Could Willi Castro Realistically Be the Twins’ First Baseman in 2025?

[Rosterman]

Let's just trade for Arraez, with San Diego throwing in Cease. We should be able to give them Paddack, Vasquez, Larnach, Funderburk and anoher top prospect. Absorb more salary.

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

3 hours ago, rdehring said:

Use early spring training to play about half the team at first base.  You know, guys like Miranda, Julien, Keaschall, Larnach, Wallner and probably a few others I can't think of right now.  See who has the potential to be average or better defensively. 

Then put the guy there every day during the last week or two and stick with him when the season starts.  I think we learned last year that a good first baseman can save the infielders a lot of errors which too often lead to runs.

 

I like the idea of Larnach being slid over to 1B. He's not a good LF tbh. With that in mind slide Buxton over to LF. It may help his durability, who knows. And keeps him out of DH where he has struggled. Then a light hitting Bader can be the primary CF. If Bader were the main CF it makes his signing much more valuable. These moves do then increase our defense immensly without more devaluation of the offense. 

[minman1982]

Relying on Castro to be the starting first baseman takes away what he brings to the team that is of the most value, his defensive versatility. Someone is going to get hurt over the season and having a guy like Castro who can competently play multiple defensive positions and is not a total black hole on offense is a huge asset. 

Honestly, I think it will probably be either Jose Miranda or Royce Lewis at first (and the other at third) to start the season, given the current makeup of this lineup. Not sure if there is much available in free agency. According to MLB.com, the best available first basemen are 40 year old Justin Turner, Joey Gallo, and Anthony Rizzo. I think I would take my chances with a Miranda/Lewis combo over any of those options.

[VINCT]

I like him, but Correa should be traded. We already have our SS of the future. This is causing an obvious problem. The Yankees need a 3rd baseman. Correa would be great for them there and might win a World Series. Correa and Vasquez for Chase Hampton, Rafael Flores and DJ Mathieu. 2 more options at 1B, a young pitcher with potential, unload hefty contracts.

You're welcome.

[DocBauer]

The reality is Miranda is the 1B TODAY. And I believe he could be "acceptable" at the position, maybe average with time and work. His bat plays there if he doesn't have more back issues that robbed him of his ability to hit in the second half. Unless the Twins bring someone else in...and I'm just waiting to see Canha brought it for $2M any day now...SOMEONE has to back up Miranda.

I believe Rocco's comment was they were considering Castro "getting some time at 1B". I don't believe it's ever been stated they saw him BEING the 1B. Vazquez can be the emergency, 3rd string 1B. But who's the backup if they make an in game move or Miranda needs a day off? That's where I can see Castro being a backup at the position if no other moves are made. So with that in mind, OK, let him add 1B here and there to his positional flexibility. Or maybe HE can be the #3 emergency guy there IF they bring someone else in. 

IF there's any real steam to the Twins bringing in another INF to help backup SS...potentially 2B/3B presumably...that frees up Castro to add backup 1B duties without really shortening the bench options. So again, why not?

I absolutely believe SOMEONE is going to still be added. It's probably said backup veteran INF, OR, a 1B option like Canha, who I'm not crazy about, who can kinda/sorta play some OF as well. Personally, I'd almost rather bring in Ty France at still only 30yo and hope a change of scenery and a new group of hitting instructors will help him rebound to being closer to the player he was as recently as 2022. At least there'd be some upside, and he already has more power than Canha.

There's been "talk" for a few weeks now that the Twins could unload Paddack and his contract to free up $. Falvey doesn't want to just unload him though, he's looking for some sort of value in return. IMO, that there is interest in Paddack is important. Again, IMO, the Twins should be talking to the Orioles and Rays about Mountcastle and Diaz.

The Orioles need arms, and the Rays need prospects. Mountcastle is on a downward trend offensively, but has bounceback potential and is the less expensive of the 2 options. Maybe Paddack in a close neutral $ trade, with 1 of Morris/Raya, and a 3rd prospect to the Orioles for Mountcastle. They get an immediate rotation arm...have the bats to replace Mountcastle on hand..and get an arm ready in the next couple of months, and a 3rd prospect. 

Diaz is on a 1yr deal for around $12-13M, with a team option of $16M for 2026. So essentially, he's getting expensive for the Rays and is only locked in for 1yr. Doubtful they want Paddack, but they'd be interested in prospects to move Diaz. Paddack could then be moved only for $ relief to keep the payroll down, in theory, regardless of any decent return.

Either way, the Pohlad's quit paying for anything by midseason at least. But Paddack's removal in either scenario pays for Mountcastle, or at least $7.5M of Diaz's 2025 number. I'd call this being "creative".

Suddenly the bench is Castro, Vazquez, Bader, and Miranda and ONE spot left TBD. That looks a hell of a lot better than how things sit today.

Castro being used here and there as a 1B option depending on in game moves doesn't bother me. But him being a 3rd, emergency type of depth option makes a whole lot more sense.

I'm just worried the FO can't or won't pull the trigger for the ONE more move that could really set up the roster better than it is today, and we'll end up with some journeyman veteran as the last add.

[GNess]

I think the Twins should think out of the box and play a first baseman at first base.

[Doctor Wu]

Hell, why not bring back Miguel Sano and let him man the first base bag! Sure, Castro is a handy and versatile player, but as others have already stated, putting him at first is not the best use of his skills nor is it best for the  team. But the question DOES remain: just who is going to play first base this coming season? It seems like it a BIG hole that we haven't adequately filled yet, and sticking guys like Miranda or Julien there isn't really a long-term answer either. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

7 hours ago, GNess said:

I think the Twins should think out of the box and play a first baseman at first base.

Who?

[MesaTwinsFan]

Don't know where Wallner played growing up but by his size he is the prototype Hrbek first basemen who would finally bring the Twins back to the league average for the position on a permanent basis skip the Castro talk trade him while he has some value we have Martin Lee and Jullian who can move around the diamond who are young and athletic 

[Fezig]

MIranda makes the most sense. I assume some of the errors were throws. If that's the case, most of the throws from first will be starting around the horn. 

Going to a corner infield transition is easier. You have to have quick hands, quick feet, and know how to play the angles. 

If he balks at the idea have Hrbek come down and explain to him how important the position is. If he still balks, have Rod Carew come down and explain how he, as a future HOF, changed his position from second to first for a second baseman that has long been forgotten.

[stringer bell]

I think it is an acceptable risk to pencil in Miranda at first base. He has had longish stretches of being an impact bat in '22 and '24 and his skill set is best used at first. What isn't acceptable IMHO is the options after Miranda if he struggles or is injured. Mike Ford and Mickey Gasper seem next in line and both are long shots to even make the team, neither are regarded as even average defensively. Then come position changes--Julien, any outfielder who is not a center fielder and ..........Willi Castro. 

With all the bat-first guys the Twins have drafted high, it is surprising that there isn't one first baseman in the mix who could be adequate in the field and hit well enough to be projected for the middle of the order. The disappointment of Alex Kirilloff's career hangs over this trouble spot, as well.

[USAFChief]

19 hours ago, arby58 said:

Jorge Polanco.

The Twins didn't draft Jorge Polanco.

[Jeff K]

On 2/8/2025 at 10:47 AM, Parfigliano said:

Castro is not a good hitter for an every day player but that's what he will be as TC shoehorns him into the lineup 5-6 games a week at different positions.

I've been saying a similar thing for sometime.  Castro wore out last season.  He should play less and fewer (not more) positions.

[dxpavelka]

20 hours ago, arby58 said:

He WAS a major league shortstop - which is what was asked. Lots of players move from shortstop after being major league shortstops. You wouldn't say Ernie Banks or Alex Rodriguez were not major league shortstops because they eventually moved to other infield positions.

Mr. Cub and A Rod moved on after being good shortstops.  In A Rod's case because of the presence of an all-time great SS.  Banks moved because of a knee issue.  Poplanco moved because he was not a good shortstop.  And since you want to get technical about "which is what was asked"  the original comment talked about drafted shortstops moving to other positions.  Polanco was never drafted.  For the record, neither was Ernie Banks.

[dxpavelka]

20 hours ago, rdehring said:

Use early spring training to play about half the team at first base.  You know, guys like Miranda, Julien, Keaschall, Larnach, Wallner and probably a few others I can't think of right now.  See who has the potential to be average or better defensively. 

Then put the guy there every day during the last week or two and stick with him when the season starts.  I think we learned last year that a good first baseman can save the infielders a lot of errors which too often lead to runs.

 

Finding a guy with the potential to be an average first baseman does not inspire me.   Average defensive first basemen had better be putting up all-star level offensive numbers.

 

[NYCTK]

17 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Let's just trade for Arraez, with San Diego throwing in Cease. We should be able to give them Paddack, Vasquez, Larnach, Funderburk and anoher top prospect. Absorb more salary.

 

Padres reportedly want three top prospects for cease and you're trying to throw junk at them. 

[ashbury]

On 2/8/2025 at 7:27 AM, Mahoning said:

Just give in to the inevitable and put Royce Lewis there. Nobody the Twins draft and groom as a shortstop ends up a major league shortstop.

I was about to ask the following anyway but you brought up the general subject of the draft, and this is a Willi Castro thread after all.  

Willi is listed as being born in Puerto Rico, but Cleveland signed him as an International Free Agent.  Jose Berrios and Carlos Correa are examples of Puerto Ricans who were subject to the draft; why wasn't Willi?  Or was he subject to it, and somehow was overlooked but then signed undrafted?  Doesn't sound right, since various articles describe him as a well-regarded high schooler - the draft went 40 rounds then, shortstops are valuable, and scouts are plentiful there.

(IFA is a specific category, but maybe Wikipedia just has it wrong.)

[arby58]

1 hour ago, dxpavelka said:

Mr. Cub and A Rod moved on after being good shortstops.  In A Rod's case because of the presence of an all-time great SS.  Banks moved because of a knee issue.  Poplanco moved because he was not a good shortstop.  And since you want to get technical about "which is what was asked"  the original comment talked about drafted shortstops moving to other positions.  Polanco was never drafted.  For the record, neither was Ernie Banks.

Polanco was signed by the Twins and came up through their minor league system - that is some monumental hairsplitting.  In 2019 Polanco was an All Star and finished 13th in MVP voting as a shortstop.

[KBJ1]

Larnach was always my choice to transition to 1B. Big, strong lefty with limited range, speed and arm should automatically be targeted for 1B.

Why do the Twins continually put bug slow guys in the OF & natural athletes like Lewis in the infield?

Put Larnach at 1B & Lewis in LF.

Two of our biggest problems solved. We have guys who can play 2nd & 3rd, but no one at 1B or LF (RH power hitter has been needed in LF for years!)

We Didn't hesitate to trot Lewis ot to CF in 2023, a position he had zero experience at. He has played LF and to thise saying he could get hurt - he got hurt rounding the bases, he can run into a wall playing 3B just as easily as LF.

He has the range and ability to be a better LF than 3B in my opinion anyways.

Castro at 1B is a ridiculous idea.

 

[dxpavelka]

22 minutes ago, arby58 said:

Polanco was signed by the Twins and came up through their minor league system - that is some monumental hairsplitting.  In 2019 Polanco was an All Star and finished 13th in MVP voting as a shortstop.

First of all YOU were the one who wanted to split hairs:  "which is what was asked"

Second:  Brian LaHair

[joefish]

As a former pitcher, I say give me a real first baseman. Make it a priority. 

[lecroy24fan]

7 hours ago, Fezig said:

MIranda makes the most sense. I assume some of the errors were throws. If that's the case, most of the throws from first will be starting around the horn. 

Going to a corner infield transition is easier. You have to have quick hands, quick feet, and know how to play the angles. 

If he balks at the idea have Hrbek come down and explain to him how important the position is. If he still balks, have Rod Carew come down and explain how he, as a future HOF, changed his position from second to first for a second baseman that has long been forgotten.

Morneau is there more often than not and he learned a lot from Tom Kelly. 

[lecroy24fan]

19 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Quit trying to shoehorn players into positions that they are not qualified to do.  Castro is a fantastic super utility player.  Why try to move him from what he does well.  Put Miranda there OR trade for true first-baseman and be done with it.

At last somebody gets it. To make a transition to a new position effective, if it even works out, it really needs to start at the start of the offseason. Work on learning the nuances and watch video. Come to ST with a good idea of how to play there and work on the fundamentals. 

Yes it can be done during the season but that comes with more pressure than necessary. 

[Linus]

Just a really bad idea.  Willis greatest value is plugging all the holes of this oft injured and inconsistent lineup.

[minman1982]

23 hours ago, VINCT said:

I like him, but Correa should be traded. We already have our SS of the future. This is causing an obvious problem. The Yankees need a 3rd baseman. Correa would be great for them there and might win a World Series. Correa and Vasquez for Chase Hampton, Rafael Flores and DJ Mathieu. 2 more options at 1B, a young pitcher with potential, unload hefty contracts.

You're welcome.

It is good thought but Correa has a full no trade clause in his contract. This would make trading Correa difficult to impossible. If he wants to stay, he is staying.

[Trov]

Planning him to be a "starter" at any position takes away his value.  Where his value comes from is his ability to play many positions at decent defense.  This allows the team to make moves throughout the game knowing they always have a guy like him to move around.  If you anker him to any position you lose that value.  Should he have some reps at first, only so that adds to positions he can play when needed.