It Sounds Like Kody Clemens Will Be the Twins' Starting First Baseman

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

As the Minnesota Twins look to take a step forward offensively in 2026, one of the biggest question marks in their lineup is first base. Last year, after Ty France was traded at the deadline, all but one start at the position went to either Kody Clemens or Edouard Julien. Looking forward, it sure sounds like Derek Falvey and the Twins are inclined to stay the course.

When asked at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas last week about his intentions to add at first base during the offseason, Falvey told reporters, including John Bonnes of Twins Daily: 

"I guess I view it through a couple lenses. I think it's an area where we're going to hope that there's a few guys internally that we've asked to continue to kind of grow and develop there. Eddie Julien got some time there, and will continue to get a little bit more work. Kody Clemens was a huge value add for us last year there. There's no way around it. Like, great fit, great kid, I thought was a lift in the clubhouse, and had really good year there. 

So I think give him another winter, get his legs under him. Like, could we find a complement there from the right-handed side? That's possible too, but that's an area that we know, that we have some players that can play there, but maybe not a single designated person. But we want to give Kody a lot of runway there too, because he was really a good fit for us last year."

Well, that wasn't very ambiguous was it? Clemens is your starting first baseman, with the team likely to add some possible righty-hitting options to their capability mix. Julien will need a monster spring to make the team, and that's if he sticks on the 40-man roster all winter, but Clemens apparently has an open door to "a lot of runway" at the position. 

One could cynically view this as another cheap move fueled by stingy ownership. In fact it's not really even cynical. Clemens is a low-cost option who will cost the minimum and will negate a need to shop externally. But that doesn't mean this can't also be a reasonable course of action. If the team's plan is indeed to go with Clemens at first, at least as an interim plug-in, I don't hate it.

Clemens, like Julien, didn't do much with his expanded post-deadline opportunity at first base. He mostly slumped throughout August and September, dragging down the surprisingly strong numbers he'd amassed through his first couple of months as a Twin. But within the generally underwhelming second half, Clemens also produced one of the greatest single-game offensive performances in franchise history.

On September 12th against the Diamondbacks, Clemens went 4-for-4 with three home runs and a double, narrowly missing the first ever four-homer game by a Twin. Even amidst a sea of late-season struggle, it was the type of flash that makes Clemens an intriguing player, despite being a bit of a journeyman at age 29.

 

You've got to have some ability to put together a game like that. Just like you've got to have some ability to rip 12 homers in 54 games, as Clemens did during his initial stretch with Minnesota in May, June and July. These weren't all garbage-time cheapies either; he hit some big game-changing bombs and was a key figure in the 18-win May that temporarily thrust the Twins into contention.

To become a true asset as a starting first baseman in the majors, Clemens needs to harness that ability more consistently and cut down on prolonged droughts. But the ingredients are there. His xSLG, average exit velocity, barrel and hard hit rates were all solidly in the upper quartile of MLB players this year. He walked and made enough contact to hold his own with strike zone control. His xwOBA (.341) was substantially higher than his actual wOBA (.307), suggesting room for growth.

 

Importantly, he also adds some other much-needed qualities to the mix as a regular for the Twins. Clemens was said to have assumed a leadership role on a team that now faces a leadership void. He's pretty good defensively, and vastly better than Julien, which helps give him a major edge (to the extent that a competition exists). And Clemens is an above-average runner — in the same range as Austin Martin and Alan Roden — which is not often the case at first base. 

As the Twins look to get faster and more aggressive, having some speed at an unorthodox position can be helpful, especially if they team is resigned to having one of its slowest runners (Brooks Lee) at shortstop.

We can't overlook the uninspiring overall track record for Clemens, who was never a top prospect and has been 20% below average as an MLB hitter through 265 games as he approaches 30. He was on waivers when the Twins acquired him for a reason. But in many ways his breakthrough in 2026 looked legit, featuring career highs and favorable indicators across the board. 

Clemens attributed much of his success this year to reps and consistency. He's never had many opportunities for regular big-league playing time in the past — his 379 plate appearances with the Twins nearly tripled his previous season high. In that sense, I can buy into Falvey's stated vision: give Clemens an offseason to prep for the starting job, ramp him up accordingly in spring training, and see if he can fully unlock his potential with everyday starts against righties, while also providing value in other ways.  

If the alternative is going after someone like Ty France in free agency — and, let's be honest, it probably is — why not?

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[nicksaviking]

With first base being the most obvious place to add in free agency, this interview seems to confirm more than Clemens being the intended starter, it all but confirms they won't do anything of note in free agency. If your first baseman can't hold an OBP over .300, you need a new first baseman. We'll have to hope an internal option (who?? no clue) takes his job ASAP.

And, find a right handed compliment? This also seems to confirm that Derek Falvey still hasn't learned from the overuse of platoons. Two bad players for one position on the field is absolutely a terrible waste of limited roster spots.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Ugh

[Bob Twins Fan Since 61]

I wonder if Falvey's comments could be posturing though for free agent or trade negotiations.  But Clemens is likely the fallback option.  I viewed him to be a key bench option for 1B, 2B, and corner OF.  Potential RH 1B trade option is Ryan Mountcastle from Baltimore.  He is only a year from free agency.  Baltimore would be interested in moving him for pitching asset.

[stringer bell]

Gulp! That's a tough one to swallow. I think Clemens earned a roster spot for the start of '26 with his versatility, power and defense, but handing him a starting spot at first base is committing to mediocrity at best unless there is more to unlock from a 29-year-old.

If he is the primary starter at first, having a platoon partner for him does make sense because his numbers against lefties were dreadful last year in his first fairly substantial sample.

It just doesn't sound like there is any real plan to be competitive in 2026.

[DJL44]

If the plan is "Let's try again with our 70-win team" then I have no idea why they kept Derek Falvey.

[mike8791]

Nick, sorry to see you drank the Kool Aid!!  The Twins desperately need a #3 and 4 hitter.  As things stand now, they have no one on the roster who can fill that role.  Buxton, maybe, but having him leadoff worked pretty well, so doubtful if they change. 

Clemens is a journeyman whose highest ceiliung, based on his major league record, is a utility player at best, at least on a team wanting to contend.  Particularly at 1B there is a need for a run-producer, not a guy with two good months + one great game!  Crowning Kody as our regular 1B can only diminish whatever hope is left for us diehards who wish for improvement in 2026.

[LambchoP]

Maybe Fedko has a monster spring and wins the platoon job at first base. Then he just keeps on hitting and hitting for power, eventually becoming an above average everyday first baseman. Very wishful thinking I know lol.... Would make a lot more sense to make a trade for a legit first baseman, but I don't see much happening with this roster, other than maybe more salary dumps :(

[MGX]

Admittedly, I was hoping we'd sign O'Hearn to play 1B & have Clemens in a utility role.

At least with Clemens he played well defensively & he's consistently improved his offense throughout his career. Last season was the first season he's had 150+ PA's & he had his best season yet. With that said it was still below MLB average which is why I think he was better suited to a utility role. Hopefully, he takes another step forward because 1B is an offense first position & we really need above average production there. 

[Blyleven2011]

Im happy for Clemens that a team is finally given him a extended look and playing time , he did generate some positivity early in the season when acquired but it wasn't sustainable...

He had some big at bats and won some games for us , his defense and his versatility was good in rightfield  , 2nd base and 1st base ...

Roll with Kody to start the season and see if he put in the work in the off season to build up his stamina  , it's a long season to stay 100 percent healthy ...

He seems to like playing for the Twins and I'm sure he appreciated the opportunity he got with the club , hope last year's opportunity and his appreciation of playing more with the twins than any other club will reap rewards for him and the twins  ...

[mnfireman]

With all the OF prospects due up at some point during the '26 season, I would have expected the team to seriously consider Wallner for 1B, he has a higher upside than either Julien or Clemens. And let's be serious, if Julien and Miranda can be given reps at 1B, why not Wallner??

[NYCTK]

If his last name wasn't Clemens I'm not convinced he would have ever made the bigs. Counting on a sub 700 ops at first base is kind of hilarious. 

This season is going to be rough, but let's all keep in mind they're not even trying to compete this year in the hopes of contending in future years. 

[PatPfund]

I'm okay with it as an ST starting point. Frankly the bullpen probably needs the bulk of the limited FA dollars likely available. On the position side, 2026 likely hinges on how many players step forward, and while I don't expect it to be Clemens, he can probably hold the spot until someone takes it from him, and there's at least the chance of remaining upside (and no big salary to roadblock a spot if he can't cut it).

[The Great Hambino]

With all the debate about whether the Twins should be trying to get competitive and add during the remaining Ryan/Lopez years vs using one or both of them as trade chips to fully commit to a true rebuild, this points things toward the dreaded door #3: effectively standing pat with only minor FA moves to throw a bandaid on gaping wounds like bullpen and backup catcher.  Don't get better for the future while giving yourself no chance to compete in the present.  The worst of both worlds.  The unholy marriage of a front office that thinks way too highly of its own ability to develop internally and an ownership that can't/won't give their front office a direction.

 

[jmlease1]

11 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Gulp! That's a tough one to swallow. I think Clemens earned a roster spot for the start of '26 with his versatility, power and defense, but handing him a starting spot at first base is committing to mediocrity at best unless there is more to unlock from a 29-year-old.

If he is the primary starter at first, having a platoon partner for him does make sense because his numbers against lefties were dreadful last year in his first fairly substantial sample.

It just doesn't sound like there is any real plan to be competitive in 2026.

I think this is right. I would love to be wrong, but to me Clemens looks like a useful guy at the end of the roster (LH power, positional flexibility, good clubhouse guy, etc) but as a starter? Likely getting overused and overmatched. 

Regardless, they have to find a RH bat that can play 1B if this is the plan (admittedly, the Twins plan for 1B could turn on a dime and I take anything they say right now with a hefty grain of salt) because Clemens is dreadful vs LHP and even in 2025, his best year as a pro he was amazingly bad vs LHP (so bad that he might improve just because he was so far below his career numbers vs LHP, but even reaching that is not a guy you want starting vs any LHP)

Handing Clemens the job is the first sign they don't intend to compete in 2026. We'll see if they follow through.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Hard to get excited about Clemens as the everyday 1B. Also hard to get excited about anyone in free agency who is in the Twins price range, especially after Josh Naylor signed for 5 years at between $18 and $20 million a year. There just isn't anybody out there in our price range except uninspiring guys like Ty France, Wilmer Flores, and Carlos Santana. Maybe Miguel Andujar ca be a platoon guy/DH (he can't field a lick), but even that doesn't really move any sort of needle. I'm hopeful  they will give Fedko and/or Sabato shot at the weak side of the platoon and see if they can hit but I don't see much else. Maybe a trade of Larnach for Mountcastle or Casas could happen - change of scenery candidate for change of scenery candidate - but that seems doubtful. If Clemens could hit even .230-.260 with a mid to high .700s OPs he's be a real asset, but nothing in his history suggests that's likely.

I agree with those who day we need someone to hit in the middle of the order. You're right but we ain't going to get that at 1B unless Pete Alonso will sing for $10m a year (he won't). We have one middle of the order hitter - Byron Buxton - and two potential leadoff/#2 types - Keaschall and Martin, both based on SSS. Unless Jeffers, Wallner, or Lewis steps up, all we got after Buxton is a bunch of guys who should hit 6-9 on a good team. I guess we'll try to steal our way into a decent offense, or hope that GG or Jenkins can hit the ground running. I'm not holding my breath. 

[big dog]

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

Won't get fooled again.

[Riverbrian]

On the plus side: 

19 Homers in 379 Plate Appearances is nothing to sneeze at. 

On the down side: 

Making Clemens a 1B only and not utilizing his multi-position skill would be a mistake.

Not attempting to locate a talented young 1B with multi years of control will be a mistake. 

Any consideration of a platoon or role players of any kind for this roster will be a huge mistake.  

Free agency will not fix this. Free Agency will only delay the fixing of this. 

[Tjwalsh65]

I think what money we have to spend should go into relief pitching.    

[Jacksson]

Quit wasting 40 man roster space on Julien.  He had multiple chances to establish himself and failed.  If Flavey  is committing to Clemens, then the position challenged Julien only fits as a DH.  Utilizing him there detracts from 26 man roster flexibility.  Dump or DFA him ASAP BEFORE the 40 man roster needs to be set for the Rule 5 Draft.

Also consider moves with: Sands, Topa, Fitzgerald, Gasper, Keirsey, Kreidler, McCusker, (Can either of Kreidler or McCusker play 1B to platoon with Clemens?), Outman and Larnach (even Wallner = .202 BA too ).  Let's clear the dead wood off of the 40 man roster and take some chances on players who MAY POSSIBLY develop into assets as opposed to continually plugging in and force feeding players who have disappointed and hoping that they might experience a "lightbulb" revelation and FINALLY "get it"!!   Take the "PAIN" now and just rip the band aid off now.

To the Front Office: STOP kidding yourselves and trying to CON US!!  We know that soon, Lopez, Ryan, Jeffers, (Buxton?) will be FORMER Twins and as younger and different players find their footing at the MLB level, the team will not be anywhere near competitive in either 2026 or 2027.  We are smarter than you think.  We know that the Pohlads are ONLY interested in turning a $ PROFIT $, not Winning.  The Die is Cast.

 

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

This makes me think - what is our lineup in 2026 assuming no new guys other than relief pitchers and Larnach traded for a reliever or prospect (fairly likely scenario, IMHO). Here's my view of the likely batting order:

Martin (LF), Keaschall (2B), Buxton (CF/DH), Wallner (DH/RF), Lewis (3B), Jeffers (C), Clemens (1B),  Lee (SS), Roden/Outman/Fedko (RF/CF/DH) Bench: 2 of Roden/Outman/Fedko, 2nd C (Pereda, Cardenas, or the return of Vasquez), Kreidler/Fitzgerald (UTL that can play SS).

I need a drink. Wake me up if something happens.  

[NYCTK]

20 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

The unholy marriage of a front office that thinks way too highly of its own ability to develop internally and an ownership that can't/won't give their front office a direction.

I don't think a front office standing pat would at all be an indictment of the ownership. If Falvey neither makes moves to improve nor sells assets to improve in the future, that's an indictment of him alone. 

[GNess]

I guess a trade for Vlad Guerrero fell through so the Twins went to Plan B and installed Clemens as the starting 1B in November. 

[Whitey333]

Clemens at least deserves the shot at first.  He earned that last year.  What has Falvey earned?

[chpettit19]

20 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

With all the debate about whether the Twins should be trying to get competitive and add during the remaining Ryan/Lopez years vs using one or both of them as trade chips to fully commit to a true rebuild, this points things toward the dreaded door #3: effectively standing pat with only minor FA moves to throw a bandaid on gaping wounds like bullpen and backup catcher.  Don't get better for the future while giving yourself no chance to compete in the present.  The worst of both worlds.  The unholy marriage of a front office that thinks way too highly of its own ability to develop internally and an ownership that can't/won't give their front office a direction.

 

I said it after the deadline and was kind of hoping I was wrong (like I often am), but this feels exactly like trying to live in both worlds. They're trying to be competitive in 2026 and beyond. Not by going out and adding real pieces, but by just having such a massive misread on the talent in their clubhouse. And because they think there's more talent than there is they won't make the moves necessary to give themselves a real shot at any point.

I don't know if this is bad business or bad baseball decision making. I don't know if it's Falvey and the FO legitimately thinking they can be competitive next year without massive changes or if it's Falvey and the business department (Pohlads) thinking they'll be competitive enough to draw fans and that they haven't completely burned the 2026 bridge. Maybe a combination of both. But, either way, it's an awful plan. Which, unfortunately, is becoming all too common on both the baseball and business sides these days.

[nicksaviking]

1 minute ago, Whitey333 said:

Clemens at least deserves the shot at first.  He earned that last year.  What has Falvey earned?

He didn't have a shot last year? He was way too inconsistent and can't get on base enough to warrant a starting job.

No problem rostering him as a bench bat/utility player, but he shouldn't be starting.

[The Great Hambino]

1 minute ago, NYCTK said:

I don't think a front office standing pat would at all be an indictment of the ownership. If Falvey neither makes moves to improve nor sells assets to improve in the future, that's an indictment of him alone. 

Yes it is.  Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, front offices operate on a budget, and the potential ranges of that budget for where the Twins sit could result in very different ideal courses of action.  If we're in the apparent position where the offseason has kicked off and ownership is still keeping the front office in the dark as to what that budget is, then it absolutely is an indictment of ownership.

That's not absolving Falvey of blame.  That's where falling in love with his own internal development comes in.  If he passes up on trades that could help the team because he sees a potential competitive unit already in-house, that's on him.  And it's certainly possible (probable?) that he actually does know the budget and is just doing his usual linguistic salsa dance when asked about it.  But to say that ownership has no responsibility for the direction this team takes this season just isn't true

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

57 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

Nick, sorry to see you drank the Kool Aid!!  The Twins desperately need a #3 and 4 hitter.  As things stand now, they have no one on the roster who can fill that role.  Buxton, maybe, but having him leadoff worked pretty well, so doubtful if they change. 

Clemens is a journeyman whose highest ceiliung, based on his major league record, is a utility player at best, at least on a team wanting to contend.  Particularly at 1B there is a need for a run-producer, not a guy with two good months + one great game!  Crowning Kody as our regular 1B can only diminish whatever hope is left for us diehards who wish for improvement in 2026.

I mean, arguably, Keaschall and Buxton could be pretty decent #3 and #4 hitters no?

But yeah, we'll see how the offseason actually plays out

[spanman2]

I'd say the Price is Right with this move...Pohlad's ok'd paying the low price of admission. 

[mnfireman]

5 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I mean, arguably, Keaschall and Buxton could be pretty decent #3 and #4 hitters no?

I like the Buxton #1, Keaschall #2 line-up option better...