Projecting the 2027 Twins Lineup

[Cody Christie]

The Twins’ future looks brighter, after they won their first playoff series in two decades.  A new wave of impact players are getting closer to the big leagues, and here is what Minnesota’s starting lineup might look like in four years.

Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski, USA TODAY Sports

A lot has changed for the Twins over the last calendar year, which impacts who projects to be in the team’s lineup in four years. The Twins traded away Luis Arraez, even though he looked like a core piece of the lineup for years to come. Minnesota also handed out the largest free-agent contract in team history, a move that will have long-term ramifications. Below, you will see Minnesota’s projected lineup and each player’s age during the 2027 campaign. 

Catcher: Ryan Jeffers (30)
Entering last season, Jeffers’s stock was low enough for the Twins to sign veteran catcher Christian Vazquez. Jeffers responded in a big way, leading AL catchers in wRC+, and the Twins have been shopping Vázquez, along with other veteran players. In previous seasons, Jeffers was known as a strong pitch-framer with positive run totals. His framing was worth -3 runs and ranked in the 25th percentile in 2023, though. The Twins also added Jair Camargo to the 40-man roster after a strong season at Triple A. By 2027, he has an excellent chance to serve in a regular backup catching role. It will be interesting to see if Jeffers can continue to build off his solid offensive season and take on more of a full-time catching role. 

First Base: Edouard Julien (28)
The Twins have an influx of young infielders at multiple positions, which will force the team to make several decisions about players' future defensive homes. Julien has been a second baseman for most of his professional career, and he made strides on the defensive side of the ball throughout his rookie turn in MLB. However, he will continue to be a below-average defender, so the Twins will start playing him more regularly at first. In last year’s projection, Alex Kirilloff appeared to be part of the team’s long-term plan at first base, but his injury history makes it harder to include him in the 2027 lineup.

Second Base: Royce Lewis (28)
Minnesota will have an interesting defensive decision with the following three names in this lineup. All three have played shortstop for the majority of their professional careers, but age and injury history will eventually force them to move around. Lewis will enter the 2024 season as the team’s primary third baseman, after shifting to that position last year. In 416 2/3 innings at third, Lewis was worth 2 DRS and 2 OAA. He has a strong enough arm and is very athletic, so that he can shift to another defensive position later in his career. 

Shortstop: Carlos Correa (32)
Correa was a Gold Glove finalist in 2023, even while battling plantar fasciitis. His OAA ranked in the 62nd percentile, and his arm strength ranked in the 74th percentile. According to SDI, Correa was the AL’s ninth-best shortstop with a -2.7 SDI in 2023. Will a 32-year-old Correa continue to be a viable option at the infield's most demanding position? Minnesota will have other, younger options to take his place at shortstop, but there is no perfect fit if age pushes Correa to third base. He will want to stay at a premium position for as long as possible, but his days as a shortstop will be coming to an end by 2027. 

Third Base: Brooks Lee (26)
Lee is considered Minnesota’s second-ranked prospect, after finishing last season at Triple A. All three national top-100 lists ranked him in their top 45 entering last season, and he projects to rank higher entering 2024. He posted an .808 OPS with 39 doubles and 16 home runs in 125 games last season. Mostly, he’s played shortstop so far in his professional career, but many expect him to move to third base as he adds to his frame. Lee is on pace to make his big-league debut in 2024, and the Twins hope he is part of the team’s long-term core.

Left Field: Emmanuel Rodriguez (24)
In many organizations, Rodríguez would be the top-ranked prospect, because of his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. The Twins added him to the 40-man roster this winter, which puts him one step closer to making his big-league debut. He spent all of 2023 at High A, where he hit .240/.400/.463 with 38 extra-base hits and 92 walks in 99 games. Rodríguez has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the organization. 

Center Field: Walker Jenkins (22)
The Twins selected Jenkins with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and he’s already considered one of baseball’s best prospects after a memorable pro debut. He hit .362/.417/.571, with 12 extra-base hits and six stolen bases in 26 games. There is some question about whether or not Jenkins can stick in center field, as he has slowed a bit while adding more muscle to his frame. Earlier this winter, I projected that Jenkins is on the fast track to the big leagues, with the potential to debut during the 2026 season. 

Right Field: Matt Wallner (29)
Wallner is a prototypical right fielder, with a powerful left-handed swing and a cannon for an arm. Max Kepler has occupied right field for the Twins for seven years, but Wallner can take over right away if Kepler is traded this winter. The Forest Lake native showcased some strong offensive skills during his rookie season with a 139 OPS+, striking out 80 times in 76 games. Minnesota has depth in their corner outfield spots, so it will be interesting to see if the team includes Wallner or Rodríguez in a trade for starting pitching. 

Designated Hitter: Byron Buxton (33)
The Twins are hopeful that Buxton’s most recent knee surgery puts him back on track to appear in the outfield. However, his lengthy injury history will make him a full-time DH in 2027. Last season, injuries limited him to DH duties, and he posted an OPS+ below 115 for the first time since 2018. Buxton is under contract through the 2028 season, so the Twins need to find a way for him to provide value to the club. 

Who do you think fits into the team’s 2027 lineup? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

PREVIOUS YEAR’S PREDICTIONS
— 2024 Lineup
— 2025 Lineup
— 2026 Lineup

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[Nashvilletwin]

Actually Cody, this might also fairly represent our 2026 lineup as well.

So who’s on the bench? Camargo, Noah Miller, Martin, and possibly Kiriloff would offer a good mix of defensive prowess, positional flexibility, power, OBP, and speed.

Buxton and Correa would be the weakest links and probably still the most expensive.

Assuming reasonable health, some close iteration of this lineup should be our core from ‘26-‘28/‘29.  As long as the young players continue to develop and improve once they make the bigs, there is no reason this core cannot contend for multiple pennants.  There’s simply enough overall talent, top skill base mix, and affordability that is ideal for our mid-market Twins.

Let’s hope the FO doesn’t screw things up too much and Rocco and his staff keep the player development happening.

[mikelink45]

Too early, but I liked the lineup until DH.  It will be Kiriloff or Julien.  If Buxton gets back to playing shape I trade him quickly.

[old nurse]

All you need to do is click on the 2024 article and see how pointless these projections can be 

[Old Crow]

44 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Actually Cody, this might also fairly represent our 2026 lineup as well.

So who’s on the bench? Camargo, Noah Miller, Martin, and possibly Kiriloff would offer a good mix of defensive prowess, positional flexibility, power, OBP, and speed.

Buxton and Correa would be the weakest links and probably still the most expensive.

Assuming reasonable health, some close iteration of this lineup should be our core from ‘26-‘28/‘29.  As long as the young players continue to develop and improve once they make the bigs, there is no reason this core cannot contend for multiple pennants.  There’s simply enough overall talent, top skill base mix, and affordability that is ideal for our mid-market Twins.

Let’s hope the FO doesn’t screw things up too much and Rocco and his staff keep the player development happening.

I think Lewis may be the most expensive at that point in time.

[miracleb]

24 minutes ago, old nurse said:

All you need to do is click on the 2024 article and see how pointless these projections can be 

True...but still fun to look ahead.....

[Karbo]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Too early, but I liked the lineup until DH.  It will be Kiriloff or Julien.  If Buxton gets back to playing shape I trade him quickly.

I think he has a no trade clause

[CRF]

Nice article, but too far into the future for me to even think about. I'm a lot more concerned about 2024. One year at a time is all I can handle. 

[mikelink45]

27 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I think he has a no trade clause

Those are usually just negotiation clauses.

[Twodogs]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

All you need to do is click on the 2024 article and see how pointless these projections can be 

I think it would be fun to look at old projections.  

[Paul D]

No question that the FO has done a great job putting together a starting nine both in 2023 and the future, but I'm not nearly as optimistic that the SP and RP will be good enough to support success in the playoffs. Now that they have full stocked the position players, its time to draft heavy on pitchers, both college and high school. Early round collegiate pitchers are normally the closest to.contributing (and many have faced better.competition than A and maybe AA players). Take college pitchers in the early rounds and then lottery.ticket high schoolers after that.

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, Old Crow said:

I think Lewis may be the most expensive at that point in time.

He is under arbitration through 2028. I’d imagine he is extended before then (barring injury) but his 2027 salary, in almost every sense, won’t be as expensive as Correa for sure, and probably not even Buxton

[TopGunn#22]

This is good, but you can't project a big trade that moves pieces for something you need.  For example, the Twins could trade for a pitcher for this season and sign a FA as well.  A couple years go by, Varland, Festa, Raya, one or all three turn out to be pretty good.  meanwhile, Ryan and Ober are also doing well.  Maybe one of them is traded from an area of depth and strength to get a position player.  You just never know...

[D.C Twins]

Buck as a permanent DH is not the answer to any question.... as proven this year

[Blyleven2011]

Nice to keep thinking ahead but trades will always change the course of the future  projections ...

Why no projection on the pitcher's , does a position player have more longevity than a pitcher ...

[saviking]

I agree with Nashvilletwin that maybe that is our 2026 starting lineup at some point during the year. 

I think the Twins have a bright future. The only thing that keeps me up at night is can we get rid of Correa and Buxton's salaries before we have to pay the Lewis and Duran's of the world. 

[Bob Twins Fan Since 61]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Too early, but I liked the lineup until DH.  It will be Kiriloff or Julien.  If Buxton gets back to playing shape I trade him quickly.

I believe Buxton has full no-trade clause in his contract.  He has final say on any potential trade.  

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

A fun article. Thanks Cody.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Those are usually just negotiation clauses.

What does that mean?

IMO, a no-trade is to give the player the ability to control his future, potentially as part of a mild discount in his salary. Don’t understand your lack of seriousness that this clause as a deterrent in a potential trade?

Who’s trading for a guy that’s averaged less than 70 games per season over a 9 year career?………& if he hits .240 or above & has 30 HR & similar total of doubles, he’ll never be considered as a trade piece by the Twins.

Just don’t see him going anywhere other than a potential mutual release to FA & a % of his remaining salary paid. Maybe this works? Maybe deferred $$ from contract & he retires? Twins are on the hook is the bottom line.

[FlyingFinn]

I don't think Jenkins will end up as a CF. By 2027, Buxton is either in CF or not playing. 

Fun to think about.

[LeatherAntenna]

I just hope we don’t trade promising talent because we dream of a Buxton 120-130 game season.  We all would like to see that.  Think of the damage to the opponent if a healthy and full Buxton season unfolded.  Sadly, we shouldn’t hold our breath that it will ever happen.

[sweetmusicviola16]

3 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

I don't think Jenkins will end up as a CF. By 2027, Buxton is either in CF or not playing. 

Fun to think about.

Buxton needs to be playing CF to maximize value. He's good. Very good.When he's playing and when he's playing CF. He's a 1 WAR player,or less, as a DH. He's a 3 WAR player as a CF. That's even when he's missing half the season. It hurts the team even more when a guy who is not a good DH is being used by the team as a DH. Get what you get out of him in CF and DL him when he can't CF.

[Brandon]

The Good news is we have lots of stability for the foreseeable future.  The rotation is similarly set as 2027 should be something like Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Varland and hopefully we develop one more starter.  I imagine by 2027 some of these up an coming players may be traded for salary relief.  Otherwise I think most of these players will actually be here.  Like the class of 1982 Twins in 1987……Oh yeah!  I went there!

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Buck as a permanent DH is not the answer to any question.... as proven this year

He was hurt - didn’t even play at all in August/Septmber. The “he’s gotta play CF or no value…….” is bologna. We need his bat! Michael Taylor - Castro - Martin - Gordon can all catch fly balls and run stuff down in the gaps well enough for the Team to win.

If he can play 30-40 games in CF I’ll be pleasantly surprised! The guy has averaged less than 70 games per season for 9 years!!

If he doesn’t DH as his major role, he’s worthless.

[Karbo]

4 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Those are usually just negotiation clauses.

As I understand it means the player would have to approve any trade.

[arby58]

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Too early, but I liked the lineup until DH.  It will be Kiriloff or Julien.  If Buxton gets back to playing shape I trade him quickly.

Buxton = no trade clause. Don't like him, fine, but suggesting they trade him is monotonously unrealistic.

[arby58]

4 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Those are usually just negotiation clauses.

Just last year, Detroit's Eduardo Rodriguez used his no-trade clause to block a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. So who is on the other side of 'just negotiation clauses?' and what is to suggest Buxton would agree?

[strumdatjag]

2027 is four seasons from now.   It’s almost un - projectionable.   Nevertheless, Carlos Correa will have moved to 3B for his final years of his contract. 

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

The Good news is we have lots of stability for the foreseeable future.  The rotation is similarly set as 2027 should be something like Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Varland and hopefully we develop one more starter.  I imagine by 2027 some of these up an coming players may be traded for salary relief.  Otherwise I think most of these players will actually be here.  Like the class of 1982 Twins in 1987……Oh yeah!  I went there!

We might be surprized by our rotation come around '27 with all this SP talent coming from Cedar Rapids this season.

[Doctor Gast]

For years I could see Julien's future with the Twins is at 1B not 2B. Not surprized that he's there in '27. So why not have him not only playing at 1B in '21  but kept him there so to have him totally familiar there & instead of causing confusion at 2B now.  Jeffers at catcher & Carmargo as back up because we aren't allowed any other options. Jenkins has out grown CF but there he'll be playing there because of his bat. Not sure that Correa would keep his performance at that level to stick there in '27 if not shift Lewis & or Miller at SS, maybe platoon Correa & Lee, Lee & Lewis at 2B. I believe there'll some shifting around in the INF.