A Way-Too-Early Minnesota Twins 2026 Opening Roster Projection

[Cody Schoenmann]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

After plummeting from AL Central division title contenders in mid-May to sporting the league's second-worst record with one week left in the season, your Minnesota Twins' 2025 campaign can be summarized in one word: Disheartening. Witnessing franchise cornerstones like Carlos Correa and Jhoan Durán depart from the organization, while learning of the Pohlad family's intention to continue owning and operating the organization for the foreseeable future, those who closely follow the club would be justified in resigning from being emotionally invested in an organization that doesn't have their best interest in mind.

Perhaps the Twins are unlikely to contend for the AL Central crown or an AL Wild Card spot in a serious manner next season. That doesn't mean the club won't be competitive or fun to watch. With the front office operating under significant spending restrictions, the 2026 Opening Day roster likely won't look much different from the current configuration. However, some notable changes may occur between now and next March. What could they be? Let's take a look:

Catchers (2): Ryan Jeffers, Jhonny Pereda
Entering the final week of the three-year, $30-million contract he signed with Minnesota in December 2022, veteran catcher Christian Vázquez is expected to go elsewhere this offseason, leaving a significant hole behind fellow backstop Ryan Jeffers.

Since earning a promotion from Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 5 following Jeffers sustaining a concussion, 29-year-old Jhonny Pereda has impressed in the field and at the plate, sporting a 143 wRC+ over 32 plate appearances while being a significantly better defensive catcher than fellow fill-in Mickey Gasper. Pereda has the upper hand on Gasper heading into next season, and given that team decision-makers are unlikely to spend their limited resources on the position during the offseason, Pereda could succeed Vázquez.

Entering his final season under contract with Minnesota, Jeffers is one of the organization's few reasonable extension candidates. The club could reasonably lock up the 28-year-old backstop on a deal not much different than the one Vázquez is just completing. Jeffers is one of the AL's best-hitting catchers, and will generate significant interest from contending teams this offseason. Still, Minnesota would be wise to hold onto the former second-round pick—and lock him up beyond 2026.

Infielders (5): Kody Clemens, Luke Keaschall, Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, Rhys Hoskins
As noted earlier, next season's team will closely resemble this year's, and this trend will be most noticeable in the infield. There is a strong chance Minnesota enters next season with Kody Clemens at first base (at least against righties), Luke Keaschall at second base, Royce Lewis at third base and Brooks Lee returning as the primary shortstop.

Keaschall and Lewis appear set to patrol their respective positions for the foreseeable future. Despite struggling his first two seasons in the majors, Lee has the inside track on the shortstop job, too. If he struggles, top prospect Kaelen Culpepper could quickly usurp him, with Lee returning to an infield utility role or earning a demotion to Triple-A.

I believe Twins decision-makers will use their limited spending resources at first base, signing former Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers slugger Rhys Hoskins to a one-year contract in the $7-9 million range. Battling through significant injuries with Milwaukee this season, Hoskins has effectively lost the starting job to Andrew Vaughn. That being the case, the 32-year-old is a virtual lock to depart from Milwaukee when he hits free agency this fall, making Minnesota a reasonable destination.

Now, signing Hoskins doesn't mean he is guaranteed to stay with the club for the entirety of next season, especially if the Twins are out of contention come the trade deadline. As a righty with big power in his bat, though, he's a compelling fit for the roster.

Outfielders (6): Austin Martin, Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Walker Jenkins, Alan Roden, James Outman
Next March's primary outfield configuration could include present-day contributors like Martin, Buxton, Wallner, and Trevor Larnach. Here, though, I predict that team decision-makers will non-tender Larnach this winter.

Larnach's departure could open the door for 2023 fifth-overall selection and top Twins prospect Jenkins to make his first Opening Day roster at 21 years old, given a strong performance during Spring Training. Minnesota is entering a new era, and if there is one thing that could light a spark under the most disillusioned fanbase in baseball, rewarding Jenkins with an Opening Day roster spot is it. Will he be a star out of the gate? Those who follow the team shouldn't be frustrated if he isn't. That said, his success is the most consequential variable in Minnesota's ability to return to contender status in the near future.

Jenkins could primarily play right field, with Wallner being the designated hitter against right-handed starting pitchers. The star prospect could also play some center field, alongside Byron Buxton and James Outman, with eyes toward succeeding the former at the position long-term. Alan Roden and Austin Martin could platoon in left field.

Starting Rotation (5): Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley
Assuming the front office elects not to trade López or Ryan, Minnesota's starting rotation would be the club's strongest unit entering next season, possessing the potential of being one of the AL's most formidable units. Their success will heavily rely on López, Ryan, and Ober being able to return to performing like they did in 2023 and 2024. Still, given a full offseason of rest, there is reason to believe the three veteran arms could return to frontline status.

Given his strong performance in September, Woods Richardson has the inside track on fellow young arms Zebby Matthews, Mick Abel and David Festa in earning one of the two final rotation spots entering next season. Despite possessing a lackluster 7.82 ERA and 5.08 FIP since joining Minnesota, Bradley has demonstrated flashes of blossoming into the hard-throwing mid-rotation arm many pundits believed he would become with Tampa Bay. That being the case, there is reason to believe the 24-year-old also has an inside edge on Matthews, Abel, and Festa for one of the last rotation spots, meaning the trio will likely begin next season in St. Paul as the club's starting pitching reinforcements.

Bullpen (8): Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk, Travis Adams, Pierson Ohl, Cody Laweryson, Marco Raya, Connor Prielipp, Andrew Morris
Despite being the weakest unit on the roster, I don't think this group will draw much of the team's attention this winter. The club could bring back Justin Topa on a $2-million team option. Yet, given his struggles and ownership becoming even more parsimonious, I don't expect that.

Sans Topa, six spots could be open for competition next Spring Training, leading to one of the more wide-ranging positional battles in recent Twins history. Adams and Ohl (who worked in stretch roles this season) are strong candidates to transition into short relief roles. Laweryson has impressed in a small sample this September, giving him an inside track on a mid-leverage relief role heading into 2026. However, the final three spots are completely wide open.

I expect team decision-makers to prioritize high-volatility young relievers who could blossom into the club's next crop of high-leverage arms. Marco Raya, Connor Prielipp and Andrew Morris have all had success at the Triple-A level this season, but each has warts that make them unlikely to thrive as big-league starters any time soon. A quick conversion could be best for both the team and their careers.

Prielipp and Raya possess the potential of becoming Minnesota's next primary closer. Abel and Bradley could also figure into the high-leverage reliever mix, if they continue to struggle as starting pitchers in 2026. Regardless, Minnesota's bullpen configuration is nearly a complete unknown, with a significant number of young, high-upside arms possessing the opportunity to capitalize on extended opportunities in Spring Training. In that way, the pen is a microcosm of the whole roster, present and future.

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[ToddlerHarmon]

Hmm. If no starting pitchers are traded, I would guess Topa's option gets picked up in a bid for competitiveness. Gonzalez is more likely IMO to be given a shot on Opening Day than either Outman or the young Jenkins. The roster has no backup shortstop, and I don't think Clemens has done enough to keep that spot. Especially if any one of the corner outfielders can take over first base. So Culpepper instead?

[tony&rodney]

Looks like you were right .... way too early.

It is completely realistic that only half of those named in the post are on on the roster next season.

We can wait until Spring Training to put together a roster, although the suggestions will begin in November.

[Danchat]

That bullpen is a piece of work... but we all know there is going to be at least two AAAA/DFA wire arms on it. And I think Zebby is in the rotation with one of Ryan or Lopez traded.

[Riverbrian]

Your roster will need an infielder that can play a decent SS.

Brooks Lee won't play 162 games even if they try to play him 162 games. 

And I'd say that 6 outfielders is too many.  

 

[rdehring]

Lots of problems with your roster, Cody.  

First, you have no backup at short or third.  None.  Nada.  Second, no mention of Zebby Matthews, who has been a regular starter for the Twins late this season.  Now personally, I think he may be best suited for a move to short relief.  But he is missing in action. 

Third, I don't see the Twins non-tendering Larnach.  Although it seems many here at TD have zero respect for the young man, he has been one of their better hitters this year.  Will agree that he may be the most likely to leave, but he should bring back something in a trade.  Maybe he and a pitching prospect are moved for a decent late inning bullpen guy.

And there is no way they don't bring in some bullpen help.  I expect them to sign at least two relievers, one good late inning guy and another like Columbe this year.  They should also trade for another and likely convert a starter to a relief role.  I doubt that starter moving to the pen is going to be Prielipp, who just may be their best pitching prospect not already pitching for the Twins.  Also, likely they sign several AAAA guys with some big-league experience, much like they have done in the past.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I don’t expect Prielipp to be anywhere but Saint Paul’s rotation to start next season. 

[Western SD Fan]

This is a good first start as it uses almost all internal options.  As the OP has stated, it's reasonable to think that the FO won't spend much during the offseason.  I like the potential signing of Hoskins or someone like Hoskins since he's essentially there to trade off at the deadline for a prospect.  I still hold my ground that the FO will play the service time game with Jenkins and not bring him up right away.  Internally, you're probably replacing him with Keirsey Jr. if you don't want to bring up any other high prospects in the OF.  I also think there will be some FA bullpen arms signed as this FO has seemed to like signing RP on cheap prove-it contracts (league min - $1.5M range).  This idea also gives the Twins time to see how Raya, Prielipp, and Morris adjust to their new roles in St. Paul before calling them up, or the Louis Varland treatment.

[bunsen82]

Canterino is my darkhorse for the bullpen next year assuming somehow he can become healthy like Stewart did.  

If Rhys Hoskins is an option - meaning they have dollars to spend,  I see no reason they don't spend some on the bullpen.  Topa is likely back at 2 million in my opinion.  

FA closer, Sands, Topa, Funderburk, FA, Canterino, Adams (better stuff than Ohl), whoever they want to transition from starters (this is a guess on anyones part at this point).  

[Cody Schoenmann]

17 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Lots of problems with your roster, Cody.  

First, you have no backup at short or third.  None.  Nada.  Second, no mention of Zebby Matthews, who has been a regular starter for the Twins late this season.  Now personally, I think he may be best suited for a move to short relief.  But he is missing in action. 

Third, I don't see the Twins non-tendering Larnach.  Although it seems many here at TD have zero respect for the young man, he has been one of their better hitters this year.  Will agree that he may be the most likely to leave, but he should bring back something in a trade.  Maybe he and a pitching prospect are moved for a decent late inning bullpen guy.

And there is no way they don't bring in some bullpen help.  I expect them to sign at least two relievers, one good late inning guy and another like Columbe this year.  They should also trade for another and likely convert a starter to a relief role.  I doubt that starter moving to the pen is going to be Prielipp, who just may be their best pitching prospect not already pitching for the Twins.  Also, likely they sign several AAAA guys with some big-league experience, much like they have done in the past.

I forgot to add Matthews, that's my bad. I just inserted him into the piece but I think he will be primary Triple-A starting pitching depth alongside Abel and Festa to begin next season. Thanks for the note.

Edited September 23, 2025 by Cody Schoenmann

[The Great Hambino]

Keeping both Ryan and Lopez while investing zilch into rebuilding the bullpen? 

I think Captain O'Hagan had something to say about that in Super Troopers. 

Something about rainbow sherbet.

 

[old nurse]

Interesting that the blogger can claim they will sign Hoskins but doesn’t suggest anything for the bullpen. The likelihood of Hoskins signing here is small. 

[Parfigliano]

42 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Your roster will need an infielder that can play a decent SS.

Brooks Lee won't play 162 games even if they try to play him 162 games. 

And I'd say that 6 outfielders is too many.  

 

One of the 6 outfielders being Outman is insane 

[Woof Bronzer]

I'd be shocked if they keep Lopez, Ryan, and Ober.  Lopez is the guy I'm most convinced they are trading, simply because his contract is the highest and 2026 is going to be all about cutting costs.  Given recent comments though they could trade the disgruntled duo of Ryan + Buxton instead which would cut roughly the same payroll as trading Lopez.  

[jimmiexx]

Let's sign a first baseman and an infielder in FA then trade for more prospects. 

By then we should have Culpepper at short or third and Gonzalez, Jenkins, Rodriguez should have had at least some playing time. For that to happen twins need to get rid of Larnach, Keirsey and possibly Outman. Then they also have Buxton, Wallner, Martin in of.

[USNMCPO]

this roster would certainly sell a lot of tickets😎

[Riverbrian]

4 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

One of the 6 outfielders being Outman is insane 

Maybe... but the Twins front office chose him. Whatever the reason is only known by the front office. 

Outman on the roster for two months in a lost season is more insane. 

Full disclosure... I still like his Power and Speed potential. I assume that's the reason. I hope they unlock it. 

If they can't unlock him.... He will be over run at some point in 2026 by the players closing in on him. 

[AJray15]

There’s no chance Walker or Prielipp are on the Opening Day roster. Both “will need to work on things” until the end of April or early May.

[jmlease1]

I mean, we might as well speculate about the 2026 roster, since 2025 is cooked and we have no idea how much more the Cheap Pohlads are going to demand be cut, or even if the front office is going to be told that if they want to sign anyone they need to find the salary space internally.

But there's no way the Twins go 6 OF and 5 INF, especially when as noted there's no backup SS on the roster. (Arguably, Clemens could play 3B in a pinch...but that's more like desperation than a good idea) Maybe they like Fitz enough to have him be the 6th infielder; he'd certainly be a cheap option and this ownership is all about being cheap.

Outman should be Out of the Roster, but if you're betting on the Twins fall for sunk cost fallacy on him, then you have to think Roden starts in AAA or they sell low on Wallner.

I see little chance of them filling all the bullpen slots internally. There's likely to be 1 reclamation project signed at a discount and probably one veteran they're hoping has one more good season left in them coming in. I also doubt they're ready to move Prielipp to the bullpen yet or Morris. But Funderburk & Laweryson may get real consideration and I think Ohl and Adams should as well. Sands has been showing that maybe he's not good enough to be a fireman, but he's done enough to be a set-up/finish the game guy. I'd let Topa walk: too many injuries, too inconsistent, starting to get expensive (relatively). I would move Raya in the bullpen, but I honestly don't know if he's ready for MLB after this AAA season.

[DJL44]

25 minutes ago, AJray15 said:

There’s no chance Walker or Prielipp are on the Opening Day roster. Both “will need to work on things” until the end of April or early May.

Walker Jenkins may actually need to work on things. His batting line in AAA was not impressive.

Prielipp will be 25 next season and due to his past injuries, I don't expect him to have a long MLB career. Bring him up and use him in the bullpen.

[Vanimal46]

1 minute ago, DJL44 said:

Walker Jenkins may actually need to work on things. His batting line in AAA was not impressive.

Prielipp will be 25 next season and due to his past injuries, I don't expect him to have a long MLB career. Bring him up and use him in the bullpen.

The only way Jenkins makes the opening day lineup is if an extension is agreed to. Otherwise he’ll be up the same day he gains another year of control in early May. 

Agreed on Prielipp. I was hoping he was going to be one of our call ups this year so we would have an answer in the bullpen for 2026. 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Your roster will need an infielder that can play a decent SS.

Brooks Lee won't play 162 games even if they try to play him 162 games. 

And I'd say that 6 outfielders is too many.  

Agree on both counts. I would swap Outman for Isaiah Kiner-Falefa.

I expect them to get a reliever in return for Larnach. I expect them to pick up Topa's cheap option and possibly move Festa to the bullpen as well. That would bump 3 guys off the roster above.

There are a number of possible first basemen (Hoskins, Mountcastle, Arraez, Naylor, O'Hearn, Moancada, Suarez, Nathaniel Lowe, Miguel Andujar)

[Riverbrian]

7 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Agree on both counts. I would swap Outman for Isaiah Kiner-Falefa.

I expect them to get a reliever in return for Larnach. I expect them to pick up Topa's cheap option and possibly move Festa to the bullpen as well. That would bump 3 guys off the roster above.

There are a number of possible first basemen (Hoskins, Mountcastle, Arraez, Naylor, O'Hearn, Moancada, Suarez, Nathaniel Lowe, Miguel Andujar)

Well... you know me.

I'm not interested in one year contracts unless its in the bullpen. . At the same time... I don't have a solution for 1B or SS or C or the bullpen, 

[jorgenswest]

@Cody Schoenmann

I appreciate the work and the forward look. It is impossible to name the acquisitions particularly if they are in a similar career place as Castro and Stewart were when they were acquired. They need to bring in a catcher or two to compete with Pereda and hope a once good prospect turns into a useful player. They need to do the same in the middle infield and bullpen.

Hoskins may be better than any other 1B option on the roster but I wouldn’t want another 1B on a one year deal and I don’t want Hoskins on a multiyear deal. He did not come back all of the way from his injury and at this age will be declining. I would trade some of their prospect capital for a middle of the lineup bat.

 

[Sjoski]

Articles like this, and the comments that follow only highlight how dismal the outlook is for Twins baseball in 2026 and beyond.

Until NEW ownership replaces this front office with talent and fire their sleepwalking manager, a 2026 roster projection is just about learning how to stomach mediocrity.

Twins fans deserve so much better than the endless cycle of Pohlad's cheapness and excuses.

[RpR]

Pereda will not be the catcher as he seems a lot like Rohrbeck, started with a great glove and weak bat; the glove got worse every year and the bat never improved.

Jenkins will not be any where but AAA next year, he is not impressive in AAA.

Larnach may stay and Wallner go as (I care squat about WAR) Larnach was better in Right Field than Wallner and simply better over all this season.

Twins need a GOOD Short Stop badly; Lee is NOT a good Short Stop and Culpepper is a pee poor Short Stop in AA so no way in hell is he gonna be on the Twins team.   Keaschall has to  improve at Second Base as even a good bat with a poor glove means runs for other teams; at that Martin is good at Second Base and that is where he should be at least part of the time.

IF Clemens shines in Spring Training he could be at First Base, but if not another veteran will probably be there; while in the outfield, maybe the FO will have a brain fart and bring Bader back.

As far as the part time rookies so many here love to hate, Spring Training will be full of them and a number may give the ones who hate them hemorrhoids !😎

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Agree on both counts. I would swap Outman for Isaiah Kiner-Falefa.

I expect them to get a reliever in return for Larnach. I expect them to pick up Topa's cheap option and possibly move Festa to the bullpen as well. That would bump 3 guys off the roster above.

There are a number of possible first basemen (Hoskins, Mountcastle, Arraez, Naylor, O'Hearn, Moancada, Suarez, Nathaniel Lowe, Miguel Andujar)

They'll be lucky to get a rookie ball prospect for Larnach, which assumes they tender him in the first place. Larnach is poor defender who is unplayable against LHP and doesn't punish RHP enough to be all that great of a platoon option. He's also turning 29. The floor isn't terrible on Larnach, but there's little upside.

Festa is out for the start of next season at a minimum. Probably can't count on a guy with Thorassic Outlet Syndrome, even if it's the absolute "best" kind, to play before midseason.

IKF is a SS, I guess? But he got traded and then waived, so his future doesn't look so bright to me. Even at $5M, which is a 33% pay cut, he might be out of the Cheap Pohlad budget. But they will need a backup SS of some kind.

[High heat]

I’m hoping Wallner picks up a 1B and works on the footwork and grounders all offseason. 
 

There is no way they keep both Ryan and Pablo and don’t make any big bullpen adds.  I feel they will be trading one or both of them.  As well as trading Jeffers.  I think Parada is DFA and Gasper has a better chance of sticking as the back up catcher.  I don’t think he has looked good defensively behind the plate but I think he has looked better than expected.  His bat is much more long term then a few good hits Parada has had who I think has looked bad defensively airmailing throws and passed balls.  

[minman1982]

Given the likely construction of this offense, I think it would make sense to trade either Ryan and/or Lopez if the return is decent. This is a team that is not going to be competitive next year and so if the team can get something of long term value for either Ryan or Lopez, I think it is worth doing. This also opens up a roster spot or spots for guys like Festa, Abel, and Zebby to start and contribute for a large chunk of the season. The team needs to know what it has in these three guys to make more concrete future plans.

[twinstalker]

Hard to believe Zebby wouldn't be in the rotation.  I guarantee everyone would come after him and hope to get him cheaply.