If Twins Must Play 2026 on a Miserly Budget, They Should Blow Up the Roster and Build a Super-Farm

[rdehring]

20 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I must respectfully disagree that the team should be dismantled  and start over, even if the payroll is low. We must ask ourselves: "What is the real goal here?" If it is to lose 100 games each year, for the next 2-3 years while attendance tanks and the fan base dwindles, and apathy reigns, then cancel your season tickets, cancel spring training trip plans, cancel trips to Minneapolis. However, for most of us at Twins Daily, baseball is more than just entertainment. It is Byron Buxton rounding second base and heading to third base for a triple. It is Ryan Jeffers diving to catch a popup. It is the total Joe Ryan experience. It is a Pablo Lopez interview.  It will be LaTroy Hawkins in the bullpen, mentoring young pitchers. It is Rod Carew and Tony O and Cuddy and Torii and TK at spring training. It is not life or death. It is not always, "Wait until next year." It is now, this off season, this spring, Spring training, opening day, the smell of freshly cut grass, beating the Yankees, getting to know the players, watching the games with Dick ( retired, what a great guy) and Cory, Justin, Trevor, Denard, LaTroy, Roy (retired),Torii, Tim, Katie, Audra and Perk. Watching the Twins' players hustle, make plays and just play baseball.  We fans form bonds with these players, even though we don't really know them...we still feel like they are friends that  we enjoy spending some time with. I recognize that I am somewhat biased because I am 80 years old and my time as a Twins' fan will probably be over sooner than your time as a Twins fan. I became a Washington Senators fan over 70 years ago and moved my fanhood to Minneapolis when the Senators moved there.  I feel that in many ways I am wiser now that I ever have been and I am happier than ever. "The past is but a memory and the future is only a dream; only the present is real." As Robert Frost wrote: "Be happy, happy, happy/ And seize the day of pleasure." Now I'm going for a solo walk in the beautiful farm country and woods of North Carolina and I will be thanking God for such a wonderful day. 

What a wonderful comment, tarheel.  From one 80 something guy to another, enjoy your walk, day and the rest of your life.

[tony&rodney]

42 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I must respectfully disagree that the team should be dismantled  and start over, even if the payroll is low. We must ask ourselves: "What is the real goal here?" If it is to lose 100 games each year, for the next 2-3 years while attendance tanks and the fan base dwindles, and apathy reigns, then cancel your season tickets, cancel spring training trip plans, cancel trips to Minneapolis. However, for most of us at Twins Daily, baseball is more than just entertainment. It is Byron Buxton rounding second base and heading to third base for a triple. It is Ryan Jeffers diving to catch a popup. It is the total Joe Ryan experience. It is a Pablo Lopez interview.  It will be LaTroy Hawkins in the bullpen, mentoring young pitchers. It is Rod Carew and Tony O and Cuddy and Torii and TK at spring training. It is not life or death. It is not always, "Wait until next year." It is now, this off season, this spring, Spring training, opening day, the smell of freshly cut grass, beating the Yankees, getting to know the players, watching the games with Dick ( retired, what a great guy) and Cory, Justin, Trevor, Denard, LaTroy, Roy (retired),Torii, Tim, Katie, Audra and Perk. Watching the Twins' players hustle, make plays and just play baseball.  We fans form bonds with these players, even though we don't really know them...we still feel like they are friends that  we enjoy spending some time with. I recognize that I am somewhat biased because I am 80 years old and my time as a Twins' fan will probably be over sooner than your time as a Twins fan. I became a Washington Senators fan over 70 years ago and moved my fanhood to Minneapolis when the Senators moved there.  I feel that in many ways I am wiser now that I ever have been and I am happier than ever. "The past is but a memory and the future is only a dream; only the present is real." As Robert Frost wrote: "Be happy, happy, happy/ And seize the day of pleasure." Now I'm going for a solo walk in the beautiful farm country and woods of North Carolina and I will be thanking God for such a wonderful day. 

As another old guy, I too rue the dangers of a total rebuild. However, the team we now roster played at a .333 winning clip last August and September. Change happens and I think the roster needs help. The Twins lost 92 games last year with slightly better than average luck as it relates to health. The current roster will have a tough time reaching 75 wins. The more concerning item, for me since I actually watched many of those poor Twins years over the years, is the abysmal style of play. Station to station on the bases, let the ball drop before picking it up and missing the cutoff guy, and swing for the fences. Of course that is a bit of an exaggeration, but the team was pretty unwatchable and I still watched. I'm still hoping for a positive outcome for this offseason.

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It's alright. You have a lot of posts that don't post that way in the bank. 

I gave you the benefit of the doubt that you responded before you read my follow up post. 

I spend a lot of energy on this website trying to speak generally, conceptually. just to avoid the specific player subjective opinion rabbit hole. 

The problem with that. It's hard to find footing with my general thoughts without specifics so I find myself in that rabbit hole more than I care to. 

This just kind of shows what happens when specific players are brought in. 

I don't have a strong opinion of Jett Williams or Bryce Eldridge or any of them.

My strong opinion is... I want a young SS and 1B... I don't want to break camp with Kreidler or Fitzgerald on the 26 man roster. Especially on a 26 man roster that should be all about talent accumulation and major league talent identification. 

 

I find the conceptual approach you are advocating to be more about strategy and direction while individuals players are the nuts and bolts of executing the strategy.  Both important and both are interesting but as Kenny Rodgers once said, you got to know when to hold em and know when to fold em.  

[Riverbrian]

1 minute ago, Major League Ready said:

I find the conceptual approach you are advocating to be more about strategy and direction while individuals players are the nuts and bolts of executing the strategy.  Both important and both are interesting but as Kenny Rodgers once said, you got to know when to hold em and know when to fold em.  

I can honestly say that I have never watched an NFL draft and demanded someone's head afterwards because they took the CB out of Kansas State. Yet, everybody I talk to afterwards is pissed the day after. 

I just really try to come to grips with my own limitations and those limitations are the same as everyone else. I have no idea who is better between Aiden Miller and Jett Williams. None.

Yet... if I conceptually mention one of those names specifically... my next step is to try to get out of the hole I just dug because the guy I mentioned conceptually subjectively sucks.  

That leaves me with strategy and direction. It's all I got and it's why I'm singing that same song over and over again.  

 

 

[saviking]

21 hours ago, ashbury said:

It's not going to be what you think.  Front offices will gladly trade you volumes of second-tier prospects for your MLB talent, but the very top echelon prospects are simply not for sale, or you have to bowl them over with your offer. If Joe Ryan's our best bargaining chip, he (in a package) may net us one sure-fire young guy, but everything else we obtain in a fire sale will be speculative guys who we might be able to "coach up" to a high level of play but more likely will be average players if they develop at all.

"Loading up" is going to be with Roden- and SWR-level guys.  In a few seasons we'll be back to .500 at best, and then the players will start to be expensive.

Lather, rinse, repeat.   This is the MLB of today for some franchises..

Plus, I'm not sure I trust the Twins to make good trades .. 

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I used to read that book again every 15-20 years but I'm overdue. A friend once told me I really needed to learn to read it in the original language, but it has always made me laugh out loud, every single time.

You will laugh again, as I was referring to Daunte Culpeper 😁

[Senior Softball Guy]

20 hours ago, CharlieDee said:

It's not easy being a Twins fan right now.

Being a baseball fan is never easy. The very best team's fan base goes home at least 62 times disappointed, they kick their furniture (Please don't kick the dog). Baseball is about the stories (IMHO), winning and losing, that's why you're a fan. Winning a World Series is a wonderful story and those of us who have experienced it will cherish it, but I still cherish La Tortuga chugging around 3rd base just as much. See you at the park!

[The123bigalguy]

Well reasoned but a good way to blow up the franchise. If the Pohlads don’t want to be competitive, sell. No more bad baseball. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

17 hours ago, Doc Lenz said:

Pohlads aren’t leaving 

No, they're not.

But they should.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

I can honestly say that I have never watched an NFL draft and demanded someone's head afterwards because they took the CB out of Kansas State. Yet, everybody I talk to afterwards is pissed the day after. 

I’d be pretty irritated if I had to endure a professional sports draft. What a horrible way to spend a weekend.

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I’d be pretty irritated if I had to endure a professional sports draft. What a horrible way to spend a weekend.

LOL

I watch... Don't do much with the information but I watch... usually switch back and forth with the Twins game that night.

I keep waiting for someone to get drafted... walk up on stage get handed that Browns Jersey and tell the ESPN interviewer afterwards. "I Really was hoping the Browns didn't draft me...  Cleveland Sucks... Nobody wants to live in Cleveland".    

[sweetmusicviola16]

20 hours ago, NYCTK said:

They're probably about on par with Jett having a slight advantage. Jett seems to have better athleticism/flexibility which may mean he could still improve or degrade slower? He's played mostly SS to good, not great, reviews, similar to Culpepper himself. The only reason he's not been viewed by the Mets as a SS prospect is because of Lindor.

My best guess is they're both -5 to 0 run defensive shortstops. Whereas Lee seems like a -10 (or worse) run guy...woof. 

I do think Jett would be a great addition to the Twins (or any team). He could play any up the middle position competently, if not well, and, like you said, become a big fan favorite. Short king with wheels named Jett? That's gold for the marketing department. 

He's someone that would fit in perfectly on the Brewers. But, with Stearns having led that front office and essentially set that organizational philosophy we could see him refusing to trade him away (which would be foolish for the Mets). 

I know you mentioned you wouldn't be satisfied with him as the primary return for Ryan, and I can understand that, and because I've been watching him since he was in Brooklyn, I am clearly biased towards him. But I wouldn't hate it! Maybe him and Zach Thornton (who I just now learned is from Minnesota) for Buxton? That might be a more fair trade?

I would say Tong and Reimer would be close to a deal that would work. I don't know why anyone brings up McLean, that's a definite no. No one on here would trade Jenkins for Ryan, so why would the Mets trade McLean for Ryan? Right now McLean is ahead of Jenkins imo. He's already hit the ML and performed. Unlike Jenkins. If the Twins do a deal with the Mets it has to include Tong and I think that is the best they can do with the Mets. That doesn't mean that you can't get a better deal elsewhere. I like Benge too, but I'm not so sure the Mets would part with him either for Ryan.

[Mike Sixel]

15 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I would say Tong and Reimer would be close to a deal that would work. I don't know why anyone brings up McLean, that's a definite no. No one on here would trade Jenkins for Ryan, so why would the Mets trade McLean for Ryan? Right now McLean is ahead of Jenkins imo. He's already hit the ML and performed. Unlike Jenkins. If the Twins do a deal with the Mets it has to include Tong and I think that is the best they can do with the Mets. That doesn't mean that you can't get a better deal elsewhere. I like Benge too, but I'm not so sure the Mets would part with him either for Ryan.

This was just posted on Fangraphs chat (I'd take any combo of those so fast it would be immeasurable):

Ethan

2:05

What’s a fair package for Pablo Lopez if the Mets were to trade for him?

Jason Martinez

2:08

Starting pitching is valuable so it won't be cheap. Mets farm system is stacked, though, so they can afford it. For two seasons of Lopez, I'll say either Sproat or Tong, either Jacob Reimer, Jett Williams or AJ Ewing, and maybe a 3rd prospect with high upside but far from the big leagues.

[DJL44]

On 12/3/2025 at 12:41 PM, Brock Beauchamp said:

I will happily accept this if the Pohlads leave at the same time.

This is probably necessary. The Twins are never going to be successful if the Pohlads are using them as a piggy bank to fund their other business failures.

[sweetmusicviola16]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

This was just posted on Fangraphs chat (I'd take any combo of those so fast it would be immeasurable):

Ethan

2:05

What’s a fair package for Pablo Lopez if the Mets were to trade for him?

Jason Martinez

2:08

Starting pitching is valuable so it won't be cheap. Mets farm system is stacked, though, so they can afford it. For two seasons of Lopez, I'll say either Sproat or Tong, either Jacob Reimer, Jett Williams or AJ Ewing, and maybe a 3rd prospect with high upside but far from the big leagues.

I like the statement he made, "so they can afford it." Any deal with the Mets has to include Tong or Sproat. My personal preference is Tong. And agree about the 3rd prospect with high upside. I mean Johan Duran netted Tait and Abel. Starting pitching not cheap. 

[DJL44]

36 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Starting pitching is valuable so it won't be cheap. Mets farm system is stacked, though, so they can afford it. For two seasons of Lopez, I'll say either Sproat or Tong, either Jacob Reimer, Jett Williams or AJ Ewing, and maybe a 3rd prospect with high upside but far from the big leagues.

I would make the trade for Tong, Reimer and Kussow

[tony&rodney]

44 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

This was just posted on Fangraphs chat (I'd take any combo of those so fast it would be immeasurable):

Ethan

2:05

What’s a fair package for Pablo Lopez if the Mets were to trade for him?

Jason Martinez

2:08

Starting pitching is valuable so it won't be cheap. Mets farm system is stacked, though, so they can afford it. For two seasons of Lopez, I'll say either Sproat or Tong, either Jacob Reimer, Jett Williams or AJ Ewing, and maybe a 3rd prospect with high upside but far from the big leagues.

I don't believe people are confusing the two pitchers but it is important to keep Ryan and Lopez as different trade packages. I haven't seen the discussion on Fangraphs (busy, but taking a minute break), but I noted that they think Lopez is worth Tong plus Williams and a throw in (Clifford-?). That seems close.  I could support that trade. Maybe Boston counters with Jarren Duran for Pablo Lopez. That would be a mutually beneficial trade.

Ryan is worth quite a bit more. I don't think the Mets trade McLean and they shouldn't, but Ryan is worth way more than McLean. I'm holding out for a pile for Ryan.

[tony&rodney]

Arizona is looking for pitchers, starters or relief pitchers too. They are floating Jordan Lawler, a once highly rated prospect who has destroyed AAA but has not been able to break into the Dbacks infield at SS or 2B because of the two All stars holding down those positions. 

Bailey Ober and Cole Sands for Lawler would seem like a decent gamble for each team. 

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

Ryan is worth way more than McLean.

He's not though. Literally no one would trade McLean for Ryan. 

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I would make the trade for Tong, Reimer and Kussow

Me too.  I would also take Tong, Williams, and Kussow without hesitation which makes me wonder if the Mets would do it.   As Similar deal for Ryan and I like our odds of putting a contender on the field in 28.  Thanks for putting that up @Mike Sixel  I am still unsure how teams will view Lopez in terms of being injury free.

[sweetmusicviola16]

3 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

He's not though. Literally no one would trade McLean for Ryan. 

Joe Ryan is good no doubt. He's a #2 SP and not many of those around. He's not Skubal or Skenes good though. But he's also on the older side of being a #2. McLean has it all ahead of him and could even be #1 good. No one makes that trade is right without additional pieces and they would need to be really good ones at that. McLean could indeed bust, but the Mets can't afford to risk that he does for Joe Ryan.

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I would make the trade for Tong, Reimer and Kussow

Me too, that'd be a very good package for Ryan.

[tony&rodney]

3 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

He's not though. Literally no one would trade McLean for Ryan. 

Dude we have already been through this on previous posts. The Mets should keep McLean in my opinion. What you state as fact is me telling you I won 6 Cy Young awards. Never/always/everyone/no one - word choice matters. My friends in MLB might tell me differently what your friends in MLB tell you.

FWIW, I will remind you of my opinion. I don't think the Twins should trade Ryan to the Mets. I can see a Lopez for Tong plus deal as the guy on Fangraphs suggested, but I didn't read that one.

I can give you an East Coast Mets fan trade in reverse though just for fun. The Twins trade Trevor Larnach, Kyle DeBarge, and Ricardo Olivar for Nolan McLean. Go to a Mets blog and you see the reverse of this quite a bit. The Mets should keep McLean.

[nddan67]

I think the time has come to take it down the studs and start building back up.  I just can't trust Falvey to do it.

 

[MGX]

44 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Go to a Mets blog and you see the reverse of this quite a bit.

That's funny I just read on a Mets blog the following proposal...

To Mets: Tarik Skubal

To Tigers: David Peterson, Jett Williams & Brandon Sproat

lol

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, MGX said:

That's funny I just read on a Mets blog the following proposal...

To Mets: Tarik Skubal

To Tigers: David Peterson, Jett Williams & Brandon Sproat

lol

That is not even close to the worst one out there. 

So, for the Twins, that is Bailey Ober, Kaelen Culpepper, and Kendry Rojas for Tarik Skubal. The skeptics cry no way not for just one season. I'm not sure Skubal pushes the Twins over the top but he sure would be huge for teams like the Mets .... or Detroit.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Me too, that'd be a very good package for Ryan.

That was for Pablo Lopez, not Joe Ryan. Mike posted it from Fangraphs above.

[bean5302]

For the comments about not rebuilding, what is the ceiling of the current roster without the rebuild? vs. what is the ceiling of the players we have coming up now or could acquire?

This team lost 92 games last year with Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton and a lot of talent which was cast off at the deadline. What does the 2025 team look like as-is? The players the Twins traded were worth 10 WAR for Minnesota last year. This team with Lopez, Ryan and Buxton is potentially a 100 loss team as-is.

Established veterans worthy of starting positions for a playoff caliber team.
C - Jeffers
1B - Nothing
2B - Nothing
SS - Nothing
3B - Nothing
LF - Nothing
CF - Buxton 
RF - Wallner
DH - Nothing
BC - Nothing
UO - Nothing
UI - Nothing
Util - Martin?

Almost every single position is a question mark with a floor well below starter caliber (2+ WAR). I'd argue 1B, 2B, SS and LF all have below replacement level potential floors.

SP1 - Lopez
SP2 - Ryan
SP3 - Nothing
SP4 - Nothing
SP5 - Nothing

Regardless of how fans feel about Bailey Ober, he's 30 and couldn't crack 1.5 fWAR last year with declining velo. SWR can't seem to handle a real starter's workload, and he has FIPs only a #5 workhorse could get away with. The rest of the options are just as sus in a realistic view.

Closer - Nothing
Setup- Nothing
RP3 - Sands
RP4 - Topa
RP5 - Nothing
RP6 - Nothing
RP7 - Nothing
RP8 - Nothing

With the complete bullpen completely ravaged by Falvey's deadline moves, there's virtually nothing left a playoff caliber team reasonably could count on.

There's nothing to "blow up" on this roster. Only potential and some aging short term assets. If the Twins are going to go all-in, sure, there's reason to keep Buxton and Lopez, maybe even Ryan. But standing pat means missing the playoffs already.

This isn't likely a good team. I mean, there's certainly potential to be great, but it's just not likely they'll be good.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

For the comments about not rebuilding, what is the ceiling of the current roster without the rebuild? vs. what is the ceiling of the players we have coming up now or could acquire?

This team lost 92 games last year with Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton and a lot of talent which was cast off at the deadline. What does the 2025 team look like as-is? The players the Twins traded were worth 10 WAR for Minnesota last year. This team with Lopez, Ryan and Buxton is potentially a 100 loss team as-is.

Established veterans worthy of starting positions for a playoff caliber team.
C - Jeffers
1B - Nothing
2B - Nothing
SS - Nothing
3B - Nothing
LF - Nothing
CF - Buxton 
RF - Wallner
DH - Nothing
BC - Nothing
UO - Nothing
UI - Nothing
Util - Martin?

Almost every single position is a question mark with a floor well below starter caliber (2+ WAR). I'd argue 1B, 2B, SS and LF all have below replacement level potential floors.

SP1 - Lopez
SP2 - Ryan
SP3 - Nothing
SP4 - Nothing
SP5 - Nothing

Regardless of how fans feel about Bailey Ober, he's 30 and couldn't crack 1.5 fWAR last year with declining velo. SWR can't seem to handle a real starter's workload, and he has FIPs only a #5 workhorse could get away with. The rest of the options are just as sus in a realistic view.

Closer - Nothing
Setup- Nothing
RP3 - Sands
RP4 - Topa
RP5 - Nothing
RP6 - Nothing
RP7 - Nothing
RP8 - Nothing

With the complete bullpen completely ravaged by Falvey's deadline moves, there's virtually nothing left a playoff caliber team reasonably could count on.

There's nothing to "blow up" on this roster. Only potential and some aging short term assets. If the Twins are going to go all-in, sure, there's reason to keep Buxton and Lopez, maybe even Ryan. But standing pat means missing the playoffs already.

This isn't likely a good team. I mean, there's certainly potential to be great, but it's just not likely they'll be good.

Can you move Matt Wallner to DH please?

[T.O.]

Sure, trade all the quality players for low or mid level prospects. With the Twins record at player development you'll have a team of players like Julien, Miranda, Lee, Larnach, Wallner, and Lewis. Or pitchers that can't make it a third time through the order and have to go to the bullpen. Players with promise that ultimately are average at best, mediocre most of the time. 
The only bright spot in development is Keaschall and it may be to early to tell with him.
This approach at best would yield a team barely making .500 but mostly south of that.
Something has to change in the organization.