Michael Helman’s Path to Replace Kyle Farmer as the Twins' Backup Infielder

[Cody Christie]

The Twins must find ways to replace veteran players from the 2024 roster. One young player might be the perfect fit to take over Kyler Farmer’s role.

Kyle Farmer entered the 2024 season as a valuable utility infielder for the Minnesota Twins, coming off a solid 2023 campaign. The veteran's versatility made him an essential piece of the roster, capable of filling in at shortstop, second base, and third. However, this past season was far from smooth for Farmer, leaving the door open for Michael Helman to take on the role in 2025. It’s a move that could improve the team on the field and provide relief from a payroll perspective.

Farmer’s struggles in 2024 were hard to ignore. A career utility player who had previously been consistent, his production declined sharply at the plate and in the field this season. In 107 games, he hit .214/.293/.353 (.647) with 19 extra-base hits a 82 OPS+, his lowest total since 2020. In 2023, Farmer logged over 275 innings at shortstop, but the Twins shrunk that total to 52 1/3 innings this season. Most of his defensive time came at second base (363 2/3 innings), a position where the Twins can find a replacement. It became clear that Farmer wasn’t giving the team the offensive spark or defensive reliability that made him a valuable asset in 2023. 

Additionally, the defensive metrics weren’t kind to Farmer in 2024. His range and reaction time at shortstop and third base noticeably regressed, costing the team crucial outs in critical situations. In 2023, he posted -5 DRS at shortstop, and he was worth a -2 DRS in a fifth as many innings last season. He was also worth -2 DRS at second base, the first time he had posted a negative total at that position. While his veteran presence and leadership in the clubhouse have never been questioned, his on-field performance led to reduced playing time, and he no longer seemed like the ideal fit for the utility role.

Michael Helman, a 28-year-old utility player, could be exactly what the Twins need as they look to shake up their roster in 2025. Helman has quietly been building a case for more playing time, and his performance in Triple-A St. Paul in 2024 didn’t go unnoticed. He slashed .271/.350/.487 (.838), showing an ability to make consistent contact with occasional pop. Though not a flashy power hitter, Helman’s value comes from his versatility, a trait that the Twins have always valued in their bench players.

Helman’s defensive abilities are also intriguing. He has experience playing all over the diamond, including second base, third base, shortstop, and even the outfield. His range and glove work have earned him praise from scouts, and he would likely represent an upgrade over Farmer’s declining defensive skills. He has solid speed and stole 40 bases during the 2022 season. Helman brings an element of athleticism missing from the backup infield role.

The Twins are entering the 2025 season under a cloud of payroll constraints, with the current ownership staying close to last year’s budget. That likely means that the Twins will have to make cuts around the margins and veteran depth will be pushed to the side. This makes Helman even more appealing to the organization. Farmer made around $6 million last season in his final year of arbitration eligibility. Based on his 2024 performance, he could likely be signed for a cheaper deal this winter, but the Twins lack wiggle room in the payroll. In contrast, Helman is still under a rookie-level contract, meaning he would earn the league minimum, allowing the team to allocate funds elsewhere.

There’s no denying that Farmer has been a valuable player during his tenure with the Twins, but his 2024 performance suggests it may be time for a change. Helman offers a fresh, younger option with versatility, better defense, and offensive upside at a much lower cost. With the Twins facing tough financial decisions, Helman’s emergence as a capable utility player could be the perfect fit. Expect to see him in a prominent role next season as the Twins navigate their payroll crunch and build a roster ready to contend in 2025.

Will Helman fill a utility role for the Twins next season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[Dave Borton]

Quote

Twins Video

 

Kyle Farmer entered the 2024 season as a valuable utility infielder for the Minnesota Twins

I loved Farmer; his grit and determination. Range has definitely slipped and bat has developed a leak. The price tag makes me put it back on the shelf. Not sure about Helman. Can't remember him from the games I attended at CHS. Maybe I should have spent less time at the concession stand?

[bean5302]

Except Farmer wasn't viewed as a backup utility infielder. He was viewed as a starting platoon strategy utility infielder. Farmer played in more games than Byron Buxton or Max Kepler last year, and nearly as many as Jose Miranda, Ryan Jeffers or Trevor Larnach.

Helman might get his chance as an age 29 MiLB roster filler. As a guy the Twins have left off the 40 man for the last 3 years who was ignored by the rest of the league during the Rule 5, Helman is probably only going to get one shot if he does get it.

[Karbo]

He could add the athleticism the Twins need badly!

[jmlease1]

Helman might be able to hold down a utility role just fine...if he can stay healthy. hasn't played a full season since 2022, hasn't played close to a full season. He would have gotten a shot with the twins long before this season if he'd been able to keep himself on the field.

I'm fine with giving him a shot, but the injuries are concerning, especially for a Twins franchise that has really struggled with the injury bug over the past few years.

Farmer will 100% be gone. I expect someone will take a chance on him for another season before he heads towards retirement and a long career coaching (if he wants it, and it sounds like he does). Heck, if he's ready to retire now I'd offer him a coaching job. Good dude, knows the game. Just maybe can't play it very well any longer.

[Patzky]

Could easily envision Helman and Eeles taking the Farmer and Julien spots on the dirt.

[Brandon]

I can see the Twins bench as Martin, (2B, LF, RF some CF), Helman. (3B, 2B, LF, RF maybe 1B and SS), Castro (CF, SS, LF, 2B, 3B maybe RF) and Velazquez (C maybe 1B).

[RpR]

Helman's major positions in the minors was Short Stop and then Second Base.

[FlyingFinn]

3 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Helman. (3B, 2B, LF, RF maybe 1B and SS)

I would include CF as well. He's played there a lot more than LF and RF in the last couple years. I'm thinking he's closer to Keirsey on defense in CF than Castro and Martin, who I don't like to see in CF for an extended period of time.

[DJL44]

Brooks Lee is probably ahead of Helman as the second utility infielder, but Lee isn't much of an outfielder (too slow). The Twins will want Lee playing every day in MLB or AAA, but they'll be fine with letting Helman ride the bench like they were with Farmer.

Kyle Farmer might be available on a minor league deal. The waiver wire is a good place to acquire utility players as we saw with Willi Castro.

Will Holland is another internal possibility for a utility player. It is hard to tell if he took a huge step forward last season before he was injured or if it was just a small sample size mirage.

 

[thelanges5]

Youth movement at Target Field!

[DJL44]

Helman could probably replace what the Twins got from Kyle Farmer in 2024 at a fraction of the cost. The problem is Farmer was not particularly valuable in 2024 so getting that level of production is not going to help them win games.

[chpettit19]

If Helman makes it through the winter on the 40-man he'll get his chance to take Farmer/Margot's spot. If he isn't successful early Keaschall is going to take his (and other's) job pretty quick (I hope).

Will be interesting to see what they do with the 40-man and if they try to find ways to bring in more Farmer/Margot types are give guys from the system a chance. Can't call them "kids" because Helman and Keirsey aren't young anymore. Martin and Severino aren't particularly young either. But they're all cheap.

If Helman is a large part of their 2025 plans, though, I'm not excited about their 2025 plans. No offense to Michael. He's far more talented than I've ever been. But he's not talented enough to be a large part of a contender's plan. Maybe he surprises me, and I like that he'd bring some athleticism to the squad, but the way this team likes to use everyone so much means he'd play more than he should. And I don't see that as a good recipe for wins.

[TwinsDr2021]

 The only role Helman should fill for the Twins is 26 man off the bench, and should not start any games, even as a injury replacement.

[Doctor Gast]

I like Helman but IMO we have more than enough utility players that can play SS & CF better than him to be excited about.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

8 hours ago, Brandon said:

I can see the Twins bench as Martin, (2B, LF, RF some CF), Helman. (3B, 2B, LF, RF maybe 1B and SS), Castro (CF, SS, LF, 2B, 3B maybe RF) and Velazquez (C maybe 1B).

Who’s Velazquez?

[nclahammer]

Could come down to a decision between Helman and Eeles.

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Who’s Velazquez?

Vazquez

[DJL44]

12 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Who’s Velazquez?

He's on the bench with Helelman, Melartin and Celastro.

[Otaknam]

Hellman, Castro, and Martin fulfill the same role. Doubt there is there room for all three on the roster. That leaves room for just a backup catcher, as well as a DH like Miranda. My guess is that Castro will be released to save money for the penurious Pohlads. 

[FlyingFinn]

20 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

Hellman, Castro, and Martin fulfill the same role.

No. Helman and Castro are comps (super utility). Martin is not (utility). Martin will not play RF, SS or 3B with the Twins unless it's an absolute emergency. Helman and Castro can play those positions and are better than Martin at 2B, LF and CF. Also, Helman and Castro have some power in their bat. Martin doesn't have much power. Castro has the switch hitter advantage and durability advantages among other advantages over both. He only has $6.2 million disadvantages!

[Mydaughterhastwins]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He's on the bench with Helelman, Melartin and Celastro.

Ok stop it

[EGFTShaw]

Good or bad, we get to say

"What the Hellman?"

[DocBauer]

Helman is like Keirsey in that early injuries and the missed 2020 season make them late bloomers. The problem is the clock is ticking fast. Another problem is the lack of opportunities they've been given when injuries hit and there was an opening for them to get a shot. Now, it's almost, get ONE MORE chance, and IMO that's a little unfair to them

Assuming little to no payroll increase, the Twins might be forced to give a longer look at both Keirsey and Helman to at least begin 2025. While Helman CAN play all over, I think his best value might be as a 4th OF, same with Keirsey, who is exclusively an OF.

With little to nothing $ to spend to add, is an opening day OF of Larnach, Buxton, and Wallner with Keirsey and Helman as dual 4th OF really that bad? Keirsey plays all 3 OF spots...a legitimate CF option defensively, Helman close behind and speed off the bench...and Helman is the RH bat in the OF to spell either Wallner or Larnach against LHP and provide some pop, as well as providing some speed. Castro remains part of the OF equation if kept.

OBVIOUSLY, if either or neither Keirsey or Helman can hit their weight, they don't make an impact at all. But what if they CAN hit some? 

I don't like breaking down the 2025 roster to the 12th and 13th position players being older, late blooming prospects who've been given no opportunity at this point save a cup of coffee, BUT, each does offer versatility defensively, especially Helman, as well as decent gloves and speed and athleticism that's lacking on the roster right now.

It's by no means an ideal situation. But sometimes you need to look in your own backyard, or garage, and see if you've got something useful to work with. Neither might have a long tenure with the Twins, but each is at least an interesting option they should be looking at for at least a short term option that might help.

[Fred]

On 10/16/2024 at 1:52 PM, chpettit19 said:

If Helman makes it through the winter on the 40-man he'll get his chance to take Farmer/Margot's spot. If he isn't successful early Keaschall is going to take his (and other's) job pretty quick (I hope).

Will be interesting to see what they do with the 40-man and if they try to find ways to bring in more Farmer/Margot types are give guys from the system a chance. Can't call them "kids" because Helman and Keirsey aren't young anymore. Martin and Severino aren't particularly young either. But they're all cheap.

If Helman is a large part of their 2025 plans, though, I'm not excited about their 2025 plans. No offense to Michael. He's far more talented than I've ever been. But he's not talented enough to be a large part of a contender's plan. Maybe he surprises me, and I like that he'd bring some athleticism to the squad, but the way this team likes to use everyone so much means he'd play more than he should. And I don't see that as a good recipe for wins.

Why do I feel like the "cheap" part of this will be influencial?

[Fred]

On 10/17/2024 at 10:00 AM, Otaknam said:

Hellman, Castro, and Martin fulfill the same role. Doubt there is there room for all three on the roster. That leaves room for just a backup catcher, as well as a DH like Miranda. My guess is that Castro will be released to save money for the penurious Pohlads. 

He's an All Star. They should be able to get something in return.