How the Twins Are Building a Matchup Machine

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

For much of the last decade, the Twins have quietly tried to squeeze every marginal win out of their roster. Sometimes that has meant platoons. Other times, it has meant defensive flexibility or depth over star power. This offseason, a clear pattern is emerging. Minnesota appears to be leaning harder than ever into matchup play and lineup optimization.

The most obvious signal came with back-to-back investments in switch hitters. Josh Bell and Victor Caratini were added for their overall production, their fit in the roster, and because they eliminate problems. A switch-hitter erases the need to protect a lineup spot when the opposing starter changes handedness, and that matters for a team that wants to play the percentages every night. This approach stretches well beyond those two signings and into how the entire roster fits together.

Minnesota is under an owner-imposed payroll limit, which makes it challenging to field the best lineup. Without the ability to add star-caliber players in free agency, the front office must pivot to attempt to find a market inefficiency. So, are the Twins trying to make up for a dearth of talent with really good matchup-proofing? The short answer is probably yes, at least in part.

The Twins do not have the payroll or the top-end depth to roll out nine everyday bats who are immune to matchups. What they do have is a collection of hitters who can be deployed strategically. Keeping Trevor Larnach at $4.475 million in arbitration fits that logic. On the surface, Larnach looks expendable. In practice, he is a valuable strong-side platoon option who can punish right-handed pitching. Last season was a down year for Larnach, but he still posted a .759 OPS against righties, matching his career total.

A left field pairing of Larnach and Austin Martin is not flashy, but it is efficient. Larnach gets the favorable matchups where he has shown real damage potential. Martin handles left-handed pitching and adds defensive versatility and speed. In fact, Martin was one of the team’s lone bright spots in the second half last season, helped in part by his .884 OPS against southpaws. Together, they approximate a more expensive everyday option.

That same philosophy is visible across the infield. Left-handed bats like Kody Clemens and Edouard Julien can be deployed aggressively against right-handed starters. Right-handed options like Luke Keaschall, Royce Lewis, and Eric Wagaman can take on left-handed pitching without forcing the Twins to accept bad matchups elsewhere. Orlando Arcia, a veteran right-handed hitter, was brought in on a minor league deal and has a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Brooks Lee, a switch-hitting shortstop, serves as a stabilizer, keeping the lineup from tilting too far in either direction. The Twins have options at nearly every spot.

Even the outfield depth reflects this thinking. The left-handed group of Larnach, Matt Wallner, Alan Roden, and James Outman pairs naturally with right-handed or right-leaning options like Martin, Ryan Kreidler, and eventually Gabriel Gonzalez. Other top prospects like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are also expected to join the left-handed hitting group at some point in 2026. This is not about finding the best nine hitters. It is about finding the best nine hitters for a specific opponent on a specific day.

Against right-handed starters, Minnesota can stack lefties and switch hitters.
C: Caratini (S)
1B: Clemens (L)
2B: Julien (L)
3B: Lewis (R)
SS: Lee (S)
LF: Larnach (L)
CF: Buxton (R)
RF: Wallner (L)
DH: Bell (S)
The alignment above leaves Lewis and Byron Buxton as the lone right-handed bats.

Against left-handed starters, the picture flips.
C: Jeffers (R)
1B: Bell (S)
2B: Keaschall (R)
3B: Lewis (R)
SS: Lee (S)
LF: Martin (R)
CF: Buxton (R)
RF: Wallner (L)
DH: Caratini (S)
This gives the Twins a right-leaning core. Right field becomes the lone spot needing a lefty, with Wallner the apparent choice. There will also be injuries that arise, requiring the Twins to shift pieces around. None of this screams overwhelming talent. It does scream intention.

So, is this what we have seen in the past from the Twins, or is this a new twist? Platoons are not new in Minnesota. The Twins have lived in this space for years, especially during their recent competitive window. What feels different now is how deliberately the roster is being built around that concept rather than falling into it out of necessity.

In the past, platoons often existed because the Twins lacked better options. Now, they appear to be acquiring players specifically because they enable matchup flexibility. Switch hitters like Bell and Caratini are cheap fixes and targeted solutions. Keeping Larnach rather than clearing his salary suggests the team values optionality over simplicity.

There is also more lineup insulation than before. Multiple switch hitters and right-handed bats who can move around the field reduce the risk of being exposed by a single pitching decision. This is less about reacting to matchups and more about dictating them.

That shift suggests an organization leaning fully into modern roster construction. The Twins may not win many talent comparisons on paper, but they are trying to win the decision-making battle that happens before the first pitch.

The Twins appear to be building a roster designed to win at the margins. By prioritizing switch hitters, platoon advantages, and lineup flexibility, Minnesota is attempting to turn matchup management into a competitive edge. Whether that approach can compensate for a lack of star power remains an open question, but the plan itself is becoming increasingly apparent.

Is this smart optimization that will squeeze extra wins out of a flawed roster, or does it place too much pressure on perfect lineup management to succeed over a full season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

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[LambchoP]

Seems like an excuse to try and justify this incredibly weak lineup ...

[Sjoski]

May I turned the headline into a question?

Are The Twins becoming the first MLB team built and managed by AI?

●●●

Under the Multi-Tool Mandate, players are "functional variables"—the more positions you play, the more "decision tree" branches the AI gets to use.

 

With Constant Calibration tracking stuff like exit velo and fatigue in real-time, the AI just needs endless options to keep the logic perfect.

It’s just pure math.

 

 

 

[Datwinsdude]

Really?  We're going to start Tristan Gray over Luke Keaschall 70 percent of the time at second base?

[D.C Twins]

Yes... a matchup machine indeed... designed to matchup with the White Sox at the bottom of the lowly AL Central... 

[JD-TWINS]

I’ve seen a number of times, Kody Clemens at 1B with Josh Bell at DH. This combination, with Larnach in LF really lowers the defensive bar.

To me, Bell only played 1B in 38 games in ‘25 because the Nationals had a former GG on the roster at 1B in Nathaniel Lowe. He can’t be significantly different than Clemens at 1B.

Play Bell at 1B most of the time v. RH pitching and Larnach at DH. LF can be filled by whoever is rostered (Roden/Outman/Clemens)  & the defense can now function with some normalcy.

Do we really think Clemens is still the everyday guy at 1B v. RH pitching?

[MGX]

Teams should try to find the best matchups.

With that said if the Twins turn Austin Martin into a short-side platoon that's a big mistake. If they turn Keaschall into a short side platoon that would be ridiculous. These two both earned the chance to prove they are primary players in the lineup. In regard to Keaschall he was much, much better vs RHP (.514 OPS vs LHP - .975 OPS vs RHP) so I can't see how they could think about forcing him into a short side platoon situation. Even in Martin's situation where he was better VS LHP it shouldn't give him a chance to follow up on what he last season.

When you only have 13 position players on the roster you can only rely on so many platoons, so use them where they're needed not with players like Martin & Keaschall who have earned the chance to prove they can be primary players.

[Twins Takes]

I swear if they platoon Keaschall I'm gonna be so mad. He's not the type of player you just platoon and call it good, he has incredible potential to be a regular every day player.

[DJL44]

Mr. Burns: You! Strawberry! Good effort today. Take a lap and hit the showers. I'm putting in a right-handed batter.

Darryl Strawberry: Pinch-hitting for me?

Mr. Burns: Yes. You're a left-hander and so is the pitcher. If I send up a right-handed batter it's called playing the percentages. It's what smart managers do to win ball games.

Darryl Strawberry: I've got nine home runs.

Mr. Burns: You should be very proud. Sit down. Simpson! You're batting for Strawberry.

Homer Simpson: I am? 

[thelanges5]

26 minutes ago, Datwinsdude said:

Really?  We're going to start Tristan Gray over Luke Keaschall 70 percent of the time at second base?

Also they’re not sitting Jeffers 70% of the time. 

[bean5302]

Anybody on the team can switch hit (stand in the other batter's box) just as well as anybody on the team has positional flexibility (where we deploy players into positions they can't cover). 

I do not care if a guy hits left or right. I don't care about platoon advantages in theory. I care about production in reality.

[DataNerd]

I'm pretty sure that we didn't aquire Gray to start over Keaschall, but rather as a cheap insurance plan for if neither Lee/Culpepper is able to play SS.  The main platoon I expect is that Martin will spell Larnach/Wallner against LHP (and he will likely start a bit against RHP as well)

[KnoblauchWasFramed]

Right now this lineup looks to match all of the "Piss & Vinegar" that the 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 Twins lineups had.  

Buckle in boys and girls - this is going to be a really rough ride.

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, Datwinsdude said:

Really?  We're going to start Tristan Gray over Luke Keaschall 70 percent of the time at second base?

This. Starting Larnach in LF over the one guy who actually hit last year and is a very good Fielder in Martin is just .... stupid. Larnach is a DH, occasional OF. Martin should be playing LF 5 days a week (or more), with Larnach only in the OF 2 days a week at most and some of that can at Wallner's expense. Outman should be playing for somebody else. One of our biggest weak spots last year was defense. Let's not hurt or defense again this year in search of the elusive perfect matchup.  

[Old Twins Hat]

Problem with match-ups is pretty straight-forward:  teams will simply deploy "openers" for one inning or two innings.  Then what?

Happens all the time.  A little surprised the author does not bring this up.

[GNess]

This platoon approach will delay and diminish the full development of emerging players such as Keaschall.

Is there any evidence that string reliance on platooning actually enhances productivity? The Twins performance the past few seasons seems to be strong evidence to the contrary.

[LastOnePicked]

Sure, the platoon matchups unlocked with these specific marginal free agents could potentially boost this club from being a 70-win team to being a 72-win team. Is this exciting? It doesn't feel exciting. 

I mean, these things are important and Cody does seem to have sussed out Falvey and Zoll's plan, but does any of it move the needle? Just feels like more obsessive nibbling on the fringes of the 40-man roster.

[twinzcynic]

Ah %$#^, here we go again meme.

[Pat]

Really? Having a whole pile of part time players does not seem like a recipe for success.  When the Brewers came to town last year for three games, the only thing that changed in their lineups was their #9 hitter.  It can be done if there is a will to do it.

[TheLeviathan]

Ah yes, the brilliant "machine" that assures us Caratini and Bell play everyday but Keaschall sits until we face a lefty.

 

[Fred]

I'm trying real hard to be impressed with a .759 OPS against right handers, but I just can't get there. On one hand, it is marginally better than the way Margot "rakes" (like we were told a couple of years ago) left handers in the .720s. so, I guess, there's that. I think Larnach is a marginally average hitter who is a  defensive liability. Are you trying to find something to be impressed about? Definitely a roster position that could be improved.

[tony&rodney]

Crazy talk, crazy article. Too many DH's using a glove. As another poster stated, the Twins will be fighting mightily to keep pace with the White Sox this year. That is the match.

[rv78]

 This is less about reacting to matchups and more about dictating them. That shift suggests an organization leaning fully into modern roster construction. The Twins may not win many talent comparisons on paper, but they are trying to win the decision-making battle that happens before the first pitch.

How is setting a lineup based on the other teams starting pitcher dictating a matchup? It can only be seen as a reaction. If you really think that the other team isn't going to pitch their top 3 pitchers against the Twins if it is their turn in the rotation because the Twins can throw a predominately opposite hitting lineup against them, you're crazy. 

If you win a decision-making battle, that fails to give you the production you were hoping for, and then you lose that option for a late inning decision-making battle, don't you fail twice? It's a stupid plan. Talent still looks better, on paper and in a game.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

Sure, the platoon matchups unlocked with these specific marginal free agents could potentially boost this club from being a 70-win team to being a 72-win team. Is this exciting? It doesn't feel exciting. 

I mean, these things are important and Cody does seem to have sussed out Falvey and Zoll's plan, but does any of it move the needle? Just feels like more obsessive nibbling on the fringes of the 40-man roster.

This TC platoon obsession just seems dumb to me.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Cody, I agree with your article that this is what the Twins have been trying to do and what they are going to try again in 2026. My only questing is: "How has this plan worked out in the Falvey era for the Twinkies?" 

[Parfigliano]

19 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Cody, I agree with your article that this is what the Twins have been trying to do and what they are going to try again in 2026. My only questing is: "How has this plan worked out in the Falvey era for the Twinkies?" 

Survey says....abysmally.

[LA Vikes Fan]

A platoon at a position means that you have two guys there that aren't good enough to start. Martin looked like he is good enough to start in LF in August and September last year. No need for a LF platoon. Martin had a .374 OBP last year and 11 SBs in 15 attempts (73.3%) over 156 ABs. His career stats are a .341 OBP and 29 SBs in 40 attempts (72.5%). Admittedly, no power. I say we give him some run in the #1 or #9 hole and see if he can have an OBP over .350, steal 20 plus bases with a 80% or better steal rate, play above average LF defense, and actually help us score more runs. 

Larnach, on the other hand, looks like a LH DH getting about 300-400 ABs a year who only occasionally plays in the field (unless they're teaching him 1B), with some power. When he is in the filed he plays it poorly with a -4 OAA.. He and Wallner (also -4 OAA) can't be allowed to both be in the field at the same time. They could both play RF but neither hits LH pitching much so I don't know how that would work. Larnach is in a platoon all right (.758 OPS vs. RH pitching) - it's a DH platoon with Eric Wagaman (.783 OPS vs. LH pitching).  Ah yes DH, there's a position where you can and should platoon., 

[tony&rodney]

27 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

A platoon at a position means that you have two guys there that aren't good enough to start. Martin looked like he is good enough to start in LF in August and September last year. No need for a LF platoon. Martin had a .374 OBP last year and 11 SBs in 15 attempts (73.3%) over 156 ABs. His career stats are a .341 OBP and 29 SBs in 40 attempts (72.5%). Admittedly, no power. I say we give him some run in the #1 or #9 hole and see if he can have an OBP over .350, steal 20 plus bases with a 80% or better steal rate, play above average LF defense, and actually help us score more runs. 

Larnach, on the other hand, looks like a LH DH getting about 300-400 ABs a year who only occasionally plays in the field (unless they're teaching him 1B), with some power. When he is in the filed he plays it poorly with a -4 OAA.. He and Wallner (also -4 OAA) can't be allowed to both be in the field at the same time. They could both play RF but neither hits LH pitching much so I don't know how that would work. Larnach is in a platoon all right (.758 OPS vs. RH pitching) - it's a DH platoon with Eric Wagaman (.783 OPS vs. LH pitching).  Ah yes DH, there's a position where you can and should platoon., 

Agree with giving Austin Martin a strong run as the left fielder. I also agree that Larnach-Wagaman could be a decent platoon at DH. There are already 2 pure DH guys though in Josh Bell and Matt Wallner. So somehow the glut at DH needs to be figured out. There are at least 4 DH players and this doesn't even consider the occasional usage of Buxton, Lewis, Jeffers, Caratini, or someone else (Keaschall maybe) needing time at DH from time to time.

[Fatbat]

Sad because this strategy will not produce the intended results and just waste years of fans and players lives.  

[stringer bell]

Even with the switch hitters, there isn't room to have a time-share at every position. Further, three right handed hitters figure to be in the lineup much more than half the time against right handed pitching--Lewis, Keaschall and Jeffers. Beyond that, Martin might be the best choice for left field most of the time. Adding the switch hitters, it looks like there are six or seven positions with a nominal "regular" and only a spot or two would be more of a platoon.  I think only two of Kreidler, Clemens, Wagaman, Roden, Green, Julien and Outman can make the team if no moves are made. It's still pretty much of a jumbled mess with only a few spots nailed down.