Could Eric Wagaman Help Make The Twins Roster Make Sense?

[Cody Pirkl]

Image courtesy of © David Richard-Imagn Images

Eric Wagaman was a low-profile acquisition early this winter. His performance with the Marlins and his remaining minor league options left him viewed mostly as Triple-A depth. As spring training progresses, it's worth considering if he can help address lingering questions about the Twins’ opening day roster.

It wasn't surprising to see the Twins target a first baseman this offseason, given their lack of depth. Even with Wagaman's sub-700 OPS in 2025, the move made some sense. The expectation was that the Twins would stash him in Triple-A or try to sneak him through waivers again. Technically, that's still an option, but so far, it appears they have bigger plans for him.

Initially, it seemed the Twins might alter Wagaman's approach after last season's limited production. Instead, they likely prefer he maintains his recent form, as shown by his .744 OPS in the second half and .813 OPS from August onward. His quality of contact crept up as the season went on, and his strong performance down the stretch looked like it was no fluke.

Wagaman's .896 OPS this spring stands out as the Twins seek right-handed offensive production. Any sign of him continuing his strong finish to 2025 should be encouraging. His performance could make him a real contender for a bench spot.

Spring offensive output should be viewed with caution, but Wagaman's value also comes from how he’s being deployed. The Twins’ roster construction requires flexibility. Wagaman is playing both first and third base and will get some time in a corner outfield spot this spring. If the Twins trust him to fill in at both positions, he may hold a significant advantage.

Among first base options, Wagaman stands out as the top right-handed bat, making him a potential regular when facing left-handed pitching and providing late-game bench strength. His performance against left-handed pitching in 2025 was far superior to Josh Bell’s or Victor Caratini’s. He’s also shown more impact in those matchups than Austin Martin to provide a strong pivot for corner outfielders Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach.

Martin offers more athleticism and defensive value, but roster choices have complicated the Twins’ plans. While the team says it wants Martin's tools, stacking left-handed outfielders and catchers on the roster forces bench creativity. Martin might be more valuable overall, but Wagaman's right-handed bat and positional flexibility could be crucial for roster balance.

It’s unfortunate the roster is so mismatched. With a little more roster room, Martin and Wagaman could both play key roles given their contrasting profiles. There is a scenario where that still happens. Wagaman’s right-handedness, plus his offensive performance and positional flexibility could give him the edge in winning a roster battle over Alan Roden and James Outman

With the roster in flux, Wagaman’s skills and versatility could be the piece that helps solidify the Twins’ lineup. Do you agree?

View full article

[JBK]

The Twins are so bad, this is a story.

[Jim H]

I don't agree. Nothing makes sense until they prune some of the corner outfielders. After you figure out who your starters are, then you figure out the bench pieces.

Edited March 7 by Jim H

[gil4]

Quote

Could Eric Wagaman Help Make The Twins Roster Make Sense?

Only if we are officially tanking, which I thought we weren't (for now.)  

[ashbury]

Unless he brings down the strikeouts, his high BABIP this spring is going to come back down and he'll be the same old Wagaman as before.

[OregonTwinsFan]

He could platoon with Clemens at first base if Larnach is traded and Bell becomes the DH, which would make the defense better.

[Riverbrian]

Under the rarely achieved everyone is healthy coming out of spring training scenario.  

If he makes the roster. He will make the roster as a short side specialist. 

I don't believe that he will make 26 man roster because we are burning a lot of roster spots on the C, 1B and DH spots. 

 

[Peter Gravett]

1 hour ago, OregonTwinsFan said:

He could platoon with Clemens at first base if Larnach is traded and Bell becomes the DH, which would make the defense better.

Agreed. I have watched him plenty this spring. Rumors appear true, he looks overmatched everywhere but first. 

[Greglw3]

I think he’s got a good bat and just now coming into his prime. He would be a fantastic platoon-mate for Larnach and or Wallner who both should 100% be platooned (although I hope one is gone and the other platooned or both gone). He can platoon at DH, 1B, possibly a little in the outfield and maybe help at 3B if Royce Insurance needed. Finally he’d make a nice bat off the bench and pinch hitter. I really like him to be on the 26. I could easily see him getting 300 at bats or more and being an asset.

[DocBauer]

I'm not particularly a fan of Wagaman. And the roster is a construction nightmare. But how can you best make the pieces work?

OF: Roden, Buxton, Wallner, and Martin 

INF: Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Clemens, Wagaman, Bell, and X.

C: Jeffers, and Caratini 

While Clemens and Wagaman are utility players, the roster as a whole is better served with them, and Caratini on occasion, handling 1B duty so Bell can focus on being the primary DH. When you don't have a true 1B, you make due. 

This allows for more speed and defense being added to the roster with Roden and Martin as combination starters and 4th OF options.

However, there is no room for Larnach.

If you accept Wagaman as an average 4 corner player with a solid bat against LHP...who seemed to improve at the end of 2025...he might just provide more usefulness than Larnach does. That might be the question that should be proposed; who is more valuable to the 2026 Twins, Larnach or Wagaman?

 

[Nshore]

To further complicate things, I have a sinking feeling that Outman is playing himself onto the team.  Diabolical.   The final roster is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.  Maybe they'll ditch both Roden AND Martin and chip away at whatever reason there was to watch the games.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Nshore said:

To further complicate things, I have a sinking feeling that Outman is playing himself onto the team.  Diabolical.   The final roster is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.  Maybe they'll ditch both Roden AND Martin and chip away at whatever reason there was to watch the games.

Outman and Roden, who is also playing himself into coming north, lead the team with 5 RBIs apiece.  Enjoy the spring.

[thelanges5]

It’s not his fault, but this roster is a mess. It’s hard to see how a number of these guys fit and where they play. Wagaman has been in the infield almost exclusively so far in ST. He unlocked something in the second half in Miami so I can see why the Twins were interested. This puzzle has more corner pieces than corners available. Shelton’s lineups seem like he is trying to see what he has. 

[killercarewoliva]

17 hours ago, Nshore said:

To further complicate things, I have a sinking feeling that Outman is playing himself onto the team.  Diabolical.   The final roster is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.  Maybe they'll ditch both Roden AND Martin and chip away at whatever reason there was to watch the games.

Roden and Martin surely make the team.