Derek Shelton Knows the Twins Must Be More “Defensive Minded.” How Does It Happen?

[GNess]

The Twins should put less value on positional flexibility and more on positional excellence.

Players need to more fully develop the fundamental skills, understanding of the position and confidence on task - these require more players focused on one position.. (Certainly there is value in having a few utility players that can handle moving around such  as Clemens.)

[HarmonK03]

2 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

I can't account for Falvey's comments or what his plan was. But between Falvey and the transition to Zoll and Shelton making out the lineup. 

It was Clemens and Caratini primarily. Bell would draw a start at 1B when Jeffers played DH to give him a rest from squatting.  

 

I don't disagree they changed it up, but that is why I really feel the signing was a huge mistake.  Without Bell, we very likely would have seen ERod in LF at the beginning of the season and Larnach at DH.   But the roster was constructed with Bell playing 1B, so any changes made were reactionary which they had to do, and not as effective because other pieces were already impacted.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Does this mean we rebuild the roster to become more defensive minded or does it mean we hope the players already in place become more defensive minded? 

 

 

Both.

[killercarewoliva]

2 hours ago, TCanWins said:

I feel like Lee at third and Jenkins and Rodriguez in the outfield have all made noticeable defensive improvements to the team. Keaschall is getting comfortable in the corner and sticking catches he would have dropped earlier in the year.

Culpepper TBD with a number of errors as he settles in but his offense is encouraging. 

A catcher who can cut down some stolen bases would be huge. 

Overall I like the direction they're heading in.

making changes towards the eight players in the field. suddenly there's some good AAA coming up. it's not just one or two people. so what do you do with everybody else? they are still pretty young players say the last 2 years the same guys mostly.. caratini makes a nice team effort but improvement is needed like throwing people out and hitting the baseball. first base in my opinion needs to be traded. I love Mr. Lewis's enthusiasm but you have to hit the ball. I'm surprised that is defense at first, not perfect by any means, but he's made some real good plays over there. the second base you know Mr. Clemons is hitting in the 230s but he has decent amount of home runs and RBIs and he can play most anywhere adequately. shortstop Culpeper definitely makes some errors, but he looks good at the plate. doesn't he Houston? I think he gets a lot of stolen. bases hits the baseball really well and plays extraordinary defense. so maybe around August. if we get lucky he could come up then Culpeper would move to second. what do you do? sit Clements on the bench. third Base I look for more next year out of Lee because he's improving everywhere the game requires. then there's the outfield Rodriguez. made an extraordinary catch last night and he really got excited but you can't get excited about his play at the plate. so far he is below average strikes out too much. we do not want another Sano. but Rodriguez must stay on the team. so there needs to be a lot of improvement before spring training starts for his hitting. If Bell does not return then at such a young age but Keaschell I can't get to be top top quality outfielder. that's the DH and try not to be so aggressive on the basis. He's made outs doing that. he is phenomenal to watch out there though. sometimes I have read complaints about Bell Daddy's just not that good or whatever. well, he leads the team in RBIs everybody. I think he's at 93 right now. if I could have a team of 90 RBI people I would certainly sign everyone up to play. who can do that. That's a super successful season. of course we have Mr. Roden. fun guy to watch at the plate. maybe he would be next in line for outfield. certainly should make the team. not the best player but I really like Mr. Martin. he was hitting 333 when the decision was made to have him play against right and left-handers. when you have like 50 extra left-handed hitters so to speak that are all good. you should be able to get some good pitching in a trade. that way they're not all down there wasting away in AAA. seriously on Mr. Lewis I don't think the twins are going to get a lot for him in a trade. oh yes, I must mention Mr. Jenkins attempt in central field. honestly, I did not think he was going to get to that ball but he over got to the ball because it hit him in the heel of the glove. that's a hard play to make when you're moving that fast and you're in the air, but it would have been incredible if he could have caught that. some players are going to have to move on in order for these younger players to take their place that we need to do. we have Mr Mendez waiting. we have Mr. Gonzalez been sent back down twice waiting. you know I really like Mr. sabato but he may not be able to hit well enough. defense is not fantastic I understand, but wouldn't it be great if he could play a little defense and hit 30 home runs. then you got a good first base situation.

[Riverbrian]

13 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

I don't disagree they changed it up, but that is why I really feel the signing was a huge mistake.  Without Bell, we very likely would have seen ERod in LF at the beginning of the season and Larnach at DH.   But the roster was constructed with Bell playing 1B, so any changes made were reactionary which they had to do, and not as effective because other pieces were already impacted.

I will always contend that the DH spot should be a vehicle to get more position players into the lineup more often. Unless you got a Nelson Cruz type King Kong DH that really moves the needle. 

However... You are right. If they don't sign Bell. Someone else could have added to the depth and we would have been better equipped to deal with the crash and burn of Lewis and Wallner. 

And since this a discussion on defense. Bell and Caratini didn't improve the defense one bit other than catcher and Caratini's utilization would have been less than Jeffers so the possible defensive improvement would have been minimal when Jeffers is healthy. 

We rolled into the season with Lewis at 3B, Lee at SS, Keaschall at 2B and Clemens/Caratini combo at 1B. 

If defense was a concern. We certainly didn't address it. Not even close to trying a single bit. 

Disclaimer: I appreciate the need for defense but I am less trusting of the range ratings that accumulate the data so I am not as defensive minded as some of the posters on this site. But even with my diminished concern for the defensive side of the ball. Not having a good defense in 2026 in comparison with the other 29 teams was rather predictable with that lineup. 

That's why I said over and over again in the off-season. We need infield competition for all 4. What happened. Lewis to 1B, Lee to 3B, Clemens to 2B and Keaschall to the OF. Kriedler and Gray who no one was concerned about because they were not suppose to play at all anyway at SS. 

Depth... GO GET IT this off-season. 

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

I think at least half of the answer at 1B and 2B is already in house – put Clemens at 1B. Statistics say he was a better than average defensive 1B and a well below average defensive 2B. Moving him over helps solve two defensive paun points without sacrificing offense since he is going to be in the lineup anyway after this last season.

I think we’re gonna have to go outside the organization for a 2B this year. I don’t think we should rely on Huston to be the solution middle infielder for at least another year or two, if ever. I’m not suggesting he won’t be quality MLB player, I’m just suggesting that it is fools gold to expect that to happen before 2028 or 2029 and the latter is more likely.

I think the solution at C and 2B are probably in the trade market. I would trade Joe Ryan to the Dodgers for Dalton Rushing and a good prospect. I would then trade someone like Zebby Matthews plus a quality AAA outfielder like Rosario to Miami for Xavier Edwards. Finally, I would trade Lewis for a change of scenery candidate like Grayson Rodriguez of the Angels or someone like that, or for some prospects. Do that and you’ve improved the defense with younger players and improved the speed profile. The names may be different, but the concept is to trade Ryan, a young starter with upside like Matthews, and Lewis in return for a young Catcher, 2B, and a younger player with some upside.

[SE23]

12 minutes ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I think at least half of the answer at 1B and 2B is already in house – put Clemens at 1B. Statistics say he was a better than average defensive 1B and a well below average defensive 2B. Moving him over helps solve two defensive paun points without sacrificing offense since he is going to be in the lineup anyway after this last season.

I think we’re gonna have to go outside the organization for a 2B this year. I don’t think we should rely on Huston to be the solution middle infielder for at least another year or two, if ever. I’m not suggesting he won’t be quality MLB player, I’m just suggesting that it is fools gold to expect that to happen before 2028 or 2029 and the latter is more likely.

I think the solution at C and 2B are probably in the trade market. I would trade Joe Ryan to the Dodgers for Dalton Rushing and a good prospect. I would then trade someone like Zebby Matthews plus a quality AAA outfielder like Rosario to Miami for Xavier Edwards. Finally, I would trade Lewis for a change of scenery candidate like Grayson Rodriguez of the Angels or someone like that, or for some prospects. Do that and you’ve improved the defense with younger players and improved the speed profile. The names may be different, but the concept is to trade Ryan, a young starter with upside like Matthews, and Lewis in return for a young Catcher, 2B, and a younger player with some upside.

I can live with Clemens at first next year, but I have to squint pretty hard to see it paying off well. I like him as a bench weapon and Super UTIL better. Problem is, I don't have a better solution for 1B. Keaschall maybe? Mendez?

I love Arraez as I have stated numerous times, but Edwards would be a smart get also. Or Brandon Lowe. But only on a short contract as Houston will arrive soon enough and Culpepper will slide to 2B.

[High heat]

I think the group that’s been playing the last 2 weeks is a pretty decent defensive start for ‘27.  Like looks much better in RF after getting consistent innings. Emma and Jenkins in LF CF.  Lee at 3rd is an above average 3B with Clemens being ok at 2B.  
 

Catching has been a disaster defensively.  Would love to have Jeffers back but I don’t think that is happening.  
 

 

[TopGunn#22]

To me, this is the biggest positive impact Shelton has made with the Twins.  Rocco never really prioritized defense.  His team set a single season HR record in his first season with the team.  He managed like that was all he needed from that point forward.  He wasn't aggressive stealing bases and trying to plug Miguel Sano "where ever" 3B/1B/RF without any consideration about how defensively challenged he was were Rocco's hallmarks.

I 100% agree moving Lee to 3B was the catalyst to get things right defensively.  Lee just did NOT have the range and athleticism needed to play SS in the major leagues.  But he's been rock solid at 3B.  I like Culpepper, but he's nothing but a placeholder at SS.  Once Marek Houston is called up there is ABSOLUTELY no question he moves right in at SS no matter how well Culpepper has played.  Playing Culpepper at 2B will benefit HIM and the Twins.  But Houston is a SPECIAL glove at SS.  

And with ZERO innings being played in the OF by Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach and the addition of young, athletic guys like Jenkins and E-Rod the OF defense will improve by leaps and bounds.  The Twins finally have guys in Jenkins and E-Rod who can fill in for Buxton in CF when he's DH'ing or hurt where we won't fall off a cliff with ability in CF.  Minus Buxton in CF you just can't imagine how poor our OF defense has been.

And the future with Vahn Lackey eventually moving in as the full time Catcher really completes the transition from a plodding, athletically challenged defense to a future top 10 MLB defense.  I do agree that an upgrade from Caratini is needed for 2027.  Caratini is a good backup Catcher but NOT a starter.  I've mentioned a couple of Catchers in other posts the Twins could look into that could be our primary for 2027 and effectively transition to a lesser role once Vahn Lackey is ready to make the jump. 

I wish I had more confidence in Zoll and the Pohlad family, but I don't.  A sale needs to happen and a complete reset of our FO done.  But the pieces are there for a solid foundation of a good team in the not too distant future.  The Twins of the early 80's had a similar potential and they capitalized on it.  Let's see where this group can take us.   

[LastOnePicked]

1 hour ago, HarmonK03 said:

Losing Lopez definitely hurt and not having Abel did hurt our depth.  But to be fair we don't know how big of a loss Abel was. 

To be fair, we don't know how big of a loss Lopez was either. He only pitched 75 innings in 2025. 

I think the people who expect him to return as the staff ace next year are in for some disappointment.

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, Andy MacPhail said:

To be defensive minded is to consider a player's glove not only his bat & prioritize glove up the middle (not 1B). Something Twins have failed to do prior. Moving Lee off SS, Keaschal off 2B & Bell off 1B, revolutionized our INF from terrible to passable. They should have moved Keaschal to 1B because of his arm. OF isn't his position & I don't get Shelton playing Keaschal in CF? That's not being defensive minded. Keaschal could eventually be passable in the cOF  but I don't see his arm playing there.

Arm strength is overrated. Matt Wallner has one of the strongest outfield arms in baseball, but he's still a lousy fielder and according to the metrics his overall throwing was a net negative. For outfielders, accuracy and a quick release make up for lack of arm strength so I don't think a relatively weak arm means Keaschall can't or shouldn't play corner outfield.

Lee's 36th percentile arm has played at third because he's pretty accurate and gets rid of the ball fast. Culpepper has a much stronger arm, but footwork and release still need work. 

Keaschall has certainly looked better and more comfortable in the outfield as the season has moved on. I don't think he would be a noticeable weak spot in the outfield.

Also there are a lot of factors in limiting the running game. The pitchers have to do what they can and I think the Twins have been pretty poor in having their pitchers do their part. Caratini has never graded well at throwing out base stealers, so I would suspect a large portion of responsibility is on him. 

[stringer bell]

27 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

To be fair, we don't know how big of a loss Lopez was either. He only pitched 75 innings in 2025. 

I think the people who expect him to return as the staff ace next year are in for some disappointment.

Certainly agree. I think the fanbase could have expected Lopez to be very good, if healthy, in 2026. 2027 will be an open question as he's now coming off his second TJ surgery. It appeared to me that Abel had a chance to become a top starter as soon as this year before the injury. Of course we don't know that. 

Every team goes through similar ups and downs with pitching (except Cleveland this year). The Twins had a good year in '23 principally because the top starters were healthy. Maybe it will happen in '27.

[DannySD]

Sign a FA 2B, move Keashall to 1B where he could be really good, rotate DH between Buxton and others instead of a full time non-defensive player - so they can have options like Clemens-Martin-Kreidler on the bench. When Houston is ready, Lee becomes situational. 

That solves the defense's biggest problems, but Catcher is still interesting. They may have to wait for Lackey if they want defense back there. 

[MeleMouth]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Just stop pouring money into the money pit. If you want a defensive catcher. You can pick one up off the waiver wire. 

If you want a catcher who can also hit. Caratini is supposed to be that guy.

We are already paying him more than other teams were willing to do. 

There are no great defensive catchers available in free agency (the legendary Austin Hedges this year - sheesh: 42 SB, 3 CS; negative framing). Jackson didn't have a great year defensively, either, and he was really lucky on offense.

But you're right - hope for improvement for Caratini (he wasn't that bad: 63 SB, 12 CS; positive framing), get a good defensive catcher at a reasonable cost to be the #2 2, and put the money elsewhere.

Then pay whatever is needed to hire the best catching coach possible for Diaw, Lackey, Tinney, Tait, etc.

[MeleMouth]

3 hours ago, Eris said:

On Caratini, certainly the Twins should have known of his slow pop time when they signed him. I thought I read on TD that Alex Jackson had the quickest pop time of any catcher in Twins history. 

Jackson: 14 SB, 2 CS - 12.5% CS

Caratini: 63 SB, 12 CS - 16.0% CS

Jeffers: 59 SB, 7 CS - 10.6% CS

Certainly there are things other than stats, but stats make Caratini look better than the other two and the fact that all three grade low suggest other factors may account for the Twins' poor CS stats.

Caratini also graded better at framing.

[DJL44]

3 hours ago, ewen21 said:

Only five teams have given up more earned runs than this team has.  HOWEVER it matters far less than the talent we put out on the mound.   For some perspective, the team ERA is 4.55 right now.    Even if our defense flashed the leather and were near the top of the league in defense it wouldn't make all that much of a difference.   All things equal, we still would not be a contender if we are being at all honest.

This is not to say defense doesn't matter.  It does matter, even more so when you get to the playoffs (and there's the rub).   Unless our pitching improves fairly drastically I do not see how we can speak seriously about this team being in contention for anything beyond a wildcard spot and a first round exit,  Our pitching has to take a giant leap forward before I can fired up about defense.

If they were the best defensive team in MLB it would bring team ERA below 4. Their FIP (which assumes average defense) is 4.22. That’s an extra 50 runs allowed because of the team defense.

[MeleMouth]

23 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Every team goes through similar ups and downs with pitching (except Cleveland this year). The Twins had a good year in '23 principally because the top starters were healthy. Maybe it will happen in '27.

Cleveland lost through injuries and suspension three all-star pitchers in Bieber, McKenzie and Clase who were in their 2026 plans just a few years ago, but kept trucking on. They also traded several pitchers they developed so they could fill other needs, and kept trucking on.

They didn't lose anything from their pitching development program when they lost Falvey and the Twins didn't gain from him anything close to what he was hyped as bringing. 

[MeleMouth]

3 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

If they were the best defensive team in MLB it would bring team ERA below 4. Their FIP (which assumes average defense) is 4.22. That’s an extra 50 runs allowed because of the team defense.

This actually may be understating it. In more than a few games, particularly early in the year, it looked like poor defensive play, such as by a former 3B, kept innings alive, directly leading to further runs, and indirectly causing more wear on the pitcher.

[Mike Sixel]

Two pages? They've already fixed most of the issues. And Houston should fix one more next year when Culpeper moves to second. This isn't really their issue at this point. Falvey already pivoted this team. 

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Two pages? They've already fixed most of the issues. And Houston should fix one more next year when Culpeper moves to second. This isn't really their issue at this point. Falvey already pivoted this team. 

They have moved the needle from “worst in MLB” to “below average”. They are still a ways from “fixed”.