Rockies Sign Former Twins Infielder Kyle Farmer to 1-Year Deal: What It Means for 2024

The Colorado Rockies are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a one-year deal with veteran utility player Kyle Farmer, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. This comes after the Minnesota Twins chose not to exercise Farmer’s 2025 mutual option, resulting in the 34-year-old becoming a free agent. While the Rockies have yet to officially announce the signing, this move brings an experienced, versatile player into the fold for a team looking to find stability and depth in its infield.

Minnesota’s Decision to Move On from Farmer

Farmer’s time with the Twins ended after they opted not to pick up his $6.25 million option for 2025, instead buying him out for $250,000. This concluded a one-year stint with the team in which Farmer, despite some injury setbacks, continued to offer valuable utility as a dependable infield presence. His overall contract with Minnesota for the 2024 season guaranteed him $6.3 million, but the Twins ultimately chose to go in a different direction with their roster construction.

For Farmer, the decision left him on the open market, ready to bring his versatile skillset to a new team. The Rockies, eager to shore up their infield depth, have identified Farmer as a key asset.

A Reliable Utility Option

Over his eight-year MLB career, Farmer has proven himself to be a solid utility player—someone who may not be a star in any one aspect but is consistently reliable. He has shown an ability to play multiple positions around the diamond, including second base, shortstop, and third base. During his time with the Twins, Farmer’s defensive flexibility was a significant asset, with four Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2024 and a career total of 16 OAA.

In addition to his defensive versatility, Farmer has established himself as a consistent performer at the plate, particularly against left-handed pitching. In 2024, Farmer posted a .262 batting average with a solid .751 OPS in 118 plate appearances against lefties. This is in stark contrast to his struggles against right-handed pitchers, where his batting average dipped to .167 with a .545 OPS. Throughout his career, Farmer has consistently posted a strong .812 OPS against left-handers, showing that he can still be a valuable contributor in platoon situations.

Farmer’s overall line in 2024 was a .214/.293/.353 slash with five home runs and 25 RBIs over 107 games. His batting struggles against right-handed pitchers are well-documented, but his ability to fill in at various positions on the field makes him a valuable asset for a team looking for flexibility, especially given the Rockies’ uncertain infield landscape.

Why the Rockies Made the Move

This signing makes sense for the Rockies for several reasons. Most notably, with the departure of infielder Brendan Rodgers, who was non-tendered by the team ahead of the Friday deadline, the Rockies were in need of a player capable of backing up their young shortstop, Ezequiel Tovar. Farmer will likely slot into a similar role that he played with the Twins in 2024—a reliable backup for Tovar at shortstop, while also giving the Rockies depth at second and third base.

At 34, Farmer is not a long-term solution for the Rockies, but his experience and ability to handle multiple positions will provide some much-needed flexibility as the team seeks to build a competitive roster. With several younger players still developing and a roster in flux, Farmer’s presence will allow the Rockies to ease the load on their starters and manage injuries, especially in a season where depth will be crucial.

A History of Versatility

Before joining the Twins, Farmer played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2017-2018) and the Cincinnati Reds (2019-2022), where he became known for his ability to fill in at almost every infield position. During his two years with Minnesota, Farmer demonstrated that versatility once again, appearing in at least 10 games at second base, third base, and shortstop in both seasons. While he has never played in the outfield or behind the plate, his ability to step in wherever needed has made him a valuable asset to every team he’s been a part of.

Looking Ahead

For the Rockies, Farmer provides a solid bridge between the team’s current core and its younger players. He is a reliable veteran presence who can contribute offensively against left-handed pitching and add defensive depth in the infield. This move signals a clear desire to add stability to the roster as the Rockies continue to develop young talent like Tovar.

While Farmer may not be a game-changer, his skillset and experience will undoubtedly prove useful as Colorado looks to navigate another season in a competitive National League West. For a Rockies team that has struggled with consistency, having a player like Farmer to back up Tovar and provide flexibility across the diamond can only help them improve as they continue to rebuild.

With the contract yet to be finalized, it’s clear that the Rockies are positioning themselves for a more stable 2024 campaign, and Kyle Farmer is set to be an important part of that effort.