The Twins’ recent success has been one of the biggest surprises in Major League Baseball this year. If it weren’t for a few small moves, Minnesota likely would not have been as successful.
Here are 3 small moves the Twins made that are already paying off in 2025
Acquiring infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens
Lately, when Clemens is at the plate, he seems as confident as a major leaguer could be.
I owe Clemens, who the Twins acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash on April 25, an apology. I wrote that he had no reason to be on the roster on May 13 when he was hitting .176/.263/.471 as a Twin with lackluster career major league statistics. Since then, he has gone 8-for-20 with two home runs, three walks and a double. Additionally, his hits almost always seem to be of the clutch variety.
While regression is still the most likely outcome for Clemens, he 100% deserves a spot on the roster right now with how hot his bat has been, his ability to play multiple positions, and the abundance of injuries on the squad.
And who knows, maybe Clemens will stay hot enough to stay in the Twins’ lineup even if the offense is eventually fully healthy. His bat speed is up 3 mph from last year, and he hasn’t really had an opportunity to start regularly in the big leagues.
Most 29-year-old journeymen do not revive their careers at the stage Clemens is in, but his recent play deserves credit, and there is no doubt he has been a key contributor to the Twins’ season turnaround. Clemens has given the Twins innings at second and first base and corner outfield.
Acquiring infielder Jonah Bride
Bride, who the Twins acquired from the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash on April 16, has not had the impact that Clemens has had for Minnesota but has nonetheless provided the Twins with a solid .359 on-base % in 39 plate appearances.
Bride has played first, second and third base for Minnesota while the team has dealt with various injuries and previously demoted infielders Edouard Julien and José Miranda. The decision to acquire Bride along with Clemens has already paid off for president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and the Twins.
Giving right-handed pitcher Louis Varland a high-leverage bullpen role
There were questions about whether Varland would be a starter or reliever this season. The Twins ended up deciding to utilize him as a high-leverage arm in the ‘pen, as he likely would have had a tough time finding a regular role in the starting rotation.
Although he has struggled at times, Varland has been one of the most counted-on arms out of the Twins’ bullpen, tied with Cole Sands for 4th in fWAR (0.4) behind Jhoan Duran, Danny Coulombe and Griffin Jax. Varland holds a 2.95 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21 ⅓ innings this season.