Twins Claim Vidal Bruján, Designate Mickey Gasper as Roster Shuffle Continues
The Minnesota Twins made another depth-oriented roster move on Wednesday afternoon, claiming utilityman Vidal Bruján off waivers from the Atlanta Braves organization. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated Mickey Gasper for assignment, continuing a series of marginal but meaningful adjustments as the front office looks to stabilize roster flexibility.
While this transaction may not grab headlines, it reflects a familiar Twins strategy: targeting versatile players with defensive flexibility who can move around the diamond and provide coverage across multiple positions.
Who Is Vidal Bruján?
Vidal Bruján is a 27-year-old switch-hitting utility player who has already traveled a winding road through Major League Baseball.
Since debuting in 2021, Bruján has appeared in 261 MLB games across five organizations, including stints with:
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Tampa Bay Rays (2021–2023)
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Miami Marlins (2024)
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Chicago Cubs (2025)
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Baltimore Orioles (2025)
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Atlanta Braves (2025)
During the 2025 season alone, Bruján played 61 major league games, bouncing between three teams as clubs looked to leverage his positional versatility.
From a performance standpoint, Bruján’s offensive numbers remain modest. Over his MLB career, he has posted a slash line of:
.199 / .267 / .276 (.543 OPS)
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26 doubles
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2 triples
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5 home runs
Those numbers do not suggest impact offense. However, Bruján’s value has never been tied primarily to his bat.
Defensive Versatility Is Bruján’s Calling Card
What makes Bruján intriguing — and why teams continue to cycle him through waivers — is his extreme positional flexibility.
At the major league level, Bruján has logged time at nearly every position except catcher:
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Second base: 84 games
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Shortstop: 56 games
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Third base: 36 games
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Right field: 41 games
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Center field: 17 games
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Left field: 10 games
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First base: 1 game (⅓ inning)
He has even pitched, throwing 3⅔ innings across four appearances, underscoring just how versatile managers have been willing to use him.
For the Twins, who often rely on roster flexibility due to injuries and matchup-based lineups, this type of profile fits a familiar mold.
Speed Without Efficiency
Bruján’s athleticism is another part of the equation. He possesses above-average speed and has attempted to impact games on the bases.
However, his results there have been mixed.
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16 stolen bases
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15 times caught stealing
While the raw speed exists, the lack of efficiency limits how much value he can generate as a baserunner. That said, the Twins have historically been willing to bet on athletic players and attempt to refine decision-making and execution.
Why the Twins Made the Move
This transaction should be viewed less as a statement and more as a depth play.
The Twins are not acquiring Bruján to be an everyday starter. Instead, he offers:
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Coverage at multiple infield and outfield positions
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Switch-hitting capability
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Speed off the bench
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Short-term roster flexibility
For a team navigating injuries, off-days, and matchup-heavy stretches of the schedule, having a player who can plug multiple holes without burning additional roster spots is valuable.
Bruján will also turn 28 next month, meaning he is no longer a prospect but still young enough to potentially benefit from stability and consistent usage.
Mickey Gasper Designated for Assignment
To make room for Bruján, the Twins designated Mickey Gasper for assignment.
Gasper was acquired by Minnesota in a Christmas Eve trade last offseason from the Boston Red Sox, with the Twins sending reliever Jovani Moran the other way.
Gasper’s MLB results with Minnesota were limited:
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45 games played in 2025
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.158 / .257 / .232 slash line (.488 OPS)
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1 double, 2 home runs
While Gasper struggled in the majors, his performance at Triple-A St. Paul told a different story.
In 47 games with the Saints, Gasper posted an impressive:
.285 / .385 / .531 (.915 OPS)
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14 doubles
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10 home runs
That contrast highlights a recurring challenge for fringe MLB players — excelling in Triple-A does not always translate to consistent major league production.
What Happens Next for Gasper?
Being designated for assignment does not necessarily mean the end of Gasper’s time in the Twins organization.
The Twins now have several options:
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Trade Gasper
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Place him on waivers
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Outright him to Triple-A (if he clears waivers and accepts)
Given his strong minor league production and catcher/utility profile, it is possible another organization could take a chance on him — or that the Twins retain him as depth.
Evaluating the Twins Front Office Strategy
Moves like this often spark debate among fans.
On one side, critics may argue that cycling through fringe utility players reflects a lack of ambition or creativity. On the other, supporters will note that championship rosters are built on depth, not just stars.
The Twins front office continues to prioritize:
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Roster flexibility
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Positional versatility
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Cost-controlled depth
Claiming Bruján fits squarely within that philosophy.
While Bruján’s offensive ceiling appears limited, his ability to move seamlessly between positions could prove useful over the long grind of a season — especially if injuries strike or if the Twins need to maximize matchup advantages.
Final Thoughts
The addition of Vidal Bruján is unlikely to change the Twins’ trajectory on its own. However, it represents a low-risk move aimed at improving roster flexibility while maintaining optionality.
Bruján’s glove, speed, and versatility give the Twins another tool to manage their bench and cover multiple positions without making larger commitments.
Whether he sticks in Minnesota longer than his previous stops remains to be seen — but for now, the Twins are betting that versatility still matters.
