Twins Outright Five Players; Jose Miranda Elects Free Agency

The Minnesota Twins have shaken up their roster, officially parting ways with five players who’ve all chosen free agency. The team seems ready to rework its pitching depth and say goodbye to a once-promising young infielder.

From José Miranda’s injury-riddled career to the winding journeys of Génesis Cabrera, Anthony Misiewicz, Michael Tonkin, and Thomas Hatch, each exit tells its own story. Opportunity, performance, and the harsh reality of Major League Baseball run through each of their paths.

Twins Shake Up the Roster Ahead of 2026 Season

The offseason’s here, and every MLB team is scrambling to patch holes and gear up for the grind. The Twins outrighted five players from their 40-man roster—a move that feels both strategic and, frankly, necessary.

All five now hit the free-agent market, hoping for another shot somewhere in the big leagues.

José Miranda: From Rising Prospect to Uncertain Future

José Miranda’s departure stands out the most. Once a top-100 prospect, he burst onto the scene in 2022 with a smooth right-handed swing and real extra-base power.

But injuries—shoulder, back, you name it—slowed him down over the next three years. Fans and team officials alike have wondered if he’ll ever recapture that early spark. Miranda teased a comeback in 2024 with a .284/.322/.441 line, but 2025 told a different story: just .195/.272/.296 in Triple-A and a rough 6-for-36 stint in the majors.

Defense has never really been his thing, so he’ll need to get his bat going again if he wants to stick around.

Pitching Depth Takes a Hit

Miranda grabs the spotlight, but the bullpen turnover really says a lot about the Twins’ appetite for change. Four pitchers, all with their own winding stories, now look for new homes.

Génesis Cabrera: Electric Arm, Erratic Outcomes

Génesis Cabrera has bounced around—almost tying an MLB record by pitching for four different teams in a single season. His fastball pops, and he can miss bats, but inconsistency has always followed him.

With a career ERA of 4.24, Cabrera’s the classic high-upside, high-risk reliever. Maybe he just needs the right spot to finally put it all together.

Anthony Misiewicz: Searching for Rookie Form

Anthony Misiewicz showed promise when he debuted with the Mariners. Since then, it’s been a bumpy ride—six MLB teams, a 4.86 ERA, and not much stability.

The Twins took a chance, but things never really clicked.

Michael Tonkin: Veteran of Two Continents

Michael Tonkin’s been everywhere—eight MLB seasons, plus a solid run in Japan’s NPB. At 36, he’s still got a career ERA of 4.23, which is nothing to sneeze at.

But let’s be honest, age and a dip in velocity probably made this split inevitable.

Thomas Hatch: Battling Big League Struggles

Thomas Hatch, now 31, also spent time in Japan. His recent MLB numbers, though, are tough to look past—a near-6.00 ERA for the Twins in 2025, and a career mark up to 5.24.

For someone fighting for a roster spot, those stats just didn’t cut it.

• Miranda leaving opens the door for younger infielders to step up.
• The bullpen now has room for new power arms or swingmen.
• Moving on from veterans might let the Twins find more affordable signings.

All this turnover really just shows how fast things can change in MLB. The Twins are clearly looking to keep pace in a division where every move counts.

Final Thoughts

The offseason in baseball is all about tough decisions. The Twins haven’t wasted any time making theirs.

José Miranda’s story feels like one of “what could have been.” The pitchers leaving the team each face their own professional crossroads now.

Minnesota gets a chance to reset and refocus. They’ll need to find the right mix of talent and depth for whatever 2026 throws at them.

Fans can expect more moves in the coming months. This first wave already says a lot about the team’s priorities—and the reality for players fighting to keep their spots at the top level.

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