1 last-minute signing Twins must make before spring training

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The Minnesota Twins’ spring training roster points to a familiar conclusion as February arrives. Minnesota has reached the final days before camp opens with a roster that looks competitive on paper but structurally exposed where it matters most. A missed free-agent opportunity has left questions about outfield depth unresolved, and the lack of a dependable right-handed bat only sharpens those concerns. Pitchers and catchers report in mid-February, and the margin for error in the AL Central is thin. The Twins are good enough to contend but not balanced enough to withstand the way modern games are managed late.

One move remains available to close that gap, and it is a move the front office cannot afford to delay.

Minnesota enters spring training with a lineup that leans heavily to the left side. That reality shapes every matchup the Twins will face in April, May, and eventually October. Opposing managers see it clearly. They can load the bullpen with left-handed relievers, wait for leverage innings, and force Minnesota’s most important hitters into unfavorable spots.

The Twins’ spring training roster promptly brings the issue to light. Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach bring power, but both carry pronounced splits against left-handed pitching. Edouard Julien, long valued for his elite eye, struggled badly against left-handers, posting a 76 OPS+ during a disappointing 2025 before Minnesota ended the experiment and moved him after the season. Other internal options offer limited resistance against premium southpaws, forcing the Twins to accept statistical disadvantages against divisional aces and late-inning specialists.

That flaw becomes more dangerous when viewed through the lens of the AL Central. The Detroit Tigers can deploy left-handed starters like Tarik Skubal. The Cleveland Guardians mix matchups relentlessly. Even rebuilding clubs can exploit a predictable lineup. Another right-handed bat for the Twins is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. Without that counterbalance, Minnesota risks playing entire series at a matchup disadvantage, allowing opponents to dictate bullpen usage and late-game decisions before the first pitch is even thrown.

The Twins free-agent signing that once made the most sense is no longer available, and the team has already missed out on Austin Hays. He agreed to a deal with the Chicago White Sox on January 31, with the signing officially announced on Wednesday. The move mattered beyond the contract itself. It removed the clearest right-handed outfield solution from the market and sent a message within the division. Chicago addressed a need while Minnesota waited.

The Twins’ outfield depth remains incomplete, and the remaining options grow thinner by the day. Standing pat now would leave the roster dependent on internal depth that is not built for immediate pressure. That is why Randal Grichuk represents the last logical answer.

The Twins do not need an everyday star. They need a role-specific solution that changes how opponents manage games against them. Grichuk fits that requirement precisely. His career production against left-handed pitching sits near or above an .800 OPS, a profile that immediately alters late-inning strategy. He brings right-handed power that forces opposing managers to hesitate before deploying lefty relievers against the heart of the order.

From a roster construction standpoint, the fit is clean. Grichuk does not block development. He complements it. He can start against left-handed pitching, rotate through the corner outfield or designated hitter role, and provide a late-game option off the bench. That flexibility strengthens the Twins’ outfield depth without forcing unnecessary everyday commitments.

With the organization’s reality in mind, the move aligns financially. A one-year deal preserves payroll flexibility while addressing the most obvious weakness on the roster. Under new general manager Jeremy Zoll, following Derek Falvey’s departure on January 30, the arrangement is the type of efficient, low-risk decision that signals competence rather than caution.

The difference between a balanced lineup and a vulnerable one often appears in the first two weeks of the season. April losses count the same as September losses, and early exposure can shape a division race before it begins. The Twins cannot afford to spot opponents an advantage every time a left-hander appears on the mound.

In October, the problem grows sharper. Playoff baseball magnifies matchups. A lineup that struggles against left-handed pitching becomes predictable, and predictable teams exit early. The Twins have experienced that reality before, often watching opponents dictate matchups when games matter most. This move directly addresses it.

Waiting now risks losing the final viable option on the market. It also risks sending the wrong message under new leadership about urgency and direction. The roster is close, but close does not win divisions or postseason series. Precision does.

The Twins are one decision away from entering spring training with a roster that can withstand matchup pressure rather than succumb to it. Grichuk is not a headline signing. He is a stabilizing one, and those are often the moves that matter most. Minnesota should not allow a correctable flaw to linger into camp. The solution is available. The fit is clear. The cost is manageable. The Twins must act before spring training begins.

1 last-minute signing Twins must make before spring training

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