Two Free-Agent Fits for Minnesota Twins at Shortstop

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

You do realize that both Rojas and Kiner-Falefa were on teams that went to the World Series, right?

do the Twins have three hall of fame players to pair with them? Plus other stars? Because even if they sign them, it's for a year or two....

[S Bart]

Bo Bichette and Ha-song Kim are free agents. 🙌 

[Mike Sixel]

19 minutes ago, Old Twins Hat said:

You do realize that both Rojas and Kiner-Falefa were on teams that went to the World Series, right?

Ikf played when the starter was hurt. Put up negative fwar during that time. How will that help?

[jorgenswest]

I think everyone on the 2026 roster needs to have some possibility of upside or be an established starter. 

[T.O.]

7 hours ago, ashbury said:

... FO needing to go out and acquire a stopgap SS so that one of Culpepper, Debarge, or Houston can develop at the position, is nothing short of galling.

 

The FO is used to getting players that make a short stop in Minneapolis before being sent to other corners.

[DocBauer]

The only thing I know about Kreidler is that I've never even heard of him until the Twins picked him up and he can't hit worth a damn. Since then, the only thing I've read is that he can actually pick the ball well enough to actually, maybe, play a solid ML SS.

But what I've also heard and seen in SSS is that Fitzgerald is a solid glove man who can also play a competent ML SS. The handful of appearances I've seen from Fitzgerald at SS would seem to indicate he can handle that spot, and others, as a cheap option until someone else comes along. If true, his questionable bat would seem to still be an improvement over Kreidler. So I'm still expecting Kreidler to be a DFA at some point as a potential MILB signing after?

Kiner-Filefa is a solid pro who probably has another Farmer-esque 2023 equivalent season at SS in him. And his bat might exceed Fitzgerald and certainly Kreidler. But what is his price tag for being the probable 26th man on the roster?

I absolutely value defense, but if we're just looking for depth at SS in a utility spot until Culpepper is ready, there is absolutely NO REASON to carry BOTH Fitzgerald AND Kreidler. So one of them needs to go for additional 40 man adds and options.

And that brings us back to the aforementioned Eeles. I've heard some mixed results about his defense, hard work, and improved work. But coming off a knee injury, he wasn't quite the same in 2025. That's understandable. And he doesn't have to be added to the 40 man until/unless he's added to the 26 man.

IF the bat looks close to his 2024 performance. IF his glovework is solid, I'd very seriously consider him above Fitzgerald or Kreidler at some point.

Culpepper reminds me of Keaschall not only due to a fast rise, but as a possible promotion candidate before you really wanted to promote them.

But unless payroll SOMEHOW gave you a couple $M to play with, I'd cut either Fitzgerald or Kreidler almost immediately, and bet on your "keeper" as a TEMPORARY" SS, utility option. And then I'd have bring a fully healthy Eeles to camp as a non roster invite and play him DAILY and tell him it's his initial chance to prove himself.

The FO has to STOP ignoring potential talent on hand. ESPECIALLY if you're looking to re-tool the roster.

[dxpavelka]

10 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

The thin market is why we might be looking at Fitzy as the backup until Culpepper is ready. But it's also why the Twins keep spending high draft picks on guys they think can play SS.

Riding Fitz as the backup in 2026 isn't the worst idea in the world, especially if you think Culpepper is going to start in AAA and you feel confident in how he's going to handle it.

I guess I'm not super excited about IKF, but the Twins liked him a few years ago well enough so who knows.

If I remember right, we only liked IKF for about ten minutes.

 

[Doctor Wu]

Free agents shortstops? Really, after all these shortstops we have drafted in recent years there is some sort of urgent need to sign a free agent? No, and no again. Let Lee and/or Culpepper sink or swim this coming season. We have more pressing needs than shortstop at this point. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Rojas is a cult hero for the Dodgers. He's already said he will only play for the Dodgers in 2026. Why is he even on this 'list'...

[the_brute_squad]

I'm not going to judge Lee's ability on essentially a half season. I see absolutely no reason why a good off season won't make him a top tier SS in both hitting and fielding. I know all the funky analytics don't match what I'm saying, but some people pass the eye test when it comes to certain sports. To me, he passes the test. He'll improve.

[Nshore]

Whoever their SS is, it should be some younger player with a potentially higher ceiling, not a guy like Kreidler or Fitzgerald.  I'd hate to see the Twins become a team where hope goes to die.  If they're going to become one of the development teams for the rest of the league, embrace who they are.

[HrbieFan]

17 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I propose that we see if the Dodgers would deal Noah Miller back to us. Yes his hitting has improved. But he is an actual SS.

I didn't realize he made it to big leagues this year and discovered what a bat is 

[jmlease1]

I'm fine with taking a shot in 2026 with Lee as the primary SS; there's nothing interesting on the free agent market and I'd rather not eff up Culpepper's development by throwing him in the fire straight out of AA, much as I like how he's done so far. (dude was gassed by the end of the season, so letting him build it up in the minors makes sense) But the Twins do need to ID a backup SS, because right now the next best option at SS that's a lock to make the 26-man is Royce Lewis.

The free agents are uninspiring, so maybe rolling with Fitz (a good organizational soldier) as the utility guy ain't the worst idea. It's probably a better option than Noah Miller, who can't hit. Miller is a legit defender at SS, but he's going to get overwhelmed at the plate in MLB. Vazquez would look like a Silver Slugger next to Miller. (It's notable that the Dodgers supposedly great player development system didn't improve Miller in any significant way) I suspect he'll be available in the Rule 5, but taking him is an act of desperation.

[DJL44]

8 hours ago, DocBauer said:

And that brings us back to the aforementioned Eeles. I've heard some mixed results about his defense, hard work, and improved work. But coming off a knee injury, he wasn't quite the same in 2025. That's understandable. And he doesn't have to be added to the 40 man until/unless he's added to the 26 man.

Brooks Lee has better defensive tools than Eeles at SS. I wouldn’t play Eeles at SS for more than a handful of innings in an emergency.

Someone has to be the backup SS. They also have room for someone in AAA. They should be scouting film on the younger minor league free agents.

[Whitey333]

Just stick with Lee.  The alternatives don't seem to be much better.  All this wait for Culpepper talk is curious.  So many people clamoring for Culpepper for shortstop.  He is just the latest in a long line of can't miss stars that haven't proven anything except he was pretty good in minors.  I hope he does great but all the hype just like previous can't miss prospects that fizzle out very early has me very skeptical.

[JD-TWINS]

17 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He is Rule 5 eligible and won't be protected by the Dodgers. You won't need to trade for him. They could get him in the 2nd round of the Rule 5 draft.

That might be the answer - find some other team's overlooked minor league SS and use them instead of a 32-year-old Ryan Fitzgerald.

Miller: If the guy can’t hit, please don’t pursue him. If he’s not protected, he can’t hit.

I do not see any reason to be worried about the age of a placeholder, back-up SS. A transition from Fitzgerald to Culpepper in mid-summer seems to make perfect sense. Defense may not be great but until some young guy (Culpepper) is “ready”, Lee & an available guy they currently know seems to be the answer.

[Otaknam]

2026 is a rebuilding year, so I think they will utilize Lee at shortstop and hope that Culpepper earns his way to the big leagues. I hope Eeles also earns a spot on the roster and can be decent at shortstop in the short term. He has shown some power and speed, and his story is very fascinating.

[JD-TWINS]

17 hours ago, rv78 said:

Well then, with Gasper, they'd have the 2 worst hitters in the majors,

 

Seriously though, Unless the Pohlads actually spend some significant amount of money to improve this team, they aren't going anywhere in 2026. Why not give Lee the entire season to continue developing at SS. If he shows he can't be what you need, then move on. The Gold Glove of Correa didn't workout real well either.

Pretty sure Lee does have the entire season. He can’t/won’t play more than 135 games, IF he stays 100% healthy. Somebody else needs to be viable or your not fielding “a Team”.

[MGX]

I'd rather have Lee competing at other positions, since I'm not sure about him staying at SS long term.

With that said the alternatives on the FA market aren't providing an upgrade. Why waste whatever FA $$$ we have when it won't even upgrade the team. Let Lee & Culpepper compete for the spot in the Spring & if Culpepper needs more time in the minors than Fitzgerald is the backup until Culpepper is ready.

Let's use whatever FA $$$ we have to sign O'Hearn at 1B.

[jmlease1]

8 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Pretty sure Lee does have the entire season. He can’t/won’t play more than 135 games, IF he stays 100% healthy. Somebody else needs to be viable or your not fielding “a Team”.

Sure. Realistically, the Twins need to settle on a backup. I'm not going to throw a fit if it's Fitz.

It's the same issue at catcher: Twins need another guy who can realistically play there (I'm having trouble believing in Gasper, but maybe Paredes can serve?)

[Historyking88]

The entire premise of this article is stupid. You let Lee play SS until mid-season to see what you have with him and if he’s not good you call up Kulpepper to see if he can stick at SS. There is no point in wasting whatever little resources this team might have for a position they have a fair amount of depth at. 

[TheLeviathan]

[stringer bell]

Rojas said that he would play one more season and he would prefer to stay with the Dodgers. Given his post-season performance and what he offers outside the lines, I doubt he leaves Los Angeles. 

If the Twins want to go with a good field-no hit option, Kreidler is probably as good as any free agent option. Bonus, he played center field a few games for the Tigers. Kreidler also appears to have pretty decent speed. Swiping a young guy with a good glove in the Rule V makes sense for a team that doesn't have a plus fielding SS all the way down to Cedar Rapids.

[GNess]

If the Twins can't find a SS option clearly better than Lee internally or in the bargain bin of free agency they. just need to go with Lee. Why waste very limited resources on a player who doesn't provide a likely upgrade. Sad reality for a franchise that seems to draft SS on the regular.

[KBJ1]

Pathetic that this is actually a discussion seeing as the Twins draft 15 SS every year. Lewis, Larnach or Wallner should have been moved to 1B last year.

Our main need for years has been a 5 tool, right handed left fielder, yet here we are now with no 1B, LF, SS, nor any bullpen. They might as well just move to an independant minor league.

[DJL44]

6 hours ago, Historyking88 said:

The entire premise of this article is stupid. You let Lee play SS until mid-season to see what you have with him and if he’s not good you call up Kulpepper to see if he can stick at SS. There is no point in wasting whatever little resources this team might have for a position they have a fair amount of depth at. 

The Twins might have the least SS depth in the major leagues. Brooks Lee is one of the worst fielding SS in baseball. His backup is a 32-year-old who never made it. Culpepper played a half-season in Double-A last season and shouldn't be counted on in 2026 at all. They have almost nothing at SS.

[DJL44]

7 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

I do not see any reason to be worried about the age of a placeholder, back-up SS. 

If they're trying to build toward the future then there is no reason to have aging AAAA nobodies like Gasper, Fitzgerald, Kreidler, Keirsey, Outman and McCusker on the roster. Go get younger players who might have a chance of being part of a future good team instead. I'm reminded of the line in Major League - "some of these guys never had a prime".

[Mike Sixel]

33 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

The Twins might have the least SS depth in the major leagues. Brooks Lee is one of the worst fielding SS in baseball. His backup is a 32-year-old who never made it. Culpepper played a half-season in Double-A last season and shouldn't be counted on in 2026 at all. They have almost nothing at SS.

Other teams bring up good like Culpeper all the time. I strongly disagree he can't be up next year. 

[DJL44]

42 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Other teams bring up good like Culpeper all the time. I strongly disagree he can't be up next year. 

Would you call one Double-A shortstop “depth”?

[TNtwins85]

On 11/10/2025 at 1:37 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Why? None of these guys help them win. Just go with the youth. 

Exactly! If this front office starts making Terry Ryan moves why not just bring Terry Ryan back out of retirement. At least we know what we’re in for then instead of playing this guessing game all winter.