Michael Helman Beating a Path to Replacing Kyle Farmer as Twins' Backup Infielder

Helman might be able to hold down a utility role just fine...if he can stay healthy. hasn't played a full season since 2022, hasn't played close to a full season. He would have gotten a shot with the twins long before this season if he'd been able to keep himself on the field.

I'm fine with giving him a shot, but the injuries are concerning, especially for a Twins franchise that has really struggled with the injury bug over the past few years.

Farmer will 100% be gone. I expect someone will take a chance on him for another season before he heads towards retirement and a long career coaching (if he wants it, and it sounds like he does). Heck, if he's ready to retire now I'd offer him a coaching job. Good dude, knows the game. Just maybe can't play it very well any longer.

I can see the Twins bench as Martin, (2B, LF, RF some CF), Helman. (3B, 2B, LF, RF maybe 1B and SS), Castro (CF, SS, LF, 2B, 3B maybe RF) and Velazquez (C maybe 1B).

Helman's major positions in the minors was Short Stop and then Second Base.

3 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Helman. (3B, 2B, LF, RF maybe 1B and SS)

I would include CF as well. He's played there a lot more than LF and RF in the last couple years. I'm thinking he's closer to Keirsey on defense in CF than Castro and Martin, who I don't like to see in CF for an extended period of time.

Brooks Lee is probably ahead of Helman as the second utility infielder, but Lee isn't much of an outfielder (too slow). The Twins will want Lee playing every day in MLB or AAA, but they'll be fine with letting Helman ride the bench like they were with Farmer.

Kyle Farmer might be available on a minor league deal. The waiver wire is a good place to acquire utility players as we saw with Willi Castro.

Will Holland is another internal possibility for a utility player. It is hard to tell if he took a huge step forward last season before he was injured or if it was just a small sample size mirage.

Youth movement at Target Field!

Helman could probably replace what the Twins got from Kyle Farmer in 2024 at a fraction of the cost. The problem is Farmer was not particularly valuable in 2024 so getting that level of production is not going to help them win games.

 The only role Helman should fill for the Twins is 26 man off the bench, and should not start any games, even as a injury replacement.

I like Helman but IMO we have more than enough utility players that can play SS & CF better than him to be excited about.

Could come down to a decision between Helman and Eeles.

12 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Who’s Velazquez?

He's on the bench with Helelman, Melartin and Celastro.

Hellman, Castro, and Martin fulfill the same role. Doubt there is there room for all three on the roster. That leaves room for just a backup catcher, as well as a DH like Miranda. My guess is that Castro will be released to save money for the penurious Pohlads. 

20 minutes ago, Otaknam said:

Hellman, Castro, and Martin fulfill the same role.

No. Helman and Castro are comps (super utility). Martin is not (utility). Martin will not play RF, SS or 3B with the Twins unless it's an absolute emergency. Helman and Castro can play those positions and are better than Martin at 2B, LF and CF. Also, Helman and Castro have some power in their bat. Martin doesn't have much power. Castro has the switch hitter advantage and durability advantages among other advantages over both. He only has $6.2 million disadvantages!

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

He's on the bench with Helelman, Melartin and Celastro.

Ok stop it

Good or bad, we get to say

"What the Hellman?"

On 10/16/2024 at 1:52 PM, chpettit19 said:

If Helman makes it through the winter on the 40-man he'll get his chance to take Farmer/Margot's spot. If he isn't successful early Keaschall is going to take his (and other's) job pretty quick (I hope).

Will be interesting to see what they do with the 40-man and if they try to find ways to bring in more Farmer/Margot types are give guys from the system a chance. Can't call them "kids" because Helman and Keirsey aren't young anymore. Martin and Severino aren't particularly young either. But they're all cheap.

If Helman is a large part of their 2025 plans, though, I'm not excited about their 2025 plans. No offense to Michael. He's far more talented than I've ever been. But he's not talented enough to be a large part of a contender's plan. Maybe he surprises me, and I like that he'd bring some athleticism to the squad, but the way this team likes to use everyone so much means he'd play more than he should. And I don't see that as a good recipe for wins.

Why do I feel like the "cheap" part of this will be influencial?

On 10/17/2024 at 10:00 AM, Otaknam said:

Hellman, Castro, and Martin fulfill the same role. Doubt there is there room for all three on the roster. That leaves room for just a backup catcher, as well as a DH like Miranda. My guess is that Castro will be released to save money for the penurious Pohlads. 

He's an All Star. They should be able to get something in return.