Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
It has been a slow offseason for the Minnesota Twins and they have yet to make significant moves to help a depleted bullpen. Josh Bell is the only significant offensive addition, and Eric Orze represents the lone relief boost.
There is just over a month until pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers for Spring Training. Ideally Derek Falvey will have rounded out the roster by that point. He added more hitting help to ring in the new year.
Eric Wagaman gives Twins another first baseman
Josh Bell was tabbed the latest Minnesota Twins first baseman after Ty France won a Gold Glove after being traded to Toronto. He’s a switch-hitter, but Derek Shelton’s lineup could still use more right-handed thump. Falvey determined that Eric Wagaman could be an option there.
#MNTwins acquired RHH 1B Eric Wagaman from Miami in exchange for minor league LHP Kade Bragg. Twins DFA Ryan Fitzgerald to make space on 40-man roster.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) January 2, 2026
Wagaman was a 13th round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2017 MLB Draft. He debuted as a 26-year-old in 2024 with the Los Angeles Angels. Last season with Miami was his first as a regular. The Marlins DFA’d Wagaman after acquiring Esteury Ruiz to end 2025.
The Marlins played Wagaman in 140 games. He primarily spent time at first base, but was in left field for 19 games as well. In 514 plate appearances Wagaman slashed .250/.296/.378 (86 OPS+). He had 28 doubles, three triples, and nine home runs.
🎶 hit us a bomb, you’re the wagaman 🎶 pic.twitter.com/LmrTKdeS7E
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) August 17, 2025
Kade Bragg was a 17th round pick by the Twins in 2023. He threw 67 1/3 innings last year and topped out at Double-A. In 22 1/3 innings for the Wind Surge, Bragg owned a 3.22 ERA with an 8.5 K/9. The left-handed reliever has both high strikeout and walk rates in the minors.
Ryan Fitzgerald made his big league debut last season with the Twins. He was a feel good story after playing 708 minor league games and seeing the big leagues for the first time at 31 years old. Fitzgerald launched four homers and played a capable shortstop for Minnesota, but was unlikely to have a path towards a roster spot this season.
How does Wagaman fit for the MN Twins?
Against lefties Wagaman slashed .283/.321/.462 and hit five of his nine home runs. Given Josh Bell batted just .151/.250/.302 against lefties last year, it stands to reason that Minnesota could simply be looking at the pair as a platoon option.
Neither player will threaten to land the Minnesota Twins a third-straight Gold Glove. Wagaman is not a butcher at first base though, while Bell is basically a bat-only player.
It remains to be seen how the MN Twins will round out their 26-man roster. The payroll still is trending towards being just barely over $100 million for 2026.
Mentioned in this article: Eric Wagaman Kade Bragg Ryan Fitzgerald
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