5 former Twins from the 2025 team who are off to hot starts in 2026
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Louis Varland
Varland, whom Minnesota traded to Toronto in July, took over the Blue Jays' primary closer role after hurling 12 1/3 innings without surrendering an earned run over 11 games. He's converted all four of his save opportunities since then, allowing one earned run across 3 2/3 innings. As of Wednesday morning, he was tied with San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller for the highest fWAR (1.00) among MLB relievers this year and ranked fourth in strikeouts (26) among bullpen arms.
Houston Astros SS Carlos Correa
Correa began the year as Houston's primary third baseman. However, he's been playing shortstop lately because Jeremy Peña has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain. Correa has posted 1.0 bWAR and a solid .277/.368.406 (116 OPS+) slash line with two homers, seven doubles and 14 RBI over 27 games this season. Defensively, Correa has one Defensive Run Saved (DRS) and one Out Above Average (OAA) in 2026.
Houston Astros C Christian Vázquez
Believe it or not, Vázquez, who played for Minnesota from 2022-25, is on this list. The Twins and Astros basically swapped backup catchers this offseason, as Minnesota signed former Astro Victor Caratini to a two-year deal and Houston signed Vázquez to a minor-league deal. Vázquez broke spring training on the Houston's 26-man roster, and is hitting .311/.380/.533 (152 OPS+) with a pair of homers in 51 plate appearances across 14 games this year.
Colorado Rockies 1B/2B Edouard Julien
Even though his defense has been awful and he's been playing his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Julien, whom the Twins traded to the Rockies in the offseason, deserves credit for what he's done offensively this year. In 89 plate appearances across 26 games, Julien has slashed .308/.393/.449 (126 OPS+) with two homers, three doubles, a triple, 12 RBI and a pair of stolen bases with his new club.
San Diego Padres 1B Ty France
France signed a minor-league deal with the Padres this offseason after being shipped to the Blue Jays in the Varland deal at last year's Trade Deadline. Besides playing a few innings at third base on Monday, France has been a first baseman for San Diego. In 48 plate appearances over 17 games this year, France has an outstanding .289/.333/.578 slash line with home runs, two doubles, one triple and eight RBI.
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