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Here Comes the Bride: Twins Acquire IF Jonah Bride from the Miami Marlins

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Matt Braun Cedar Rapids Kernels

Matt Braun

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Not long after Ty France delivered the game-winning single in Wednesday’s contest, the Twins traded for 29-year-old corner infielder Jonah Bride.

Image courtesy of © Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Who Is John Galt Jonah Bride?

A Milwaukee native, Bride was originally a 23rd-round Oakland draftee in 2018, back when one could still be such a thing. Once a catching prospect, the University of South Carolina product journeyed deeper into the infield when his catching acumen proved detrimental; he has only played 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the majors. He debuted in 2022 before trekking to Miami before the 2024 season, in which he slashed .276/.357/.461 across 272 plate appearances. 

Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs last wrote about Bride in 2022, in which he had this to say about him:

“Bride, who recently made his big league debut and is currently on the IL, is a recent (part-time) catching convert who would be stuffed in the 45 FV tier if his ball-blocking and receiving had progressed more quickly and I felt more confident that he could catch often. It’s still possible that he could turn into a role player with this sort of special versatility if his defense behind the plate continues to improve, but because he can hit, Bride is at least going to be a solid part-time infielder, with third base his most natural position.”

Why Jonah Bride?

Twins players are dropping like flies. Edouard Julien probably pulled a groin while you read this article. It’s doubtful that Bride is any sort of long-term answer or pet project for the team; they need warm major-league bodies and they need them now. Matt Wallner will head to the IL, and the statuses of Willi Castro and Carlos Correa are currently unknown. St. Paul Saint Ryan Fitzgerald appears a prime candidate to replace one of them, but he is just one man. 

Bride seems likely to play 3rd, where he was once worth 3 Statcast Outs Above Average in a limited sample in 2023. 2nd base is also an option. 

This is also some Sicko Stuff, because who was watching a Twins-Marlins series late in 2024, when the team’s collapse was nearly complete, but you may remember Bride because, across three games in Target Field, he slashed .429/.400/.786 with a home run and two doubles. Maybe he’s secretly Edwin Encarnación 2.0.

Bride was DFA'd on the 15th. Minnesota is sending cash to complete the deal. 

What happens going forward?

Fortunately, Minnesota has an off-day on the 17th to figure out their moves before starting a series on the 18th with the Atlanta Braves. Bride is the first of what could be two more moves: Correa and Castro. Correa is suffering from wrist soreness, apparently a malady that affected him since Spring Training, and he didn't start in Wednesday's affair, although he did enter the game as a defensive replacement. He never took an at-bat. 

Castro exited early Wednesday with "mild right oblique tightness," a choice that Rocco Baldelli described as "precautionary." Currently, that wonderfully vague term is all we have to understand the nature of Castro's injury.

Of course, the situation is augmented by the recent news that José Miranda landed on the minor league IL because of an incident at Target that involved a dropped case of water. Tremendous stuff. 

Assuming Castro and Correa are both incapacitated, Brooks Lee becomes the obvious starter at shortstop, with calling up a minor leaguer like the aforementioned Fitzgerald a logical move. That would create a Bride-Lee-Julien-France infield with Mickey Gasper filling in when needed. Not ideal, certainly, but hopefully it would only be for a short period of time. 

But, who knows? The esoteric nature of Castro and Correa's injuries leave room for pure speculation, yet nothing solid. If one or both players are closer to fine, then life for the Twins looks a lot easier. Hell, even just one of them being ready to go renders the previous paragraph something of a worst case scenario. As of now, we understand little, but, after acquiring Bride, their depth nonetheless appears better than it was before. 


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Danchat Minnesota Twins

Danchat

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Miami, who designated Bride for assignment yesterday, will receive cash considerations in return.

This seems like a no-brainer move, Bride hit .818 OPS last year but has been off to a horrid start to begin 2025. Of course, he can't be that good if the Marlins are DFA'ing him but I will take him over our mediocre vets in AAA.

SD happy Draft Eligible

SD happy

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18 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Who did we trade for him? MIA was going to DFA him, Do we need another INFer reject, especially from MIA? A pitcher maybe but not an INFer.

I’m guessing they got him as an insurance policy. With Correa’s wrist and Castro’s oblique, there is probably some uncertainty about those two. Also, no trade, we paid cash.

T.O. Draft Eligible

T.O.

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1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Bride came for cash out. Bride was a catcher but was booted to third base. 

Why does this feel like Mickey Gasper Jr.? Miami just released a player who deserves to start?

We will hope, but ???

 

COD.jpg

1985Fan Draft Eligible

1985Fan

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Quote from story in MLBTR: “Shortstop Carlos Correa was removed from yesterday’s game with some left wrist soreness. He told Nightengale that he’s been dealing with it since late last year.” 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/twins-acquire-jonah-bride.html
if Correa is down for a long time, Twins infield defense is in trouble. Did FO know about this? If so, why didn’t Falvey do something about it in the offseason? FO malpractice if injury history is true. 

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

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20 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

Quote from story in MLBTR: “Shortstop Carlos Correa was removed from yesterday’s game with some left wrist soreness. He told Nightengale that he’s been dealing with it since late last year.” 
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/twins-acquire-jonah-bride.html
if Correa is down for a long time, Twins infield defense is in trouble. Did FO know about this? If so, why didn’t Falvey do something about it in the offseason? FO malpractice if injury history is true. 

They have Lee and  Castro. Did you want a third backup SS? On the roster? Or to trade for a AA guy? Like what should they have done? Who comes off the forty man, during the off season?

1985Fan Draft Eligible

1985Fan

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33 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have Lee and  Castro. Did you want a third backup SS? On the roster? Or to trade for a AA guy? Like what should they have done? Who comes off the forty man, during the off season?

With Correa’s foot injuries last year, the possibility for him to be on long-term IL was high. Relying on Castro to play significant time at SS is not a good plan. Even Rocco stated that last year. Lee is unproven at SS position and at the MLB level in general. 
Lee didn’t look like the answer there in SSS last year. From what was written this spring, Lee was given the 2nd base job until he got hurt. No plan for a quality defense first SS at all. 
If FO knew that Correa had sore wrist last year, they should have gotten a MLB level backup SS. They’re not serious about contending anyway, so it doesn’t matter. 

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

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1 minute ago, 1985Fan said:

With Correa’s foot injuries last year, the possibility for him to be on long-term IL was high. Relying on Castro to play significant time at SS is not a good plan. Even Rocco stated that last year. Lee is unproven at SS position and at the MLB level in general. 
Lee didn’t look like the answer there in SSS last year. From what was written this spring, Lee was given the 2nd base job until he got hurt. No plan for a quality defense first SS at all. 
If FO knew that Correa had sore wrist last year, they should have gotten a MLB level backup SS. They’re not serious about contending anyway, so it doesn’t matter. 

And stashed them where? What team has an extra proven MLB SS in AAA that is ready to play every day? What would you have done with that player while CC was healthy? I don't think this is easy at you think. 

Most backups are unproven or not good. Especially on teams with budget limits. They have Lee and Castro. It's unrealistic to get another guy, who is MLB proven, and have him sit around. 

Parfigliano Minnesota Twins

Parfigliano

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1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Joe Pohlad III might only have $100 million in his bank account when he’s born now. Who can live like that?

Me but it wouldn't be in the manner I've grown accustomed to.

1985Fan Draft Eligible

1985Fan

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I would think that with Correas injury history it would be a priority. It’s not rocket science. There were veteran options available instead of Gasper! Come on, that’s the move he made and now Gasper is indispensable? That just shows two things; Twins aren’t serious about contending, and Falvey is a terrible judge of talent. 

Mike Sixel GOAT

Mike Sixel

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7 minutes ago, 1985Fan said:

I would think that with Correas injury history it would be a priority. It’s not rocket science. There were veteran options available instead of Gasper! Come on, that’s the move he made and now Gasper is indispensable? That just shows two things; Twins aren’t serious about contending, and Falvey is a terrible judge of talent. 

What proven SS was available to be traded for? What would you do with him while CC was healthy? 

1985Fan Draft Eligible

1985Fan

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9 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

What proven SS was available to be traded for? What would you do with him while CC was healthy? 

I’m not going to take the time to look through 2024 free agent SS/infielder listings or go over MLB rosters for names. That’s what Falvey gets paid to do. Point is when your starting SS has recent injury problems and is injury prone, there have to be solid backup options on the roster. To argue that there were no trade or low cost FA options out there doesn’t hold water. To say that there was no room on the roster when Gasper is sitting on the bench also doesn’t make sense. 

Here’s a recent TD article about the lack of depth at SS:

https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/minnesota-twins/the-minnesota-twins-lack-of-depth-at-shortstop-is-scary-r18011/

Given the new information that Correa had wrist problem last season, if the FO knew about it, that is mismanagement to not have depth. 

stringer bell Cooperstown

stringer bell

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I'm over twice as old as Correa and have never been thought of as a candidate to be a professional athlete, but the way I see his description of his wrist injury is something he felt occasionally, but something that didn't keep him from playing. I would think that most guys have at least an area or two of past injury that might flare up at some point, but wasn't disabling (Lee's back, Larnach's foot, CC's back and foot, most of Buxton's body etc.). With cold weather and an awkward swing, Correa tweaked a tender spot, but it is not like he intentionally let an injury slide and become a problem. 

40-man rosters are tight leaguewide because so many pitchers are on all of the rosters. Having an injury replacement for each position isn't possible, so utility is needed. Unfortunately, the Twins Swiss Army Knife hasn't looked good in the field and it's a bit of a risk to keep using him at shortstop. On the ball Castro didn't field cleanly, I don't think he had a prayer of throwing Acuna out anyway and the runner was on third base and would have scored. 

If Castro has to miss time, the Twins lose a lot of flexibility. Adding Bride, who has played quite a bit at three positions adds back a little utility, but doesn't directly help at shortstop.

Jocko87 Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

Jocko87

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2 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Adding Bride, who has played quite a bit at three positions adds back a little utility, but doesn't directly help at shortstop.

Let's not distract the new Bride with a shortstop discussion, they aren't related.  There was also an article in early spring after the money started flowing that they were in the market for a backup shortstop and many scoffed, including me.  The more we talked about it, a Jose Iglesias would have really really looked nice, but still not completely a shortstop discussion.

This is a Dallas Kuechel move, someone to buy some time and maybe catch a small bit of lightning.  And a move like this is required when an Iglesias was not previously secured.  Kyle Farmer, we kinda miss you.

Every year, a new combination of injuries creates something weird. 

OBX 3 6 28 29 34 Prep Ball

OBX 3 6 28 29 34

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3 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I'm loosening up  my arm and taking extra batting practice. I'll be available for the Saturday Twins' game in Hotlanta, which I will be attending in my Kirby Puckett jersey. Seriously. I really am. 

I'll be wearing my Puckett pinstripes to the Twins series in Baltimore 3 weeks from now. Probably pack the Killer #3 cream jersey and the Blyleven pinstripes as well to mix it up. Enjoy Atlanta, go Twins!

twinstalker First Round Pick

twinstalker

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2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I'm the 2nd biggest Helman fan around here but he's batting .208 with an OPS of .559 in AAA this year. The Twins did the right thing.

This statement reminds me long ago when I went to a Twins game with, among others, a kid who had been in my confirmation class.  We were sitting behind home plate, and every time a batter popped the ball up to the infield or short outfield, the kid would yell "It's in here, it's in the park!"

Yes, Jeff, we all know that and knew it while you were analyzing the arc of the ball.  There was never a doubt.  But thank you. :-)

 

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