Twins Trade Vidal Bruján to Mets for Cash After Brief Waiver Claim

The Minnesota Twins announced that they have traded infielder Vidal Bruján to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations, concluding a short and eventful stint with the organization. Bruján was designated for assignment by Minnesota just one day earlier after the Twins acquired utility player Tristan Gray from the Boston Red Sox.

The Mets have not yet formally announced the transaction and will need to make a corresponding move to clear space on their 40-man roster.

A Short Stay in Minnesota

Bruján is now on the move for the second time this offseason. He finished the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves but was designated for assignment earlier this winter. The Twins claimed him off waivers, only to reverse course weeks later as roster priorities shifted.

While Minnesota will recoup a small amount of cash in the deal, the move signals that the organization prefers Gray as a depth infielder. That decision appears to be driven as much by roster flexibility as on-field performance.

Bruján is out of minor league options, meaning he would have had to remain on the major league roster or be exposed to waivers again. Gray, on the other hand, can be optioned freely to Triple-A, giving the Twins more maneuverability as they shape their bench and depth chart.

Once a Top Prospect, Still Searching for a Role

A switch-hitter, Bruján was once regarded as one of the more intriguing prospects in the Tampa Bay Rays system, known for his speed, athleticism, and plate discipline. However, his offensive development has stalled at the major league level.

Across parts of five MLB seasons, Bruján owns a career slash line of .199/.267/.276 with just five home runs in 645 plate appearances. While he shows decent contact ability and an acceptable approach at the plate, he has struggled to make hard contact consistently, limiting his overall offensive impact.

Defensively, Bruján has experience at shortstop but is generally considered stretched at the position. He is better suited for second base or as a multi-position utility player, including time in the outfield. Though he was once viewed as a plus runner, Statcast graded his sprint speed as slightly below average last season, suggesting some decline from his prospect days.

Mets Add Depth, Not Certainty

The Mets’ interest in Bruján appears rooted in organizational need rather than expectation. New York recently thinned its infield depth by trading Luisangel Acuña to the Chicago White Sox as part of the deal for Luis Robert Jr. Bruján helps backfill that loss, at least in the short term.

That said, there is no guarantee he will stick on the Mets’ active roster. He profiles more as depth insurance than a lock for Opening Day, particularly given the team’s need to make a 40-man move to accommodate him.

Contract and Roster Implications

Bruján is eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career and agreed to a split contract with Atlanta in November. Under the deal, he would earn $850,000 at the major league level and $500,000 in the minors.

Because he is out of options, Bruján cannot be sent to the minors without first clearing waivers. Players with fewer than five years of MLB service time must forfeit their salary if they refuse an outright assignment, making it highly unlikely that Bruján would reject one given his above-average Triple-A pay rate.

As a result, the Mets will likely attempt to run him through waivers before Opening Day, with the hope that he clears and can remain in the organization as non-roster depth.

A Low-Risk Move for Both Sides

For the Twins, the trade finalizes a roster shuffle that prioritizes flexibility and cost control. For the Mets, it’s a low-risk acquisition that adds short-term infield depth without a long-term commitment.

Whether Bruján ultimately sticks in New York remains uncertain, but for now, his offseason journey continues—another chapter in the career of a former top prospect still searching for a stable role in the big leagues.