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As the Twins decide who they will send down to make room for Royce Lewis, there are several factors to consider. First of all, they will almost certainly be sending down a hitter. In addition, there are a handful of key players on the team that are clearly not options. Ryan Jeffers, Carlos Correa, Max Kepler, Willi Castro, Christian Vasquez, Byron Buxton, and Carlos Santana are assuredly staying on the roster. That leaves six potential players on the hot seat. Here they are, each with their own set of pros and cons.
Jose Miranda
Sending down Jose Miranda would be the cleanest switch, as both he and Lewis are third basemen, and prior to his latest promotion, many had moved on from Miranda as a future hopeful for the Twins. However, Miranda has been playing well, making this move less appealing. On the season Miranda has a 116 OPS+ with decent defense at third base. His solid performance at the plate has been a boon for the Twins, and disrupting that could have negative repercussions for the team's momentum. In addition, after Royce comes back, Miranda can spell Lewis at third while also filling in at first base and designated hitter.
Trevor Larnach
While Trevor Larnach has been hitting well, with a 118 OPS+ since his promotion in mid-April, he has often been the odd man out in the past when roster adjustments were needed. Larnach’s role has mostly been as a designated hitter over the past month, a position that could easily be filled by Miranda or Lewis after he returns this weekend. However, sending down a player performing well at the plate is always a tough call, and Larnach’s contributions shouldn't be underestimated.
Alex Kirilloff
Alex Kirilloff is in a similar situation to Larnach due to his nature of being a left-handed corner bat. The truth is, though, Kirilloff hasn’t been hitting well recently. In the month of May, Kirilloff is hitting just .164 with a 17/6 K/BB ratio. However, it’s hard to forget Kirilloff’s once-promising status as a star prospect. The Twins are going to need to decide soon if Kirilloff is going to have a future with this franchise, and sending him down to the minors wouldn’t be a move to help make that decision.
Edouard Julien
Edouard Julien has been struggling mightily offensively, making him a logical choice for a demotion. In the month of May, Juilen is hitting just .186 with a terribly concerning 29 strikeouts compared to just nine walks. Some time down in St. Paul to rightsize his swing wouldn’t be the worst thing. However, his strong defensive play and the Twins’ future plans for him complicate the decision. The team may be hesitant to send down a player they view as a key part of their long-term strategy despite his current hitting woes.
Kyle Farmer
Kyle Farmer is in the last year of his contract and has struggled at the plate. On the season, Farmer is sporting just a 52 OPS+. A mark in Farmer’s favor, though, is that he’s a clubhouse favorite, and his leadership qualities add intangible value. In addition, if he is taken off the roster, unlike the candidates above, sending down Farmer could mean the organization loses him completely. While sending him down could free up a roster spot, the Twins might be reluctant to disrupt team chemistry by moving a player so well-liked by his teammates.
Manuel Margot
Designating Manuel Margot for assignment (DFA) seems to be the most logical choice. Margot has been one of the team's worst hitters and can't play center field, limiting his utility. Additionally, the Twins have no plans to retain him for next year, making him the most straightforward choice to create space for Lewis. Furthermore, the Twins have other players like Willi Castro and Austin Martin, who can fill the same roles that Margot does, making him even more expendable.
Ultimately, the decision will hinge on balancing short-term performance with long-term potential and team dynamics. Given Margot’s poor performance, lack of future commitment, and the presence of versatile players like Castro and Martin who can cover his role, he stands out as the most sensible option to be DFA’d. This move would create the necessary space for Lewis while minimally impacting the team's overall performance and future prospects.
What do you think? Who should the Twins send down? Leave a comment below and join the conversation!
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