Envisioning the 2027 Twins Starting Lineup

[lukeduke1980]

Josh Bell's contract looks to be a mutual option for 10 million.  I almost bet he declines it if the free agent market is weak.

[TheLeviathan]

Is Kody Clemens the guy that we've seen in April and August or the guy from May-July?  Hitting him cleanup is an instant "Welp, lottery team" feel for me.  I would much rather do the following:

1B - Keaschall

CF - Jenkins

DH - Buxton (Mixing him in the field as well, but we're at the stage where this is primarily his spot)

C - Jeffers (You just need to pony up.  You blew it at the deadline, letting him walk is compounding the mistake)

3B - Lee

SS - Culpepper

LF - Erod

RF - Mendez?  Wallner?  Roden? FA splash?  Trade?

2B - Lewis?  FA guy who can play defense?  Clemens worst case?

I'm all done fielding low ceiling guys, who can't hit or can't field or both.  This team needs to embrace being young next year and building for the future.

 

[ashbury]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Agreed. But you don't win by signing three mediocre guys. Either go big, or play rookies.

That's why it was a quibble.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

I agree with most of this. Lewis needs to be replaced with a big bat 1B that can play a little defense too. That is the biggest weakness in our lineup now and in your projection. Sign a true #4 hitter to play 1B and the lineup looks a lot better. 

Love Keaschall batting leadoff and DH. His defense is questionable at best. 

Jenkins in RF works great. Strong arm. Can easily move to CF if (when?) Buxton gets hurt. CFer of the future, I believe. 

Buxton in CF. This is obvious until he's hurt. When healthy, he's among the best players in the league. 

That big bat 1B I want to sign bats 4th. 

Which allows Clemens to bat 5th. Very good defense and solid bat. 

Culpepper at SS until Houston is ready. Really liking Culpepper. 

Brooks Lee batting 7th, playing 3B. The team seems to absolutely love him. I dont see them batting him even 7th, but hes not the top of the order guy they seem to think he is. 

ERod in LF batting 8th seems like a good starting point. Could easily see him moving up the order, especially if he forces the issue. 

Caratini at C, batting 9th. Not a huge fan of Caratini. His defense and game calling are fine, I guess. He just doesnt do anything for me. But with drafting Lackey and Tinney, I really dont see them upgrading the position unless Jeffers surprises us all and accepts a QO. 

In theory, this lineup should score some runs. 

Another possibility that would cost less and still make the lineup better would be still trading Lewis. He should be traded. Period. Move Clemens to 1B and sign Arraez. Doesn't give us the big bat in the cleanup spot but it does give us a  high batting average that puts the ball in play. With all the stranded runners we have, someone getting a base hit to drive some of them in would be a huge boost right now. We've been pretty good at getting guys on base this year. Just haven't been driving them in since the All Star break. Arraez wants to play 2B and his defense has been average or slightly above this year. 

 

[djvang]

2 hours ago, Brandon said:

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.  

Bell has had a solid year. The problem with keeping him as DH is that it forces them to play Keaschall in the field, where he is a huge liability. He simply doesn't have the arm for RF or CF and doesn't have the glove for IF. They could possibly hide him in LF but DH is his best position

 

[cmoss84]

The pitchforks came out and I was told to enjoy this year when I brought up Twins baseball after this season...be careful what you write about!

[djvang]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

3. Is it worth rolling the dice on another try for Lewis at 1B (and maybe a little 2B)? The defense has shown signs of being good, but he's also another streaky hitter who has slowed down after his June blitz upon recall. Will he give the team enough or is that the spot to look to invest in?

They need to get him to stop trying to pull every pitch. It's maddening watching him continue to flail at the low outside pitch. He doesn't learn.

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

Twins should have plenty of options to support CF next season for sure. Jenkins is a legit CF, Rodriguez is as well. That should make it easier to ensure that Keaschall isn't stretched there and you have coverage for CF if/when Buxton goes down.

It's a little sad to see so much negativity directed at Buxton. It's not like the dude is asking to get hurt, and if anything his willingness to play (which for some players would be called "gutty") through injury is being treated as a detriment. He's still as good a hitter as anyone on this team; even with his slump before going on the IL again he's got an OPS+ of 130. 130! Even with only 93 games he's got the highest bWAR on the roster.

The lineup has 3 issues to address for 2027:

1. How much are they willing to go with untested young players like Rodriguez to fill in holes like RF
2. How much can they rely on Clemens at 2B (we've been pretty happy with him this season, but he's very streaky, hopeless against LHP, and even in a career year he's going to top out as an average to slightly above average regular)
3. Is it worth rolling the dice on another try for Lewis at 1B (and maybe a little 2B)? The defense has shown signs of being good, but he's also another streaky hitter who has slowed down after his June blitz upon recall. Will he give the team enough or is that the spot to look to invest in?

I think you have to go with youth in the OF in 2027, plus Buxton. Jenkins, Rodriguez, Keaschall, and one of Roden/Gonzalez/Mendez certainly gives you enough coverage for the OF and DH.

The really hard questions are about 1B and 2B. Clemens is a nice floor-setter, but the ceiling isn't high. But if you believe in Marek Houston, 2B is probably where you project Culpepper to go, unless you're convinced Lee is hitting his ceiling. (Notably, Lee has hit about as well as Clemens, and is a fine 3B and is 5 years younger. Lee has improved every season he's been in MLB, so presuming he's peaked already seems...overly pessimistic) 1B is one of the easier spots to fill in FA, but are we going to do that much better than Royce or just spend more money? Would going into next season with a full offseason position Royce well to be good out the gate?

Buxton, Keaschall, Jenkins, and Culpepper should be quality offensive players. Lee, Clemens, and Lewis should at least be average. That's a pretty good lineup, even if Caratini and/or Jackson is bad, especially if they get real contributions from Rodriguez (or Roden/Gonzalez/Mendez)

I suspect Clemens will go from 2b to a super sub role.  If Lewis doesn't get over .750 OPS he could get minimized with Clemens getting more time at 1B when Houston takes over SS and Culpepper and Lee are the teams 2B and 3B.  Lewis can come into next season with us because we have several contingency options.  This is why I still see the Twins keeping Bell next season.  

OF has Rodriguez, Jenkins, Buxton, and Keaschall with 3 players with regular injury histories.  Gabriel Gonzales is in AAA and Mendez could push Clemens there instead of 1B if we need more help there. 

I have Bell getting most of the DH AB with some 1B even though he shouldn't get much time there.  Gabriel Gonzales could also get time at 1B as well.  

I am hoping the Twins offer Jeffers a QO and he takes it.  We are primed to compete and a good hitting C makes a big upgrade for the team.  

[Brandon]

29 minutes ago, djvang said:

Bell has had a solid year. The problem with keeping him as DH is that it forces them to play Keaschall in the field, where he is a huge liability. He simply doesn't have the arm for RF or CF and doesn't have the glove for IF. They could possibly hide him in LF but DH is his best position

 

I agree about Keaschall defense however, if Bell is a clubhouse leader and I hear he likes it there and he knocked in 95 RBI this year, It's kinda a no brainer to keep him on an 8.75 million decision.  Keaschall could DH some and so can Buxton.  But Bell will be in the field some of those days.  That doesn't help the D either.  

[Brandon]

37 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Is Kody Clemens the guy that we've seen in April and August or the guy from May-July?  Hitting him cleanup is an instant "Welp, lottery team" feel for me.  I would much rather do the following:

1B - Keaschall

CF - Jenkins

DH - Buxton (Mixing him in the field as well, but we're at the stage where this is primarily his spot)

C - Jeffers (You just need to pony up.  You blew it at the deadline, letting him walk is compounding the mistake)

3B - Lee

SS - Culpepper

LF - Erod

RF - Mendez?  Wallner?  Roden? FA splash?  Trade?

2B - Lewis?  FA guy who can play defense?  Clemens worst case?

I'm all done fielding low ceiling guys, who can't hit or can't field or both.  This team needs to embrace being young next year and building for the future.

 

With how our pitching is set up next year.  Next year is a go for it year.  We need to optimize as best we can our offense.  And they do that with a good bench and hopefully resign Jeffers on a QO.  

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, LastOnePicked said:

They do that by making the kinds of sell-high trades we were unwilling to make. Plus, they have a system of development that far outshines ours.

Smarts may not always beat money, but it gives a team a good chance.

Not Milwaukee. They've brought back virtually no useful players after trading away their stars. They are winning DESPITE their high profile trades, not because of them.

And this isn't unique to Milwaukee and Tampa. They're doing what the Twins and A's were doing two decades ago. Well built team with chemistry that can  cruise through the regular season, but not enough top end talent to win when you get to the playoffs.

[Road trip]

2 hours ago, AKTwinsFan said:

Have we completely forgot about Mr. Baseball Matt Wallner? Hes only got 24 HRs and 70+ RBIs since being demoted. Let Larnach go by trade and get Wallner back up for an additional DH or something. Hes too good of a hitter to let sit in AAA or worse yet join a AL rival. 

I think the Twins have forgotten him, at least for this year.  Calling up Gonzalez instead of Wallner kind of confirms that.

Having said that, many on here are saying "$20 million is too much for Jeffers" while others are calling for spending $10 million on Bell.

There is no obvious external or internal candidate to replace Jeffers.  Spend the money on Jeffers you were going to give to Bell, who can be replaced at DH by absolutely anyone, be it Wallner, Keaschall, Buxton, Sabato, or a cheap free agent pickup.  Yes, there will very possibly be a drop off in production compared to Bell, but the drop off is minimal compared to a chasm-sized drop off if Jeffers isn't the catcher.  I'd vastly prefer Jeffers + random DH in 2027 compared to Bell + random catcher.

[thelanges5]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Which hitters would you sign, for what position? 

I'm ready to deal Lewis for a prospect. Put Keaschell at first, or DH. Manny Rodriguez and Jenkins and Gonzalez and Roden in addition to Buxton. Diaw will be crushing AAA in the middle of the year and pushing for an OF spot. 

I don't offer Jeffers. You want to spend 23 million? Sign the best starting pitcher you can for thirty. 

Catcher is a real issue next year. I think Houston is your shortstop no later than June, with Culpeper moving to second....

I just don't see a realistic hitter to sign. 

 

Yandy Diaz got enough in the tank for 1 more season? 128 career OPS+ and 132 this year. Primarily a DH at age 34.

They should have the Buxton insurance with the young guys you mentioned. 

Effed at catcher, Caratini making Vazqy look good. 

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

6 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Not Milwaukee. They've brought back virtually no useful players after trading away their stars. They are winning DESPITE their high profile trades, not because of them.

The brewers traded Caleb Durbin after is rookie year at age 25, and is the definition of league average hitter, and Andruw Monasterio 29 and is utility player who at his best is a league average hitter and in return got a 24/25 year old Kyle Harrison who has been in and out of the majors since he was 21 and is 10-3 with a 2.79 ERA and 127 K's in 103 innings and David Hamilton who plays good defense but can't hit (but not much than Durbin) 

That is a win in my book, imagine the Twins trading any of the 24/25 year old rookies for a pitcher like that (Lewis, Miranda, Julien, Larnach, Wallner, Martin, am I missing anybody else)

[Kummel]

I agree with others here re: the talented, loyal, but oft-injured Buxton.   Constructing a team again next year which assumes Buxton slots in to CF is unrealistic.  And it means there is also a very high chance the offense will sputter when injuries mean either he is not playing or his batting is deteriorating so badly he is clogging the lineup.   He has said he doesn't do as well when only DHing.  So continuing to build a team around him will just continue to contribute to the all too frequent end-of-season Twins meltdowns.   Jenkins in CF.

Please, please, put your money where your mouth is and spend $$ to resign Jeffers.  Consider one more year with Bell -- as main DH.  

I saw Keaschall's recent, terrible game in CF, but he is hard worker, a willing learner, and speedy.  Is there any chance he could be one of those players who makes surprising progress defensively (RF)?  If his arm just isn't there, then plug him in at 1B (Lewis showed a few flashes at plate, but is still susceptible to lunging and other old habits). 

 

 

 

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

23 minutes ago, Brandon said:

With how our pitching is set up next year.  Next year is a go for it year.  We need to optimize as best we can our offense.  And they do that with a good bench and hopefully resign Jeffers on a QO.  

Next year is the year to go for it and Jeffers at 20 plus million and Bell at close to 10 million are the guys to go for it with? IMO there really isn't a FA that is worthy of signing and continuing to block prospects. They need to get creative and trade away some guys even if it is an overpay and for middle of the order type of hitter. 

[Mike Sixel]

If you spend 23 million on Jeffers, he better play first or DH when not catching. Because he's not even going to catch half the games this year....

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

Next year is the year to go for it and Jeffers at 20 plus million and Bell at close to 10 million are the guys to go for it with? IMO there really isn't a FA that is worthy of signing and continuing to block prospects. They need to get creative and trade away some guys even if it is an overpay and for middle of the order type of hitter. 

People basically want to bring back Jeffers and Bell and everyone else on this roster.... And expect new results....

[thelanges5]

4 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

If you spend 23 million on Jeffers, he better play first or DH when not catching. Because he's not even going to catch half the games this year....

I’ve definitely been on the Jeffers qualifying offer train, mostly because I think offer it and get the draft pick. But what if he accepts? He doesn’t play more than 100 games a season and he has faded just like everybody else on this roster in the second half.

[nicksaviking]

18 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Yandy Diaz got enough in the tank for 1 more season? 128 career OPS+ and 132 this year. Primarily a DH at age 34.

They should have the Buxton insurance with the young guys you mentioned. 

Effed at catcher, Caratini making Vazqy look good. 

I'd happily take Yandy Diaz, but the Rays have a 12M player option they'd be absolutely insane not to exercise. I'd pay him 3x that amount if he was available.

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

People basically want to bring back Jeffers and Bell and everyone else on this roster.... And expect new results....

100% because next year is the year that Wallner, Larnach, Lewis, Martin, Roden figure out. 

[TheLeviathan]

38 minutes ago, Brandon said:

With how our pitching is set up next year.  Next year is a go for it year.  We need to optimize as best we can our offense.  And they do that with a good bench and hopefully resign Jeffers on a QO.  

I wish I could agree with you but I can't.  This team didn't set themselves up for that timetable.  I think next year is the equivalent of the 2000 Twins.  Time to turn it over to a new generation and let them play.

This team, unfortunately, whiffed on trading Lopez, Ryan, Jeffers, Larnach, and others that could have really put some nice pieces around the 2028 Twins.  Think about how much better we'd feel with Tolle and Arias on that team.  With a reliever we got back for Jeffers.  For whatever Lopez would've fetched in the offseason.  

They're not ready to contend.  They are ready, however, to start the window of a new generation of talent.  Time to stop short-term thinking and start building around that.

[nicksaviking]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

People basically want to bring back Jeffers and Bell and everyone else on this roster.... And expect new results....

I only want to keep Jeffers and Ryan. If there were free agents I wanted, I'd happily upgrade there, but there is seriously like ten free agents max I'd want to add to the roster, and outside of Skubal I think I'd prefer Ryan and Jeffers over any of them. Maybe Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena, but they aren't exactly great fits and if you swing and miss on them, then you're left with money to spend on worse players than you already had.

For this spend-thrift franchise, improvement was always going to come from within. They did a poor job of acclimating several of the top young players so far this year, but we got a month left to see if they can prepare them for 2027.

[nicksaviking]

9 minutes ago, MapleGroveTwinsFan said:

100% because next year is the year that Wallner, Larnach, Lewis, Martin, Roden figure out. 

I don't see anyone saying this. Pretty sure just about everyone has moved on to Keaschall, Culpepper, Jenkins, E-Rod and Lackey. I don't want to bring in more low ceiling Josh Bells and Victor Caratinis in just to take roster spots and ABs away.

[TheLeviathan]

4 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't see anyone saying this. Pretty sure just about everyone has moved on to Keaschall, Culpepper, Jenkins, E-Rod and Lackey. I don't want to bring in more low ceiling Josh Bells and Victor Caratinis in just to take roster spots and ABs away.

Personally I only have them in the mix as placeholders until someone like Marek Houston or another prospect is ready to take their place.  At least with Lewis and Wallner there might be some sliver of hope they can find it again rather than Bell or Caratini.

I'd probably rather find some OF version of Kyle Harrison and buy low, give them playing time, and see if we can get lucky.

I'm in the same boat on Jeffers - I'm locking him up because I can't think of a better way to spend the money and he can hold down the fort until Lackey is ready.  

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Which hitters would you sign, for what position? 

I'm ready to deal Lewis for a prospect. Put Keaschell at first, or DH. Manny Rodriguez and Jenkins and Gonzalez and Roden in addition to Buxton. Diaw will be crushing AAA in the middle of the year and pushing for an OF spot. 

I don't offer Jeffers. You want to spend 23 million? Sign the best starting pitcher you can for thirty. 

Catcher is a real issue next year. I think Houston is your shortstop no later than June, with Culpeper moving to second....

I just don't see a realistic hitter to sign. 

 

I guess it depends on what you mean by realistic, to me. Is Yandy realistic? Probably not to sign because they'd be crazy to not pick up his option. But maybe in trade? They've been trying to move him for years. 

Arraez feels realistic, though. You wouldn't take Luis Arraez on this team? He'd probably be my first call when FA opens.

If Pohlad really means he'll invest/spend (good joke, I know), Seiya Suzuki as the primary DH with some OF time would be a great fit, I think.

If they came out of this offseason with Arraez, Yandy, and Seiya in their lineup, I'd be feeling pretty good about things. 

How realistic that is a whole different thing. But I'd be happy adding any of those 3 without a doubt. Arozarena is a little intriguing, too.

If they can get any of those 4 on short-term deals, I'd be quite happy. Those are 4 legitimate MLB hitters. Prices and contract lengths (or trade pieces for Yandy) being big factors in things, obviously.

[weitz41]

It's an interesting line up. Definitely would want an upgrade or two.

Brandon Lowe is a good defensive 2b and plenty of power. I know he's another injury worry but him in the 4 hole would be pretty potent. A two-year deal? Then Clemens would be on the bench or able to cover for Emma if he struggles and injuries. Plus, it buys time for Houston/Culpepper/Lee=SS/3B/2B

Gotta find a defensive home for Keaschall...Him at DH feels like a missed opportunity to upgrade the roster. No, I don't have any idea where his D is best hidden.

Resign Jeffers. QO or 3 years $15-$20 mil per. I mean, we paid Vazquez 10 mil per. Jeffers is at least 50% better.

Royce..what to do...what to do. No idea. Keep? I guess it would depend on any trade offers. Can Keaschall play an average 1B?

I'd copy the line up posted, but switch Lowe for Clemens and Jeffers for Caratini.

If I'm free to spend even more $ I'd try and get Suzuki for DH/RF and Abreu for the BP. It's not my money so more upgrades. 😀

 

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Which hitters would you sign, for what position? 

I'm ready to deal Lewis for a prospect. Put Keaschell at first, or DH. Manny Rodriguez and Jenkins and Gonzalez and Roden in addition to Buxton. Diaw will be crushing AAA in the middle of the year and pushing for an OF spot. 

I don't offer Jeffers. You want to spend 23 million? Sign the best starting pitcher you can for thirty. 

Catcher is a real issue next year. I think Houston is your shortstop no later than June, with Culpeper moving to second....

I just don't see a realistic hitter to sign. 

 

I like the idea of Keashall at 1B.  We need Houston to step up and push Culpepper to 2B.  That's a better IF than we are accustomed to in MN.   Match that with an OF that has Jenkins and Rodriguez and they should rate in the upper 1/3 defensively..

[Whammy]

6 hours ago, PuckettPond said:

History has told us Buxton will play less than 50% because his body is breaking down. If he was a horse he'd be sent to the glue factory. 🐴

History has told us no such thing. The last time he played less than half of the games was 2021 (and before that it was 2018).

 

[Mike Sixel]

17 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I guess it depends on what you mean by realistic, to me. Is Yandy realistic? Probably not to sign because they'd be crazy to not pick up his option. But maybe in trade? They've been trying to move him for years. 

Arraez feels realistic, though. You wouldn't take Luis Arraez on this team? He'd probably be my first call when FA opens.

If Pohlad really means he'll invest/spend (good joke, I know), Seiya Suzuki as the primary DH with some OF time would be a great fit, I think.

If they came out of this offseason with Arraez, Yandy, and Seiya in their lineup, I'd be feeling pretty good about things. 

How realistic that is a whole different thing. But I'd be happy adding any of those 3 without a doubt. Arozarena is a little intriguing, too.

If they can get any of those 4 on short-term deals, I'd be quite happy. Those are 4 legitimate MLB hitters. Prices and contract lengths (or trade pieces for Yandy) being big factors in things, obviously.

I mean, I begged them to deal for Arraez....