The 2025 version of the Minnesota Twins will look very similar to the team that left the field after their season-ending loss to the Orioles last September. With the team for sale and the Pohlads with a tight grip on the purse strings, newly minted president Derek Falvey has his hands tied in his attempts to execute significant player transactions. Today, they signed a one-year contract with ex-Twin lefthanded reliever Danny Coulombe. He joins an already crowded bullpen, but he is coming off two productive seasons with the Orioles.
The Twins have a squad that, on paper, should compete for a playoff spot and perhaps the division title. But fortunes have to break in their favor, as their margin for failure is very thin. Avoiding injuries and prolonged slumps will be the key to success. With a week to go before pitchers and catchers report, there is still time for some additional moves to be made, but for now, here is a prediction of how the opening-day roster should shake out. First, we’ll start with the everyday ballplayers.
Catchers
Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vazquez
This is a runback from last season, where the pair equally shared the position. Jeffers had an outstanding season in 2024, slamming 21 home runs and driving in 64 runs. His defense and throwout ability have improved, and he will likely get a larger share of the playing time in 2025. While still a quality defensive catcher, Vazquez is now considered a liability at the plate. His slash line last season was .248/.327.575, with very little pop in his bat.
There is still a possibility that Vazquez and his $10 million salary will be included in a trade (perhaps part of a Dylan Cease deal), which would open the door for former hot prospect Diego Cartaya or slugging Triple-A backstop Jair Carmargo.
Infield
Jose Miranda, Eddy Julien, Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Willi Castro
Miranda and Julien have first dibs at first base, with the other employed as a part-time DH. With the Twins passing on re-signing Gold Glove winner Carlos Santana, Minnesota faces a possible significant decline in productivity at this position, offensively and defensively. Not only will they miss his wizardry at first, but he also led the teams in homers (23) and RBI (71) last season. Miranda and Julien have yet to show any consistency at the big-league level, and they have some large shoes to fill.
At least to start the season, second base will be manned by the slick-fielding Brooks Lee, who is also adept at playing third base and shortstop. The only real question regarding Lee is whether he is ready to hit consistently at the Major League level and whether he will add some pop to his bat. There is talk of moving Royce Lewis over here to reduce his throwing errors, so watch this position carefully.
Lewis will open up at third base, but watch to see if he sees any action across the diamond at second. The wunderkind hit a bump in the road last season with a dramatic late-season slump. Last September, he accumulated a slash line of .245/..255/..500 with one dinger. The Twins think that a move to second base might help his overall game.
Carlos Correa is still an outstanding fielding shortstop, but he has been plagued by injuries and some streaky hitting over the past three seasons. He has missed time with plantar fasciitis injuries in his feet the past two seasons. And in his three years with the Twins, his batting average for March and April is a lowly .230. He does provide excellent leadership in the Minnesota clubhouse. Still, he must stay healthy and come out of the blocks quicker for the team to keep pace in the competitive American League Central Division.
Willi Castro is the Minnesota Twins’ Mr. Versatile. In his six years in the majors, he has played every position but catcher and first base, and last season for the Twins, he took regular turns at second base, third base, shortstop, and left and center fields. He is also available to DH.
Outfield
Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Austin Martin, Michael Helman/DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli will usually send out a starting outfield of Trevor Larnach in left, Byron Buxton in center, and Matt Wallner in right field. At this point in his career, Buck is still an outstanding defensive outfielder, but he has lost a step or two. He does have some pop in his bat, but he has reverted to his old problem of swinging at curveballs in the dirt. Given his history, you can count on Byron to play about 100-125 games in centerfield, necessitating that the team employ a quality backup option. Larnach salvaged his career in 2024, hitting 15 home runs after it looked like he would wash out of the system.
Wallner could not hit anything to start the 2024 season, but after a wakeup call at Triple-A St. Paul, he returned to hit 12 homers and drive in 33. He is not the most graceful outfielder, but he has a rocket for an arm. Austin Martin will initially be Buxton’s primary backup, and Helman or Keirsey will back up the corner outfielders. Helman can also come in and play a little second base. As always, the Twins could use a right-handed first baseman/outfielder/DH with a little pop, but that has been a need that has gone unfulfilled over the past three seasons.
A Little Extra Twins and Part 2
Look for two of Minnesota’s top prospects, Luke Keaschall and Emmanuel Rodriguez, to crack the big league roster sometime in 2025. And stay tuned for Part 2, which will examine the Twin’s starting rotation and bullpen.
