2027 Infield

[Cory Engelhardt]

This is a topic that really was obvious to me in the Royals series, as it was clear that the Royals infield defense was so many times stronger than the Twins infield defense. It was even more apparently when Lewis wasn't at 1B and Caratini was. It was downright bad, if not embarrassing, how far behind the infield defense was. This is JUST about the defense, but not hitting overall made me focus on that a bit.

So my question is, what would you do to improve the infield defense in 2027? I think there are a number of paths...

1) I think Lewis can be a good 1b defensively. I don't know if he is the BEST answer, but his bat has been solid overall since he came back from the minors, and I think I'm ok with seeing how this year plays out and using pencil to write his name into the lineup. 

For now, he is the only current player that I write in pencil for the lineup at their position for 2027.

2) After that, I determine if Luke Keaschall is going to try to focus on 2B again and throw himself into learning defense there. IF that is the plan, I could see him becoming an average defensive 2b over time. That said, I'd almost try and lean towards him just being the left fielder and be comfortable there.

3) I don't know what to do with Brooks Lee. He is ok defensively there there, but to me he is kind of a flash point for the offseason. Does he have room to grow offensively? I'm not certain. Does he have room to gain arm strength? I don't know. To me, he may be a world class teammate, and IF there is room to improve both offensively and defensively, then I'm ok still having him here. Otherwise, I'd look into moving him for something that either can help the major league or for a prospect. To me, he isn't playing well enough to be a core player ongoing right now. Certainly his bat for months now has been well below league average. Since June 1 his wRC+ is the lowest on the team by anyone not named Alan Roden or Ryan Kreidler or Austin Martin. So either he has to get his bat to be above average to be a core player, or he has to drastically improve his defense. Do you see either happening?

4) Kaelen Culpepper and Marek Houston. I do think by all accounts that both of them would be a defensive upgrade to Brooks Lee. I THINK Houston is the best defensive SS they have, and I do think Culpepper's arm would be strong enough to be a good 3b, but I also think he could be a good 2b. It's possible he is a better 3b though, and he does have the arm and the athleticism to be next to Marek Houston and make a strong defensive left side of the infield. I'd love to dream about the possibility that they both can be up and ready to perform offensively either tomorrow or even opening day. That's up to the Twins to decide. I do believe the defense they both would add today, together, would be an upgrade either at SS or 2B, or at SS and 3B, collectively compared to what is currently out there. So then, how quickly do they come up? How quickly would you have them up?

5) Free agency and trades; to me, if Tom Pohlad is big on adding to a winning team, this offseason (or at least prior to the whenever the next season will start) will have to determine a number of things, but among them will be the infield makeup ongoing. Their pitching and run prevention will very much improve IF they can get to even average as an infield defensive unit. Does that mean they target and acquire a 2b or 3b or SS via trade or free agency? Does that mean they target 2 of those positions? 3 of those positions? Is Culpepper or Houston the answer at 1 or 2 of those positions in the infield? Is Lewis?

Pie in the sky for me would be to get Bo Bichette to opt out of his deal with the Mets and pay him good money to be our 2b. Like I said, pie in the sky. But then I also think Houston coming up to play SS and Culpepper to play 3b, without taking into account their offensive production, at minimum would upgrade the infield defense. But there are other paths to this. Bob Nightengale seemed to think they were in on Zach Neto, and maybe that's something they thought of too and he would take a spot at SS or 3B? Maybe they make a different play for someone else to fill in one of those spots? Frankly, Michael Massey of the Royals would look REALLY good at 2B here for his defense. I don't know what that would take in trade, but pitchers would certainly love it if he were behind them defensively.

I also think they still need a real middle of the order type bat. That's a different discussion. And then, more pitching is always good. 

Overall, a true infield option in the offseason is going to be a need in my opinion. How big they address that and in what fashion will show how much room for growth this team has.  

How would you fix the infield defense problem this team has had for years now?

 

 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Defensively we are several square pegs trying to find the best configuration.   

In order of confidence

SS : Houston -At some point Houston will get called up to be the long term solutions at SS

3rd:  Culpepper -   I honestly think I would prefer to have him as a second baseman but his arm will definitely play at 3rd if thats where he lands.  

2nd : Keaschall - I think it will be a work in progress but I think he can get to average defense at 2nd base.   His bat will be the tool that carries him.  My preference would be to sign Arraez back.  

1st :  Lewis - I just don't know. I think the defense can be above average.  I think offensively its still a work in progress but trending upwards.   After the demotion I think we were really trending towards a breakup and after reclaiming some value I could see him get traded.   The FA market looks abysmal.  Sabato is beginning to look like he deserves a chance but he isn't on the 40 man and the players that we have brought up giving them a chance like Fedko this year and Keirsey and McCusker from last year have just not been able to cut it at the MLB level.  

 

I could see 1 of Keaschall or Lewis traded this off season.  Keaschall lack of defensive home creates a dilemma.  He could in time be a decent outfielder.  But this his bat which was elite at 2nd is above average.  We than have at minimum 4 outfield prospects coming up.  I really think 2nd is his best place and I do think he has the mental fortitude to figure it out.  Lewis has been a conundrum.  I see the potential, but in Minnesota and as a 1st baseman I just don't see it.  

[Permanent Twins Fan]

2027

C: Caratini 1B: Lewis 2B: Clemens SS Houston 3B Culpepper RF: E-Rod CF: Jenkins, LF: Buxton DH: Keaschall

BN: Lee, Mendez, Martin, FA Backup Catcher

SP: Lopez, Ryan, Bradley, Abel, Prielipp (That is a crazy good rotation if healthy) 

RPs: Hoffman, Gomez, Morris, Rojas, Festa, Nance, Matthews, FA RP.

[stringer bell]

Kody Clemens will be around again next year, most likely, after going through his first arbitration. He'll play 2027 as a 31-year-old coming off a successful year. He has the inside track on being the (semi) regular second baseman with a lot of positional flexibility.

If Lewis complete the 2026 as the +.800 OPS hitter he has been since his recall, he is the incumbent at first base, with second and third as other places to play. 

Lee most likely is the regular third baseman if he finishes the season as he has played thus far. Culpepper gets shortstop. Ryan Kreidler has shown he's a capable glove and not the worst hitter in MLB, but he's also confirmed he is a well-below average hitter.

I expect Houston to debut sometime in 2027, especially if a full season is played and I expect the one of Lewis, Lee or Culpepper then assumes a utility role. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

5 minutes ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

2027

C: Caratini 1B: Lewis 2B: Clemens SS Houston 3B Culpepper RF: E-Rod CF: Jenkins, LF: Buxton DH: Keaschall

BN: Lee, Mendez, Martin, FA Backup Catcher

SP: Lopez, Ryan, Bradley, Abel, Prielipp (That is a crazy good rotation if healthy) 

RPs: Hoffman, Gomez, Morris, Rojas, Festa, Nance, Matthews, FA RP.

Oof, having Clemens defensively at 2B all the time would not be a good thing. I'd much be in favor of him as a utility playing 1b/2b/of. 

[Permanent Twins Fan]

3 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Oof, having Clemens defensively at 2B all the time would not be a good thing. I'd much be in favor of him as a utility playing 1b/2b/of. 

I didn't put that in the comment, but I definitely see him as a utility guy who primarily is playing 2B

[Cory Engelhardt]

39 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Defensively we are several square pegs trying to find the best configuration.   

In order of confidence

SS : Houston -At some point Houston will get called up to be the long term solutions at SS

3rd:  Culpepper -   I honestly think I would prefer to have him as a second baseman but his arm will definitely play at 3rd if thats where he lands.  

2nd : Keaschall - I think it will be a work in progress but I think he can get to average defense at 2nd base.   His bat will be the tool that carries him.  My preference would be to sign Arraez back.  

1st :  Lewis - I just don't know. I think the defense can be above average.  I think offensively its still a work in progress but trending upwards.   After the demotion I think we were really trending towards a breakup and after reclaiming some value I could see him get traded.   The FA market looks abysmal.  Sabato is beginning to look like he deserves a chance but he isn't on the 40 man and the players that we have brought up giving them a chance like Fedko this year and Keirsey and McCusker from last year have just not been able to cut it at the MLB level.  

 

I could see 1 of Keaschall or Lewis traded this off season.  Keaschall lack of defensive home creates a dilemma.  He could in time be a decent outfielder.  But this his bat which was elite at 2nd is above average.  We than have at minimum 4 outfield prospects coming up.  I really think 2nd is his best place and I do think he has the mental fortitude to figure it out.  Lewis has been a conundrum.  I see the potential, but in Minnesota and as a 1st baseman I just don't see it.  

See, I think there is a path where both Keaschall and Lewis are on this team. Both still need work on defense, but both have shown enough with the bat this year for me to be ok with them being here. IF Keaschall can really focus on 2B defense, then I think that fit can be good. If he is trully more comfortable in the outfield and can work on his outfield defense, that's ok too. 

Lewis, he is right on that line of good enough but not star. Maybe that's ok for a 1B. There's no promise he is here in 2028, but for 2027 I'd be ok with him being the leader in the clubhouse for 1B.

[Cory Engelhardt]

9 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Kody Clemens will be around again next year, most likely, after going through his first arbitration. He'll play 2027 as a 31-year-old coming off a successful year. He has the inside track on being the (semi) regular second baseman with a lot of positional flexibility.

If Lewis complete the 2026 as the +.800 OPS hitter he has been since his recall, he is the incumbent at first base, with second and third as other places to play. 

Lee most likely is the regular third baseman if he finishes the season as he has played thus far. Culpepper gets shortstop. Ryan Kreidler has shown he's a capable glove and not the worst hitter in MLB, but he's also confirmed he is a well-below average hitter.

I expect Houston to debut sometime in 2027, especially if a full season is played and I expect the one of Lewis, Lee or Culpepper then assumes a utility role. 

What has Lee done this year to show you that he is a mlb caliber infielder?

[stringer bell]

10 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

What has Lee done this year to show you that he is a mlb caliber infielder?

His defense at third rates positve according to DRS and his hitting is about league average with decent production with RiSP.

[Mike Sixel]

Culpepper at 2b, Houston at SS (other teams promote guys from AA), Lee 3b, Lewis at first, with Clemens as super utility with Kriedlier also super utility. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just now, stringer bell said:

His defense at third rates positve according to DRS and his hitting is about league average with decent production with RiSP.

If the defense is above average I'll take it. It's not the world's strongest arm, but it's functional. 

With his bat, he definitely started the year stronger than he has been going. Prior to May 31, he hit .255/310/430 for a wRC+ of 106. Since June 1 he has hit .225/287/402 for a wRC+ of 91. It's been even worse in July. Since July 1 he has hit .208/279/337 for a wRC+ of 72. Since July 1, the only hitters lower than that on the Twins are Tristan Gray, Alan Roden, Victor Caratini and Ryan Kreidler. 

I'm hopeful he can make adjustments and get back to 100 or more. But he isn't hitting with enough authority at all in my opinion. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Culpepper at 2b, Houston at SS (other teams promote guys from AA), Lee 3b, Lewis at first, with Clemens as super utility with Kriedlier also super utility. 

So no outside changes? Would that equal an ownership group that wants to win?

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

So no outside changes? Would that equal an ownership group that wants to win?

I'm buying the best SP in FA I can, and dealing Ober or Ryan or Kremer or some combo thereof. All the money on a great player. Why am I spending money on the infield, when I have it set? If there was a catcher, sure, I'd do that. I might even buy an OF......

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'm buying the best SP in FA I can, and dealing Ober or Ryan or Kremer or some combo thereof. All the money on a great player. Why am I spending money on the infield, when I have it set? If there was a catcher, sure, I'd do that. I might even buy an OF......

See, I can see ALSO trading for or buying a good infielder to add to the group. They should have money to add a good starting pitcher to go with Pablo and Bradley and Abel and Kremer and Prielipp and Ryan (and maybe even Rojas) in that regard. 

Could Ober get you a good fielding infielder? Could Ryan?

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

See, I can see ALSO trading for or buying a good infielder to add to the group. They should have money to add a good starting pitcher to go with Pablo and Bradley and Abel and Kremer and Prielipp and Ryan (and maybe even Rojas) in that regard. 

Could Ober get you a good fielding infielder? Could Ryan?

What position are you trying to upgrade? Because Lee is 1.5-2 war.....and SS and 2B are covered. There aren't a lot of 1b available I'd guess.....

Neither of those pitchers is getting you a guy better than what they have next year on their own. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

What position are you trying to upgrade? Because Lee is 1.5-2 war.....and SS and 2B are covered. There aren't a lot of 1b available I'd guess.....

Neither of those pitchers is getting you a guy better than what they have next year on their own. 

That's where I'm flexible to be honest. If I can get a strong defensive player that can be closer to a mlb average hitter than Lee has been for going on 2 months now, that's what I do. I don't care if it is 2b or ss or 3b. Once I get that player, I think the rest can be figured out.

OR

Brooks Lee makes his adjustment he needs to and gets back to what he was for April and May. I guess that'd be perfect world in that sense right? His bat has been lost for a bit now. Maybe there is an adjustment he is working through and he'll get there?

[Major League Ready]

52 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Oof, having Clemens defensively at 2B all the time would not be a good thing. I'd much be in favor of him as a utility playing 1b/2b/of. 

They don't have anyone that is above average at 2B and 3B is Lee's best position so it would seem Culpepper is most likely to end up at 2B.  This team really needs Houston and Culpepper to work out.  Houston being the Minor League Hitter of the Month is really good news.   However, if Lee does not improve offensively, the best alignment might be with Culpepper at 3B, and Keashall at 2B.

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, Major League Ready said:

They don't have anyone that is above average at 2B and 3B is Lee's best position so it would seem Culpepper is most likely to end up at 2B.  This team really needs Houston and Culpepper to work out.  Houston being the Minor League Hitter of the Month is really good news.   

Yeah, so maybe that’s what I am getting at. It all ties back to Tom Pohlad’s comments about raising the payroll. I think the infield definitely has at least one opening where acquiring a real defensive asset for one of the spots would help the team immensely next season. As of now the position is still fluid. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Yeah, so maybe that’s what I am getting at. It all ties back to Tom Pohlad’s comments about raising the payroll. I think the infield definitely has at least one opening where acquiring a real defensive asset for one of the spots would help the team immensely next season. As of now the position is still fluid. 

SP and OF for me.......Buxton will never play 100+ games in the OF. Even if Jenkins and Emma are good.....they'll need another OF, imo.