Horrible Roster Construction, Tell Me I'm Wrong?

[DocBauer]

I'm recently reminded of something Bonnes questioned about regarding the pen construction.  Basically,  he asked what might have been different if TP had been in charge in late October, or first of November. MIGHT have the Twins spent $7-8-9M on a competent FA, veteran arm that might change the completion of the current BP? Maybe. 

But that's water under the bridge at this point. I can even applaud moves made WITH Falvey, at this point, and recent moves made WITHOUT Falvey recently. Bell was a really good addition as a DH. Cantarni was a really good add as a replacement for Vazquez as the #2 catcher, who can also help at 1B once in a while. Both were good moves! Even unexpected in the case of Cantarini.

With opportunity that might have been missed with the mismanagement of the entire FO situation, I can ALMOST applaud some recent pen additions that MIGHT turn out on the positive side, with some hope. Including a couple young SP moving to the pen. I can at leat see viable options that will play out. I like the pen even better if they take a shot a shot at the GOOD Kopech on a cheap deal to see what might happen. He's still looking for a deal!

I wanted Rogers or Coulme or Thielbar, or even Caffin as a $3M addition, on a limited payroll to work with a hopeful development with Funderburk that proved to be true.  Rogers was out based on early $ projections, but was a SURPRISE add for $2M. And while I've always liked Chaffin, he was my #4 option, I never expected him on a MILB deal that might make him, potentially, the #4 option if Funderburk's late season surge makes him a quality option.

So the LH side of the pen actually looks semi solid with depth and options. CLEARLY it means the Twins are still focused on Prielipp as a SP option for now. Working on a 5 pitch format for now, and probably working towards 100-120 healthy IP i can get that. Why not? He could still debut late in 2026 as a BP option to get ML experience. He could ALWAYS transition to the BP at any time. 

But I am frankly pissed off'd at Zoll at this point. DON'T TELL ME HE'S NEW TO THE JOB! He's been 2nd in command for a couple of years now.

I'm going to state something I've been yelling about for months now. The roster construction sucks. And it could have been so easily changed  if you didn't stick with Larnach. 

At one point I had hoped the FO would get there crap together but clearly they haven't. 

There were recent rumors that Nathaniel Lowe was available for $6-7M. That's a pretty good bargain for a 12 WAR career 1B who is a switch hitter with solid splits and a good glove. 

He would have given the Twins a legitimate 1B, and allowed Clemens to just be a utility player only, and allow Bell to only be a DH. 

OH, but suddenly he was signed by the Reds on  a MILB deal?

WAY TO GO ZOLL!  You're already proven to be incompetent in 2 weeks on the job. A couple interesting BP options doesn't excuse you from being part of massive roster mitskee

 

 

 

 

[jorgenswest]

I think you are right based on the direction they took. If they are signing these other one year stop gaps add Lowe too,

That wouldn’t be my direction. I wouldn’t have signed all of those decline phase one year contract relievers. It pushes the problem to next year. I would have built from the pool of young starters.

I would not have pushed off first base until next year. I would have looked to pushing Jenkins and Rodriguez to the majors with Keaschall at 1B, Martin at 2B and Wallner to DH. Clemens is a good for behind both of them. Roden can play 1B.

That team of unproven young players has a better chance of 5th place than the route Pohlad and Zoll took. I think it also has a better chance of mid 80s wins.

Joe Pohlad is putting his mark on this roster. New veteran relievers are added daily. Solutions at 1B and the bullpen are still elusive. Oh well. I will be watching. Go Twins.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Roster construction has been problem for a while now. Falvey wasn't done any favors with the payroll limitations but the moves he did make were usually head scratchers. We'll see if it is any different under Zoll and Joe P long-term but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[stringer bell]

I agree that the roster is a mess. Any organization that has Brooks Lee as the starting shortstop (in ink) and Kreidler, Gray and Arcia competing for a backup/utility role is woefully short in the infield. Meanwhile the outfield configuration freezes out their best young talent because established mediocrity is in the way.

It now appears that a lot of pitching talent will be getting their innings in St. Paul while the bullpen has been patched with 30 somethings who may or may not still be effective, but with no obvious closer. Not optimum.

I know @DocBauer has been shouting from the rooftops for Lowe all off-season, but that he ended up with a minor league contract seems fishy in a bad way. No one in MLB was willing to give him a major league contract. There has to be more than a poor walk season involved.

I continue to look for activity to address the Twins' major deficiencies, probably a trade, not another free agent signing. The team is supposed to compete with reduced payroll (and $10M of that is dead money). Truly a tough needle to thread. 

[NotAboutWinning]

I feel like we have a roster constructed by the marketing department. Lots of familiar names. Some good 5 years ago, some 1st round picks who should be better than they are. A coaching staff reinforced with former Twins. It seems like it is designed to give fans the illusion of competency. 

[bunsen82]

I think they are running with poor roster construction, because they think those are the best assets to trade.  They are hoping beyond hoping Larnach has a good start and someone trades for him is my guess.  

There are 3 issues - 

1.  Excess corner outfielders. 

2. 3 MLB level catchers  

3.  Bullpen is filled with competent but limited relievers.  

I really don't think we would have been on any reliever if they weren't willing to open the purse strings.  There were only a handful that signed at that $6 million to $8 million range, and other than Maton,  Phillips  or even going a little lower Armstrong they are ok but nothing not a good 8th inning or closer level reliever.   Domnguez, was your lowest leverage reliever with higher upside and he went for $10 million a year.  Jansen pick Detroit - Fairbanks decided to stay in the warm climate and then we would have been priced out at getting close to $15 million a year.  

Maybe there are trades,   and I could see a corner outfielder or backup catcher being traded, beyond that I don't see anyone else being added to the bullpen,  even if Kopech would be a lottery ticket on trying to get a high upside closer.  

[LewFordLives]

Was Bell even a good addition at $7 million? Ty France just signed a minor league deal, and he can actually play first base. I'm not saying they had the choice of either or, we all know things never work that way in the off-season. But was there a bidding war for Bell's services? Couldn't that money have been better spent?

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, LewFordLives said:

Was Bell even a good addition at $7 million? Ty France just signed a minor league deal, and he can actually play first base. I'm not saying they had the choice of either or, we all know things never work that way in the off-season. But was there a bidding war for Bell's services? Couldn't that money have been better spent?

Remember that despite France winning a Gold Glove, going into the season he was regarded as a poor defender at first base. It turned out that his defense was very good. 

Bell has been at least average to above average as a hitter every year he's been in the league except for the shortened COVID season. He can be counted on as a decent hitter with about as much confidence as any non-superstar. France doesn't have that kind of hitting profile. Obviously, the rest of Bell's profile drags down his value, but as a DH he is fine and probably worth the money. The Twins had a glaring hole to fill at 1B/DH that Bell fills pretty well. On balance, I think he's a decent acquisition, but not a program turner. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, LewFordLives said:

Was Bell even a good addition at $7 million? Ty France just signed a minor league deal, and he can actually play first base. I'm not saying they had the choice of either or, we all know things never work that way in the off-season. But was there a bidding war for Bell's services? Couldn't that money have been better spent?

Moving early to get Bell for $7M looks like at least a $4M overpayment. Miguel Andujar signed for $4M, Nathaniel Lowe and Ty France just signed minor league deals and Rhys Hoskins is still waiting for an opportunity. Lowe makes just $1.75M if he makes the team.

[bunsen82]

1 hour ago, LewFordLives said:

Was Bell even a good addition at $7 million? Ty France just signed a minor league deal, and he can actually play first base. I'm not saying they had the choice of either or, we all know things never work that way in the off-season. But was there a bidding war for Bell's services? Couldn't that money have been better spent?

I think we will be pleasantly surprised with Bell.   The issue as I see,  the lineup does really well,  and the bullpen is serviceable,   unless Liam Hendriks is fully healthy and performs like the closer he was and another reliever becomes elite,   we won't have the bullpen to compete unless we trade for significant assets

In my opinion Bell signed at the amount we wanted to pay, and Bell knew it would get tough to find a landing location once Arraez signed as a 1st baseman.  With the deals signed since it does appear that assessment was accurate.  I do think that money would have been better suited to get a higher leverage reliever and then spend $2-$3 million on a replacement level 1st baseman.  I think they see the potential in Bell in being a $2-$3 million WAR player.  

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Was Bell even a good addition at $7 million? Ty France just signed a minor league deal, and he can actually play first base. I'm not saying they had the choice of either or, we all know things never work that way in the off-season. But was there a bidding war for Bell's services? Couldn't that money have been better spent?

BaseballTradeValues shows Bell as an upside down trade value. I think that's your answer on Bell's value.

[bean5302]

16 hours ago, DocBauer said:

...But I am frankly pissed off'd at Zoll at this point. DON'T TELL ME HE'S NEW TO THE JOB! He's been 2nd in command for a couple of years now...

Agreed. I'd be fine firing Zoll right now. There were plenty of options to field a competitive team and make some moves. He did nothing. He's just another Falvey.

[bunsen82]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Moving early to get Bell for $7M looks like at least a $4M overpayment. Miguel Andujar signed for $4M, Nathaniel Lowe and Ty France just signed minor league deals and Rhys Hoskins is still waiting for an opportunity. Lowe makes just $1.75M if he makes the team.

The issue is what is the Twins anticipated value difference.  In their calculation they may deep Bell as an additional .5 WAR which is worth 5 million dollars.   Technically he is also just signed as 5.5 million.    Andujar at 5-10 HR isn't going to cut it for a 1st baseman.   Of those the only one who piques my interest is Lowe in my opinion.  No one else offered him a big league contract.  Then you look and see he is a left handed hitter.  I am fine with the deal as said.  Even still I would have rather had 1 higher leverage reliever.  

[DJL44]

20 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

The issue is what is the Twins anticipated value difference.  In their calculation they may deep Bell as an additional .5 WAR which is worth 5 million dollars.   Technically he is also just signed as 5.5 million.    Andujar at 5-10 HR isn't going to cut it for a 1st baseman.   Of those the only one who piques my interest is Lowe in my opinion.  No one else offered him a big league contract.  Then you look and see he is a left handed hitter.  I am fine with the deal as said.  Even still I would have rather had 1 higher leverage reliever.  

You can't be paying double what other teams would pay just because you value players higher than other teams. You should only pay enough to win the bid. Nobody else was going to bid more than $4M for Josh Bell.

[bunsen82]

4 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Agreed. I'd be fine firing Zoll right now. There were plenty of options to field a competitive team and make some moves. He did nothing. He's just another Falvey.

No he is another GM under a Tom's thumb.  If Tom isn't going to pony up any significant money for even a an 8th inning reliever what are we talking about.  

[Doctor Wu]

21 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Bullpen is filled with competent but limited relievers

I'm still not convinced that our bullpen is filled with much more than ageing vets with injury histories, and a few younger pitchers that haven't completely adapted to relief roles yet. It's still in need of another competent arm or two. 

[LewFordLives]

15 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Technically he is also just signed as 5.5 million.   

According to Cot's it's $7 million guaranteed when you include the buyout for 2027. 

[bunsen82]

14 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

According to Cot's it's $7 million guaranteed when you include the buyout for 2027. 

It's $5.5 million for this season.  The buyout is 2027.  

[Eris]

Not tendering Larnach would not fundamentally change the poor roster construction which was built in anticipation of bombas forever and that defense doesn’t matter.  I think that is the single biggest fault of the Falvey era. The success of the 2019 season drove drafting decisions of bat first players that have not worked out. 
 

To make a difference, many of  the below defensive players need to be replaced with players of average to above average defense. Think of this as being similar to the Cleveland model. The problem is that many of these players have only limited trade value and we are left hoping for better production until the next round of prospects arrive. 
 

My take on this based on 2025 performances is that Larnach, Wallner, Lewis, and Lee all need to be replaced. Additionally, at almost every position the Twins have a sharp drop off between the starter and next best alternative. 
 

Backup shortstop. I don’t understand DFA of Ryan Fitzgerald. He was better than all three of the players they have in camp as SS depth. Maybe the plan is if there is a need, they will bring up Culpepper whether he is ready or not. 

[bunsen82]

52 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

I'm still not convinced that our bullpen is filled with much more than ageing vets with injury histories, and a few younger pitchers that haven't completely adapted to relief roles yet. It's still in need of another competent arm or two. 

To be fair last year we had at minimum 2 relievers that fit that category - Coulombe and Stewart.  Those type of pitchers can be useable especially when put in low pressure situations.  We now have 8 relievers,  2 that had some leverage last year, Sands at the end of the year and Banda with the Dodgers.  Rogers, Chafin and Hendriks.   Rogers due to injuries ect appears to be to the end of his line.  Chafin - seems like he has been pretty steady even though the peripherals are declining.   Hendriks on the other hand may still have an elite year left in the tank.  The velocity is coming back a bit.  

Having 3 of these arms vs 2 last year doesn't seem to be a major difference.  The issue is clearly no Duran, and no one with as high of a ceiling as Jax or Varland.  

[FlyingFinn]

50 minutes ago, Eris said:

I don’t understand DFA of Ryan Fitzgerald.

The Dodgers DFA'd Fitzgerald after they claimed him. None of the other teams, including the Twins, claimed him. It's not that big of a deal to not have Fitzgerald.

[DocBauer]

On 2/16/2026 at 8:30 AM, stringer bell said:

I agree that the roster is a mess. Any organization that has Brooks Lee as the starting shortstop (in ink) and Kreidler, Gray and Arcia competing for a backup/utility role is woefully short in the infield. Meanwhile the outfield configuration freezes out their best young talent because established mediocrity is in the way.

It now appears that a lot of pitching talent will be getting their innings in St. Paul while the bullpen has been patched with 30 somethings who may or may not still be effective, but with no obvious closer. Not optimum.

I know @DocBauer has been shouting from the rooftops for Lowe all off-season, but that he ended up with a minor league contract seems fishy in a bad way. No one in MLB was willing to give him a major league contract. There has to be more than a poor walk season involved.

I continue to look for activity to address the Twins' major deficiencies, probably a trade, not another free agent signing. The team is supposed to compete with reduced payroll (and $10M of that is dead money). Truly a tough needle to thread. 

Stinger, respectability, I've looked at his deal. I can find ZERO injury reports or anything negative about him as a ballplayer OTHER than NOT being a STUD and coming off a poor 2025.

I have NEVER championed him as a STUD ballplayer.  But he's a 12 WAR career ballplayer with solid production and solid career splits and a good enough glove to have earned some GG votes. 

He's NOT what the Twins need at 1B for the future ultimately. But his presence to extend the lineup, move Bell to DH exclusively, and move on from Larnach is exactly what this team needed.

And apparently, with most teams already having a 1B intact, he's been removed from a potential $13M arbitration number, to a speculated $6-7M signing, to the Reds signing him on a MILB deal. 

Sorry, but this is malfeasance of roster construction! The Reds were AWAKE with opportunity while the Twins were sleeping. 

Lowe at 1B...even as a slightly above OPS player...with a solid performer and good glove at 1B makes Bell the primary DH.  Clemens can still be a viable 5 position depth piece, and Wagaman goes to AAA.

Outman should be gone tomorrow. You run with Martin and Roden in LF.

And you have options in the OF with Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and even Festa. Even the questionable Festa offers more than what Outman offers.

The FO BLEW the ability to add to the INF AND to the lineup with a competent 1B that would have little to nothing to add to the payroll.

Tell me I'm wrong?

 

[bunsen82]

On 2/17/2026 at 9:13 PM, DocBauer said:

Stinger, respectability, I've looked at his deal. I can find ZERO injury reports or anything negative about him as a ballplayer OTHER than NOT being a STUD and coming off a poor 2025.

I have NEVER championed him as a STUD ballplayer.  But he's a 12 WAR career ballplayer with solid production and solid career splits and a good enough glove to have earned some GG votes. 

He's NOT what the Twins need at 1B for the future ultimately. But his presence to extend the lineup, move Bell to DH exclusively, and move on from Larnach is exactly what this team needed.

And apparently, with most teams already having a 1B intact, he's been removed from a potential $13M arbitration number, to a speculated $6-7M signing, to the Reds signing him on a MILB deal. 

Sorry, but this is malfeasance of roster construction! The Reds were AWAKE with opportunity while the Twins were sleeping. 

Lowe at 1B...even as a slightly above OPS player...with a solid performer and good glove at 1B makes Bell the primary DH.  Clemens can still be a viable 5 position depth piece, and Wagaman goes to AAA.

Outman should be gone tomorrow. You run with Martin and Roden in LF.

And you have options in the OF with Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and even Festa. Even the questionable Festa offers more than what Outman offers.

The FO BLEW the ability to add to the INF AND to the lineup with a competent 1B that would have little to nothing to add to the payroll.

Tell me I'm wrong?

 

I would have added him as a bat.   The decision comes down to me Clemens vs Lowe as both left handed.  Clemens gives you a little roster flexibility,  but its closer than you think.  

I can't call it malfeasance as 29 other teams didn't sign him to an mlb deal either.  Outman and Larnach would be gone if I were running the team and then get a true back up shortstop that is a plus defender and can play utility as well.  

So why didn't Lowe get a deal.   1.  Came into last season out of shape.  2.  Was a bad teammate in Washington (confrontations with teammates and coaches and  effectively quit on the team).  For a rebuilding team this is likely a big reason. He yelled at Drew Millas 2 days before they dfa'd him.  Then a yelling at coaches. Similar to Jax at the end with the Twins.  3. The defensive metrics declined immensely.  he was -5 last year on defensive runs saved so he is not the defensive stalwart he was in 2023 where a lot of his value came from 4.  His bat speed dropped from 83% to 63%.  Not surprisingly he struggled with fastballs that he had made his hay with the years prior.  

So his defensive metrics went negative, he has never been a power hitter, and his bat speed is declining which significantly impacted his performance on fastballs and was a somewhat of a bad teammate last year.  Thats not a good combination.   I would be curious what kind of shape he is coming into this season.  The biggest difference between Lowe and Bell is Bell's bat speed remains in the top 90% and he started to make some progress on getting the ball in the air more.  Plus he is right handed which the Twins needed more.  Bell has also always been known as a great teammate and has consistently played on rebuilding teams (good and bad thing) so tends to be a bit more even keeled even when a team is struggling.  

https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/6/21/24453292/nationals-nathaniel-lowe-used-crush-fastballs-what-happened

So thats the negative,  as a minor league deal,  you are hoping he comes in healthy and in better shape,  tell him to just hit the ball don't go for homers, and hope the bat speed comes back,  but thats a lot of hope.   

[DocBauer]

 

 

On 2/18/2026 at 8:21 AM, bunsen82 said:

I would have added him as a bat.   The decision comes down to me Clemens vs Lowe as both left handed.  Clemens gives you a little roster flexibility,  but its closer than you think.  

I can't call it malfeasance as 29 other teams didn't sign him to an mlb deal either.  Outman and Larnach would be gone if I were running the team and then get a true back up shortstop that is a plus defender and can play utility as well.  

So why didn't Lowe get a deal.   1.  Came into last season out of shape.  2.  Was a bad teammate in Washington (confrontations with teammates and coaches and  effectively quit on the team).  For a rebuilding team this is likely a big reason. He yelled at Drew Millas 2 days before they dfa'd him.  Then a yelling at coaches. Similar to Jax at the end with the Twins.  3. The defensive metrics declined immensely.  he was -5 last year on defensive runs saved so he is not the defensive stalwart he was in 2023 where a lot of his value came from 4.  His bat speed dropped from 83% to 63%.  Not surprisingly he struggled with fastballs that he had made his hay with the years prior.  

So his defensive metrics went negative, he has never been a power hitter, and his bat speed is declining which significantly impacted his performance on fastballs and was a somewhat of a bad teammate last year.  Thats not a good combination.   I would be curious what kind of shape he is coming into this season.  The biggest difference between Lowe and Bell is Bell's bat speed remains in the top 90% and he started to make some progress on getting the ball in the air more.  Plus he is right handed which the Twins needed more.  Bell has also always been known as a great teammate and has consistently played on rebuilding teams (good and bad thing) so tends to be a bit more even keeled even when a team is struggling.  

https://www.federalbaseball.com/2025/6/21/24453292/nationals-nathaniel-lowe-used-crush-fastballs-what-happened

So thats the negative,  as a minor league deal,  you are hoping he comes in healthy and in better shape,  tell him to just hit the ball don't go for homers, and hope the bat speed comes back,  but thats a lot of hope.   

Honestly, I'd never heard about any issues with previous teammates. Possibly that had something to do with him sitting and waiting for so long? But I don't have enough context as to the events you described to comment.

But I think we both agree he would have been a good add overall.

I don't dislike Clemens. He's got some positives working in his favor. And I hope he can generally repeat his 2025 performance overall. 

And while I don't hate Wagaman, I'd rather have Lowe at 1B, remove Larnach, let Bell DH, and bring in someone like Ramon Urias as a nice 3 position utility player to challenge Clemens. And maybe you don't end up with room for everyone. But that's what competition is for, right?

I really liked the Bell signing, as well as Catarni. But I just can't get over Bell at 1B and Larnach at DH, which limits the OF options. Or, a PLATOON at 1B between Clemens and Wagaman and Bell at DH, which ALSO limits the OF if you keep Larnach, and makes your bench that much shorter by having Clemens as the primary 1B.

I'm just so damn frustrated by this roster construction that it sends me in to fits, lol.

But thank you for your post.

 

[nicksaviking]

On 2/17/2026 at 9:18 AM, FlyingFinn said:

The Dodgers DFA'd Fitzgerald after they claimed him. None of the other teams, including the Twins, claimed him. It's not that big of a deal to not have Fitzgerald.

I don't think anyone was unhappy to see Fitzgerald go.

I think everyone was just unhappy with the cast of characters they continued to replace him with. Lateral moves at best. 

[old nurse]

Levine was let go in October 2024. I wouldn’t say he is inexperienced at his job, but I also wouldn’t say he has been second in command for 2 years .

lowe was making 10 million last year. Nobody traded for him at the deadline. Washington released him rather than keep playing him. Despite an OPS plus of 121 Boston non tendered him rather than risk picking up such a great player with a probable raise from 10 million. The likelihood that in the middle of December Lowe signing the same contact as Bell did was probably nil. Everybody misread the market but Bell’s agent.  Lowe’s time in Washington was the likely red flag. It is not horrible roster construction to not have signed Lowe