Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana has agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins worth roughly $5.25 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The veteran split 2023 with the Pirates and Brewers, slashing .240/.318/.429 while slugging 23 homers. He maintained respectable levels of discipline at the plate with his 10.5 walk rate and 16.8 strikeout rate. Even if Santana's declining defensive value limits him to designated hitter for most of 2024, he remains a strong contributor at the plate and should see significant playing time in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Twins claimed right-hander Daniel Duarte off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Friday and designated right-hander Ryan Jensen for release or assignment to make room for Duarte on the 40-man roster. Duarte has a minor-league option remaining, so he could start the 2024 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul if he doesn't win a bullpen role out of spring training. He appeared 31 times out of the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen in 2023 and had a 3.69 ERA (5.84 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with a save, 20 walks and 23 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings pitched. In his two big-league seasons with the Reds, he has a 4.19 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 23 walks and 25 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings. Jensen was claimed on waivers by the Twins in early January but could be on the move again if he's released or claimed by another club.

Minnesota Twins corner infielder Jose Miranda (shoulder) had scar tissue removed from his labrum and rotator cuff on Oct. 4 and was given a timeline of three to four months and feels "pretty good." He's currently hitting off a machine and started throwing two weeks ago. "There are some days it feels good, some days it feels so-so," Miranda said. His expectation would be to start playing as a DH in spring training and eventually work his way to the field. The 25-year-old was able to clean up his swing mechanics after the surgery and has liked how he's been feeling. Shortstop Carlos Correa saw video of Miranda's hitting sessions and was impressed. The Puerto Rican infielder impressed with 15 homers in his rookie season in 2022 but played in just 40 games due to injury last year. When healthy, the Twins could ease him in as a platoon option at first base next to Alex Kirilloff (shoulder), who also has health questions.

Minnesota Twins first baseman/outfielder Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) said he's starting to ramp up after beginning to hit earlier in January, and his goal is to be ready for live at-bats next month and to play when spring training games kick off on Feb. 23. The labrum surgery he had in October to his right shoulder was far less invasive than he and the Twins expected. If Kirilloff or Jose Miranda (shoulder) are behind schedule, the Twins could look to Kyle Farmer and Edouard Julien to play first base. But if Kirilloff can finally stay healthy, he projects to be Minnesota's starting first baseman in 2024. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger didn't debut until May in 2023 due to a wrist injury that required surgery. He's shown enough power in the minors to be worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts in hopes that he can finally stay healthy and put it all together in the majors.

The Boston Red Sox have designated reliever Zack Weiss for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Romy Gonzalez, who the club claimed off waivers from the White Sox on Wednesday. Weiss split the 2023 season between the Angels and Red Sox, working to a solid 3.21 ERA across 12 outings and 14 innings of work. His 3.95 SIERA more or less supported his solid work, but it is worth nothing he posted a minuscule .156 BABIP that will regress, while he yielded four home runs in 14 frames, good for an elevated 2.57 HR/9 clip. Weiss also posted a rough 6.03 ERA in 30 outings with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate before a move to the Red Sox a season ago. His work in the big leagues last season should generate some interest leading up to spring training.