Has Time Run Out For These Two Twins?

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson- Imagn Sports

A pair of previously promising hitters are now settled in St. Paul, and if the parent club enjoys even moderately good health, they'll be there for the foreseeable future. Each of them struggled mightily to begin the season, after two different but similar sagas of highs and lows in 2023 and 2024. Each was demoted following costly mistakes that the Twins may be completely fed up with. Are Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda now on the outside looking in?

Edouard Julien
Julien’s recent demotion came on the heels of oversliding a base to make an out and committing several costly errors in the field, contributing to a loss to the Boston Red Sox. This capped off a 29-game sample size in which he hit .198/.288/.319. According to FanGraphs, he was worth half a win less than a replacement-level player.

Julien showed promise earlier this season after changing his plate approach, but could never fully put it together. His defensive struggles afforded him less patience from the Twins, as with the return of (first) Brooks Lee and (most recently) the duo of Royce Lewis and Willi Castro, the team had superior defensive options for second base. The front office chose demoting him over parting ways with Kody Clemens or Jonah Bride.

While it is true that the move can be justified by saying Julien is a more valuable piece of the organization needing everyday at-bats, this demotion feels different. The Twins have a lot of ground to make up for their slow start, and they don’t see Julien as part of the solution. He was given an extended opportunity after injuries hit this spring, and performed more poorly offensively and defensively than last season—when he lost his job at second base. Given his age and the state of the Twins' season, this demotion was about more than continuing Julien’s development.

Julien is now behind both Castro and Lee in the depth chart at second base, and is likely to be passed by Luke Keaschall shortly after he returns from injury. His career OPS in Triple A is around .900, leaving little to prove in the minor leagues. Julien has found himself in no-man’s land in the Twins organization, and his recent demotion shows just how far he’s fallen over the last year.

Jose Miranda
In a season with several contenders for “rock bottom” moments, Miranda's contribution may take the cake. After a brutal baserunning gaffe in mid-April, he was demoted to Triple-A, where he has yet to play because of a hand injury sustained off the diamond.

Dating back to Aug. 1, 2024, Miranda is slashing .207/.228/.299, with a 38:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Now 27 years old, Miranda has failed to hone his free-swinging plate approach, and has remained a streaky hitter with extreme highs and lows. While he can be a middle-of-the-order contributor when running hot, he’s been unable to sustain those stretches and fully establish himself as a part of the core.

While he’s been perfectly serviceable at third base, Miranda’s range limits him defensively and buries him behind Lewis, Lee, and Bride on the active roster. The Twins had a tentative plan for him to see more time at first base, but we’ve seen very little of him at the position so far.

Julien and Miranda are in similarly difficult circumstances. Each is questionable defensively, without the track record offensively to keep them afloat. Each has returned to Triple A after costly mistakes and has little left to prove at that level.

Both previously promising young players have extremely murky outlooks beyond this season and may be due for changes of scenery more momentous than a ride up and down the Green Line. They have fallen out of favor with the current front office, and each lacks the track record to hold onto their roster spots if a new front office is in place in 2026. 

There are no boxes to check for l Julien or Miranda to find themselves back in the big leagues. Their opportunities likely depend on the health of the active roster—which is, admittedly, to say that another chance could still crop up for either. They’re still young enough to break through and have shown too much talent to write off, but their paths to becoming meaningful contributors to the Twins roster remain narrow.

Is time running out for Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda? Given their age and history of success, should they be given more time to earn roster spots? Let us know below!

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[LambchoP]

I think Julien is a bust. He doesn't seem to have the instincts to be an everyday player. Miranda might have a better chance of getting back to the majors, but he needs to stay healthy, learn to be more selective at the plate and find his swing again. I think both these guys have dropped a long way down on our depth chart. Sure is a good thing we aren't relying on Miranda as our starting first baseman this year like was being discussed!

[Cory Engelhardt]

Yeah, I think so, barring injuries. Sometimes fresh starts can be good.

[Twins GFP]

Never say never, but the deck is stacked against both of them right now. Both have been surpassed by other prospects in the depth chart.

They are in the "might be time for a fresh start in a different organization" discussion.

[USNMCPO]

In the majors, when a player has problems with A) hitting consistently B) Fielding consistently C) base running consistently it does not bode well. Problems in one of the areas is a warning sign. Problems in two of these is a serious warning sign. Problems in all three is a recipe for career minor league.

[Melissa]

4 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

They are in the "might be time for a fresh start in a different organization" discussion.

I agree that either or both might be good trade bait - much better than the silly notion floated on the Athletic by Jim Bowden that the Twins trade Joe Ryan to the Orioles for similarly unpromising players - and who have less successful track records, too.

[Ricky Vaughn]

I have more faith in Miranda finding his way back. Julien is just a butcher in the field. I don't see any way for him to become playable.

[Guest]

2024 broke Julien, a classic case of the breaking ball blues.  This demotion has been on the radar since spring training opened, no real adjustment, a dog-bites-man scenario.

Miranda has a head issue.  He's a wacko.  If he can grow up and get serious about his profession, then his hit tool offers Miranda a path back to the bigs.  But, it's a big but....

[stringer bell]

I think both guys are on the outside looking in at this point. Miranda was in a similar position at the start of 2024, but was given a chance due to injuries and hit well enough for long enough to be on the cusp of being an "everyday player". Then he got hit in the head and slumped noticeably. He hasn't seemed to recover the groove he was in and now the Twins have other options to first and third.

In the last calendar year, Julien has been a bad baseball player. The power has dried up, the walk rate is down and the K rate is up. 

Both guys are bat-first players and despite hard work to improve their defensive skills, they are liabilities in the field. 

It is unfortunate, but their trade value would be negligible. Both guys would be candidates for non-tender or DFA unless things change during the season.

[NYCTK]

14 minutes ago, Melissa said:

I agree that either or both might be good trade bait - much better than the silly notion floated on the Athletic by Jim Bowden that the Twins trade Joe Ryan to the Orioles for similarly unpromising players - and who have less successful track records, too.

Trade bait? To whom? And for what? 

You can get a AAA relief pitcher or a 4th OF I suppose.

[Road trip]

Neither is terribly likely to become the next Brent Rooker or LaMonte Wade, but both appear to rather desperately need a chance with a new organization.  Whatever the Twins coaches have tried hasn't worked very well.

Neither will bring a lot in a trade at this point, but hopefully the Twins can find another organization that has some similar slightly broken parts they would be willing to exchange, lottery ticket for lottery ticket.

[Mike Sixel]

There is real talent there, but something is holding them both back. With Julien, I think it's in his head. I have no idea what's down with Miranda. 

I expect both to be dealt for lottery tickets or RP. Or as part of a larger deal. I expect one of them to do some good things, for at least some time, after that. 

[Twins GFP]

30 minutes ago, Melissa said:

I agree that either or both might be good trade bait - much better than the silly notion floated on the Athletic by Jim Bowden that the Twins trade Joe Ryan to the Orioles for similarly unpromising players - and who have less successful track records, too.

There is a reason why Jim Bowden is working for the media and not an MLB team.

[NYCTK]

4 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

There is a reason why Jim Bowden is working for the media and not an MLB team.

I don't see why a media figure writing a think piece is cause for scorn. Throwing out stupid trade proposals is the only fun part of watching a bad team. 

Mets Receive: 

Pablo Lopez

Twins Receive:

Brandon Sproat

Jett Williams

Ryan Clifford

Now thrown me in CECOT. 

[Riverbrian]

Do they have options remaining after this year? 

If they do... time hasn't run out. 

If they don't... time is running out fast. 

[shimrod]

31 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

silly notion floated on the Athletic by Jim Bowden that the Twins trade Joe Ryan to the Orioles for similarly unpromising players

Has a national media person ever - in any sport - suggested a trade proposal that benefits the MN team? I can't recall one. 

It's a safe rule of thumb that any trade proposal not suggested by local MN media is intended to move assets out of MN or liabilities to MN. Or both. Often both. 

[Bodie]

44 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Trade bait? To whom? And for what? 

You can get a AAA relief pitcher or a 4th OF I suppose.

You can get a projected AAA relief pitcher or 4th OF I suppose  

Tidied that up for you... but agree with your point. Any interest in either would be something in the area of "sign him to a minor league FA contract after he clears waivers" as opposed to giving up anyone they see as having a real future.  In other words you're "trading" Edouard Julien for another team's version of Eddie...

[Bodie]

17 minutes ago, shimrod said:

Has a national media person ever - in any sport - suggested a trade proposal that benefits the MN team? I can't recall one. 

It's a safe rule of thumb that any trade proposal not suggested by local MN media is intended to move assets out of MN or liabilities to MN. Or both. Often both. 

I often wonder when these sorts of articles (i.e. Lopez for reclamation project), if the national media has heard that this isn't the Minneapolis Millers, and it isn't the 1950's.... the Twins play in the same league as the Yankees, Dodgers et al.

[Twins GFP]

44 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

I don't see why a media figure writing a think piece is cause for scorn. Throwing out stupid trade proposals is the only fun part of watching a bad team. 

Mets Receive: 

Pablo Lopez

Twins Receive:

Brandon Sproat

Jett Williams

Ryan Clifford

Now thrown me in CECOT. 

 

15 minutes ago, shimrod said:

Has a national media person ever - in any sport - suggested a trade proposal that benefits the MN team? I can't recall one. 

It's a safe rule of thumb that any trade proposal not suggested by local MN media is intended to move assets out of MN or liabilities to MN. Or both. Often both. 

Most of the time it is just blowhards throwing garbage out there for clicks and trolls (looking at you SAS). Bowden should know better as he was an actual FO and GM for multiple MLB teams.

Then, of course, I see the trades mention the Orioles and the Mets, and remember that pandering to the coasts is status quo for national media.

At this point, a serious discussion about moving Miranda / Julien would either be straight up for a Class A lottery ticket, or a small part of a much bigger move.

[The Great Hambino]

Jim Bowden writes Buzzfeed-quality listicles masquerading as Athletic articles.

Based on the content of the comment sections, he exists to chum the waters with clickbait, nothing more

[bean5302]

I think it's clear with this front office and manager, both Julien and Miranda are pretty done with the Twins. To add some perspective to the chart in the article, but it's still a bad chart as it doesn't reflect time very well because of all the non-baseball months being smashed into it.


 

[MMMordabito]

I'd say they have about 144 days to figure it out and hope for another chance.  

[awmonahan]

See which brings a better return in a change of scenery trade and have the other focus on first and getting it together. Last chance for the remaining guy. Sad that it came to this 

[Linus]

I think both are in trouble but of the two Miranda has the better chance. He has to learn the strike zone which is in his control theoretically. Julien just can’t hit MLB pitching which is outside his control. Given that both are liabilities in the field and bad baserunners I’m not sure there is much point in waiting around. 

[Eris]

Jose Miranda is -14 OAA at 3B in what amounts to a full seasons worth of playing time since 2022. Of all the players with at 1000 innings at 3B, only Patrick Wisdom and Jake Burger have a more negative OAA. The most generous thing that can be said is that he is hurt to often to establish whether or not he is capable of becoming a serviceable major league 3B. On the current roster his path is limited to 1B and DH and being an above average hitter. This is probably true for Julien as well. 
 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&ind=0&season1=2022&season=2025&qual=1000&stats=fld&pos=3b&type=1&pagenum=2&pageitems=30

[JADBP]

Miranda has a chance. But not likely with the Twins.  He’s gonna have to be injury depth (really deep) until he is a trade “throw in” piece.  If agree the issue seems to be in his mind more than talent.  Could he be trained?  Sure.  Maybe.  Naaah?  
 

Julien is a different case.  He never ever hit the bender.  At first, throw him a juicy FB and bye bye baseball.  But then teams saw this adapted by throwing sliders. and he adapted by swinging at the them rather than the occasional FB.  He was so focused on hitting the sliders (but never figured out how) that he completely stopped hitting the FB.  He looked just silly last season as he stared at that down the middle FB on strike 3! He was totally backwards.  

Miranda could become a Brent Rooker but the odds are low. He has fair talent but for some reason lacks consistency.  Another team is gonna get a chance to try.  Julien might finish the season (and career) in AAA. 
 

 

[Linus]

It makes me really nervous that Em Rod has a similar hitting profile to Julien. I think his bust potential is higher than people around here would like to admit. He does bring something with the glove so that helps. 

[bean5302]

Here, I've made a chart which more accurately shows a timeline of how Miranda has performed using xwOBA in 10 game samples and his career with an MLB average line. The sustained dip from 120-160 games was when Miranda was playing with the shoulder injury which required surgery at the end of 2023. 

[NYCTK]

8 minutes ago, Linus said:

It makes me really nervous that Em Rod has a similar hitting profile to Julien. I think his bust potential is higher than people around here would like to admit. He does bring something with the glove so that helps. 

Been saying that. I'd have traded him away this offseason for that reason. Best case scenario appears to be Joey Gallo, who lots of people refuse to admit was good but was always extremely frustrating. 

[tony&rodney]

3 hours ago, Melissa said:

I agree that either or both might be good trade bait - much better than the silly notion floated on the Athletic by Jim Bowden that the Twins trade Joe Ryan to the Orioles for similarly unpromising players - and who have less successful track records, too.

The Twins should be aggressively seeking to trade both players before a DFA is the end result. There are players in the DSL and GCL (rookie rosters) who may pay off as a lottery chance. The Twins are unlikely to use either Julien or Miranda on any consistent basis going forward unless there are 4+ infield injuries.

Players like Tyler Fitzgerald, Jeferson Morales, Armando Alvarez, Will Holland and Anthony Prato are all  options to use if any of France, Lee, Castro, Lewis, Bride, Clemens, and Gasper are injured or fail. Both Julien and Miranda need a fresh start with a different organization and trading them does not hinder the Twins at all. Set them free.