Kody Clemens Had the Season Minnesota Twins Wanted Edouard Julien to Have

[Cody Schoenmann]

Entering the 2025 MLB regular season, former top Minnesota Twins prospect Edouard Julien was at a career crossroads. Making his major-league debut in early 2023, Julien instantly became (at least for a short while) one of the premier take-and-rake bats in baseball, hitting .263/.381/.459 with 16 home runs, 16 doubles, a 31.4% strikeout rate, and a 134 wRC+ over 408 plate appearances. The then-24-year-old rookie also played a pivotal role in guiding Minnesota to its first playoff win in 19 years and advancing to the ALDS, seemingly solidifying himself as a long-term core contributor to the Twins offense. 

Unfortunately, it's all been downhill since. Julien has batted .208/.299/.324, with 11 home runs, a 32% strikeout rate, and a 79 wRC+ over a combined 509 plate appearances across the last two seasons. With a near-identical strikeout rate and some vestigial capacity to drive the ball, Julien's approach and overall skill set haven't entirely disintegrated since his breakout rookie campaign. Yet, pitchers have been able to exploit his weaknesses more efficiently, throwing him a significant number of breaking and offspeed pitches that possess a movement profile antithetical to his swing path, making him unsteady at the plate and unable to feast on fastballs like he once did.

Julien has been lost at the plate since early 2024. Unable to make meaningful strides toward combating opposing pitchers' adjustments, the one-time fan favorite's long-term prospects in Minnesota have been plunged into doubt, making him a non-tender candidate this offseason. Given Julien's struggles, an opportunity has arisen in Minnesota's infield, particularly at second and first base. Interestingly, a 2025 acquisition has capitalized on that opportunity, filling the role Twins Territory once hoped Julien would. 

Acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in late April, Kody Clemens quickly cemented himself as an integral member of Minnesota's offense, hitting .304/.391/.696 with five home runs and an Aaron Judge-esque 195 wRC+ over his first 65 plate appearances with the club. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old's performance has significantly cooled since early June. Entering Sunday, he was hitting .202/.265/.397 with a well-below-league-average 80 wRC+ over his last 310 plate appearances. 

Still, for the season, Clemens has generated an admirable 97 wRC+ while hitting an impressive (albeit unexpected) 19 home runs, 14 more than his previous career-best. Being one of the lone sources of steady power in Minnesota's lineup, Roger's son has also provided defensive flexibility, appearing at first base, second base, left field, right field, and center field. Despite playing meaningful innings in the corner outfield, Clemens has primarily played on the right side of the infield, netting 388 innings at first base and 307 1/3 at second. 

Now, Julien was never going to factor into the corner outfield mix, meaning Clemens could have etched a utility role on Minnesota's roster regardless of Julien's performance. Yet, Clemens's ascension as a power-hitting left-handed bat who primarily plays second and first base has led to the former Phillie capitalizing on Julien's struggles, usurping the role from the once-promising rookie.

Clemens will enter the offseason set to be the club's primary first baseman next season while continuing to mix in at second base and the corner outfield. As noted earlier, Julien, instead of possessing the right side infield role Clemens now possesses, could no longer be with the organization. Expectations weren't high for Julien entering the 2025 regular season. Yet, there was still an opportunity for him to revive his career in Minnesota, returning to being a cost-controlled core member of the club's long-term success. Instead, he (like many Twins position players) squandered his opportunity, potentially signaling a premature end to his once-promising major league career. 

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[DJL44]

Julien is never going to be able to play defense as well as Kody Clemens.

[chpettit19]

Kody Clemens pulled a Julien in a much smaller sample size. Julien was excellent his rookie season while Clemens was excellent his first month here. Julien then fell apart and has been terrible ever since. Clemens also fell apart and has been terrible.

The Twins didn't want a 1-month spike in performance followed by an unplayable (on a team with any real talent) 3 months from Julien. 

Stop trying to make Kody Clemens good because of 1 month. From June 1 through the end of the season Clemens hit .203/.267/.402/.670. His career line is .206/.263/.403/.666. Just stop with him. He is who he is. And an actual good team cut him because he isn't good enough. Julien put up a .220/.309/.324/.633 OPS for the season.

Outside of a complete and utter outlier of a month of May, Julien and Clemens put up pretty darn similar numbers. Little more BA and OBP from Julien with more power from Clemens. Essentially the same, unplayable hitter, though. 

[jmlease1]

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Julien is never going to be able to play defense as well as Kody Clemens.

true. at the same time, it doesn't look like Kody Clemens will ever get on base like Ed Julien.

As a platoon bat who can play multiple positions, I'm ok with Clemens making the 2026 roster. As a starter at 1B or really any position, I doubt it's going to go all that well. He's super streaky, unplayable against LHP, and makes a lot of outs. But he could be effective spelling RH bats at 2B, 1B, and in the OF.

Julien has not significantly improved his position with the team, and it's shame. He's made more contact (good!) but can't find his power stroke (bad!) and won't draw walks like he used to with opposing teams not fearing him much at the plate (also bad). Since he adds nothing in the field (he might be fine at 1B with more experience, but with that as the best defensive position...) he needs to hit and he simply hasn't.

Since teams have a book on Julien now he's looking like a Quad-A player, which definitely happens to guys who can't adjust when the league responds to them. (James Outman is sadly nodding from somewhere) He should be guaranteed nothing for next season.

[Cody Schoenmann]

6 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Kody Clemens pulled a Julien in a much smaller sample size. Julien was excellent his rookie season while Clemens was excellent his first month here. Julien then fell apart and has been terrible ever since. Clemens also fell apart and has been terrible.

The Twins didn't want a 1-month spike in performance followed by an unplayable (on a team with any real talent) 3 months from Julien. 

Stop trying to make Kody Clemens good because of 1 month. From June 1 through the end of the season Clemens hit .203/.267/.402/.670. His career line is .206/.263/.403/.666. Just stop with him. He is who he is. And an actual good team cut him because he isn't good enough. Julien put up a .220/.309/.324/.633 OPS for the season.

Outside of a complete and utter outlier of a month of May, Julien and Clemens put up pretty darn similar numbers. Little more BA and OBP from Julien with more power from Clemens. Essentially the same, unplayable hitter, though. 

Ideally, Clemens wouldn't have such a prominent role on this team, I agree. I'm not a Clemens defender. However, I think Twins decision-makers would have been more than happy with a 19 home run and 98 wRC+ over 379 plate appearances 2025 campaign from Julien. 

Edited September 29, 2025 by Cody Schoenmann

[chpettit19]

Just now, Cody Schoenmann said:

Ideally, Clemens wouldn't have such a prominent role on this team, I agree. I'm not a Clemens defender. However, I think Twins decision-makers would have been more than happy with a 19 home run and 98 wRC+ over 379 plate appearances 2025 campaign from Julien. 

If he got to it the same way Clemens did, they shouldn't have been happy with it. It would've just been Julien doing Julien things. Spike short term performance with no staying power. Ignoring the fact that nearly all of Clemens' performance came in a 1-month period of time would be terrible player evaluation on the Twins part. But, based on where the team is at now, I guess you very well could be right.

They're going to talk themselves into Clemens being a useful piece and they likely would've done the same with Julien if he had a 1-month outlier. It's why the team lost 92 games. Being happy with performances like that and selling themselves on the idea that the 1-month spike is more meaningful than the 3 months of well below average performance.

[Mike Sixel]

17 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Kody Clemens pulled a Julien in a much smaller sample size. Julien was excellent his rookie season while Clemens was excellent his first month here. Julien then fell apart and has been terrible ever since. Clemens also fell apart and has been terrible.

The Twins didn't want a 1-month spike in performance followed by an unplayable (on a team with any real talent) 3 months from Julien. 

Stop trying to make Kody Clemens good because of 1 month. From June 1 through the end of the season Clemens hit .203/.267/.402/.670. His career line is .206/.263/.403/.666. Just stop with him. He is who he is. And an actual good team cut him because he isn't good enough. Julien put up a .220/.309/.324/.633 OPS for the season.

Outside of a complete and utter outlier of a month of May, Julien and Clemens put up pretty darn similar numbers. Little more BA and OBP from Julien with more power from Clemens. Essentially the same, unplayable hitter, though. 

This. Move on (they won't). 

[nicksaviking]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

This. Move on (they won't). 

Right. Clemens has no business being on a rebuilding team next season. The only thing about his game that doesn't scream fluke, is his dreadful .281 OBP. 

[Reptevia]

Out of the position players, the only ones who should have a guaranteed spot are Buxton, Jeffers and Keaschall. 

[JD-TWINS]

Don’t want to hear about Julien’s high OBP ……. his league leading “strikeouts looking” in ‘24 and mild improvement in ‘25 (less AB’s) negate any value of working pitchers for walks. He can’t hit with ANY reliability.

Clemens hits for same poor BA!! His OBP is 30-60 points less depending upon which year of Julien’s career one looks at, while he had a pretty good power season. Clemens is probably the 13th guy on the roster due to defensive flexibility/cost/continuity……gotta get a regular, better hitter, at 1B!!

Fitzgerald - Vazquez - Julien - Miranda gotta all be gone from 40 man……might bring Vazquez back for $4M??

Hatch - Lawyerson - Ohl - Misiewicz are all questionable 40 man guys…….Tonkin?

Kiersey - Outman - McCusker - Roden are all one step out the door relative to 40 man….to be filled by Youth!

 

[Dman]

The Twins like versatility in their players and Clemens is a solid defensive player at multiple positions.  Jullien just doesn't have the same defensive upside and the difference in their offense is minimal IMO. Especially when you factor in the impact it had on games with Clutch Kody early in the year. 

The Twins are believers in exit velocity and hard hit rate and Clemens has done well there at times. While he doesn't walk much he doesn't K an obscene amount either.  Still as @chpettit19 said it would be nice to find someone with a bit more potential there.  He ended up playing to his sub .700 OPS but his hot month moved him up a bit .715.  You'd like to see more than that from a 29 year old player.

I'm not completely opposed to keeping him on to start the season next year.  He's the perfect gamer(battle your tail off) type player Grady used to love.  Still to say they don't need an upgrade there would be disingenuous. 

I don't see Jullien on the 40 man next year.  Not enough defensive versatility.  Running out of options and other players coming up that look like better options.  We'll see what happens in the offseason.

[Nshore]

It's hard to understand why this organization can't develop first basemen.  They end up having to settle for second rate utility guys, or last minute pick-ups off the scrap pile, which puts them in a competitive hole right off the bat.

[DJL44]

51 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Stop trying to make Kody Clemens good because of 1 month. From June 1 through the end of the season Clemens hit .203/.267/.402/.670. His career line is .206/.263/.403/.666. Just stop with him. He is who he is. And an actual good team cut him because he isn't good enough. Julien put up a .220/.309/.324/.633 OPS for the season.

Outside of a complete and utter outlier of a month of May, Julien and Clemens put up pretty darn similar numbers. Little more BA and OBP from Julien with more power from Clemens. Essentially the same, unplayable hitter, though. 

Clemens has more power and a LOT better defense. I will take the player with the 670 OPS and good defense over the player with the 630 OPS and terrible defense. They're not really close to being the same player. Julien is noticeably worse. That's why he was a full 2 WAR worse this season. Clemens may not deserve a spot on a championship-level MLB team, but Julien doesn't deserve a spot on ANY MLB team.

[bunsen82]

Clemens is a 12th 13th man on the roster. A power option that actual seems to do well when used as a pinch hitter plus provides defensive versatility. He is usable as a 1st base fill in. In my opinion you need to find a better option for 1st base with Clemens as insurance with the possibility of further improvements. 

[tony&rodney]

The argument is what player to keep to repeat a 90+ loss season? Clemens, Julien, or Fitzgerald?

The Twins have managed to bungle the last two seasons in championship form. The manner in which they acquire, keep, and play players is questionable at best. 

A number of people like familiar faces on their favorite teams it seems. So we read that Clemens, Keaschall, Lee, and Lewis are the infield with Jeffers behind the plate and some combination of Martin, Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, and Roden for the outfield. Those are all familiar players.

White Sox fans are also hoping the Twins roll it back.

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Clemens is a 12th 13th man on the roster. A power option that actual seems to do well when used as a pinch hitter plus provides defensive versatility. He is usable as a 1st base fill in. In my opinion you need to find a better option for 1st base with Clemens as insurance with the possibility of further improvements. 

If Keaschall spends most of 2026 on the injured list like he did in 2025, then Kody will get a bunch of playing time at 2B.

[bunsen82]

1 minute ago, DJL44 said:

If Keaschall spends most of 2026 on the injured list like he did in 2025, then Kody will get a bunch of playing time at 2B.

Stating a player will be on the IL  seems rather silly.   If that were to occur I think the most likey outcome is Lee back to 2nd and Culpepper up.  

[Dman]

11 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Don’t want to hear about Julien’s high OBP ……. his league leading “strikeouts looking” in ‘24 and mild improvement in ‘25 (less AB’s) negate any value of working pitchers for walks. He can’t hit with ANY reliability.

Clemens hits for same poor BA!! His OBP is 30-60 points less depending upon which year of Julien’s career one looks at, while he had a pretty good power season. Clemens is probably the 13th guy on the roster due to defensive flexibility/cost/continuity……gotta get a regular, better hitter, at 1B!!

Fitzgerald - Vazquez - Julien - Miranda gotta all be gone from 40 man……might bring Vazquez back for $4M??

Hatch - Lawyerson - Ohl - Misiewicz are all questionable 40 man guys…….Tonkin?

Kiersey - Outman - McCusker - Roden are all one step out the door relative to 40 man….to be filled by Youth!

 

My two cents. I don't see the Twins bringing back Julien or Miranda.  They don't have the athletic profile and their bats haven't overcome their defensive deficiencies.  Both are running out of options and the Twins have more versatile players that could replace them.

They just might bring Vasquez back, unless he gets a big offer somewhere else.  The pitchers seem to love him and with a young staff coming up I could see the Twins retaining him if the salary is right.

I think they might keep Fitzgerald on the 40 man.  He didn't play a ton at the MLB level but his stats indicate he held his own.  He was a plus in WAR and WRC+.  He's a cheap backup for Lee while they pay off Correa's Salary.  Unless something else falls in their lap or they decide to spend I think Fitz is the backup for short.

I have Hatch (who I kind of like), Misiewicz and Tonkin all gone in 2026. The Twins have to add a ton of Rule V arms and will need the space.  I don't think any of those arms did anything to prove the Twins can't find similar production on the fringes elsewhere if needed.

I have them Keeping Ohl as he didn't allow a run the last 7 innings pitched.  Not sure if he lasts long term but I think they give him next year to prove he belongs.

I don't know.  Lawyerson pitched well.  I wouldn't have had them adding him, but with how well he did they might have to.

Kiersey will be off the 40 man and I think McCusker too if they need the space.  I can't see them letting go of Outman as cheap Buxton insurance despite the K rate, but maybe that will change their minds?

Their committed to Roden.  He's going to get a ton of chances if he stays healthy.

[Sjoski]

Julien is still young.  The problem is pitchers figured him out with offspeed stuff, and he hasn’t adjusted.

If he can get back to using his patience and on-base skills, he brings something Clemens doesn’t.

However, he will have to prove himself by winning a job during spring training next season. 

It's highly probable he can't play himself back to the majors...another Miranda. 

[Road trip]

I'd move on from both Clemens and Julien.  If I have to pick an internal option, I've kinda come around on trying Ryan Fitzgerald as the last man off the bench next year.  Better defender than Clemens (and able to play SS), and may just end up being a better bat.  He will probably get dropped off the 40-man, but perhaps he'd come back on a NRI in spring training.  At a minimum it would be nice to stash Fitzgerald in AAA so he can be the inevitable injury replacement.

[chpettit19]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Clemens has more power and a LOT better defense. I will take the player with the 670 OPS and good defense over the player with the 630 OPS and terrible defense. They're not really close to being the same player. Julien is noticeably worse. That's why he was a full 2 WAR worse this season. Clemens may not deserve a spot on a championship-level MLB team, but Julien doesn't deserve a spot on ANY MLB team.

Clemens doesn't deserve a spot on any MLB team either. He isn't a great defender at a premium position or anything. Kody Clemens is not an MLB player. There's a reason the 29-year-old has never stuck on an MLB team until this joke of a Twins team ran him out there for 112 games and doubled his career PAs.

Julien isn't an MLB player, you're right. The point is that Clemens isn't either and giving guys like him nearly 400 PAs is why this team continues to struggle.

[DJL44]

7 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Stating a player will be on the IL  seems rather silly.   If that were to occur I think the most likey outcome is Lee back to 2nd and Culpepper up.  

If they're willing to play Culpepper every day at SS, then I hope they make that move right away and use Brooks Lee as a utility player instead.

I don't see Culpepper making the Twins until June at the earliest. They will want to see success at the AAA level before promoting him. Assume Culpepper is not currently in the plans for next season.

5 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Clemens doesn't deserve a spot on any MLB team either.

Since there were several thousand MLB plate appearances given to players worse than Clemens this season, I will respectfully disagree. The Twins alone gave over 2000 plate appearances to players worse than Kody Clemens.

[tony&rodney]

Why does it seem like a conversation about Clemens, Julien, Miranda, etc. highlights the deficiencies/ lack of talent of the front office?

[DJL44]

32 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

The argument is what player to keep to repeat a 90+ loss season? Clemens, Julien, or Fitzgerald?

The real answer to that is Brooks Lee. If they want a 90 loss season, make Brooks Lee the everyday SS again.

[JD-TWINS]

20 minutes ago, Dman said:

My two cents. I don't see the Twins bringing back Julien or Miranda.  They don't have the athletic profile and their bats haven't overcome their defensive deficiencies.  Both are running out of options and the Twins have more versatile players that could replace them.

They just might bring Vasquez back, unless he gets a big offer somewhere else.  The pitchers seem to love him and with a young staff coming up I could see the Twins retaining him if the salary is right.

I think they might keep Fitzgerald on the 40 man.  He didn't play a ton at the MLB level but his stats indicate he held his own.  He was a plus in WAR and WRC+.  He's a cheap backup for Lee while they pay off Correa's Salary.  Unless something else falls in their lap or they decide to spend I think Fitz is the backup for short.

I have Hatch (who I kind of like), Misiewicz and Tonkin all gone in 2026. The Twins have to add a ton of Rule V arms and will need the space.  I don't think any of those arms did anything to prove the Twins can't find similar production on the fringes elsewhere if needed.

I have them Keeping Ohl as he didn't allow a run the last 7 innings pitched.  Not sure if he lasts long term but I think they give him next year to prove he belongs.

I don't know.  Lawyerson pitched well.  I wouldn't have had them adding him, but with how well he did they might have to.

Kiersey will be off the 40 man and I think McCusker too if they need the space.  I can't see them letting go of Outman as cheap Buxton insurance despite the K rate, but maybe that will change their minds?

Their committed to Roden.  He's going to get a ton of chances if he stays healthy.

IMO, they are committed to Rojas from Toronto and Roden was as much of a flyer as Outman. Can he hit???? …..doubt they hang on to both he & Outman for more than a couple months as it seems higher upside youth will be pushing. No clue on options available for either?

Gonzalez & not far behind, Jenkins in May - June eat up a couple OF spots.

I’m HOPEFUL that one of their last 3 #1 picks at SS can actually be ready by later May as well. Not sure on Fitzgerald’s options?

Lawyerson has been close enough to keep…… Ohl seems to be on the fringe of enough stuff to be consistently effective, IMO…….less confident in him than even Tonkin.

[JD-TWINS]

Just now, DJL44 said:

The real answer to that is Brooks Lee. If they want a 90 loss season, make Brooks Lee the everyday SS again.

Agree, he looks like a 48 year old playing in a 25 year old body - lack of strength and quickness is glaring!! He’s a good depth guy around the dirt but I sure would like to see him not in the starting line-up more than 3 days/week.

His Dad being a College Coach and Brook’s level of baseball acumen has been overshadowed by his lack of success at the plate. He could & is probably close to emerging into a 20 HR guy but his lack of hard hit balls outside of that stat is way too low!

[JD-TWINS]

19 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

If they're willing to play Culpepper every day at SS, then I hope they make that move right away and use Brooks Lee as a utility player instead.

I don't see Culpepper making the Twins until June at the earliest. They will want to see success at the AAA level before promoting him. Assume Culpepper is not currently in the plans for next season.

Since there were several thousand MLB plate appearances given to players worse than Clemens this season, I will respectfully disagree. The Twins alone gave over 2000 plate appearances to players worse than Kody Clemens.

Low Bar isn’t the approach to take……. .202 over last 300 AB’s, even with a dozen HR’s ……. he’s barely the 13th guy to start the year, IMO……essentially the same spot he had with the Phillies last Spring.

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Since there were several thousand MLB plate appearances given to players worse than Clemens this season, I will respectfully disagree. The Twins alone gave over 2000 plate appearances to players worse than Kody Clemens.

How many PAs were given to players worse than Julien? Unless your answer is 0 so you're literally arguing he's the worst player in MLB and that's why he doesn't deserve a spot on any roster then I don't understand the argument.

1. The Twins didn't give 2000 PAs to worse players than career norm/June through September Kody Clemens. 2. Just because the Twins, and other teams, had a number of other players who also weren't MLB quality doesn't make Clemens MLB quality.

If you're using his season stat line and including the complete and utter outlier that was his month of May in your argument, cool, have at it. Good luck getting the same performance moving forward. But career norm (which is nearly identical to his June through September performance) Kody Clemens is not a major league player. It's why he was available on the waiver wire at the age of 29 with only 402 MLB PAs to his name.

I mean this is the Twins in a nutshell. Carrying Jonah Bride on your AAA team the whole season after DFAing him and Kody Clemens on your MLB team the whole season. They have no present or future value. Having people trying to convince themselves a 1B/cOFer who plays a barely passable 2B and brings a .665-.670 OPS bat is a real MLB player. He isn't. And the fact that the bar for entrance onto the Twins 26-man roster is that low explains everything very well.

[JD-TWINS]

45 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

The argument is what player to keep to repeat a 90+ loss season? Clemens, Julien, or Fitzgerald?

The Twins have managed to bungle the last two seasons in championship form. The manner in which they acquire, keep, and play players is questionable at best. 

A number of people like familiar faces on their favorite teams it seems. So we read that Clemens, Keaschall, Lee, and Lewis are the infield with Jeffers behind the plate and some combination of Martin, Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, and Roden for the outfield. Those are all familiar players.

White Sox fans are also hoping the Twins roll it back.

Yes, change is good!

Lee - Clemens - Roden ….. are all degrees of changes to make. Guys below them should be gone……Miranda - Julien - Fitzgerald - Gasper ….,……etc. etc.

How about Jeffers at 1B (Catch once a week) and Perada & FA at catcher? ……. Vazquez for $4M? Anyone else worthwhile in FA market behind the plate?

PEN help & 1 proven BAT are needed!! 

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

How many PAs were given to players worse than Julien? Unless your answer is 0 so you're literally arguing he's the worst player in MLB and that's why he doesn't deserve a spot on any roster then I don't understand the argument.

1. The Twins didn't give 2000 PAs to worse players than career norm/June through September Kody Clemens. 2. Just because the Twins, and other teams, had a number of other players who also weren't MLB quality doesn't make Clemens MLB quality.

If you're using his season stat line and including the complete and utter outlier that was his month of May in your argument, cool, have at it. Good luck getting the same performance moving forward. But career norm (which is nearly identical to his June through September performance) Kody Clemens is not a major league player. It's why he was available on the waiver wire at the age of 29 with only 402 MLB PAs to his name.

I mean this is the Twins in a nutshell. Carrying Jonah Bride on your AAA team the whole season after DFAing him and Kody Clemens on your MLB team the whole season. They have no present or future value. Having people trying to convince themselves a 1B/cOFer who plays a barely passable 2B and brings a .665-.670 OPS bat is a real MLB player. He isn't. And the fact that the bar for entrance onto the Twins 26-man roster is that low explains everything very well.

Maybe a few hundred PA to players worse than Julien and most of those were emergency injury replacements from AAA. He's a platoon DH with a 630 OPS. That's not a player worth having on any roster.

The Twins did give over 2000 plate appearances to players worse than career-average performing Kody Clemens. He's a bench player on a bad team, but the Twins are definitely a bad team. They don't have the immediate talent to replace Clemens from within, and they won't spend the money to replace him in free agency. If they cut him, he will find major league playing time elsewhere.