When asked if first base would be a position the Minnesota Twins want to prioritize in free agency or the trade market this offseason, President of Baseball and Business Operations Derek Falvey’s answer was a mixed bag. As anticipated, the top executive sang praises for the club’s post-deadline primary starting first baseman, stating, “Kody Clemens was a huge, you know, value add for us last year…We want to give Kody a lot of runway at (first base) too, because he was really a, he was a special fit for us last year.”

 Unsurprisingly, Falvey also suggested the club could add a right-handed hitting first base option to complement Clemens. Yet, what came as a surprise was his comments on the club’s other internal options, including a once highly-touted prospect Twins Territory has understandably soured on: “I think (first base is) an area where we’re going to hope that there’s a few guys internally that we’ve asked to continue to grow and develop there. Eddie Julien got some time there, and, you know, we’ll continue to get a little more work.” 

Despite operating as Clemens’s primary backup at first base post-Trade Deadline (appearing in 26 games at the position), Falvey’s inclusion of Edouard Julien comes as a surprise given how poorly the 26-year-old has performed since his breakout 2023 rookie campaign, wherein he posted a 134 wRC+ over 408 plate appearances. Sporting a significantly worse 80 wRC+ over a combined 509 plate appearances, while being one of the worst qualified defenders in baseball the past two seasons, those who follow the Twins believed the once-beloved French Canadian was a candidate to be removed from the organization’s 40-man roster this winter. 

Falvey’s comments all but bury that notion, and barring Minnesota signing a cost-effective right-handed hitting first base option (a decision that would make this analysis moot), Julien is presently slated to enter next season as Clemens’s primary backup. Obviously, entering a 162-game season with two defensively deficient, same-handed hitting Quad-A players as the only options at first base (an offense-first position, mind you) is an unideal outcome.

One could justifiably critique Falvey for naming Julien as an option at first base, citing that the organization has handed the 26-year-old too long a leash after two consecutive seasons of subpar (and, at times, destructive) play in the field and at the plate. Yet, given the significant spending restrictions ownership has imposed on the front office, team decision-makers have both hands tied behind their back, with Kyler Fedko and Aaron Sabato being the only other internal candidates with experience at first base in the high minors. 

Fedko and Sabato, however, aren’t MLB-caliber contributors. That being the case, Falvey named Julien because he is the only other option. Again,  Clemens and Julien’s redundant offensive profiles make them subpar platoon partners. However, since Julien can play second base (and start at designated hitter) and Clemens could mix between second base and both corner outfield spots, the two left-handed bats could co-exist as a versatile tandem who fill in at first base out of necessity. 

Julien is out of minor league options. That being the case, he would need to pass through waivers before being outrighted to Triple-A. Despite his below-replacement-level performance in 2024 and 2025, a club would be justified in taking a chance on the left-handed-hitting bat, given his exceptional rookie campaign. Minnesota is justified in keeping Julien on the 40-man roster and not risking losing him to waivers before next season. However, if he struggles in April, team decision-makers should be quick to pull the plug. Unfortunately, given how shallow Minnesota’s MLB-ready position player pool is, Julien’s leash will likely be longer than deserved. 

Twins Daily’s John Bonnes contributed to the reporting in this piece.

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