Failed Twins Experiment is Back in the AL Central

The Minnesota Twins have just three spring training games remaining, before they’ll fly to Missouri’s eastern border for Opening Day on Thursday March 27 vs the St. Louis Cardinals. While the Twins haven’t cut their manpower down to 26 players just yet, manager Rocco Baldelli is getting increasingly close to finalizing the roster for later this week.

Most of the same faces will be in the starting lineup later this week. Barring any unforeseen injuries or circumstances in the next three days, Carlos Correa will be at shortstop, Byron Buxton in center field and Pablo Lopez on the bump. But the final roster will have some new faces too.

Manuel Margot’s no good, very bad year with the Minnesota Twins…

One player from the 2024 team that Minnesota Twins fans don’t have to worry about in 2025 is failed outfield experiment Manuel Margot. Last offseason, then 29-year-old Margot signed with the Twins as their fourth outfielder.

The Twins were forced to play Margot in 129 games last season, and it did not go well. He finished the season with a .238 batting average and .626 OPS, both by far the worst numbers of his career, as was his -0.9 bWAR.

Related: MN Twins Opening Day Roster Starting to Take Shape

Not only was Margot’s offensive performance underwhelming, but so was his defense, which was particularly disappointing. To add some nightmare fuel, Margot set a new MLB record, going 0-for-35 in pinch hit appearances in 2024.

F it here’s every Manuel Margot pinch hit plate appearance in 2024 https://t.co/qK8uOojBzA pic.twitter.com/1HWSvnq5ev

— Greggory (@greggtmasterson) September 6, 2024

Thus, it was no surprise when the Minnesota Twins showed zero interest in bringing Manuel Margot back for 2025. Instead, he had to settle for a spring training camp invite with the Milwaukee Brewers. On Sunday, the Brewers cut Margot. Fortunately for the nine-year MLB veteran, the American League Central came calling yet again.

Margot finds new AL Central team — the Detroit Tigers

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic), Manuel Margot packed his stuff up down in Phoenix, AZ, where the Brewers hold the spring training, and boarded a plane due for Lakeland, FL, where Detroit Tigers facilities are located. Per Cody Stavenhagen (The Athletic), Margot is signing an MLB contract with the Tigers, meaning he’ll be on their Opening Day roster.

Outfielder Manuel Margot, released by the Brewers, is headed to the Tigers, sources tell @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 23, 2025

Manuel Margot's contract with the Tigers is a major-league deal, per source

— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) March 23, 2025

Margot was brought last offseason, to take the place of Michael A. Taylor, who proved to be the perfect outfield addition for a 2023 MN Twins team that won its first playoff series in nearly 20 years. Unfortunately, Margot’s signing did not produce (.238/.289/.337) anywhere near the results that Taylor’s one season at Target Field did.

Taylor ended up playing 129 games for that 2023 squad, including 123 appearances in center field, due to Buxton’s poor physical health that summer. Taylor responded with one of the best seasons of his career, producing a .720 OPS while playing a high-caliber center field. In 2023, Michael A. Taylor produced a total 1.9 bWAR, good for eighth-best on the team.

Related: Minnesota Twins Pitcher to Begin Season on Injured List

In 2025, the Minnesota Twins have moved onto their third extra outfielder in three years, 30-year-old veteran Harrison Bader, who profiles much like the other two did. He has a career .242 batting average and .698 OPS. He’s coming off a down year (.236/.284/.373) with the Mets in which he played more than ever before (143 games).