Twins agree to terms with six arbitration-eligible players, all but Nick Gordon
The Twins agreed to terms with six of their seven-arbitration-eligible players — all but utilityman Nick Gordon — on Thursday, ahead of Major League Baseball’s arbitration deadline.
That group includes infielder Kyle Farmer, utilityman Willi Castro, catcher Ryan Jeffers, first baseman Alex Kirilloff and relievers Caleb Thielbar and Jorge Alcala. The Twins tendered all of them contracts in November. Now, they’ve worked out the financials on those deals.
Farmer, set to make $6.05 million in 2024, will earn the most of the group. The Twins also added a mutual option to Farmer’s deal for the 2025 season for $6.25 million. If the Twins decline the mutual option, they would owe him a $250,000 buyout.
The Twins worked out a deal with an option for Alcala, as well. The reliever, who was injured for much of last season, will earn $790,000 this upcoming season. The club holds a $1.5 million option for 2025, or they could buy him out for $55,000.
Thielbar, who was arbitration-eligible for the final time, will earn a bump to $3.225 million after posting a 3.23 earned-run average across 30 2/3 innings last year.
Catcher Ryan Jeffers will make $2.425 million. Jeffers had a productive season behind the plate for the Twins, posting a 3.3 bWAR (Wins Above Replacement per Baseball Reference) while hitting .276 and matching his career-high with 14 home runs in 96 games.
Castro, who played his way into an important role after signing a minor league deal last offseason, will make $3.30 million in the upcoming season, and Kirilloff, coming off of shoulder surgery, will make $1.35 million.
The Twins could wind up heading to arbitration with Gordon, who missed most of last season after fouling a ball off his leg and fracturing his tibia in May. Per ESPN, Gordon requested $1.25 million and the Twins countered at $900,000.