James Outman, Out of Options, Out of a Job? Probably Not.

[Jeff K]

Failing injuries, I can't imagine Outman making the Twins out of Spring Training.  He cost next to nothing to acquire and the Twins traded much more to acquire Roden...not to mention that Roden appears to have a future; something that is not there for Outman.

[bean5302]

16 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

Failing injuries, I can't imagine Outman making the Twins out of Spring Training.  He cost next to nothing to acquire and the Twins traded much more to acquire Roden...not to mention that Roden appears to have a future; something that is not there for Outman.

Brock Stewart was worth a good org's top 10 prospect last year. Twins equivalent like Gabriel Gonzalez or Andrew Morris type.

[Danchat]

7 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Brock Stewart was worth a good org's top 10 prospect last year. Twins equivalent like Gabriel Gonzalez or Andrew Morris type.

I don't believe that. I am willing to bet teams were wary of his injury history and they didn't get many offers for him.

[LA Vikes Fan]

21 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Brock Stewart was worth a good org's top 10 prospect last year. Twins equivalent like Gabriel Gonzalez or Andrew Morris type.

I think you may overrate Brock, as we all do with our own players. I live in LA and the word here was that the Dodgers gave up way too much by trading a perfectly good 4th OF to acquire an oft injured reliever who can only go 30-40 innings a year. And then, right on cue, Stewart goes 37 innings, leterally 4 innings with the Dodgers with a 4.91 ERA, goes on the Il, has a shoulder injury, and goes into surgery. They hope to have him back for the second half of 2026 but at 31, the end may be near. Actually half a season may work out great since the 37 innings he pitched in 2025 was  the most of his career, and 30% more than he'd ever pitched. We all know Stewart's profile - pitch well for half a season and then his arm falls off. There is no way he was or is worth any team's top 10 prospect. 

[Trov]

I would agree both of them should not just be held onto because you can, if either show they are passed over then DFA them. 

[nicksaviking]

49 minutes ago, Danchat said:

I don't believe that. I am willing to bet teams were wary of his injury history and they didn't get many offers for him.

Well Stewart proved them all wrong by leading the Dodgers to another championship!

[nicksaviking]

It really is insane how tightly this club holds on to players who can easily be replaced with what's floating around on the waiver wire.

That said, I don't think he breaks camp with the Twins. But I'll further guess that he remains a Twin (or rather Saint) because no one will claim him off of waivers when he's DFA'd. No contender is going to want to roster him, and what non-contender (other than the Twins) sees value in rostering 29-year-olds who can't hit, field or run the bases?

[old nurse]

7 hours ago, Fatbat said:

With all the young prospect talent we have, why is he even here? Who would sell more tickets in April/May, WJ/Erod/Roden in MLB or Outman/Martin/Roden. ….assuming Buck and Wallner are still here.

None would sell enough tickets to notice 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

None would sell enough tickets to notice 

100% true. 

[BillyBallLives]

3 hours ago, Finlander said:

Maybe they'll try Outman in the bullpen. Good name for a pitcher!

Definitely an upgrade from Grant Balfour and/or Homer Baily. 

Don't the Twins have a guy named Bobby Balker in the minors?
Or was it, Willie Walker?

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I think you may overrate Brock, as we all do with our own players. I live in LA and the word here was that the Dodgers gave up way too much by trading a perfectly good 4th OF to acquire an oft injured reliever who can only go 30-40 innings a year. And then, right on cue, Stewart goes 37 innings, leterally 4 innings with the Dodgers with a 4.91 ERA, goes on the Il, has a shoulder injury, and goes into surgery. They hope to have him back for the second half of 2026 but at 31, the end may be near. Actually half a season may work out great since the 37 innings he pitched in 2025 was  the most of his career, and 30% more than he'd ever pitched. We all know Stewart's profile - pitch well for half a season and then his arm falls off. There is no way he was or is worth any team's top 10 prospect. 

It's not my rating. BTV had Stewart as a +6 trade value. That's right in line with what I quoted. Back end top 10 org prospect land.

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

It really is insane how tightly this club holds on to players who can easily be replaced with what's floating around on the waiver wire.

That said, I don't think he breaks camp with the Twins. But I'll further guess that he remains a Twin (or rather Saint) because no one will claim him off of waivers when he's DFA'd. No contender is going to want to roster him, and what non-contender (other than the Twins) sees value in rostering 29-year-olds who can't hit, field or run the bases?

I don't care if they slot him in at AAA after cutting him from the MLB roster. He wants to go to the minors with the Twins and try and figure it out as a depth guy, it'll be fine...because it means that Roden and/or Jenkins/Rodriguez/Gonzalez/Fedko earned a roster spot, so there's probably room for him in Saint Paul. But he gets promised nothing.

Frankly, I'd like to see the Twins roster carry Buxton, Martin, Rodriguez or Roden, Gonzalez, and Wallner (with Wallner as a primary DH) in the OF with the other half of the Roden/Rodriguez pair, Jenkins (unless he lights the world on fire a la Keaschall), Rosario, and Fedko getting most of the OF time in AAA and trying to earn the first call up.

And that's without Larnach. If Larnach somehow sticks to this roster, then there's really no room for Outman IMHO.

[Mike Sixel]

Where does Outman even play in AAA? Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Jenkins are your OF, and you also Mendez (OF or 1B). 

[bean5302]

13 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Unfortunately for Outman, the Twins play in MLB, not AAA.  

Yeah, it's a bummer not every single prospect who rakes in AAA turns out to be a good hitter at the MLB level. Outman seems like he's probably AAAA, and yet, there was another hitter not too long ago this team wrote off before he became a multi-year All Star with Oakland.

Outman is worth getting a look in Spring Training and a little leash since the Twins don't have anything of likely higher value for LF.

[bean5302]

6 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Where does Outman even play in AAA? Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Jenkins are your OF, and you also Mendez (OF or 1B). 

Outman doesn't play for the Twins at AAA at all because he has no options. So the Twins can DFA and watch him walk now or they can keep him on the 40 man, watch his performance in Spring Training and either watch him walk or give him some leash. AAA depth charts aren't relevant to that discussion.

 

[Riverbrian]

Outman and Julien are really in the same boat.

Really impressive first years followed by really not impressive years leading to being out of options. 

If Outman is going to get a 26 man spot. Julien probably should get one as well. 

If that's the case... I'd give them both until June to show major league hitting ability. If they don't show by June you gotta move on. 

That gives both players the off-season and spring training to find it and two months to prove they might have found it. 

That will require playing time for both. If Outman and Julien are just going to sit for two months before being  eventually cut. You might as well move on now. I know that many are hoping they move on now but... the trade of Stewart for Outman would make absolutely no sense if they move on from Outman now. 

If the Twins pick up a 1B. They will have to choose between Clemens and Julien... both out of options. Clemens has more position flexibility. Julien has the higher ceiling? 

The Twins have work to do. 

 

[Fatbat]

30 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Outman and Julien are really in the same boat.

Really impressive first years followed by really not impressive years leading to being out of options. 

If Outman is going to get a 26 man spot. Julien probably should get one as well. 

If that's the case... I'd give them both until June to show major league hitting ability. If they don't show by June you gotta move on. 

That gives both players the off-season and spring training to find it and two months to prove they might have found it. 

That will require playing time for both. If Outman and Julien are just going to sit for two months before being  eventually cut. You might as well move on now. I know that many are hoping they move on now but... the trade of Stewart for Outman would make absolutely no sense if they move on from Outman now. 

If the Twins pick up a 1B. They will have to choose between Clemens and Julien... both out of options. Clemens has more position flexibility. Julien has the higher ceiling? 

The Twins have work to do. 

 

I agree with most of what you say. I think the Stewart trade for outman was hoping a change of scenery could bring back outmans rookie production but that didn't happen last season. It would be great if he came back and lit it up this spring and took his spot in the OF.  Julien is definitely in the exact same career path spot.  Many of us were huge fans of his rookie campaign. It just has gone really bad since then. 
 

I understand how and why the org will give them a chance to seize a daily opportunity but the odds are stacked against them. If the next wave of kids GG, ERod and WJ are lights out in spring training, how and why would you not just make the change for opening day. Find a team that needs a 4th or 5th OF/IF and trade both outman and julien for cash to buy some baseballs and go young.  If the kids are ready, then play them in MLB. See what the future is. 

[stringer bell]

23 hours ago, David Maro said:

Let's see where the 40 man is after the winter meetings. But Outman should be outside of the 40 man. They need a RH bat as always off the bench to play the OF. Martin is a RH Arraez and they need a bat that has more power. Under this FO the corner outfield positions are a everyday mystery.

Disagree. Arraez is a unicorn, Martin is above average at making contact.

 

22 hours ago, Fatbat said:

I disagree. If there are rookies tearing it up like LK did last April ,,,

Keaschall was not "tearing it up" at St. Paul. He had looked very good in Spring Training and took advantage of an opportunity at the major league level.

[stringer bell]

52 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Outman and Julien are really in the same boat.

Really impressive first years followed by really not impressive years leading to being out of options. 

 

A deeper dive into Julien's 2025 indicated he was pretty unlucky for the season. A look at his statcast profile says the same. Outman really doesn't offer much hope other than his 2023 season, but he is regarded as a decent defender while Eddy seems to have washed out with a mitt on his left hand.

[Riverbrian]

23 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

I agree with most of what you say. I think the Stewart trade for outman was hoping a change of scenery could bring back outmans rookie production but that didn't happen last season. It would be great if he came back and lit it up this spring and took his spot in the OF.  Julien is definitely in the exact same career path spot.  Many of us were huge fans of his rookie campaign. It just has gone really bad since then. 
 

I understand how and why the org will give them a chance to seize a daily opportunity but the odds are stacked against them. If the next wave of kids GG, ERod and WJ are lights out in spring training, how and why would you not just make the change for opening day. Find a team that needs a 4th or 5th OF/IF and trade both outman and julien for cash to buy some baseballs and go young.  If the kids are ready, then play them in MLB. See what the future is. 

I think the Twins are counting on off-season work to get Outman flying right. They probably didn't want to start with major adjustments immediately after walking into the clubhouse.  

With the roster... they got time to sort things out.

We still don't know who will be healthy coming out of spring training. I'm looking at the roster right now and trying to make moves in my head and that is probably pre-mature. Julien has a clearer path to playing time. Outman... not so much but if Outman doesn't get playing time. We will never know if he fixed things and if we never know... there isn't much point to his existence at all.     

[Jeff K]

On 12/8/2025 at 12:28 PM, bean5302 said:

Brock Stewart was worth a good org's top 10 prospect last year. Twins equivalent like Gabriel Gonzalez or Andrew Morris type.

We will have to disagree.  With his age and injury history he is not even close to worth what you stated.

[Eris]

There will always be room on an MLB roster for a backup CF with above average defensive skills. This does not appear to be Outman as the stat metrics have him as slightly below average. (From my eye test I have seen Outman make some nice plays both with the glove and his arm, so I am not sure the I trust the defensive metrics)

[Fatbat]

7 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I think the Twins are counting on off-season work to get Outman flying right. They probably didn't want to start with major adjustments immediately after walking into the clubhouse.  

With the roster... they got time to sort things out.

We still don't know who will be healthy coming out of spring training. I'm looking at the roster right now and trying to make moves in my head and that is probably pre-mature. Julien has a clearer path to playing time. Outman... not so much but if Outman doesn't get playing time. We will never know if he fixed things and if we never know... there isn't much point to his existence at all.     

If those adjustments work. Pencil him in! But why couldn’t the Dodgers figure it out for him?  Its just weird!  
I heard that Falvey is looking to add a big bat  in free agency as well as Rys Hoskins or something like that.  How many adds to the 40 man have to happen to dfa outman or julien or gasper …. Or do they first option Kreidler and McCuster types? 
 

looking at the 40 man… It Is A Mess!!!

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

If those adjustments work. Pencil him in! But why couldn’t the Dodgers figure it out for him?  Its just weird!  
I heard that Falvey is looking to add a big bat  in free agency as well as Rys Hoskins or something like that.  How many adds to the 40 man have to happen to dfa outman or julien or gasper …. Or do they first option Kreidler and McCuster types? 
 

looking at the 40 man… It Is A Mess!!!

The Dodgers have a difficult roster to crack. He's not going to be given MLB time if he's struggling. He's going to work on things in AAA and did quite well in AAA. He just completely failed each call up. 

We certainly have DFA candidates... Fitzgerald is another one. Ohl and Adams would also be candidates... I just don't see the Twins being off-season busy enough to pick them all off. This will be purely guessing but... I figure... the Twins will need to add at least two bullpen arms and they will probably need to lighten up a couple of outfielders for just decent 40 man balance. 

That probably puts McCusker as the first in line at the trap door. I'm kind of surprised that McCusker wasn't already DFA'd to create an open spot... just in case they liked someone in the Rule 5. Like... A bullpen arm (Hint-Cough-Cough).

I expect an outfielder trade at the very least... if they trade an OF for a bullpen arm that will balance things out pretty decently.

Any subsequent addition could have an adverse 40 man consequence for your list.

Julien... One 1B addition to the 26 man would probably knock him off the 26 and therefore off the 40. .One SS addition would knock Kriedler out. They said they are looking for an infielder and a power bat. Let's see who they find. 

Gasper... he might be 2nd in queue or he might positionally slip around and avoid capture. 

Then of course... injuries will complicate any pre-determined pecking order. 

[Fatbat]

13 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

The Dodgers have a difficult roster to crack. He's not going to be given MLB time if he's struggling. He's going to work on things in AAA and did quite well in AAA. He just completely failed each call up. 

We certainly have DFA candidates... Fitzgerald is another one. Ohl and Adams would also be candidates... I just don't see the Twins being off-season busy enough to pick them all off. This will be purely guessing but... I figure... the Twins will need to add at least two bullpen arms and they will probably need to lighten up a couple of outfielders for just decent 40 man balance. 

That probably puts McCusker as the first in line at the trap door. I'm kind of surprised that McCusker wasn't already DFA'd to create an open spot... just in case they liked someone in the Rule 5. Like... A bullpen arm (Hint-Cough-Cough).

I expect an outfielder trade at the very least... if they trade an OF for a bullpen arm that will balance things out pretty decently.

Any subsequent addition could have an adverse 40 man consequence for your list.

Julien... One 1B addition to the 26 man would probably knock him off the 26 and therefore off the 40. .One SS addition would knock Kriedler out. They said they are looking for an infielder and a power bat. Let's see who they find. 

Gasper... he might be 2nd in queue or he might positionally slip around and avoid capture. 

Then of course... injuries will complicate any pre-determined pecking order. 

Great takes for sure. I don’t know who has options but if the FO has the ability$$$ to buy FA’s, I would imagine they will bring in a few for the season and other spring training fliers to try and find some bullpen help. Rule 5 tomorrow will be interesting! I’d bet they have their eyes on at least a few guys and will pick one of them if available. 

[MGX]

I follow both the Twins & the Dodgers & when Outman came up in '23 he did well, but continued to strikeout at a high rate. His strikeout rates have increased to even higher rates, just doesn't make enough contact.

The Dodgers AAA team plays in the PCL, & offensive numbers are always inflated from that league. You can't disregard the numbers, but I always look at what the player AA as well if they played in the PCL. 

The bottom line is I don't see how Outman makes the Opening day roster unless he somehow corrects his strikeout problems (2024 - 35.3% & 2025 - 42.6%) while continuing to hit the ball out of the park at a decent rate. Highly unlikely IMO.

[NYCTK]

On 12/8/2025 at 11:35 AM, Fatbat said:

La Tortuga and Arraez brought fans to the stadium. 

That's a nice wholesome thing to believe, and for a batting champion I can put some belief in it. But there's no way anyone believes attendance was actually in any way increased by the guy with a career 291 OBP. 

Attendance went up in 2019. But I suspect that has to do with the 101 wins and towering homeruns, not a pudgy guy sprinting hilariously slow. 

[NYCTK]

On 12/8/2025 at 4:20 PM, bean5302 said:

It's not my rating. BTV had Stewart as a +6 trade value. That's right in line with what I quoted. Back end top 10 org prospect land.

You may as well as ChatGPT. That's fine that BTV says that, but we live in reality and no team would trade any decent prospect for Brock Stewart. 

This trade was a complete nothing, trading a completely unreliable arm for a completely unreliable outfielder. I get the Twins thinking, with no standout defensive CF in the system ready to play at the major league level, Emmanuel Rodriguez being the closest, as unreliable as he seems like he's going to be himself.