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The Twins have accumulated a lot of outfield talent over the years, but much of that is left-handed. Byron Buxton is scheduled to play center field, and if he is healthy, he will be in the lineup a lot.
According to major-league sources, the Twins have acquired the talented Manuel Margot (and $5.5 million) from the Dodgers. Of course, earlier in the offseason, Margot was traded to the Dodgers (with Tyler Glasnow) from the Rays for two pitching prospects, Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Pepiot.
Before the 2023 season, Margot signed a two-year, $19-million deal with the Rays that included a $12 million option for 2025 (with a $2 million buyout). Under the terms of the Glasnow-Margot deal, if the option would have been declined by the Dodgers, the Rays would have sent $2 million to Los Angeles to offset the buyout. Will that portion of the deal be transferred to the Twins? An MLB source says that the Twins will pay about half of Margot's $9.5 million in 2024.
Margot, 29, originally signed with the Red Sox in 2011. He was traded to the Padres after the 2015 season in a multi-player deal, for closer Craig Kimbrel. He made his MLB debut with 10 games for the Padres in 2017. He remained with San Diego until right before the first spring training games of 2020, when he and a minor leaguer were traded to the Rays in exchange for Emilio Pagan.
In 2023, Margot played in 99 games and hit .264/.310/.376, with 21 doubles and four home runs. His best season was in 2019 with the Padres, when he played in 151 games and hit .234 with 19 doubles and 12 homers.
While Margot will be Buxton insurance, he can play all three outfield spots and should get plenty of time even when Buxton is in the lineup. However, any rumors about a Michael A. Taylor return or signing someone like Enrique Hernández end with this deal.
The Twins also received minor-league infielder Rayne Doncon in the deal. The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic played in 107 games at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2023. He hit .216/.283/.368 with 21 doubles and 14 home runs. He played 45 games at third base, 37 games at shortstop and 25 games at second base. The Twins have seen a lot of Doncon and are gambling on a powerful bat, albeit one coming off a down year and with more thump than feel to hit.
The Twins traded former first-round pick Noah Miller to the Dodgers. While the switch-hitting shortstop has not yet hit with any consistency or much power, there is still belief that he could. However, he is certainly best known in the game for his defense at shortstop. He is smooth, has soft hands, good range and a strong arm. He was named the minor league Gold Glove winner in 2023. If the Dodgers work their developmental magic on Miller, he might have a bright future, but this trade shores up the team's present by rounding out the positional roster.
What are your thoughts on this trade? Do you like Margot, or would you have preferred that the Twins pony up for Taylor instead? Join the conversation below.







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