Always the Bridesmaid: Jonah Bride and the Cobwebbed 13th Man

[Greggory Masterson]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

This isn’t about Jonah Bride. Well, it’s sort of about Jonah Bride, but it’s more about the spot that Jonah Bride is in right now and how it’s being used. Jonah Bride is a casualty. He's a coincidence. He's really more Jonah Bridesmaid, most of the time, and that's kind of the point here.

There are four bench spots in 99% of MLB games. Technically, there could be more—and once in a while there are—but MLB teams try their darnedest to maximize their bullpen. They’d carry more than the allotted 13 if baseball allowed them to. You know all that, though.

Traditionally, an MLB bench of four will surely have a backup catcher (unless the backup catcher plays somewhere else regularly, which isn’t common). Most of the time, there’s a fourth outfielder—who can ideally play center field—and a fifth infielder—who can ideally play shortstop. But then there’s the wildcard; the fourth guy.

That fourth guy (or, more accurately, the 13th man) is very context-dependent. Maybe it’s a Donovan Solano-type, primarily a pinch hitter. Maybe it’s a Terrance Gore, only used to pinch-run. Perhaps it's reserved for a defensive replacement—especially common when the other bench infielder really shouldn’t play shortstop, for example. A platoon hitter, perhaps, even one who will never face a single same-sided thrower. Or maybe it’s a combination of all of them, like 2023 Willi Castro—someone who can technically play anywhere, run, and hit, depending on the in-game context.

The 13th man is dependent on the construction of the rest of the roster, but man, can he complement it well.
And then there’s the, let’s call it a Cobweb 13th Man. Jonah Bride falls into this spot. Bride started a getaway day game on Thursday, but that was his first start since May 27, 16 days ago. He’s played a full game once since May 24, 19 days ago. The team doesn’t have even a part-time role player in the last bench spot. That’s not a huge issue, though. The 13th man doesn’t need to start to be useful.

Except he’s not coming off the bench within games, either. He’s not an upgrade defensively, offensively, or on the basepaths over more than a couple of players in each category, and there are generally better options on the bench for any of those roles. Bride pinch ran for the slowest player on the team—Ty France—on June 1. He pinch-hit for Byron Buxton in June 3 and June 5 blowouts, to get Buxton off his feet. He then pitched the final two innings in the June 5 game, and reprised his role as a blowout pitcher on June 10.

Those are all four of his appearances in the 16 days between May 27 and Thursday afternoon, another blowout in which he was very present but profoundly unimportant.

Bride’s player type doesn’t fit the current roster. Castro is starting many days in left field, but if the team needs him on the dirt, Trevor Larnach can slide out of the DH spot or Harrison Bader can come off the bench to play left. The Twins don’t appear keen on inserting Bride as the DH in these instances, as he hasn’t started as the designated hitter once since being acquired in April.

Beyond Castro, Brooks Lee is also a near-everyday infielder, rotating between shortstop, second base, and third base. Bride’s primary position, third base, has Royce Lewis, Lee, and Castro stacked between him and regular playing time. Bride can also play a reliable first base, but France rarely misses a game, and the Twins have been more inclined to play Kody Clemens there. (Clemens has started three games there in a Twins uniform, compared to Bride’s one.) He can technically play second base, but the aforementioned names bury him, too, and he is little more than an emergency option there.

Maybe that’s truly what the Twins want: a somewhat competent player who can be used in emergencies (including as a pitcher, I guess). If Castro, Lee, and Bader are going to play a lot, that spot doesn’t have to be terribly prominent. Bride riding the pine even comes with the benefit that fans aren’t banging the table and screaming that he should get more playing time, unlike many of the other 13th-man options in the organization at Triple-A St. Paul.

But it’s hard not to look at the spot and wish there was something more the team could do with it. There have been instances since DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s May 31 demotion when the Twins could have used a good pinch-runner. They could use another right-handed bat to platoon with Larnach, Wallner, or Clemens, like Carson McCusker (a man can dream, can't he?). Heck, at a bare minimum, Mickey Gasper or Diego Cartaya can be a third catcher. 

Oh, speaking of right-handed bats, Bride himself is a righty. He is a righty with reverse splits (he’s hit righties better than lefties in his career), but when has that ever stopped the Twins from giving a righty some platoon time?

Well, now is when, I guess.

Bride hasn’t been a consistent part of the platoon lineups. Some of this is practical. He’s a first and third baseman, and France and Lewis are righties. Any advantage he may have over switch-hitting Lee is outweighed by Lee’s superior ability at second base. That leaves designated hitter, but the Twins have stuck Ryan Jeffers there quite frequently, letting fellow righty and more respected defensive catcher Christian Vázquez handle the pitching staff that day.

Again, this isn’t about Bride personally. I’d love to see him get a little more time and provide a bit more utility. Let him start against lefties, give him some time at DH and slide Larnach to the outfield, or give France the day off at first base once in a while. That’s more of the typical use for a guy like Bride, and he’s had some big-league success, namely his 120 OPS+ in 2024. I’m sure he wishes he was playing more, too.

But over the last three weeks, his most prominent role has been blowout knuckleball hurler. And that’s no way to live a life in 2025.

Maybe it’s fine. Maybe there’s no clear upgrade. Maybe the alternate names would be better served playing every day at Triple-A. Maybe the Twins truly want a guy who they’re fine not playing with any regularity as that last man, collecting cobwebs. Keirsey, Gasper and (for the blink of an eye he spent on the roster) McCusker were mothballed much of the time, themselves. But it’s hard not to feel like the spot could be used more beneficially.

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[mikelink45]

He is the next one to be cut or DFA'd when Keaschall comes back or we decide to bring up a prospect.  Unless we give him a permanent position in the BP.

[KirbyDome89]

"I’d love to see him get a little more time and provide a bit more utility. Let him start against lefties, give him some time at DH and slide Larnach to the outfield, or give France the day off at first base once in a while."

Hard pass. Bride and 4 something OPS can collect all the cobwebs. The Twins are doing a terrible job of utilizing the roster spot, but giving Bride more playing time isn't the solution. 

[Patzky]

Bride's stuck like the guys drafting depth at the end of a fantasy football draft. You want to collect names in case but you'll never use them. Guess the guy has to have a certain mentality to fulfill that role day in and day out.

 

Bride didn't do anything special on defense or at the plate. Same could be said of most of his reammates. I'm glad he pitched today to save Willi from having to, or Louie or Jax. At that point nobody cares if he was successful or not. Mr Irrelevant was for an afternoon, relevant.

 

[h2oface]

If he has reverse splits, why suggest he should be used against lefties?????

[Greggory Masterson]

50 minutes ago, h2oface said:

If he has reverse splits, why suggest he should be used against lefties?????

I’m willing to bet any righty is better against lefties, given that it’s less than 1% who actually have reverse splits. And even with reverse splits, it’s not like he’s meaningfully worse against lefties than one of the lefties, anyway. Keep everyone involved, keep em fresh, etc.

[Greggory Masterson]

1 hour ago, KirbyDome89 said:

 

Hard pass. Bride and 4 something OPS can collect all the cobwebs. The Twins are doing a terrible job of utilizing the roster spot, but giving Bride more playing time isn't the solution. 

I’m willing to call it wishful thinking, but there’s a small voice in me that wants to see if he could preform like the hitter he was last season if given more run, that’s really all.

[DJL44]

Keaschall adds a lot as the 13th player on the roster. Bride, not so much. However, all it takes is one Royce Lewis muscle pull and they'll be glad they have Bride in the organization.

[Danchat]

I don't have a problem with the last guy on the bench collecting cobwebs when it's a guy who is organizational filler, better Bride going unused than a prospect.

[S Bart]

I will reiterate a prior posting.

Declan Goff from the Minnesota Twins Score North podcast reported today that Ober received a death threat. Baseball is a sport, and this type of behavior is utterly deplorable.

[Doctor Gast]

7 hours ago, S Bart said:

I will reiterate a prior posting.

Declan Goff from the Minnesota Twins Score North podcast reported today that Ober received a death threat. Baseball is a sport, and this type of behavior is utterly deplorable.

Absolutely deplorable. It's hard to believe that it came from a MN-nice fanbase. He has to be a transplant.

[Doctor Gast]

8 hours ago, Danchat said:

I don't have a problem with the last guy on the bench collecting cobwebs when it's a guy who is organizational filler, better Bride going unused than a prospect.

Danchat took the words out of my mouth. I'm more concerned about our own prospects' playing time. Bride is making MLB money, so good for him. He'll be gone when one of our own guys is ready to come up. Yet I wish him well.

[Riverbrian]

12 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

He is the next one to be cut or DFA'd when Keaschall comes back or we decide to bring up a prospect.  Unless we give him a permanent position in the BP.

Unless someone else gets hurt before Keaschall comes back.

And if two more get hurt he's suddenly getting starting. 

But,,, who am I kidding. That would never happen.

I'm sure the Twins will release him because they have a strong track record of releasing vet players who are out of options. 

[Riverbrian]

I want to be clear. I could give a rats butt about Jonah Bride. I'm not going to declare him anything. 

I don't care about Bride at all. What I care about is the roster spot and I don't want to get bogged down in others opinions about Bride. 

In a discussion about Bride on a different thread. I had the word finite thrown at me as in finite number of at bats and playing time. I ended the conversation.

Long long before Bride was a glint in Derek Falvey's eye and long before finite was thrown at me. I knew and have typed on this website that there are around 6,000 plate appearances for a major league baseball team over the course of 162 games. 

I understood long ago that there are around 1300 starts over 162 games for 8 positions(not including catcher). I have divided those numbers and know the averages. I understand how much playing time is available. 

But, Let's forget all of that... There is one number that matters. Let's forget about your individual opinion of Bride... there is one number that matters. It's the most finite of all numbers. 13

Like the article states. You are limited to 13 roster spots. You can only fit 13 players through the gates. 13 incubator spots, Only 13 players can attempt to make your team better. 

If anyone thinks it's ok to just waste one of those 13 spots. We will never agree. If anyone is OK not playing someone because he might waste 4 PA's out of 6,000 and simultaneously OK wasting one of the 13 available roster spots. We will have nothing to discuss. 

I don't care about Bride but let's be clear...  we do not have a team that is good enough to keep anyone on the bench. 

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

I don't care about Bride but let's be clear...  we do not have a team that is good enough to keep anyone on the bench. 

Evan if those bench players are worse than the guys playing? 

Based on ESPN's WAR the only guys worse than Bride are McCusker, Miranda, Julien and Keirsey, the same are Gasper and Fitzgerald. Correct me if I am wrong but all those guys are in the minors. 

I tend to agree that this team isn't good enough, but playing him doesn't make them better. 

[Road trip]

Bride has more innings pitched this year (5), than extra base hits (2).  I'm not quite certain if I should laugh or cry... I guess I am just amused.  Maybe this is Falvey's sneaky way around the 13 pitcher roster limit? 🤪

[TheLeviathan]

I'd rather have the 13th man be a Willi Castro type player, but there aren't many of those.  At the end of the day he's a "break glass in case of emergency" guy who the team has zero reason to develop any further.

In all likelihood any better player for that spot would need to play more (at the expense of better players) or deserve time developing in the minors and playing every day.  Neither of which are actions I want the FO or the manager taking part in.

The Quad A, super flexible, specialists are not abundant unfortunately.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

4 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Absolutely deplorable. It's hard to believe that it came from a MN-nice fanbase. He has to be a transplant.

Undoubtedly some douchebag who bet on a game where he didn't pitch well. I would love to see them track this guy down, have a nice public trial or plea bargain, and make him a guest of the state for a few weeks. Until something like that happens, its just too easy for these morons to hide behind a keyboard  and pretend to play God without consequences. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

41 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Evan if those bench players are worse than the guys playing? 

Based on ESPN's WAR the only guys worse than Bride are McCusker, Miranda, Julien and Keirsey, the same are Gasper and Fitzgerald. Correct me if I am wrong but all those guys are in the minors. 

I tend to agree that this team isn't good enough, but playing him doesn't make them better. 

And to make things worse, that list is a list of the guys they would most likely call up to replace Bride.  I'd love to replace Bride with a better player, but who exactly is that? Maybe Prato or Eeles? Man, the AAA cupboard is pretty bare. I think Bride stays until Keaschall is ready to come back.  

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Evan if those bench players are worse than the guys playing? 

Based on ESPN's WAR the only guys worse than Bride are McCusker, Miranda, Julien and Keirsey, the same are Gasper and Fitzgerald. Correct me if I am wrong but all those guys are in the minors. 

I tend to agree that this team isn't good enough, but playing him doesn't make them better. 

If they are worse. You send them down but you gotta give them a chance to prove they are worse. 
 

If you don’t give them a chance to compete they are Schrödinger’s Cat. 
 

Clemons was once a cat in that box. 
 

[LambchoP]

A week ago I would have said we were wasting a roster spot on Bride. Of course now with the utter collapse of our rotation,Bride has pitched three times in the past week or so. Apparently we don't need a long man in our pen, we need a position player to pitch in blowouts to save our real relief pitchers. This is getting really sad...

[TwinsDr2021]

31 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

If they are worse. You send them down but you gotta give them a chance to prove they are worse. 
 

If you don’t give them a chance to compete they are Schrödinger’s Cat. 
 

Clemons was once a cat in that box. 
 

Clemens might be the best example of why you don't play them more, In June he is 3 for 25 with a .530 OPS, that doesn't include ending May 2/17. 

That is way you don't play or hope you aren't forced to play guys of this caliber or below more. 

[Riverbrian]

36 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Clemens might be the best example of why you don't play them more, In June he is 3 for 25 with a .530 OPS, that doesn't include ending May 2/17. 

That is way you don't play or hope you aren't forced to play guys of this caliber or below more. 

You can make it sound even worse by saying he ended May hitting 1 for 13. 

Yep since playing himself into an everyday job. He has dropped himself into a current 4 for 38 stretch. 

However... For two weeks. From May 14th to May 27th. He hit .389 with an OPS of 1.325

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you were not suggesting that we were better off without that incredible two weeks of baseball because he was just going to tank it eventually.  

And that circles us back to Bride. Since, Clemens has gone 4 for 38 now. Can Bride have some of his playing time? Some... Not All... Just some. Or is that drop off from Kody to Jonah so great that Kody has to be in the lineup every day in order for us to survive? And if the drop off from 4 for 38 is so great... why is Bride on the roster? 

With the exception of Keaschall. We are lineup healthy now and lineup healthy has Clemens in a starting role. We don't want competition for him? We just ride this horse to glory or off a cliff. Nothing can be done about it? 

 

[stringer bell]

TK always talked about putting players in a position to succeed. Unfortunately for Bride, the best way for him to (possibly) succeed is to play &nbspevery day for a period of time like he did late last year for the Fish. That won’t and probably shouldn’t happen in June or July on a team with a winning record.

A better alternative for 13th man would be Keirsey Jr. as a defensive and pinch-running specialist. Another possibility would be a heathy Austin Martin, especially if a mentioned defensive improvement is real. Who knows when he’ll be available though. Martin could start against lefties, pinch run and even be available in the infield and he’s a far better hitter than Keirsey has been. 

[stringer bell]

I would say the slump has moved Clemens from automatic starts vs. right handed pitching. Lee, Castro and Bader probably rate equal to or ahead of Clemens in the pecking order so there now isn’t guaranteed playing time for Kody, but he is an alternate and will get plate appearances.

My best guess is that his hot spell has played out and he’ll get less reps and be replaced when Keaschall is ready. Maybe Clemens will surprise, but the odds are against him.

 

[Major League Ready]

6 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I want to be clear. I could give a rats butt about Jonah Bride. I'm not going to declare him anything. 

I don't care about Bride at all. What I care about is the roster spot and I don't want to get bogged down in others opinions about Bride. 

In a discussion about Bride on a different thread. I had the word finite thrown at me as in finite number of at bats and playing time. I ended the conversation.

Long long before Bride was a glint in Derek Falvey's eye and long before finite was thrown at me. I knew and have typed on this website that there are around 6,000 plate appearances for a major league baseball team over the course of 162 games. 

I understood long ago that there are around 1300 starts over 162 games for 8 positions(not including catcher). I have divided those numbers and know the averages. I understand how much playing time is available. 

But, Let's forget all of that... There is one number that matters. Let's forget about your individual opinion of Bride... there is one number that matters. It's the most finite of all numbers. 13

Like the article states. You are limited to 13 roster spots. You can only fit 13 players through the gates. 13 incubator spots, Only 13 players can attempt to make your team better. 

If anyone thinks it's ok to just waste one of those 13 spots. We will never agree. If anyone is OK not playing someone because he might waste 4 PA's out of 6,000 and simultaneously OK wasting one of the 13 available roster spots. We will have nothing to discuss. 

I don't care about Bride but let's be clear...  we do not have a team that is good enough to keep anyone on the bench. 

I surely do agree that no bench spot should be wasted.  Bride is coming off his 3rd year in MLB where he played in more games than any previous season where he performed well above average.   Pretty good pick-up (on paper) at no cost after the season had started.  Now, if you saw this coming, great.  I did not.  It's all pretty inconsequential because he will be gone before the all-star break unless we continue to pile up injuries.  If we continue to pile up injuries, Bride being on the roster will still be inconsequential because we are not going anywhere.

[Riverbrian]

10 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

I surely do agree that no bench spot should be wasted.  Bride is coming off his 3rd year in MLB where he played in more games than any previous season where he performed well above average.   Pretty good pick-up (on paper) at no cost after the season had started.  Now, if you saw this coming, great.  I did not.  It's all pretty inconsequential because he will be gone before the all-star break unless we continue to pile up injuries.  If we continue to pile up injuries, Bride being on the roster will still be inconsequential because we are not going anywhere.

Agreed

In the scenarios you list. Inconsequential for this season. 

For next season? Bride may be inconsequential... the roster spot will still suffer the consequences. 

[h2oface]

5 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Clemens might be the best example of why you don't play them more, In June he is 3 for 25 with a .530 OPS, that doesn't include ending May 2/17. 

That is way you don't play or hope you aren't forced to play guys of this caliber or below more. 

Still a better season than Lewis, and more clutch this year, too. Do we hope to keep playing Lewis? Probably. I think they both could be improved, but then, only Lewis doesn't do slumps.

[h2oface]

"Jonah Bride's hex lands Lewis on the IL and Jonah at third"

Or was it this article?

[h2oface]

On 6/12/2025 at 5:57 PM, Greggory Masterson said:

I’m willing to bet any righty is better against lefties, given that it’s less than 1% who actually have reverse splits. And even with reverse splits, it’s not like he’s meaningfully worse against lefties than one of the lefties, anyway. Keep everyone involved, keep em fresh, etc.

You fit right in writing about Baldelli Ball.