Reviewing Minnesota’s Post-Hype Prospects 2026 Performance

[old nurse]

17 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Long way to get to a point, but I want Ross and Kreidler to fight it out in ST next year for the Super Utility role. Ross has options, Kreidler doesn't, so he probably wins the job initially. I also really want them to pick up a Marwin type, or a better version of a Salono who can provide a half way decent bat and cover 1B/2B/3B as a second INF utility role. 

Now, Lewis would be a great choice for that job, even at $4 1/2-5M with an arbitration raise. But I believe he considers himself a starter, and I just don't know that he would accept that role. The Twins absolutely need an upgrade at 1B. Someone who can play competent defense, and hit decently, and crank out 20+HR in the middle of the lineup. IDK that there is a FA option available for that job. It might have to come via trade. It could be a rebuilding team looking for prospects and not seeing their 1B as part of the future. It could be a 3B who would be better at 1B, or even an OF with 1B experience who would move there full time. But I'd like to get someone we can put in place for at least 2yrs instead of making 1B a revolving door.

I just think it's time to move on from Royce and let him start over somewhere else. If he finds some consistency elsewhere, we just live with that knowing we upgraded at 1B. It's just time for a change.

And I really believe they should look to upgrade the 5th OF spot from Martin. He's not a bad ballplayer. He's really improved his defense and he hits LHP well. But he has virtually no power, and for all his speed, he's not much of a base stealer. With the top 4 OF pretty much set for 2027, the 5th man could be ANY of Roden, Gonzalez, Mendez, or even Rosario. But they could also spend around $5M for a veteran BAT who can play some corner OF, PH, and even DH once in a while. I had my eye on someone like Grichuk the last couple of years. But he's 35yo now, even though he's had a good season. Maybe him or someone similar? Nothing wrong with a fairly inexpensive veteran OF to be the Twins #5 OF for 250-300 AB/PA.

While the #5 OF is far less of a priority than a full time 1B, I still believe we should be looking to improve everywhere we can. And I think replacing BOTH of Lewis and Martin are needed steps.

Larnach and Wallner should be OUT. And it gives me no pleasure to say that. Larnach, even with a mostly solid 2026, has never become we hoped for. And Wallner has regressed defensively from OK to poor. And for some reason, despite being young, he suddenly can't hit anything at 95mph or higher. WTH happened to him all of a sudden? BOTH might hold value to a team needing some LH hitting with punch/power. But IDK if either has much trade value. Maybe a lower level flyer to get something back?

And again, it's time for changes. We just can't keep running it back at this time hoping for better results. Especially with TOP prospects arriving and others knocking at the door.

And I have ZERO idea what the hell happened to SWR. He went from a decent, solid rotation arm...who took a MAJOR step at the end of 2025 with his new splitter...to a pitcher who either couldn't throw a strike, or if he did, it was hammered. He's already on his 3rd team this season. And if I'm not mistaken, didn't the Jays DFA him twice?? This isn't an error by the Twins. Something went really wrong with him in 2026. Maybe someone gets the better version of him on a flyer? I wish him the best.

But NOW to the POSITIVE:

Matthews has remained somewhat inconsistent. But in retrospect, his high ERA this season has really been the result of a handful of bad performances. Before he was "sent down", for about 24 hours, he had quality starts in something like 6 of 9 starts. And then he had a tremendous August, followed by at least 1 clunker in September, followed by another recent great start. While he could still end up in the pen, I think he's really shown a lot of development this season overall. Perfection is not the answer. But a little more consistency could make him a rotation staple if he can just find that little more consistency that he's missing.

Lee has impressed me at 3B. And it seems his bat came more to life after the move as well. For the UPTEENTH time, I remind everyone he came in 2026 with 1 1/2 seasons of MLB. He's by no means a seasoned player at that point. It looks like he'll never be the HITTER we envisioned, but he's developed more power than expected. (I'd still like to see more DBLS). He keeps improving from his HALF rookie season, to 2025, and to this season. Now that he's comfortable at 3B, I expect even better defense and another raise in his offensive numbers in 2027.

Lastly is Bradley. I think he's arguably had the best season of his career in 2026. But a caveat remains. When he suffered his injury, he was on a ROLL. Then he got, IIRC, a single rehab start and was brought back. (Probably out of urgency). And he was pretty mediocre his first 4 starts or so. And then he seemed to get in a groove and look much more like his 1st half self. He's had a really solid season. And I know it's "cherry picking", but if we take away his first few starts away from probably being rushed back, he's performed like a front of the rotation starter all season. 

It's a good OP. It reminds us of previous hope, that unfortunately didn't turn out, but also some positives that DID turn out this season.

It also proves that it's just time to move away from some players that may or may not have been part of the problem directly for the past few seasons, but they sure aren't part of the solution going forward.

Change is in the air. IDEALLY, the winds of change would have taken place in July and not August and September. And Abel wouldn't have been hurt. But it IS TIME to embrace the changes going forward. As well as letting go of the past. 

A good defensive 1b who can hit 20 hr. What metric so you use to define good?

 

Zebby Mathews does have a lot of quality starts. 11 out of 22 keep in mind 6 inning and 3 runs still makes for a below league average pitcher. 

[Fatbat]

@DocBauer You covered a lot of ground! If all the SP return healthy, we got that covered that with depth and youth. 
1B and DH are big question marks and have been revolving doors for a few seasons. DH should probably be just a bunch of dudes that is riding a hot bat but needs a rest day from playing in the field. Its not a bad plan to rotate DH.

1B needs to be an anchor and whoever is there should have allstar potential as well as gold glove potential. Why settle for less? Give Sabato a look, he might be a Rooker type. I doubt it but its possible. 
 

The biggest questions I have. If we send 3 to 4 guys out the door, who do you bring in? How many proven vets do you shop for and what is the budget? 

[Fatbat]

@Eris Spot on info. Barely hanging onto rookie status is still rookie status!