Going Forward: To DH or to Not DH

[DocBauer]

Look, I understand the 2026 season isn't done yet. And I'm still engaged and hopefull out Twins will finish this season strong and make the playoffs. No matter what happens, that's just more FUN than the season ending.

BUT, there have been so many posts about K-Pepper FINALLY up, and debates about Rodriguez and Jenkins and "getting ready for 2027" already, that my brain is already looking at tomorrow, while still paying attention to TODAY...especially with a sweep of Atlanta...that a combination of TODAY vs TOMORROW is heavy on my brain.

While NOT ignoring the NOW, there's been so much conversation about "what's next" that is a bee in my brain looking at this ONE particular spot for 2027 that I just can't ignore. This isn't about moves the remainder of 2026. I have my own opinions about that, as do the rest of you.

I'm just trying to coalece those opinions with the rest of 2026, and the reality of  2027 to answer a very serious question. 

To DH or NOT to DH?

And by that I mean, when the dust of 2026 settles, what we WANT to see is a  K-Pepper debut, which we got, and Rodriguez and Jenkins to also debut, which we haven't seen yet. There's still a chance we see both.

But let's flash forward for a moment shall we? 

More than likely Bell and Larnach are removed. Jenkins is ready. Rodriguez, IMO, is also ready. And I've heard various thoughts that Rodriguez, out of options, could be treated as the 13th man, being nursed along to adapt to MLB. I call BS on that because the best and smart thing to do is let him and Jenkins play daily and live with some mistakes. LIKE other teams like the Brewers have done. STOP being afraid of playing your TOP prospects.  

But I regress.

The CATCHING position for 2027, for now, is Caratini and Jackson.

UNLESS the Twins just jump Houston, which is not their normal, the INF will begin with Lee, Culpepper, Clemens, and Lewis. (Personally, I think Houston is a given by mid season at least). That leaves a SU spot that is probably Kreidler, or a surprise of Ross. Maybe they sign a solid option instead? 

But the OF is going to be Buxton, Keaschall, Jenkins, and Rodriguez. That's a fact. And I'm sorry for being long winded, but I'm just setting the roster table. 

That leaves 2 spots open, pending the IDEAL of Houston just being ready day ONE. But supposing Houston ISN'T just brought up immediately, there's 2 spots open.

Buxton will need some days off at DH. We have a nice mix of Buxton, Keaschall, Jenkins, and Rodriguez in the the OF.

And we have a pretty solid INF of Lee, K-Pepper, Clemens...at least for now...and Lewis with a battle of Kreidler and Ross that SHOULD take place for the SU role, unless they bring someone else in.

So SHOULD the 2027 Twins be looking for another Cruz type of bat? 

Buxton will need some time at DH. Lee, while not a great hitter, has suddenly turned in to a potential 20HR hitter. POST trip down to AAA, Lewis has been very good/solid. And he doesn't have to do anything but just be the hitter he's been since he came back and he's a 20HR bat. While I don't expect K-Pepper to suddenly explode, he's shown XB and HR power in his MILB career.

Clemens has shown power. Even as rookies, Rodriguez and Jenkins will provide some power.

The biggest flaw in a potential 2027 roster is probably the 5th OF spot. (At some point, Houston is going to be ready).

Cruz was an amazing difference maker for the Twins. And I have ZERO problem spending $15-18M for a similar player to be the DH for the 2027 Twins. 

But does it make sense is my point.

THEORETICALLY, the Twins have 20 HR power at 1B, 3B, CF, maybe at SS with Culpepper already done that, plus Clemens, and the potential of Rodriguez and Jenkins. 

So SHOULD the Twins be looking for a Cruz like bat? Or should they leave the DH spot open to allow Buxton, Keaschall, Rodriguez, Lewis, and the rest of the lineup to just rotate through the DH spot?

 

[HarmonK03]

No I don't think they should sign someone to be DH only.  For one I am not sure if there is a quality bat out there who would fit but also this team likes flexibility, why handicap yourself with a bat only player like Bell this year.

They have four outfielders if it plays out as you laid out which I believe it will.  They all need regular AB's so rotating thru the DH spot accomplishes that.  I think that was the original plan this year was to rotate the DH maybe with Larnach being there more.  They did not sign Bell to be the DH, he was signed to be the first baseman which was a huge miss by Falvey, don't make the same mistake this offseason.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm in the leave it open camp. I also want Houston up day one. I'm disappointed he's not in AAA.