5 Steps to Designing a (Realistic) Perfect Offseason for the 2025-26 Minnesota Twins

[chpettit19]

4 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

I share your concern that they won't commit.  They need to have a record payroll and trade a few of their best prospects for immediate help or rebuild.  If they rebuild, do it right and tear it down to the studs.  Keeping proven players will get you 72 wins instead of 66 wins but it probably costs several wins for several seasons when the team has a chance to contend.  They have no chance to contend in 2026.  Accept it and make the unpopular decision to do the things necessary to build a contender.  

On the exact same page.

[Linus]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

I miss having a reason to feel optimistic. I was never being blindly optimistic, and I never want to be. I saw real reasons for optimism. I try to take as realistic of a view as I can. I think (hope?) we all do. But looking at the 40-man today doesn't give me a sense of optimism. The steps laid out here don't change that at all. Paul Goldschmidt is toast. If that's part of a "perfect" offseason I don't see any reason to be optimistic about their chances in 2026.

What would give me optimism is any sense at all that Falvey and the FO have picked a lane. That they aren't going to try to compete this year while rebuilding on the side. Either truly invest in the 2026 team or blow it up and fully dive into a rebuild. Trying to do both is how you end up with eternal rebuilds. But nothing he has done in the last 6 months suggest to me that he's going to do anything other than try to win with Goldschmidt type signings for 2026 instead of stockpiling as many high-end prospects as humanly possible. He's been crossing his fingers that a dozen huge "ifs" go his way every season for years. That never happens. And now he's hoping even more, bigger "ifs" go his way in 2026 instead of giving the team more chances at real success in 2027 and beyond.

So, yes, I did change my outlook because the team changed and the outlook I'm seeing now with Kody Clemens as your starting 1B, Brooks Lee as your starting SS, Alex freaking Jackson as your co-catcher, Trevor Larnach as a top 3 or 4 hitter in the lineup, and a 40-man full of guys like Julien, Gasper, Outman, and Kreidler is much different than what I saw before. There are definitely some intriguing names in the minors, but most prospects fail. Even the top 100 variety. I'm excited to see the kids at some point, but they need more. Because you can go look at the predicted 2026 lineup from a few years ago and see a whole bunch of names we were excited about then that not many have any desire to have in an MLB lineup now. Expecting all these guys to succeed at all, let alone immediately, doesn't seem wise. I'd love to be wrong in the opposite way I have been the last couple offseasons. But I don't see it. I'm happy for those who do. But I don't.

This is exactly how I feel. Trying to win a few more games in 2026 is a fools errand. Pick a path and do something that might lead to success. I almost feel like the orgs new philosophy is to make a profit and not completely suck but never really doing anything to compete. 

[mnfireman]

Career slash lines of 2 players:

Player A: .243/.329/.421 (.750 OPS) 101 OPS+. Arb est. $4.5 M

Player B: .241/.323/.403 (.726 OPS) 101 OPS+ Arb est $4.7 M

They are basically the same player, but one is desired by TD in a trade, and one TD thinks should be DFA'd....

[Linus]

7 minutes ago, Linus said:

This is exactly how I feel. Trying to win a few more games in 2026 is a fools errand. Pick a path and do something that might lead to success. I almost feel like the orgs new philosophy is to make a profit and not completely suck but never really doing anything to compete. 

And to add on, trading Ryan et al is a way to add top end prospects to the farm. The Twins have a few prospects that offer MLB upside but not many. Having to have all those guys hit is not a likely proposition. Let’s widen and deepen the prospect pool and have a good window of real success. 

[chpettit19]

39 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

Career slash lines of 2 players:

Player A: .243/.329/.421 (.750 OPS) 101 OPS+. Arb est. $4.5 M

Player B: .241/.323/.403 (.726 OPS) 101 OPS+ Arb est $4.7 M

They are basically the same player, but one is desired by TD in a trade, and one TD thinks should be DFA'd....

I think the handedness of these 2 hitters plays into the desire to have one and not the other. I'm not overly interested in either one, but Player A fits the roster better, in my opinion.

[TopGunn#22]

You are not wrong chpetitt19.  I'm also very surprised by the Fangraphs 82-80 win projection.  They have the Guardians falling off a cliff with 78 wins as well.  

Some other things I might consider for an off season:  If we DO trade Joe Ryan, the best outcome would be to get an accomplished major league hitter who also fields his position well.  Jarren Duran straight up for Joe Ryan does that.  However, Duran is signed for $7.8 million in 2026 and his future salaries will only go up.  The Twins gain a top of the order hitter and a good fielder but do not gain any advantage on the salary side.  In fact, they take a significant step backwards.  

So how about Wilyer Abreu, a younger, Gold Glove winning OF who wouldn't be a FA until 2030?  Abreu will earn $800,000 in 2026.  This is an excellent start, but Abreu mashes RH pitchers but struggles mightily against LH pitchers.  He would need a RH platoon option like Boston had with Rob Refsynder.  By the way, Refsnyder is available, but we have Austin Martin.  The Red Sox would have to include one of Kristian Campbell 2B/CF, Franklin Arias SS or Payton Tolle LH SP.  Abreu and one of the 3 is a better deal than Jarren Duran straight up. 

I would actually expand that deal to be Ryan 52.7 and Jeffers 12.7 (65.4 Total) for Abreu 26.2, Tristan Casas 13.5, Connor Wong 2.6 and Payton Tolle 22.7 (65.0 Total).  I wouldn't ask for Campbell, they need him to play 2B so Rafaela can remain in CF.

The Twins now have a Gold Glove slugger OF in RF, a slugging 1B in Casas and another young SP to compete for a rotation spot.

The other trade I make is Zebby Matthews (17.8) to the White Sox for Edgar Quero (17.8).  Young pitching is the hardest commodity to find.  Catching or SS probably comes in 2nd.  The values equal and the White Sox could certainly use young pitching and the Twins could role with Edgar Quero and Connor Wong behind the plate (Quero the primary, Wong the backup) and Williams can toil for St. Paul.

In this scenario, the lineup and the defense is much better and would improve as soon as Culpepper earned a promotion and made lee the Utility Man.

The rotation would take a hit but that's the price we have to pay to improve the lineup and defense.

Lopez, SWR, Bradley, Tolle, Ober and Abel.  I might start Prielipp out as a long reliever with the potential to either slide him into the rotation or move to a higher leverage role out of the pen depending on how he does as a long man getting his feet wet.  Festa is certainly in the pen.  I don't mind Kenley Janson at all at $9 million.  They HAVE to have a true Closer to have any hope of actually closing out games.  If I had the financial ability after trading Jeffers, I'd sign Ryan Helsley to 2-years, $16 million per year.  

After all that, I'd be more interested in watching the Twins.  But for them to actually contend a LOT of things would have to break their way.  HEALTH for Buxton, Lopez, Keaschall and Lewis at the top of the list.

[JD-TWINS]

23 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Mostly agree and partially disagree.

1] KEEP the rotation intact. PERIOD. Quality SP is the hardest thing to find and build.

2] Golschmidt might be a potential HOF contender. But he really tanked in the 2nd half. Considering $ I'd look at Nathaniel Lowe for around $8-10M. He's had a quiet but productive career. He didn't HIT well in 2025, but still had a better stat line than Clemens. His 43 XBH were decent. He's nothing special, but he's solid. And even a down 2025 didn't stink. 

3] I don't know if Thielbar is the answer or not. I could easily see him, Coulombe, Rogers, or Chaffin being a quality signing. While long in the tooth, they all had good 2025 seasons. Just pick the right one for one more quality season in the sun. 1yr at around $3M or so?

3B] They also need a veteran RHRP just to stabilize the pen. Some ideas have included Pressly as an option. He had a good couple months to begin 2025 and then fell apart. I only use him as an example. Is there a Sergio Romo type, again for example purposes only, that could be had for $4-5M? The possibilities from the RH side are numerous, so I'm not going to name one specifically, but that's the general idea.

4] Raya and Lewis are already headed to the pen. Each offers some intrigue, but I don't know that either would be ready for opening day. I hate, hate, hate Festa and Prielipp moving to the pen. But the logic is there for both. Festa's STUFF is very good. Especially if he can develop his 2 seamer. But his build and injury concerns scream that he should throw 1 inning 2 or 3 times a week and be a dominate reliever. And maybe it's just time for fans like myself to accept that's the best role for Prielipp. Grrr! Not what I wanted, but it just makes sense.

Klein is a dark horse that a lot of people haven't been paying enough attention to. He's got the build and the pitches to suggest he might still be a SP option. But with increased velocity in 2025 and high K numbers, he could be the next Varland.

Assuming nobody selects CJ Culpepper in the rule 5, he still has SP potential. But injuries have held him back. He just might be better in more appearances and shorter stints. He might skyrocket up the chain if put in that role.

Just a few examples. If Bradley or Matthews doesn't get their act together, they might also transition.

5] A healthy Rodriguez is ready for MLB if healthy. He would have been up last year with better health. His winter is proving more and more he's ready. Let him play, and let us live with some growing pains if he has them. The OF gets better, team speed gets power, we add another power bat, and Wallner becomes the primary DH filling that hole. 

5) My issue with recognizing Rodriguez as an “option” is because EVERY year we could say, “he could have had a decent year if he was healthy……,” His “health issues” are a real problem!!

4) Prielipp’s health has been shakier than Rodriguez. ………team need, his stuff, and the need to control his total innings for another year seems to cement him as a PEN guy in ‘25.

Culpepper & Lewis are 2 guys I forgot about for PEN help……….Morris is probably in the mix as well.

2) Goldschmidt is not the answer. To me, spending $4-$5M/ year more for a “known” output makes great sense - logical sense. This is whether a fan or the organization. 180 hits and 25 or less strikeouts for the year make Luis Arraez pretty attractive for $14M/yr.

3) Internal options fill the bulk of PEN needs. D. Williams or Hensley or like for $7.25M seems to be $$ well spent! Coulombe or Thielbar are worth $3.25M to help stabilize.

1) As you state, is a no brainer!

[weitz41]

Probably not that far off from what is likely to happen this off season. Strip it down sounds unlikely atm and reinvesting seems even less likely. Middle of the road moves and sell the new coaching staff will change the outcome seems about right for this FO. Another 90+ loss season may get this FO fired so it's in their best interest to try and eek out 80 wins.

I'm not ready to agree with Zebby and Priellip to the BP. Priellip just completed his 1st health season. I know how old he is but seems at least a half season to early. I'd say the same for Zebby. 

Goldschmidt fits the 80 wins and not waiting for their unemployment check to show up plan...

1 year contract BP arms should be a focus.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, mnfireman said:

Career slash lines of 2 players:

Player A: .243/.329/.421 (.750 OPS) 101 OPS+. Arb est. $4.5 M

Player B: .241/.323/.403 (.726 OPS) 101 OPS+ Arb est $4.7 M

They are basically the same player, but one is desired by TD in a trade, and one TD thinks should be DFA'd....

Player A has been nominated for a gold glove award at first base and Player B is a below average left fielder. I don't have any confidence that Player B can be converted into a plus defender at first base. The Twins have about a dozen left fielders and no first baseman.

I think the Reds will keep Steer but they might let Christian Encarnacion-Strand go. I'd rather have CE-S than Julien. CE-S still has options and he isn't a total butcher at first base.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

3) Internal options fill the bulk of PEN needs. D. Williams or Hensley or like for $7.25M seems to be $$ well spent! Coulombe or Thielbar are worth $3.25M to help stabilize.

That would be money well spent. Devin Williams is projected to sign for 4 years, $68M. Ryan Helsley is predicted to get 2 years, $24M but some teams are looking to acquire him to start and that estimate is likely to be low. You're not getting either one for 1 year, $7.25M. I doubt you could sign Emilio Pagan for that number. Phil Maton just got 2 years, $14.5M.

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, mnfireman said:

Career slash lines of 2 players:

Player A: .243/.329/.421 (.750 OPS) 101 OPS+. Arb est. $4.5 M

Player B: .241/.323/.403 (.726 OPS) 101 OPS+ Arb est $4.7 M

They are basically the same player, but one is desired by TD in a trade, and one TD thinks should be DFA'd....

Not exactly if these players are who I think they are. Player A can play 1B and was one of the 3 finalists for the Gold Glove award at 1B. Player B is a LH hitting DH only; he is a poor OF and can't hit LH pitching. Player A fits the 2026 Twins and beyond; Player B does not. We should try to trade FOR Player A, and should try to trade AWAY Player B. 

[mnfireman]

According to this article,and others I have read, Steer is more valuable as a utility type player as his bat is below average for a 1B....(we've seen that pony before). 

https://www.si.com/mlb/reds/onsi/cincinnati-reds-analysis/spencer-steer-will-mash-in-2026-but-major-question-remains-01k9wdx38d4f

[EGFTShaw]

Per Usual the Twins fans are thankful for an article they can be 110% pessimistic about and get ready for extra coal in their stockings.

Contending in the Central does not require a team that can win a playoff series.  That's just the way it is.  If Tigers trade their ACE, then they take a step backwards and quite frankly they weren't that many steps in front to begin with.

The key is NOT so much who the Twins bring in as much as it is about what the coaching can do about the hitting and the fielding.

I think the fielding can be corrected and made more of a positive.

The hitting should be able to move towards the positive as well because it was horrible by many who should be and have shown to be better hitters.

It does start with Ryan and Lopez though.

And the starters that were discussed about going to the bullpen, bring them and see what they can do.  Varland, Duran, and others have been thought to be starters and transitioned well.

Prielipp is going to be the wild card. 
His stuff says starter
His body has said RP so far.

Festa has his thoracic outlet syndrome is also a bit of wild card.  He didn't have surgery but the uncertainty of the botox fixing the issue is still iffy.

I have no idea what the Twins have done to or for Marco Raya.

But you have these three plus the 3 pitchers acquired to look to for BP help.

So, win total: (shakes Magic 8 Ball) 78rpms

[NJM]

I don't even think it has to be Godly, if they sign a guy that can hit lefty's well, they should be able to just 1-2 punch him with Kody Clemens. For Example I think Justin Turner would be an interesting player. In his limited at-bats this year he hit .276 vs LHP with a few homers. Not just that though, he had an average over .310 in High-Leverage situations. For my last point he could be a mentor to some of the younger hitters on this team, Turner was incredible in his prime with the Dodgers and hit for a high average which the Twins would love a high average player. So  If Turner could teach them some tricks that could play a long way.

[Historyking88]

If anything they should shift Festa to the bullpen not Matthews. Zebby still has a higher upside than Festa. 

[Riverbrian]

I prefer generally, But I know I have to be specific. So please... consider my specificity in a general type consideration. 

I think they have to trade Ryan and Jeffers or at the very least extend Jeffers. 

I know that BBTV isn't the be all end all but the website does well enough to take somewhat seriously the suggestion that Joe Ryan's trade value is similar to the trade value of Walker Jenkins. If that is his current trade value... he will bring back a Walker Jenkins type player. That's potential superstar type value and it's too big a risk to not cash that in. If Joe Ryan has a serious injury(not out of the question)... his trade value gone and it's like losing a Walker Jenkins. Too big a risk... you have to trade him. 

Try to extend Jeffers but if I'm Jeffers... I'm betting on myself. Jeffers could be one of the best free agent catchers in 2027... if not thee best catcher available. He will get paid.

If you can't extend him... you must trade him now or you get no value from him. He walks away... leaving trade value behind. Just Jackson and whoever your way through the position. Any offense will help... but... you just try to load up on offense everywhere else. 

So specifically... meant to be generally. For example. 

Trade Joe Ryan to the Phillies for Aiden Miller. 

Trade Ryan Jeffers to the Red Sox for Triston Casas and Conner Wong. 

Trade Trevor Larnach to the Padres for Bradgley Rodriguez. 

Yes... as much as I've fought for Larnach... I will trade him if we get a decent return back. I don't know much about Bradgley but he's 22 and he hits 100 from time to time. So... Big Arm Reliever. Larnach would be a good fit with the Padres. With the ownership in flux. There is no way they will have much if any money to spend on Kyle Tucker types and even if they did... they got a lot of holes to fill. Someone like Larnach would help them and we get an upper 90's 22 year old arm. 

Arm for the bullpen. A young SS about major league ready. A 1B with Pop... If he stays healthy and a catcher that was decent a couple of years ago looking for a rebound. 

Something like that would make it a perfect off season for me. 

[LyleCole]

5 hours ago, NJM said:

I don't even think it has to be Godly, if they sign a guy that can hit lefty's well, they should be able to just 1-2 punch him with Kody Clemens. For Example I think Justin Turner would be an interesting player. In his limited at-bats this year he hit .276 vs LHP with a few homers. Not just that though, he had an average over .310 in High-Leverage situations. For my last point he could be a mentor to some of the younger hitters on this team, Turner was incredible in his prime with the Dodgers and hit for a high average which the Twins would love a high average player. So  If Turner could teach them some tricks that could play a long way.

What value can a 41 year old player possibly have for the Twins.  Seriously.  If the Twins litter their roster with 30+ year old replacement level why bother?   

One of the secrets of rebuilding for a team like the Twins is to rebuild cohesively, not piecemeal.   If you have a bunch of old replacement level players like Turner taking developmental at bats from young players the Twins are foolish.   But that is what I expect, btw.

And, the time to trade Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton IS NOW.  This offseason is the time of their maximum value.  Lopez is another issue in that his value is probably down because of his injuries, but you trade him if you can get a realistic offer.  Otherwise, keep him along with Bailey Ober and hope they bounceback enough to be trade bait during the season.

Then you pack your team with your current prospects, plus the high end prospects you get for Buxton and Ryan.  Rebuild giving the kids a long rope to develop.

[tony&rodney]

10 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I want to suggest what I think the Twins should do generally, But I know I have to be specific. So please... consider my specificity in a general type consideration. 

I think they have to trade Ryan and Jeffers or at the very least extend Jeffers. 

I know that BBTV isn't the be all end all but the website does well enough to take somewhat seriously the suggestion that Joe Ryan's trade value is similar to the trade value of Walker Jenkins. If that is his current trade value... he will bring back a Walker Jenkins type player. That's potential superstar type value and it's too big a risk to not cash that in. If Joe Ryan has a serious injury(not out of the question)... his trade value gone and it's like losing a Walker Jenkins. Too big a risk... you have to trade him. 

Try to extend Jeffers but if I'm Jeffers... I'm betting on myself and possibly be one of the best free agent catchers... if not thee best catcher available. If you can't extend him... you must trade him now. You Jackson and whoever your way through the position. Any offense will help but you try to load up on offense everywhere else. 

So specifically... meant to be generally. 

Trade Joe Ryan to the Phillies for Aiden Miller. 

Trade Ryan Jeffers to the Red Sox for Triston Casas and Conner Wong. 

Trade Trevor Larnach to the Padres for Bradgley Rodriguez. 

Yes... as much as I've fought for Larnach... I will trade him if we get a decent return back. I don't know much about Bradgley but he's 22 and he hits 100 from time to time. So... Big Arm Reliever. Larnach would be a good fit with the Padres. With the ownership in flux. There is no way they will have much if any money to spend on Kyle Tucker types and even if they did... they got a lot of holes to fill. Someone like Larnach would help them and we get an upper 90's 22 year old arm. 

Arm for the bullpen. A young SS about major league ready. A 1B with Pop... If he stays healthy and a catcher that was decent a couple of years ago looking for a rebound. 

Reminder... the names can be changed generally. 

The Phillies and Red Sox do those trades in a heartbeat, but Padres say no. I would love that SDP deal.

If you suggest Joe Ryan is same, same as Walker Jenkins why not shoot higher in a trade using Ryan?

Ryan, Roden, and Soto for Max Clark, a guy who is about the same as Jenkins.

Jeffers might be tough to depart from .... How about Jeffers, Marco Raya plus $2M for Tre' Morgan?

Whatever happens, acquire the best talent. Flood Pittsburgh with Royce, Brooks, Wallner, EmRod for Griffin.

Do something this offseason.

 

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

So specifically... meant to be generally. For example. 

Trade Joe Ryan to the Phillies for Aiden Miller. 

Trade Ryan Jeffers to the Red Sox for Triston Casas and Conner Wong. 

I like Miller, but that's less than they got from the Phillies for Jhoan Duran. Miller plus Chace is closer to equal value.

I'm not trading Ryan Jeffers for a bad first baseman and a bad catcher. That's a terrible trade.

[Riverbrian]

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The Phillies and Red Sox do those trades in a heartbeat, but Padres say no. I would love that SDP deal.

If you suggest Joe Ryan is same, same as Walker Jenkins why not shoot higher in a trade using Ryan?

Ryan, Roden, and Soto for Max Clark, a guy who is about the same as Jenkins.

Jeffers might be tough to depart from .... How about Jeffers, Marco Raya plus $2M for Tre' Morgan?

Whatever happens, acquire the best talent. Flood Pittsburgh with Royce, Brooks, Wallner, EmRod for Griffin.

Do something this offseason.

 

I'm ok with refinement to my suggestions. All I have to work with in regards to prospects is the pile of stats that they have accumulated and the projections made by other people. 

In general... I just think they have to Trade Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers. Have to... I really think it would be a mistake not to... and what I would desperately like back is a young SS and young 1B and the combo of those two things leads to my specific ideas but I'm ok with any refinement suggestions. 

I agree talent accumulation is the primary goal so I'm OK with a really talented OF like Clark but my first priority would be to get Fitzgerald off the 26 man roster so we can maximize the utilization from as many 26 man roster spaces as possible... that's why I went with Miller. 

In regards to Larnach. Yeah I have no idea what will interest who or who will interest what... But if a team is going to be interested in Trevor... the Padres would have to be near the top of that interest meter and they are also a team that has accumulated nice bullpen depth.

If we have to sweeten the deal to get someone like Bradgley. OK... We got some depth to throw in but in the end... I was just trying to matchup the BBTV suggested value of Larnach. As you know... if we keep Larnach... I'd be perfectly fine with that. 

[Riverbrian]

18 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I like Miller, but that's less than they got from the Phillies for Jhoan Duran. Miller plus Chace is closer to equal value.

I'm not trading Ryan Jeffers for a bad first baseman and a bad catcher. That's a terrible trade.

In order to be specific on the perfect off-season trade suggestions when I prefer general such as get a SS and a 1B using Ryan and Jeffers. I just matched up value according to BBTV. 

BBTV suggests that Ryan and Aiden Miller matchup decently... maybe the Phillies throw in a reliever according to BBTV. The reason I keep throwing his name out is just the speed and power combo that he is showing. 

As far as 1B... Casas does seem to be a bit polar with the TD crowd. He's got the pop I'd like to see at the position. He has years of control but his injury history is horrible. Basically I'm just looking for a BBTV match to fill the 1B spot. I'm open to refinement.  

[darin617]

On 11/27/2025 at 3:39 PM, TNtwins85 said:

How is that jerking him around? You tell him that’s gonna be his role. He rotates around. Plays RF for Wallner against a lefty. Plays CF to give Buxton a rest once or twice a week. And plays LF once a week to give whichever LH hitter or Martin needs a rest. Probably plays 3-5 of your 6 games during a week. Probably a good role for him. Then again I don’t believe he’s the super prospect everyone else expects either. Nothings being handed out? Pretty sure it says to hand him over a job.

Right, as long as they get to play in at least 4 games a week if not more. Having him sit on the bench and only being used as a pinch runner is jerking him around.

[darin617]

5 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I'm ok with refinement to my suggestions. All I have to work with in regards to prospects is the pile of stats that they have accumulated and the projections made by other people. 

In general... I just think they have to Trade Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers. Have to... I really think it would be a mistake not to... and what I would desperately like back is a young SS and young 1B and the combo of those two things leads to my specific ideas but I'm ok with any refinement suggestions. 

I agree talent accumulation is the primary goal so I'm OK with a really talented OF like Clark but my first priority would be to get Fitzgerald off the 26 man roster so we can maximize the utilization from as many 26 man roster spaces as possible... that's why I went with Miller. 

In regards to Larnach. Yeah I have no idea what will interest who or who will interest what... But if a team is going to be interested in Trevor... the Padres would have to be near the top of that interest meter and they are also a team that has accumulated nice bullpen depth.

If we have to sweeten the deal to get someone like Bradgley. OK... We got some depth to throw in but in the end... I was just trying to matchup the BBTV suggested value of Larnach. As you know... if we keep Larnach... I'd be perfectly fine with that. 

Jeffers should be dealt since he can become a free agent after the season. They could hold onto him and trade him at the deadline and hope he is being productive. The best thing would be to trade him now if they can find a decent, cheap veteran to fill in for now.

[darin617]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I like Miller, but that's less than they got from the Phillies for Jhoan Duran. Miller plus Chace is closer to equal value.

I'm not trading Ryan Jeffers for a bad first baseman and a bad catcher. That's a terrible trade.

Trading Jeffers is the right move since he's a free agent after the season. They could possibly do better, but it would fill 2 holes at the same time.

[darin617]

17 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Try to extend Jeffers but if I'm Jeffers... I'm betting on myself. Jeffers could be one of the best free agent catchers in 2027... if not thee best catcher available. He will get paid.

 

If there's a 2027 season...

[Twinsrtheworst]

On 11/28/2025 at 10:01 AM, chpettit19 said:

I miss having a reason to feel optimistic. I was never being blindly optimistic, and I never want to be. I saw real reasons for optimism. I try to take as realistic of a view as I can. I think (hope?) we all do. But looking at the 40-man today doesn't give me a sense of optimism. The steps laid out here don't change that at all. Paul Goldschmidt is toast. If that's part of a "perfect" offseason I don't see any reason to be optimistic about their chances in 2026.

What would give me optimism is any sense at all that Falvey and the FO have picked a lane. That they aren't going to try to compete this year while rebuilding on the side. Either truly invest in the 2026 team or blow it up and fully dive into a rebuild. Trying to do both is how you end up with eternal rebuilds. But nothing he has done in the last 6 months suggest to me that he's going to do anything other than try to win with Goldschmidt type signings for 2026 instead of stockpiling as many high-end prospects as humanly possible. He's been crossing his fingers that a dozen huge "ifs" go his way every season for years. That never happens. And now he's hoping even more, bigger "ifs" go his way in 2026 instead of giving the team more chances at real success in 2027 and beyond.

So, yes, I did change my outlook because the team changed and the outlook I'm seeing now with Kody Clemens as your starting 1B, Brooks Lee as your starting SS, Alex freaking Jackson as your co-catcher, Trevor Larnach as a top 3 or 4 hitter in the lineup, and a 40-man full of guys like Julien, Gasper, Outman, and Kreidler is much different than what I saw before. There are definitely some intriguing names in the minors, but most prospects fail. Even the top 100 variety. I'm excited to see the kids at some point, but they need more. Because you can go look at the predicted 2026 lineup from a few years ago and see a whole bunch of names we were excited about then that not many have any desire to have in an MLB lineup now. Expecting all these guys to succeed at all, let alone immediately, doesn't seem wise. I'd love to be wrong in the opposite way I have been the last couple offseasons. But I don't see it. I'm happy for those who do. But I don't.

I agree with you, blind or false hope is not good.  If this is our roster on opening day, we will be in trouble.  I’m counting on our FO to make additions and improvements to our 26 man.  I just fear a complete overhaul/rebuild.  More times than not it becomes a long road back to respectability.  Prospects are always going to be more miss than hit and it can become a constant churn and burn of resources.  I expect the FO either figures out and improves our development process, or we will be replacing them soon as well.