Eric Wagaman traded to Minnesota Twins for Kade Bragg

[Kevin Barral]

On Friday, the Miami Marlins announced that they have traded Eric Wagaman to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for left-handed minor league pitcher Kade Bragg.

Wagaman, who signed a split deal as a free agent during the previous offseason, played 140 games in a Marlins uniform. He slashed .250/.296/.378/.674 with nine home runs, 53 RBI and an 85 wRC+. He finished second amongst National League rookies in hits, fourth in RBI and second in doubles. He received playing time at both corner infield and both corner outfield positions, but he mainly handled first base.

The only bright spot in Wagaman's 2025 season was his production against left-handed pitching. He slashed .283/.321/.462/.783 with five home runs and 26 RBI with the platoon advantage. Expect him to continue in that role in Minnesota, filling in for former Marlin Josh Bell against lefties. Although Bell is a switch-hitter, he had significant platoon splits last year (.804 OPS vs. RHP, .552 OPS vs. LHP).

Wagaman had been designated for assignment to make room for newest Marlins outfielder Esteury Ruiz.

As for the return, left-handed pitcher Kade Bragg split the 2025 season across three levels (Low-A, High-A and Double-A). Overall, he had a 2.94 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 10.96 K/9 and 4.14 BB/9 in 67 ⅓ innings pitched (42 appearances). The year before, he was limited to only six appearances due to injury.

Bragg, 24, could potentially find himself as a spring training non-roster invitee. He'll be Rule 5 draft-eligible following the 2026 season.

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[Jose Herrera]

Thank you for holding it down Wagaman. He will help them out.

I like our return, Bragg has good control and is left-handed. Great that we are able to trade starting players to plan seasons ahead.

[One Regend]

I'm honestly shocked they were even able to get a return out of Eric Wagaman, given he was our least productive player by a landslide.

Honestly, even if Kade Bragg gets clobbered and flames out at AAA before reaching the majors, this is a W trade for us.

[Ely Sussman]

1 hour ago, One Regend said:

I'm honestly shocked they were even able to get a return out of Eric Wagaman, given he was our least productive player by a landslide.

Honestly, even if Kade Bragg gets clobbered and flames out at AAA before reaching the majors, this is a W trade for us.

To recap, Wagaman was non-tendered by the Angels last offseason. This transaction indicates that his value somehow went up since then despite the thoroughly unproductive year.

I don't get what they see in him. He'll fit in nicely in the KBO in 2027, though.

[One Regend]

39 minutes ago, Ely Sussman said:

To recap, Wagaman was non-tendered by the Angels last offseason. This transaction indicates that his value somehow went up since then despite the thoroughly unproductive year.

I don't get what they see in him. He'll fit in nicely in the KBO in 2027, though.

To be honest, I don't know what the Minnesota Twins are doing. First, not getting a whole lot out of their firesale, then hiring a failure of a manager that contributed to the Pirates clubhouse issues (and continued losing skid since 2017), and now this move. I feel sorry for the Twins fanbase. They deserve better than this.

[Seth Stohs]

Normally when a player is DFAd and traded, the team gets like a DSL reliever or a couple of dollars. 

Kade Bragg may never pitch in the big leagues, but as a Twins prospect guy, I can't believe the Twins gave up that much for a DFAd guy. Bragg is left-handed, throws fairly hard, strong slider. Certainly a reliever, but he was good at High A and Double A in 2025. Could he be ready later in the 2026 season? Maybe. 

[Miami Italiano]

Nice job Kapler

[Shawn]

I was expected a bag of baseballs at the most for wagabum. Good riddance I’m shocked we got a left handed reliever for him. Hopefully this means there’s writing on the wall that Simpson going away soon. 

[2qbn]

A New Year's miracle! Man, this season is already better. 

[Jose Herrera]

@Ely Sussman @One Regend Wagaman reminds me of Mike Jacobs. If he plays in Korea hopefully, he is the next Lewin Diaz. He will forever be a part of fish lore like Lewin and Mike.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

I usually disengage after a player is traded, however, I am planning to stay up with Johnston, Wagaman, and Weiners in 2026.