What's the Twins’ Long-Term Answer at First Base?

[mluebker]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Hits like DaShawn Keirsey, plays defense like Miguel Sano.

Ouch! But not much to argue with…

[mluebker]

2 hours ago, h2oface said:

…there are currently NO long-term answers for the Twins at ANY position.

Yeah, but other than that, they could be contenders next year.

[mluebker]

4 hours ago, Coach said:

Cody Clemens should be the first choice within the Twin's organization.  He's under control through 2029, made a base salary of $800K this year, as of the end of May he led all of MLB in Runs Saved at 1B, he's a ballplayer, a good club house guy, and hit for power. 

I like Clemens, but right now he’s the best second baseman they have. Keaschall is probably the worst, and there aren’t really any viable choices in between. Unless they want to rent another veteran for a year, I gotta think 1B is Keaschall’s destiny. Might as well get him over there and learning to play there ASAP.

[Coach]

3 minutes ago, mluebker said:

I like Clemens, but right now he’s the best second baseman they have. Keaschall is probably the worst, and there aren’t really any viable choices in between. Unless they want to rent another veteran for a year, I gotta think 1B is Keaschall’s destiny. Might as well get him over there and learning to play there ASAP.

With all due respect, I truly believe with Keaschall's athleticism he will be great in the outfield (someday).  Plus, a first baseman has gotta pick it, based on his 2B, I don't know if he can.

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, Western SD Fan said:

To suggest that we have to have a big power hitter at first is laughable.  The Twins and other teams have had light-hitting first basemen before.  The Twins have had Kirilloff, Mientkiewicz, and Ron Coomer.  Even the Yankees have had Greg Bird, who was not known for his power, in the lineup.  Whether a first basemen hits the ball over the wall or into the gap still drives in the run.  I'll take a full lineup of Lewis's, if they consistently hit the ball into the gap over a lineup of Joey Gallo's, who has light tower power, provided he can find the ball with the bat short of hiring Sherlock Holmes.

As for figuring out whether Lewis is the long-term answer at first, this could have already been addressed by now had they done this last offseason, which was move Lewis off of 3B to first or second.  Because they failed to address this last offseason, we need to use up another offseason to see whether the Lewis experiment will work or not.  I could also make the argument that they could have addressed this in the 2024-2025 offseason when all the comments were flooding in about Lewis refusing to play second in September of 2024.  

I could be intrigued by Keaschall at first.  Mainly because we just have too many OF that will need playing time and are better fielders, even if they move Larnach or not offer him arbitration, and I'm not even including Wallner, who probably needs a Julien type of trade out of Minnesota at this point.  Lewis could then move to second with Clemens being the LH Swiss army knife that gives a platoon advantage.

A full lineup of Lewis would lose 100 games.

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, PuckettPond said:

If Royce Lewis does not accept coaching & continues to do it his way he may not be in a Twins uniform for long.

Lewis gone next year works for me.

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, Western SD Fan said:

To suggest that we have to have a big power hitter at first is laughable.  The Twins and other teams have had light-hitting first basemen before.  The Twins have had Kirilloff, Mientkiewicz, and Ron Coomer.  Even the Yankees have had Greg Bird, who was not known for his power, in the lineup.  Whether a first basemen hits the ball over the wall or into the gap still drives in the run.  I'll take a full lineup of Lewis's, if they consistently hit the ball into the gap over a lineup of Joey Gallo's, who has light tower power, provided he can find the ball with the bat short of hiring Sherlock Holmes.

As for figuring out whether Lewis is the long-term answer at first, this could have already been addressed by now had they done this last offseason, which was move Lewis off of 3B to first or second.  Because they failed to address this last offseason, we need to use up another offseason to see whether the Lewis experiment will work or not.  I could also make the argument that they could have addressed this in the 2024-2025 offseason when all the comments were flooding in about Lewis refusing to play second in September of 2024.  

I could be intrigued by Keaschall at first.  Mainly because we just have too many OF that will need playing time and are better fielders, even if they move Larnach or not offer him arbitration, and I'm not even including Wallner, who probably needs a Julien type of trade out of Minnesota at this point.  Lewis could then move to second with Clemens being the LH Swiss army knife that gives a platoon advantage.

I saw Julien play for COLO AAA team Tuesday.  Hit a 2 run double.

[mluebker]

18 minutes ago, Coach said:

With all due respect, I truly believe with Keaschall's athleticism he will be great in the outfield (someday).  Plus, a first baseman has gotta pick it, based on his 2B, I don't know if he can.

You may be right. I was predicting first base was Royce Lewis’s destiny a year or two ago, and he hasn’t stepped up and taken ownership yet and maybe never will. On the other hand, the outfield depth chart already is pretty crowded with actual outfielders. At some point the question with Keaschall is going to be, “Where can they park him where he won’t cost them more runs that his bat generates?”

[HarmonK03]

6 hours ago, PuckettPond said:

If Royce Lewis does not accept coaching & continues to do it his way he may not be in a Twins uniform for long.

Where has it been said that he doesn't accept coaching, just because you may not agree with his comments, doesn't mean he doesn't accept coaching.  If I recall he talked about how he tried the different stances and swings they wanted him to before he got sent down.  And they weren't working for him.  The Twins and Falvey did this to Buxton also, to the point that some former players were telling him go up there and do what you are comfortable with.

[HarmonK03]

Lewis has gotten better throughout the year defensively, give him time, everyone expects him to be a natural over there.  It took Mauer time as well to get to the level he did over there.

If they are going to replace him, they need to do it with a clear upgrade.  And I do not believe it is Clemens, who still can be streaky and will he repeat this year, no one knows.  Put Clemens in a super utility role and upgrade the roster so he is in a more valuable for the team.

I like Keaschall in the outfield, again give him some time, they played musical chairs in defensive positions this year, give the players time to get comfortable.

 

[CoachDW]

7 hours ago, Jacksson said:

The next 1B is not currently in the organization.  Identify that player.  Trade for him.

Exactly this. I feel that it is time to move on from Royce Lewis, and no other prospects anywhere in the Twins organization is ready to step up and make a difference. Prior to this season, I stated that it was time for the Twins to quit the signing of veteran first basemen (Solano, Santana, France, Bell) and to finally make a plan to acquire a young first baseman who can be a lineup mainstay for the next five or six years. I said that the guy to target would be Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles. Mayo is a 6-foot-5, 225 pound righthanded ripper who is only 24 years old but has hit 24 HR in only 383 at bats, good for an OPS+ of 111 this season. There is still a bunch of swing and miss in his game, but I think he is on the verge of really being an impact player, given regular playing time. If Mayo is not the guy, find the guy. The Twins definitely need to identify the player that is right for them who can fill there long-term needs at first base and trade for him. Enough with the stop-gap veteran merry-go-round at first base.

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, CoachDW said:

Exactly this. I feel that it is time to move on from Royce Lewis, and no other prospects anywhere in the Twins organization is ready to step up and make a difference. Prior to this season, I stated that it was time for the Twins to quit the signing of veteran first basemen (Solano, Santana, France, Bell) and to finally make a plan to acquire a young first baseman who can be a lineup mainstay for the next five or six years. I said that the guy to target would be Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles. Mayo is a 6-foot-5, 225 pound righthanded ripper who is only 24 years old but has hit 24 HR in only 383 at bats, good for an OPS+ of 111 this season. There is still a bunch of swing and miss in his game, but I think he is on the verge of really being an impact player, given regular playing time. If Mayo is not the guy, find the guy. The Twins definitely need to identify the player that is right for them who can fill there long-term needs at first base and trade for him. Enough with the stop-gap veteran merry-go-round at first base.

Mayo is 109 percent not the guy. 

[Western SD Fan]

3 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

A full lineup of Lewis would lose 100 games.

A full lineup of Joey Gallo's would chase the White Sox for the most losses ever in MLB.  Still an improvement.

[Western SD Fan]

6 hours ago, Cris E said:

Um, you don't "use up a winter" to decide if a guy can play in the majors. You play him in the majors, as they are now, and then you decide if he was good enough.

You've seen most of a season with Royce at 1B, how does he look after how many hundred AB? How would thinking about it over the winter change your answer? 

Lewis received less instruction at 1B while he was in St Paul than what you would get if you were hired at Walmart.  He played mostly third when he was down in St Paul only receiving instruction for a couple days for BOTH first and second base and only playing one game at second and two games at first prior to being recalled.

Let me dispel this tired old trope as well.  "He's a professional baseball player.  He should be able to pick up on those positions right away without much instruction."  I'll give you a similar situation.  An accountant can typically practice public (tax, attestation), government (schools), or private.  Any accountant can do any and all three with proper instruction, but it takes time to know all the rules between all three sectors.  If I moved from Accounts Receivable to Accounts Payable, it's the exact opposite side of the accounting world so everything you learned in Accounts Receivable is backwards and will take time to unwind and rework your line of thinking the to the correct side.  Lewis is no different from moving from one side of the infield to the other.  The basic skills are there, but he still needs to work on the instincts of being on the right side of the infield.

Finally, most of the season at first?  Including tonight's start, Lewis will have played 76 games at 1B.  Even if you assume that he will start every game until the end of the season, that gets you to 85 games.  Half a season is 81 games so he will play barely over 50% of the games at first this season.  Hardly qualifies as most of the season.

[Blsouthwick]

Keaschall has to be option #1. There is not another defensive position for him. He doesnt have the slick fielding chops for 2b and no where near the arm for the outfield. Plus Emma and walker j are NOW. Bu5, his bat has to be in the lineup. 1b is his future.

[Hunter4848]

20 hours ago, bjorks said:

never said anything about Clemens, I'm referring to specifically the fact Kriedler should get about 250 ABs a year and if Ross is on the MLB roster, we've suffered massive failure/injuries. Moving Clemens off being the primary option at 2B is, IMHO, the stupidest thing Jeremy/Shelton could do. 

Kreidler should never get an MLB at bat, he's terrible 

[Cris E]

Kreidler is not a starter, he's a defensive replacement. He'll get ABs when other guys need a rest or some in-game lineup shenanigans are occurring.  If there's an injury for more than a few days then the player should go in the IL and a real substitute should be brought up.  But we do need a second SS just like we need a backup catcher, except that he plays far less. 

 

EDIT:  OK I said should and you said should and the reality is that he'll play more than that in today's MLB. Guys get rusty and managers need to foster team inclusion to sustain a clubhouse for 6-8 months. 

[twinfan]

If the Twins do not find a third baseman and if they do not go into the free agent market for a first baseman, then Lewis has to be the choice. I don't see the Twins signing a free agent first baseman because they will cost too much. I also don't see them getting a third baseman either. Lewis could move back to third if we got a first baseman. Is Shaw from the Cubs a possible third baseman? Could we trade Ryan for a first or third baseman? Is Clemens power for real? These are some questions that need to be answered.

[DocBauer]

OK. Per the OP, LONG TERM 1B:

I don't want to take away feom their OF defensive development, but I am more than happy to see Gonzalez and Mendez continue to get rather eztensive work at 1B. It appears Mendez hasn't been there a lot, last time I checked. Unless he's already shown he has zero aptitude for the position, giving up on that option is a major mistake, IMO. Even if they don't turn out to be the Twins future 1B, it would be nice to be able to handle the position along with corner OF.

A DARKHORSE for the spot would be Winokur. What a 1B he would make! Big, long target, solid glove, great arm for relays and double plays, and big power and the kind of speed you don't often see from a 1B. However, I still see him as a future 3B or CF. But should he arrive in 2028 and those spots are well handled, he could be a great fit at 1B.

Barring being traded away in a deal, I believe the 1B OF THE FUTURE will be either Tait or Tinney. I see a catcher making a fairly smooth transition to 1B...been done a lot before...and they have the power to make the position part of the heart of the lineup. They also afford the luxury of providing the team an emergency catcher on the roster should it ever be needed.

I think these are the two most logical fits for the future. I believe Tinney to be the more advanced hitter of the two, naturally, but that doesn't exclude Tait from the possible role.

In the meantime, they need to find someone short term to play the spot. I'd rather avoid the 1yr FA profile the Twins have been using for some time now. Unfortunately, it's not a great FA class, especially at 1B it appears. So I don't know that FA is the answer.

I believe they could potentially find answer via 2 means:

1] Is there a good bat FA 3B that would be a good/smart convert to 1B? Or is there a FA OF with 1B experience that would move there as a fixed position? We need a competent 1B who can hit decently, and provide some 20+ HR power to sit in the middle of the lineup. Is there a FA option out there that fits?

2] I think a trade is more likely. The idea of a good/smart move of a 3B or OF with 1B experience making the transition still applies. But is there a rebuilding team with a proven 1B that is around 29-30-31yo...maybe with a somewhat expensive contract...that said rebuilding team doesn't see as part of their future and would love a couple solid prospects and salary relief as part of their rebuild?

Just an example, but I believe Diaz is due $15M in 2027. He's only on a 1yr deal, but does Tampa want to pay that? Perhaps they'd love a Gonzalez/Mendez/Rosario in their system with another solid prospect. Hell, they might even love Lewis at only $5M with the potential to play 3 spots, still only 27yo when 2027 starts, and the belief a change of scenery might unlock his potential. 

Speaking of Lewis, I think it's time to say goodbye. And I say that as a fan and previous speaker on his behalf for patience. I really and truly thought sudden good health, working with a respected private hitting coach in the offseason, and "baseball maturity"...meaning he found a stance/approach with his changed body type...would lead him to a quality 2026. I really believed he'd hit at least .260, if not .270, and crank out 20+ HR and 30+ Dbls and FINALLY unlock at least some of his potential. 

Unfortunately, with the exception of about a month's worth of quality hitting, he's had one of the worst seasons he's ever had. (At least the first few months). It's time for both parties to move on. The Twins need a reliable 1B that can produce and Lewis needs a change of scenery to see if it can jump start his career.

So there is a LONG TERM issue. But there's also a SHORT TERM issue that needs to be addressed. 

[bjorks]

10 hours ago, Hunter4848 said:

Kreidler should never get an MLB at bat, he's terrible 

i was trying to be kind. 

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

OK. Per the OP, LONG TERM 1B:

I don't want to take away feom their OF defensive development, but I am more than happy to see Gonzalez and Mendez continue to get rather eztensive work at 1B. It appears Mendez hasn't been there a lot, last time I checked. Unless he's already shown he has zero aptitude for the position, giving up on that option is a major mistake, IMO. Even if they don't turn out to be the Twins future 1B, it would be nice to be able to handle the position along with corner OF.

A DARKHORSE for the spot would be Winokur. What a 1B he would make! Big, long target, solid glove, great arm for relays and double plays, and big power and the kind of speed you don't often see from a 1B. However, I still see him as a future 3B or CF. But should he arrive in 2028 and those spots are well handled, he could be a great fit at 1B.

Barring being traded away in a deal, I believe the 1B OF THE FUTURE will be either Tait or Tinney. I see a catcher making a fairly smooth transition to 1B...been done a lot before...and they have the power to make the position part of the heart of the lineup. They also afford the luxury of providing the team an emergency catcher on the roster should it ever be needed.

I think these are the two most logical fits for the future. I believe Tinney to be the more advanced hitter of the two, naturally, but that doesn't exclude Tait from the possible role.

In the meantime, they need to find someone short term to play the spot. I'd rather avoid the 1yr FA profile the Twins have been using for some time now. Unfortunately, it's not a great FA class, especially at 1B it appears. So I don't know that FA is the answer.

I believe they could potentially find answer via 2 means:

1] Is there a good bat FA 3B that would be a good/smart convert to 1B? Or is there a FA OF with 1B experience that would move there as a fixed position? We need a competent 1B who can hit decently, and provide some 20+ HR power to sit in the middle of the lineup. Is there a FA option out there that fits?

2] I think a trade is more likely. The idea of a good/smart move of a 3B or OF with 1B experience making the transition still applies. But is there a rebuilding team with a proven 1B that is around 29-30-31yo...maybe with a somewhat expensive contract...that said rebuilding team doesn't see as part of their future and would love a couple solid prospects and salary relief as part of their rebuild?

Just an example, but I believe Diaz is due $15M in 2027. He's only on a 1yr deal, but does Tampa want to pay that? Perhaps they'd love a Gonzalez/Mendez/Rosario in their system with another solid prospect. Hell, they might even love Lewis at only $5M with the potential to play 3 spots, still only 27yo when 2027 starts, and the belief a change of scenery might unlock his potential. 

Speaking of Lewis, I think it's time to say goodbye. And I say that as a fan and previous speaker on his behalf for patience. I really and truly thought sudden good health, working with a respected private hitting coach in the offseason, and "baseball maturity"...meaning he found a stance/approach with his changed body type...would lead him to a quality 2026. I really believed he'd hit at least .260, if not .270, and crank out 20+ HR and 30+ Dbls and FINALLY unlock at least some of his potential. 

Unfortunately, with the exception of about a month's worth of quality hitting, he's had one of the worst seasons he's ever had. (At least the first few months). It's time for both parties to move on. The Twins need a reliable 1B that can produce and Lewis needs a change of scenery to see if it can jump start his career.

So there is a LONG TERM issue. But there's also a SHORT TERM issue that needs to be addressed. 

Why would a terrible team trade prospects for one year of a first baseman? Truly, this is why they are in the position they are. They refuse to trade guys like Diaz away, acquiring one would be even worse. 

[Linus]

My guess is their next long term answer at first base is not in the organization currently. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

The outside options are meager. There is no one, and I mean no one, to pick up in FA to play 1B. There are a couple of 2B FA options but they’re older as in 32 plus.
I think the solution is in the trade market. I’d like to see us trade Ryan, Larnach, and Lewis. Let’s target a younger 2B in a trade and move Clemens to 1B permanently. He has the offseason to work on his defense. He already has a slightly above average OAA and UZR rating at 1B which you would hope could get better with concentrated development. He’s a below average 2B, mostly because of limited range. His bat is good enough to play 1B. Make a move for a good young second baseman if possible, or maybe Marek Houston will be ready sooner than we think, and improve the defense at second with Clemens providing above average defense at first. Helps the pitching and might help the lineup.

[TopGunn#22]

I like the suggestions LA Vikes, CoachDW and Doc Bauer! The 2B LA Vikes is referring to would be Brandon Lowe and Gleybor Torres.  Lowe is 32 years old, and a move to 1B is certainly in his future.  He played for the Pirates this year, and they have 2B and 1B options they may prefer due to cost.  The new CBA looming for MLB may change their thinking on that though.  Lowe has excellent power.  He's always been a pretty good offensive player and he could probably be an above average defensive player at 1B.

Torres is 29 and a move off of 2B might be a bit premature, although he's a lousy fielder.  I think the Tigers will move on though, they have younger, better options.  Torres has never been a good defensive player, at any position, so his outlook at 1B is poorer than someone like Lowe.

I'm anticipating Houston being called up sometime in June next year if he's hitting reasonably well for the Saints.  When he arrives, it will move Culpepper to 2B.  That would open a possibility to move Clemens to 1B.  For the somewhat distant future, someone like Tinney or Tait makes sense, especially with Lackey expected to be the primary catcher. 

But Lewis is not the answer, and the sample size is ample enough to reach that determination.  That means somebody is needed to open the season at 1B for the Twins in 2027...whenever baseball finally begins playing.

The best option in FA would be Jake Bauers.  FA estimates for Bauers suggest a 2 or 3 year deal.  3-years $24 million or 2-years for $20 million.  Those are actually quite palatable.  Otherwise, I'd scour AA or AAA 1B on other teams that are stuck behind an accomplished 1B on the major league team.  It's impossible to predict what the Twins will do on the trade market in the off season, but Joe Ryan, Larnach, Wallner, Ober, Royce Lewis, even Dean Kremer, who the Twins hold an option for 2027 could be potential trade candidates.  What players could we get in trades for these players?  Would a 1B prospect or veteran catcher be among those?

While the Twins have a stockpile of talent at catcher in the minor leagues, no one except Caratini can be counted on to begin the 2027 behind the plate.  Jeffers would be nice, and about the time Lackey is ready, Jeffers could slide to 1B.  But with Scott Boras as an agent, the chances of Jeffers accepting a QO or re-signing with the Twins are about 1%. 

First base and catcher are major concerns for next season.  We are not a good baseball team right now, but with a successful off season of remaking the roster, in the hapless A.L. Central, the bar is LOW for contention.  While my confidence is tepid that Tom Pohlad and Jeremy Zoll can do a good job making the necessary trades and FA signings to better our chances, I'd rather have them give it a try than stick with a roster that hasn't succeeded for several years.