I freely admit that I was one of those guys clinging to the hope that this year's Twins could not only make the playoffs; they could actually win the Central Division! Well,  a 4-9 start to August and the unmasking of our deficiencies by getting swept at home by the Phillies has made the opposite point to me. We just aren't good enough, at least not with the current group. Our starting pitching is falling apart due to injury, and the offense is pretty futile. Doesn't leave one with much if any hope for 2026.

So what do we do? I think we use the rest of 2026 to try out guys who could shore up positions for 2027. That means sitting or even cutting guys who will not be on the team next year where we have somebody to look at and playing the guys who we are going to need to start next year. That includes guys learning a new position.. Starting with what I think is next year's Opening Day lineup, Lee (3B), Culpepper (SS), and Lewis (1B or 2B) play every day. Pick a lane with Keaschall. Either he's a corner 0F or a 2B. DH is not a lane for a highly athletic, 23-year-old player. Anyone who suggests that needs to find a day job. Keaschall may in fact be our best hitter, he certainly has been the last two months, and he needs to play in the field every day somewhere. I'd prefer 2B despite how poorly he played there earlier because that's where the opening is, but I respect anyone who says he has to be a corner OF. Regardless of where you put him, call up Jenkins and give him some time to see if he's ready. Same for Roden, he's starting to come around. Give him some fairly consistent ABs. Unless you are going to move Keaschall back to 2B, call up Ben Ross. He is tearing up AAA, and is 25. Let's use the last six weeks to find out if he can be a UTL or even the starting 2B on next year's team.

On the pitching side, call up Rojas and put him in the rotation in place of either Ober or Matthews. Ober can go to the bullpen as the long man with Adams heading back to AAA or Matthews can either go back to AAA, go to the bullpen, or go on the IL until his foot gets better. Work hard to sign Minter for at least 2027. Keep throwing Funderburk out there in high leverage situations, and keep Prielipp and Kremer in the rotation as long as you can.

How would we create space? I think it's time to DFA a couple guys and bench a couple others. Kriedler has been a fun story but his ceiling is a good glove, no bat UTL. He probably passes through waivers and if he doesn't, no big loss. Much as I hate to say it, same for Taylor Rogers. In a sense, we might be doing him a favor by making him available to other teams. Maybe he'll get picked up by contender get a chance for another playoff run in this, his last year in the majors. Sit Bell and Larnach 3 days a week unless you're committed to bringing them back next year. Sit Clemens at least 3 days a week. I want him back next year as a very versatile UTL but his bat is way too streaky and inconsistent to give him a starting position. Sit or DH Buxton 3 days a week with the other 3 in CF. His body just isn't going to let him finish strong. I would recommend playing a young Catcher regularly but we don't have one ready to play yet. Let's create opportunity now while we can. There may be no spring training next year.  

I think if you do these things you can create find 4 plus days a week for Jenkins, Roden, and Ross, 5 days plus a week for Culpeper, and time for Emma when he comes up on 9/1. If you want to change out Roden for Emma, I'm fine with that. We also create a spot every fifth day in the rotation for Rojas. Time to find out if these guys can play. Now, not next spring, NOW. Who's with me?