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The Minnesota Twins continued reshaping their roster ahead of the 2026 season with a targeted move aimed at improving depth along the corner infield. On Friday, the Twins acquired first baseman Eric Wagaman<\/strong> from the Miami Marlins<\/strong> in exchange for minor-league left-handed reliever Kade Bragg<\/strong>, a deal that reflects Minnesota\u2019s focus on versatility, roster flexibility, and incremental upgrades rather than splashy moves.<\/p>\n To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated infielder Ryan Fitzgerald<\/strong> for assignment, signaling a willingness to shuffle the back end of the roster as the front office fine-tunes its depth chart.<\/p>\n While the trade may not dominate national headlines, it represents a calculated move by the Twins \u2014 one that could pay dividends over the course of a long season.<\/p>\n At 28 years old, Eric Wagaman joins the Twins following his first full Major League season, which he spent with the Marlins in 2025. Wagaman appeared in 140 games<\/strong>, serving primarily as Miami\u2019s everyday first baseman while also logging innings at multiple positions.<\/p>\n Over 514 plate appearances<\/strong>, Wagaman posted a .250\/.296\/.378 slash line<\/strong>, collecting:<\/p>\n 119 hits<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 28 doubles<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3 triples<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 9 home runs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 53 RBIs<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 56 runs scored<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n He finished the year with 180 total bases<\/strong>, a .674 OPS<\/strong>, and an 85 wRC+<\/strong>, numbers that place him slightly below league average offensively but solid for a role player or platoon option. He also added modest value on the bases, stealing four bases in five attempts<\/strong>, and grounded into 11 double plays<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While Wagaman is not a power-first bat, his production stabilized as the season progressed \u2014 a trend that did not go unnoticed by Minnesota\u2019s front office.<\/p>\n One of the most encouraging aspects of Wagaman\u2019s 2025 campaign was how he performed down the stretch.<\/p>\n In September<\/strong>, Wagaman hit an impressive .328<\/strong> over 61 at-bats<\/strong>, showing improved contact quality and consistency. Expanding the sample further, from August 1 through the end of the season<\/strong>, he posted a .291\/.341\/.472<\/strong> slash line across 138 plate appearances<\/strong>, with 13 extra-base hits<\/strong> during that span.<\/p>\n Those numbers suggest Wagaman made tangible adjustments at the plate, becoming more effective against both velocity and breaking pitches \u2014 an important development for a hitter entering his late 20s.<\/p>\n Additionally, Wagaman has demonstrated relative success against left-handed pitching. Over his career, he owns a .267\/.302\/.429<\/strong> slash line in 202 plate appearances<\/strong> versus southpaws, compared to more modest results against right-handers. That split could make him particularly useful in a platoon role.<\/p>\n Defensively, Wagaman profiles as a versatile corner player. During the 2025 season, he:<\/p>\n Started 94 games at first base<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Logged limited time in left field<\/strong>, right field<\/strong>, and third base<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Appeared at designated hitter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This positional flexibility is valuable for a Twins roster that already features multiple left-handed bats and veteran corner options. While Wagaman is unlikely to supplant Josh Bell<\/strong> as the primary first baseman, his ability to move around the diamond gives manager Rocco Baldelli additional lineup flexibility.<\/p>\n Minnesota recently signed Bell to a one-year, $7 million contract<\/strong>, and Bell is expected to receive regular playing time. Wagaman projects as a complementary piece \u2014 capable of spelling Bell, facing left-handed pitching, or filling in at multiple positions when injuries arise.<\/p>\n Wagaman\u2019s journey to the Twins has been anything but linear.<\/p>\n Originally drafted by the New York Yankees<\/strong> in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB Draft<\/strong>, Wagaman spent several seasons in their minor league system but never cracked the big-league roster. In December 2023, he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels<\/strong> in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft<\/strong>.<\/p>\n That move ultimately led to his MLB debut in September 2024<\/strong>, when he appeared in 18 games<\/strong> for the Angels, primarily at third base. After being designated for assignment, Wagaman elected free agency, signed with the Marlins, and finally secured consistent playing time in 2025.<\/p>\n Ironically, Miami designated him for assignment again in late December as they retooled their roster \u2014 opening the door for Minnesota to acquire him at a modest cost.<\/p>\n In exchange for Wagaman, the Twins sent Kade Bragg<\/strong>, a 24-year-old left-handed reliever selected in the 17th round of the 2023 MLB Draft<\/strong>, to Miami.<\/p>\n Bragg\u2019s professional career has been slowed by injury, as he missed most of the 2024 season. However, he returned healthy in 2025 and pitched across three minor-league levels:<\/p>\n Low-A Fort Myers<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n High-A Cedar Rapids<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Double-A Wichita<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Across 67 1\/3 innings<\/strong>, Bragg posted:<\/p>\n 2.94 ERA<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3.73 FIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 82 strikeouts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 6 home runs allowed<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Bragg showed the ability to miss bats and limit damage, traits that likely appealed to the Marlins as they continue rebuilding their pitching pipeline. While he is not considered a top-tier prospect, his left-handed profile gives him a realistic path to the majors as a bullpen option.<\/p>\n To complete the transaction, Minnesota designated Ryan Fitzgerald<\/strong> for assignment.<\/p>\n Fitzgerald, 31, made his MLB debut during the 2025 season, appearing in 24 games<\/strong> at the major league level. While his big-league production was limited, he performed well at Triple-A<\/strong>, posting a .837 OPS<\/strong> and 119 wRC+<\/strong> across 59 games<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Twins now have a limited window to either trade Fitzgerald or place him on waivers. His offensive production at Triple-A could make him an attractive depth option for another organization.<\/p>\n From a broader perspective, this deal aligns neatly with the Twins\u2019 roster-building strategy.<\/p>\n Minnesota:<\/p>\n Adds a major-league-ready corner bat<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Improves depth without sacrificing top prospects<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Gains positional flexibility<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Takes a low-risk flyer on a player trending upward late in the season<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Wagaman may not be a star, but players of his profile often play meaningful roles over a 162-game schedule. Injuries, platoon matchups, and rest days make depth essential, especially for a team hoping to contend in a competitive American League Central.<\/p>\n The Twins\u2019 acquisition of Eric Wagaman is a subtle but smart move \u2014 one that reinforces the importance of depth and versatility in modern roster construction. While Wagaman is unlikely to be an everyday centerpiece, his recent offensive surge, defensive flexibility, and experience across multiple organizations make him a valuable addition.<\/p>\n For Minnesota, the cost was minimal. For Wagaman, the trade represents another opportunity to carve out a lasting role in the majors. As the 2026 season approaches, this type of under-the-radar move could prove more impactful than it initially appears.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Twins Strengthen Corner Infield Depth by Acquiring Eric Wagaman From Marlins The Minnesota Twins continued reshaping their roster ahead of the 2026 season with a targeted move… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":133807,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nEric Wagaman Brings Experience and Versatility to Minnesota<\/h2>\n
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\nStrong Finish to the Season Boosted His Value<\/h2>\n
\nDefensive Flexibility Fits the Twins\u2019 Roster Philosophy<\/h2>\n
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\nA Long and Winding Path to Minnesota<\/h2>\n
\nTwins Part With Reliever Kade Bragg<\/h2>\n
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\nRyan Fitzgerald Designated for Assignment<\/h2>\n
\nWhy This Trade Makes Sense for Minnesota<\/h2>\n
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\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n