An Honest Royce Lewis Discussion

[Vanimal46]

The season concluded now and these are his MLB stats for 2026:

124 starts - 509 PA - .227/.287/.380 for a .667 OPS. 15 HR - 57 RBI - 16 SB. 82 games at 1B, 37 games at 3B, 15 games at 2B. 

He’s not a kid anymore. Certainly not someone who can be lumped into the Culpepper, Jenkins, Keaschall, E-Rod, Gonzalez era of young Twins players. 

At this point, I don’t know if all of his injuries has permanently lowered his ceiling. Maybe he’ll have a year again where he’s an 800+ OPS guy down the road…

That being said, I can’t envision keeping him beyond this season. Keeping him means dedicating additional time for him to become a league average 1B. Or a below average 3B. 

I cheered for him when he came back from AAA and lit it up in May and June. The lows are outweighing his 4-6 week hot streaks. 

[TheLeviathan]

It's time to move on.  I keep pitching a swap with him and Henry Davis on Pittsburgh.  

Find somewhere for him that isn't here, he needs a change.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I can very much see a scenario where he is kept as a utility guy to start the season off the bench. Then if he performs, great. If he doesn't, easy to move on. But with his talent/potential, I have to think the 5 million or so he is set to make wouldn't be spent on a better backup 1b/2b/3b. 

I mean, they kept Larnach a year longer than I would have guessed.

I can't see a scenario where he is handed the starting 1B job right now today. No chance. I also can't see a scenario where he is handed the starting 2B job today. But as the 11th man on the roster, with a chance to always hit his way into more of a role and earn it, sure.

 

But if a true clean slate is better for both sides, so be it.

[strumdatjag]

Royce Lewis has showed flashes of star-quality play.    When he is hot, his attitude is infectious by and can carry the team.  
Royce’s trade value is low.  He still coujd be that much needed right-handed power bat in the line-up.  He currently pkwys at 1B and 2B, which are positions of need for the Twins. 
It’s obvious, bring him to Spring Training to compete for a job in a final “prove-it” season.