Would You Double Down on Donny Barrels?

After being added to the roster just over a month before the season began, Donovan Solano played a surprisingly significant role for the Twins in 2023. He publicly announced that he would like to join the Twins roster again in 2024. Is there a realistic fit?

Solano performed exceptionally well in 2023. He appeared in 134 games, slashing .282/.369/.391. He was 16 percent above a league-average hitter in his age-35 season, while mixing in at first, second, and third base. He was also a great counterbalance in the record-settingly strikeout-prone lineup, only whiffing 22.2 percent of the time. For such a versatile complementary player, the Twins could look to bring him back, though it’s far from a straightforward decision.

Solano would undoubtedly be returning in the same role he had in 2023. He can be the right-handed platoon option for a (hopefully healthy) Alex Kirilloff at first base, cycling into the DH spot against southpaws and sprinkling in some time across the rest of the infield as needed. The problem is that the Twins may be less in need of such a role than ever. 

In addition to players such as Edouard Julien and Royce Lewis cementing themselves in the Twins' everyday lineup, we should expect to see more prospects (such as Austin Martin and Brooks Lee) debut in 2024. Despite Jose Miranda’s disastrous 2023, he remains an obvious candidate to fill in as a right-handed platoon partner for Kirilloff or the DH spot. He’ll be cheaper in 2024, and the upside is likely higher for Miranda, if he returns to good health. Making matters even more complicated, the Twins tendered a contract to Kyle Farmer, who can fill in at all the same positions as Solano and then some.

If the Twins want to insulate themselves against injuries to the same extent that they did last year when they brought Solano in, they might do it differently. At this point, the most significant injury concern has to be Kirilloff. The former top prospect has suffered from several season-ending injuries, to the point where the Twins may want to consider a backup or platoon mate with him at first base, capable of providing a lot more should Kirilloff continue to miss time.

Given the Twins reportedly reducing payroll, it may seem unlikely that they will bring in a big bat at this point. Still, they may be shedding some salary in trade and could view a legitimate option for first base as a priority, behind a starting pitcher. Solano had a great 2023 season, but acquiring a higher-caliber bat may be a wiser investment if someone like Polanco or Kepler is shipped out.

Even with all of these considerations, it’s possible to envision a reunion. The roster is far from a finished product. The Twins appear to be waiting for the uncertainty around their expired TV deal and future broadcast rights to be resolved, and for more of the market to develop. When things get rolling, we may see multiple players of all calibers and positions shipped out in trade, opening a door for Donny Barrels.

He may have increased risk due to age, but even after his outstanding 2023 season, Solano probably won’t break the bank. It will come down to his fit on the roster, and whether the Twins will look to continue to accumulate as much depth as possible.

Are we better off letting Donovan Solano sign elsewhere in 2024? Should the Twins give him a call if a spot opens, or even prioritize a Donny Barrels reunion? Let us know below!