MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have added needed middle-infield depth by agreeing to terms on a Minor League contract with veteran shortstop Orlando Arcia. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.
Arcia, 31, is coming off a down year at the plate but remains a quality infield defender. He hit .202/.238/.291 in 214 plate appearances with the Braves and Rockies. He’s a career .239/.292/.369 hitter and was an All-Star with the Braves in 2023.
Arcia rated a plus-2 in outs above average in 2025, though he graded out quite a bit higher at second base than at short. In 2024, though, he was plus-4 at shortstop with the Braves.
The Twins have acknowledged a desire to shore up their middle-infield defense, which was not a strength in 2025. They have Ryan Kreidler as a utility option, but Arcia provides an experienced Major League shortstop as a potential backup and defensive replacement for starter Brooks Lee. Ryan Fitzgerald had been a candidate to serve that role, but he was designated for assignment when Minnesota traded for Eric Wagaman last week.
Lee is slated to be the Twins’ primary shortstop, and although he has solid hands, he displayed limited range when playing short in ’25. Luke Keaschall, who displayed athleticism but was defensively inconsistent as a rookie, is likely to be the primary second baseman. That combination has had the Twins interested in adding defensive depth up the middle.