Candidates for the Twins Bench in 2026

[rstuedem945]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photos of Tristan Gray, Kody Clemens, Ryan Kreidler)

As the Twins payroll has decreased, the players not in the starting lineup every day will need to be increasingly valuable. Backup catchers, utility infielders, and corner outfielders will be given crucial at-bats throughout the season due to rest, injuries, or certain pitching matchups. Attempting to predict who will be best off the bench in 2026 is a fun exercise in determining the Opening Day roster of the Twins.

Below you will find a list of players likely competing for a bench role with the 2026 Twins. This list will only include players currently on the 40-man roster. 

Victor Caratini (Out of Options)
Caratini signed a two year, 14-million-dollar contract with the Twins near the end of January and is FanGraphs’ pick to have the most WAR off the bench. The 32-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Astros, and this past year he hit .259/.324/.404 with 12 home runs in 114 games with Houston. His Expected Batting Average (XBA) was lower than what he finished at by a few points, but his Expected Slugging (xSLG) was higher than he ended the season with at .425. Defensively, Caratini is a solid blocker. His blocking run value was 4 in 2026 which was good for 15th in the league. However, Caratini’s throwing and framing were below average. He ranked 34th in the league with -2 catcher framing runs and 80th among catchers in average pop time to second base at 2.05 seconds. The switch-hitter will contribute a league average to slightly below league average bat as the backup to Ryan Jeffers along with some additional DH/first base opportunities, but don’t expect him to throw many people out.

Kody Clemens (Out of Options)
Clemens returns to Minnesota after contributing a slash line of .216/.284/.442 in 112 games after being acquired by the Twins in late April. Clemens hit 19 home runs and appeared at first base, second, and all three outfield spots. His advanced stats backed his play as well. Clemens’ xSLG up at .465 on the year and his average exit velocity was in the 84th percentile of MLB at 91.5 mph. Don’t expect Clemens to hit much against lefties, as he hit .192/.264/.218 off them in 2025, but expect him contribute at several positions in 2026 whether someone needs a rest day or a righty is on the mound.

Austin Martin (one option remaining)
Martin would be my pick to contribute the most from the bench in 2026. In very limited MLB time, he slashed .282/.374/.365 for the Twins last year with 11 stolen bases as well. The former first round pick won’t contribute much to the power department, as he only has two home runs in 143 games played in MLB, but his xSLG finished higher last season at .403. Martin can play left field and center field and could play second base in a pinch as well. While he may not be in the Opening Day lineup, Martin should contribute this year as a late inning defensive outfielder/baserunner and will be in the lineup against lefties, who he hit .346/.404/.481 against in 2025. 

Alan Roden (two options remaining)
The former Creighton Bluejay played in 12 games for the Twins after being acquired from Toronto in the Louis Varland trade last year because of a broken bone in his hand. In the small sample size, he hit .158/.200/.263. Roden is a good defender, finishing with a fielding run value of 3 in 2025 with an above average arm in the 80th percentile of MLB. Roden’s path for playing time is currently blocked by Trevor Larnach, but if he is moved Roden will have to compete with Martin, Clemens, and James Outman for playing time at the corner outfield spots.   

James Outman (Out of Options) 
Similar to Roden, Outman was acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Brock Stewart trade. He hit .147/.221/.337 in 37 games after being recalled to Minnesota and appeared at all three outfield spots. Outman has the most centerfield experience of this group, giving him an inside track to one of the last bench spots, but he will need to earn it with his bat. Similarly to Roden, his roster spot and playing time are certainly affected by Trevor Larnach.

Tristan Gray (one option remaining) 
Acquired in a February trade with the Red Sox, Gray has only compiled 122 plate appearances at the major league level since his debut in 2023, with most of them coming last season in Tampa Bay. He hit .231/.282/.410, with his better numbers coming against left-handed pitchers. Given that Tampa Bay played their games at Steinbrenner Field last year and that Gray had better numbers there, it would be smart to be cautious to view him as a serious contributor this year. However, advanced hitting measures back up his play. Gray’s xSLG was significantly higher than where he finished at .473 along with his xBA at .257. His average exit velocity and bat speed would be above average as well if he had a qualified number of at bats. While his defense isn’t great with -1 OAA in 2025, Gray has played all four infield spots during his brief MLB career, which would provide helpful versatility from a bench spot.

Eric Wagaman (three options remaining) 
Wagaman was acquired on January 2nd from Miami after playing 140 games for the Fish last year. He hit .250/.296/.378 with nine home runs. His xSLG and xBA were both higher than his actual numbers, and his average exit velocity and squared-up percentage were both above average as well, in the 72nd and 81st percentiles, respectively. Defensively, Wagaman appeared primarily at first base, while also seeing time at third base and the corner outfield spots. Given the depth in front of him at first base, he is most likely behind Martin for now in terms of being a right-handed bench bat, but only the Opening Day roster will tell.

Ryan Kreidler (one option remaining)
Derek Shelton said Saturday that Kreidler “could do both of those and be both of those” when asked about the backup shortstop and centerfield positions on the roster. Kreidler may be a bit of an unknown name, as he was claimed off waivers from the Pirates in the middle of October. Kreidler’s defensive versatility is his calling card; he’s played second, third, short, left, and centerfield at the major league level before. The bat leaves a lot to be desired, as he has a career .138/.208/.176 in 89 games. Kreidler could make the Opening Day roster, but more as a defensive substitution or pinch runner (seven career stolen bases) than a pinch hitter.

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Besides these names, other bench options could be veteran non-roster invitees such as Orlando Arcia and Gio Urshela. Hypothetically some of the top prospects in the farm system could make the Opening Day roster as well, like Walker Jenkins (NRI), Kaelen Culpepper (NRI), and Emmanuel Rodriguez (40-man roster, one option remaining), but they will most likely open the year in St. Paul. Regardless, the bench will need to provide meaningful at bats, speed, and solid defense for the Twins to win consistently.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Based solely on how they've looked this spring, I'm open to the idea of Martin and Roden both starting over Larnach and Wallner. But we'll see how the rest of this plays out.

Caratini is obviously on the team, and Kreidler's defense at SS really looks impressive even though he can't hit. After that, I hope they are still looking for upgrades.

[rdehring]

Interesting read, Ray.  Also disappointing, especially when also looking at the guys ahead of them. 

Am beginning to wonder what TP will think after watching what could be an ugly start to the season? Could he sit down with Zell and say, this ain't gonna work?  Let's go all out on a rebuild beginning with trading most of the starters a.s.a.p.  Pick up another half dozen top prospects, including a few players who have actually arrived in the big leagues.  Get the kids into the lineup and sell the public on a team that just might win a few years down the road. 

[thelanges5]

3 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Based solely on how they've looked this spring, I'm open to the idea of Martin and Roden both starting over Larnach and Wallner. But we'll see how the rest of this plays out.

Caratini is obviously on the team, and Kreidler's defense at SS really looks impressive even though he can't hit. After that, I hope they are still looking for upgrades.

Agreed - my bench at this point is Caratini, Clemens, Kreidler, with Martin/Roden rotating in LF.

The guys with options can go to AAA, Outman gets the DFA, Jackson gets the DFA but hopefully passes through and is stashed at AAA for C depth.

[Parfigliano]

I long for the day when people stop pretending and rationalizing how Outman belongs on a MLB or MiLB roster.

[CRF]

Did someone say Twins Bench?

[DJL44]

LF Projections for 2026

Martin .263/.340/.384 with average defense

Larnach .250/.327/.418 with below average defense

Why is Martin considered the "bench" guy and Larnach the "starter"? I expect Martin to be in LF almost every day with Larnach DH against RHP and sitting the bench against LHP.

I am expecting the bench to be Caratini, Clemens and Gray with Outman (690 OPS projected) fighting Roden (661 OPS projected) for the last roster spot.

[MGX]

Austin Martin has earned a chance to be the primary LF to start the season.

Looking at Spring stats isn't very useful IMO, I'd rather look at what players have done during the regular season. Agree with the bench DJL has above just noting that I hope they go with Roden over Outman as the 4th OF.

[DJL44]

If you look at how the Twins would use their bench, it makes sense to

1) Remove Wallner, Lee and Bell for defense/baserunning late in the game. One of those subs will be Kody Clemens. This gives Kreidler an edge over Gray.

2) Use the backup C as a pinch hitter for Larnach (which means you want him at DH)

If they go with Kreidler as the backup SS/CF and keep both Roden and Outman off the roster, that opens up a spot for Wagaman to be the RH pinch hitter. I really don't like carrying a guy for only defense or only batting. History shows that the "only defense" guy will bat way too often and this team already has too many DH.

 

[RpR]

24 minutes ago, MGX said:

Austin Martin has earned a chance to be the primary LF to start the season.

Looking at Spring stats isn't very useful IMO, I'd rather look at what players have done during the regular season. Agree with the bench DJL has above just noting that I hope they go with Roden over Outman as the 4th OF.

Spring training shows what you now have; what was is history, very often meaning nothing in the present.

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, RpR said:

Spring training shows what you now have; what was is history, very often meaning nothing in the present.

Spring training shows you whether your guys are healthy. They get a lot better information in practice on the side fields than they do in spring training game stats.

[DJL44]

35 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

If you look at how the Twins would use their bench, it makes sense to

1) Remove Wallner, Lee and Bell for defense/baserunning late in the game. One of those subs will be Kody Clemens. This gives Kreidler an edge over Gray.

2) Use the backup C as a pinch hitter for Larnach (which means you want him at DH)

If they go with Kreidler as the backup SS/CF and keep both Roden and Outman off the roster, that opens up a spot for Wagaman to be the RH pinch hitter. I really don't like carrying a guy for only defense or only batting. History shows that the "only defense" guy will bat way too often and this team already has too many DH.

 

Thinking about this a bit more

It is depressing that their best late bench moves involve removing LF/RF/1B/DH for a pinch hitter or for defense.

If Clemens, Wallner and Larnach are all in the game on defense and Bell is the DH, there are not enough pinch hitters available for all three of them. You get one move that helps with batting and defense - Austin Martin. Caratini pinch hits for Clemens and there is nobody left to pinch hit for Wallner or Brooks Lee. The roster construction pretty much demands you play Larnach at DH, and you end up with a DH who needs a pinch hitter.

[Dawgzilla]

Tongue-n-cheek, the whole team; nah,....no pun intended, meaning actuality, everyone on the team, outside Ryan, Lewis, our second baseman and Bux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Is that enough !!!!!!!!!!😉

[Metrodome Kid]

Caratini (C/1B), Martin (LF), Arcia (SS/2B), Clemens (1B/2B/OF) is my bench as of today.

If you can move Larnach it would make things fit a lot better. 

Roden has to play every day for me and can back up Buck in CF. 

This mean you risk losing Outman (fine). All the other fringe guys can go to AAA.

[WarPath1211]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

LF Projections for 2026

Martin .263/.340/.384 with average defense

Larnach .250/.327/.418 with below average defense

Why is Martin considered the "bench" guy and Larnach the "starter"? I expect Martin to be in LF almost every day with Larnach DH against RHP and sitting the bench against LHP.

Ideally you platoon them to get the best of both worlds, with Martin also serving as a pinch runner/hitter/defensive replacement/occasional starter elsewhere when a righty starts.

Caratini is a sure thing. Martin is probably the next closest to a sure thing to me - decent defender and athlete, hits righty, played well down the stretch last year.

I would have said Clemens was a sure thing if Rocco was still the manager because the last coaching staff really seemed to like him, but I don't think that's the case with the regime change. I'd still rank him 3rd in probability to make the bench, but he is in a weird spot competing with many different others, both guaranteed and bubble guys (Larnach, Bell, Wallner, Roden, Outman, Wagaman), for a spot and for playing time.

Realistically, one of either Kreidler or Gray has to make it in order to have a shortstop-capable backup infielder, I don't think there's much chance both make it. It really comes down to whether you prioritize defense (Kreidler) or offense (Gray). I guess Arcia and Urshela are in the mix here too, but they are long shots to me.

Outman and Roden are directly competing with one another and almost certainly only one makes the team barring a Larnach trade or another move. There's a conceivable world where neither make it if the team feels they can roll with Martin/Clemens/possibly Kreidler to back up the outfield.

That leaves Wagaman, who is in a weird spot. He'd have a better chance if Martin wasn't a near lock to be a bench righty to me, or if Bell or Caratini were lefties instead of switch hitters. But he's hard to carry as a short-side platoon bat with limited defensive and baserunning utility.

 

 

[DJL44]

The Phillies reportedly want to add Aidan Miller to the roster. Edmundo Sosa might be good enough to start for the Twins and move Brooks Lee to the bench.

[Parfigliano]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

LF Projections for 2026

Martin .263/.340/.384 with average defense

Larnach .250/.327/.418 with below average defense

Why is Martin considered the "bench" guy and Larnach the "starter"? I expect Martin to be in LF almost every day with Larnach DH against RHP and sitting the bench against LHP.

I am expecting the bench to be Caratini, Clemens and Gray with Outman (690 OPS projected) fighting Roden (661 OPS projected) for the last roster spot.

Outman projected .690 OPS?  HAHAHAHAHAHA.  

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, DJL44 said:

LF Projections for 2026

Martin .263/.340/.384 with average defense

Larnach .250/.327/.418 with below average defense

Why is Martin considered the "bench" guy and Larnach the "starter"? I expect Martin to be in LF almost every day with Larnach DH against RHP and sitting the bench against LHP.

I am expecting the bench to be Caratini, Clemens and Gray with Outman (690 OPS projected) fighting Roden (661 OPS projected) for the last roster spot.

Larnach is the DH v. RH pitching……..starts in LF or RF 20 games through the year.

Martin is a lock as well as Caratini! Wallner -  Buxton - Clemens ……… Lewis - Lee - Keaschall - Bell - Jeffers

Back up SS and another OF candidate ……. don’t think anyone knows who these two will be for another 3-4 weeks of baseball in FLA.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

Outman projected .690 OPS?  HAHAHAHAHAHA.  

Yeah, I think that is a best case scenario. He could do it for a month but not a whole season.

[bean5302]

Not Buxton
Not Jeffers
Not Ryan

Article done.

[Jeff K]

20 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

I long for the day when people stop pretending and rationalizing how Outman belongs on a MLB or MiLB roster.

I agree.  Playing in St. Paul gets in the way of legit prospects.  

[LambchoP]

Long term, I think they need to move on from Larnach and Wallner, unless one of them can learn to play a competent first base. They need to go younger and more athletic meaning Martin and Roden in left and eventually E Rod in RF.

[DocBauer]

With a poorly constructed player roster, you have to examine NEEDS as well as what you CAN do with what's on hand and forget about what could have been. 

This team needs better defense and more speed, while maintaining offensive production...hopefully adding more...while not blocking the younger talent.

CATCHER: Jeffers is the clear #1, with Caratini as a really solid #2, who can also help a little at 1B, which adds to roster flexibility. 

INFIELD: Lewis, Lee, and Keaschall are at their respective spots, at least for now. 1B is an embarrassing mess. So what can I you do with it? You can let Bell DH as much as possible, and use Clemens and Wagaman as a 1B platoon, with Caratini as a reserve option when needed, and Bell as a seldom used option. This improves your defense at 1B. This doesn't mean Clemens and Wagaman can't/won't play other positions...they can and will...but you can sort of make lemonade out of lemons most days by going the platoon route and getting every drop of offense you can between all 4 of your options.

OUTFIELD: Outman has no future, and has no current value either, based on his past couple of seasons at the ML level. Based on defense and injury history, the Twins would want Larnach at DH. But isn't that where Bell fits best? And with Rodriguez and Jenkins ready, or nearly so, Larnach doesn't have a long term fit.

And remember adding defense and speed? That's where Roden and Martin come in as part of the LF situation. Roden can also play RF, cover CF, even play some "emergency" 1B, while Martin can also help cover CF, and can be an "emergency" option at 2B. 

Neither Martin nor Roden have anything left to prove at AAA. Both offer more speed and better defense than Larnach, are both provide offensive potential that is different than Larnach, but it's there. And while they both might be replaced by Rodriguez/Jenkins in the near future full time players, they have quality depth potential and usefulness. 

It's time give them opportunity. (They are also less expensive than Larnach, and at least slightly younger). 

Clemens and Wagaman can also play some corner OF as needed, so only carrying 4 rostered OF isn't really an issue. And if something happens and Buxton is out for a couple weeks? Well, you have 2 CF options in ST Paul that happen to be 2 of your top 4 prospects. 

This is not a well constructed roster. But it does offer a little bit of flexibility nonetheless, and offers up more speed, and better LF defense than we've normally had as of late. 

The 13th man, backup SS/utility should be the only job really up for grabs, assuming the team doesn't want to break camp with Rodriguez. All 3 options there are less than desirable. And I'm still holding out some small hope someone better comes along. But may the best man win the job to complete the opening day roster. 

I still believe the 2nd half is going to look rather different than the 1st half. But what the roster should look like for opening day seems pretty obvious to me.