If the Twins Want to Add Thump, Here are 15 Names to Consider

[DJL44]

7 hours ago, singlesoverwalks said:

Is there any hope that one of our glut of replacement-level outfielders learns first base? 

I think Austin Martin is your best bet. He has played a lot of infield.

[DJL44]

I think I'd rather try Yoan Moncada than Josh Bell.

[palmspringstwinsfan]

I like Andujar in a platoon with Clemens but my preference at 1st is to trade for Jonathon Long of the Cubs who’s blocked by Michael Busch. Maybe Mick Abel or SWR could bring him over. 

[HerbieFan]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Trevor Larnach played 1 game at 1B in the Cape Cod Summer League in 2017. Matt Wallner has never appeared in a game anywhere that is recorded as a first baseman. It is a sure thing that various coaches and managers worked out both of these guys at first base at some point over the years. If you have watched either play the ball on the base hits to them in the outfield you should have a rough idea why first base might be even less likely than shortstop for either of them. FWIW, shortstop isn't an option. Both Larnach and Wallner could thrive as everyday DH's.

And that's the problem right?....both best suited for DH.  Both really bad OFers.  I think they love Wallner's strong arm, but his throwing metrics really aren't good....teams run on him and I think it might be b/c he lumbers to the ball.  I like the kid.  But he's not an OF.

[Linus]

2 minutes ago, HerbieFan said:

And that's the problem right?....both best suited for DH.  Both really bad OFers.  I think they love Wallner's strong arm, but his throwing metrics really aren't good....teams run on him and I think it might be b/c he lumbers to the ball.  I like the kid.  But he's not an OF.

He has a strong arm but not especially accurate and all the teams know it. Totally agree on your assessment of both Wallner and Larnach. 

[Elliot]

More and more I find myself drawn to the “bring up the kids” comments. However I then remember that the core of the ‘87 WS winners came up in ‘81 - ‘84. There were some good years for individuals, but the team was pretty brutal for 5 years before winning it all in ‘87. 
For 2026 I say take a flyer on 1B on a one year deal and give the current “young group” one more year. If it still isn’t working, have fun at the trade deadline again and begin the transition. 

[tony&rodney]

45 minutes ago, HerbieFan said:

And that's the problem right?....both best suited for DH.  Both really bad OFers.  I think they love Wallner's strong arm, but his throwing metrics really aren't good....teams run on him and I think it might be b/c he lumbers to the ball.  I like the kid.  But he's not an OF.

Same.

[singlesoverwalks]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I think Austin Martin is your best bet. He has played a lot of infield.

Good call, let's do that. Martin is the exact opposite of the traditional first baseman (no power, good speed), but if he could handle the position then the Twins could spend their little smidgen of budget on the best bat they can find without worrying about whether the guy can play first. They could sign a DH like Ozuna or a corner outfielder so Larnach can DH. 

[singlesoverwalks]

I think I'm coming around to the view that they should spend maybe $7-10 million on a serviceable right handed hitter who will make them less vulnerable to lefty starting pitchers, like Goldschmidt or Ozuna, and spend the rest on relievers. Walker Jenkins or Emmanuel Rodriguez could catch fire this year. BTW, Rodriguez is left-handed. He should try first base. 

[Doctor Wu]

Not a very inspiring bunch of choices, but if the Twins want to add some power, outside of a trade, they may need to consider some of these players. Personally, I like Ozuna and he has remained productive the past few years, but I fear he won't fit the Twins' budget. 

[terrydactyls]

13 hours ago, Elliot said:

More and more I find myself drawn to the “bring up the kids” comments. However I then remember that the core of the ‘87 WS winners came up in ‘81 - ‘84. There were some good years for individuals, but the team was pretty brutal for 5 years before winning it all in ‘87. 
For 2026 I say take a flyer on 1B on a one year deal and give the current “young group” one more year. If it still isn’t working, have fun at the trade deadline again and begin the transition. 

Or the Twins could wait until the "young group" get so old that they are never given an opportunity because they are "too old".

[baul0010]

Why choose just one, Let's sign them all!

[Permanent Twins Fan]

I think of these names the ones I would most like the Twins to add are Lowe, Toglia, or O'Hearn. Toglia is a lesser-known name, but has flashed some upside with the Rockies. A name I would want the Twins to target in trade talks would be Ryan Mountcastle.

[Chembry]

Twins signed Josh Bell to a 1-year deal with a mutual option for 2027

[Elliot]

2 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

 

15 hours ago, Elliot said:

More and more I find myself drawn to the “bring up the kids” comments. However I then remember that the core of the ‘87 WS winners came up in ‘81 - ‘84. There were some good years for individuals, but the team was pretty brutal for 5 years before winning it all in ‘87. 
For 2026 I say take a flyer on 1B on a one year deal and give the current “young group” one more year. If it still isn’t working, have fun at the trade deadline again and begin the transition. 

Or the Twins could wait until the "young group" get so old that they are never given an opportunity because they are "too old".

 

Thus the conundrum. Leave Walker, Gonzalez, Rodriguez, Culpepper, … in the minors and give Lewis, Larnach, Wallner, Lee, … another half year. The youngsters get older, but you try to make good asset decisions on the current group. 
Or, you make the move to the youngsters immediately and accelerate all of the 40 man roster, option year, and rule 5/ waiver type of issues. Also, you are probably forced into selling low on the current group, or simply cutting them loose. 
Not easy decisions. And decisions that will be ruthlessly second guessed when made in real time by real decision makers. Fortunately our advice and hypothetical decisions are quickly forgotten by everyone, including those of us making them. 

[JD-TWINS]

On 12/14/2025 at 1:06 PM, Greglw3 said:

Good catch Greggory on the 'or two' by Zoll, seems a lot of people forgot that but the Gregs latched onto it.

I’ll take Ryan O’Hearn and I’ll take Miguel Andujar with hid .318 average. Adding two bats that would have finished 4th and 1st in batting average, respectively with some pop is the best thing to lift the Twins up from their multi year affliction of featuring myriad .190, .204, .220 type hitters in their lineup.

In the outfield, I’m looking at Austin Martin, Byron Buxton and 2 of G. Gonzalez, W Jenkins, E Rodriguez, H Mendez, Matt Wallner and Larnach with a strong preference to fill the 2 slots with 2 of the young studs. With O’Hearn, Andujar and the ascendent youngsters, we could actually have a chance.

Andujar hits great against LH pitching - those are about 85% of his AB’s in ‘25. I live in Cincinnati and I see he was 37 for 102 here after the break - big time platoon though. Can’t get excited about a guy that is pigeon holed into 25-30% of potential AB’s available. He had a nice year but has no defensive spot either - pretty limited signing.