The Minnesota Twins continue to experience a quiet offseason marked by the departure of low-level free agents, with the latest loss being to the Atlanta Braves. Despite the team’s desire for significant additions following the conclusion of the season, Minnesota has faced a notable player exodus coupled with a reduced payroll, leaving fans hungry for substantial news. The recent departure is Jordan Luplow, who, having spent the second half of the season with the Twins, signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves this week, marking his fourth team in two years. Although Luplow’s departure doesn’t constitute a significant loss, as he was released at the season’s end as part of the cost-cutting measures, the optics of continually seeing former players sign elsewhere are somewhat frustrating.
While Luplow had a relatively brief stint with the Twins, his productivity was modest. Despite posting the fourth-highest batting average of his career, it amounted to .206/.315/.349 in 73 plate appearances with Minnesota. His impact late in the season didn’t secure him a spot on the postseason roster, as he was omitted from both the AL Wild Card and ALDS roster in October.
The silver lining lies in the fact that, despite the ongoing trend of losing more players than acquiring in free agency, only a handful of departures, such as Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, and Emilio Pagán, have been particularly challenging for Twins fans. Noteworthy losses also include Dylan Floro and Andrew Stevenson, a notable feat considering the higher-profile free agents the Twins have available. Interestingly, players like Donovan Solano and Michael A. Taylor remain unsigned, with the Twins not actively pursuing their return, acknowledging the limited market for these players.
In essence, while Luplow was a decent player, his move to the Braves is more about the optics surrounding the Twins’ offseason than its actual impact on the team’s roster.
