Minnesota Twins 2023 playoff hero signs minor league deal with Atlanta Braves
Last week, the Atlanta Braves and former Twins infielder Kyle Farmer agreed to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Matt Bowman. He'll compete for an Opening Day bench role in spring camp as a non-roster invitee.
Farmer played with the Twins in 2023 and 2024 after Minnesota acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds for righty pitcher Casey Legumina on Nov. 18, 2022. He played a vital utility infield role for the Twins in 2023, posting 1.7 bWAR and a .256/.317/.408 (97 OPS+) slash line with 11 homers and 46 RBI in 120 games during the regular season. His most memorable moment with the Twins occurred against the Houston Astros during Game 2 of the 2023 American League Division Series, when he tagged lefty Framber Valdez for a two-run homer as the Twins defeated the Astros 6-2, evening the series 1-1.
Kyle Farmer's first postseason hit is a home run 💪💣
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 9, 2023
📺: @FS1 | #UmpCAM pic.twitter.com/JWa1jsxQu4
Farmer followed his strong 2023 season with a rough 2024 season, posting -0.3 bWAR and a .214/.293/.353 (82 OPS+) slash line with five homers and 25 RBI in 107 games with the Twins. After the conclusion of the 2024 season, Minnesota declined Farmer's $6.25 million mutual option for 2025, paying him a $250,000 buyout.
Last offseason, the Colorado Rockies signed Farmer to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with a $4 million mutual option for 2026. Farmer arguably had the worst season of his career with Colorado in 2025, posting -0.8 bWAR and a .227/.280/.365 (71 OPS+) slash line with eight homers and 31 RBI in 97 games. The Rockies declined their end of the 2026 option, paying Farmer a $750,000 buyout. Before his time with Minnesota and Colorado, Farmer appeared in 59 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and 2018, and 421 games with the Cincinnati Reds from 2019 to 2022, serving as Cincinnati's starting shortstop in 2021 and 2022.
Kyle Farmer could make Braves' Opening Day roster due to Ha-Seong Kim injury
The Braves likely decided to add Farmer due to Kim, who signed a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta this offseason, undergoing surgery after suffering a torn tendon in his hand when he slipped on ice and fell last month.
The Braves also added utilityman Jorge Mateo following Kim's injury. Mauricio Dubón is slated to be Atlanta's starting shortstop until Kim returns, but he can play outfield as well. Farmer could be a solid shortstop option for the Braves when facing lefties, as Dubón could play in the outfield on those days.