A Way-Too-Early Minnesota Twins 2026 Opening Roster Projection

After plummeting from AL Central division title contenders in mid-May to sporting the league's second-worst record with one week left in the season, your Minnesota Twins' 2025 campaign can be summarized in one word: Disheartening. Witnessing franchise cornerstones like Carlos Correa and Jhoan Durán depart from the organization, while learning of the Pohlad family's intention to continue owning and operating the organization for the foreseeable future, those who closely follow the club would be justified in resigning from being emotionally invested in an organization that doesn't have their best interest in mind.

Perhaps the Twins are unlikely to contend for the AL Central crown or an AL Wild Card spot in a serious manner next season. That doesn't mean the club won't be competitive or fun to watch. With the front office operating under significant spending restrictions, the 2026 Opening Day roster likely won't look much different from the current configuration. However, some notable changes may occur between now and next March. What could they be? Let's take a look:

Catchers (2): Ryan Jeffers, Jhonny Pereda
Entering the final week of the three-year, $30-million contract he signed with Minnesota in December 2022, veteran catcher Christian Vázquez is expected to go elsewhere this offseason, leaving a significant hole behind fellow backstop Ryan Jeffers.

Since earning a promotion from Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 5 following Jeffers sustaining a concussion, 29-year-old Jhonny Pereda has impressed in the field and at the plate, sporting a 143 wRC+ over 32 plate appearances while being a significantly better defensive catcher than fellow fill-in Mickey Gasper. Pereda has the upper hand on Gasper heading into next season, and given that team decision-makers are unlikely to spend their limited resources on the position during the offseason, Pereda could succeed Vázquez.

Entering his final season under contract with Minnesota, Jeffers is one of the organization's few reasonable extension candidates. The club could reasonably lock up the 28-year-old backstop on a deal not much different than the one Vázquez is just completing. Jeffers is one of the AL's best-hitting catchers, and will generate significant interest from contending teams this offseason. Still, Minnesota would be wise to hold onto the former second-round pick—and lock him up beyond 2026.

Infielders (5): Kody Clemens, Luke Keaschall, Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, Rhys Hoskins
As noted earlier, next season's team will closely resemble this year's, and this trend will be most noticeable in the infield. There is a strong chance Minnesota enters next season with Kody Clemens at first base (at least against righties), Luke Keaschall at second base, Royce Lewis at third base and Brooks Lee returning as the primary shortstop.

Keaschall and Lewis appear set to patrol their respective positions for the foreseeable future. Despite struggling his first two seasons in the majors, Lee has the inside track on the shortstop job, too. If he struggles, top prospect Kaelen Culpepper could quickly usurp him, with Lee returning to an infield utility role or earning a demotion to Triple-A.

I believe Twins decision-makers will use their limited spending resources at first base, signing former Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers slugger Rhys Hoskins to a one-year contract in the $7-9 million range. Battling through significant injuries with Milwaukee this season, Hoskins has effectively lost the starting job to Andrew Vaughn. That being the case, the 32-year-old is a virtual lock to depart from Milwaukee when he hits free agency this fall, making Minnesota a reasonable destination.

Now, signing Hoskins doesn't mean he is guaranteed to stay with the club for the entirety of next season, especially if the Twins are out of contention come the trade deadline. As a righty with big power in his bat, though, he's a compelling fit for the roster.

Outfielders (6): Austin Martin, Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Walker Jenkins, Alan Roden, James Outman
Next March's primary outfield configuration could include present-day contributors like Martin, Buxton, Wallner, and Trevor Larnach. Here, though, I predict that team decision-makers will non-tender Larnach this winter.

Larnach's departure could open the door for 2023 fifth-overall selection and top Twins prospect Jenkins to make his first Opening Day roster at 21 years old, given a strong performance during Spring Training. Minnesota is entering a new era, and if there is one thing that could light a spark under the most disillusioned fanbase in baseball, rewarding Jenkins with an Opening Day roster spot is it. Will he be a star out of the gate? Those who follow the team shouldn't be frustrated if he isn't. That said, his success is the most consequential variable in Minnesota's ability to return to contender status in the near future.

Jenkins could primarily play right field, with Wallner being the designated hitter against right-handed starting pitchers. The star prospect could also play some center field, alongside Byron Buxton and James Outman, with eyes toward succeeding the former at the position long-term. Alan Roden and Austin Martin could platoon in left field.

Starting Rotation (5): Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley
Assuming the front office elects not to trade López or Ryan, Minnesota's starting rotation would be the club's strongest unit entering next season, possessing the potential of being one of the AL's most formidable units. Their success will heavily rely on López, Ryan, and Ober being able to return to performing like they did in 2023 and 2024. Still, given a full offseason of rest, there is reason to believe the three veteran arms could return to frontline status.

Given his strong performance in September, Woods Richardson has the inside track on fellow young arms Zebby Matthews, Mick Abel and David Festa in earning one of the two final rotation spots entering next season. Despite possessing a lackluster 7.82 ERA and 5.08 FIP since joining Minnesota, Bradley has demonstrated flashes of blossoming into the hard-throwing mid-rotation arm many pundits believed he would become with Tampa Bay. That being the case, there is reason to believe the 24-year-old also has an inside edge on Matthews, Abel, and Festa for one of the last rotation spots, meaning the trio will likely begin next season in St. Paul as the club's starting pitching reinforcements.

Bullpen (8): Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk, Travis Adams, Pierson Ohl, Cody Laweryson, Marco Raya, Connor Prielipp, Andrew Morris
Despite being the weakest unit on the roster, I don't think this group will draw much of the team's attention this winter. The club could bring back Justin Topa on a $2-million team option. Yet, given his struggles and ownership becoming even more parsimonious, I don't expect that.

Sans Topa, six spots could be open for competition next Spring Training, leading to one of the more wide-ranging positional battles in recent Twins history. Adams and Ohl (who worked in stretch roles this season) are strong candidates to transition into short relief roles. Laweryson has impressed in a small sample this September, giving him an inside track on a mid-leverage relief role heading into 2026. However, the final three spots are completely wide open.

I expect team decision-makers to prioritize high-volatility young relievers who could blossom into the club's next crop of high-leverage arms. Marco Raya, Connor Prielipp and Andrew Morris have all had success at the Triple-A level this season, but each has warts that make them unlikely to thrive as big-league starters any time soon. A quick conversion could be best for both the team and their careers.

Prielipp and Raya possess the potential of becoming Minnesota's next primary closer. Abel and Bradley could also figure into the high-leverage reliever mix, if they continue to struggle as starting pitchers in 2026. Regardless, Minnesota's bullpen configuration is nearly a complete unknown, with a significant number of young, high-upside arms possessing the opportunity to capitalize on extended opportunities in Spring Training. In that way, the pen is a microcosm of the whole roster, present and future.