Do the Twins Need a Full-Time Designated Hitter in 2027?

Free agency is officially underway, and before long, the first wave of signings will begin to shape the landscape of the 2027 season. For the Minnesota Twins, there are plenty of questions to answer as they look to improve a roster that finished well short of their goals in 2026. One of those questions is whether the Twins need to find a full-time designated hitter.

The Twins have a hole in their lineup following the (presumed) departure of Josh Bell, whose mutual option was declined by Minnesota on Saturday. Bell had a strong season for the Twins in 2026, leading the team with 96 RBIs and establishing himself as one of the team's best clutch hitters. With runners in scoring position, Bell posted a .998 OPS, providing the kind of production that Minnesota desperately needed in the middle of its lineup.

Although Bell was originally signed to play first base, he was quickly relieved of his defensive duties and became the Twins' full-time designated hitter for the majority of the season. Bell started 129 games at DH in 2026, marking the first time a Twins player had started more than 100 games at the position since Nelson Cruz in 2019. Over the past seven seasons, Minnesota has generally employed one of two strategies with the designated hitter spot: either signing a full-time DH like Cruz or Bell, or using the position to cycle players through the lineup and give them occasional breaks from the field.

The latter strategy was particularly evident in 2023, when the Twins attempted to use the DH spot to keep Byron Buxton healthy. Buxton appeared as the designated hitter in 80 games that season, but the strategy didn't exactly work as planned. He struggled with injuries and played in just 85 games overall. Still, the idea of keeping Buxton's bat in the lineup while limiting his defensive workload remains an appealing option for Minnesota as it looks ahead to 2027.

With Bell now a free agent, the Twins have a decision to make. Do they bring Bell back, or find another free agent who can provide the kind of power production that he brought to the lineup? Or do they once again revert to the strategy of using the designated hitter spot to rotate players through the lineup and provide additional flexibility?

There are certainly arguments for signing a full-time designated hitter. For a team like the Twins (that is, one that has struggled to find consistent middle-of-the-order bats capable of doing damage), the DH spot represents one of the most affordable ways to add legitimate power to the lineup. Designated hitters posted the second-highest OPS by position in 2026, making it clear that the position can be a valuable source of offensive production. In Bell's case, the Twins were able to add an above-average hitter to their lineup for just $7 million. That's a pretty affordable way to add pop to a team that gave over 1,500 plate appearances to the combination of Royce Lewis, Victor Caratini, Austin Martin and Ryan Kreidler.

On the other hand, there's certainly an argument for not committing to a full-time designated hitter heading into 2027. The most obvious benefit is the opportunity to keep Buxton fresh. While using him as a DH didn't prevent injuries in 2023, there's still value in limiting the miles on his legs by keeping him out of the field from time to time. Buxton remains one of the best players in baseball when healthy, and finding ways to keep his bat in the lineup without requiring him to play center field every day could be a worthwhile strategy. He might not even be capable of playing center regularly in 2027, and the Twins have to incorporate that possibility into their plans.

The other major consideration is the Twins' glut of outfielders. Between Walker Jenkins, Buxton, Luke Keaschall, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Alan Roden, Minnesota has several young players who could benefit from regular opportunities in the lineup. Having the DH spot available to get as many of those players into the lineup as possible would certainly be a benefit. It's not as if the Twins have so many dominant bats that they don't need a designated hitter. Rather, they're in a somewhat unusual position, with several outfielders reaching the age where they need opportunities in the major leagues. For a team trying to manage the development of several young players, having one of those players sitting on the bench or playing in St. Paul simply because there isn't room in the lineup doesn't make much sense from a roster-management standpoint. If the Twins don't trade any of their outfielders, leaving the DH spot open may be the most reasonable way to get them all meaningful playing time.

Neither approach is unequivocally wrong, and the decision may come down to what the Twins believe their roster needs most. If they can find an affordable power bat who can provide the kind of production Bell brought to the lineup, there is a strong argument for making that investment. But if the team believes its young outfielders are ready to contribute and wants to maximize its flexibility, leaving the DH spot open could be the better option.

What do you think? Should the Twins look to sign Josh Bell or another full-time designated hitter for the 2027 season, or should they leave the spot open and use it to cycle players through the lineup? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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