Five Ways the Twins Can Salvage 2025

In mid-May, Twins fans were finally shaking off the hangover from the 2024 collapse. A 13-game winning streak had breathed life back into the fanbase, and for a moment it felt like the future was bright again. Well… we all know how it has gone since. It is tempting to write off the season and maybe even the team, but this version of the Twins has been, dare I say… fun? Yes. Fun.

No, they are not headed for October baseball. There are still things that can happen over the final seven weeks that would make 2025 matter. Not in terms of wins and losses, but for what it sets up in 2026 and beyond. By my count, here are the five biggest ones.

5) Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, and Alan Roden get everyday run

Heading into Saturday’s game against the Royals, Keaschall had only 10 big league games under his belt. He has looked like he belongs, and holding his own the rest of the way should lock up a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster. If he struggles, that is still useful information for the front office when deciding how to spend what resources they have.

Brooks Lee’s situation is similar, although a bit more urgent. Nearly a full season in, he has been mediocre on both sides of the ball. Forty-five games at shortstop could reveal whether he is a future everyday player or more of a utility piece.

Alan Roden needs to be tested in center field. If he cannot handle the position, he is likely headed for a platoon corner-outfield role. That is a role the Twins already have covered in Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner. If Roden can hit and defend better than one of them, he could give the front office an offseason trade chip.

4) The Quad-A club gets one last shot

Edouard Julien, Jose Miranda, Mickey Gasper, DaShawn Keirsey and perhaps Kody Clemens are in prove-it territory. These players have talent, but the question is whether they will be in the Twins’ 2026 plans or bouncing from camp invite to camp invite.

Julien, Miranda and Clemens will be out of options. That means they need to hit now. The at-bats will be there. Clemens looks like the safest bet to stick, but the next seven weeks will decide it.

3) Sorting out the 2026 bullpen

After shipping out their five highest-leverage arms at the deadline, the Twins are essentially running open auditions. Pierson Ohl, Travis Adams and Kody Funderburk are in the mix. A few Double-A or Triple-A starters could be converted to relief. Waiver claims Brooks Kriske and Thomas Hatch are also getting looks.

Funderburk has not made much of a case yet. Can he string together 20 solid innings? Ohl and Adams are not projected as big-league starters, but could they be effective bulk relievers? Kriske and Hatch are out of options and hitting free agency. Can they show enough to re-sign?

Even Justin Topa’s future is in question. After an injury-marred 2024 and a solid but not great 2025, is he worth $1.5 million in arbitration?

If three arms emerge from this group, that is three fewer offseason headaches.

2) Buxton and Ryan finish strong and healthy

This is more about morale than standings. If Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan can both finish the season without hitting the injured list, it would be the first time in three years that even one of them did. Ryan is on pace to make every start, and Buxton is on pace to play more games than in any season since 2017. That kind of durability would be a very good sign heading into 2026.

1) The Pohlads sell the team

Remember the 2023 playoff celebrations with music, beer showers and dancing? If the Front Office Sports reporting is accurate, we could see similar scenes across Twins Territory if a sale happens. Will new owners be great? No one knows. But if someone is willing to spend $1.7 billion on the Twins, it is hard to imagine they would not spend at least at a middle-of-the-pack level.

If all five of these boxes get checked, I will happily call 2025 a success. And I will feel a lot better about the offseason. How about you?