Astudillo joins Marlins on Minor League deal

JUPITER, Fla. -- Twins folk hero Willians Astudillo has found a new fanbase to charm, signing a Minor League deal with the Marlins that includes an invitation to big league camp.

Astudillo, who spent 2018-21 with Minnesota after a decade in the Minors, has a career slash line of .270/.295/.406 with 15 homers and an 89 OPS+ in 167 big league games. The 30-year-old utility player has primarily appeared at catcher, third base and first base; shortstop is the only position he hasn't played in The Show.

Granted his release in November as part of the Twins' roster crunch, "La Tortuga" became a fan favorite with his antics on the field: from throwing an eephus pitch on the mound to high-fiving a kid after a catch to his unbridled joy of the game.

Astudillo’s path to making the Opening Day roster will be an intriguing one. The Marlins have four catchers on the 40-man: reigning Gold Glove winner Jacob Stallings (whom the club acquired in a trade with the Pirates in November), Alex Jackson, and prospects Nick Fortes and Payton Henry. Garrett Cooper, Jesús Aguilar and Lewin Díaz are first-base options, while Brian Anderson is entrenched at the hot corner. Joey Wendle, acquired in a trade with the Rays before the lockout, and Jon Berti are utility options. If anything, Astudillo provides even more organizational depth with MLB experience.