FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Twins appear to be down to one significant roster question.
Minnesota optioned Ryan Kreidler and Eric Wagaman to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, a pair of moves that would appear to put Tristan Gray in position to make the club as a utility player and specifically as the backup shortstop. Orlando Arcia is also still in camp, but Gray is favored to take the spot.
Gray, a left-handed hitter who turned 30 on Sunday, was acquired via trade from the Red Sox in January. He’s a lifetime .207/.264/.369 hitter at the Major League level over parts of three seasons with the Rays, Marlins and Athletics. He’s slugged .472 over five Triple-A seasons and has played all four infield positions in the Major Leagues.
Kreidler is an exemplary defender at multiple positions and appeared to have a strong case to make the roster as a utility player, especially as a right-handed hitter on a lefty-heavy team. But it appears the Twins are choosing Gray’s offensive potential over Kreidler’s defense.
Wagaman, a right-handed hitter with power, is a corner infielder and outfielder who was squeezed out due to a glut of corner bats on the Twins’ roster. Minnesota optioned Alan Roden, a promising corner outfielder, on Sunday.
Though there are still some official transactions to be carried out, it appears that the 13 position players on the Twins’ Opening Day roster will be Ryan Jeffers, Victor Caratini, Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Kody Clemens, Gray, Byron Buxton, James Outman, Matt Wallner, Austin Martin and Trevor Larnach.
Catcher Alex Jackson is still in camp but is not expected to make the team.