Minnesota Twins: Offseason Blueprint to Move Back into Contention
By Otto Johnson
Minnesota Twins Step No. 3: Call Up Jose Miranda and Possibly Others
Now that we’ve cleared some roster junk away and made our plans a little clearer, it’s time that we look at players we could move to the major league level. With the new CBA possibly offering changes to service time, there’s a potential for players to be called up earlier.
The first player to be called up should be Jose Miranda. Miranda has nothing left to prove in the minor leagues and with what plenty of time in Spring Training coming his way, Miranda will have the shot to be a key contributor in 2022.
Miranda best fits at third base, with Polanco at second base and a new signee at short, which asks the question: where does Josh Donaldson go? Designated hitter. Keeping Donaldson allows the Twins to rotate Arraez, Polanco, Miranda, Donaldson, Sano, and Kirilloff through the infield and designated hitter roles.
Now you might be saying in your head: “Why not trade Donaldson and let Miranda play full time with Arraez spelling him?” This is a good idea in theory, but Twins fans need to be realistic about depth. The Twins thought they had enough outfield depth last year to trade LaMonte Wade Jr. and release Eddie Rosario. How’d that work out?
What if Miranda isn’t quite ready? What if the injury bug bites again for Sano, Kirilloff, Arraez, or even Donaldson? Simply put, there will be more than enough at-bats for the seven infielders and Nick Gordon can help out as needed. Calling Miranda up allows the Twins to focus on pitching and a new shortstop while making this infield as deep as it can be.
Trevor Larnach also needs to get the call. Behind Starling Marte, Kris Bryant, and Nick Castellanos, there isn’t a lot of talent in the corner outfielder market and the Twins aren’t likely to spend there with so many needs elsewhere. Despite a trying season, he needs to be given another spot as the guy in left, with Rooker and/or Cave backing him up.
On the pitching side, Jovani Moran should be kept in the majors despite a slow start to his major league debut, but with the starting pitching prospects not ready for Opening Day (let’s see how Spring Training goes), there isn’t anyone else the Twins must bring up.