Twins Roster Artists Stay Creative by Adding Manuel Margot to Outfield
Rather than re-signing Michael A. Taylor or bringing in Adam Duvall, the Twins took the unconventional route to fill their fourth outfielder slot
If the collection of Minnesota Twins offseason transactions were a painting, it would come in the form of a puzzle.
The pieces appear to fit. But is it art?
The moves made by Derek Falvey and Thad Levine might not seem like much when you glance at them individually. The Twins didn't enhance themselves with obvious star power in the wake of winning the AL Central, advancing in the playoffs for the first time in 21 years, and losing two of their starting pitchers among something like a third of their active roster to free agency or trade. They didn't make a big splash with an expensive free agent who could mash left-handed pitching and play the outfield. They didn't acquire a No. 2 starting pitcher to pair with right-hander Pablo López and replace All-Star and Cy Young runner-up Sonny Gray. They didn't even use their hefty prospect capital to cover more immediate needs.
But if you step back and look at the overall picture, the Twins' paint-by-numbers style might work.
The most recent addition, outfielder Manuel Margot, is probably the team's last big move before Opening Day — and maybe before deadline trading season comes in July. But like other newcomers in the offseason, including first baseman Carlos Santana and pitchers Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Topa, Steven Okert, Josh Staumont and Jay Jackson, he fits into the team tapestry. The Twins already have superstars like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and López, along with another star-in-waiting, Royce Lewis. And one of the best closers in the sport, Jhoan Duran. They just weren't going to add another star right now. And they didn't need to. (They might need to add another starting pitcher later. They probably will.) But the Twins did add several effective players — above average players — if used the right way.
Margot's overall stats at the plate don't pop, and his results with the Rays in 2023 weren't his best, but at age 29 he should make great right-handed platoon complement for Matt Wallner in left field. Margot doesn't hit for big power but, like Santana, he avoids strikeouts better than most hitters Rocco Baldelli could pencil into the Twins lineup.
Margot historically has been strong against left-handed pitching, posting a career line there of .281/.341/.420 with 14 home runs, 51 doubles and 72 walks in 877 plate appearances since he debuted in 2016. Those results, when adjusted, are nearly 20 percent better than league average, per Baseball-Reference. The Twins needed another good hitter against left-handed pitching. Overall, the Twins in 2023 ranked fifth in adjusted OPS against righties, but only 19th against lefties. Margot allows Wallner to avoid left-handed pitching, against which he hit .119/.196/.286 as a rookie. Put 'em together, it's a really good left-fielder — if Wallner keeps mashing against righties. Like, potentially, the combination of Santana and Alex Kirilloff at first base.
As for defense, Margot also has shown great range since entering the league, ranking 13th at Fielding Bible with 37 total runs saved among all active players in the outfield. (Incidentally, Byron Buxton ranks fourth on that list with 61 total runs saved, and Max Kepler ranks eighth.) Like with his hitting, the metrics on Margot's defense (using some sources) were mixed/below average for him in '23. But his Outs Above Average at Statcast was in the 83rd percentile (with 100 being the best), and his sprint speed was in the 75th percentile. It's possible he was still getting over the effects of knee surgery, which he had in 2022 after crashing into the fence at midseason.
In the trade with the Dodgers, the Twins also swapped infield prospects and received cash to offset Margot's salary, so they only have to pay him $4 million for this season, and aren't on the hook for the buyout in his player option for 2025. Margot made sense for the Twins for reasons beside money, and stacks up well against the other realistic options. The Twins also reportedly looked at free-agent outfielders like Adam Duvall and Michael Taylor, and utility player Enríque Hernández, who ended up rejoining the Dodgers once the Margot deal appeared ready to happen. Margot is younger than all of them (including six years younger than Duvall). He's a more effective hitter against lefties than Duvall for his career. He doesn't have a better defensive resume than Taylor, but Taylor's results against lefties in '23 are likely too good to repeat. Taylor also wants (and deserves) a longer contract than the Twins should give him.
Margot fits the puzzle. He even completes it, for now. Come late July, we can take another step back and see if the canvas needs any more touch-ups.