The Minnesota Twins are looking for their Opening Day first baseman in 2025. Still, KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson suggests that Ryan Mountcastle of the Baltimore Orioles could be a trade target in the coming weeks.
Mountcastle is coming off one of his best seasons as a major leaguer with a career-high 2.6 wins above replacement and Wolfson believes that he would be a fit for the Twins as they look to fill first base in the wake of Carlos Santana’s departure last month.
“I think his name is out there,” Wolfson said during his appearance on SKOR North’s Minnesota Sports with Mackey and Judd on Tuesday. “I do think there are some fans of Mountcastle in the Twins organization, so could you figure out a there? …Mountcastle, to me, makes as much sense as anyone.”
Ryan Mountcastle is a legitimate first base option for the Minnesota Twins
Mountcastle made his major league debut, hitting .333/.386/.492 with five homers and 23 RBI during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. But his breakout came in his first major league season, hitting .255/.309/.487 with 33 home runs and 89 RBI in 144 games for the Orioles in 2021.
Mountcastle hasn’t reached the same success at the plate, posting a career-low .733 OPS last season, but his draw to the Twins is his defense. Mountcastle was an American League Gold Glove Award runner-up to Santana in 2024 and he would be an upgrade over incumbents Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien with eight defensive runs saved last season.
“Rocco Baldelli wants defense at first base,” Wolfson said. “Whether it was C.J. Cron back in the day, Santana last year, you know Rocco is going to bat on those moves.”
Minnesota Twins insider believes Opening Day first baseman isn’t currently on the roster
Mountcastle’s financial situation also fits into the Twins’ plans as FanGraphs projects the soon-to-be 28-year-old to make $6.6 million in arbitration and isn’t eligible to become a free agent until after the 2026 season. But Wolfson also cautioned that the Orioles wouldn’t give him away and a high cost of prospects could cause Minnesota to pivot.
While the Twins weren’t in on Josh Bell, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Washington Nationals earlier this week, he also believes that some move is coming even if the Twins open Spring Training with Miranda and Julien platooning at first base.
“You can’t sell me on as the Opening Day first baseman. …I just don’t think it’s going to be Miranda or Julien if Rocco gets his way. I’d be surprised if it was both. I wouldn’t be surprised if both those guys open Spring Training…but I’d be shocked when they break camp and they go to St. Louis for Opening Day. I would bet there’s someone not on the roster as of December 31 that’s your Opening Day first baseman.”
Whether it’s Mountcastle or someone else, first base continues to be a need for the Twins and could necessitate a move in the weeks leading up to Spring Training.