In a winter marked by unsatisfactory acquisitions due to artificial financial constraints, none has proven more disastrous for Minnesota than the acquisition of Manuel Margot. What went awry with this move, and when might the Twins contemplate replacing him?
One of the primary needs for the Twins during the offseason was finding a replacement for Michael A. Taylor, a right-handed outfielder capable of excelling against left-handed pitching and filling in for the frequently injured Byron Buxton in center field. Despite efforts to re-sign Taylor, negotiations fell through, leading the front office to opt for a trade for outfielder Manuel Margot.
Even at the time of the trade, the acquisition of Margot didn’t inspire much confidence. With a career OPS+ of 91 and coming off a lackluster 2023 season where his OPS stood at just .686, Margot’s signing seemed justified solely based on his potential to fill the Twins’ needs. His career OPS of .760 against left-handed pitchers, along with his proficiency on the basepaths and above-average defense, made him a seemingly suitable choice.
However, roughly six weeks into the season, Margot’s performance has been subpar by almost any measure. He currently holds a dismal 46 OPS+, with only two extra-base hits and an on-base percentage of .258. At 29 years old, Margot is experiencing career-low metrics in expected slugging percentage and average exit velocity, both of which rank near the bottom league-wide.
While Margot was primarily brought in to excel against left-handed pitching, his performance in that regard has also been underwhelming, with just a .685 OPS. Additionally, his contributions on the basepaths have been negligible, with only one stolen base compared to his average of 12 over the past seven seasons. Even more concerning is his significant decline in sprint speed, dropping from the 75th percentile in 2023 to the 50th percentile in 2024.
Furthermore, Margot’s usage and performance in the field have been frustrating. Despite the Twins’ need for a reliable center fielder in Buxton’s absence, Margot didn’t receive his first start in center until May 6. This suggests that he ranks at best fourth in line for center-field duties, behind Buxton, Austin Martin, and Willi Castro. This decision is perplexing considering Margot’s supposed ability to play center field was a key factor in prioritizing him over other options like Adam Duvall, who boasts an .868 OPS against lefties this season.
Even when playing in a corner outfield position, Margot’s defensive performance has been lackluster, evidenced by his -2 Outs Above Average, demonstrating poor range and a tendency to make egregious errors, as seen in the recent game against Boston.
#FreeErod #FreeKeirsey pic.twitter.com/S7ww9gpH6F
— CyLouie (@CyLouie__) May 5, 2024
The Twins face a challenging dilemma regarding Margot’s place on the roster. Most of the promising hitters in the organization are left-handed, whereas the team desperately needs a right-handed presence. Despite Margot’s poor performance across all aspects of the game, the Twins shouldn’t feel compelled to keep him solely because he bats from the right side.
Potential Replacements
If the Twins opt to explore alternatives to Margot, potential replacements could include:
– Tony Kemp, acquired on a minor-league deal, who offers versatility in both the infield and corner outfield positions.
– Matt Wallner, who has displayed improvement at Triple-A since being demoted.
– DaShawn Kiersey Jr., a highly regarded prospect with the Saints, although he bats left-handed, his .882 OPS for the season is promising.
The Margot acquisition has turned out to be a significant disappointment for the Twins. Whether they choose to wait for Royce Lewis’s return or make a move sooner, it’s crucial for the Twins to contemplate the possibility of moving on from this misstep and consider the potential implications.
