Alan Roden is a Victim of Minnesota Twins' Poor Roster-Building

[Parfigliano]

39 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm guessing several real prospects are in AA, behind bad veterans at AAA.....

That tracks.

[nicksaviking]

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

The Twins unfortunately need warm bodies at this point. I didn't know this until just now but Stewart is expected to be out for the 2026 season. 

Whatever temperature Outman is, it's not the kind of body I want. If you need a backup CF, give me Roden. Or Rodriguez. Or Jenkins. Put Martin back out there for all I care. Anyone who can sniff being useful beyond 2026.

This season should have nothing to do with finding AAAA roster bubble players. Those are cheap and easy to find. It's absolutely bonkers how much time and effort this organization puts into finding the 23-26 men on the roster as opposed to the starting lineup. No other team cares this much.

[nicksaviking]

42 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm guessing several real prospects are in AA, behind bad veterans at AAA.....

You mean besides Wageman and Kredler right?

[DocBauer]

Absolutely ridiculous roster construction. First...and I mean no offense to him...Larnach is not a fit for a team that already has/had Roden, Martin, Buxton, Wallner, and still Outman for some reason. Beyond that, THREE top 10 prospects in Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez. 

Let's just play devil's advocate and the Twins are right to give Outman one last chance to see if he can build on a solid spring. They can argue: "well, he was really good for ONE ML season back in 2023. And he's been good the last 2 seasons at AAA." Well guess who else has been really good the last 2 seasons in MILB, including AAA. Roden! And he's 3 years younger and offers some upside at least! 

Have you really considered AAA at this time, directed to the powers that be, including our own easy vision? Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, Roden, Olivar, Rosario, and even Fedko. That doesn't even include Mendez who despite being targeted for 1B play, has continued to play some OF. 

I mean, this just makes no sense!

I think Roden has a chance to have a good solid career as a quality 4th OF who can play all 3 spots, even if he's only average in CF. If someone wants to ACTUALLY have a little imagination in the Twins FO, they guy also has some experience as a 1B. He has the potential to be a decent hitter, with a solid OB%, gap and some HR power, and the ability to run a little but while being able to backup 4 spots. 

That's a really valuable role player! 

He didn't have a good rookie debut. It was 150 PA and 136 AB split between 2 teams, and then an injury that cut his season short. Some rookies hit the ground running, like Keaschall seemed to do. Some, Hunter famously for the Twins, struggle and get a re-set and look much better at their next opportunity.  (Psst...Buxton did the same thing). 

This team needs some youth, defense, speed/athleticism, and projectable players. Roden is that, even if he might end up as a 4th OF. What projectability do a pair of 29yo OF in Larnach and Outman offer the Twins? 

The answer is none, barring some massive and unexpected turnaround. Who would you rather bet on?

I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd lay $ Outman looks like the same ML caliber of player he's been the previous 2 seasons. So HOPEFULLY,  the Twins will pull the plug and Roden will be up to get his next opportunity. 

But for a team that is HOPING to compete, and needs the things previously stated, the smart thing to do would be to give Outman the Day One roster spot. And if he struggles after a month or so? Well, he's got options, so you bring up Rodriguez. Rodriguez struggles a bit more than you like? You can cycle again.

Now, I believe in giving prospects a real chance and not just bouncing them up and down. Especially when they are as talented as someone like Rodriguez. But keeping the poor performing Outman at 29yo...not to mention Larnach at the same age...only kicks the can down the road because you HOPE they might suddenly surprise you??!! To what end? It does NOTHING to actual build a quality team of talented, younger players, with control, that you NEED as a mid-market team in the middle of what they HOPE is a re-tool and competitive on the field offering.

Just HORRIBLE roster construction!

As an add on, while he didn't cost much in prospect capital, and is only earning the minimum, why trade for Wagaman at all at this point? While he doesn't offer anything exciting, he's a RH bat who can kinda, sorta, play 4 spots. That fact, and because he finished 2025 really strong, and is a possibly decent RH bat is why they traded for him in the first place. 

No Larnach, no Outman, Roden is in LF, able to backup the other 2 spots, providing some upside. Rodriguez is waiting in the wings. No Larnach, no Outman, the RH hitting Wagaman brings a potentially decent RH bat who might form a platoon at 1B with Clemens and Bell gets to focus on DH.

Doesn't that make a hell of a lot more sense? Instead, we're left with a 29yo DH that should only play the OF once in a while, and a 29yo who has shown he was capable of only 1 good ML season. And the roster is a weird, mis-match collection of pieces that don't fit.

Crazy to me that myself, and fellow TD writers and posters can see the obvious...and could have done a better job...and the "professionals" were unable to see and do the same.

 

[Over The Hill Again]

Honestly, I hope all or at least some of these moves we’re dissing work out . I’ll gladly admit to being wrong if this turns out to be a somewhat competitive team. But I’ve been watching the Twins since the 1960’s, and there haven’t been too many times that I can remember where it looked this bad going into a season. How they’re going to market this mess is beyond me. Shouldn’t be hard to get a Target Field ticket at least. See you at the park. 

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Given that likely log jam in St Paul, who out of those 5 can play 1B? I would try Gonzalez and/or Fedko. 

Roden has played 1B. He plays a solid outfield so his defense would be a waste at 1B. I looked to some reports from college when he was acquired and his defense at 1B was also solid. The Twins would be wise to play at first base a few times a week in St. Paul,

[Wizard11]

Not sure if this article is click bait or Roden fanboy stuff.  The only thing Roden is a victim of is not being good enough to take advantage of the opportunities he has been given.  His ceiling is 4th outfielder.  

[Pat]

Roster Non-construction is more accurate. 

[Blyleven2011]

Pete and repete all over again  , no guts no glory , afraid of DFAing and losing someone on a waiver that is not better than a player that should be on the roster ...

Same as always , the better player doesn't always make the roster out of spring training  , if I was Tom Pohlad and claiming we will be competitive I would be all over the FO to put the best players on the roster  , Outman cost us an injury prone player in Stewart  ...

DFAing someone this time of year is likely to not be claimed , minimal risk ...

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Relax everyone. Rodon is only 25-years-old, that's too young to be a regular MLB baseball player. The average age of a AAA player is 26.5 years old and I'm repeatedly told by people who track Twins players in the minor leagues that this is reasonable measure of a player's future production.

The Twins 40-man roster has an average age of 28.6 years, which is right in line with the other World Series contending teams. You know, the teams that are in the same boat as the Twins.

According to Fangraphs, Roden is 26.3... so I guess they call him up when he hits 26.5? 😆

[LyleCole]

This is just a continuation of the way the Twins have operated the last several years.   They seem to have a major preference for replacement level players over their own developmental prospects.  They have played this low budget pretend to be contenders just hoping that they can slip into the playoffs in the weakest division in baseball.

It almost seems like a fear to bring their prospects up and see them fail.

How many sub-200 hitters can a team roster over the years:

Christian Vasquez, Mickey Gasper, James Outman, DaShawn Keirsey, Jonah Bride, Ryan Fitzgerald, our own Alan Roden, Jose Miranda, Caron McCusker  (755 plate appearances in 2025)

It seems like this team drools waiting for the next waiver wire player to be cast off by other teams.  OOOOOOHHHH, he has a career .505 OPS!!!!!  We need him.

The 2026 season should have been a rebuild season from day 1.  Instead, they made these half way moves and poor roster decisions in the pretense they can make the playoffs with 85 wins and pretend to the fans ownership/front office gives a .......

[Rosterman]

, I think the Twins were going after Rojas more than Roden. As for Outman, the Twins could take the hit on him in the Dodgers trade, as it doesn't look like Stewart is not contributing. But, yes, the question is Larnach. No one wanted him, sadly, and he ahs just become a cog in the Twins plans. Unless he can have a dynamite April into May and someone needs a left-handed bat.

Rodriguez (soon to be out of options) and Gonzalez should be up after the trade deadline. Jenkins not far behind. Martin will hopefully offer some speed. Culpepper will move Lee to the bench reserve until Brooks becomes too expensive in arbitration.

With more than 100 former Twin players/prospects in Spring camps, it is amazing that the Twins 40-man roster easily has 10 players still on it that would doubtfully break camp with any other team in the leagues. 

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Whatever temperature Outman is, it's not the kind of body I want. If you need a backup CF, give me Roden. Or Rodriguez. Or Jenkins. Put Martin back out there for all I care. Anyone who can sniff being useful beyond 2026.

This season should have nothing to do with finding AAAA roster bubble players. Those are cheap and easy to find. It's absolutely bonkers how much time and effort this organization puts into finding the 23-26 men on the roster as opposed to the starting lineup. No other team cares this much.

Preach 

[Wedman13]

7 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

It’s hard to believe the Twins are planning on Larnach playing LF again. But here we are, set on a Larnach - Buxton - Wallner OF to start 2026.

Good luck to the pitching staff. The defense behind them is going to be among the worst in all of MLB. 

This isn't twins territory it's Wallner territory.  I don't get it.  And nothing against the kid/man.... he can't help where is was born.  But GG and emma should be flanking Byron and it's not close.  Until we go there, the twins are not serious.

[CRF]

You nailed it Cody. Completely inept decision making by this F.O. No plan whatsoever. 

[Major League Ready]

When last season ended, it was clear 2026 needed to be about transitions, That seemed to be the direction Falvey was headed until Tom Pohlad showed up.  I think his ridiculous insistence that the Twins "need" to contend this year is the core problem.  Why on earth do you keep Larnach when you have several players with more upside?

They should have started the season with Buxton, Wallner, Martin, and Roden.  Six weeks into the season they could start looking at Jenkins / Rodriguez, and Gonzalez to move if Martin or Roden were bad.  They could have even added Outman and had 5 OFers for six weeks and switched him out for one of the above with no cost. The Larnach deal made this roster situation untenable.     

[Riverbrian]

Every year... We talk of log jams. Every single year... we talk of log jams. 

I've still have never seen one.

It was just two years ago that we were losing our minds over Polanco, Correa, Miranda, Lewis, Farmer, Julien, Castro, Martin and the hard charging can't miss prospect Brooks Lee. 

What a log jam of middle infielders. We must reduce these logs all jammed up. 

This year it's a log jam in the outfield corners. Uff da

 

 

[MinnInPa]

chances are Larnach and Wallner will continue to be their unproductive selves early and we get to see the youngsters up ASAP.....Rodriquez, Gonzales and Jenkins. If its gonna be a losing year ..might as well get the kids time up in the bigs

[TopGunn#22]

It's hard to argue with a single point Cody made as well as many of the comments.  This is the big disappointment in the Twins "brain-trust" and front office.  Roster construction is always a challenge, but the Twins have elevated it to an Olympic Event and it's just baffling how they come up with some of these decisions.  

[Jack Pine]

Sad to say Outman is aptly named.

[Major League Ready]

57 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Every year... We talk of log jams. Every single year... we talk of log jams. 

I've still have never seen one.

It was just two years ago that we were losing our minds over Polanco, Correa, Miranda, Lewis, Farmer, Julien, Castro, Martin and the hard charging can't miss prospect Brooks Lee. 

What a log jam of middle infielders. We must reduce these logs all jammed up. 

This year it's a log jam in the outfield corners. Uff da

 

 

One key difference is that two years ago there was a reasonable chance of contending or at least being a playoff team.  This team is screaming for new blood with some athleticism.  Also, many of us never believed in Brooks Lee.  His numbers never suggested he would be an impact player.  That debate resurfaced here often.  Same with Martin and Farmer was always a bench player.

Jenkins and Rodriguez are much better prospects than Lee and Martin and Gonzalez probably have a much better chance of being well above than Lee or Martin.   

Would Tampa / Cleveland or Milwaukee have kept Larnach?  I really doubt it.

[Jeff K]

11 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Absolutely ridiculous roster construction. First...and I mean no offense to him...Larnach is not a fit for a team that already has/had Roden, Martin, Buxton, Wallner, and still Outman for some reason. Beyond that, THREE top 10 prospects in Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez. 

Let's just play devil's advocate and the Twins are right to give Outman one last chance to see if he can build on a solid spring. They can argue: "well, he was really good for ONE ML season back in 2023. And he's been good the last 2 seasons at AAA." Well guess who else has been really good the last 2 seasons in MILB, including AAA. Roden! And he's 3 years younger and offers some upside at least! 

Have you really considered AAA at this time, directed to the powers that be, including our own easy vision? Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, Roden, Olivar, Rosario, and even Fedko. That doesn't even include Mendez who despite being targeted for 1B play, has continued to play some OF. 

I mean, this just makes no sense!

I think Roden has a chance to have a good solid career as a quality 4th OF who can play all 3 spots, even if he's only average in CF. If someone wants to ACTUALLY have a little imagination in the Twins FO, they guy also has some experience as a 1B. He has the potential to be a decent hitter, with a solid OB%, gap and some HR power, and the ability to run a little but while being able to backup 4 spots. 

That's a really valuable role player! 

He didn't have a good rookie debut. It was 150 PA and 136 AB split between 2 teams, and then an injury that cut his season short. Some rookies hit the ground running, like Keaschall seemed to do. Some, Hunter famously for the Twins, struggle and get a re-set and look much better at their next opportunity.  (Psst...Buxton did the same thing). 

This team needs some youth, defense, speed/athleticism, and projectable players. Roden is that, even if he might end up as a 4th OF. What projectability do a pair of 29yo OF in Larnach and Outman offer the Twins? 

The answer is none, barring some massive and unexpected turnaround. Who would you rather bet on?

I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd lay $ Outman looks like the same ML caliber of player he's been the previous 2 seasons. So HOPEFULLY,  the Twins will pull the plug and Roden will be up to get his next opportunity. 

But for a team that is HOPING to compete, and needs the things previously stated, the smart thing to do would be to give Outman the Day One roster spot. And if he struggles after a month or so? Well, he's got options, so you bring up Rodriguez. Rodriguez struggles a bit more than you like? You can cycle again.

Now, I believe in giving prospects a real chance and not just bouncing them up and down. Especially when they are as talented as someone like Rodriguez. But keeping the poor performing Outman at 29yo...not to mention Larnach at the same age...only kicks the can down the road because you HOPE they might suddenly surprise you??!! To what end? It does NOTHING to actual build a quality team of talented, younger players, with control, that you NEED as a mid-market team in the middle of what they HOPE is a re-tool and competitive on the field offering.

Just HORRIBLE roster construction!

As an add on, while he didn't cost much in prospect capital, and is only earning the minimum, why trade for Wagaman at all at this point? While he doesn't offer anything exciting, he's a RH bat who can kinda, sorta, play 4 spots. That fact, and because he finished 2025 really strong, and is a possibly decent RH bat is why they traded for him in the first place. 

No Larnach, no Outman, Roden is in LF, able to backup the other 2 spots, providing some upside. Rodriguez is waiting in the wings. No Larnach, no Outman, the RH hitting Wagaman brings a potentially decent RH bat who might form a platoon at 1B with Clemens and Bell gets to focus on DH.

Doesn't that make a hell of a lot more sense? Instead, we're left with a 29yo DH that should only play the OF once in a while, and a 29yo who has shown he was capable of only 1 good ML season. And the roster is a weird, mis-match collection of pieces that don't fit.

Crazy to me that myself, and fellow TD writers and posters can see the obvious...and could have done a better job...and the "professionals" were unable to see and do the same.

 

Yes indeed.  I think we all understand that we are armchair qb's.  But the Twins decision making is just terrible.

[amjgt]

I’m in the minority, but I have no problem with Outman making this team. It’s not a perfect fit of course, but he’s the type of guy that teams in the Twins situation need to take one last shot on. And if nothing else, he can be a defense first, speed guy. There’s a roll for that type of player on Major League rosters. And I wouldn’t actually want Roden filling that roll. I’d rather having him playing more often than that (on the Twins or Saints).

Having Outman be the 5th OF is just fine to me. Not perfect, but fine.

Larnach is the one truly blocking Rodon. I, like many others, just don’t see why he’s still a Twin. Once he was offered arbitration, it seemed inevitable, but as many have said, it just doesn’t make sense. 
 

 

[farmerguychris]

If I were him, I wouldn't worry too much.  It is only a matter of time until someone gets injured, and then he'll get his chance.  Its up to him what he does with it.  I would expect he'll be in MN before June.

[Chembry]

15 hours ago, GNess said:

Roden is in a tough spot in St Paul as well given a likely OF of Rodriguez, Gonzalez and Jenkins. (Not sure of Jenkins status.) Fedko too?

 

 

15 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Given that likely log jam in St Paul, who out of those 5 can play 1B? I would try Gonzalez and/or Fedko. 

For those wondering, Gabby Gonzalez has seen some game action at 1B in minor league spring training games.  That is good news because we want Roden, Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez playing everyday and this also gives Gonzalez an additional path to MLB. 

I am higher on Roden and I think he can be an above average hitter (110-120 OPS+) and an above average COF, but I want him playing everyday.  I don't want him in MLB as the 4th OF only playing 1-2x/week or a defensive replacement trying to get his foothold.  

[Exiled in Illinois]

I get offering Larnach arbitration and signing him.  Until the FO decides it's time for one or more of the top tier outfield prospects to be given a shot, who else we do we have?

Larnach is an established player in MLB, with a pretty well established floor.  Would we like a better player there, of course.  Have Outman/Roden, or even Martin, established themselves as better mlb player, no.  They all have been given the chance to, but haven't yet.  

Given that the FO has decided our top outfield prospects need more time in minors, keeping Larnarch and giving Outman and Martin a shot to establish themselves before the prospects get their shot makes sense.  Sending Roden down makes sense because he has options.  He'll get his chance when injuries and/or performance issues arrise.  

Larnach is not so easily dispensible until Roden, Outman or Martin prove themselves to be better at the MLB level, or the FO decides it's time to give a prospect a shot.  

We can argue about if it's time to give the prospects a shot.  There are good arguments either way. But imo, there really isn't a log jam until the FO deems a prospect is ready, and until then, Larnach has a legit place on the roster.  

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

One key difference is that two years ago there was a reasonable chance of contending or at least being a playoff team.  This team is screaming for new blood with some athleticism.  Also, many of us never believed in Brooks Lee.  His numbers never suggested he would be an impact player.  That debate resurfaced here often.  Same with Martin and Farmer was always a bench player.

Jenkins and Rodriguez are much better prospects than Lee and Martin and Gonzalez probably have a much better chance of being well above than Lee or Martin.   

Would Tampa / Cleveland or Milwaukee have kept Larnach?  I really doubt it.

I agree that there should be a competitive consideration in regards to 2024 and Today.

I also agree that we should have taken a different approach this year and I'm not a big fan of the direction they are travelling. 

However... no matter the situation you are in. Going for it or rebuilding... The log jam reasoning is just a waste of time. It's pointless. We want log jams. We should strive for log jams as an organization. 

As for Larnach and Tampa and Cleveland and Milwaukee. 

Milwaukee has Garrett Mitchell and Jake Bauers on their roster. Tampa signed Cedric Mullins to join Jake Fraley and Taylor Walls on their roster. Cleveland... They are mostly youth and are typically mostly youth. But Austin Hedges is still hanging around and Hoskins might make the team. 

With me... it's the expiring contract that drives me crazy. Larnach is not an expiring contract.

This means that he can still have a good year and be back in 2027 or traded with increased value. It also means that he could have a bad year and not be back but you don't have to make a decision on Larnach right now. Twinsdaily is acting like Larnach is the biggest issue on this team and Larnach is far from the biggest issue on this team... he's one of a few professional hitters on this team. If Larnach is the 13th best player on the roster... you'll have a pretty impressive roster. We don't have 12 players better than Larnach and he is not an expiring contract. Let's see if he can raise that OPS 30 40 or 50 points. If he can't... he can't. Injuries are going to open the door for Erod, Ggon and Jenkins soon enough. We have those guys in queue.    

With that said... Yes... I agree with you. I would have cashed in Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers in order to take advantage of maximum value for what we get in return. We need additional youth to add to the roster at 1B and SS primarily. I think it's a mistake for us to not do that. 

The accumulation of talent in the rotation and corner outfields. Not a concern to me at all. We need to strive for the accumulation of talent. 

I've never seen a log jam. Never seen one and neither has anybody else but every year... We talk about all these logs all jammed up and they never are.  

  

[Riverbrian]

19 minutes ago, Exiled in Illinois said:

I get offering Larnach arbitration and signing him.  Until the FO decides it's time for one or more of the top tier outfield prospects to be given a shot, who else we do we have?

Larnach is an established player in MLB, with a pretty well established floor.  Would we like a better player there, of course.  Have Outman/Roden, or even Martin, established themselves as better mlb player, no.  They all have been given the chance to, but haven't yet.  

Given that the FO has decided our top outfield prospects need more time in minors, keeping Larnarch and giving Outman and Martin a shot to establish themselves before the prospects get their shot makes sense.  Sending Roden down makes sense because he has options.  He'll get his chance when injuries and/or performance issues arrise.  

Larnach is not so easily dispensible until Roden, Outman or Martin prove themselves to be better at the MLB level, or the FO decides it's time to give a prospect a shot.  

We can argue about if it's time to give the prospects a shot.  There are good arguments either way. But imo, there really isn't a log jam until the FO deems a prospect is ready, and until then, Larnach has a legit place on the roster.  

Perfectly Said

I agree 1000%...

Put your helmet on... the mob will be coming after you. 

[Trov]

I would agree the roster building at the deadline, and in the off-season created a huge log jam in the OF.  We do not know if Falvey had a different plan that never happened due to his leaving.  I said all along Larnach should have been DFA as we had too many guys that could replace him for cheaper.  For some reason he was not.  Now he is getting paid and that added to the log jam.  Outman was going to get a shot over Roden due to this.  The problem for all three is that extra OF guys are easy to find in the open market.  My guess is if Outman struggles to play well in first few weeks will be on a short rope because he will be easier to sneak through waivers if they want. 

[chpettit19]

16 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

It’s hard to believe the Twins are planning on Larnach playing LF again. But here we are, set on a Larnach - Buxton - Wallner OF to start 2026.

Good luck to the pitching staff. The defense behind them is going to be among the worst in all of MLB. 

If it makes you feel better, I bet Martin is the opening day LFer since they're facing a lefty. So, technically, it'll be a Martin-Buxton-Wallner OF to start 2026...