Building the Ultimate Twins Franchise Favorites Lineup

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Tommy Tomsic (1977 photo of Carew), RVR Photos (photo of Puckett)

MLB Network has slowly been rolling out its Franchise Favorites lineups, and when the Minnesota Twins come up, the exercise feels less like a debate and more like a walk down a Twins fan's Memory Lane. This is not just about production or accolades. It's about connection, moments, and the players who came to define generations of Twins baseball.

The lineup that emerged balances Hall of Fame talent with lesser players who nonetheless felt like Twins through and through. At the time of this writing, MLB Network has yet to release its Twins list. There are obvious choices, a few tough omissions, and some honorable mentions that could easily start arguments among fans of different eras. Let's take our own shot at naming this team, starting with the position players.

Catcher: Joe Mauer (55.6 rWAR, 3rd in franchise history)
Behind the plate, Mauer is the clear and correct choice. Few players in franchise history carried the weight of expectations the way Mauer did, and fewer still delivered at his level. A hometown star who became an MVP and one of the best catchers of his generation, Mauer represents the modern Twins as well as anyone. Earl Battey and Butch Wynegar deserve recognition for their durability and leadership, but this spot belongs to No. 7.

First Base: Harmon Killebrew (60.6 rWAR, 2nd in franchise history)
At first base, Killebrew is unavoidable. His power defined the franchise for years, and his legacy stretches well beyond the box score. Justin Morneau’s MVP season and Doug Mientkiewicz’s defensive excellence earn them honorable mention status, but Killebrew is the standard by which every Twins first baseman is measured. (Don't worry; we haven't forgotten the other high-profile first baseman who belongs on this list.)

Second Base: Rod Carew (63.8 rWAR, 1st in franchise history)
Second base belongs to Carew, one of the purest hitters the game has ever seen. Carew’s ability to control the bat and dominate in so many ways makes him one of the most iconic players in Twins history. Chuck Knoblauch, Brian Dozier, and Jorge Polanco all had meaningful peaks and signature moments, but Carew sits comfortably above the rest.

Third Base: Gary Gaetti (27.1 rWAR)
At third base, Gaetti gets the nod. His consistency, defense, and longevity made him a fixture during some of the franchise’s most important seasons. Corey Koskie and Rich Rollins both have strong cases, especially for fans who value different eras, but Gaetti’s complete body of work stands out.

Shortstop: Roy Smalley (20.9 rWAR)
Shortstop is a position where the Twins have struggled to find stars throughout their history. Smalley earns the starting role thanks to his versatility and impact across multiple stints with the club. Zoilo Versalles brought MVP-level brilliance, Greg Gagne delivered steady production on championship teams, and Carlos Correa made a massive impression in a short time. Smalley’s longevity and overall contribution give him the edge over all of them, though—and his lasting impact as a broadcaster earns him bonus points.

Left Field: Shane Mack (19.6 rWAR)
Mack represents a specific era that many fans remember fondly. He also might be one of the most underrated players in team history. His bat and energy reinforced competitive teams, even if his peak was shorter than some others'. Bob Allison, Larry Hisle, and Eddie Rosario each brought their own flair and impact, making this one of the more subjective choices on the list.

Center Field: Kirby Puckett (51.1 rWAR, 4th in franchise history)
Center field is as straightforward as it gets. Puckett is the heart of the franchise. His smile, his clutch performances, and his presence during the World Series years make him the easiest selection on the entire roster. Torii Hunter and Byron Buxton both deserve praise for excellence on both sides of the ball, but Puckett remains untouchable.

Right Field: Tony Oliva (43.1 rWAR, 7th in franchise history)
Oliva’s selection feels just right (pun intended). His hitting titles and influence on the organization extend well beyond his playing days. Some have even called him “Mr. Twin.” Max Kepler, Tom Brunansky, and Michael Cuddyer each had meaningful runs, but Oliva’s impact resonates across generations.

Designated Hitter: Kent Hrbek (38.6 rWAR, 8th in franchise history)
Designated hitter is where things get a little creative. Hrbek earns the spot, even if it requires some flexibility. He played just over 100 games at DH, but leaving him out of the lineup entirely would feel wrong. Hrbek’s connection to the fan base and his role in the franchise’s most significant moments justify the choice. Jim Thome, Nelson Cruz, and Chili Davis offer more traditional DH resumes, but this lineup is about favorites, not technicalities.

That is ultimately the point of this exercise. A Twins Franchise Favorites lineup is always going to be subjective; that's the fun of it. It invites debate, brings back memories, and shines a light on the players who define the Twins for so many fans.

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Do you agree with the lineup? Who should be switched out? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Riverbrian]

I realize that every list has to include Killebrew and Tony O. However... I'm going to take them off my personal list because I was pretty young and don't have direct memories of them. 

DH - Morneau

C - Mauer

1B - Hrbek

2B - Carew

3B - Gaetti

SS - Smalley

LF - Buxton

CF - Puckett

RF - Hunter

Utility - I feel like Cuddyer belongs somewhere

[bean5302]

Move over, Killer, we're missing Alex Kirilloff. Guaranteed unanimous 1st ballot HoF'er if only he was healthy. You can tell which games he was healthy for because he'll have a wRC+ of at least 150 in all of them. If his wRC+ is below 150, he was hurt for that game.

[jmlease1]

well, if you were actually playing it as a team, Hrbek plays 1B and Harmon slides in at DH. But no real arguments here.

CF is very well stocked for the Twins.

If you wanted to add a bench, I'd go with Battey, Gagne, Knoblauch, and Buxton. (wouldn't mind having a LH bat on that bench, but this the team I'd want. Man, they'd crush.)

[mikelink45]

Nice exercise - now add Pascual, Kaat, Viola, Perry, Morris as our rotation.  And Marshall, Worthington, Nathan, Aguilera, Perkins, Duran in the BP.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

My favorite player to watch run and play CF is Byron Buxton. My favorite player to watch play catcher was La Tortuga. My favorite player to watch play 2B was Rod Carew. My favorite player to watch play SS was rifle armed C-4. My favorite player to watch play 1B was a tie between Justin Morneau and the famous wrestler, Kent Hrbek. My favorite 3B was Killebrew. Oliva in RF and Big Jim Lemon in LF. My favorite 9th place hitter was all the pitchers who flailed away or tried to bunt. If I had to name one pitcher, I would name Jim Kaat, who was the only Twins pitcher who was pictured on his baseball card with a bat in his hand (1973 Topps).  

[TwinsDr2021]

52 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Nice exercise - now add Pascual, Kaat, Viola, Perry, Morris as our rotation.  And Marshall, Worthington, Nathan, Aguilera, Perkins, Duran in the BP.

No Santana or Blyleven (49.9 career WAR in MN)? 

[Rigby]

Would agree pretty much down the line with selections, but I would probably give a slight nod of Allison over Mack and Hisle.

[TJSweens]

C Mauer

1B Hrbek

2B Carew

3B Killebrew

SS Smalley

LF Puckett 

CF Hunter 

RF Oliva

DH Morneau

Rotation

Santana

Blyleven

Perry

Kaat

Pascual

I'd love to say Walter Johnson, but I don't know if Senators are eligible.

[TJSweens]

17 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

No Santana?

Or Blyleven

[ashbury]

7 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

Or Blyleven

The article and headline made clear they are talking about lineups, in response to something on MLB Network.

I'd sacrifice some defense and put Killebrew at third to get Hrbek's better defense at first and put Cruz at DH.

[GNess]

Move Killebrew to 3B, Hrbek to 1B and Thome to DH.

[IndianaTwin]

Shane Mack and his 19.6 fWAR as a Twin is called underrated.

That's not wrong, but I'd say Bob Allison and his 35.3 fWAR (4.2 of which came as a Senator pre-move) is more underrated. Folks a bit older than me speak about Allison with glowing terms. It's easy to be overlooked when you are batting behind Carew-Oliva-Killebrew. 

[IndianaTwin]

Related, it's easy to focus on the "what might have been" with Buxton's health, but I'm not sure folks recognize frequently enough that he only needs 8.8 bWAR to pass Hrbek into the retired number category. Getting 13.3 bWAR would pass Oliva and get him into the Twins legend stratosphere.

Buxton had 4.9 bWAR last year, so those are very reachable numbers with three years left on his contract. 

[IndianaTwin]

30 minutes ago, ashbury said:

The article and headline made clear they are talking about lineups, in response to something on MLB Network.

I'd sacrifice some defense and put Killebrew at third to get Hrbek's better defense at first and put Cruz at DH.

I liked Gaetti a lot, but with Mauer, Carew, Morneau and Hrbek around, you pretty much need to move Killebrew to 3B to maximize any version of an all-time Twins team. Same with keeping Carew at 2B and Mauer at C. 

[mluebker]

1 hour ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

My favorite 3B was Killebrew

I thought Killebrew was miscast at 3B but was happy enough to see him playing LF or 1B. I like Lemon in the line-up, but not so much in left field. That would have to be Bob Allison—longer career, pretty good power, and definitely a defensive upgrade.

[Nashvilletwin]

What’s so sad about this list and all the comments is that there is only one Twin from the current regime that even basically gets a few honourable mention votes: Buxton.

No other position players and no other starters.

And what’s even sadder is there are no other current Twins that likely would ever be considered for a list like this.

Boy, how this franchise, which has produced so many great memorable players, has fallen. The Pohlads, Falvey and Rocco have produced nothing of lasting fan value and devotion over their entire regime together.  Nada.

There is a whole generation of young Twins fans who have no players to look back on as their idols or to relish their accomplishments.  That’s really sad. The Falvey/Rocco era will not be remembered for producing any great Twins.

(And that, by the way, is why you tear down and rebuild by investing in and committing to a young core - you might just get some Hrbeks, Gaettis, Puckett, Mauers, and Morneaus.  And by creating these “legends”, one builds enduring and greater franchise value and fan devotion.  Just saying…. Our ownership and leadership are basically brain dead for not being able to see these basics and recognising their failures).

[The Great Hambino]

Disclaimer: my Twins memories begin with the 1991 World Series Highlights VHS (that baby should've won an Oscar and is available on Youtube).  And this is favorites, not best

C: Mauer

1B: Morneau

2B: Knoblauch (if you never heard anything about him after 1997, he was really fun to watch).  If he's disqualified for his post-Twins-career shenanigans, then Dozier

3B: For one season, Sano's all-star year.  For their Twins career, Koskie

SS: Correa (that throw home might be the best sporting moment I've ever witnessed in person.  And we at least got to pretend that we were a Big Boy Team for once when he signed)

LF: 2019 Rosario, I guess (can Hunter slide over to left?).  Maybe the chalk outline they put on the Metrodome wall for Butch Huskey

CF: Buxton (close call over Hunter).  Unlike Knoblauch, Puckett has more viable replacements behind him to make up for the post-career icky-ness of it all

RF: Cuddyer

DH: Cruz

DH2: Thome (I don't care, I'm inventing the position for him, simply for shutting Hawk Harrelson up for an entire trip around the bases)

DH (nice guy edition): I had a college football teammate get drafted by the Twins and spend a few years in their system (he's also now a surgeon and an incredibly nice guy.  Some people are just good at everything, the jerk.)  Anyway, he got a chance to meet major leaguers on rehab assignments every now and then.  When Rondell White joined his team for a spell, he took the entire team out to dinner and couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. I felt that deserves a shout out here

Utility: La Tortuga (the clip of him scoring from first against the Yankees was a modern art masterpiece)

Backup C: Redmond (smell 'em)

SP: Johan, Radke, Pablo, Morris, The Summer Of Liriano (I thought we were watching a mutant pitch that year)

Closer: Guardado (Nathan was better, but Eddie was more fun to watch)

Bullpen (nice guys edition): once upon a time, a 9 year old Hambino and his family road tripped to KC for a series against the Royals.  For the first and only time, we tried to get autographs after the game.  Little brother dropped his baseball and it started rolling toward the team bus.  Out of nowhere, Rick Aguilera sprints after it, gets it before it disappears underneath, signs it, and hands it back to him.  Also, Mark Guthrie made every extra effort to sign my ball even though my crappy pen wasn't working.  Even wiped it off on his shirt.  They didn't have to do these things, so they get a shout out here

Bullpen (local guys edition): Neshek and his funky motion, Varland pitching like a wrestler, Perkins for reinventing himself so successfully as both an effective reliever and fun TV personality (my old college teammate also interacted with him when he was still a starter and on a rehab assignment, and let's just say the experience wasn't exactly the same as with Rondell White)

Manager: Kelly (Cigar + Zubaz + Titles = GOAT)

GM: McPhail (Ryan disqualified for not going for it at the 2006 deadline)

Owner: N/A

[Hubie29]

38 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

What’s so sad about this list and all the comments is that there is only one Twin from the current regime that even basically gets a few honourable mention votes: Buxton.

No other position players and no other starters.

And what’s even sadder is there are no other current Twins that likely would ever be considered for a list like this.

Boy, how this franchise, which has produced so many great memorable players, has fallen. The Pohlads, Falvey and Rocco have produced nothing of lasting fan value and devotion over their entire regime together.  Nada.

There is a whole generation of young Twins fans who have no players to look back on as their idols or to relish their accomplishments.  That’s really sad. The Falvey/Rocco era will not be remembered for producing any great Twins.

(And that, by the way, is why you tear down and rebuild by investing in and committing to a young core - you might just get some Hrbeks, Gaettis, Puckett, Mauers, and Morneaus.  And by creating these “legends”, one builds enduring and greater franchise value and fan devotion.  Just saying…. Our ownership and leadership are basically brain dead for not being able to see these basics and recognising their failures).

Another sad issue, if you do get a carew, killebrew, oliva, hrbek etc., they will be gone after 5 years because they price us out.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, GNess said:

Move Killebrew to 3B.

Yeah, Killebrew really only played a season and a half fewer innings at 3B than 1B in his career. A lot of time in LF too.

Even though Gaetti and Mack were favorites during my era, I think we can improve the offense pretty significantly. And regarding Mack and his short peak, I think Allison's short peak was even more impressive. He probably should have been the MVP in 1963.

[IndianaTwin]

21 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

<clip>

DH2: Thome (I don't care, I'm inventing the position for him, simply for shutting Hawk Harrelson up for an entire trip around the bases)

<clip>

One of the great moments in broadcasting history, worthy of a display in Cooperstown alongside "We'll see you tomorrow night" and "The Giants win the pennant."

If I'm remembering correctly, I timed it at 52 seconds of total silence, followed by a deflated Hawk saying, "And we'll be back," as they went to a commercial for a pitching change.

Have you ever found the clip on YouTube? I've searched for it in vain. 

[arby58]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Nice exercise - now add Pascual, Kaat, Viola, Perry, Morris as our rotation.  And Marshall, Worthington, Nathan, Aguilera, Perkins, Duran in the BP.

Santana is the #1 starting pitcher. Morris only played 1 year, hard to include that over Santana - or Radke for that matter. Guardado belongs in the bullpen.

[arby58]

45 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

What’s so sad about this list and all the comments is that there is only one Twin from the current regime that even basically gets a few honourable mention votes: Buxton.

No other position players and no other starters.

And what’s even sadder is there are no other current Twins that likely would ever be considered for a list like this.

To be fair, you had 60+ years of the former regimes to pick through. Also, if you added a pitching staff, Duran and Ryan may well be on it. Cruz isn't ancient history either. As for the future, Royce Lewis is still only 26 and could get things straightened out - Michael Cuddyer's breakout season was at age 27. Luke Keaschall might also prove to be the real deal.

[Nashvilletwin]

6 minutes ago, arby58 said:

To be fair, you had 60+ years of the former regimes to pick through. Also, if you added a pitching staff, Duran and Ryan may well be on it. Cruz isn't ancient history either. As for the future, Royce Lewis is still only 26 and could get things straightened out - Michael Cuddyer's breakout season was at age 27. Luke Keaschall might also prove to be the real deal.

To be fair, Duran, Ryan, and Cruz are really on nobody’s list and, five years from now, nobody will be even remotely be thinking about them as all time Twins. Those players are real stretches.

The exercise includes all regimes - and this regime has zippo to-date and, possibly, zero on the horizon among current rostered players.

Here’s hoping, however, my grandkids and I have develop great memories watching all time great Twins Lewis and Keaschall.  Let’s throw in Jenkins, ERod, Culpepper and Tait.  That would be wonderful. 

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

No Santana or Blyleven (49.9 career WAR in MN)? 

Yeah, I would take both over Morris (it was a great season, but it was one season) for sure.

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

What’s so sad about this list and all the comments is that there is only one Twin from the current regime that even basically gets a few honourable mention votes: Buxton.

No other position players and no other starters.

And what’s even sadder is there are no other current Twins that likely would ever be considered for a list like this.

Boy, how this franchise, which has produced so many great memorable players, has fallen. The Pohlads, Falvey and Rocco have produced nothing of lasting fan value and devotion over their entire regime together.  Nada.

There is a whole generation of young Twins fans who have no players to look back on as their idols or to relish their accomplishments.  That’s really sad. The Falvey/Rocco era will not be remembered for producing any great Twins.

(And that, by the way, is why you tear down and rebuild by investing in and committing to a young core - you might just get some Hrbeks, Gaettis, Puckett, Mauers, and Morneaus.  And by creating these “legends”, one builds enduring and greater franchise value and fan devotion.  Just saying…. Our ownership and leadership are basically brain dead for not being able to see these basics and recognising their failures).

How many Twins from the previous regime got serious consideration? The more history you pile up and the more Hall of Famers you put in from your franchise, the higher the bar is for every position and every generation after. Think about how good you actually have to be to displace Rod freakin' Carew! And we're only talking about 9 positions here, and catcher, 1B, 2B, CF, and RF are manned by hall of famers.

Maybe Kaelen Culpepper displaces Roy Smalley some day.  Or Walker Jenkins grabs Shane Mack's slot. But this is going to be hard for anyone new. If it was easy, we'd have a terrible history with no titles.

[D.C Twins]

I'm going Bob Allison in LF and Nelson Cruz at DH (sorry.... too big of a stretch for Hrbek at DH)

[D.C Twins]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

No Santana or Blyleven (49.9 career WAR in MN)? 

And no Reardon and Senor Smoke in the bullpen?!  :)

[mikelink45]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

No Santana or Blyleven (49.9 career WAR in MN)? 

Sure you can add them we always need more than a five anyway

[Scott51104]

"Shane Mack and his 19.6 fWAR as a Twin is called underrated.

That's not wrong, but I'd say Bob Allison and his 35.3 fWAR (4.2 of which came as a Senator pre-move) is more underrated. Folks a bit older than me speak about Allison with glowing terms. It's easy to be overlooked when you are batting behind Carew-Oliva-Killebrew. "

Opposing second basemen would vote for Mack over Allison if there was going to be a close play at second.