Can the 2026 Twins Avoid Being a Disaster Defensively?

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

It's annoying to watch a bad team. It's aggravating to watch a bad defensive team. The two often go hand in hand, and that was certainly the case last year for the 92-loss Twins, who ranked second-to-last in Runs Saved, according to Sports Info Solutions. 

Watching so many games slip away was one thing. But when makeable plays are getting missed, and fundamentals are running astray, the viewing experience really degrades in a hurry. On top of that, bad defense is costly for pitchers, inflating their numbers while forcing pitch counts to mount and long innings to drag.

Improving the defense was said to be a key priority for the Twins at the end of last season. "When Derek Falvey spoke at a year-end news conference, one day after Baldelli was fired as manager, the Twins president was asked a question about things he could have done differently this year," Bobby Nightengale wrote at the Star Tribune. "He immediately brought up defense as one of the things that was constantly on his mind."

But that wasn't really reflected in the team's offseason moves, and certainly won't be reflected on their Opening Day roster. After seeing several of their better defenders depart — including Harrison Bader, Christian Vazquez, Ty France and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. — the Twins have done little to replenish their lost fielding acumen.

Josh Bell comes aboard with a truly terrible defensive rep. Victor Caratini is probably closer to average. Ryan Kreidler was the only legitimate glove-first player acquired over the winter, and he's more glove-only, which is why he's been sent to the minors to start the season.

Without Kreidler, the Twins roster will have few players who could confidently be called strong defenders. Byron Buxton might be the only member of the starting lineup with such a designation, though he himself shows clear signs of decline. 

Source: Sports Info Solutions

Maybe you can make the case for Royce Lewis if he carries forward last year's improvement. But Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner all grade out poorly in the field. Backups Austin Martin and Tristan Gray (or Orlando Arcia) are stretched at the most important defensive positions they'll be asked to play (center and short).

That leaves James Outman, who made the team over Alan Roden mostly because he's out of options, but also because he gives the Twins the closest thing to a defensive specialist off the bench. Unlike Roden or Martin, Outman is a natural center fielder and ostensibly a standout in left or right. But like Buxton, Outman's defensive metrics have seen a downward trend in recent years. As far as late-game defensive replacements go, he'll be a step down from Keirsey at best.

There is hope for future improvement, with prospects like Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Marek Houston boasting quality defensive skills. But in the short-term, it's really hard to find sources of optimism for defensive improvement on the Twins. As Mark Simon concluded at SIS, "Their best-case scenario with what’s currently on the roster is probably something close to average. Their worst-case scenario is dropping to last overall in Runs Saved."

That worst-case scenario feels more likely to play out than not, unless several players can really step it up.

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[FlyingFinn]

Remember when Margot was touted for his defense and ability to play CF. My eyes said he was bad. My views of Outman (very limited I grant you) also say he isn't great on defense anymore. 

[Heiny]

This problem is to be put on the front office in drafting  poor defensive players, the development team for not bring them up to par, and the coaching staff.  The big leagues should be manned by good defensive players.  All teams will have a couple poor defensive players but collectively an average team will be able to compete.  A team well below average defensively has a very poor chance to compete.

[Hunter4848]

No

[DJL44]

Buxton got replaced on defense during the WBC.

It's almost like loading your roster with lefthanded corner outfielders is a bad idea.

 

[rdehring]

Interesting article, Nick.  Also very sad.  

Don't have a clue what the new GM plans on doing about this situation, if anything.  As you stated they did nothing over the winter to improve their D.  Matter of fact, it probably got worse.

The only point I will disagree with is labeling Keaschall as poor defensively.  With all his missed time the past three years and playing with a recovering arm, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.  Hopefully, he worked hard this winter and will be at least average at second base.  Did those of you who went to spring training see any improvement from him?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

10 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Interesting article, Nick.  Also very sad.  

Don't have a clue what the new GM plans on doing about this situation, if anything.  As you stated they did nothing over the winter to improve their D.  Matter of fact, it probably got worse.

The only point I will disagree with is labeling Keaschall as poor defensively.  With all his missed time the past three years and playing with a recovering arm, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.  Hopefully, he worked hard this winter and will be at least average at second base.  Did those of you who went to spring training see any improvement from him?

Keaschall  did nothing to impress me on defense at spring training. But his hitting and base running certainly did. I wonder if he should get a first baseman's glove and start practicing scooping up low throws from Lewis and Lee?

[Parfigliano]

Maybe the plan is for the weak hitting to cause a big enough distraction that people don't notice the poor defense.

[Reptevia]

This may be the worst defensive team the Twins have ever run out there. Certainly in my lifetime. 

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I think that the defense will indeed be very frustrating to watch this year.  Not sure what that means in terms of overall ranking or DRS, but it won’t be pretty.  That being said, and not to excuse the lack of roster construction planning, the runs lost on defense will likely pale in comparison to the runs given up by the bullpen or the lack of runs scored by the offense.  It’s the “Thinnest kid at fat camp” argument.

 

[Nshore]

I've been seized by what is probably going to end up being delusional optimism about Brooks Lee.  He looks better this spring.  It's obvious he's working hard at it.  I hope it pays off.

[D.C Twins]

Can the 2026 Twins Avoid Being a Disaster Defensively?

I fixed the question for you Nick :)

[Trov]

I remember when Hunter was roaming CF in the early 2000's and Web Gems was on the nightly baseball tonight.  I loved watching his highlight catches, along with other players making highlights.  It is entertaining.  However, when players are looking lost in the OF letting balls drop, making terrible throws all over the field it is boring to watch.  

I do not have much faith in this defense as it stands. 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Buxton got replaced on defense during the WBC.

It's almost like loading your roster with lefthanded corner outfielders is a bad idea.

 

Didn't Buxton come in for defense with PCA moving to left and Roman Anthony coming out of the game?

I mean, I'd say PCA is probably the best defensive outfielder in baseball right now, but Buxton stayed in CF. He was replaced for his bat because he went hitless and PCA was one of their best hitters for the tourney.

[jmlease1]

I think there's a fair amount of opportunity for Keaschall to improve defensively at 2B with reps. Because of injuries, he really hasn't gotten a lot of time there, and he has the physical tools to be at least average.

Playing Martin more in LF would help; he looked good there last season in a limited role and has the speed and range to get to a lot of balls. (Even if Outman's defense in CF has slipped, he should be better than he showed out last season in the corners, right?)

Lee's range is a concern still: maybe he's gotten quicker and can position himself better? Might be asking too much. He does seem to make the plays he gets to at least, which is more than you can say about some.

But it's not a strong defensive team. It could get stronger fairly quickly if they hadn't committed to Larnach and formed a weird attachment to Outman, but we are where we are. (moving Wallner/Bell to DH and letting a better fielder take their spot consistently, whether it's Clemens or Rodriguez would have been nice)

Lewis looked like a good defender at 3B last season at least? It was good to see him not drag his problems with the bat into the field, at least.

I'd be more willing to accept the poor defense if they made up for it with superior hitting. We'll see if enough of the bats are strong enough to live with their limitations. Seems questionable.

[LastOnePicked]

Slow and sloppy baseball is the worst kind of baseball. Shelton can't make this roster more talented, but he can help the team improve on-field focus and at least make routine plays look, well, routine. That's the improvement I'm looking for.

[TheLeviathan]

This is a good article and what I appreciate being pointed out is that the team seems to recognize that they don't play defense at a high enough level but their actions over the last 9 months have been the polar opposite of a team trying to fix that problem!

We added a bunch of corner IF/OF types with limited mobility.  We have a sketchy middle infield.  Almost zero team speed.  And, maybe worst of all, a bunch of guys that have been moved around that dont' appear to be very good at being moved around.

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

51 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I think that the defense will indeed be very frustrating to watch this year.  Not sure what that means in terms of overall ranking or DRS, but it won’t be pretty.  That being said, and not to excuse the lack of roster construction planning, the runs lost on defense will likely pale in comparison to the runs given up by the bullpen or the lack of runs scored by the offense.  It’s the “Thinnest kid at fat camp” argument.

 

The bullpen is horrible, but there’s almost nothing comparable, I just looked at starters.

Twins starters last year had the highest fly ball rate and lowest ground ball rate in MLB both 8-10 percentage points deviating from median.

@TheLeviathan this is what makes Larnach and Roden decisions so confounding. There’s no team that would benefit more from a good outfield with Martin, Buxton, and Roden left to right! Yes, Lee and Bell/Caratini/Rocket Jr. will drive me insane, but balls hitting grass in the outfield is what pitching staff needs least, but all this is minor compared to the bullpen and hitting.

[Linus]

They’ve been bad in spring training already. Almost every game there is a play or two not made. Nothing more frustrating for me than watching a bad fielding team. 

[strumdatjag]

I’m concerned about defense in the first half of this season.   However, when Jenkins and/or Rodriguez arrive, the outfield defense will improve.  Put Buxton  and one of those two to cover the big territory in Center and Left Field, and Wallner’s defense in Right Field is less of a problem, especially since he has  big arm to keep runners from advancing an extra base.  
Bringing up a shortstop (Culpepper or Houston) will allow the Twins to move Brooks Lee to a utility role or to 3B if Royce Lewis continues to falter. 
In the future, defense should improve. 
First base and to a lesser extent Catcher will continue to be defensive liabilities throughout the season. 

[Mike Sixel]

Not looking likely....

[LambchoP]

The team did nothing to improve their defense or rebuild the bullpen that was torn apart at the deadline last year. And yet they are trying to say we are going to compete this year. Total incompetence. Hopefully we get the right kind of player returns at the deadline. I'm guessing Ryan, Jeffers and maybe even Buck will be gone. If we can get some quality, near MLB ready, young athletic, controllable pieces back we might be in a better place in a year or two.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

7 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

The team did nothing to improve their defense or rebuild the bullpen that was torn apart at the deadline last year. And yet they are trying to say we are going to compete this year. Total incompetence. Hopefully we get the right kind of player returns at the deadline. I'm guessing Ryan, Jeffers and maybe even Buck will be gone. If we can get some quality, near MLB ready, young athletic, controllable pieces back we might be in a better place in a year or two.

It looks like the team actively got worse at fielding and bullpen

[PatPfund]

This team is bad defensively by choice. Roden has shown he is ready for an extended MLB tryout, he was acquired as part of trade for a serious asset, and his defense is FAR better than Larnach's. Emmanuel Rodriguez is fully ready for MLB now as well (you can't teach how to stay healthy in AAA), and his offense and defense are far beyond James Outman's right now. DFA Outman and Larnach and when (not if, especially for Larnach at the goofy salary the Twins gave him) they clear waivers, you can offer them a St Paul gig.

Give Lee about a month to show if he is better defensively, and if it isn't working, call up Culpepper, move Lee to Utility, and shed whichever poor glove/marginal bat we pick to fill that spot.

I'm not worried about Keaschall at all. It may not work out, but I was pretty sure Lewis would settle in with reps uninterrupted by constant injuries; he did, and I expect Keaschall will do the same.

And maybe Wallner will be better by enough to stick in RF for now, but he likely isn't there next year, so buy him a big glove, and work him out at 1B (with Larnach theoretically gone, DH would then open predominantly for Bell.) A lot of this might not work out, but if we are likely to be bad anyway, I'd rather see the team explore actual upside instead poor mediocrity.

[Twinsrtheworst]

I have kind of a unique question. for Nick or anyone else that might know the answer.  Why are the headlines of articles posed as a question.  Such as Can the 2026 Twins Avoid Being a Disaster Defensively?  If the author already knows the answer to the question, why not just tile the headline as a statement.  And based on the responses, the commenters know the answer already. Heck they are even certain they have the solution to solve any issue in the organization. Just an observation, but what do I know 😉

[Peter Gravett]

6 hours ago, rdehring said:

Interesting article, Nick.  Also very sad.  

Don't have a clue what the new GM plans on doing about this situation, if anything.  As you stated they did nothing over the winter to improve their D.  Matter of fact, it probably got worse.

The only point I will disagree with is labeling Keaschall as poor defensively.  With all his missed time the past three years and playing with a recovering arm, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.  Hopefully, he worked hard this winter and will be at least average at second base.  Did those of you who went to spring training see any improvement from him?

Saw him a half dozen times. I think both he and Lee looked better - both in range and in getting the throw off more quickly. 

[Peter Gravett]

2 minutes ago, Peter Gravett said:

Saw him a half dozen times. I think both he and Lee looked better - both in range and in getting the throw off more quickly. 

Bell and Outman both looked very shaky on D this spring. 

[JADBP]

7 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

.... It could get stronger fairly quickly if they hadn't committed to Larnach and formed a weird attachment to Outman, but we are where we are. 

I keep coming back to the Twins just REFUSE to admit a mistake, on draft day, or trading or signing a free agent.  They are  desperately hanging on to Larnach hoping that he finally lives up to his first round draft pick.  Same with Wallner.  But they struck out, so give it up and MOVE ON already.  It is just insanity putting Larnach in the field.  It is just frustrating that they can't see that they have an budding star waiting in AAA (Emma) who just had a spectacular ST against legit big leaguers.  I am damn sure that Emma, Jenkins, and Prielip would put more butts in seats than Larnach, Outman, and Wallner!  When are they going to let go of their mistakes?????  

On the same insanity topic, then they trade for or sign replacements that are below average MLBers, like Outman, Roden, Bell, Kreidler, Caratini, etc.  Mistakes on top of mistakes.  I sure hope the new GM learns  from this.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, JADBP said:

I keep coming back to the Twins just REFUSE to admit a mistake, on draft day, or trading or signing a free agent.  They are  desperately hanging on to Larnach hoping that he finally lives up to his first round draft pick.  Same with Wallner.  But they struck out, so give it up and MOVE ON already.  It is just insanity putting Larnach in the field.  It is just frustrating that they can't see that they have an budding star waiting in AAA (Emma) who just had a spectacular ST against legit big leaguers.  I am damn sure that Emma, Jenkins, and Prielip would put more butts in seats than Larnach, Outman, and Wallner!  When are they going to let go of their mistakes?????  

On the same insanity topic, then they trade for or sign replacements that are below average MLBers, like Outman, Roden, Bell, Kreidler, Caratini, etc.  Mistakes on top of mistakes.  I sure hope the new GM learns  from this.

I have no idea why anyone would give up on Wallner at this point in his career. Larnach? 100% at his pay and career. 

[Lasorda_This_Out]

The most encouraging apect of the upcoming Minnesota Twins 2026 season is that it will be impossible to watch this trainwreck on any streaming platform or TV?

Radio!!!