Three Minnesota Twins Named Top Trade Candidates by MLBTR

[Matthew Lenz]

Every year, MLB Trade Rumors releases a list of the most likely trade candidates for the offseason. In this season's edition, they named a total of 40 players, including three Minnesota Twins in the top nine.

Starting Pitchers Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, as well as Catcher Ryan Jeffers, were named the 2nd, 6th, and 9th most likely trade candidates, respectively.

Ryan, expected to make around $6 million in his second year of arbitration, is coming off a season highlighted by a Cy Young caliber 1st half. As has been the case throughout his career, Ryan cooled off in the second half of the season with a 4.59 FIP. In all, Ryan finished with a 3.74 FIP and a 22.5% K-BB rate across a career-high 171 innings pitched. He was the subject of trade talks at the deadline, with a late push from the Boston Red Sox, and will likely be a popular topic of trade conversations throughout the offseason.

Lopez, who is owed more than $43 million through 2027, only made 14 starts in 2025. In 75 2/3 innings, the righty sported a solid 3.19 FIP and mediocre 17% K-BB rate. While he had been one of the game's more durable pitchers before last season, his tenure with the Twins has been very up and down. While trading the 30-year-old at some point seems likely, Lopez's value right now is lower than it's ever been. While the Twins are more concerned with the bottom line than maximizing value, they would be remiss to deal the righty now instead of waiting until the 2026 trade deadline.

Jeffers, expected to earn more than $6 million in his final year of arbitration, represents the only MLB-caliber player on the roster. While he remained as one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball last season, his power output left more to be desired. He graded out as a below-average catcher, which is likely what he is, even after three years under the tutelage of Christian Vazquez, but that could be somewhat mitigated by the introduction of the ABS system. Unless the Twins plan to add a catcher via trade or free agency, I would be shocked to see them deal Jeffers, as there is nobody in the entire organization ready to take his job.

Do you think the Twins will trade any of these guys over the offseason? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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[Richie the Rally Goat]

14 minutes ago, Matthew Lenz said:

Every year, MLB Trade Rumors releases a list of the most likely trade candidates for the offseason. In this season's edition, they named a total of 40 players, including three Minnesota Twins in the top nine.

Starting Pitchers Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, as well as Catcher Ryan Jeffers, were named the 2nd, 6th, and 9th most likely trade candidates, respectively.

Ryan, expected to make around $6 million in his second year of arbitration, is coming off a season highlighted by a Cy Young caliber 1st half. As has been the case throughout his career, Ryan cooled off in the second half of the season with a 4.59 FIP. In all, Ryan finished with a 3.74 FIP and a 22.5% K-BB rate across a career-high 171 innings pitched. He was the subject of trade talks at the deadline, with a late push from the Boston Red Sox, and will likely be a popular topic of trade conversations throughout the offseason.

Lopez, who is owed more than $43 million through 2027, only made 14 starts in 2025. In 75 2/3 innings, the righty sported a solid 3.19 FIP and mediocre 17% K-BB rate. While he had been one of the game's more durable pitchers before last season, his tenure with the Twins has been very up and down. While trading the 30-year-old at some point seems likely, Lopez's value right now is lower than it's ever been. While the Twins are more concerned with the bottom line than maximizing value, they would be remiss to deal the righty now instead of waiting until the 2026 trade deadline.

Jeffers, expected to earn more than $6 million in his final year of arbitration, represents the only MLB-caliber player on the roster. While he remained as one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball last season, his power output left more to be desired. He graded out as a below-average catcher, which is likely what he is, even after three years under the tutelage of Christian Vazquez, but that could be somewhat mitigated by the introduction of the ABS system. Unless the Twins plan to add a catcher via trade or free agency, I would be shocked to see them deal Jeffers, as there is nobody in the entire organization ready to take his job.

Do you think the Twins will trade any of these guys over the offseason? Let us know what you think in the comments!

 

View full rumor

 

All three in the top 10! Historically, what percentage of the MLBTR top 10 actually get traded in that offseason?

how many of those three actually do get traded before Buck waives his no trade clause?

[mnfireman]

29 minutes ago, Matthew Lenz said:

Jeffers, expected to earn more than $6 million in his final year of arbitration, represents the only MLB-caliber player on the roster.

I'm sure you mean MLB-caliber catcher on the roster.....or maybe not

[Matthew Lenz]

5 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

I'm sure you mean MLB-caliber catcher on the roster.....or maybe not

Hahahaha I did mean catcher but that's almost too good to fix.

[Blyleven2011]

There will be some trades this off season  ....

I had a pop up on my phone of an article yesterday that it's already beginning with Boston and the twins on Joe Ryan  ...

I don't know if it's a reliable source but I just thought I'd throw it out there  ...

Im sure Ryan would like to go and play for a perennial winner and I wouldn't blame him or any other veteran  ...

Varland just finished fulfilling his dream playing in the world series and maybe more  ...

And it was definitely was a very good world series no matter who you were rooting for ....

I will say this Toronto out performed the doubters and outplayed the dodgers but came up short of winning  ...

[Whitey333]

I fully expect Lopez and his 21.5 million salary due in 2026 to be traded for mid level prospects.  After all why do a rebuild and keep that much money on the books.  I expect Ryan to be gone as Twins look for better players there.  Again it makes sense whether I agree with it or not.  Keep in mind each of the past two seasons Ryan has had poor second half season.  Ryan is a possibility as well.  Twins are in a tear down mode and don't seem to care whether they have replacements or not.

[S Bart]

11 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

I fully expect Lopez and his 21.5 million salary due in 2026 to be traded for mid level prospects.  After all why do a rebuild and keep that much money on the books.  I expect Ryan to be gone as Twins look for better players there.  Again it makes sense whether I agree with it or not.  Keep in mind each of the past two seasons Ryan has had poor second half season.  Ryan is a possibility as well.  Twins are in a tear down mode and don't seem to care whether they have replacements or not.

Tear down. ..more like total demolition.. I hope the 2025 season tickets holders just save their money for something more productive. I have attended games every year since the mid 80's and will be hard pressed to spend money on this team in 2026 if they continue to dump players. BOYCOTT!!!!!!...and I hope Buxton leaves if the owners keep the current mindset. He should not waste his talents here.

[terrydactyls]

I live in New England where the only baseball news is about the Red Sox (unless something bad happened to the Yankees) and I haven't read or heard anything about the Red Sox trading for Ryan.

[Doctor Wu]

The only  problem with trading Jeffers is ... the Twins will need to go out and find two other competent catchers to replace him, and I don't see that happening. I sure hope the Twins don't try and trade Lopez. I like his poise and talent and maturity. But I'm almost certain at this point that Ryan will be moved. I only hope we get more than a couple of "promising" prospects in return. 

[Stew]

We shouldn't trade any of them. We are one great left handed hitter away from competing. You may think I'm crazy. But I think we will cheaply rebuild our bullpen. That will mean we get a hitter we need. And we won't be bad. If you look at it realistically,. If we would have kept our bullpen and had a healthy Lopez we probably would have won 13 more games. That would mean we would have been close. I realize I'm not running the twins. But I would spend about 140 million on the roster. That could get us a cheap backup catcher and two relievers. And leave enough to spend as much as twenty-five million on a big bat. Will the twins do that. Absolutely not.

[DJL44]

They should be offering Jeffers a contract extension. They can afford to pay him $15M a season for 2027 and 2028. Of course, they should have offered him an extension last offseason and the one before that as well.

[Riverbrian]

I think Ryan has to be traded. 

I think Pablo should stay and lead the rest of the young rotation arms. 

Jeffers needs to be dealt this off-season. The club should try and Rortvedt (For Example) it's way through 2026. There is no reason for an expiring contract to be on the 2026 club unless you know that the players value will rise from April to the Trade Deadline. I don't know how anyone would know that. 

Unless they can extend Jeffers for a significant yet reasonable contract. 

I would seriously talk extension with him. Tack on a couple of years to keep him in Minnesota until 2029 and that's as far as I would be willing to pump money into the catching position. Just to keep one of our guys around. 

Takes two to tango. No idea what Jeffers is thinking right now but he will certainly draw interest from other clubs if allowed to reach free agency unless he suffers an career threatening injury or has a Christian Vazquez type year at the plate.

He will draw interest if he is on the trade market... teams will over pay for the position.  

The Twins simply are not in position to let anyone of value walk and get nothing in return. This may mean completely depleting the catching department for 2026 and beyond. If that's what it means... That's what it means.     

[tony&rodney]

43 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

He will draw interest if he is on the trade market... teams will over pay for the position.  

The Twins simply are not in position to let anyone of value walk and get nothing in return. This may mean completely depleting the catching department for 2026 and beyond. If that's what it means... That's what it means.   

Totally agree with this position. Even if the Twins are wildly successful in completing a couple of trades, the club will still be in need of experience for their young players which means some growing pains.

I don't have a good thought idea for trading Jeffers. I know Tampa Bay wants catching but I doubt they go for Jeffers. A Jeffers for Brody Hopkins trade with the Rays would be a wild outside guess. I need help with better ideas. What teams would seek to add Jeffers and return something with potential to Minnesota?

One possibility to add a good catching prospect may be a prospect for prospect trade. These are gambles to an extent but that seems to be where the Twins should play this offseason. Would the Twins and Mariners or Twins and Brewers consider an Emmanuel Rodriguez for either Harry Ford (SEA) or Jeferson Quero (MIL)? EmRod has huge upside with potential on base ability, power, speed, and defense as a draw. Both catchers are pretty athletic and Quero, especially, would provide defense. The ceiling of each would put EmRod well above the other two but the floor puts EmRod beneath the other two. Both Seattle and Milwaukee seek power hitting players who are excellent defensively and Emmanuel is their ticket in that way.

Too much risk for the teams?

Emmanuel Rodriguez has to still have quite a bit of value, more than combining Austin Martin, Alan Roden, and Charlee Soto as an example. 

[Dave Borton]

On 11/2/2025 at 10:44 AM, Blyleven2011 said:

 

Varland just finished fulfilling his dream playing in the world series and maybe more  ...

And it was definitely was a very good world series no matter who you were rooting for .....

Heard a passing remark on a podcast re: Varland.

He holds the record for most pitcher appearances in any World Series. Quite a year for the lad.

I too loved the series. Full of drama. Rooted for Dodgers though would have been happy for Blue Jays to win. Would have been better for baseball, though Jays payroll wasn't anything to sneeze at at $265MM.

 

I

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Totally agree with this position. Even if the Twins are wildly successful in completing a couple of trades, the club will still be in need of experience for their young players which means some growing pains.

I don't have a good thought idea for trading Jeffers. I know Tampa Bay wants catching but I doubt they go for Jeffers. A Jeffers for Brody Hopkins trade with the Rays would be a wild outside guess. I need help with better ideas. What teams would seek to add Jeffers and return something with potential to Minnesota?

One possibility to add a good catching prospect may be a prospect for prospect trade. These are gambles to an extent but that seems to be where the Twins should play this offseason. Would the Twins and Mariners or Twins and Brewers consider an Emmanuel Rodriguez for either Harry Ford (SEA) or Jeferson Quero (MIL)? EmRod has huge upside with potential on base ability, power, speed, and defense as a draw. Both catchers are pretty athletic and Quero, especially, would provide defense. The ceiling of each would put EmRod well above the other two but the floor puts EmRod beneath the other two. Both Seattle and Milwaukee seek power hitting players who are excellent defensively and Emmanuel is their ticket in that way.

Too much risk for the teams?

Emmanuel Rodriguez has to still have quite a bit of value, more than combining Austin Martin, Alan Roden, and Charlee Soto as an example. 

I always appreciate your posts... you are consistently worth paying attention to.

We do agree in principle that the Twins needs to start committing to younger roster space pronto.  

But where the two of us veer off slightly is the willingness to trade for a young highly ranked catching prospect. I'm not willing to do that.

If they can afford Ford (Pardon the Pun). I'd rather take massive amount of chips need to land Ford and spend it elsewhere. Some place that doesn't require the physical rest the catching position requires. The Mariners are not going to trade Ford because they have Raleigh. They can utilize Raleigh at DH and be covered at the catcher position completely. There will be no discount because Raleigh is hanging around.   

I'll use the Duran trade for an example.

I like Abel... I think he is going to be worth something. I'm not complaining about Abel. I'm also praying that Tait develops and rises through the levels and ends up being worth it as a MLB player in 2027? 2028? I love that he is highly ranked because it says that a lot of people think he is special and believe in his continued development.  

However... I can't help but wonder did the Twins target or take the 19 year old Tait in Single A because of self inflicted need? Did they specifically target Tait because of this massive development hole behind the plate?  Where other players available? We have other development holes outside of catcher and we don't have the player trade capital to address them all.    

In other words... Could they have gotten Miller or Crawford instead? Did we over pay for catching? No idea if either Miller or Crawford will work out but they are couple of athletes that will make the team more athletic. I have no idea if Miller or Crawford where non-starters in trade discussion with the Phillies. But... if the Phillies would have traded Miller or Crawford and the Twins chose Tait. Well... desperation leads to this sort of thing. Again no idea... if Miller or Crawford were on the table or not. I'd really like to be a fly on the wall when these discussions take place.   

 

[tony&rodney]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I always appreciate your posts... you are consistently worth paying attention to.

We do agree in principle that the Twins needs to start committing to younger roster space pronto.  

But where the two of us veer off slightly is the willingness to trade for a young highly ranked catching prospect. I'm not willing to do that.

If they can afford Ford (Pardon the Pun). I'd rather take massive amount of chips need to land Ford and spend it elsewhere. Some place that doesn't require the physical rest the catching position requires. The Mariners are not going to trade Ford because they have Raleigh. They can utilize Raleigh at DH and be covered at the catcher position completely. There will be no discount because Raleigh is hanging around.   

I'll use the Duran trade for an example.

I like Abel... I think he is going to be worth something. I'm not complaining about Abel. I'm also praying that Tait develops and rises through the levels and ends up being worth it as a MLB player in 2027? 2028? I love that he is highly ranked because it says that a lot of people think he is special and believe in his continued development.  

However... I can't help but wonder did the Twins target or take the 19 year old Tait in Single A because of self inflicted need? Did they specifically target Tait because of this massive development hole behind the plate?  Where other players available? We have other development holes outside of catcher and we don't have the player trade capital to address them all.    

In other words... Could they have gotten Miller or Crawford instead? Did we over pay for catching? No idea if either Miller or Crawford will work out but they are couple of athletes that will make the team more athletic. I have no idea if Miller or Crawford where non-starters in trade discussion with the Phillies. But... if the Phillies would have traded Miller or Crawford and the Twins chose Tait. Well... desperation leads to this sort of thing. Again no idea... if Miller or Crawford were on the table or not. I'd really like to be a fly on the wall when these discussions take place.   

 

Yes, I understand your point about not overpaying for a catcher. I was flummoxed by the choice of Tait over Miller as was reported in the Duran trade. Tait swings a mean bat but his ability to catch is still very much in question.

I think EmRod for a top catching prospect is different because the team uses a highly valued but variable prospect to fill a position of need without weakening their team. I have Buxton still in the outfield for 3 more seasons and believe in Walker Jenkins. That only leaves one outfield spot for a regular.

I'm trading Ryan for an outfielder that is ready or a highly rated prospect who is close. I'm not bringing in more pitching for Ryan or seeking catchers for Ryan. I cannot think of any infielders available for Ryan unless Ceddanne Rafael is a part of the package from Boston which seems tough. Even then Rafaela is best in centerfield, a real difference-maker.

The Twins can cover the loss of EmRod unless he becomes the next Juan Soto, which is not a thing. These conversations are just exercises because we have zero idea of how clubs value their players. I like to think of how Seattle, Milwaukee, Detroit, and so forth would see their roster strengthened by a trade.

I do think a team can cover the catching position by Vazquez (or another veteran) or a Rortvedt. I might be in the minority but a catcher who is exceptional and has catching skills is more important to me than if they reach base (Maldonado, but we do need to remind ourselves that even great defensive catchers lose their skills as he has). Thus my prospect for prospect idea.

[Riverbrian]

A young 1B and SS is what I want. And a bunch of bullpen dudes. That is probably the extent of my wish list at the moment. 

Bring in a young SS to compete with Lee. Lee can then also compete with Lewis and Keachall or whoever this young 1B is. The fastest way back is to diversify... hedge your bets... invest in plural not singular. 

I think we should trade Ryan to acquire what we need if possible.  His value will not go higher. It' time. It took me awhile to come to this conclusion but I've come to it.  

If we can't extend Jeffers... price and willingness to be extended are the big extension questions to be answered. If we can't. I think he should traded as well because I don't believe an expiring contact has any business on the 2026 roster so it's time to cash it in. Don't let him walk for nothing. 

And I think an OF'er could be moved but an OF'er doesn't have to be moved or cut. I will never give up on the dream of 5 outfielders on the same roster that can play and the competition that results in having 5 outfielders who can play.

I'd also like to run through the guys who have immediate decisions due first before I simply move on to the next group... no matter how exciting that group is. Does Martin have anything? Does Rodon? Does the Twinsdaily favorite Outman have anything? I'd give Outman until June... No longer. He has this off-season to fix what needs to be fixed. 

I'd have to research it for long while to find any major league team that got through 162 games with 3 outfielders. It would take a while to find a team that got through 162 games with just 4 of them. Plenty of room for competition. Plenty of room for exposure... Plenty of options to move off of some and on to others. 

I'm not sure the Mariners would trade Ford for Erod. If they would... my question would be... what would other teams give up for Erod? Or would the Mariners give up Colt Emerson (No idea if Emerson is worth it or not) for Erod? 

It's tough to know... knowing what we know. It's fun though. 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

8 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I think Ryan has to be traded. 

I think Pablo should stay and lead the rest of the young rotation arms. 

Jeffers needs to be dealt this off-season. The club should try and Rortvedt (For Example) it's way through 2026. There is no reason for an expiring contract to be on the 2026 club unless you know that the players value will rise from April to the Trade Deadline. I don't know how anyone would know that. 

Unless they can extend Jeffers for a significant yet reasonable contract. 

I would seriously talk extension with him. Tack on a couple of years to keep him in Minnesota until 2029 and that's as far as I would be willing to pump money into the catching position. Just to keep one of our guys around. 

Takes two to tango. No idea what Jeffers is thinking right now but he will certainly draw interest from other clubs if allowed to reach free agency unless he suffers an career threatening injury or has a Christian Vazquez type year at the plate.

He will draw interest if he is on the trade market... teams will over pay for the position.  

The Twins simply are not in position to let anyone of value walk and get nothing in return. This may mean completely depleting the catching department for 2026 and beyond. If that's what it means... That's what it means.     

If I’m Jeffers, I’m thinking “this is probably my only crack at Free Agency, make it count”

the only way I sign an extension is for a monstrous over-pay which would likely be way too long of a term

[tony&rodney]

8 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

A young 1B and SS is what I want. And a bunch of bullpen dudes. That is probably the extent of my wish list at the moment. 

 

I'm not sure what young first baseman looks good. I'm not a fan of Tristan Casas because he is a pure DH, brutal glove and slow. I'm thinking the Giants hold their tall drink of water. Ryan O'Hearn is a possibility as is Josh Naylor. If the Twins can afford $110M there is room for a 3/$75M deal (hopefully less) for Naylor. Maybe Tampa Bay would trade Tre' Morgan.

I do think the Twins can add two relievers at about a nickel each. Maybe the payroll reaches $115M.

My idea for shortstop may be difficult and controversial  but he has low value at the moment. See if Arizona will send Jordan Lawler for either Ober or Matthews or Festa. Would they? Seems like it might be possible because the D-Backs have three infielders entrenched and a pile of solid prospects. Lawler is a great shortstop but totally bombed at third base. He doesn't like the position spacing. Arizona is moving him to CF in winter ball. There should be some ways to complete meaningful trades that benefit both teams.

[Riverbrian]

11 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

If I’m Jeffers, I’m thinking “this is probably my only crack at Free Agency, make it count”

the only way I sign an extension is for a monstrous over-pay which would likely be way too long of a term

I wouldn't blame him. I'd want the chance to choose where I play and I'd probably want to be above a 50/50 playing time split. 

Now... If I'm the Twins. I'm not letting him reach that free agency in a Twins uniform. We need to get something for him. The only way this team can justify letting a player like Jeffers walk with nothing in return is if they THINK they are in contention. They might be able to see the possibility of playoffs but they can't FEEL LIKE they ARE IN CONTENTION.  So... you move Jeffers.

This team will have to reach contention with a punted catcher spot. Rortvedt and Pareda. If they wait for the deadline to see if they are in contention... Jeffers will lose significant value as a two month rental. He needs to be traded this off season.  

Also... If I'm the Twins... I'm not going to wait the entire off-season negotiating with his agent before he goes on the block. He goes on the block the very first day his agent doesn't sign an extension. Let the negotiation take place with rumors of trade.

Jeffers needs to be a solid consideration for the teams that don't want to sign a 35 year old Realmuto or 36 year old Perez to a multi-year deal. There is a drop in quality after those two. Get in front of them signing somewhere.  Red Sox, Rays, Rangers, Phillies and Padres are 5 teams that might be willing to trade desperation prices. 

[Riverbrian]

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I'm not sure what young first baseman looks good. I'm not a fan of Tristan Casas because he is a pure DH, brutal glove and slow. I'm thinking the Giants hold their tall drink of water. Ryan O'Hearn is a possibility as is Josh Naylor. If the Twins can afford $110M there is room for a 3/$75M deal (hopefully less) for Naylor. Maybe Tampa Bay would trade Tre' Morgan.

I do think the Twins can add two relievers at about a nickel each. Maybe the payroll reaches $115M.

My idea for shortstop may be difficult and controversial  but he has low value at the moment. See if Arizona will send Jordan Lawler for either Ober or Matthews or Festa. Would they? Seems like it might be possible because the D-Backs have three infielders entrenched and a pile of solid prospects. Lawler is a great shortstop but totally bombed at third base. He doesn't like the position spacing. Arizona is moving him to CF in winter ball. There should be some ways to complete meaningful trades that benefit both teams.

The thing that I don't like about Casas is his injury history. Thus far he seems like the Red Sox version of Lewis on that front. We have had our fair share of that sort of thing between Buxton and Lewis. 

Otherwise... I don't typically care about stereotypical position players. However, at 1B... it's the one position where I'm looking for that big bomber stereotype. I think you need a couple of bombers on your roster. Cases would fill that role... if he can stay healthy. Putting a bomber at 1B... it allows you to try and become more athletic at other positions because you don't need to utilize more athletic requiring positions to fill that big bomber role. I like the idea of Wallner and Casas in the same lineup. If not Cases... someone like him. 

Who is that young big bomber 1B and who is that young SS I'd like to see the Twins add. This is where I have to trust the front office. I'm just hoping that the front office is looking for the same things that I am and the odds of that are slim. 

I would use Ryan and Jeffers as trade chips to fill those spots.

I'd consider moving an OF'er for a decent reliever but I'd stay away from trading any of the NEXT group (Jenkins, Erod and GG). These guys don't have to be called up yet but soon and they will get that opportunity when the injuries start to come and they will come. First... we need to find out what the group with ticking clocks in front of them can be.

We may be all sure that Jenkins, Erod and GG are going to out perform them so the temptation will be to just jump right now and move on from the current group. I don't want to toss potential just yet and I don't want to just remove players who are at least decent hitters who have some success at the major league level. So... I'm kind of OK rolling with Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Martin and Outman to start the season and let them compete against each other. I'm giving Outman until June and that's it. If he hasn't fixed things by then... the team has to release him. Rodon... has options... he can report to St. Paul if all 5 are healthy coming out of spring training. Chances are... someone out of Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Martin and Outman will not be healthy on opening day. After they compete with each other... winners and losers can be determined and the next group can start rolling in and compete with the winners. Injuries are going to provide opportunity for Jenkins, Erod and GG. If the Twins do it right... they could have a pretty solid idea where they stand in the OF for 2027 but they have to allow for the players to sort things out with performance on the field. That will require opportunity for all and honest to god competition.  

Infield... Keaschall, Lewis, Lee, the New Young IF who can play a decent SS and the New Young 1B that I seek is just fine for 2026. The last spot can go to Clemens and he can utility around. His power is nothing to sneeze at so I'm ok breaking camp with Kody and competing. However, if the team can land another young infielder  in a trade beyond that SS and 1B that I seek. Clemens can be DFA'd. Right now... I'll settle for the two positions that I really really want.

Catcher... Punt it. Think defense... Try to get lucky with the position until the farm starts to produce something/anything. Just don't spend any resources here. Sleep in the bed you made. Ryan and Jeffers are the players I would be willing to move and I would prioritize 1B and SS for those two trade resources. We don't have the trade chips to go big at catcher when other spots are needed.  

Starting Pitching... Lopez and Ober lead the the youngsters. SWR, Bradley, Abel and Matthews have a lot of potential. Let's get the journey started with them. Let them work through major league kinks if necessary.  Festa could be considered for bullpen or starting pitching depth. We will have some guys that need to be placed on the 40 man to add to the depth. I'd hate to lose Ryan but the depth is pretty good without him. You have to trade Ryan now.  

Bullpen... This is the only place I'd spend free agent dollars. I'd look for that bounce back candidate and that candidate is Gavin Williams. Outbid everyone for him. Probably need to shop for a couple bullpen guys and convert a couple of young starters, Proelipp, Festa, Raya would be the candidates for bullpen work that come to mind. 

Other free agents? There is no sense talking about Naylor. Naylor is going to sign elsewhere. The Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Rangers, Padres are going to be looking for a big 1B. Naylor is going to get paid. After Alonso and Bellinger who can play 1B. There is a drop to Naylor and then a huge drop after Naylor. O'Hearn may be the best option for those teams listed above. I doubt O'Hearn lands in Minnesota. Bichette isn't coming. Tucker isn't coming. Grisham isn't coming. Bregman and Saurez are not coming.

Please... Please don't Josh Bell your way through this. The Twins have a clean slate... quit writing on it with Josh Bell and IKF.

Other than the bullpen... I don't want any expiring contracts. No one year deals! I want to pour youth through the filter and let them tell you what you have. Then take what you found and plan for 2027 with new information. 

2026 Game 7 lineup for the World Series: 

CF - Buxton

1B - Young Bomber

2B - Keaschall 

RF - Wallner

3B - Lewis or Lee

DH - Larnach

LF - Whoever shows they want it out of Martin, Outman, Rodon, Jenkins, Erod and GG. 

SS - Young unnamed SS or Lee

C - Unnamed Punted Catcher

 

[tony&rodney]

58 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

The thing that I don't like about Casas is his injury history. Thus far he seems like the Red Sox version of Lewis on that front. We have had our fair share of that sort of thing between Buxton and Lewis. 

Otherwise... I don't typically care about stereotypical position players. However, at 1B... it's the one position where I'm looking for that big bomber stereotype. I think you need a couple of bombers on your roster. Cases would fill that role... if he can stay healthy. Putting a bomber at 1B... it allows you to try and become more athletic at other positions because you don't need to utilize more athletic requiring positions to fill that big bomber role. I like the idea of Wallner and Casas in the same lineup. If not Cases... someone like him. 

Who is that young big bomber 1B and who is that young SS I'd like to see the Twins add. This is where I have to trust the front office. I'm just hoping that the front office is looking for the same things that I am and the odds of that are slim. 

I would use Ryan and Jeffers as trade chips to fill those spots.

I'd consider moving an OF'er for a decent reliever but I'd stay away from trading any of the NEXT group (Jenkins, Erod and GG). These guys don't have to be called up yet but soon and they will get that opportunity when the injuries start to come and they will come. First... we need to find out what the group with ticking clocks in front of them can be.

We may be all sure that Jenkins, Erod and GG are going to out perform them so the temptation will be to just jump right now and move on from the current group. I don't want to toss potential just yet and I don't want to just remove players who are at least decent hitters who have some success at the major league level. So... I'm kind of OK rolling with Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Martin and Outman to start the season and let them compete against each other. I'm giving Outman until June and that's it. If he hasn't fixed things by then... the team has to release him. Rodon... has options... he can report to St. Paul if all 5 are healthy coming out of spring training. Chances are... someone out of Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Martin and Outman will not be healthy on opening day. After they compete with each other... winners and losers can be determined and the next group can start rolling in and compete with the winners. Injuries are going to provide opportunity for Jenkins, Erod and GG. If the Twins do it right... they could have a pretty solid idea where they stand in the OF for 2027 but they have to allow for the players to sort things out with performance on the field. That will require opportunity for all and honest to god competition.  

Infield... Keaschall, Lewis, Lee, the New Young IF who can play a decent SS and the New Young 1B that I seek is just fine for 2026. The last spot can go to Clemens and he can utility around. His power is nothing to sneeze at so I'm ok breaking camp with Kody and competing. However, if the team can land another young infielder  in a trade beyond that SS and 1B that I seek. Clemens can be DFA'd. Right now... I'll settle for the two positions that I really really want.

Catcher... Punt it. Think defense... Try to get lucky with the position until the farm starts to produce something/anything. Just don't spend any resources here. Sleep in the bed you made. Ryan and Jeffers are the players I would be willing to move and I would prioritize 1B and SS for those two trade resources. We don't have the trade chips to go big at catcher when other spots are needed.  

Starting Pitching... Lopez and Ober lead the the youngsters. SWR, Bradley, Abel and Matthews have a lot of potential. Let's get the journey started with them. Let them work through major league kinks if necessary.  Festa could be considered for bullpen or starting pitching depth. We will have some guys that need to be placed on the 40 man to add to the depth. I'd hate to lose Ryan but the depth is pretty good without him. You have to trade Ryan now.  

Bullpen... This is the only place I'd spend free agent dollars. I'd look for that bounce back candidate and that candidate is Gavin Williams. Outbid everyone for him. Probably need to shop for a couple bullpen guys and convert a couple of young starters, Proelipp, Festa, Raya would be the candidates for bullpen work that come to mind. 

Other free agents? There is no sense talking about Naylor. Naylor is going to sign elsewhere. The Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Rangers, Padres are going to be looking for a big 1B. Naylor is going to get paid. After Alonso and Bellinger who can play 1B. There is a drop to Naylor and then a huge drop after Naylor. O'Hearn may be the best option for those teams listed above. I doubt O'Hearn lands in Minnesota. Bichette isn't coming. Tucker isn't coming. Grisham isn't coming. Bregman and Saurez are not coming.

Please... Please don't Josh Bell your way through this. The Twins have a clean slate... quit writing on it with Josh Bell and IKF.

Other than the bullpen... I don't want any expiring contracts. No one year deals! I want to pour youth through the filter and let them tell you what you have. Then take what you found and plan for 2027 with new information. 

2026 Game 7 lineup for the World Series: 

CF - Buxton

1B - Young Bomber

2B - Keaschall 

RF - Wallner

3B - Lewis or Lee

DH - Larnach

LF - Whoever shows they want it out of Martin, Outman, Rodon, Jenkins, Erod and GG. 

SS - Young unnamed SS or Lee

C - Unnamed Punted Catcher

 

You have a lineup that is almost certainly closer to the 2026 likely version than what I would suggest, so realism is your line to an extent. Casas would be a lotto ticket at the plate with some potential to hit. He also, like Wallner and Larnach is not suitable to play in the field. The return of six currently rostered names to the lineup just fails to move the needle for me. The squad that took the field from July 31st onward is ticketed for 55-75 wins. That team was more interesting after mid August (Rocco's revenge) but still had problems fielding the ball. I'm hoping, against all odds, for half the position roster to turn over. In the end we are all guessing but I have followed the Twins since 1961 and the team the last few years was among the worst fielding, base-running, and situational hitting clubs in that time. It was a struggle to watch them play for me. Thus my optimism for the future is tied to change. All of us Twins fans will have vastly different ideas and we wonder what the POBO will do. It is entirely possible he likes the roster as it stands today. We wait to find out.

[Riverbrian]

54 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

You have a lineup that is almost certainly closer to the 2026 likely version than what I would suggest, so realism is your line to an extent. Casas would be a lotto ticket at the plate with some potential to hit. He also, like Wallner and Larnach is not suitable to play in the field. The return of six currently rostered names to the lineup just fails to move the needle for me. The squad that took the field from July 31st onward is ticketed for 55-75 wins. That team was more interesting after mid August (Rocco's revenge) but still had problems fielding the ball. I'm hoping, against all odds, for half the position roster to turn over. In the end we are all guessing but I have followed the Twins since 1961 and the team the last few years was among the worst fielding, base-running, and situational hitting clubs in that time. It was a struggle to watch them play for me. Thus my optimism for the future is tied to change. All of us Twins fans will have vastly different ideas and we wonder what the POBO will do. It is entirely possible he likes the roster as it stands today. We wait to find out.

Agreed... Who knows what they will do.

I just have a hard time seeing massive lineup turnover and I certainly don't see any significant spending.

I'm ok with that. As long as they work quickly and comprehensively to identify young talent so they got money to spend on decent additions when the time is right to add decent additions. 

I tend to focus on the hitting side of things but that doesn't mean that I don't understand the value of defense.

I've said numerous times that the biggest needle moving stat of all the stats in the universe is the extra out or the out taken away by a fantastic catch. Each extra out greatly increases the chances of a crooked number and every out stolen out by a defender greatly decreases the chances of a crooked number. In my opinion... It's those crooked numbers that greatly increase or decrease your chances of putting up a W.

So I'm not anti-defense... I get the importance of it.

I just feel that the routine play tends to dominate the number of defensive chances for each player and I really really really don't trust zone ratings. Zone ratings seem to be the primary tool used to produce the defensive stats that we react to. 

The addition of a good young SS will hopefully improve the defense at a primary defensive position. Lee is a decent enough infielder but I think he is better moving around the infield still getting playing time... instead of being the primary SS every day where is range appears to be a little challenged.     

Punting the Catching Position to settle for defense should make catching defensively stable.  

Buxton is fantastic... Martin is improving in the OF... I'll even go as far to say that in September he looked damn good. I would still keep Martin's infield glove standing by because he can slide to 2B or 3B if Lewis or Keaschall gets hurt. If Martin can do that... if Lewis or Keaschall get hurt... they can call up one of the outfielders to replace them.  

Outman can play D, I don't know about Rodon but they played him in CF last year so I assume the Twins don't think he's a nightmare out there.

I like the look of Keaschall at 2B... he booted some easy stuff and he made some tough plays. Just needs more reps for more consistency. Lewis is OK... needs to work on his throwing. This lineup is more athletic and shouldn't be station to station on the base paths. 

That leaves 1B and RF for defensive concerns... I'm OK with a couple of less athletic Bombers in the lineup. Providing that they hit bombs. 

The guy who has 5 tools is tough to find so I'll be OK with a missing tool here and there on the road to finding more 5 tool guys to join Buxton. 

The alternative is to bring aboard low dollar veteran players with missing tools to keep those wheels spining and getting nowhere.   

[Mike Sixel]

It would be insane to use assets to acquire a SS if you have Culpeper and Houston. 

[Steve J]

I always find this irritating.  Every offseason, journalists who are most often fans of big market teams, mark the few valuable players the Twins have for trade.  Happens every offseason.  Trouble is, I don't know if I can fault them given this team's tendencies.  

[DJL44]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

2026 Game 7 lineup for the World Series: 

SS - Young unnamed SS or Lee

C - Unnamed Punted Catcher

It is delusional to think they can punt SS and C and be even a .500 team next season. Those are the positions that separate the contenders from the also-rans. If that's the plan, then I don't see a reason to keep Ryan or Lopez. Going with waiver wire talent or not-ready-yet rookies at those two positions means they're tanking.

[Riverbrian]

46 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

It is delusional to think they can punt SS and C and be even a .500 team next season. Those are the positions that separate the contenders from the also-rans. If that's the plan, then I don't see a reason to keep Ryan or Lopez. Going with waiver wire talent or not-ready-yet rookies at those two positions means they're tanking.

It's delusional to think that I said punt SS.

I said Punt Catcher. Find a Defensive Guy until you can start developing a catcher.

Concentrate at finding offense at the other 8 positions. 

I want someone who will push Lee. Hopefully better than Lee. 

 

[Riverbrian]

9 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

It would be insane to use assets to acquire a SS if you have Culpeper and Houston. 

It would be insane to think that players can't be traded if players develop as they should. 

It would be insane to not pick up a SS betting the farm on Culpepper and Houston who will not be breaking camp with the club in 2026. 

It would be insane to think that SS's can't play a different position if they have someone better. 

It would be insane to decide who is better right now. 

[Mike Sixel]

22 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

It would be insane to think that players can't be traded if players develop as they should. 

It would be insane to not pick up a SS betting the farm on Culpepper and Houston who will not be breaking camp with the club in 2025. 

It would be insane to think that SS's can't play a different position if they have someone better. 

It would be insane to decide who is better right now. 

They have limited assets and two SS they believe in. If you need lots of things, you don't use limited assets on things you expect to have in half a year. 

[chpettit19]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They have limited assets and two SS they believe in. If you need lots of things, you don't use limited assets on things you expect to have in half a year. 

There's no such thing as having too many players at any position, especially SS. We've been hearing how they have too many lefty corner outfielders for years; I don't see a single one. But they couldn't bring in someone else because they had Larnach and Wallner (I believe in the bat, just preferably at DH). They believed in Julien enough to trade Polanco. Miranda enough to try Lewis at 2B. Kirilloff enough to never get a long-term 1B. Lee has been used as an example of a reason the Twins didn't need to sign Correa or another reason to push Lewis off 3B.

If they could bring in Bo Bichette (clearly an exaggerated example), you wouldn't do it because of Culpepper and Houston?

The Twins need talent. Get talent. Up the middle talent preferably and then move them around. The Padres had a young MVP candidate at SS and have proceeded to move him to RF while bringing in 4 other shortstops and moving their next young phenom to CF (a position he'd never played) for his MLB debut. Culpepper and Houston both reaching their ceiling after having filled SS with another guy who is legitimately good would be a great problem to have. Get up the middle athletes who have real talent and figure it out from there.

The Twins need Culpepper, GG, Jenkins, etc. to be good to have any shot in the next few years, but they shouldn't assume they will be. Especially not if they can get a true difference maker back for Ryan. Get the best baseball player you can for him and figure it out from there.