What's the Best-Case Scenario for the 2026 Twins Bullpen?

[TheLeviathan]

7 hours ago, Brandon said:

But includes a full season of Keaschal, Bell, Cartini, and a full season of Wallner, Lewis could rebound to a solid player, and we have several hitters in the high minors waiting for a shot.  The offense will be fine. We will have a 6-10 ranked offense this season.  

We'll see if Keaschall can be as great in year two with the league adjusting to him.  I am not going to hang my hat on how great Bell and Cartini are going to be.

They are banking on a ton of growth from young players.  I hope that happens, but I wouldn't bank on it.  And even if it happens...doesn't change the defense.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

22 hours ago, Exiled in Illinois said:

Congrads!  We reached a milestone! This is the 100th article written on this subject this offseason, all saying the same things, followed by comments saying all the same things!  That horse is cooked!  Thank God spring training starts Thursday!  

" That horse is cooked"? Must be an Illinois saying. LOL

[The Great Hambino]

14 hours ago, Danchat said:

Best case scenario, a few starter prospects successfully transition to the pen so the 2027 bullpen has a chance to build around something. I don't really care about what the likes of Rogers and Topa do, they aren't long-term pieces and probably won't be back next year. 

Agreed.  At this point, ending the season with a clear path forward for 2027 and beyond would be a success in my mind.

Part of being able to sort out the bullpen will be some of the young starters realizing their potential and establishing themselves as core pieces of the future rotation.  If no one can establish themselves there, then they're not really in a much better position come this time next year.   I't's much better for the bullpen if they're making tough decisions about moving excess starting pitching potential - either to the bullpen or as a trade piece to balance out the roster - than having to keep some shaky starting pitching in the rotation out of necessity

[gman]

I expect to see a lot of 2-1 5th inning leads turn into 8-2 losses. If I'm watching the game I may turn it off after 5.

[Woof Bronzer]

11 hours ago, Brandon said:

But includes a full season of Keaschal, Bell, Cartini, and a full season of Wallner, Lewis could rebound to a solid player, and we have several hitters in the high minors waiting for a shot.  The offense will be fine. We will have a 6-10 ranked offense this season.  

I am extremely curious as to the 20-24 offenses you think will be worse than the Twins'.  

[USAFChief]

25 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I am extremely curious as to the 20-24 offenses you think will be worse than the Twins'.  

Also, who is "Cartini?"

[Brandon]

45 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I am extremely curious as to the 20-24 offenses you think will be worse than the Twins'.  

The Twins have a history of having successful offenses by having average 1-9 hitters who can drive in 60-75 runs each and having a decent bench too.

The Twins have this type of offense now.  Buxton, Wallner and possibly Lewis.  I don't want to count on Lewis but the other two could drive in 90+

This offense should be able to top 200 HRs for the season too.  

[Rigby]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Also, who is "Cartini?"

 

[Woof Bronzer]

8 hours ago, Brandon said:

The Twins have a history of having successful offenses by having average 1-9 hitters who can drive in 60-75 runs each and having a decent bench too.

The Twins have this type of offense now.  Buxton, Wallner and possibly Lewis.  I don't want to count on Lewis but the other two could drive in 90+

This offense should be able to top 200 HRs for the season too.  

The Twins have the type of offense where "1-9 hitters drive in 60-75 runs each"?  They had 3 players drive in 60 runs last year.  One got to 65.  

The Twins have a "decent bench" ?????

Pass me the blunt bro!

[Fred]

On 2/10/2026 at 9:14 AM, Whitey333 said:

Same old Twins only worse this off season.  The same philosophy of by passing most decent free agents, then saying you tried to sign some big name to make it look good.  They then whine there are no decent free agents left.  The same crap year after year.  They only have hype and hope to sell to fans.  That is getting old.  This year 17 of our 81 home games will be played in April against some decent teams.  They will likely be out of contention before memorial day.  There is very little to root for except the development of the so-called can't miss prospects.  That's why I still continue to say we need to trade Ryan, Lopez, Jeffers and Buxton and get something decent in return while their value is relatively high.  They are a luxury on a terrible team and organization.  

Let's all hope those trades don't happen. Dumping even more salary would increase profits for the Pohlads, and they wouldn't even consider selling. For my own mental health, I stopped caring about wins or losses, and have jumped off the bandwagon. I will follow individual performances with no concern how the teams is doing.