Envisioning the 2027 Twins Starting Lineup

[mnfireman]

Feeling the Buxton love....

[Rod Carews Birthday]

On paper, much of what you suggest looks pretty good.  Most importantly for planning purposes, it is easy to see the specific holes in this lineup.  Caratini is fine for a backup catcher, but not for a starter/halftimer, that's hole #1.  Clemens fits better as a bat off the bench with some pop who can play lots of places.  As a number four hitter, he falls pretty far short, that's hole #2.  Royce Lewis is likely the next weakest link.  He was terrible, then he was excellent, then he was OK, and now he is back to lousy.  I would try to find a way to trade him as a change of scenery candidate this winter, but he's hole #3.

Emma Rodriguez is an unknown, but a worthwhile gamble to take, with the idea that if he doesn't make it, you can move Keaschall back to LF.  I think he'll be frustrating at times with the strikeouts, but OK -- maybe a "rich man's Matt Wallner" because he can play defense.  Also (always) unknown is Buxton's status.  He's ours.  Let's use him as much as possible.  If/when he gets injured, we now have a backup fielder in place so that we are not suffering there.  Both of these unknowns are worth rolling the dice on. Young players like Culpepper and Jenkins are ALWAYS unknowns, but again, worth rolling the dice on -- although we need to remember how promising we thought Lewis, Wallner, and Julien were back in 2023.

I think this could be a pretty good lineup if things line up and there isn't an injury nightmare.  

Fixing hole #1 -- offer Jeffers that QO.  He'll likely take it (hard to turn down that kind of money if you're a catcher).  He's not awesome, and he isn't a 130 game a year catcher, but he's pretty darn solid and has a good track record.  Then, in 2027, develop develop develop Lackey and the rest of the catcher crop in the minors so that you don't need Jeffers in 2028.  

Fixing hole #2 -- maybe you don't have to, if you believe that Houston isn't far away and you can move either Lee or Culpepper to 2nd base.  There are worse things than "getting by" with Clemens.  The bat piece could be fixed with a Bell-like signing, particularly if the signee could play in the field (maybe first base. . . . )

Fixing hole #3 -- Sign a serious hitter that can field the position. 30+ homeruns would make me look past a lot of defensive issues.  Trade Lewis for something, maybe some bullpen help.  I think this is some addition by subtraction, which probably isn't fair but the churn is a little too much to keep putting up with.  

YMMV, but I think this could be a way forward/offseason plan for 2027. 

 

 

[LewFordLives]

1 minute ago, mnfireman said:

Feeling the Buxton love....

For a lot of us it really is love (in a platonic sense).  When the dude is healthy he is MVP caliber and can carry a team, but there is a lot of built up frustration over the realization that his career will be summed up as "what if", because of all the nagging injuries.  I want him in the lineup, but I think most of us realize that we can't count on him to be available for prolonged periods of time.  For the purposes of roster construction, I think the Twins need to assume that he won't be available.

 

[S Bart]

37 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

How about this lineup instead for a strike shortened season or after the all star break (whichever the case may be):

1. Keaschall - LF/DH

2. Culpepper - 2B

3. Buxton - DH/LF

4. Jeffers - C

5. Jenkins - CF

6. ERod - RF

7. Lee - 3B

8. Lewis - 1B 

9. Houston - SS

Clemens, Martin, Catatini plus one (Gonzalez, Roden, Winokur) make up the bench.

Note that given the low overall cost of this lineup, we re-resign Jeffers to a 3/4 yr $10-15MM/year deal.  He and Lackey become our starting C’s as early as ‘28 and Jeffers can DH more once Buxton moves on after that season.

This is how you build a lineup to actually compete for a World Series as early as ‘28 and for several more years.

 

 

I like this lineup. Houston probably will not be at this level at the start of the season. Need to probably include utility players such as Clemens, since injuries will occur.

[thelanges5]

Lots of roster thoughts, but my first one is this. Any Twins roster needs to have an appropriate level of Buxton insurance built-in. They haven’t done this since 2023 with MAT and that worked out pretty well. 
 

In 2027 they should have E-Rod and Jenkins to fill that role. 

[Coach Wheels]

1 hour ago, ewen21 said:

Byron Buxton is a problem.  His spot in the lineup is always an unknown.  Who can figure what will happen with the guy?  He has a hot month or so and then he is has a month where he is as bad as he was good and then we start hearing about a variety of ailments.  I am so over it.  He is not as special as this place has made him out to be.   His lifetime OBP is .309, his lifetime average is .248, in 12 seasons with us he has had more than 100 hits twice.  He has a lifetime average of .192 with 2 ours and RISP with 119 Ks in 338 at bats.  He has a lifetime average of .213 close and late with 183 strikeouts in 478 at bats.  That flat out sucks.  He has had so many horrible at bats in high leverage situations over the years.   He makes managing the CF spot on this roster a headache.  The sooner we can move on from him the better.  He isn't a model player.  You cannot have your model player (and the Twins have tried to put him on that pedestal) be a guy who starts in slightly over 50% in the schedule a year.  It is a fools errand.  In the last five seasons he has played 60, 57, 94, 118 and not this year probably just 72 games in CF.  Does anyone expect this to get better in 2027?  The sooner we can move on from him the better.  He isn't a model player.  We cannot have your model player be a guy who averages slightly over 50 games a year.  End of story.

 

I like what I see from Walker Jenkins, but I am STILL waiting for us to someday....somehow........ draft, raise and produce a starting pitcher that puts fans in the stands.  It is a task that seems impossible for this organization execute and achieve.  WIll someone please name a starting pitcher we drafted, developed and saw on the mound at the major league level giving us something remotely resembling AS material?   The last time there was any actual juice behind a pitcher like that was Matt Garza in 2006.  In fact, we can go back over 30 years and he would be the only SP we actually drafted and raised in our system of any note.  That is beyond pathetic!

I disagree that with the return of Lopez, Festa and Abel that this starting staff will be "extremely deep".  They will need to show me something different.  Lopez is a talent but he is coming off Tommy John and has only begun to throw very recently.  What is his timetable for next year?  We do not even know.  Mick Abel has 59 innings of major league experience and has a 5.46 ERA over that time and he is coming off a season ending injury.  We don't even know what he is.   Ditto with David Festa.

 

This team has been a bore for a very long time.  I won't even prognosticate beyond the history these players have provided for us in the major leagues.  Unless this group magically transforms itself this team is a 76 win team.

Buck's last HR was June 26th. It is very hard to count on him for more than 100 games/year

[Twins GFP]

10 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

For a lot of us it really is love (in a platonic sense).  When the dude is healthy he is MVP caliber and can carry a team, but there is a lot of built up frustration over the realization that his career will be summed up as "what if", because of all the nagging injuries.  I want him in the lineup, but I think most of us realize that we can't count on him to be available for prolonged periods of time.  For the purposes of roster construction, I think the Twins need to assume that he won't be available.

 

Finally a logical comment on Buxton that isn't built around vitriol.

You pencil Buxton in the lineup because you should and you have to. You also plan on having a solid backup because you should and you have to.

[ewen21]

1 minute ago, Coach Wheels said:

Buck's last HR was June 26th. It is very hard to count on him for more than 100 games/year

The reality is he was given the starting job for the last 11 seasons and he has played in 100 games only 3 times.  This isn't something that is going to improve with age as he heads toward his 33 year old season. Time to change the conversation and cut the cord.  We should not talk any new contract with him.  Tell him "we are going to play it by ear" this winter and then around the All Star break tell him it is over after this year.  Maybe he can waive his no trade clause and we can get a mid/upper level prospect for him.

 

It's over.  He is done

[LewFordLives]

2 minutes ago, ewen21 said:

  We should not talk any new contract with him.  Tell him "we are going to play it by ear" this winter and then around the All Star break tell him it is over after this year.  Maybe he can waive his no trade clause and we can get a mid/upper level prospect for him.

I believe he is signed through the 2028 season. My guess is they won't part ways unless he specifically requests a change of scenery.  But I do agree the Twins shouldn't extend his contract. 

[Sampson5]

Honestly wouldn't be shocked if Royce is traded this off-season while in theory there's offense in there but reality is after his few weeks hot streak after the recall he's been bad again and hasn't been much better at 1st then he was at 3rd this year . Maybe they keep him if they can't find a upgrade for everyday 1st basemen but feels like a easy fix always multiple vets available for pretty cheap . Disagree on lee he's been one of our best hitters this season and has earned his everyday role going forward I don't really care what the expected numbers say at this point he's sustained this all year so I'm gonna assume he's gonna be a guy those stats don't like but remains a quality player especially when the defense is no longer terrible. Overall I agree with the list I think there will be a better option at cleanup hitter since I'm assuming there will be a cap floor next season so gotta think twins will be adding a top of the order bat I might even just put Jenkins in that spot . E rod has to come up on Tuesday need to get a look at his the rest this season that way next year isn't his first chances against MLB pitching since he will be out of options 

[LastOnePicked]

Not terrible, but the bust potential for this lineup on any given night seems pretty high. And the boom potential seems a bit missing, too. Left-centerfield in Target Field may prove to be a killer for a number of Jenkins' potential home runs. E-Rod is the unknown factor here in terms of power.

I think you have to sign a slugging first baseman. It's a shame Sabato never got a chance to show what he could do here, but maybe the Twins have a more realistic picture of his chances to succeed.

If the Twins had made wise trades in the offseason, who knows, maybe these gaps could have been filled by young, controllable stars as soon as mid-2027. As it is, if Pohlad wants a winner, he'll have to do what Pohlads rarely ever do: spend money in free agency to improve the team. Tom, if you do spend some real money this offseason, pay very close attention to the physical exams first.

[Woof Bronzer]

3 minutes ago, Twins GFP said:

You pencil Buxton in the lineup because you should and you have to. You also plan on having a solid backup because you should and you have to.

This is the best, objective, concise way to describe both the Buxton problem, and the Buxton solution.  There's really nothing more to be said.

I would have thought the red-assed "injuries are moral failings" takes would have died out with Mauer but alas...

[saviking]

33 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I'm not sure Buxton will "move on".  My belief is that the front office and Buxton will mutually agree on a year-by-year extension for Buxton until HE decides to retire.

Well, even Buxton must have a breaking point. 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, PuckettPond said:

History has told us Buxton will play less than 50%

History has also told us that Jenkins and Rodriguez are also likely to miss large parts of the season. Between the three players they will be lucky to cover two spots. Martin and Roden will get plenty of playing time.

They have some depth in the outfield to cover for injuries. They have diddly squat in the infield. Adding a starting caliber middle infielder is critical. That frees up Kody to cover several positions as injury depth. Marek Houston should not be part of 2027 plans as a primary or secondary option.

[Wedman13]

Ohh I'm just waiting for @HarmonK03 to weigh in on this....

I'm past his Fedko love.  He's past my Roden.  We need, I wish, to go big - or try.  If not what in the world are we doing.  Our minor league prospects can not compete against MLB's best.  I will never blame the pohlads because i wouldn't play poker with 13 cards when others have 52.  I'd fold until I got super lucky.

i hope mlb can fix itself because otherwise being a minor league team to the 3-4 'haves' is maybe a better option.

[Coach Wheels]

35 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

On paper, much of what you suggest looks pretty good.  Most importantly for planning purposes, it is easy to see the specific holes in this lineup.  Caratini is fine for a backup catcher, but not for a starter/halftimer, that's hole #1.  Clemens fits better as a bat off the bench with some pop who can play lots of places.  As a number four hitter, he falls pretty far short, that's hole #2.  Royce Lewis is likely the next weakest link.  He was terrible, then he was excellent, then he was OK, and now he is back to lousy.  I would try to find a way to trade him as a change of scenery candidate this winter, but he's hole #3.

Emma Rodriguez is an unknown, but a worthwhile gamble to take, with the idea that if he doesn't make it, you can move Keaschall back to LF.  I think he'll be frustrating at times with the strikeouts, but OK -- maybe a "rich man's Matt Wallner" because he can play defense.  Also (always) unknown is Buxton's status.  He's ours.  Let's use him as much as possible.  If/when he gets injured, we now have a backup fielder in place so that we are not suffering there.  Both of these unknowns are worth rolling the dice on. Young players like Culpepper and Jenkins are ALWAYS unknowns, but again, worth rolling the dice on -- although we need to remember how promising we thought Lewis, Wallner, and Julien were back in 2023.

I think this could be a pretty good lineup if things line up and there isn't an injury nightmare.  

Fixing hole #1 -- offer Jeffers that QO.  He'll likely take it (hard to turn down that kind of money if you're a catcher).  He's not awesome, and he isn't a 130 game a year catcher, but he's pretty darn solid and has a good track record.  Then, in 2027, develop develop develop Lackey and the rest of the catcher crop in the minors so that you don't need Jeffers in 2028.  

Fixing hole #2 -- maybe you don't have to, if you believe that Houston isn't far away and you can move either Lee or Culpepper to 2nd base.  There are worse things than "getting by" with Clemens.  The bat piece could be fixed with a Bell-like signing, particularly if the signee could play in the field (maybe first base. . . . )

Fixing hole #3 -- Sign a serious hitter that can field the position. 30+ homeruns would make me look past a lot of defensive issues.  Trade Lewis for something, maybe some bullpen help.  I think this is some addition by subtraction, which probably isn't fair but the churn is a little too much to keep putting up with.  

YMMV, but I think this could be a way forward/offseason plan for 2027. 

 

 

A qualifying offer to Jeffers would most likely be north of $20 million/year. I don't see the Twins doing that, with any player, in the foreseeable future.

[djvang]

3 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Interesting lineup projections.  Ill take an unpopular stand by saying Buxton cannot be counted on to be in a starting lineup.  Hes proven that over the past 12 years.  Hoping that he will play most of the years and be productive like he was in 2025 and the first half of 2026 seems foolhardy at best.  Jenkins should be playing center field.  If it is mandatory to play Buxton put him in left or right to save wear and tear.  Since you cant ever count on him he is very disruptive to the roster. 

It shouldn't be an unpopular stand. It's a realistic stand. Expecting him to be healthy for even 80 games is wishful thinking.

[Brandon]

The good news is the Twin's have options.  With Bell getting over 90 RBI this year he is a candidate to be kept next year for 10 million.  (8.75 million decision with buyout). Either way, Jenkins can slide over to CF for Buxton, Keaschall can play more RF, and same when Rodriguez gets hurt. This more open DH bats.  When Marek is ready to come up, Culpepper goes to 2B and Clemens slides to 1B or super utility depending on Lewis.  Good news is we have enough movable parts to be able to set up contingencies and contingencies for the contingencies.

[LewFordLives]

15 minutes ago, Sampson5 said:

Honestly wouldn't be shocked if Royce is traded this off-season 

Royce is definitely going to be one of the more interesting decisions. Do they want to pay him $5 million in arbitration?  My guess is that they will.  He's teased us with enough glimpses of what he could be for the Twins to not pull the plug just yet. 

But yeah, a guy with a sub .300 OBP and no permanent position is not worthy of a guaranteed spot in the lineup.

[90stwinskid]

I would love to have a "set it and forget it" lineup someday. This feels somewhat more attainable with the players on this list, which is exciting to me. Whether it actually happens in practice is another thing...

Clemens, Lewis, and Caratini feel like the biggest liabilities. While Clemens and Caratini can be placeholders for Houston and Lackey (respectively), it feels like we're stuck with Lewis until he's traded or let go. Curious to see how the FO treats him moving forward.

[SteveLV]

Is there any chance that Buxton just retires rather than yet another surgery and rehab? He has given his all, but his body is just not holding up to the challenge.  

[Rod Carews Birthday]

15 minutes ago, Coach Wheels said:

A qualifying offer to Jeffers would most likely be north of $20 million/year. I don't see the Twins doing that, with any player, in the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, I fear that you might be correct.  I would suggest that this would be a place for Tom Pohlad to "step up to the plate" and do something that is necessary to compete in 2027, and let's be fair, the QO for Jeffers is an overpay.  Help is definitely on the way in the form of Vahn Lackey (and others), so a short term fairly substantial investment would do well to bridge that gap.  We're not talking long-term commitment here -- just enough to keep the team competitive in the short-term.  

[Rod Carews Birthday]

12 minutes ago, LewFordLives said:

Royce is definitely going to be one of the more interesting decisions. Do they want to pay him $5 million in arbitration?  My guess is that they will.  He's teased us with enough glimpses of what he could be for the Twins to not pull the plug just yet. 

But yeah, a guy with a sub .300 OBP and no permanent position is not worthy of a guaranteed spot in the lineup.

This.  I think it's interesting that Brooks Lee has outperformed Royce Lewis in every meaningful statistical way -- all while attempting to play out of position/beyond his abilities for part of the season at SS.  And yet, we think of Brooks Lee as "adequate" while we sit and dream on what we think Royce Lewis could become.  I'm not a Lee fan, but I'll take him 9 times out of 10 over Lewis.  

Both Royce Lewis and Twins would be well served by a trade in the offseason.  His value is much less than high, but he would be worth something/could possibly be combined with another trade candidate like Bailey Ober to get something a little bit worthwhile, like a serviceable bullpen piece. 

[mickster]

2 hours ago, chinmusic said:

Luke Keaschall looks like this generation's Charlie Hustle. Pity his defense is so offensive. Still, I don't really see him as a DH. We'll see how it plays out.

I am thinking he will be in LF

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

How about this lineup instead for a strike shortened season or after the all star break (whichever the case may be):

1. Keaschall - LF/DH

2. Culpepper - 2B

3. Buxton - DH/LF

4. Jeffers - C

5. Jenkins - CF

6. ERod - RF

7. Lee - 3B

8. Lewis - 1B 

9. Houston - SS

Clemens, Martin, Catatini plus one (Gonzalez, Roden, Winokur) make up the bench.

Note that given the low overall cost of this lineup, we re-resign Jeffers to a 3/4 yr $10-15MM/year deal.  He and Lackey become our starting C’s as early as ‘28 and Jeffers can DH more once Buxton moves on after that season.

This is how you build a lineup to actually compete for a World Series as early as ‘28 and for several more years.

 

 

This is close to where I see it and I think you're right that this team has plenty of money to give Jeffers a 4 year, 15-18m AAV contract. It'll take at least that; I may be low. Also Keaschall is not  going to be a DH. I think they'll either re-sign Bell or rotate that through the 4 OFs and Gabriel Gonzalez. That's why GG's here now, to see if he's ready. Houston is a nice fantasy but nowhere near ready. He's fading big time at AA, although good overall, and he'll get at least a half season in AAA before even being considered and only then if he's tearing it up. He's a September 2027 to mid-season 2028 play. However, I think the exercise is to use guys we have and know we'll have next year, so here's my thoughts. We don't have a great hitter in the lineup so I've empathized speed at the top to create runs:

Keaschall LF/DH

Culpepper SS

Jenkins CF/DH

Buxton RF/DH

Clemens 2B (Jeffers if re-signed with Caratini dropping out and everyone goes down one) 

Lee 3B

Lewis 1B

EmRod LF/RF/DH (GG v. LH starters)

Caratini C

Frankly, pretty uninspiring. We need to sign or trade for a true middle of the order bat. That player could be a DH/1B like Yandy Diaz, but there ain't much there. The second best available FA bat for 2027 is.... Josh Bell. I hope we can keep Jeffers. 

 

 

 

[mickster]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

How about this lineup instead for a strike shortened season or after the all star break (whichever the case may be):

1. Keaschall - LF/DH

2. Culpepper - 2B

3. Buxton - DH/LF

4. Jeffers - C

5. Jenkins - CF

6. ERod - RF

7. Lee - 3B

8. Lewis - 1B 

9. Houston - SS

Clemens, Martin, Catatini plus one (Gonzalez, Roden, Winokur) make up the bench.

Note that given the low overall cost of this lineup, we re-resign Jeffers to a 3/4 yr $10-15MM/year deal.  He and Lackey become our starting C’s as early as ‘28 and Jeffers can DH more once Buxton moves on after that season.

This is how you build a lineup to actually compete for a World Series as early as ‘28 and for several more years.

 

 

Houston wont' be ready.   Erod/Gonzalez both won't be there.   i would prefer Josh Bell comes back.   I would also prefer Larnach over Martin - even with the lean to the LH

[LastOnePicked]

16 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Unfortunately, I fear that you might be correct.  I would suggest that this would be a place for Tom Pohlad to "step up to the plate" and do something that is necessary to compete in 2027

If I'm Tom Pohlad, I do two things:

1) I order Zoll to make the QO to Jeffers immediately. Let him know that there's a place for him in 2027, but if he can land a 2-3 year extension from someone else, take it. We'll take the compensatory pick.

2) And then I change my last name to Richlad. I'm Tom Richlad. If we can't change the ownership here, at least change the vibe.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I can’t imagine an ownership group who truly states that they want to win would go into next year with zero external additions to their position player side. I just can’t see it.

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, mnfireman said:

Feeling the Buxton love....

It's tough love, very tough lately. 

[MMBoys93]

I’d love to envision a more interesting bench as well. They have to explore trading some of these excess OFs for some major league help at other positions 

Take on some contracts that other small market clubs are looking to get out of and get a little more value in your trades.