Was Wallner Just The First Domino? What's Next?

[DocBauer]

This is the part where I eat crow. I DON'T think having faith in Wallner coming in to 2026 was misguided. He's been a quality producer, had what we hoped was a fine offseason, and had a good ST. And then the wheels came off. Has he just lost the ability to hit a FB? Numbers say he has. Or did the Twins trusting him to play every day, facing a plethora of LHP early, totally mess up his approach? 

Meanwhile, Larnach, being shielded against LHP, has gotten off to one of the best seasons of his career as  BATTER, but the power has been absent. And I, and many others, never thought he should have been brought back.

The GOOD NEWS is Larnach is performing against RHP, and Martin is continuing what he did the final 2 months of 2025. But let's give Martin a little additional credit. While he didn't make the opening day roster in '25, he raked at St Paul before an injury robbed him off time that might have seen an earlier promotion. So Kudos to him! He was ready in '25, and now gets a chance to play daily. I still don't understand him in RF and the slower and stronger arm of Larnach in LF, but the Twins just believe Larnach is more comfortable in LF. Considering he's looked better in the field than I think I've ever seen him, don't fix what ain't broke I guess.

Kreidler was brought up to replace Wallner. That choice is somewhat questionable. While I expect NOTHING from Kreidler offensively, I do expect good defense wherever he plays. But it IS curious that SSS at St Paul and with the Twins in SSS, he's been more productive than he's ever shown before. 

Of *NOTE, of course, Roden, Rodriguez, and Jenkins are all currently out due to injury. And Gonzalez is struggling. 

Why not Fedko or Arcia instead of Kreidler? A valid question. But they would require a 40 man move that the Twins aren't ready to make currently, right or wrong. Again, right or wrong, Kreidler provides quality defense wherever they play him, and hope for the best offensively. He can even still cover Larnach against LHP for now.

But what's next? Because I don't think moves are done.

1] Lewis is either sent down with one of his options, or he gets an IL and rehab to protect his ego. I've been a faithful believer in Lewis the past couple of years because there's just too much talent in his body, even if his body has had to make adjustments. He's still only 27yo. I STILL think there is something there worth working with. But he needs a MAJOR re-set somehow. Sorry about his ego.

This might be my 2nd round of crow and asking for a recipe that might be palatable. 

2] K-Pepper is probably not ready just yet. MAYBE the Twins are OK with removing Lewis and playing Kreidler at SS and moving Lee to 3B. Or MAYBE they just say; "the hell with it.  K-Pepper was going to be promoted at some time this season, let's just add him to the 40 man now and see what we have". EITHER WAY, it's a gut punch to Lee and Lewis. Should we care? Lee's defense has looked much better lately, but he's not a ML SS. His BAT has started to look like the hitter we sorta expected. [NEVER understood all the disappointment after only 1.5 seasons of MLB service time] I'd HOPE Lee is fine being the every day 3B in this scenario. His hands and arm are good enough. But I'm to the point where I say, "screw with development", let the kid play and grow at the ML level, and get him ready for 2027 and improve the defense right now, and potentially the lineup. 

IF and WHEN Lewis gets his BAT RIGHT, he can play both 3B and 1B. Despite all the injuries that have unfortunately affected him, at some point he has to overcome those...or not. Tremendously sorry to state the obvious.

3] I WANT to address the OF. But I just can't currently due to injury. Get back to me in a couple of weeks. At least Martin is a good story. 

4] The rotation has been surprisingly solid even with the injury to Lopez. We have the enjoyment of watching Bradley, Abel, Prielipp and even Matthews take step forwards. This is exciting stuff!

5] The bullpen has cost a decent Twins team how many games so far? I'd wager 4-6 more wins with a decent, not great, bullpen. And Morris lost the game tonight, Friday, against the Brewers. It happens.

But I'm TIRED of of being overly cautious about injuries to the rotation. I'd let Morris and Klein just be 1 IP high velocity options. I'd LOVE Festa and Lewis later in the season getting ready for 2027. I'd also be happy to have a more focused Funderburk as an option. 

Wallner's demotion is a start. What comes next and why?

[jaimedude]

Josh Bell. He doesn't have a real defensive position and he isn't really contributing a lot on offense. At a minimum he should not bat 3 or 4 anymore.  He is not a good fit for a team still trying to develop a core group of players.