Twins Spring Battle: Orlando Arcia vs. Ryan Kreidler

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

As spring training winds down, the competition for Minnesota’s final bench spot is one of the most intriguing roster questions. The Twins appear to have most of their position player group set, but the backup shortstop job is still unsettled. With Brooks Lee expected to be the team’s primary shortstop, Minnesota needs a reliable defensive option behind him.

That competition currently centers on two players with very different profiles. Ryan Kreidler is already on the 40-man roster and offers defensive versatility, while Orlando Arcia brings a decade of big league experience and a past All-Star selection. Neither player is expected to contribute much with the bat, which places even greater pressure on Lee to produce at shortstop in his age-25 season.

Why Kreidler Should Make the Roster
Kreidler appears to have the inside track entering the final weeks of spring training. The biggest reason may have nothing to do with his on-field performance. He is already on the Twins’ 40- man roster, making the decision much simpler from a roster management perspective. Teams often prefer to keep depth options they already control, especially when the alternative requires adding a non-roster player. That factor alone could give Kreidler the edge.

Defensively, Kreidler offers the type of versatility that managers value on the bench. He has experience at all three infield spots to the left of first base and has also logged time in both center field and left field. That ability to move around the diamond could make him a valuable late-inning defensive replacement.

Kreidler has also flashed some offensive potential in the minor leagues. Across 1,963 career minor league plate appearances, he has posted a .236/.342/.401 slash line with a 106 wRC+. His most recent season produced a .238/.363/.389 line and a 109 wRC+ in 401 plate appearances. Those numbers suggest that if even a portion of his minor league production translates to the majors, Kreidler could develop into a useful utility player.

Why Kreidler Could Be Left Off the Roster
While Kreidler’s minor league numbers offer some optimism, his major league track record has been extremely limited and largely unproductive. He has appeared in parts of four big league seasons but has accumulated just 211 plate appearances during that span. In those opportunities, Kreidler has struggled to make consistent contact, owning a slashline of .138/.208/.176. The strikeouts have been particularly concerning. Kreidler has struck out in 31.8 percent of his major league plate appearances, contributing to an overall .383 OPS.

Even if the Twins primarily value his defense, it becomes difficult to justify a roster spot when the offensive production has been so minimal. If Minnesota decides they need even marginally better offense from the final bench spot, Kreidler could lose ground in the competition.

Why Arcia Should Make the Roster
Arcia represents the veteran alternative in this battle. The 31-year-old is entering his 10th major league season and brings a wealth of experience compared to Kreidler. At one point in his career, Arcia was a reliable everyday shortstop and even earned an All-Star selection with the Atlanta Braves. While that version of Arcia may be in the past, the Twins could value the presence of a seasoned player on their bench.

He appeared in 76 games during the 2025 season, splitting time between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies. After Atlanta released him in May, Colorado quickly signed him to a major league deal and used him in a variety of roles.

Arcia’s versatility has grown in recent years. Once known strictly as a shortstop, he played all four infield positions in Colorado, including the first appearance of his career at first base. That expanded defensive role could make him an appealing utility option. If Arcia proves capable of handling multiple infield spots, he might provide more flexibility for manager Derek Shelton when constructing the bench.

Why Arcia Could Be Left Off the Roster
Despite his experience, Arcia faces significant challenges in earning the final roster spot. His offensive production has declined sharply over the past two seasons. In 214 plate appearances during the 2025 season, Arcia hit just .202/.238/.291. His 33 wRC+ ranked as the lowest mark of his career and the second worst among players with at least 200 plate appearances last year.

The decline has also extended to his defense. During his early years with the Milwaukee Brewers, Arcia was considered an excellent defensive shortstop. In recent seasons, however, his glovework has graded closer to average.

Age and roster logistics could also work against him. As a non-roster invitee, Arcia would require the Twins to make a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster. In contrast, Kreidler already occupies a spot and can be added to the Opening Day roster without additional maneuvering. If the Twins prioritize roster flexibility and long-term depth, Arcia may ultimately fall short in this competition.

The battle for the final bench spot reflects two different approaches to roster construction. On one side, Kreidler offers youth, defensive versatility, and the convenience of already being on the 40-man roster. Additionally, his glove could make him a useful late-inning option even if the bat never fully develops.

Arcia brings experience and a track record, including years as a starting shortstop in the majors. Even if his best seasons are behind him, the Twins may believe the veteran still has something left in the tank.

Regardless of who ultimately earns the job, the situation underscores the importance of Lee’s development. With limited offensive expectations from either backup, the Twins need their young shortstop to anchor the position throughout the 2026 season.

Who will win the backup shortstop role for Opening Day? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

 

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[D.C Twins]

"Minnesota must decide between a veteran former All-Star and a glove-first utility option."

I'd say it is more like:

'Minnesota must decide between two fringe MLB players, neither of which would ever make a MLB team that was a serious contender" 

 

[Patzky]

Which colored straw would you like in your watered down cocktail? 🍹 

[Drtwins]

“As a non-roster invitee, Arcia would require the Twins to make a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster. In contrast, Kreidler already occupies a spot” 

I don’t see this as a reason to keep Kreidler over Arcia as there is the obvious solution of removing Kreidler from the 40-man and adding Arcia if Arcia wins the competition.

[bean5302]

Kriedler's bat disqualifies from him any MLB team's roster. Literally the kind of hitter you'd expect to see promoted directly from Cedar Rapids. It's insane any team would consider him. At all. There is no amount of defense which could ever justify putting a Twins jersey on him. I cannot fathom the move to even give Kriedler an invite.

Arcia is probably fine to start with as a backup. The Twins can get a feel for Culpepper in AAA for the first couple months while Arcia plays well enough as a backup utility guy. If Arcia is hitting absolutely unbearable after the first month or two, you just release him.

[Nshore]

My vote would be the glove first guy - Kreidler.  It's going to be a defensively challenged team (among other things) so they need all the help they can get.  Arcia looks a little sluggish.

[Parfigliano]

12 minutes ago, Drtwins said:

“As a non-roster invitee, Arcia would require the Twins to make a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster. In contrast, Kreidler already occupies a spot” 

I don’t see this as a reason to keep Kreidler over Arcia as there is the obvious solution of removing Kreidler from the 40-man and adding Arcia if Arcia wins the competition.

The obvious solution.

[Patzky]

28 minutes ago, Drtwins said:

“As a non-roster invitee, Arcia would require the Twins to make a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster. In contrast, Kreidler already occupies a spot” 

I don’t see this as a reason to keep Kreidler over Arcia as there is the obvious solution of removing Kreidler from the 40-man and adding Arcia if Arcia wins the competition.

Whoa... We can do that?

[DJL44]

I vote Tristan Gray, or the waiver wire 

[stringer bell]

They didn't release Arcia yesterday, so I think he makes the Opening Day roster. If Kreidler could hit just a little bit he would be a major league asset. Not many guys are as good  with the glove at so many positions. 

If Martin starts the season on the Concussion IL, I think there's a chance that both guys make the team. That statement is rather sad, I admit.

[Drtwins]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

They didn't release Arcia yesterday, so I think he makes the Opening Day roster. If Kreidler could hit just a little bit he would be a major league asset. Not many guys are as good  with the glove at so many positions. 

If Martin starts the season on the Concussion IL, I think there's a chance that both guys make the team. That statement is rather sad, I admit.

I agree with the first portion. As Arcia didn’t opt out with the rest of yesterday’s vets, I’m assuming he’s made the opening day roster. If Martin ends up on the IL, I’m thinking they postpone the outman vs roden decision and keep both on the 26 man through April.

[twinsfansd]

One guy can't hit but plays very good defense (however his OF defense leaves a lot to be desired). He also doesn't seem to be overly fast.

The other guy can't hit or play shortstop, maybe not even second base. His actions are slow, his running speed is a gallup at best. And for a guy fighting to continue his career, he doesn't seem very motivated. 

I would watch the waver wire closely, or work out a minor trade.

 

 

 

[Jim H]

I don't think it much matters which of these two makes the roster. It will be rather sad if they both do. Neither of these guys will contribute much to a winning team and whoever makes the roster will likely play too much, much like the previous bench options have the past few years.

I want to see the younger guys who make the roster play as much as possible to see if if they have potential to be actual full time major league starters. Turning them into platoon options so I Kriedler or Arcia can play more is a fool's game.

[dxpavelka]

I don't see what the big deal with having to make a roster move is.  Kreidler comes off the 40 man and Arcia is added.  Done.  There should be no concern about losing Kreidler by doing that.  There's got to be dozens of guys available who can hit .138

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Of players with 210 PA or more since 2022, Kreidler is ranked 654 of 654, dead last in wRC+ at 11. A full 22 points below Mr 653. That he has a positive WAR speaks to how well he fields.

He could literally fly like Superman and shoot the baseballs out of the air with his eye-lazer and he still shouldn’t be on any big league roster.

[Over The Hill Again]

We’re still talking about Kreidler. Sigh. 

[TopGunn#22]

I'm in favor of dropping Kreidler from the 40 man AND cutting Arcia.  Neither does much for me.  Waiver wire or trade is a better option.  Both Outman and Roden played well enough to have earned a spot on the team.  Trade one of them to a team that needs an OF and who has a SS who is an obvious upgrade from Arcia/Kreidler. (that bar is NOT very high).

I realize we have SS prospects in Culpepper and Houston and will probably draft another one with our first pick in the draft.  But Lee's glove isn't up to SS standards and we need a better option.  

[LyleCole]

That this is a "battle" is a sad commentary on the Twins talent level and their farm team development over the past several years, and the cheapness of their ownership.  That a manager has to consider two absolute bottom of the barrel players for a roster spot is damning.    It would be different if the rest of the roster was stacked and this was just a decision on a specialty player.  But it isnt.

To me the real problem, however, is the Twins development strategies.  I believe that players develop best at the major league level.  I see no reason why we should be looking at these two guys on the active roster and sending Kaelen Culpepper down to the minors (just one example).  Talent is talent, and if the player is truly talented they need to develop at the highest level possible.  And playing time isn't an issue either.  Culpepper can play every game rotating between the infielder positions (and maybe even some OF too). 

In the end, the only real evaluation of a player is at the Big League level.  Many players have mashed the minor league circuit only to fail at the major league level.   The quicker you get the read on the talent level, the better when you are developing.  

But the Twins constantly prefer to fool themselves that they are contenders and that these waiver wire replacement level players are what the fans deserve.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, stringer bell said:

They didn't release Arcia yesterday, so I think he makes the Opening Day roster. If Kreidler could hit just a little bit he would be a major league asset. Not many guys are as good  with the glove at so many positions. 

If Martin starts the season on the Concussion IL, I think there's a chance that both guys make the team. That statement is rather sad, I admit.

If both are on the team it's an indictment of the organization from top to bottom.

[AceWrigley]

I thought Ryan Fitzgerald did a decent job last year when called up, held is own with both the glove and bat and could run pretty good. Not sure why we cast him off. Heck he even pitched in 2 games without allowing a run.

[stringer bell]

5 minutes ago, LyleCole said:

That this is a "battle" is a sad commentary on the Twins talent level and their farm team development over the past several years, and the cheapness of their ownership.  That a manager has to consider two absolute bottom of the barrel players for a roster spot is damning.    It would be different if the rest of the roster was stacked and this was just a decision on a specialty player.  But it isnt.

To me the real problem, however, is the Twins development strategies.  I believe that players develop best at the major league level.  I see no reason why we should be looking at these two guys on the active roster and sending Kaelen Culpepper down to the minors (just one example).  Talent is talent, and if the player is truly talented they need to develop at the highest level possible.  And playing time isn't an issue either.  Culpepper can play every game rotating between the infielder positions (and maybe even some OF too). 

In the end, the only real evaluation of a player is at the Big League level.  Many players have mashed the minor league circuit only to fail at the major league level.   The quicker you get the read on the talent level, the better when you are developing.  

But the Twins constantly prefer to fool themselves that they are contenders and that these waiver wire replacement level players are what the fans deserve.

A lot of legitimate points raised by @LyleCole here. Probably my only dispute is that I don't think every player would benefit from developing at the major league level. I'm confident some do, but other need to build on success . Many very good players have struggled in their first attempt in the majors and came back and played well after being sent down. I'm sure there are an untold number of guys that were hurt by coming up too soon.

The Twins are trying to win as a low-payroll team. They are also saying they will compete now after shedding a bunch of salary after the trading deadline. A lot of things have to go right for that to happen. This is going to be a transition season and I don't much care who is on the Opening Day roster. I think it will become apparent pretty early that they can't compete and the kids will play, including Culpepper, Gonzalez, Rodriguez and maybe Jenkins. 

It's not unprecedented that a team tabbed at mid-70s wins breaks out. I can think of three this decade, for sure--Baltimore 2022, Kansas City and Detroit 2024--but a bunch of players need to come through for that to happen. I'll follow the team, expecting little and hoping for more, but hope the front office makes the appropriate response when they show they aren't competitive.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I'm in favor of dropping Kreidler from the 40 man AND cutting Arcia.  Neither does much for me.  Waiver wire or trade is a better option.  Both Outman and Roden played well enough to have earned a spot on the team.  Trade one of them to a team that needs an OF and who has a SS who is an obvious upgrade from Arcia/Kreidler. (that bar is NOT very high).

I realize we have SS prospects in Culpepper and Houston and will probably draft another one with our first pick in the draft.  But Lee's glove isn't up to SS standards and we need a better option.  

Right, the REAL problem is Brooks Lee should be the guy we're talking about as the backup, utility infielder. The Twins had to work hard to find guys who will make Lee look like a starter.

[LyleCole]

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

A lot of legitimate points raised by @LyleCole here. Probably my only dispute is that I don't think every player would benefit from developing at the major league level. I'm confident some do, but other need to build on success . Many very good players have struggled in their first attempt in the majors and came back and played well after being sent down. I'm sure there are an untold number of guys that were hurt by coming up too soon.

The Twins are trying to win as a low-payroll team. They are also saying they will compete now after shedding a bunch of salary after the trading deadline. A lot of things have to go right for that to happen. This is going to be a transition season and I don't much care who is on the Opening Day roster. I think it will become apparent pretty early that they can't compete and the kids will play, including Culpepper, Gonzalez, Rodriguez and maybe Jenkins. 

It's not unprecedented that a team tabbed at mid-70s wins breaks out. I can think of three this decade, for sure--Baltimore 2022, Kansas City and Detroit 2024--but a bunch of players need to come through for that to happen. I'll follow the team, expecting little and hoping for more, but hope the front office makes the appropriate response when they show they aren't competitive.

I am not advocating EVERY player be "rushed" to the major league level.  

But if you think Culpeper is a top prospect with talent then by all means especially since your roster is not competitive.  It would be different if there was extreme talent and they could not get the game innings, but that is not the case.  

The other aspect is it isn't as if I am advocating this for a 19 year old player.  Culpepper is 23.  If you look at the MLB Top 100 Prospects (Top 100 Baseball Prospects | MiLB.com) look at the age that the players that have already made it to the MLB level.

Trying to compete as a low payroll team is ridiculous and just prolongs the misery.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Of players with 210 PA or more since 2022, Kreidler is ranked 654 of 654, dead last in wRC+ at 11. A full 22 points below Mr 653. That he has a positive WAR speaks to how well he fields.

He could literally fly like Superman and shoot the baseballs out of the air with his eye-lazer and he still shouldn’t be on any big league roster.

I think it mostly tells us what a worthless measuring tool fWAR is.

[Greglw3]

I have a better idea than these two unappealing options. If I have to take 1, it’s Arcia but the last thing this team needs as it seeks a new identity, a new Twins way from the last few failed years, is another .190 - .210 hitter on the roster. It’s toxic.

The real solution right now with the abysmal performances of the contestants for the job, is based on their failure when they knew the stakes, call up a real talent, much better than those two, Kaelen Culpepper. In spring training I saw a guy that oozes talent. The ball jumps of his bat. He’s fast. Culpepper should be the backup SS, 3B, 2B (when Keaschall’s in left) and get 300-500 AB depending on injuries and performance of  Lewis and Lee.

[USAFChief]

15 minutes ago, Greglw3 said:

I have a better idea than these two unappealing options. If I have to take 1, it’s Arcia but the last thing this team needs as it seeks a new identity, a new Twins way from the last few failed years, is another .190 - .210 hitter on the roster. It’s toxic.

The real solution right now with the abysmal performances of the contestants for the job, is based on their failure when they knew the stakes, call up a real talent, much better than those two, Kaelen Culpepper. In spring training I saw a guy that oozes talent. The ball jumps of his bat. He’s fast. Culpepper should be the backup SS, 3B, 2B (when Keaschall’s in left) and get 300-500 AB depending on injuries and performance of  Lewis and Lee.

If you're keeping Culpepper on the big league team, he should be the everyday SS. Let Lee handle backup duty.

[ashbury]

5 hours ago, Drtwins said:

“As a non-roster invitee, Arcia would require the Twins to make a corresponding move to add him to the 40-man roster. In contrast, Kreidler already occupies a spot” 

I don’t see this as a reason to keep Kreidler over Arcia as there is the obvious solution of removing Kreidler from the 40-man and adding Arcia if Arcia wins the competition.

I think it's more complicated, even though the stakes are ultra low.  If the FO sees the choice between the two players as being close, then a consideration is which move has the best chance of keeping both, one of whom would be at AAA.  If you DFA Kreidler, then what are the odds someone claims him? If you keep the status quo, what are the odds that Arcia opts out?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

57 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I think it's more complicated, even though the stakes are ultra low.  If the FO sees the choice between the two players as being close, then a consideration is which move has the best chance of keeping both, one of whom would be at AAA.  If you DFA Kreidler, then what are the odds someone claims him? If you keep the status quo, what are the odds that Arcia opts out?

Are you really concerned that they can’t find someone on the scrap heap who gets them 80% of what Kreidler or Arica gets you? Why the mental gymnastics over a glove first utility man and a washed up SS?

[ashbury]

11 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Are you really concerned that they can’t find someone on the scrap heap who gets them 80% of what Kreidler or Arica gets you? Why the mental gymnastics over a glove first utility man and a washed up SS?

Mental gymnastics?  Strikes me as General Manager 101. 

And I'll repeat, the stakes on this decision are low.  Am I concerned? No.  Do I like to play Armchair GM?  Sometimes yes.

[Patzky]

5 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

I don't see what the big deal with having to make a roster move is.  Kreidler comes off the 40 man and Arcia is added.  Done.  There should be no concern about losing Kreidler by doing that.  There's got to be dozens of guys available who can hit .138

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