The Pros and Cons of 4 Different Twins Lineup Permutations

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of © Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As I've started putting together my position-by-position previews of the Twins roster this spring (check out the catcher and first base installments from this week), I've been challenged to figure out how playing time will actually shake out for a team with an unsettled bench and some seemingly incongruent parts. 

It's a fairly illuminating exercise, so let's walk through it. 

Personally, I still feel like this roster is in line for more change before the start of the season. But, based on the current makeup of players, here's a look at how four potential versions of the 2026 Twins lineup — two against righties two against lefties — could take shape, along with the pros and cons of each. Ignore the order of batters, because I'm sure there's room to quibble there. The point here is to focus on who plays where and how the pieces fit together.

LINEUP A vs. RHP

1. Buxton, CF
2. Keaschall, 2B
3. Bell, DH
4. Wallner, RF
5. Lewis, 3B
6. Larnach, LF
7. Jeffers/Caratini, C
8. Clemens, 1B
9. Lee, SS

NOTES: I consider Byron Buxton (CF), Luke Keaschall (2B), Matt Wallner (RF), Royce Lewis (3B) and Brooks Lee (SS) all locked into their primary positions on a more or less everyday basis. The room for fluidity and flexibility is around them. This lineup supposes that Josh Bell was mostly signed to play DH, and that the Twins are interested in seeing more of Kody Clemens at first base, where he started 33 of 55 games last year after Ty France was traded.

PROS: Bell is most valuable at DH, where the positive impact of his bat isn't diminished by his defensive shortcomings. Clemens is a solid fielder at first, and brings an extra bit of speed to a lineup that is short at positions like shortstop and the outfield corners. This is probably the primary lineup I'd favor myself, as things stand.

CONS: Unless he takes another big step forward, Clemens has a very low-caliber bat for a regular first baseman. His .307 wOBA last year was a career high at age 29, but still would have ranked 24th out of 26 qualified players at the position. Also, the defensive improvement gained by using Bell at DH is offset by having to run out Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner in the outfield corners.

LINEUP B vs. RHP

1. Buxton, CF
2. Keaschall, 2B
3. Bell, 1B
4. Wallner, RF
5. Lewis, 3B
6. Larnach, DH
7. Jeffers/Caratini, C
8. Outman/Roden, LF
9. Lee, SS

NOTES: Using Larnach instead of Bell at DH allows the Twins to put a speedier player in left field. Depending on which one makes the roster as a fourth outfielder, it could be either James Outman or Alan Roden. 

PROS: Either Outman or Roden would represent a big fielding upgrade over Larnach, whom the Twins preferred to use at DH last year (team-leading 78 starts) for defense and durability reasons. 

CONS: In reverse fashion from above, the defensive improvements in left field are now offset by a substantial downgrade at first base, where Bell rates as one of the league's worst defenders. I also sort of wonder what purpose Clemens serves on the roster in this scenario. His utility off the bench would be pretty limited.

LINEUP A vs LHP

1. Buxton, CF
2. Keaschall, 2B
3. Lewis, 3B
4. Jeffers, C
5. Wallner, RF
6. Bell, 1B/DH
7. Caratini, 1B/DH
8. Martin/Wagaman, LF
9. Lee, SS

NOTES: This is a setup that would see Ryan Jeffers and Victor Caratini in the lineup at the same time. It creates some risk of losing the DH in case of an injury to the starting catcher, but that's something Rocco Baldelli often proved willing to do with Jeffers and Christian Vázquez. This same grouping would work with Caratini catching and Jeffers at DH.

PROS: Eight right-handed bats in the starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher. That's good. Depending which one makes the roster — and, like with Outman and Roden, I believe it's an either/or — Eric Wagaman or Austin Martin replace Larnach in left.

CONS: The slow-footed Wagaman, who spent a vast majority of his time at first base last year, would be a pretty brutal defensive left fielder. Martin's a much better glove, but hasn't proven to be an impact bat against lefties. Meanwhile, Caratini loses much of his value when starting anywhere other than catcher. 

LINEUP B vs. LHP

1. Buxton, CF
2. Keaschall, 2B
3. Lewis, 3B
4. Bell, DH
5. Jeffers/Caratini, C
6. Wallner, RF
7. Wagaman, 1B
8. Martin/Roden, LF
9. Lee, SS

NOTES: This would be good. Can they make it work?

PROS: Best-case defensive alignment and probably the best all-around lineup Minnesota can run out against a lefty if both Martin and Wagaman are on the roster.

CONS: I don't think there's a practical way to have both Martin and Wagaman on the roster. Is there? It would leave the Twins sparse in center field depth behind Buxton, unless the Twins suddenly trust Martin out there now, and would mean no Roden our Outman. So then you're losing the platoon advantage in left by having to go with Roden, or Outman or Larnach. Having two lefty-swinging corner outfielders in the lineup against a left-handed starter is extremely sub-optimal.

In reviewing these different scenarios, you can probably see why I arrive at the conclusion that further shaking up of this position player corps feels inevitable. Right now, the Twins are making important sacrifices no matter which roster and lineup decisions they make. At the risk of beating a dead horse, removing Larnach from the equation would simplify things considerably, but I'm not someone who favors losing him for nothing, and neither does the front office it seems.

So, unless and until things change, I guess the plan is: accept the trade-offs, keep as much talent as you can (regardless of how it fits together), and let injuries dictate how some of these things play out.

What say you? Do you have any preferences among the lineups presented above, or are there scenarios or possibilities I'm missing? Sound off in the comments.

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[chpettit19]

The pieces certainly don't fit together smoothly. I'm not so sure they're planning on making any more moves. I don't think they're closed off to it, I just don't think it's the plan. I think this is the result you get when depth and floor are your #1 goal and the talent level of your player pool keeps going down. You end up with a lot of guys with severe deficiencies making the roster, and the pieces not fitting well together.

My expectations are that they let options determine who makes the opening day roster if there's no injuries, and then injuries determine the roster makeup for the first couple months before they consider DFA type moves. Outside of Alex Jackson, he's likely DFA'd before opening day if Caratini and Jeffers are both healthy. I think the rest of the roster is just a collection of guys who's play won't determine anything until about the end of May at the earliest. If you have options and your competition doesn't, you're in St Paul to start and waiting for an injury. Depth and floor. That's how they work until Zoll does something to show he's meaningfully different from Falvey.

[Metrodome Kid]

Solid breakdown.

I like B for both. Only real issue I have is I would play Roden every day instead of Wallner. Better track record vs. lefties and better defensively. 

If Martin is on the team, I would go Martin-Buck-Roden vs. L and Roden-Buck-Wallner vs R.

[DJL44]

Lineup A vs RHP

Buxton, CF

Keaschall, 2B

Bell, 1B

Wallner, RF

Lewis, 3B

Larnach, DH

Jeffers/Caratini C

Lee, SS

Martin/Roden LF

I expect Martin and Roden to both outperform Kody Clemens at the plate. Clemens can fill in for whoever is injured.

LINEUP B vs. LHP

1. Buxton, CF
2. Keaschall, 2B
3. Lewis, 3B
4. Bell, DH
5. Jeffers, C
6. Wallner, RF
7. Caratini 1B
8. Lee, SS
9. Martin LF

Wagaman is in St. Paul unless there are a couple injuries. Even then, Caratini is a better hitter than Wagaman.

I'm going to guess Bell gets >80 games in the field this season.

[rdehring]

Looking at all these options, Nick, makes me sick.  They are flat out ugly.  The young kids can't get here soon enough and hopefully, several of them will be really good. 

My hope would be we see more of Martin in left field and less of Wallner in right.  A lot less.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

You have a lot of optimism that Lewis will regain the form of his rookie season. I see him more in the 7th slot, with the catching tandem in the 3-4-5 spots.

The top 5 every day will be some combination of:
Buxton
Bell
Keaschall
Wallner
The catchers

[Nshore]

The Twins are being marched into the Roman gladiator arena without a spear and shield.  "We salute you!  Strength and honor!" 

[Patzky]

As it turns out, Royce was scratched from today's lineup due to Tightness .

[KirbyDome89]

3 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I think this is the result you get when depth and floor are your #1 goal and the talent level of your player pool keeps going down. You end up with a lot of guys with severe deficiencies making the roster, and the pieces not fitting well together.

100%. While some were applauding the depth (a very generous term here) signings or spouting the "no bad minor league signings," mantra to defend the flurry of chaff this FO was adding, others pointed out how rigid and/or devoid of actual talent the roster was becoming. 

[PDX Twin]

I keep reading these articles thinking there might be some hope. Then I read them and shake my head. It's going to be a long season with lots of empty seats and low TV viewership.

[amjgt]

Why exactly is empty seats and low TV viewership worth mentioning here? 

You're down on the lineup, that's a perfectly valid opinion. Talking about the Seats and TV just feels like piling on for the sake of piling on. 

[amjgt]

I enjoyed the 2025 Clemens story, but my worry is that the fun story and a couple hot stretches to pull his overall numbers up to borderline acceptable is going to buy him a far longer leash in 2026 than he probably deserves. 

[USAFChief]

Appreciate the well thought out and professionally written article, Nick.

 

[AceWrigley]

4 hours ago, Nshore said:

The Twins are being marched into the Roman gladiator arena without a spear and shield.  "We salute you!  Strength and honor!" 

Are you not entertained?

[Patzky]

41 minutes ago, amjgt said:

I enjoyed the 2025 Clemens story, but my worry is that the fun story and a couple hot stretches to pull his overall numbers up to borderline acceptable is going to buy him a far longer leash in 2026 than he probably deserves. 

Jose Miranda was a fun 2024 story .. Eddy Julien 2023

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Appreciate the well thought out and professionally written article, Nick.

 

I agree Chief.  Lots of thought went into this article. It is a tough one to write. 

[umterp23]

Lewis is a Buxton 2.0, but less than Buxton. Mr,. Happy feet I don’t slump isn’t reliable. Batting 4th or 5th shows you just how bad this roster is

[USAFChief]

7 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

Lewis is a Buxton 2.0, but less than Buxton. Mr,. Happy feet I don’t slump isn’t reliable. Batting 4th or 5th shows you just how bad this roster is

His footwork last year had gotten ridiculous. 

[D.C Twins]

8 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

The pieces certainly don't fit together smoothly. I'm not so sure they're planning on making any more moves. I don't think they're closed off to it, I just don't think it's the plan. I think this is the result you get when depth and floor are your #1 goal and the talent level of your player pool keeps going down. You end up with a lot of guys with severe deficiencies making the roster, and the pieces not fitting well together.

My expectations are that they let options determine who makes the opening day roster if there's no injuries, and then injuries determine the roster makeup for the first couple months before they consider DFA type moves. Outside of Alex Jackson, he's likely DFA'd before opening day if Caratini and Jeffers are both healthy. I think the rest of the roster is just a collection of guys who's play won't determine anything until about the end of May at the earliest. If you have options and your competition doesn't, you're in St Paul to start and waiting for an injury. Depth and floor. That's how they work until Zoll does something to show he's meaningfully different from Falvey.

[D.C Twins]

[PatPfund]

I hope you are right about changes to come, because trying to figure out combos that include Wallner and Larnach in the OF, Clemens or Bell at 1B, and Outman (so aptly named) on the roster at all is like arranging those Titanic deck chairs. Having slow, below average defenders who mostly will hit below the average for their positions is just brutal.

Emmanuel Rodriguez should be on this team unless he either plays his way off or gets hurt. Hopefully Roden hits. Emma/Roden/Martin with Buxton does a lot more for me than Larnach/Outman/Wallner. Move the slow players to slow player spots (like 1B) or get them off the team. Play Gonzalez at 1B in St Paul, and if he keeps hitting, give him a shot at forcing someone else out. If this team doesn't get younger/faster/better-defensively the lineup won't matter.

[Woof Bronzer]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Appreciate the well thought out and professionally written article, Nick.

 

Yep this was a solid piece.  

These lineups would be much cooler with Rodriguez and/or Jenkins in them.

[Chembry]

1 hour ago, umterp23 said:

Lewis is a Buxton 2.0, but less than Buxton. Mr,. Happy feet I don’t slump isn’t reliable. Batting 4th or 5th shows you just how bad this roster is

Lewis sought out an external hitting coach, Jeremy Eisenhower, recommended by Jorge Polanco and Bobby Witt Jr.

The changes he has made were obvious right away from the first ST at bat.  He is much quieter in the box and has a more traditional load and stride, similar to what he looked like in 2023.  Let’s hope the changes he made pan out.

[CRF]

Great article, and well thought out...but after thinking about it, you'll have to excuse me while I go barf out some of my inner permutations.

[Whitey333]

Good article.  Looking at all those names doesn't instill much confidence in the upcoming season.  Brutal roster.  But good article.

[Linus]

You can’t make a silk purse out of a sows ear. 

[TheLeviathan]

This is the kind of content I come to Twinsdaily for: an article not written by the horde of Codys that has actual meat to chew on.

I just can't endorse any lineup that has Lee at SS, Larnach in LF, and Wallner in RF.  Those are just too many slow footed, low range guys patrolling the field.  I think Larnach has to be at DH and LF needs to be manned by Outman and Martin.  I know this puts Bell at 1B....but I don't want to be subjected to that left side of the field if he and Lee are both out there.

(I hope a slimmer Lee proves this take wrong though!  No hope for Larnach however)

[Vanimal46]

Those lineups are just begging for any one of Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and Culpepper to come up and take a spot. There's a reason Larnach was pushed to full time DH last year... We saw a Larnach - Buxton - Wallner OF 2 years ago and it was not good. It's not going to be any better in 2026 with Buxton's declining abilities in CF. 

[amjgt]

25 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Those lineups are just begging for any one of Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and Culpepper to come up and take a spot. There's a reason Larnach was pushed to full time DH last year... We saw a Larnach - Buxton - Wallner OF 2 years ago and it was not good. It's not going to be any better in 2026 with Buxton's declining abilities in CF. 

It'll be really interesting in early 2027, if Buxton, Rodriguez, and Jenkins are on this team, whether they keep Buxton at CF.

That's the easy thing to do, but I'm not sure it the right thing to do. My eye test paints him in a better light than the advanced metrics did in 2025, but even if the decline is being exaggerated by the metrics, it's obviously coming to some degree. 

[twinssporto]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Those lineups are just begging for any one of Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and Culpepper to come up and take a spot. There's a reason Larnach was pushed to full time DH last year... We saw a Larnach - Buxton - Wallner OF 2 years ago and it was not good. It's not going to be any better in 2026 with Buxton's declining abilities in CF. 

Totally agree—very anemic lineups. I'd rather see some of those "yutes" move up and bring some energy to the club.