Cody Christie’s Twins Offseason Blueprint: Major Trades & Roster Roulette

The Minnesota Twins enter an important offseason with plenty of work ahead of them. After several seasons of declining payroll and diminishing expectations, the organization is trying to change the narrative heading into 2027. Owner Tom Pohlad has publicly acknowledged that the team's spending needs to increase, while general manager Jeremy Zoll has the responsibility of turning those promises into a more competitive roster.

Money will help, but the Twins cannot simply write checks and expect everything to fall into place. Several existing roster spots need to be reconsidered, the lineup needs additional production, and the bullpen requires more dependable arms. Minnesota also has one of baseball's better farm systems, giving Zoll some valuable trade chips to pursue established major league talent.

There are plenty of different directions the organization could take. However, if I were putting together Minnesota's offseason plan using our Offseason Blueprint tool, I would start with three roster departures, pursue two significant offensive trades, and bring in a pair of established relief pitchers. Here is what my ideal Twins offseason would look like.

A Trio of Trades or Non-Tenders

Royce Lewis, Bailey Ober, and Trevor Larnach are three players I would move on from this winter. Each has a different situation, but the common theme is that Minnesota could use the resources allocated to this trio elsewhere.

Lewis has struggled to establish himself as a consistent everyday player. His defensive situation became increasingly complicated last season as Brooks Lee took control of third base and emerged as a Gold Glove finalist. Lewis spent time in Triple-A before returning to Minnesota, but he never completely established himself in the team's plans. His offensive potential remains intriguing, but the Twins need more certainty from a player occupying such an important roster spot.

Ober presents another difficult decision. His declining velocity has become increasingly concerning, and Minnesota needs to determine whether he can still be a dependable part of its starting rotation. With several younger pitchers competing for opportunities, moving Ober could create additional flexibility while opening a rotation spot.

Larnach is another player whose role has become difficult to justify. He provides some offensive production against right-handed pitching, but his defensive limitations restrict his everyday value. As his salary increases, the Twins have to consider whether that type of player deserves a regular roster spot.

Moving on from these three players would free up approximately $18.3 million. That money could be redirected toward positions where Minnesota needs more reliable production.

Two Offensive Upgrade Trades

Minnesota has invested heavily in its farm system, and some of that organizational depth could help address major league weaknesses. Rather than waiting for prospects to develop, Zoll should explore opportunities to turn some of that depth into established contributors.

My first target would be Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, who carries an estimated $8.7 million salary. Langeliers would give Minnesota another legitimate offensive threat behind the plate while providing some flexibility with Victor Caratini. The Twins should not have to depend on Caratini to handle the majority of the catching responsibilities, particularly after his disappointing second half.

Langeliers has developed into one of the more productive offensive catchers in baseball. During the 2026 season, he hit .262/.328/.474 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI in 424 at-bats. His .802 OPS and power production would represent a significant addition to Minnesota's lineup. He also brings some long-term value, with team control extending through the 2029 season. His acquisition helps bridge the gap until top prospect Vahn Lackey is ready to take over behind the plate. This is also going to take quite the prospect package to make it happen. 

The second offensive target would be St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson, who carries an estimated $8.3 million salary. First base has been an area where Minnesota needs more stability and offensive production. Burleson would address both concerns while giving the Twins another dependable middle-of-the-order option.

The 27-year-old enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, hitting .279/.343/.473 with 26 home runs and 116 RBI across 670 plate appearances. He also collected 37 doubles and 169 hits. His 116 RBI ranked near the top in the National League.

Burleson has demonstrated that he can produce over a full season, and he would give Minnesota a consistent left-handed bat capable of driving in runs. Adding him alongside Langeliers would provide two established offensive contributors without requiring the Twins to rely entirely on free agency.

Neither trade would come without a prospect cost, but Minnesota has the organizational depth to make these types of moves. At some point, the Twins need to convert their farm system into major league production.

Two Bullpen Upgrades

The bullpen also needs attention after another season in which Minnesota struggled to find enough dependable late-inning options. Adding one quality reliever would help, but I would rather see the Twins make two significant additions.

The first would be bringing back left-handed reliever A.J. Minter on a new contract worth approximately $10.33 million. Minnesota acquired Minter at last season's trade deadline, and he provided a valuable addition to the bullpen. He finished his 2026 campaign with a 2.56 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 45 2/3 innings with the Twins, striking out 41 batters.

Minter would immediately give Minnesota an experienced left-handed option capable of handling important situations. The Twins need an upgrade over Kody Funderburk in the top left-handed relief role, and Minter has already demonstrated that he can succeed in Minnesota.

The second addition would be right-hander Bryan Abreu on a contract worth approximately $9 million. Abreu is a familiar name for Twins fans because Minnesota reportedly attempted to acquire him from Houston at last year's trade deadline in a potential deal involving Trevor Larnach. However, Astros owner Jim Crane reportedly stepped in and prevented the trade from happening.

The Twins should revisit that interest this winter. Abreu finished 2026 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts across 62 2/3 innings. He also recorded nine saves and 16 holds. His strikeout ability gives him an opportunity to become an important late-inning weapon.

Although his ERA and WHIP were higher than his previous season's numbers, Abreu still demonstrated the ability to miss bats and handle high-leverage situations. Pairing him with Minter would give Minnesota two experienced additions and create more flexibility throughout the bullpen.

The Big Picture

This offseason blueprint would put the Twins at an estimated $136.78 million payroll, approximately 1.30% above the $135 million target established by Twins Daily. That figure represents a relatively modest increase compared to some of Minnesota's previous payrolls, but it would give Zoll the opportunity to make several meaningful roster improvements. The Twins would move on from three players whose roles have become increasingly complicated, add two established offensive contributors, and strengthen the bullpen with a pair of experienced relievers.

More importantly, this plan would demonstrate that Minnesota is serious about competing in 2027. Pohlad has spent considerable time discussing the organization's desire to become a consistent postseason contender. During the team's September news conference, he reiterated that a payroll around $100 million would not be sufficient to accomplish those goals and promised that ownership intends to meaningfully invest in the roster.

Those comments create expectations, and the upcoming offseason is where the organization needs to start delivering. The Twins cannot continue asking fans to be patient while relying on the same roster construction that has failed to produce consistent postseason results. There are talented young players throughout the organization, but those players need established major league teammates who can help turn potential into wins.

A $135 million payroll would not put Minnesota among baseball's biggest spenders, but it should be enough to construct a much more competitive roster if the front office makes smart decisions. This blueprint would address several weaknesses without requiring an enormous financial commitment.

Zoll has the opportunity to reshape this roster, and Minnesota has the financial flexibility and prospect depth to make it happen. The Twins have talked about raising expectations. Now it is time to build a team capable of meeting them.

Will these moves be enough to get the Twins back to the playoffs in 2027? What would you change? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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