Report From The Fort: Eight Guys, Three Spots, and Roster Math

[bean5302]

I think Emma needs to be on the list of potential "backup center fielders" as it's put. If he doesn't have a shot at making the roster over Outman, that's a crime. Best case scenario is Rodriguez rakes in spring training, doesn't warp back into a K monster and Outman looks good enough to get the Twins something back in a trade.

I'd really quite prefer the Twins trade Bell before Larnach, but I don't see it happening. I honestly wouldn't mind if they cast both of them off.

[DocBauer]

IMO, this really isn't hard. It's only difficult if Zoll is a Falvey clone vs being his own man.

#1 move] You just rid yourself of Outman and quit pretending he's a tremendous defender with potential to provide power and speed at the ML level. He is NOT a FIT for 2026 and the future. Martin and Roden can give Buxton days off. Period. If...baseball gods please NO...Buxton has a serious injury and has to go to the IL...2 of your top 4 prospects arw sitting at AAA and waiting for opportunity. 

#2 move] Larnach isn’t a bad ballplayer. But he needs to be on a team that could really use a decent LH bat at DH, and part time OF. The return almost doesn't matter. IDEALLY, the return would be another team's version of Varland...a disappointing SP who needs to convert to the pen...OR...a Newman/Reboulet/Punto/Castro utility with some potential that might be blocked.

Regardless, Larnach doesn't FIT with the poorly constructed team the Twins are now. Get what you can for him.

The OF should be Buxton, Wallner, Roden and Martin to start the season. There is at least some potential here, and more athleticism and defense. And I've already mentioned covering CF.

The Catcher position is SET. And that's a really good thing. But it also affects the INF.

NO Larnach is not a bad thing. Jeffers can DH once in a while against LHP with Caratini catching. Also, Caratini can play a little 1B, along with Clemens and Wagaman being a sort of platoon at 1B. That allows Bell to spend more time as the DH. Again, NOT an ideal roster construction, but you can see how a rotation at 1B allows Bell to spend most of his time at DH.

The biggest problem in a weirdly constructed player roster is the utility player needed. If you want a glove and are willing to live with a hole in your lineup akin to when the NL had pitchers hitting, Kreidler is your man. I mean, can he even hit .200?? Arcia used to be a glove first player with a bat that didn't embarrass at least. But is there anything left? Gray doesn't offer much more than anyone else, but his bat might be better than both Arcia and Kreidler. And that's a pretty low bar.

IF the FO is smart enough to keep the BEST position players available, the OF will be Buxton, Wallner, Roden, and Martin. That's the best combination of talent and upside. And nobody is blocked.

Jeffers and Caratini settle CATCHER, with Jeffers DH once in a while, and Caratini playing a few games at 1B. 

OF: Buxton, Wallner, Roden, and Martin 

INF: Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Bell, Clemens, and Wagaman. 

As poorly constructed as this roster may be, there is a reality where it makes some  sense and can work. Even allowing for the ridiculous nature of platooing at 1B, 

But currently, there's NO solid utility player to be the 13th man. And that's kinda ridiculous. Not saying I'm a fan, but Gray is looking pretty solid as a guy who won't embarrass himself at the plate or in the field.

IF Zoll isn't a Falvey clone, he will remove Outman AND Larnach for roster and future sake. That should only leave 1 spot open at utility player/backup SS. 

Is that player currently rostered? Could Gray be the most "balanced" option? Or could we see another late move?

 

 

[twinstalker]

I think you need to do some math on the backup CF.

[Doctor Wu]

Almost everyone agrees that we don't need Larnach. The outfield AND the DH spots should go to more deserving players. But I still think that getting another club to trade for Larnach is the real hurdle. We may end up being stuck with him for most of the season.

 

[nicksaviking]

14 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Can we rearrange the chaff?

Hard no for me, that's what's been frustrating all off season. 

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Tendering Larnach still remains mind bogglingly foolish. 

$4.4M …….. CHEAP for nearly every other Team in baseball. Known quantity v RH pitching v. “potential” or “promise” guys. Eventually, one of the young guys will prove they are ready but guys don’t just get inserted in MlB because writers think they’ll be good at some point.

He’s a DH, IMO. Strictly v. RH pitching. Am not worried about his defense.

[Cory Engelhardt]

9 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

$4.4M …….. CHEAP for nearly every other Team in baseball. Known quantity v RH pitching v. “potential” or “promise” guys. Eventually, one of the young guys will prove they are ready but guys don’t just get inserted in MlB because writers think they’ll be good at some point.

He’s a DH, IMO. Strictly v. RH pitching. Am not worried about his defense.

Then I'd be curious what you think helps the team more; 

1) Larnach is the primary DH vs. righties, so that means Bell is your 1B option along with Caratini.

2) Bell is the primary DH vs righties, so that means Clemens is your 1B option along with Caratini.

 

Basically, IF Larnach is on the team as the DH, then in my opinion that makes Clemens' role completely just as a backup. And once Rodriguez or Jenkins or Roden or others are ready then other moves HAVE to be made right?

[USAFChief]

47 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Then I'd be curious what you think helps the team more; 

1) Larnach is the primary DH vs. righties, so that means Bell is your 1B option along with Caratini.

2) Bell is the primary DH vs righties, so that means Clemens is your 1B option along with Caratini.

 

Basically, IF Larnach is on the team as the DH, then in my opinion that makes Clemens' role completely just as a backup. And once Rodriguez or Jenkins or Roden or others are ready then other moves HAVE to be made right?

I'd rather not have either, but of those two options give me 1. By a lot.

Larnach over Clemens, for sure. 

Separate subject, but speaking of Caratini, he's wildly overrated here, like Clemens. Backup catcher? Fine. DH or 1st base? No. 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

20 hours ago, howeda7 said:

All the more reason spending $14 million of limited funds on Bell and Caratini was foolish. Should have been spent on a closer like Kenley Jensen. 

Of the $100ish million payroll 35ish is in guys that are on the shelf or I wish they were.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Then I'd be curious what you think helps the team more; 

1) Larnach is the primary DH vs. righties, so that means Bell is your 1B option along with Caratini.

2) Bell is the primary DH vs righties, so that means Clemens is your 1B option along with Caratini.

Basically, IF Larnach is on the team as the DH, then in my opinion that makes Clemens' role completely just as a backup. And once Rodriguez or Jenkins or Roden or others are ready then other moves HAVE to be made right?

Making Kody Clemens a backup is a positive step forward for this team. He SHOULD be a backup.

Every season we get spring training articles about how there isn't enough room for everyone and every season 20% of the 40-man roster is injured at any given time and they end up playing some guy they just picked up off waivers (like Kody Clemens).

[DJL44]

I don't see a spot for Urshela at all. Wagaman has some experience at 3B - he's your Royce Lewis injury backup.

[Cory Engelhardt]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I don't see a spot for Urshela at all. Wagaman has some experience at 3B - he's your Royce Lewis injury backup.

Wagaman has options though which doesn’t hurt.

Not that I think Urshela makes the team. Just saying. 
 

 

[Mike Sixel]

9 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

$4.4M …….. CHEAP for nearly every other Team in baseball. Known quantity v RH pitching v. “potential” or “promise” guys. Eventually, one of the young guys will prove they are ready but guys don’t just get inserted in MlB because writers think they’ll be good at some point.

He’s a DH, IMO. Strictly v. RH pitching. Am not worried about his defense.

They have 3 starters, and he's terrible at defense. They also have Roden, who couldn't prove more in AAA. How does someone prove they are ready, while in AAA? 

[David HK]

"Roster Meth," more like.

[Whitey333]

That list of players competing for the last roster spots doesn't instill much confidence for a competitive team.  What a mess the Twins have.  Plus their current payroll of aroun

[JD-TWINS]

On 2/25/2026 at 10:09 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

Then I'd be curious what you think helps the team more; 

1) Larnach is the primary DH vs. righties, so that means Bell is your 1B option along with Caratini.

2) Bell is the primary DH vs righties, so that means Clemens is your 1B option along with Caratini.

 

Basically, IF Larnach is on the team as the DH, then in my opinion that makes Clemens' role completely just as a backup. And once Rodriguez or Jenkins or Roden or others are ready then other moves HAVE to be made right?

I do not see how/why Clemens has somehow become some sort of anchor on the Twin’s Roster in so many minds? To me, the only reason is because he’s a familiar name. He was picked up after being released and makes the minimum. He’s not some great find or diamond in the rough that Team should covet. He had some big moments last season, granted. 3 HR’s in one game! To me, that type of production, his successes, are going to come to many many marginal players, given playing time. He had 19 HR’s in a limited number of AB’s….. that’s notable. His overall numbers are not MLB sustainable. To me, he’s the 13th guy on the roster for position players. He certainly should not be the everyday first baseman v. RH pitching on any team seeking to be competitive. He is, to me, a back-up in LF, RF, 2B & 1B. Value there for sure! If he’s not “in the line-up” daily there is no real loss to the offense nor player development.

IMO, Larnach starts 25 games in LF or RF through the year v. RH pitching. He is the DH for 90 games v. RH pitching.

It seems the root of your questions #1 & #2 is do I think Larnach is a more positive effect in the line-up v. Clemens - right? I’d take Larnach for sure!

If Rodriguez or Gonzalez or whoever forces their way on to the Roster ……… Clemens is expendable OR Roden gets sent down OR Outman is DFA’d OR some neons got hurt. If somebody forces their way on to the Roster, somebody probably isn’t performing on the big club. Potentially, if there is a deal to be made, Larnach gets traded late in July to a Team in need.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Potentially, if there is a deal to be made, Larnach gets traded late in July to a Team in need.

There wasn't a team in need of Larnach last July. Contenders are usually looking to add someone better than Larnach.

[Linus]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

There wasn't a team in need of Larnach last July. Contenders are usually looking to add someone better than Larnach.

This. No team in contention needs Larnach. If he gets dealt it will be this spring.