Forum Friday: Yasser Mercedes Rule 5, Rortvedt Free Agency, Derek Bender's Past, Next All-Star Poll

[Twins Daily]

This week's Forum Friday highlights four threads: the Twins' Rule 5 decision on Yasser Mercedes, Ben Rortvedt's free agency and potential return, Derek Bender's release and suspension, and a poll on who could be the Twins' next All-Star.

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The Twins Have a Tough Rule 5 Decision with Yasser Mercedes

The Twins' Rule 5 decision regarding Yasser Mercedes sparked discussion, with posters debating whether to protect the 21-year-old outfielder. Some argued he is not MLB-ready, comparing him to Akil Baddoo and noting his below-average performance in the minors. Others suggested leaving him unprotected, citing low chances of being drafted and the risk of him failing to progress.

Ben Rortvedt Elects Free Agency

discusses Ben Rortvedt's free agency and whether the Twins should pursue him as a backup catcher. Members note his defensive skills and potential value as a mentor, but question his hitting ability. Some argue he could outperform current backup Victor Caratini, while others worry about the cost of trading Caratini, who has a large remaining contract. There's also mention of Rortvedt's potential fit with the Twins' catching prospects and his experience with the Rays and Dodgers.

What Happened to Derek Bender, the Former Twins Prospect Accused of Giving Away Pitches?

A thread on Derek Bender, a former Twins prospect accused of tipping pitches, sparked discussion after his release and suspension. Fans cited his 2025 and 2026 offensive success in the Frontier League but questioned his return to affiliated baseball. Most agreed the Twins had sufficient evidence to cut him, though some suggested he may have made a mistake without intent to harm the team.

Poll: Who Will Be the Twins' Next All-Star

asked who the Twins' next All-Star will be, excluding current ones and focusing on future prospects or potential acquisitions. Members discussed players like Keaschall, who had a strong second-half performance, and Taj Bradley, with some suggesting Culpepper could emerge at second base. There was confusion about how to determine "next" if multiple players make the All-Star team. Most leaned toward Keaschall or Bradley, though opinions varied on whether the player would be acquired, on the roster, or in the minors.

It's another great day to be a Twins fan at Twins Daily!

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[Fatbat]

YM is killin it in Arizona so it wouldn’t surprise me if he is added to the 40. Send him to AA in the spring and teach him 1B!!! Then we will know a lot more if he will ever make it to MLB with the Twins!

[tony&rodney]

On 10/23/2026 at 9:12 PM, Fatbat said:

YM is killin it in Arizona so it wouldn’t surprise me if he is added to the 40. Send him to AA in the spring and teach him 1B!!! Then we will know a lot more if he will ever make it to MLB with the Twins!

Mercedes is an athlete. If he is to reach MLB and find success there will be improvement in his chase rates as well as strikeout and walk numbers. Mercedes takes a healthy hack at the plate and will likely put up good extra base hit numbers going forward. His position is almost 100% guaranteed to be as an outfielder. Yasser has the speed and the big arm to become a good defender. He has improved as an outfielder in each of his minor league seasons. 2029 will be when Mercedes is ready and it will be a tough choice to leave him off of the 40 person roster because another team might pick him off, although I would think the percentage odds of that are very low. Alternately, there might be a team that values Mercedes as part of an important trade.

[Fatbat]

13 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Mercedes is an athlete. If he is to reach MLB and find success there will be improvement in his chase rates as well as strikeout and walk numbers. Mercedes takes a healthy hack at the plate and will likely put up good extra base hit numbers going forward. His position is almost 100% guaranteed to be as an outfielder. Yasser has the speed and the big arm to become a good defender. He has improved as an outfielder in each of his minor league seasons. 2029 will be when Mercedes is ready and it will be a tough choice to leave him off of the 40 person roster because another team might pick him off, although I would think the percentage odds of that are very low. Alternately, there might be a team that values Mercedes as part of an important trade.

If he isn’t going to be ready until he is 24yo and takes up a roster spot starting in 2weeks, it will be much like Erod, spends all the milb options before getting called up.  Without injures, his development could be a yr faster, in which case, rostering him now makes sense because the twins need a RH OF with his skillset. It just needs development so on a scale of MLB ready, is he 70% or 85% now? What will he be at after another full season? 

[Riverbrian]

The CBA states that Teams get 5 years before they have to protected from the Rule 5. If you sign them at 16... they reach this status at 21.

On the other hand... A drafted college player and the Twins seem to like the college players. You get 4 years and they reach this status at 25 or 26. Of course... at that point... Twinsdaily tends to talk about how they are too old to be a prospect. 

No chance of Twinsdaily accusing Mercedes of being too old to be prospect. 

 

 

When they starting signing them at age 13. We will have to make this decision at 18.