Interesting projection. For the lineup, it's definitely predicated on several top prospects being ready/not falling apart, which as we saw with Lewis, Miranda, Julien, and Wallner certainly is not a sure thing. I do think there's a real possibility that Tait is with the club as a backup catcher option, and I could see the team picking one out of the Kreidler/Ross/DeBarge basket for the "utility guy who can play SS" dude. I suspect if/when Culpepper moves to 2B to make room for Houston they won't be using him as the backup SS, but I could be wrong. Certainly have to hope that we see enough out of Jenkins & Rodriguez that they're part of the future, and that Keaschall doesn't slide back (for the record, I don't think he will). It certainly would be interesting to have a lineup that has 8 players who were all drafted & developed by the Twins, but it seems unlikely.

Rotation is going to be an interesting one. I could definitely see them extending Lopez if they can find a number and term that works, and I would not be upset about that at all. I think there's a real possibility that Quick is in the rotation instead of Rojas, whom I still have many questions about from a control perspective. There's also a non-zero chance that they would sign a veteran starter to be the 5th guy for 2028 in order to hold some depth, which will likely be challenged a bit against by then unless some additional depth rises from the minors.

I'm doubtful we'll be seeing Sands or Raya in the bullpen in 2028. Much more likely that Zebby is in there, and at least one other unfamiliar name; bullpens just churn more. I think there's zero chance the 2028 bullpen is made up of 7 guys who all pitched in relief for the Twins in 2026.

Probably a little too optimistic about none of the Twins prospects ending up being AAAA players.

I'll keep with the theme and add Diaw as the backup catcher/RH outfielder, Clemens, Ross and Roden as the bench players. 1B will continue to be a revolving door of veterans from other teams.

I like the Lopez extension. Bradley #2 and Prielipp #3. After that I'm not sure Abel or Rojas are starters. Bohorquez and Quick might pass them on the depth chart by 2028.

In the BP I expect or maybe hope for a bit different group. I'd have Matthews or Festa (maybe both) in the BP over Sands. Minter will be 35? in 2028. That's a little too far past his prime for me. Same for Hoffman. This offseason has some quality set up guys. I'd sign a couple for 3 years. Let's say Versia and Abreu. Then 2027 offseason our old buddy Johan Duran is a free agent. Sign him! That would be a stout BP with Morris, Gomez, Funderburk, Matthews and Festa.

I think it's a mistake to leave Quick and Bohorquez out of the equation. And if Matthews isn't part of the rotation, I'd expect him on the pen.

I'd absolutely love to see Rojas as a quality SP. But until I see him stretched out to at least 5 successful IP most days in 2027, I'm going to be on him for the pen.

I like Tinney as our 1B and #3 catcher.

I could see 15 of these players on the team. 2028 is a long way off.

Lackey and Tunney do not arrive to open the ‘28 season.  That’s not happening.

Here is an alternative for the opening day ‘28 offense that is wishful thinking, but creates both a contender as early as ‘28 as well as positions the team for success in ‘29-‘30.  This proposal requires two significant signing this off season: Jeffers and Arraez.  Jeffers is critical: Arraez is more of a luxury.  

LF Keaschall.  
CF Jenkins.  
RF Rodriguez.  
3B Lee.  
SS Houston. 
2B Culpepper. 
1B Arraez. 
C Jeffers.  
DH Buxton

C2 Diaw. 
Super Utility 1 Clemens. 
Roden/Gonzalez/Ross/Winokur/et al fight it out for the other utility roles. 

Buxton, Clemens, Culpepper and Arraez provide positional flexibility to cover the OF and both sides of the infield,  Jeffers moves to 1B/DH in ‘29 making room for Lackey at C.  Tinney and Diaw also make the ‘29 club providing C/1B/OF flexibility.  Buxton and Arraez are more than likely gone for ‘29. 

Agree that Lopez has a chance to sign an extension and be a part of the rotation in ‘28-‘30. 

2 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Lackey and Tunney do not arrive to open the ‘28 season.  That’s not happening.

Here is an alternative for the opening day ‘28 offense that is wishful thinking, but creates both a contender as early as ‘28 as well as positions the team for success in ‘29-‘30.  This proposal requires two significant signing this off season: Jeffers and Arraez.  Jeffers is critical: Arraez is more of a luxury.  

LF Keaschall.  
CF Jenkins.  
RF Rodriguez.  
3B Lee.  
SS Houston. 
2B Culpepper. 
1B Arraez. 
C Jeffers.  
DH Buxton

C2 Diaw. 
Super Utility 1 Clemens. 
Roden/Gonzalez/Ross/Winokur/et al fight it out for the other utility roles. 

Buxton, Clemens, Culpepper and Arraez provide positional flexibility to cover the OF and both sides of the infield,  Jeffers moves to 1B/DH in ‘29 making room for Lackey at C.  Tinney and Diaw also make the ‘29 club providing C/1B/OF flexibility.  Buxton and Arraez are more than likely gone for ‘29. 

Agree that Lopez has a chance to sign an extension and be a part of the rotation in ‘28-‘30. 

 

 

I can appreciate that you or anyone is a fan of Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner or past Twins like Luis Arraez. We are all going to have out thoughts on rosters. Some of us disagree with each other,

Jeffers may work as a DH. Can he hit 20 plus home runs and drive in 90 plus runs. Jeffers is not good enough as a defensive catcher. It is past time to pretend that there are not consequences for pitchers of throwing to guys who cannot block or throw. Jeffers seems like a good guy and I hope he gets a pile of money from some team. It could be the Twins, but I would be surprised.

The Twins traded a pile of players at the July 2025 trade deadline but then sat on their hands all winter and basically returned the same group. There was little action this summer in trades but the lineup of Jeffers-C, Bell-1B, Keaschall-2B, Lewis-3B, Lee-SS, Larnach/Martin-LF, Buck-CF, and Wallner-RF underwent quite a bit of change by the end of the season. It would be surprising if the Twins retreated to that formula for 2027. Defense matters.

I think Ross will be our dependable low cost UTL in 2028 and beyond

22 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I can appreciate that you or anyone is a fan of Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner or past Twins like Luis Arraez. We are all going to have out thoughts on rosters. Some of us disagree with each other,

Jeffers may work as a DH. Can he hit 20 plus home runs and drive in 90 plus runs. Jeffers is not good enough as a defensive catcher. It is past time to pretend that there are not consequences for pitchers of throwing to guys who cannot block or throw. Jeffers seems like a good guy and I hope he gets a pile of money from some team. It could be the Twins, but I would be surprised.

The Twins traded a pile of players at the July 2025 trade deadline but then sat on their hands all winter and basically returned the same group. There was little action this summer in trades but the lineup of Jeffers-C, Bell-1B, Keaschall-2B, Lewis-3B, Lee-SS, Larnach/Martin-LF, Buck-CF, and Wallner-RF underwent quite a bit of change by the end of the season. It would be surprising if the Twins retreated to that formula for 2027. Defense matters.

No one is advocating for Larnach, Wallner or Bell to be on the ‘28 Twins.   Defense does matter.  But so does offense.  Jeffers provides us with probably the best combination at C over the next two years until our young guys show up.  And if he still produces at the plate in ‘29 and ‘30 as a 1B/DH, that would be great.

Arraez we could live without, of course.   But, hey, when heathy he is a great option to play 1B while providing flexibility at DH and 2B for at least the next two years.   Clements is a really good baseball player and should be a Twin for a while playing a super utility role and likely being in the lineup more days than not.

Do we have better options at C and 1B than Jeffers and Arraez?   If so, the list of possibilities cannot be long.

34 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

It is past time to pretend that there are not consequences for pitchers of throwing to guys who cannot block or throw.

Off topic, but I have been in awe of Contreras in the Series and I'm sure you have too.  His pitchers bounced so many pitches late in the game with runners on base in both Game 1 and 2 and he blocked every single one.  Also threw out runners.  Almost perfect on challenges.  Dude is incredible.  

38 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Off topic, but I have been in awe of Contreras in the Series and I'm sure you have too.  His pitchers bounced so many pitches late in the game with runners on base in both Game 1 and 2 and he blocked every single one.  Also threw out runners.  Almost perfect on challenges.  Dude is incredible.  

Not off topic at all. Contreras has been Exhibit A for defense matters for catchers this postseason. Ask yourself how much it changes a pitcher's approach if he cannot throw down because the catcher cannot block the ball and runners on the bases are a major problem if they can run if the catcher cannot throw. Zoll has his work cut out for himself.