Twins sign former Athletics infielder Armando Alvarez to minor league deal

With about a month remaining before the Twins’ first pitchers and catchers work out at spring training, the club added infielder Armando Alvarez to a minor league deal, which includes an invitation to big-league camp.

Alvarez, 30, made his major league debut last season, coincidentally against the Twins, playing in 16 games with the Oakland Athletics. He had nine hits in 37 at-bats (.243 batting average) with a double, two RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts. He scored seven runs.

Playing primarily first base and third base with the A’s, Alvarez played every position at Class AAA last season except catcher and center field. He was in the extremely hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League at AAA last year and batted .315 in 74 minor league games with 15 homers and 54 RBI.

The Twins haven’t announced their full list of nonroster invitees to spring training, but Alvarez joins Mike Ford as infielders with big-league experience competing for a spot during camp. Before debuting with the A’s last year, Alvarez spent time in the minor leagues with the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.

The Twins promoted Alex Hassan, Sean Johnson and Josh Kalk to assistant general managers on Tuesday.

Hassan has been the team’s vice president for hitting development and acquisitions since 2022 and has been with the organization since 2018. He spent eight seasons as a professional player, including a brief major league stint with the Red Sox.

Johnson has been vice president of amateur scouting for the past three years and is beginning his 24th season with the organization. Kalk spent the past three seasons as vice president of baseball operations strategy and innovation.

The Twins promoted Jeremy Zoll to general manager following last season. President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey took over as team president after the retirement of Dave St. Peter, and General Manager Thad Levine left the organization.