If the Twins Keep Royce Lewis, Where Should He Play?

[High heat]

Time to cut bait. Lewis, Larnach, Wallner, Ober can just be non tendered.  Opening you a spot at 1B and DH along with a Utility player and a starting pitcher.  
 

Also cutting 20 million off the books that can be reinvested in those open spots.  
 

(bullpen also needs multiple arms but that’s for a different discussion)

[MileHighTwinsFan]

36 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

You’re arranging the defenders by their OPS, not by their defensive ability. If you have both players in the lineup, you want Clemens at 2B and Royce at 1B.
 

You can’t stick Royce at SS or C just because he hits like one.

Lewis has a positive OAA at second base and a negative one at first.  Clemens was playing stellar defense and hitting when at first.  Of course, Clemens will be playing all over the field and Lewis will get time at first.  I am simply saying that we need to remain committed to Lewis into next year and the article seems to be proposing a reasonable approach. 

I will say that I am a little surprised that there is no talk about Lewis getting playing time in the outfield. A right-handed outfielder with power remains a need and having him get the occasional start in left field vs. a nasty left hander seems like another opportunity. 

[HarmonK03]

I am a Lewis believer but have been disappointed with his finish to this season.  I still believe there is something to unlock.  If he is on the team, I think it should be first base, he has showed better defense there and with more time I think he will improve even more.  He has done a good job of scooping the ball which is something Clemens struggled with.

I personally believe we should give him another year and keep him at one position, not moving around.  If they can get a clear upgrade at first then maybe move on but I don't believe Clemens is the answer.  Or would I be in favor of another one year stopgap especially a league average or worse type.  

This team needs to improve the talent but make some decisions and stop playing musical chairs on defense.

[LA Vikes Fan]

I was a big fan of Lewis but I think he's reached the end with the Twins. I think he has enough talent; I just think he's slow to adjust and still sees himself as a face of the team. I would see if he could be traded for another change of scenery candidate where both teams could benefit from upside realized in a new environment.  

I would see if the Angels would take him in return for a guy like Grayson Rodriguez. I would be looking for a younger guy who has talent but can't seem to get there or is blocked somewhere else. 

[Woof Bronzer]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I think he’s just a privileged dumb jock with a high school education and no life experiences outside of baseball.

Yep, and someone whose entire baseball childhood was likely filled by tearing up every level, winning every trophy imaginable, awards, championships, all-star selections, etc not to mention people telling him how great he was non stop.  

The ACL injuries, in addition to the physical challenges, also I think robbed him of the opportunity to fail in the minors.  Part of being a professional athlete is keeping an even keel and understanding that you are going to fail more and lose more than you ever have in your life.  You have to learn to deal with new things like slumps, ups and downs, better analytics, adjusting your approach, etc.  There's a mental aspect to being a pro athlete that some players never master and I feel like Lewis might fall in that category. 

 

[Galen]

Why does it matter where Clemens or Lewis play on defense if they're both in the lineup? Maximize their best defense and forget about it. 

[Rosterman]

Listen to offers from other teams. COmbine him with another player to get one good player need.

If anyone should be getting a position change it should be Keaschall going to first base, unless you totally want to write-off the future potentials of Gonzalez, Mendez, Rosario, Kendle as prospects with a chance to make the majors (not to mention a home for Roden).

Lewis is becoming our Michael Cuddyer who played all over the place before cememnting himself in right field. Or Sano, who played himself off the team by chasing too many balls low and outside.

Okay, put him at second. Keep Clemens as the roving bench guy. Chances are Houston will come up in 2027 and the Twins will move Culpepper to second. Maybe Lewis will have more trade value, just like Larnach, Wallner, Jeffers, Ryan did as the 2026 season progressed.

The Twins have to start thinking like Tampa Bay and the Guardians. When do you long-term sign the few key players, and when do you start pulling he plug. Lee has another season, but could tank. No, I wouldn't give him a big contract yet. Bradley needs to be tied up sometime next season, good or bad.

Or you don't ever resign your own pending free agents (which was part of the reasoning behind giving the Twins a fantastic home, to sign, at the very least, their own free agents).

Would you give Lewis a 3-year $60-75m deal. A $100m contract longer term? No, not without a solid position toi play. But the saddest part is that no other team would jump at the chance, right now, to do the same, even if they had a position for him to play.

[DannySD]

St. Paul on a minor league deal

[NYCTK]

2 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I mean he's been given every chance in the world, it's odd to suggest that somehow he got ran out of town by bad actors.  He played his way out of a starting job.  Absolutely no one to blame but himself.

I'm clowning him. Not defending him. That's what he said last season. 

[rv78]

AAA