Will Twins Keep Carlos Correa at SS… and What’s the Plan for Royce Lewis?

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Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Two years ago, Carlos Correa played through a plantar fasciitis injury that sapped his productivity for the Minnesota Twins. One season later, he dealt with the same injury in his other foot, and it forced him to play the second-fewest games of his career. How both the player and team responds to that in 2025 remains to be seen.

It’s not just Correa that is impacted by any shift on the dirt. Royce Lewis has struggled to stay healthy as well, he’s played mostly 3rd base, when available to the Twins. The results have been less than mediocre.

So when Carlos Correa returned to the lineup in September, however, Lewis was forced to shift to second base for a couple of games, something he was not happy about, at the time. With Brooks Lee ready to take over somewhere too, what does the future hold for the Minnesota Twins infield?

How can the Minnesota Twins keep Carlos Correa healthy?

Carlos Correa was the Twins’ best player last season, but they got his contributions for only 86 games. Could playing another position help keep Correa healthy and on the field? We’re unlikely to find out, but president of baseball operations Derek Falvey wouldn’t rule it out, in a recent interview with Dan Hayes (The Athletic).

“He’s still young. He’s a tremendous shortstop. I see no reason why he wouldn’t be as long he manages the plantar issues in a positive direction. … He’s tracking in a positive direction. He’s got good plans for how he’s going to handle it therapeutically and I think he’s in a good place.”

Derek Falvey on Carlos Correa’s position (The Athletic)

If the Twins are convinced that Correa’s plantar fasciitis issue is behind him, then there’s no reason to move him off shortstop. His range and arm are an asset there, and that would go underutilized at the hot corner. Minnesota must be sure in their evaluation though. The only other positive defender that could be an option at shortstop is Brooks Lee.

Related: Minnesota Twins Trying to Trade Willi Castro

Correa must show a different level of leadership in 2025, after clashing with some of the younger Twins in the locker room, late in the season. Plenty of that will revolve around his ability to stay on the field.

Where does Royce Lewis play for the Twins?

If Correa isn’t moving off of shortstop, that leaves third, second and first base all open. Of the options available — Lee, Lewis, Miranda and Julien — it’s very possible that Royce’s best fit is at second base. It was weird to see second base introduced during the season, but it’s something the Twins seem to be seriously considering long-term.

“We would just want to make sure he’s as prepped as possible to play. He indicated even at the end of the season if he was prepped and planned for what that’s going to look like, it’s really important. Some of that will depend on the personnel that we acquire, don’t acquire — how it all shakes out. But we want him to stay open-minded to that.”

Derek Falvey on Royce Lewis at 2B (The Athletic)

It seemed that Lewis was most taken aback by the sudden position change, midseason. He can utilize the offseason to acclimate at second base, and he should get run their this spring. Lewis moving to second could open up the opportunity for Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda to battle over 1st base, come Spring Training.

Related: Minnesota Twins 1st Baseman Carlos Santana Wins Gold Glove

Of course, that depends on what happens with Carlos Santana, who just won a Gold Glove there for the Twins in 2024. Much of what the alignment looks like for the Twins will depend on how their offseason is handled. If they do move Jose Miranda or Willi Castro, then different scenarios open themselves up. It could be a very new look for Rocco Baldelli.

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