MINNEAPOLIS — On Friday, in a significant roster shift, the Minnesota Twins opted not to exercise the contract extensions for infielder Kyle Farmer and outfielder Manuel Margot, thus making them free agents.
Rather than take on Farmer’s $6.25 million salary for the upcoming season, the Twins will instead pay a $250,000 buyout. This decision concludes his one-year contract, which had a total guarantee of $6.3 million.
As for Margot, his contract contained a mutual option worth $12 million, which also included a $2 million buyout, half of which is deferred. Margot had signed a two-year deal valued at $19 million.
Farmer, now 34 years old, struggled during the previous season, posting a career-low batting average of .214, alongside five home runs and 25 RBIs in 107 games. Throughout the year, he showcased his versatility by playing multiple infield positions—second base, shortstop, and third base—as well as making an appearance at first base and three times as a relief pitcher. His season was interrupted by a right shoulder strain that kept him out of action from July 10 to August 9.
Over his eight-season career, Farmer has compiled a batting average of .250, hitting 55 home runs and driving in 254 runs. He played previously with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017-18), the Cincinnati Reds (2019-22), and the Twins, who brought him on board in November 2022 in exchange for pitcher Casey Legumina.
Meanwhile, Margot, aged 30, finished the past season with a batting average of .238, along with four home runs and 31 RBIs. His journey in 2023 involved a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December, before he was dealt to the Twins in February.
Margot’s contract allowed for a $10 million salary, and in connection with the trade, the Dodgers agreed to cover $6 million of that amount on behalf of the Twins. Following the decision to decline the option, the Dodgers will remit an additional $2 million to Minnesota on December 1, 2026. This coincides with a payment of $2 million that the Dodgers will receive from Tampa Bay due to the option being turned down. The Rays had previously disbursed $2 million in August to Los Angeles.
With a total of nine years in Major League Baseball, Margot has maintained a batting average of .254, amassing 56 home runs, 314 RBIs, and stealing 96 bases during his tenures with the San Diego Padres (2016-19), the Rays, and the Twins.