Five Ways the Twins Can Salvage 2025

[Eric Blonigen]

Image courtesy of Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

In mid-May, Twins fans were finally shaking off the hangover from the 2024 collapse. A 13-game winning streak had breathed life back into the fanbase, and for a moment it felt like the future was bright again. Well… we all know how it has gone since. It is tempting to write off the season and maybe even the team, but this version of the Twins has been, dare I say… fun? Yes. Fun.

No, they are not headed for October baseball. There are still things that can happen over the final seven weeks that would make 2025 matter. Not in terms of wins and losses, but for what it sets up in 2026 and beyond. By my count, here are the five biggest ones.

5) Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, and Alan Roden get everyday run

Heading into Saturday’s game against the Royals, Keaschall had only 10 big league games under his belt. He has looked like he belongs, and holding his own the rest of the way should lock up a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster. If he struggles, that is still useful information for the front office when deciding how to spend what resources they have.

Brooks Lee’s situation is similar, although a bit more urgent. Nearly a full season in, he has been mediocre on both sides of the ball. Forty-five games at shortstop could reveal whether he is a future everyday player or more of a utility piece.

Alan Roden needs to be tested in center field. If he cannot handle the position, he is likely headed for a platoon corner-outfield role. That is a role the Twins already have covered in Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner. If Roden can hit and defend better than one of them, he could give the front office an offseason trade chip.

4) The Quad-A club gets one last shot

Edouard Julien, Jose Miranda, Mickey Gasper, DaShawn Keirsey and perhaps Kody Clemens are in prove-it territory. These players have talent, but the question is whether they will be in the Twins’ 2026 plans or bouncing from camp invite to camp invite.

Julien, Miranda and Clemens will be out of options. That means they need to hit now. The at-bats will be there. Clemens looks like the safest bet to stick, but the next seven weeks will decide it.

3) Sorting out the 2026 bullpen

After shipping out their five highest-leverage arms at the deadline, the Twins are essentially running open auditions. Pierson Ohl, Travis Adams and Kody Funderburk are in the mix. A few Double-A or Triple-A starters could be converted to relief. Waiver claims Brooks Kriske and Thomas Hatch are also getting looks.

Funderburk has not made much of a case yet. Can he string together 20 solid innings? Ohl and Adams are not projected as big-league starters, but could they be effective bulk relievers? Kriske and Hatch are out of options and hitting free agency. Can they show enough to re-sign?

Even Justin Topa’s future is in question. After an injury-marred 2024 and a solid but not great 2025, is he worth $1.5 million in arbitration?

If three arms emerge from this group, that is three fewer offseason headaches.

2) Buxton and Ryan finish strong and healthy

This is more about morale than standings. If Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan can both finish the season without hitting the injured list, it would be the first time in three years that even one of them did. Ryan is on pace to make every start, and Buxton is on pace to play more games than in any season since 2017. That kind of durability would be a very good sign heading into 2026.

1) The Pohlads sell the team

Remember the 2023 playoff celebrations with music, beer showers and dancing? If the Front Office Sports reporting is accurate, we could see similar scenes across Twins Territory if a sale happens. Will new owners be great? No one knows. But if someone is willing to spend $1.7 billion on the Twins, it is hard to imagine they would not spend at least at a middle-of-the-pack level.

If all five of these boxes get checked, I will happily call 2025 a success. And I will feel a lot better about the offseason. How about you?

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[Brandon]

I will feel better if no one goes to a game the rest of the season.  I was pro Pohlads until this sell off.  They went too far in tearing down.  They can’t get gone fast enough.  
 

After the rant, if they can find some relievers to rely on for 2026 and beyond.  Bring Prelipp up for a few innings.  
 

The Twins were just short on hitting,  Keaschal seems to be that hitter. Lewis is hitting better too.  The Twins could have gone on a run with patience.  
 

At least we have lots of starting Pitchers 

and OFs, bring up ERod and send Jenkins to AAA already

[thelanges5]

Outman - Could be cheap(ish) Buxton insurance if he pans out. 
 

Abel, Bradley, Festa, SWR - need some starts to size up the 26 rotation. 

[jmlease1]

I mostly agree with this, though I would say Miranda has done nothing in AAA to earn a recall. I wouldn't bring him up regardless of where his options are: no scholarships. He's having a horrific season, for whatever reason. Maybe he's never really gotten back from the shoulder/back injuries. Maybe he's just not that good. Maybe his head needs re-wiring. (feels like a lot from column A, plus some column B, and maybe a little column C) but regardless: he has to earn his way back and he simply has not done it. There's other guys who are more deserving right now. I'd rather give guys like Fitzgerald or Prato a look over rewarding Miranda for his crap play.

I'm increasingly of the belief that Larnach won't be back next season (he's purely a platoon bat at this point, adds no defense, and is due an increase in arbitration) so seeing what Roden can do is worth it. I wasn't high on him, but would be happy to be proven wrong. Maybe Outman shows enough in AAA that he gets another look, but I'd make him earn it too. McCusker has done more this season (though he's been dreadful lately and has had an awful summer after fast start).

I would also say figuring out more of what you have with Bradley, Matthews, Festa, Morris and Abel as starters (and to some extent SWR) would help mitigate the failures of 2025 (I can't call it a "success" regardless; this team was picked to contend for the division, and should have at least been in the WC fight and they simply didn't play up to spec. That's a failure, and the sell-off was deserved. The injuries hurt, but there are always going to be injuries, and frankly the Twins didn't get beat up badly enough this season on the injury front to let them off the hook for their record.)

[Thebigalguy]

Good article. I go with Clemens to stick. It’s an exciting post-trade team! That’s surprising but I’m on board if they can keep at it. If they had had foresight to keep Varland and Jax, I’d give the FO credit. They didn’t; I don’t.

[jkcarew]

I agree with most of this.

Although, we’re not going to see Ryan or Buxton’s health tested. Very unlikely. Ryan won’t be going deep even when cruising…probably gets shut down at some point or at least more rest days before starts, if not skipped here and there…and Buxton will get plenty of days off and DH games…and also is likely to get shut down at some point. I would be surprised if they haven’t already had at least a “if not now, when” conversation regarding Buxton.

[jkcarew]

4 hours ago, Brandon said:

bring up ERod and send Jenkins to AAA already

ERod???

You’d have to find him first.

And while I wouldn’t mind them giving Prielipp a taste, he’s being challenged plenty in AA. I just want to see him finish his first ever injury-free pro season healthy.

[Linus]

In what world does Larnach have a corner outfield spot “covered”?  He’s a league average hitter protected via platoon that is slow and plays subpar defense all in a premium offense position?  LF and 1st base are the low hanging fruit for giving this lineup a jolt. 

[USAFChief]

I don't think they can salvage 2025.

They can use the remainder of the 2025 failure to invest in a potentially better future. 

I don't think those are the same.

 

[Derojo]

It's total nonsense that the Twins were short on hitting. They haven't had a competitive offensive team since 2019, when they lost three in a row to the Yankees. This pretend that the Twins are oh so close is total b.s.

The goal here is the World Series. It's been thirty-four years this fall since the Twins went and won. The Twins weren't going to sniff the World Series with the roster they had. They got what they needed. Numerous prospects because some will pan out to some degree; most won't.

It isn't that the Twins didn't have talent. They didn't compete year in and year out. That is at least partly on the manager. Mostly, it's on the ownership. I want Buxton to play in the World Series. Joe Mauer never had that chance. Mediocrity is the enemy of excellence, and the Twins were mediocre at best, and in half a decade (actually longer) showed no signs of rising above it.

[HerbieFan]

Can someone explain to me why we are seeing something called "Urena" start games instead of Taj Bradley?

[rv78]

Can someone explain to me why we are seeing something called "Gasper" playing in games instead of any other player not named Gasper. He has currently shown nothing worth noting and at 29 years old has no value going forward. 

[stringer bell]

Comments on each item:

5) Lee, Keaschall, Roden. Lee is the default shortstop for the rest of this year and most likely to start 2026. He will get almost all the playing time, if healthy. It would be nice for him to finish strong for his confidence and to settle the nerves of fans who don't think he's the answer at SS. Keaschall--stay hot and healthy! I said on another thread it looks like his hitting success is more sustainable than Lewis'. Good approach, good swing, enough power and enough speed to be a factor on the bases. He looked pretty good on defense this weekend and having a complete player in the lineup every day in '26 would be a big step towards team success. Roden--He's probably Trevor Larnach's replacement in 2026 if he shows enough in the last seven weeks. Nothing outstanding about him, so I think he needs to hit much better than he has thus far.

4) Quad A:  I've commented elsewhere about Gasper. The sand is running out of the hourglass. He just hasn't been a threat as a hitter and being a switch hitter who can catch isn't enough if he hits like a pitcher. Austin Martin and Julien will get some chances, although Julien may not see much time at second base due to Keaschall. That means that Eddie has to hit way better than he has since April of 2024. I'm skeptical, but the selloff gives him another chance. I think Clemens has earned a contract for 2026 and may well be the regular first baseman. He's been really good and actually has shown a pretty good glove, especially at first base. 

3) Bullpen: Yeah, all five of the guys mentioned might have a chance to help next year and they've shown something. Adams and Ohl have options and likely will shuttle next year. Hopefully the Twins can get some run out of Kriske or Hatch. I believe Fundy will be out of options next year, so it is now or never for him. He's had three consecutive scoreless outings, so maybe.....For continuity and a trading deadline chip, I would think the Twins will bring back Topa, who has basically been healthy and has been okay this year. Sands was very good in '24 and has fallen off, but he'll be cheap yet in 2025.

2) Buxton and Ryan: It sound like Buck will be back tomorrow or the next day (we have heard that before and waited for weeks!). I would love for him to put up his best season as a platform for 2026. There's no reason to push Ryan from here on. He's been very good all year. I hope he gets a career high in innings, although I don't think he'll have his best strikeout year.

1) Sell the Team!  It seems the Pohlads are mailing it in in most respects. They want to lower payroll and aren't concerned about winning. New owners might be more committed and certainly can't be any worse in treating the fan base. It might set up turnover in the front office and the field staff and with the disappointments of the last several years, there is justification. 

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, HerbieFan said:

Can someone explain to me why we are seeing something called "Urena" start games instead of Taj Bradley?

I'd like to see both Bradley and Abel. The official word is they are "working on things" at St. Paul and things could get jumbled when some or all of López, Woods Richardson and Festa return from the IL. It's a lost season in terms of wins and losses, but it would be encouraging to see the guys they traded for. 

[Doctor Wu]

8 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I'd like to see both Bradley and Abel. The official word is they are "working on things" at St. Paul and things could get jumbled when some or all of López, Woods Richardson and Festa return from the IL. It's a lost season in terms of wins and losses, but it would be encouraging to see the guys they traded for. 

I want to see Abel and Bradley at Target Field this season soon, and I assume we will at some point. But what's happening with Lopez? Not that he needs to rush back at this point, but he's been on the IL longer than I expected. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I  have found that being a Twins fan has meant, "Wait til next year". I guess I'm OK with that. I've been doing exactly that with this franchise for 70 years. Only twice in 70 years has my loyalty to this franchise been rewarded with a championship. My advice to the younger Twins' fans (which is basically everyone reading this post) is "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen now, while you can". And on that happy note, I'm going for a morning walk in the beautiful farmlands of North Carolina. 

[Major League Ready]

11 hours ago, HerbieFan said:

Can someone explain to me why we are seeing something called "Urena" start games instead of Taj Bradley?

I would assume they want to work on some tweaks with Bradley and it's more productive to do that at AAA.  Same thing with Abel except it also makes absolutely no sense to burn service time with a guy that is not quite ready.  They also have SWR/Festa and Lopez due back soon.  Bradley and Abel both just switched organizations and coaches.  It would seem beneficial to avoid bringing them up for 2-3 weeks to work with yet another set of coaches and then send them right back down.

 

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

I want to see Abel and Bradley at Target Field this season soon, and I assume we will at some point. But what's happening with Lopez? Not that he needs to rush back at this point, but he's been on the IL longer than I expected. 

He was throwing from flat ground on July 25 which is just short of 8 weeks from June 3. I think that is pretty close to typical for the injury. 

[Trov]

Larnach is getting non-tendered/DFA this offseason.  His time is up in this line up.  He is a replacement level player at best.  Waller offers better power, and most players offer better defense and most likely offense. Roden does not need to worry about out playing Larnach, he needs to worry about Jenkins, E-Rod, and Gonzalez leaping him.  I could really see by this time next year, assuming Buck is healthy some combo of Buck, Jenkins, E-Rod, Gonzalez, or Wallner in the OF.  This assumes health of them.  

[thelanges5]

Jeremy Zoll discusses the trade acquisitions and some other roster notes. 
 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/minnesota-twins-podcast/id902524292?i=1000721406098

[old nurse]

Sell the team they say

Orioles sold a year ago March. No new GM, no new spending

Royals sale, GM promoted from within, no new spending

Miami sale, Hill retained and promoted, dysfunction continued

Reds sale. Not spending

Nationals sale, not big spenders 

Brewers sale, 

Athletics stayed moneyball

Rays stayed the Rays. Briefly went up with Longoria

Those are the markets with less than 400 million in revenue that have sold in the last 20 years. Why do people think a Twins sale would be any different?

[mnfireman]

I would like to see a set line-up with a set batting order, let's see what these guys can do when they know where they are playing and batting everyday. I understand they want to look at a bunch of guys down the stretch, but the ones who are part of the future should be rewarded with a regular batting spot and a regular position, this team has used 111 different line-ups in 117 games, let's set some consistency.

I would like to see Ryan and Ober take the bump every 5th day. Lopez as well once he comes back, though if the team wants to use him in a bulk role or limit his pitch count that is fine also, he's a known commodity. SWR, Festa, Matthews, Adams, and whoever else they want to look at can be piggy-backed, each going 4 or 5 innings and keeping them on an every 5th day rotation. This should save some wear and tear on the BP as well, I don't trust Tonkin, Ohl, Kriske, Hatch, Funderburk, Sands etc... to not implode sooner rather than later.

I also don't think Abel and Bradley come up this year, unless the coaching staff are happy with their results in St. Paul and want to see one or both of them for 1 or 2 starts at the end of the season. Then those 6 compete for the final 2 rotation spots next spring, with the 4 who don't make the rotation going to the BP, though the trade returns becomes a little less if Abel and Bradley become BP pieces (9 guys for 5 spots, whether by development or trade, that looks like a pitching pipeline).

Kind of a long post and a few pieces are still out with injuries, but if the team really did give up on the post-season this year, then the roster try-outs for the open spots going forward need to begin now and continue through the end of the season. 

[Ricky Vaughn]

14 hours ago, HerbieFan said:

Can someone explain to me why we are seeing something called "Urena" start games instead of Taj Bradley?

 

12 hours ago, rv78 said:

Can someone explain to me why we are seeing something called "Gasper" playing in games instead of any other player not named Gasper. 

Your entitled to your opinion and I agree that neither of these guys belong on the team. But referring to them as something is just disrespectful. They are human beings and deserve to be treated as such.

[Nashvilletwin]

You missed the most important point that can help salvage 2025 and help prep us for a more successful 2026:

Replace Rocco. 

[jjswol]

I think the team needs to be sold ASAP. The Falvey regime along with most of the field staff need to go to get a clean fresh start. To be fair to players like Miranda and Julien you have to go to them and ask them if they want to be traded for what ever you can get or of they want to start fresh under the new ownership. 

I don't know how you tell the players to forget some of the things that the Falvey regime preached.

[The Great Hambino]

13 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I've commented elsewhere about Gasper. The sand is running out of the hourglass.

I think the shelving of Vasquez may have flipped Gasper's hourglass back over.  How telling is it that Gasper got the start over Pereda behind the plate when Jeffers DH'd on Sunday?  I feel like there are better uses of a 26-man roster spot than someone whose primary role is 3rd catcher.  If Pereda isn't worth a look there, then what exactly is he doing up with the big club?

[mnfireman]

49 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

I think the shelving of Vasquez may have flipped Gasper's hourglass back over.  How telling is it that Gasper got the start over Pereda behind the plate when Jeffers DH'd on Sunday?  I feel like there are better uses of a 26-man roster spot than someone whose primary role is 3rd catcher.  If Pereda isn't worth a look there, then what exactly is he doing up with the big club?

Unfortunately after seeing Gasper play C yesterday, I have a feeling Pereda is the move when Wallner is activated from paternity leave 

[RpR]

3 hours ago, mnfireman said:

Unfortunately after seeing Gasper play C yesterday, I have a feeling Pereda is the move when Wallner is activated from paternity leave 

Gasper's First game catching in the Bigs, he did just fine, but his bat has to show up.

[chpettit19]

6 hours ago, old nurse said:

Sell the team they say

Orioles sold a year ago March. No new GM, no new spending

Royals sale, GM promoted from within, no new spending

Miami sale, Hill retained and promoted, dysfunction continued

Reds sale. Not spending

Nationals sale, not big spenders 

Brewers sale, 

Athletics stayed moneyball

Rays stayed the Rays. Briefly went up with Longoria

Those are the markets with less than 400 million in revenue that have sold in the last 20 years. Why do people think a Twins sale would be any different?

The Orioles payroll went up over $50 million this year. Not sure what you mean by "no new spending." Their payroll went from just over 100 mil to over 160. I'd call that new spending. Or, if you go by Cot's, it went up over 60 mil. Either way. There was definitely "new spending" from ownership.

The Nationals sold in 2006 and were absolutely big spenders when they were winning. They aren't spending big during their rebuild, but they were massive spenders when they won the world series. Like top 5 in baseball spenders. And top 10 in baseball for nearly a decade.

The Reds have touched the top 10 in spending during the Castellini ownership. Getting as high as 11th in 2014.

KC never touched the top 10, but got up to 15th during their WS years, which was big spending for them considering they're typically in the bottom 10. 

Yes, the Rays, Marlins, A's, and Brewers are always at the bottom (outside of Miami's 2012 blip at #10). But there's a lot of missing context or simply wrong information in here. I agree with the general premise that people shouldn't expect a sale to mean the Twins are suddenly going to be big spenders, but at least provide accurate information.

 

[old nurse]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

The Orioles payroll went up over $50 million this year. Not sure what you mean by "no new spending." Their payroll went from just over 100 mil to over 160. I'd call that new spending. Or, if you go by Cot's, it went up over 60 mil. Either way. There was definitely "new spending" from ownership.

The Nationals sold in 2006 and were absolutely big spenders when they were winning. They aren't spending big during their rebuild, but they were massive spenders when they won the world series. Like top 5 in baseball spenders. And top 10 in baseball for nearly a decade.

The Reds have touched the top 10 in spending during the Castellini ownership. Getting as high as 11th in 2014.

KC never touched the top 10, but got up to 15th during their WS years, which was big spending for them considering they're typically in the bottom 10. 

Yes, the Rays, Marlins, A's, and Brewers are always at the bottom (outside of Miami's 2012 blip at #10). But there's a lot of missing context or simply wrong information in here. I agree with the general premise that people shouldn't expect a sale to mean the Twins are suddenly going to be big spenders, but at least provide accurate information.

 

What year did any of them lose money. Washington spent when they had a 2.5 million attendance . Reds had 2,5 million attendance, they had a higher payroll after that, attendance went down, spending went down. Same for KC. Payroll did not go up unless attendance did. Nobody was losing money. Expecting someone to come in and spend more than they earn does not happen in low revenue teams.