The Twins Need to Cash in on Kody Clemens Right Now

[Mydaughterhastwins]

No.  We are keeping him.  Shut up.

[tony&rodney]

Every player can be traded if the return makes the roster/team better. I cannot see any trade that involves Kody Clemens returning a player of note. There is not likely to be any demand unless we are talking cash. 

[Sjoski]

5 hours ago, Sjoski said:

Trade Kody to Toronto for a pitching prospect.  Develop him for 3 to 4 years, then ship him back over the border.

--- 

The Minnesota Twins: Proudly operating as a highly specialized, non-profit finishing school for the Toronto pitching staff since 2021.

 

[GNess]

If the Twins pick up where they left off from last year's trade deadline and consider any players of some value as assets to be dealt for prospects when do they break out of that cycle? When do they start focusing on accumulating productive Major League assets of their own that they actually hold on to, who help them win?

The hit rate on prospects is not that strong for many MLB decision-makers.

Dealing assets en masse results in problem areas for the team. Exhibit # 1 The dumpster fire that is the Twins 2026 bullpen.

Clemens is under control through the 2028 season. Twins might make productive use of him down the line.

[mluebker]

7 hours ago, Patzky said:

We could probably get a similar return for Josh Bell at the trade deadline that we would get for Clemens right now. 

Any GM who’d want Bell in the lineup and on the field ahead of Clemens should be forced to resign.

Oh wait, he was.

[Western SD Fan]

The top end of any trade possibility for Clemens would be the Eduardo Esobar trade that brought back Jhoan Duran from the Diamondbacks.  Escobar was having a career year with the Twins prior to the trade, similar to what Clemens is doing now.  The baseball reference comparison, shown below, still tracks 2026 Clemens trending towards half the WAR that Escobar did in 2017 and Escobar had similar positional flexibility as Clemens.  We got to see what Duran turned into.  We need to remember at the time that Duran was a high upside guy but wild with his power stuff.  He was only the 16th rated prospect in the Diamondbacks organization at the time of the trade.  If he was traded, that comp is likely the very top end of what you could expect in a return, a prospect no higher than 15th in an organization, depending on the quality of the farm system.  

There is still a lot of season to be played to determine whether Clemens will have a job at the end of the season.  In a perfect world, Lewis and Keaschall nail down the right side of the infield so Clemens is reduced to more of a platoon role.  Same would be said for the outfield if one of Jenkins, E-Rod, or Roden come off the IL and tear the ball off and is called up to the ML club thus reducing another path for playing time for Clemens by the end of the season.  Everyone wants the youth movement.  If you embrace the youth movement, then trading Clemens during a career year is the smart thing to do.

[bjorks]

I'll preface by saying I love players like Clemens, the guy on your favorite team you want to cheer for and see do well. Also, I grew up in rural MN, but live in Scottsdale. 

I grew up believing plenty of the girls I grew up with were at a minimum 8s and then I got to Scottsdale and those 8s were (maybe) 4s. Clemens is a MN 8 due to the lack of options and overall mediocracy of the team. 

[Patzky]

6 hours ago, Sjoski said:

 

Louie Varland told him it'd be ok

[MMMordabito]

I just don't get this fascination with constant roster churn. It's almost seems like some people get more entertainment dreaming of prospect packages than watching the actual games. 

Also, Aaron Sabato is going to give the Twins Bell-level D. Kody Clemens is closer to Santana-level right now at 1B. 

+1 to the Keep Kody Kamp

[Patzky]

2 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

I just don't get this fascination with constant roster churn. It's almost seems like some people get more entertainment dreaming of prospect packages than watching the actual games. 

Also, Aaron Sabato is going to give the Twins Bell-level D. Kody Clemens is closer to Santana-level right now at 1B. 

+1 to the Keep Kody Kamp

Yep. Not every transaction needs to be made, The speedometer on a car spinning its wheels in the mud gives you a false positive; look outside the window and see white socks flying by.

[Sjoski]

8 hours ago, soyouresayingtheresachance said:

Most importantly for the owners, his cost is low. 

That didn't stop them with Varland or SWR. Oh...speaking of SWR! How did he do last night?

[Patzky]

2 minutes ago, Sjoski said:

That didn't stop them with Varland or SWR. Oh...speaking of SWR! How did he do last night?

We fixed him once they can fix him again.

[Bodie]

6 hours ago, Western SD Fan said:

The top end of any trade possibility for Clemens would be the Eduardo Esobar trade that brought back Jhoan Duran from the Diamondbacks.  Escobar was having a career year with the Twins prior to the trade, similar to what Clemens is doing now.  The baseball reference comparison, shown below, still tracks 2026 Clemens trending towards half the WAR that Escobar did in 2017 and Escobar had similar positional flexibility as Clemens.  We got to see what Duran turned into.  We need to remember at the time that Duran was a high upside guy but wild with his power stuff.  He was only the 16th rated prospect in the Diamondbacks organization at the time of the trade.  If he was traded, that comp is likely the very top end of what you could expect in a return, a prospect no higher than 15th in an organization, depending on the quality of the farm system.  

There is still a lot of season to be played to determine whether Clemens will have a job at the end of the season.  In a perfect world, Lewis and Keaschall nail down the right side of the infield so Clemens is reduced to more of a platoon role.  Same would be said for the outfield if one of Jenkins, E-Rod, or Roden come off the IL and tear the ball off and is called up to the ML club thus reducing another path for playing time for Clemens by the end of the season.  Everyone wants the youth movement.  If you embrace the youth movement, then trading Clemens during a career year is the smart thing to do.

One was an all-star game shortstop.  Only once, but... a little bit of a difference from a guy who can't start on a poor to middling team.

I can't see anyone offering much of anything for Clemens. Not enough positive history. That said, somebody overpays at the deadline for anybody.  May be Clemens this year.  Doubtful, but possible.  

[rv78]

His 8 weeks of good is all it would have taken to get Falvey excited, while ignoring the rest of his unimpressive career. At 30 years old, he's in his prime. He's not an integral part of the Twins future. If Joe Ryan and Ryan Jeffers aren't part of the Twins future at the same age, then Kody shouldn't be either. Was wondering, did Falvey take over another ball club? Cause then they'd definitely have an interested trading partner.

[Whitey333]

Interesting article.  Very possibly could trade Clemens.   The same reasoning for trading him can be said of trading Ryan, Jeffers, and maybe even Buxton if he waves his no trade clause.  If you have no intention for contending you may as well trade them while you can get good value in return (hopefully).

[Western SD Fan]

35 minutes ago, Bodie said:

One was an all-star game shortstop.  Only once, but... a little bit of a difference from a guy who can't start on a poor to middling team.

I can't see anyone offering much of anything for Clemens. Not enough positive history. That said, somebody overpays at the deadline for anybody.  May be Clemens this year.  Doubtful, but possible.  

Escobar's all-star season happened in 2021.  Three years AFTER he was traded to the Diamondbacks. That is an important distinction if you are assessing the value of the trade at the time the trade was made.  I will make it clear that I think Escobar's season was better than Clemens is having this year.  I was noted that trade as the very high end of the value that we could get from Clemens, although your assessment of a lower lever flyer is likely more accurate.

[TopGunn#22]

This is a good topic and worthy of discussion.  The Twins are NOT contending this year.  They are probably not quite ready to contend in 2027 and how much "baseball" will we miss with the Lockout/Strike?

It's a great idea to trade Cody Clemons for the best return you can.  The 2 NL West teams suggested are prime candidates.  I'll admit, Cody Clemons has exceeded all expectations I ever had.  I think he's a solid ballplayer.  He's a reliable glove in a number of positions, usually better than the primary player at the position.

But it is probably time to see what teams are willing to give up to get him.  Especially if it's a hard throwing RP with closing potential.  

[karcherd]

Do we not think the rest of baseball scouts players.  He has had a good six weeks similar to last year.  It seems to be forgotten by most that he was hitting below the Mendoza line for April.  I don't mind him on the roster as the 13th man playing a few days a week and pinch hitting.  The problem as others have noted is the usage of Clemens by the Twins.  He is not an everyday player and the fact that he is playing and performing as one of the better players is an indictment of the roster talent on this team.

We might get a Rookie ball player for him if a team is desperate or has an injury that they can't fill internally.  He has nowhere near the value of Castro or Escobar.

[GopherMike]

I'm noticing more of a trend of these clickbait headlines.

Please stop doing that. 

[offensive_loons_fan]

The Twins' reluctance to fully commit either to acting like legitimate contenders or to going into full rebuild mode is going to delay the club's resurgence by years.

[David Maro]

Love how everyone thinks its time to move on from a player who is actually contributing and can play numerous positions. How about moving on from a player like Lewis who doesn't have a position. Why is it that he gets chance after chance and now getting to learn to play 2nd or 1st or who knows where next on the big club. It just might benefit both parties to move on because as it stands its not working. 

[old nurse]

13 hours ago, Danchat said:

I know it's an unpopular take, but I'm in total agreement. Selling high on a guy who is probably at the peak of his value is a wise move to make before his play inevitably decreases because he's a 30 year old utility player. Obviously it depends if he continues to hit to the deadline, but with how much hitting is down around the league I wonder if they could get a decent package for him given he has 2.5 years of control left. 

If the return is similar to what they got for 2 months of Castro (at the time a non-top 30 prospect from the Rangers), then I will decline. I'm not advocating for giving him away for very little as if he's a rental.

Huh? How is a 33 year old DH hitting 77 OPS+ with 2 months of control left the same value as Clemens assuming he's still hitting above average and has 2.5 years of control left?

Although I doubt who you responded to really knows the answer but there is a certain reality to his statement.  A Clemens. Or Bell trade would be for lottery tickets.  The level of lottery ticket isn’t going to be what was received for Escobar, Santana, Cruz as there isn’t the track record of success, but more like what what they do for Kinzler, Garcia, Happ, Castro, et al.  Maybe a club makes a mistake and gives up a Yennier Cano, but that is a long shot return. 

[Hunter4848]

A smart team trades him but unfortunately the Twins are not a smart team.

Strange the amount of attachment that fans on this site have for a mediocre bench player. Just goes to show you how far we are from contending 

[Riverbrian]

I'll let others debate who Clemens was prior in spoardic opportunity. I'll let others debate who he will be in the future. I don't have an opinion on either. 

Right now in 2026. In all of MLB Baseball. 

The average OBP is .318. His is .317.

The Average slugging percentage is .394. His is .468 

The Average Home Run Per AB is 29.4. Cody is currently sitting 23.25 after hitting one home run every 18 AB's in 2025. 

The average K% is 22.2. He is 22.7

He has the 5th most AB's on the team. 3 of the players above him... Josh Bell #1, Brooks Lee #2 and Luke Keaschall #4 are all below .700 OPS. Those who did the math from OBP and Slugging know that league average is .712 and they also know that Kody is .785

The average salary for a baseball player is 5.34 Million. Kody makes the minimum. His salary will go up next year in his first year of Arb but he will be most likely well below the major league average. He has 3 more years to go before reaching free agency. 

He appears to be quite decent in the field wherever you play him and you can play him in a lot of places and this means that you can actually trade Joe Ryan for Bryce Eldridge and just move Kody over to some place else rather seamlessly. 

The Twins have a budget and have always had budget and will always have a budget. So... I'm pretty happy with a guy who plays above average while making the minimum. We need about 18 players who are capable and making the minimum so we have enough money to sign Yandy Diaz if we wanted to.   

The guy finally got an extended run last year and he has taken advantage of it. Good for him. He can play on my team as long as he keeps it up. 

I'll let y'all tear him apart. 

 

 

 

[karcherd]

21 minutes ago, David Maro said:

Love how everyone thinks its time to move on from a player who is actually contributing and can play numerous positions. How about moving on from a player like Lewis who doesn't have a position. Why is it that he gets chance after chance and now getting to learn to play 2nd or 1st or who knows where next on the big club. It just might benefit both parties to move on because as it stands its not working. 

Lewis was a first round draft pick and number 1 pick with a larger investment than what was invested for Clemens.  This has been going on in all sports since the beginning of time of who gets more chances and who doesn't.  And Lewis has actually had more success in his career than Clemens. He doesn't have a position because the Twins haven't committed to a position for him.  

Now the argument can be made that the Twins have given Lewis enough chances and it is time to move on and that is fair.  I am not in that camp, I think Lewis should be here until the end of the year and then make a decision.

[karcherd]

5 minutes ago, Hunter4848 said:

A smart team trades him but unfortunately the Twins are not a smart team.

Strange the amount of attachment that fans on this site have for a mediocre bench player. Just goes to show you how far we are from contending 

They would need a willing trade partner and I am not sure there is one out there.  I do agree with you on the attachment that fans have for mediocre players.  Let's try and raise the bar on the talent level on this team for once.

[bean5302]

8 hours ago, Western SD Fan said:

The top end of any trade possibility for Clemens would be the Eduardo Esobar trade that brought back Jhoan Duran from the Diamondbacks.  Escobar was having a career year with the Twins prior to the trade, similar to what Clemens is doing now.  The baseball reference comparison, shown below, still tracks 2026 Clemens trending towards half the WAR that Escobar did in 2017 and Escobar had similar positional flexibility as Clemens.  We got to see what Duran turned into.  We need to remember at the time that Duran was a high upside guy but wild with his power stuff.  He was only the 16th rated prospect in the Diamondbacks organization at the time of the trade.  If he was traded, that comp is likely the very top end of what you could expect in a return, a prospect no higher than 15th in an organization, depending on the quality of the farm system.  

There is still a lot of season to be played to determine whether Clemens will have a job at the end of the season.  In a perfect world, Lewis and Keaschall nail down the right side of the infield so Clemens is reduced to more of a platoon role.  Same would be said for the outfield if one of Jenkins, E-Rod, or Roden come off the IL and tear the ball off and is called up to the ML club thus reducing another path for playing time for Clemens by the end of the season.  Everyone wants the youth movement.  If you embrace the youth movement, then trading Clemens during a career year is the smart thing to do.

Except Escobar had a few years of starer worthy performances under his belt so the history supported him. Clemens is probably most valuable as a 2B to somebody.

[Patzky]

49 minutes ago, offensive_loons_fan said:

The Twins' reluctance to fully commit either to acting like legitimate contenders or to going into full rebuild mode is going to delay the club's resurgence by years.

There's a happy medium. Or unhappy medium. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, karcherd said:

Lewis was a first round draft pick and number 1 pick with a larger investment than what was invested for Clemens.  This has been going on in all sports since the beginning of time of who gets more chances and who doesn't.  And Lewis has actually had more success in his career than Clemens. He doesn't have a position because the Twins haven't committed to a position for him.  

Now the argument can be made that the Twins have given Lewis enough chances and it is time to move on and that is fair.  I am not in that camp, I think Lewis should be here until the end of the year and then make a decision.

Sunk value scares me about Royce like it did some fans about Julien. I guess if you feel Royce still has his best years ahead it makes sense to run with that. I'm not sold.

[Patzky]

14 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I'll let others debate who Clemens was prior in spoardic opportunity. I'll let others debate who he will be in the future. I don't have an opinion on either. 

Right now in 2026. In all of MLB Baseball. 

The average OBP is .318. His is .317.

The Average slugging percentage is .394. His is .468 

The Average Home Run Per AB is 29.4. Cody is currently sitting 23.25 after hitting one home run every 18 AB's in 2025. 

The average K% is 22.2. He is 22.7

He has the 5th most AB's on the team. 3 of the players above him... Josh Bell #1, Brooks Lee #2 and Luke Keaschall #4 are all below .700 OPS. Those who did the math from OBP and Slugging know that league average is .712 and they also know that Kody is .785

The average salary for a baseball player is 5.34 Million. Kody makes the minimum. His salary will go up next year in his first year of Arb but he will be most likely well below the major league average. He has 3 more years to go before reaching free agency. 

He appears to be quite decent in the field wherever you play him and you can play him in a lot of places and this means that you can actually trade Joe Ryan for Bryce Eldridge and just move Kody over to some place else rather seamlessly. 

The Twins have a budget and have always had budget and will always have a budget. So... I'm pretty happy with a guy who plays above average while making the minimum. We need about 18 players who are capable and making the minimum so we have enough money to sign Yandy Diaz if we wanted to.   

The guy finally got an extended run last year and he has taken advantage of it. Good for him. He can play on my team as long as he keeps it up. 

I'll let y'all tear him apart. 

 

 

 

They'll tear you apart first. Nothing you said is wrong. In a season of negatives, be average. I guess that's part of Hunting the Good.