2022 Minnesota Twins Offseason Positional Preview: Second Base

The Minnesota Twins enter the 2021 offseason with numerous questions across the board, and with a large number of positions with major question marks, it’s not so easy for Twins fans and writers to make real predictions at what could happen.

With that being said, we’re going to give it our best at breaking down each position on the roster and what to do this offseason, breaking down major questions, possible free agent additions, prospect call ups, trade options, and a prediction on what the position will look like when the 2022 season begins in roughly five months.

We move onto our Minnesota Twins offseason positional previews with second base.

We ran through catcher and first base last week, and we continue around the diamond with second base. Second base is easily the Twins’ deepest position, a group lead by the team’s MVP from 2021 in Jorge Polanco with batting average machine Luis Arraez and utility youngster Nick Gordon backing him up.

This team isn’t likely to make many changes or additions at this position, but there’s at least one more player who could see time at this position in 2022. We break it all down for you once again, starting with the players currently on the roster.

Who’s currently on the Minnesota Twins Roster?

Jorge Polanco: After moving Jorge Polanco away from shortstop in 2021, he flourished, posting the second best offensive season and best defensive season of his career. He mashed 33 homers with a .826 OPS and a 4.9 bWAR.

He cemented himself as a cornerstone for the organization, but now the question is whether or not he stays at his position. If the Twins fail to add a shortstop in the offseason, Polanco is next in line to hold the position until Royce Lewis or Austin Martin is ready.

This would be a huge detriment for the Twins, as Polanco is a negative defender there and his offense seems to suffer too. The team knows Polanco would be better on the other side of the keystone too, so we’ll expect he remains the starter in 2022.

Luis Arraez: Luis Arraez spent most of 2021 as the Twins’ utility man, earning a 3.4 bWAR and being used all over the diamond. He played the most games he ever played, but his .294/.357/.733 slash line represented the worst numbers of his career, though they were still very solid compared to the average player.

Arraez seems like a solid bet to return to the same role next year, though a lot of Twins bloggers and writers (myself included) would like to see him moved. Arraez (paired with a prospect or two) would fetch a solid starter and free up more playing time for Jose Miranda and Nick Gordon. It probably won’t happen, but the Twins could benefit from that deal.

Nick Gordon: Nick Gordon finally arrived! The No. 5 pick in the 2014 MLB draft spent seven long years in the minors before finally getting his shot, and he delivered solid value, playing six different positions as key depth piece. He should get the ability to do that again in 2022.

He won’t wow you with impressive stats, but he does everything okay, which is just about the best you can ask for as a depth piece. If Nick Gordon makes the roster next year, he’ll fill in wherever needed and do the dirty work the team needs.

Top Minnesota Twins Minor League Second Basemen

Jose Miranda: It’s hard to talk enough about what Jose Miranda did in 2021. His breakout season, where he slashed .344/.401/.573 with 62 XBH (30 HR), 94 RBI and his typical low strikeout numbers. He may not live up to those numbers in the major leagues, but he has an excellent swing and a lot of versatility.

He can play around the infield, but with so many players in front of him, the Minnesota Twins waited to call him up. Hopefully they don’t wait too much longer and we see him at the keystone (or anywhere in the lineup) to start the year.

Spencer Steer/Edouard Julien: We’ll group these two players together, as both Spencer Steer and Eduardo Julien had excellent seasons in 2021 and show a lot of promise for the future. Unfortunately for both players, neither will see the bigs in 2022, but both should have bright futures with the Minnesota Twins eventually.

Free Agent and Trade Targets for the Minnesota Twins to Consider

Eduardo Escobar: In all reality, the Twins shouldn’t sign anyone at second base. The team has too many options as is and there are actual needs that need work. With that being said (and we’re reaching a little bit here), a reunion with Eduardo Escobar could make some sense.

Any player the Twins add at this position would have to be more of an infielder than anything else, with the ability to eat some innings at shortstop if needed. The 2021 All-Star and former Twin could fit that role perfectly, but he could only really make sense here if the Twins move on from Donaldson, Sano, or Arraez.

Predictions for Next Year’s Minnesota Twins Second Base Room

Unfortunately for the rumor mill, this one is pretty cut and dried. Barring an earth-shattering event or blockbuster trade, Jorge Polanco, Luis Arraez, and Nick Gordon will be the depth chart at second base for next season with Jose Miranda likely getting involved there as well. It may not be as intriguing as other positions, but a strong and secure position group is better than lots of unknowns.