1B for next season

[DocBauer]

On 9/8/2026 at 9:22 PM, Cory Engelhardt said:

An outfield thread is certainly one that should maybe be different from this one. But I have a hard time penciling Rodriguez or Martin or Gonzalez into the outfield picture in 2027. I mean, Rodriguez is out of options and on the 40 and still hasn't been called up? Are we certain they believe in him being up next year? And Martin, I don't know, he was great in April and then just pretty absent otherwise. And Gonzalez, I'm not even certain he is a big leaguer, and certainly hasn't shown to be someone who can be above average defensively.

I THINK you can certainly get a big bat in the outfield and then roll with Jenkins and Keaschall and big bat addition along with HOPEFULLY Buxton being ok. But maybe Rodriguez is in their plans even though he hasn't been called up?

Infield, the middle infield specifically, I'm certain Culpepper is a part of it. I also WANT to think Houston is the one next to him. I just have this question now in my head overall with the smoke from the deadline around potentially looking into Zach Neto. I am NOT saying I think he is the answer, but I certainly am also keeping Brooks Lee around. My question is, IF Tom Pohlad is saying that he wants to do big moves to try and win, that means I'm not certain that the infield grouping includes Culepper and Lee AND Houston. IF they love Houston, great. But I don't know that he is going to be there opening day 2027, so I'm so uncertain what the 3b/ss/2b will look like outside of Culpepper and Lee at 2 of those spots. 

Sorry it took me so long to comment.

I don't believe the Twins don't believe in Rodriguez. I think they are currently so obsessed with the idea of "playing for the playoffs" that they are almost blind to reality. And I sure hope that TP isn't meddling too much, or Zoll isn't too stupid to accept reality. 

Honestly, the Rodriguez situation is what is tipping me towards a whole new FO. But we also don't know everything going on.

Trading him for no reason other than FO mismanagement makes no sense. What ACTUALLY makes sense is playing him just about EVERY SINGLE DAY along with Buxton and Jenkins and Keaschall. 

The Rays, the Guardians, and the Brewers especially have shown the grit to promote and PLAY TOP prospects and live with a few speed bumps along the way.

Between 3 OF spots and DH, the Twins have the opportunity to play Rodriguez, Buxton, Keaschall, and Jenkins almost daily. And Emma is a supreme talent who probably should have been on the 2026 roster if the FO had foresight and B*LLS to do the smart thing. 

He could flame out like a lot of prospects do. But he also keeps getting better and better and has TREMENDOUS potential.  He should be in the lineup daily in 2027 and live with some speed bumps.

If you want to be stupid about how you handle Rodriguez going forward, the Rays, Guardians, and Brewers are salivating for the chance to grab him.

[DocBauer]

On 9/8/2026 at 11:12 PM, Cory Engelhardt said:

I like all of this. I really do.

Instead of a 5th OF type though, I'd rather they either trade for or sign a legit starting option. I don't know who that is, but man would Randy Arozarena look good here. He can DH or play left pretty well, and he would be fantastic in the middle of the lineup.

I'm sure there are other names, but I'd very much want to target a legit option over someone who would just be brought in to face lefties.

Someone like Grichuk would have been perfect the last couple of seasons. Someone who can be a competent corner OF who hits LHP well, but doesn't suck against RHP.

I DON'T believe that is Martin and I'm not certain Gonzalez is ready. Nor is Rosario. And depending on the roster for 2027, maybe a RH OF doesn't matter. But recent history has  shown this team needs another RH bat to enhance the lineup. So I'd really like a #5 OF who beats up LHP but doesn't suck against RHP.

[DocBauer]

On 9/8/2026 at 9:22 PM, Cory Engelhardt said:

An outfield thread is certainly one that should maybe be different from this one. But I have a hard time penciling Rodriguez or Martin or Gonzalez into the outfield picture in 2027. I mean, Rodriguez is out of options and on the 40 and still hasn't been called up? Are we certain they believe in him being up next year? And Martin, I don't know, he was great in April and then just pretty absent otherwise. And Gonzalez, I'm not even certain he is a big leaguer, and certainly hasn't shown to be someone who can be above average defensively.

I THINK you can certainly get a big bat in the outfield and then roll with Jenkins and Keaschall and big bat addition along with HOPEFULLY Buxton being ok. But maybe Rodriguez is in their plans even though he hasn't been called up?

Infield, the middle infield specifically, I'm certain Culpepper is a part of it. I also WANT to think Houston is the one next to him. I just have this question now in my head overall with the smoke from the deadline around potentially looking into Zach Neto. I am NOT saying I think he is the answer, but I certainly am also keeping Brooks Lee around. My question is, IF Tom Pohlad is saying that he wants to do big moves to try and win, that means I'm not certain that the infield grouping includes Culepper and Lee AND Houston. IF they love Houston, great. But I don't know that he is going to be there opening day 2027, so I'm so uncertain what the 3b/ss/2b will look like outside of Culpepper and Lee at 2 of those spots. 

I actually belive the Twins BELIEVE in Rodriguez. I just think they are so short minded to believe they had a chance for the playoffs that they ignored reality. I'm sure hoping that wasn't TP being stupid and short sighted and Zole just looking to keep his job. 

Teams HOPE for a talent like Rodriguez. Now it's time to put him on the 2027 roster and run with him. Just accept some bumps in the road. 

[DocBauer]

On 9/9/2026 at 9:09 AM, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Yes the Twins have to be smart about spending money - they need to start spending but where?  Its extensions - go talk to Ryan's camp but but my guess is they want free agency.  Lopez is the one who you can likely get a reasonable extension done after his injury.  He is so smart and works so hard at keeping his body in good shape.   

1.  So my first order of business is doing an extension with Lopez for 3 years  $50 to $60 million.   

2. You have to keep Joe Ryan.  With the injury I see no one overpaying.  If they do so be it you can consider it, but as of now you keep him.  With his propensity to wear down and get injured at the end of the season, I am not sure he is one I want to invest a ton of money in for long term unless you have a plan to get him rest in the middle of the season.  If we are out of contention at the deadline you can trade him.  The Qualifying offer is likely gone.  We will see if Toms relationship with Joe can get him to sign an undervalued extension, I just don't see it.  

3. 1st Base -  The free agent class is atrocious so unless you are going to trade for a 1st baseman you give Lewis 1 more shot with Clemens as your backup.   Marek Houston is likely starting in AAA next year.  So there is a very real chance he comes up at some point,  Culpepper likely moves to 2nd and then you have Lewis and Clemens fighting for 1st base duties.   See if Lewis can make progress with the bat and that the improvement Clemens has made is real.   

4. Bullpen - I resign Minter 1 year $8 million.   The dude is nails.  I don't see anyone paying him massive money with the decreasing velocity, but I think he has also appreciated the Twins trusting him and pitching him a lot more than the Mets did.  1-2 year deal.    Closer Gomez    High end relievers - Minter, Hoffman   Potential High end - Morris         -   Funderburk, Banda as your lefties.    Nance likely as your 7th arm.  Then Orze, Sands, Anderson, Acton fighting for your last spot and to fill in for injuries.  Continue to work in failed starters during the season but that feels really solid.  

Catcher - Caratini and Jackson -  Just like this year Jackson is cheap insurance - if you can find someone better so be it.   You give the Qualifying offer to Jeffers and every indication is he turns it down.  If he accepts,  there is your better option at Catcher.    Most likely the Twins end with a comp pick.  Jackson is solid but by the DFA's is not someone the Twins are married to even though they do appear to like him as they they have kept him on the roster for the majority of the year.  2027 is a placeholder for 2028.  

Outfield - Rodriguez, Jenkins Buxton, Keaschall,  Gonzalez/Mendez.     Thats a loaded outfield but I see Buxton transitioning to a lot more DH.   Save the hip and try to let him age out gracefully.   Its a young outfield and we will take our lumps - but this is shooting for 28 in my opinion.  Gonzalez and Mendez will likely start getting some 1st base work as well.  

SP - Pick the best pitcher between Ober and Kremer,  trade the other or DFA.  You likely aren't getting much back,  potentially a little more back with Kremer.   I could see more return than what the Twins paid if he can give you 3 more solid starts to end the season.   Personally I keep Kremer as I think the velocity is going to continue to decline for Ober that makes him Unplayable.  You can start the season with a 6 man and transition to a 5 man with injuries or underperformance.  With Lopez and Abel both coming back and Ryans propensity for wearing out during the season,  I would do a lot more rotation of starting pitchers.  Rojas I want a majority of the year in AAA really refining his stuff and to be ready for 28.  

Ryan, Bradley, Lopez, Kremer, Priellip, Abel, Matthews, Rojas 

Ultimately - unless you are spending big on bullpen pitcher (make me laugh),  I don't see where on this team you are going to be spending a lot of money.   Maybe in a year or two.  The issue is if the Twins are forced to increase salary which then maybe we see an early extension to Culpepper or Jenkins.   

This team has  a lot more upside but Catcher position will most likely be a downgrade.   You run with what the team has.  There is a lack of speed on the roster - so maybe Martin finds himself back on the team but I just think for where this team is going I don't see a spot for him.  

I see 27 as the last transition year and 2028 as the year when the offense is good enough to go for it.   So I save most of my money for that year to fill in the holes.  

 

 

I agree with most of this.