getting long leashes and defined roles.  A reminder that they did not perform very well when given the opportunity last season.  Expecting them to serviceable next year could be setting this team up for another major failure.

Lewis, Correa, and Buxton each playing 135 games would go a long way towards covering up other offense problems this team has.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Biggest needs:

Resign Santana, Kepler and Farmer.

Santana - maybe, but skeptical he can keep it going against Father Time.

Farmer - I think he is cooked. He was pretty terrible offensively for most of the season and doesn't seem to be as good defensively as he was a year ago.

Kepler - Please NO.  As a long term Twins fan, I don't recall ever seeing a player get so much leeway in the lineup while contributing so little to it.  He's a very good defensive right fielder, but in all his (NINE!) years as a Twin, he produced 1 good year, 1 good half year, and about 1 good month (probably twice) offensively  - while at other times producing a tremendous number of weak groundouts.  That's a player who was above average offensively about 1/3 of the time he was here and yet we kept holding out for him to sustain it over a longer period.  Hope has left the building for me on Kepler.  We have Larnach and Wallner to put in the corners, and while they won't play as good of defense, I'll take their offensive production all day long and they are still young enough to possibly raise the bar a little. 

[Reptevia]

I expect Castro, Santana, Kepler, Farmer, Margot,Vasquez? to be gone.  And three or four relievers to be (or should be) gone.  That leaves us with needs at 1b,a consistent 2B who can play at a MLB level on both sides of the ball, a 1b at least as good as Santana, a RF better than Kepler, an Allstar utility guy and a handful of relievers. Given the refusal to spend, I’m not expecting many of these needs to be met. The window is closed. 

[Fatbat]

If you as the FO can’t figure out how to pay Castro $6M, You should be fired. Non tendering him would be criminal. 

[Trov]

I see no way Castro is not here, unless he is traded.  You cannot DFA him.  I could see him being tendered and then traded though, only if they feel a mix of Martin and Lee or some other FA can cover what he can do.  He helped carry the team for a stretch, but then he also fell apart at end of year, like everyone else on offense.  He still provides a ton of value with how Rocco likes to manage because you can pinch hit for many guys and move Castro to where you need on defense.  

I get that Vasquez is making 10 mil, but as you point out hard to justify that price with his offense, so why would another team justify it?  Meaning, only way a team would is if you give up either money to take him, which defeats purpose of moving him, or you give up prospects to take him.  Without clear replacement in wings hard to justify giving up prospects to clear money off the books. 

Every year the bullpen gets retooled as most guys are on 1 year deals. 

[1985Fan]

The biggest needs are a RH bat and a LHRP. The urgency of getting a RH bat depends on how Lewis performs next season and how many games Correa and Buxton play.. Given the limited payroll, I’d bet that means the FO will stand pat there. 
LHRP is urgent right now given Thielbar and Funderburk did not perform well this season. FO may fall back on Headrick stepping into the void and/or Moran recovering. Headrick wasn’t effective in the one appearance I saw him pitch, but that was first appearance and hard to judge after his injury recovery. Wouldn’t be surprised if the FO goes with these two LHRP even though Moran won’t be ready until later in the season. 
I propose they target Jake Burger from the Marlins. It looks like Jonah Bride could be their 1B, leaving Burger as a backup or DH. Burger would be a nice RH power bat that could be our 1B. Maybe trade Miranda in a one for one swap. Miranda is a couple years younger, so they may see more upside. He could also be insurance at 3B for Norby, who didn’t look good at all during series against the Twins. 

 

[stringer bell]

Assuming pretty much status quo (few added, expired contracts subtracted), the Twins need their three top right handed hitters to be healthy more than they were in 2024. That would mitigate the need for right handed power from an outfielder or first baseman. There is a dearth of left handed pitching at the top of the organization, it is a long shot the Moran or Funderburk or Headrick could be effective in the BP. I actually think the Twins should try Headrick as a starter (at St. Paul). Finding an effective lefty reliever amongst the broken toys in free agency would be helpful for sure. 

I've been a believer that Lewis could be an All-Star third baseman. With the arrival of Brooks Lee, who looks like a natural at third,  and Lewis' defensive struggles, maybe the Twins should consider moving Lewis to first base. For the first 130 games of his career, it appeared Lewis' bat would play anywhere, including first base. Miranda would be available to fill either spot, back them up and be used as a principle DH. 

I like the delayed potential of Austin Martin (and he offers some speed, which the rest of the roster has in short supply). It would be another gamble to slot him in Margot's role, but I would think he would be as effective as Margot was. Depending on others, Willi Castro is kind of a wild card. I think he should start the season as the regular second baseman, but he could be in the outfield as a fourth regular.

To answer the headline of this thread, I do think there is room for improvement almost everywhere. I think the Twins will try to handle the weak spots internally with only low level free agent signings. If everything clicks, they are a contender, but much more likely is a major shakeup at the All-Star break or next post season.