Like first base, where the Twins might be looking for a new starter with the unexpected retirement of Alex Kirilloff and the possible loss of Carlos Santana in free agency, they also have a question at second base. It’s a different question, though, as the Twins have several internal options they can turn to at the position.

At second base, the Twins must figure out how they will divvy the time between a handful of infielders, most of whom have some positional flexibility and can bounce around the infield.

2024 recap

After a strong rookie season in 2023, Edouard Julien began the 2024 season as the Twins’ starting second baseman. His sophomore campaign did not go quite to plan. Julien was up and down between Triple-A and the majors in 2024 and his numbers took a hit broadly across the board.

It’s safe to wonder how he will fit into the Twins’ plans moving forward, particularly if he is limited to second base. The Twins had him play some first base and he was the designated hitter a fair amount, but he’s primarily been at second since he debuted.

When he was sent down, utilityman Willi Castro took over there. Castro did a fair amount of moving around the diamond but also played 40 games at second base, most coming in June and July.

Kyle Farmer played the second-most innings at the position behind Julien in 2024, but after two years with the Twins, he is now a free agent after the team declined its end of his mutual option.

Later in the season, the Twins called up Brooks Lee, one of their top prospects. Lee, a solid defender, bounced from second and third and played shortstop while Carlos Correa was injured in the season’s second half.

The Twins also experimented with third baseman Royce Lewis at second late in the season. Lewis was not shy about voicing his concerns over learning a new position at that point of the season and expressed publicly his preference to not play there.

2025 outlook

Lewis and Lee should factor into the Twins’ plans for years to come, but where exactly they’ll fit is the question.

While Lewis certainly has more experience playing third base than he does second, Lee is considered the better defensive third baseman of the two. He’s also considered the better second baseman. That said, the Twins will have to decide whether to test Lewis at second again or just leave him be at third.

There’s also a question of how Julien fits into these plans. It’s worth noting all three struggled offensively down the stretch.

Castro should be back (unless the Twins decide to trade him to shed some salary), and he could see some time at second base again as needed. He likely would not be the first option there as the Twins prefer to move him around, but he’s certainly capable of playing the position when called upon.