Twins Face First Base Vacuum After Alex Kirilloff’s Retirement

[Cody Christie]

Alex Kiriloff was supposed to be the team’s long-term option at first base. So, what is the team’s plan now that injuries forced him to retire?

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Yunior Severino)

With Alex Kirilloff’s unexpected retirement, the Minnesota Twins are left scrambling to find a solution at first base for 2025. After years of projecting Kirilloff as the future of the position, his decision leaves a noticeable gap. The Twins have several internal options or the possibility of bringing in a veteran. Here’s a breakdown of the contenders and what each brings to the table.

Carlos Santana: Veteran Presence, Defensive Stability
The Twins brought in Santana for his Gold Glove-caliber defense, expecting some offensive drop-off from his prime years. He struggled mightily to start the year, with a .407 OPS in his first 20 games. Over the next 130 games, he hit .253/.342/.460, while being arguably the team’s best defensive player. He also provided valuable mentorship in a clubhouse that’s seen its fair share of younger talent.

While Santana’s offense might not carry the weight it once did, re-signing him could make sense, especially if the Twins prioritize defensive stability. Bringing back Santana would also allow flexibility to platoon other players at first and fill the role until some of the internal options discussed below prove they are past their struggles from the 2024 season.  

Edouard Julien: Betting on a Bounce-Back
Julien is coming off a disappointing year after entering the season with high expectations. The Twins were hoping he’d build off his tremendous rookie season, wherein he posted a 130 OPS+ in 109 games. Instead, he struggled offensively with a 74 OPS+ and spent more time at Triple-A than at the big-league level. It was a disappointing season, especially since he failed to produce even when given opportunities at the end of the season. 

Julien is known more for his bat than his glove, and he has shown defensive flaws at second base. The Twins might be able to live with his glove at first. Julien’s power potential and ability to get on base make him an intriguing option as a full-time first baseman or platoon partner. He can’t be a regular first baseman with the offensive performance he compiled last season. If they turn to him, the Twins will have to bet he bounces back after a sophomore slump. 

José Miranda: Another Possible Rebound Candidate
Miranda’s 2024 season didn’t go as planned, with inconsistent offensive and defensive performance. In the first half, he hit .326/.366/.522, with 21 doubles and nine home runs in 76 games. But like many Twins hitters, he struggled offensively in the second half. In 45 games, he posted a .543 OPS, with seven doubles and no home runs. His season ended early, as he landed on the IL with a lower back strain.

But the Twins still believe in his potential. Moving Miranda to first base on a full-time basis could reduce the defensive pressure on him and allow him to focus on regaining his offensive form. He’s shown flashes of power, and a full offseason focused on first-base defense could improve his stock as a reliable everyday player. The Twins' other options have limited him to 12 starts at first over the last two seasons, after playing 77 games there as a rookie. However, given the team’s current roster construction, Miranda is an option the team might be forced to use at first. 

Yunior Severino: The Wild Card Option
Severino is one of the more intriguing internal options, after playing all of last season at Triple-A. He has power and patience at the plate, both common traits in a first baseman. During the 2023 season, he hit 35 home runs and posted an .898 OPS between Double- and Triple-A. He played all of 2024 at Triple-A and saw his OPS dip to .775, but he continued to get on base over 34% of the time. His minor-league numbers suggest he could bring a spark to the position, along with an ability to draw walks and reach base consistently. It's interesting, though, that the team never called him up last season despite injuries and poor offensive performances.

Severino’s defense is a bit of a question mark. The Twins need to see if his glove is reliable enough to be an everyday player. In 2024, he played over 750 innings at first and was charged with eight errors in 686 chances. With few surefire first-base options in the system, Severino could emerge as a legitimate candidate to win the job if he performs well in spring training.

The Twins have plenty of choices, but no clear-cut solution to replace Kirilloff—who was no clear-cut solution, himself. They’ll need to weigh Santana’s experience and defensive prowess against the upside of younger players like Julien, Miranda, and Severino. With limited payroll flexibility, they’ll likely rely on an internal answer, opting for a low-cost solution that still allows flexibility around the diamond. In the end, the Twins might employ a rotating cast at first base, especially if none of the options seize the position in spring. Kirilloff’s retirement has undoubtedly complicated the team’s offseason, but it also presents an opportunity for one of these players to step up and solidify their place in the lineup.

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Which option is the best path forward for the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Linus]

I think you are overestimating Kiriloff importance to their first base plans. I mean there had been a reasonable case for non tendering him. Here is a better way to look at this: the Twins need to change this lineup. There are three places this can realistically happen. 1b LF and 2b. I doubt they do anything at second because they do have some options. That leaves 1b and LF. Go out and make two trades that bring in difference makers. Guys that field but can rake and don’t have to be platooned. 

[bean5302]

Another mostly negative Miranda article. At least the writers are consistent... Miranda is a solid option for every day 1B. 

Apr 52PA, .280/.308/.480 BABIP .308, 1.9% BB, 17.3% K, EV 89.7mph, Barrel 4.9%, Hard Hit 34.1%
May 91PA, .271/.308/.424 BABIP .286, 4.4% BB, 14.3% K, EV 88.2mph, Barrel 6.8%, Hard Hit 39.7%
Jun 98PA, .333/.388/.552 BABIP .351, 8.2% BB, 12.2% K, EV 91.2mph, Barrel 10.4%, Hard Hit 44.2%
Jul 44PA, .439/.477/.634 BABIP .515, 2.3% BB, 15.9% K, EV 87.8mph, Barrel 5.9%, Hard Hit 41.2%
Aug 88PA, .232/.273/.354 BABIP .264, 4.5% BB, 12.5% K, EV 89.3mph, Barrel 4.2%, Hard Hit 41.7%
Sep 56PA, .196/.196/.250 BABIP .262, 0.0% BB, 25.0% K, EV 85.0mph, Barrel 0.0%, Hard Hit 26.2%

It's pretty clear Miranda's August had a lot of bad luck involved, offsetting the ridiculously lucky .515 BABIP July, and it's also clear he was awful in September before his season was shut down seeing Miranda hit the IL with a lower back strain. Considering almost all the metrics for Miranda's plate approach and batted ball tendencies were pretty consistent outside September, there's no particularly good reason to suspect that luck and later his back wasn't at fault for his production in August/September. 

[tony&rodney]

Sure hope Alex Kirilloff is able to heal up 100% in the next year to enjoy his new world pain free, but I also believe that the Twins knew last summer that AK was no longer an option for 2025.

I will continue to pound the table for Royce Lewis as the new first baseman. 

[Parfigliano]

FO seems determined to not give Severino a chance at MLB 1B job.  Is his  D that lacking?

[CRF]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Another mostly negative Miranda article. At least the writers are consistent... Miranda is a solid option for every day 1B. 

Apr 52PA, .280/.308/.480 BABIP .308, 1.9% BB, 17.3% K, EV 89.7mph, Barrel 4.9%, Hard Hit 34.1%
May 91PA, .271/.308/.424 BABIP .286, 4.4% BB, 14.3% K, EV 88.2mph, Barrel 6.8%, Hard Hit 39.7%
Jun 98PA, .333/.388/.552 BABIP .351, 8.2% BB, 12.2% K, EV 91.2mph, Barrel 10.4%, Hard Hit 44.2%
Jul 44PA, .439/.477/.634 BABIP .515, 2.3% BB, 15.9% K, EV 87.8mph, Barrel 5.9%, Hard Hit 41.2%
Aug 88PA, .232/.273/.354 BABIP .264, 4.5% BB, 12.5% K, EV 89.3mph, Barrel 4.2%, Hard Hit 41.7%
Sep 56PA, .196/.196/.250 BABIP .262, 0.0% BB, 25.0% K, EV 85.0mph, Barrel 0.0%, Hard Hit 26.2%

It's pretty clear Miranda's August had a lot of bad luck involved, offsetting the ridiculously lucky .515 BABIP July, and it's also clear he was awful in September before his season was shut down seeing Miranda hit the IL with a lower back strain. Considering almost all the metrics for Miranda's plate approach and batted ball tendencies were pretty consistent outside September, there's no particularly good reason to suspect that luck and later his back wasn't at fault for his production in August/September. 

Everybody also forgets that Miranda got hit in the head with a pitch at the end of July. He apparently wasn't hurt and didn't miss a lot of time, but he wasn't the same hitter after that. I believe that was a big reason for his decline at the plate in the second half. 

[Schmoeman5]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Another mostly negative Miranda article. At least the writers are consistent... Miranda is a solid option for every day 1B. 

Apr 52PA, .280/.308/.480 BABIP .308, 1.9% BB, 17.3% K, EV 89.7mph, Barrel 4.9%, Hard Hit 34.1%
May 91PA, .271/.308/.424 BABIP .286, 4.4% BB, 14.3% K, EV 88.2mph, Barrel 6.8%, Hard Hit 39.7%
Jun 98PA, .333/.388/.552 BABIP .351, 8.2% BB, 12.2% K, EV 91.2mph, Barrel 10.4%, Hard Hit 44.2%
Jul 44PA, .439/.477/.634 BABIP .515, 2.3% BB, 15.9% K, EV 87.8mph, Barrel 5.9%, Hard Hit 41.2%
Aug 88PA, .232/.273/.354 BABIP .264, 4.5% BB, 12.5% K, EV 89.3mph, Barrel 4.2%, Hard Hit 41.7%
Sep 56PA, .196/.196/.250 BABIP .262, 0.0% BB, 25.0% K, EV 85.0mph, Barrel 0.0%, Hard Hit 26.2%

It's pretty clear Miranda's August had a lot of bad luck involved, offsetting the ridiculously lucky .515 BABIP July, and it's also clear he was awful in September before his season was shut down seeing Miranda hit the IL with a lower back strain. Considering almost all the metrics for Miranda's plate approach and batted ball tendencies were pretty consistent outside September, there's no particularly good reason to suspect that luck and later his back wasn't at fault for his production in August/September. 

And if this was Santanas stats you'd be saying how lucky he was April through July and that the real player was who we saw in Aug and Sept. Your love for Lewis Wallner Miranda is obvious. You like to bend the metrics to prove it.  Santana for 150+ games at 38 probably won't work. But he still hits lh well and Miranda hits rh pretty good. I don't think Miranda at 1st base for 150 games is the answer either. It's all going to depend on money anyway. So I doubt Santana will be back. But if he were re-signed I could see Miranda getting the bulk of starts with Santana as a solid option vs lefties and as a defensive replacement. When Santana starts vs lh Miranda as a dh option along with Jeffers if Vasquez were catching would still give Miranda the vast majority of games played. That in my opinion would be the best way moving into 2025. 

[Blyleven2011]

C J Cron  might be cheap if a free agent  for first base  , but likely it's filled internally   ...

Twins have plenty of holes to fill  , defense and offense needs help along with bullpen  ( left hander RP ) , twins need to  evaluate some positions  to better the team , if there not in the future plans , trade them , id like to see keashall  at second base  and he has hit his way through the minors  , Brooks Lee will be in AAA to earn a spot back with the big club  ...

The twins need to emphasize  fundamentals  , need to take the talent from AAA and make that talent better at the MLB level , it seems we are wasting  some of talented players with their ridiculous plan  and evaluation ,  easier to get to the big league baseball , but alot harder to stick  ...

[RpR]

I checked the Saints team roster at this point and was amazed how small it was but hopefull Eels, McClusker, Holland ans Severino are given a good look at Spring Training if the FO does not import some better than average veterans in over the Winter.

Severino backing up Santana at First Base would plug any chance of a hole there; Eeles could take second and be a good back-up at Short Stop.

Holland could back-up Buxton and McClusker could fill the hole in Left, or Right, field.

Of course this presumes that they do not get to the majors and the big league pitchers eat them for lunch.

[Doctor Gast]

Miranda could easily be developed into a full-time 1Bman & become our best producer there since Cron during the juiced ball. Lewis could be a very good 1B if he not put at 2B. The train has already past on Julien. He needs to be traded while he still has some hype value. With our budget crunch & important players under scrutiny, we absolutely can't afford a lotto ticket in FA.

[Reptevia]

4 hours ago, Linus said:

Go out and make two trades that bring in difference makers. Guys that field but can rake and don’t have to be platooned. 

I serious doubt they trade for real guys. It would require a payroll increase, and I don’t think that’s happening. We really don’t have anyone good enough to field a few positions without platooning. There really isn’t a good reason to believe anyone would want to trade their guys who are good enough for our guys who aren’t. 

[SaberNerd]

2 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

FO seems determined to not give Severino a chance at MLB 1B job.  Is his  D that lacking?

He has been an average hitter at AAA (wRC+ of 100 and 101).  He needs to show better numbers there to get time in the show.  

[Parfigliano]

9 minutes ago, SaberNerd said:

He has been an average hitter at AAA (wRC+ of 100 and 101).  He needs to show better numbers there to get time in the show.  

Not necessarily.  Severino is in a good spot.  Kirilloff is out of the picture and the payroll-ownership situation doesn't scream big free agent signing on the horizon.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

C J Cron  might be cheap if a free agent  for first base  , but likely it's filled internally   ...

I will take Jose Miranda over a guy who didn't even play in the majors in 2024. Remember Miranda? He had the second highest batting average on the entire team.

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I will continue to pound the table for Royce Lewis as the new first baseman. 

Then Brooks Lee plays 3B every day and Miranda is your DH? That is defensively a push and a downgrade for the lineup. Would you move Miranda to 3B? That's a defensive downgrade and a push for the lineup.

Quote

Alex Kiriloff was supposed to be the team’s long-term option at first base.

According to who? The team liked him so much at 1B last spring that they signed 97-year-old Carlos Santana and moved him to LF.

5 hours ago, Linus said:

Here is a better way to look at this: the Twins need to change this lineup. There are three places this can realistically happen. 1b LF and 2b. I doubt they do anything at second because they do have some options. That leaves 1b and LF.

This I agree with. Their best option at 2B is Willi Castro but then they're going to have to use Brooks Lee as the utility guy. They desperately need another outfielder who can catch the ball and hit well enough to stay in the lineup. Defense has to improve at 2B and in the OF. Move one of the less athletic hitters to DH.

2 hours ago, RpR said:

Eeles could take second and be a good back-up at Short Stop.

Eeles is not a major league SS. He's a second baseman or bust. He's also never had anyone scout him to find his weaknesses. There is a benefit to being overlooked and underestimated.

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I

Eeles is not a major league SS. He's a second baseman or bust. He's also never had anyone scout him to find his weaknesses. There is a benefit to being overlooked and underestimated.

This is an interesting take on several levels. I have not seen Eeles enough to give a reasonable thought on his tools. The numbers suggest he can play. So looking at the success Eeles had during the past year one could say he has earned an invite to show what he can do for the Twins. 

The last part of your statement is quite interesting and may also have truth to it. Many people, including folks within the industry, subscribe very heavily towards rafts of data. Data is used across baseball and certainly is used quite a bit in the minor leagues. Your statement could be taken to believe that the eyes (scouts) are more beneficial and have a distinct role in baseball. In the case of Eeles, you suggest that scouts could uncover his weaknesses. 

I find the dichotomy of scouts versus data to be interesting. I guess I see the value in both on more or less equal terms. I don't know how this would apply to Eeles but I guess we find out next March. On another note, I read that a number of teams no longer use advance scouts but resort to media and data. The big market teams still use scouts.

[Whitey333]

We could and should expect several changes for next season.   Got to find out if some of these young players can actually play at the major league level.  Miranda has a lot to prove but seems to be the most logical internal choice for first base.  Lee, Julien, and others need to play full time.  Too much platooning.  Twins seem to love developing full time prospects and then turning them into part time players when they reach the majors.  It's time to either play those players regularly or trade them.  It's also amusing how people use the new analytics to explain away bad performance.  Like "bad luck" for Miranda?  Let's get serious!

[LambchoP]

My guess is, with our payroll mess, we aren't signing any impact players to fill holes. First base will probably be some combo of Miranda and Severino. Although I think Lewis at first and Miranda at 3rd would be better defensively. 2nd base will probably be Julien and Castro to start the year with Lee and maybe Eeles taking over eventually. I'm a bit worried about our OF. When Buck goes down, we really don't have anyone solid. Martin and Keirsey Jr? Rodriguez and Rosario won't be ready for awhile. Maybe they try Mccusker? He's another big slow power hitter. Our defense is really going to suffer out there. I think we'll be seeing lots of young guys and prospects get a chance this year. It will probably hurt our offense overall to have so few everyday players and instead have a different lineup and defensive alignment every day 

[saviking]

I wonder if Wallner or Larnach have any history at 1b .. If able to field well at first, I think Wallner is a prototypical first baseman. Big target, big bat .. 

[dxpavelka]

Twins Face First Base Vacuum After Alex Kirilloff’s Retirement: 

That's cute.  As if Kirilloff's presence somehow meant no vacuum at 1B.  Sure, maybe the answer lies in some combination of Julien, Miranda, Lewis and maybe even Lee or Correa "in the aggregate."  But let's be honest, with pitchers taking up 13 roster spots it's tough to be able to count on as many as five guys to fill one position.  The answer might just be same as it was this year:  Santana.  And, sure, I know, we can't afford him.  But can we afford to NOT have him?

[twinfan]

Kiriloff never really was a factor during his career so there is nobody to replace. I'd go with Miranda and see who is available as a backup. I like Santana but I don't think we can expect even as good a season again- and it wasn't great. None of the other choices impress me unless there is a minor leaguer I don't know about. Someone like Wallner or Larnach could get some reps in the Spring.

[bean5302]

13 hours ago, DJL44 said:

...Eeles is not a major league SS. He's a second baseman or bust. He's also never had anyone scout him to find his weaknesses. There is a benefit to being overlooked and underestimated...

RF/9, FP for Saints' Shortstops
4.66 .957 - Holland 170 inn
4.28 .989 - Eeles 184 inn
4.06 .944 - Castillo 188 inn (graded serviceable to neutral as MLB SS in 2022)
3.68 .964 - Helman 264 inn
3.29, .974 - Lee 153 inn
3.22 .970 - Bannon 274 inn

You have a pretty strong opinion on a guy who grades out pretty well at SS in a small sample. Eeles hasn't been asked to play SS much by the Twins, and the scouting reports are down on his arm, but the scouting reports didn't foresee him being this impressive even at the high minors levels. When it comes to physical tools like running and throwing, it sure seems like the scouting reports are often biased.

In regard to scouting reports favoring Eeles' status as an unknown, talented MiLB players spend only a couple months at each level, and development in the minors for pitchers has as much or more to do with throwing the pitch the boss wants you to work on than it does trying to target an opponents weakness. Eeles is certainly no sure fire bet, but at age 24, he was not old for AAA last year. He was on a level playing field with good, but non-elite prospects who were taken out of college.

I don't think he's probably an option as a starter at SS based on the scouting reports and fair, but not great defensive stats, but the Twins have Correa there anyway. As a backup SS, he could be as good of a bet as Brooks Lee, who also has none of the physical tools to succeed there or Royce Lewis who does have the physical tools, but struggles to throw with accuracy.

The best news is the Twins have a big hole at 2B with the two most likely starters being guys who apparently can't hit at the MLB level (Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien).

[DJL44]

13 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

You have a pretty strong opinion on a guy who grades out pretty well at SS in a small sample. Eeles hasn't been asked to play SS much by the Twins, and the scouting reports are down on his arm, but the scouting reports didn't foresee him being this impressive even at the high minors levels. When it comes to physical tools like running and throwing, it sure seems like the scouting reports are often biased.

He's 5'5" tall. He would be tied for the 5th shortest MLB player ever. There have been SS that short (Rizzuto, Maranville, Patek) but nobody since David Eckstein. The scouts don't think he has the arm for SS and that makes complete sense given his height. That's fine, there's more opportunity on this team at 2B anyway.

[tony&rodney]

27 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

The best news is the Twins have a big hole at 2B with the two most likely starters being guys who apparently can't hit at the MLB level (Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien).

I have only seen Eeles on several occasions which makes me a poor judge of his talents. Nevertheless, I'm willing to give him the same shot at earning the 2B job in Spring Training as anyone else currently in the organization. His numbers last season sure put him in the picture. Why not Payton Eeles? 

[bean5302]

29 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

He's 5'5" tall. He would be tied for the 5th shortest MLB player ever. There have been SS that short (Rizzuto, Maranville, Patek) but nobody since David Eckstein. The scouts don't think he has the arm for SS and that makes complete sense given his height. That's fine, there's more opportunity on this team at 2B anyway.

Jose Altuve is a 9x All Star, MVP winner and virtual lock HoF'er, if not first ballot. He's 5'6" tall.

No idea why you think shorter guys can't throw hard? Nick Allen had well above average arm strength as a shortstop in '22-'23, and he's listed 5'8" tall.

[gman]

Unfortunately now we will never know how well or poorly Kirilloff would have done over a full season when healthy. I believe last season he was injured during the Dodger series as far back as last April. His play fell off dramatically after I think the game of April 8 or 9, I don't remember for sure.

I'm sure there are Chicago fans on this sight happy to see him go.

[DJL44]

40 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Jose Altuve is a 9x All Star, MVP winner and virtual lock HoF'er, if not first ballot. He's 5'6" tall.

No idea why you think shorter guys can't throw hard? Nick Allen had well above average arm strength as a shortstop in '22-'23, and he's listed 5'8" tall.

Altuve plays 2B, not SS. He's also an extreme outlier and nothing Eeles has done in AAA suggests he's anywhere near as good as Altuve.

Short guys can throw hard, but the scouts say Eeles doesn't. I'm pretty sure they can measure how hard he throws correctly.

[AceWrigley]

Payton Eels new winter work outs should have him ready-to-chuck come baseball season.

[mluebker]

Correa at first with some good orthotics in his shoes to mitigate the effects of the plantar fasciitis. Maybe that keeps him and his bat in the lineup a little more regularly.

Lewis goes to shortstop and either demonstrates he can play there or becomes future trade bait.

And while we’re at it, Buxton to one of the corners where he won’t have to cover so much territory, maybe won’t continue to aggravate his fragile hip and knee, and also can be in the lineup for more than half a season.

I hate to sacrifice strong defense up the middle, but that’s only the case when they’re actually on the field. So it’s a trade-off: keep their bats in the lineup by putting them in defensive positions less likely to cause or aggravate existing injuries.

[stringer bell]

5 minutes ago, mluebker said:

Correa at first with some good orthotics in his shoes to mitigate the effects of the plantar fasciitis. Maybe that keeps him and his bat in the lineup a little more regularly.

Lewis goes to shortstop and either demonstrates he can play there or becomes future trade bait.

And while we’re at it, Buxton to one of the corners where he won’t have to cover so much territory, maybe won’t continue to aggravate his fragile hip and knee, and also can be in the lineup for more than half a season.

I hate to sacrifice strong defense up the middle, but that’s only the case when they’re actually on the field. So it’s a trade-off: keep their bats in the lineup by putting them in defensive positions less likely to cause or aggravate existing injuries.

Since Correa and Buxton are about the only two players who are good defenders under contract with the Twins, this is currently a non-starter IMHO. Further I don’t think Lewis is considered a shortstop option at this point, so the job would go to Castro or Lee. 

[minman1982]

Given the financial constraints that ownership is imposing, I think it may have to be Miranda at first to start the season with Severino being the next man up. I would give Severino a chance to win the spot in Spring Training and if he performs, it is his spot. This is not my preferred solution (I would rather sign Santana to come back another year or make a trade to get someone solid) but it is probably the realistic solution.