Envisioning the 2027 Twins Starting Lineup

[Patzky]

7 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

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. 

 

 

 

I've also heard songs about a lack of good free agents this offseason. 

[Chembry]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Rotation options w/o changes: Bradley - Matthews - Ryan - Kremer - Prielipp - Rojas - Abel - Lopez - Ober ($50M)

PEN options w/o changes: Banda - Sands - Hoffman - Morris - Festa - Gomez - Funderburk - Anderson - Nance ……. I can’t take Adams seriously & Minter & Rogers are gone. ($28M)

18 guys currently at varying levels of health and effectiveness……….to me, absolutely should be able to get, at a minimum, 10 effective guys from this group to bring North in ‘27.

Rodriguez - Gonzalez - Jenkins - Keaschall - Culpepper are all minimum guys ………. Lee - Lewis - Clemens - Jackson ($13M total)

Buxton - Caratini cost $25M including Caratini’s ‘28 buyout.

This group costs $106M ……… Tom can’t go forward with the “competitive slant” without spending another $35 - $40M! …… right? Seriously question,  he has to add payroll and sign 3-4 other players at a minimum - right? Thoughts?

Praying for some spending floor to be enacted for ‘27 or starting in ‘28!

 

Tom Pohlad has committed to raising the payroll in 2027.  How much remains to be seen, but he has admitted that cutting payroll for the 2024 season was mistake. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-chairman-tom-pohlad-says-twins-will-increase-payroll-in-2027

[AKTwinsFan]

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. 

[Eris]

The Twins currently roster is along way from being a playoff competitive team—especially on defense. On the current roster only Keaschall and Larnach (who many expect not to be on team next year) have hit well enough to justify carrying them on the team despite their poor defense. There should be an expectation that everyone else is average or better defensively. Currently, Lee, Culpepper,  Jenkins and maybe Clemens likely meet that. Buxton is now a below average CF and needs a new position. Everyone else the Twins need to consider moving on from. 

[HarmonK03]

58 minutes ago, Sampson5 said:

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 

Lewis had a down stretch in July after the all star break and now again the last 10 days.  To say his hot streak was only a few weeks is not a fair statement.  And how can you judge his play at 1B, he is learning it on the fly.  It took Mauer a couple of years to get comfortable and master the position.

As for Lee, I agree with you.

[1985Fan]

Bring back Jeffers by offering the QO. I agree that the CBA uncertainty will make the QO a viable option for him. He’s a veteran and it allows the Twins another year to develop a catcher, even a stop gap guy until Lackey is ready. 
I think they’ll start the season with Lewis at 1B, probably gets the first half to see what happens. If he’s still more miss than hit, then he can be traded or released, but at least they will have given him every opportunity before moving on. 
I see Clemons as a starter next year until someone pushes him to the bench. Not sure if Ross is ready to step up and take 2nd base job next year. Or if Morissette is an option. But Clemons is great LH bat utility guy. Kreidler should be a bench guy based on his defense and ability to play SS and other infield spots. 
They need to add another RH bat with some pop. Jeffers and Buxton have the RH pop when they play. Can’t really count on Lewis, but it would be great if he started next year hot to prove he is for real. I have my doubts. Twins don’t have confidence in Sabato or Rosario, so they may have to go outside via a trade or FA. I hope they don’t get a DH type guy to take DH AB’s away from Keaschall as he should only play OF on a part time basis. 

 

[Wedman13]

I like Kody.  If he is our cleanup hitter next year I'm out.  There are 3 other major sports teams in this town (no offense to the Lynx and soccer team) that go for it.  Hard.  I'm not anti Pohlad and never would be but we need a splash.  Something , just anything.  Donaldson this, Correa that... at least they tried.  If Kody is cleanup from day 1, I'm gone.  Trade Jenkins, Culpepper I don't care.  Just something.  This dance has gone on so far too long...

[MapleGroveTwinsFan]

Maybe a post for another thread, but what would a trade for Hunter Goodman look like he is locked up though 29, Would some combination of Erod/Winokur/Festa or Soto and Wallner get anywhere near? 

[c24]

1 hour ago, ewen21 said:

75% of 50% of 162 which equates to 20 games in CF and 60 games DHing.  This says to me we need a CF.  At some point next season, no matter what he is doing, the Twins really should tell Buxton he will not be resigned.  Perhaps then he will waive his no trade and we can deal him at the deadline for a prospect.  It really is time to move forward and get away from this lunacy.  We need players who will play.

The hope behind him playing DH 75% of the time is that he can play for more than 80 games. I realize it's a BIG emphasis on hope

[Chembry]

11 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

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.

Keeping Jeffers only makes sense if they were going to extend a QO.  Gleeman has reported that the QO is still up in the air for Jeffers and also stated that Jeffers would likely decline.  It will be an interesting choice given Jeffers will have to make a decision in November and the lockout starting December 1st.  It's likely that free agency will be significantly shortened.  I do wonder if Jeffers would accept a QO and take a guaranteed $23M contract vs the unknown. 

Worst case scenario, we have Jeffers one more year or get a comp pick.  He will likely get 4/$80M anyway.

[HerbieFan]

2 hours 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.

 

 

Dang...I was gonna post my preferred version but his is basically it.

[HarmonK03]

59 minutes ago, Wedman13 said:

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.

This is a good article based on the roster as constructed currently.  But there has to be changes, unless they think some players can make a big leap or continue to grow.  We have been a sub .500 team for the last few years with a lot of these players. They need an honest evaluation of where they are at and what they need moving forward.  Just stop signing league 1 year stop gaps.

Milwaukee, Cleveland and TB are able to stay competitive without spending.  It's how about the resources are spent.  One big free agent signing is not going to make a significant difference on this team. 

We need a new front office that is experienced and can present a plan to Tom P. of how best to use the resources and ask for a reasonable budget.  Unless there are changes to the CBA to think the payroll budget will go up more than $30 to $40m in one year is not going to happen despite what Tom said.  And it may go up that much and may not need to if they decide to go young and fill in the holes with free agents in 2028.

[jmlease1]

33 minutes 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.  

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)

[wesnewy]

I’m very interested to see how the new CBA will affect free agency, potentially retaining players like Jeffers and Ryan. When in a normal offseason they would be quickly outbid

[MeleMouth]

This lineup is reasonable based on who's on the team now.

However, if Buxton needs hip surgery, as I believe he does, he will need at least six months of rehab to play baseball. Depending on when he has surgery and how long any work stoppage takes, that could affect his availability at the beginning of the season. They should also add in time for him to get up to speed, because his swing, which always requires practice to get the timing right, will take even longer to adjust if he gets hip surgery.

[MeleMouth]

22 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

This is a good article based on the roster as constructed currently.  But there has to be changes, unless they think some players can make a big leap or continue to grow.  We have been a sub .500 team for the last few years with a lot of these players. They need an honest evaluation of where they are at and what they need moving forward.  Just stop signing league 1 year stop gaps.

Milwaukee, Cleveland and TB are able to stay competitive without spending.  It's how about the resources are spent.  One big free agent signing is not going to make a significant difference on this team. 

We need a new front office that is experienced and can present a plan to Tom P. of how best to use the resources and ask for a reasonable budget.  Unless there are changes to the CBA to think the payroll budget will go up more than $30 to $40m in one year is not going to happen despite what Tom said.  And it may go up that much and may not need to if they decide to go young and fill in the holes with free agents in 2028.

I would note that the ChiSox learned that, if they remove expensive contracts from an underperforming roster, they have the budget room to add a difference-maker like Munetaka and make a deadline trade to get an expensive pitcher like Castillo.

[thelanges5]

51 minutes ago, Patzky said:

I've also heard songs about a lack of good free agents this offseason. 

Plenty of guys out there that could help the Minnesota Twins.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2027

[Patzky]

11 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Plenty of guys out there that could help the Minnesota Twins.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2027

Might take a flyer on Jeff McNeill 

[LastOnePicked]

41 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Milwaukee, Cleveland and TB are able to stay competitive without spending. 

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.

[Wedman13]

14 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Plenty of guys out there that could help the Minnesota Twins.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2027

Not sure if sarcasm or not but ouch that list sucks 

[thelanges5]

Just now, Wedman13 said:

Not sure if sarcasm or not but ouch that list sucks 

Not at all. Sign Arraez to play 2nd and Yandy Diaz to DH. Re-sign Minter. Thats a start. 

[MeleMouth]

18 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Plenty of guys out there that could help the Minnesota Twins.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2027

Hey! Arraez could play 2B and Vazquez could be the back-up C!

At 1B, Jake Bauers is going to get paid.

[LA Vikes Fan]

7 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Plenty of guys out there that could help the Minnesota Twins.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2027

Really? Maybe you and I are looking for different things. I'm looking for a quality bat that can hit 3, 4, or 5 on a consistent top 10 scoring team. I don't see anyone other than Yandy Diaz or, you guessed it, Josh Bell, and he could only hit 5. I think we can get away with just 1 more if Buxton hits 3 and Jeffers hit 5, with a strong left-handed bat at 4. We got the other guys.

Let's be honest about what we have. We have guys that can hit 1 and 2, and a whole bunch of guys who can hit 6 through 9. In fact, I think the dream back end of the order would be Clemens at 6, Lewis at 7, and Lee at 8 or something similar, with EmRod/GG at 9 as they get their feet wet. Put Keaschall, Jenkins, and Culpepper at 1, 2 and 3, in whichever order you like better and you might have something. Problem is who hits 4 and 5? Maybe Buxton takes one spot but then you need a big thumper for the other and we just don't have that guy. Jeffers is okay but he really should be hitting 6 or 7. Get a big thumper he can divide the lineup into  Keaschall, Jenkins and Culpepper in the 1 – 3 response, Clemens, Lewis and Lee in the 7 – 9 spots, and Buxton plus the FA and hopefully Jeffers 3-5, and maybe there's something there.

   

[MeleMouth]

7 minutes ago, Wedman13 said:

Not sure if sarcasm or not but ouch that list sucks 

The Twins have almost always regretted big buck and even medium buck free agents, and in fact many Twins fans almost come to hate some of the players signed to the biggest contracts, so I would hope they step only lightly into free agency, but there actually will be some very good players available.

[ashbury]

I misread the subject line. Since this is a thread about Buxton ...

Trying to save wear and tear on him is destined to fail.  They tried DH'ing him in 2023 - he still wound up hurting himself, batting or running the bases, and missed games, including two stints on the IL.

I go ahead and put him in CF, and prepare better for his absences - Michael A Taylor worked out well and so did Harrison Bader last season.  If Jenkins has a good September then he's it, but the contingency plan shifts to one of the corner OF spots.  The OutMan/Martin/Kreidler/Keaschall as Plan B this season was just plain reckless.

[MeleMouth]

1 hour ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

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. 

 

 

 

Signing free agents has often been a regretful experience for the Twins, but if Josh Bell is the second best available bat, they should look hard at Jake Bauers if he will take less money than Bell.

[Mike Sixel]

24 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

Plenty of guys out there that could help the Minnesota Twins.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/available/_/year/2027

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. 

 

[Mike Sixel]

14 minutes ago, Wedman13 said:

Not sure if sarcasm or not but ouch that list sucks 

Agreed.

[ashbury]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

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

Just a quibble but these aren't as close to equivalent as might seem.  $23M QO would be for one year.  A pitcher of the caliber to get $30M gets 5 or 6 years IMO.  Maybe the Twins feel as lucky as the Phillies turned out to be with Zack Wheeler 2020-24.  Maybe they look at other, more cautionary signings.  But the calculation for the FO won't be similar.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Just a quibble but these aren't as close to equivalent as might seem.  $23M QO would be for one year.  A pitcher of the caliber to get $30M gets 5 or 6 years IMO.  Maybe the Twins feel as lucky as the Phillies turned out to be with Zack Wheeler 2020-24.  Maybe they look at other, more cautionary signings.  But the calculation for the FO won't be similar.

Agreed. But you don't win by signing three mediocre guys. Either go big, or play rookies. There just aren't hitters in this class outside one that is super elite.