The Minnesota Twins acquired first baseman Eric Wagaman from the Miami Marlins in exchange for a minor‑league pitcher.
The Minnesota Twins continue to reshape their roster as the MLB offseason rolls on, looking for ways to add depth and balance ahead of spring training. After a 2025 campaign that saw the club lean heavily on its young core while still searching for consistency, the front office has made it clear that every move this winter is about building a roster capable of competing in the AL Central.
The Twins have prioritized versatility and roster flexibility, particularly at positions where they lacked right-handed options. First base and the corner outfield spots have been areas of focus, as Minnesota has sought to complement its left-handed bats with players who can provide matchup advantages against left-handed pitching.
The team’s bench construction has been a storyline all offseason, with decisions looming about how to balance power, defense, and the blend of lefties and righties. In that context, the Twins turned to the Miami Marlins on Friday to find a potential fit.
Minnesota acquired first baseman Eric Wagaman from Miami in exchange for left-handed pitcher Kade Bragg. To clear room for Wagaman on the 40-man roster, the team designated infielder Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment.
Wagaman is viewed primarily as a depth piece but could push for a role on the Opening Day roster. A right-handed hitter, he has shown flashes of offensive production in limited opportunities, including a stretch in 2025 where he posted a .268 batting average, .319 on-base percentage and .744 OPS across 54 appearances in the second half. While his overall career numbers are modest, the Twins likely see potential value in deploying him as a platoon option.
Defensively, Wagaman was neutral at first base last season, which may be enough for Minnesota to work with. The Twins have a strong track record of improving average defenders at the position, turning Carlos Santana and Ty France into Gold Glove-caliber players in recent years after they joined the organization.
That history suggests Wagaman could benefit from the same development. It is also worth noting that Josh Bell, another option at first base, has struggled defensively. Given those circumstances, it would not be surprising if Wagaman earns starts at first base against left-handed pitching.
Overall, the move is not expected to be a major game changer, but it reflects Minnesota’s strategy of finding undervalued pieces who can fill specific roles. Wagaman provides insurance and depth, and while expectations should remain modest, there is a strong chance he will see plenty of at-bats in a Twins uniform this season.