Minnesota Twins 2026 Opening Day Roster Projection, v. 1.0

I highly doubt that Julien makes the roster. He may come to camp with a chance to earn one, but I think the chances of him playing well enough to do that are almost nil. In fact it will not be surprised if he clears waivers once he is DFA. 

I continue to oppose the idea of Prielipp in the bullpen. There are no quotes from Falvey saying that he wants him in the pen. Drew McPhail says the Twins see him as a high end starter. Don't mess with his development with a detour to the pen. Those temporary changes become permanent with the Twins.

15 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Cody, I think your pretty close if the season started TOMORROW. But doesn't it also depend on whether Falvey continues to hold on to his precious "depth" MO instead of playing the best, and younger, talent on hand?

Just my opinion:

OF: Martin, Buxton, Rodriguez, and Wallner as the primary DH and backup corner OF. Larnach is moved, and Outman has a small chance, but more on him later. And this changes June/July 1st-ish when Jenkins is ready. (Gonzalez probably later in the season).

INF: Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, and Fitzgerlad as utility/SS depth. Why not open up 1B to Roden and Fedko to compete and share 1B and ALSO be 4th OF if they both look like they can stick? Clemens then backs up 4 or 5 spots as a utility player. Outman has a chance to begin the season...ugh...as a backup OF if either Roden or Fedko don't stick. And do we really need to see more of Julien and just keep him because he's put of options? And we add another quality piece of the puzzle around July 1st when K-Pepper is ready.

CATCHER: Jeffers and Jackson.

ROTATION: Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, and Bradley. But Bradley has a lot to prove to me still. And I believe he's got an option remaining. And there's depth and competition with Matthews, Abel, and Morris. 

BULLPEN: Funderburk, Prielipp, Festa, Sands, Orze, Topa, Klein, and Ohl/Adams in a shootout. If they're serious about Prielipp moving to the pen, then they have to be serious about placing Festa there as well based on success 2 times through the rotation and his shoulder issues this past season. Klein has solid stuff and good K potential. 

Just my opinion based on today's candidates and options.

I would very much like Roden and Fedko to get a shot at first base.  They could both bomb there, but was is there to lose given the current roster?

22 hours ago, MGX said:

If the Twins do nothing, which seems improbable, then the opening day roster could look like what is suggested in the article.

Plausible, but not particularly palatable, for sure.

What worries me is they’ll go a third route and just stand pat (at least until the trade deadline), neither competing nor rebuilding.

58 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

I continue to oppose the idea of Prielipp in the bullpen. There are no quotes from Falvey saying that he wants him in the pen. Drew McPhail says the Twins see him as a high end starter. Don't mess with his development with a detour to the pen. Those temporary changes become permanent with the Twins.

He didn't out-and-out say it, but strongly hinted at it. Per John Stevenson at Fan Recap: 

Minnesota’s broader strategy: build a bullpen from within, using arms that might not have stuck as starters but could thrive in shorter bursts.

President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey hinted at this approach last week at the GM meetings in Las Vegas. He pointed to Prielipp and Marco Raya-another high-upside arm already on the 40-man-as potential bullpen contributors.

“You see Connor Prielipp throw the way he can at times, you see Marco Raya throw the way he has,” Falvey said. “I’m excited about that group in aggregate.”

14 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

He didn't out-and-out say it, but strongly hinted at it. Per John Stevenson at Fan Recap: 

Minnesota’s broader strategy: build a bullpen from within, using arms that might not have stuck as starters but could thrive in shorter bursts.

President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey hinted at this approach last week at the GM meetings in Las Vegas. He pointed to Prielipp and Marco Raya-another high-upside arm already on the 40-man-as potential bullpen contributors.

“You see Connor Prielipp throw the way he can at times, you see Marco Raya throw the way he has,” Falvey said. “I’m excited about that group in aggregate.”

 

I think Stevenson is stretching the context of what Falvey is saying a bit. Falvey says he is excited about the potential of the group of pitchers. Not specifically in terms of the bullpen. Raya fits the definition of a failed starter with a big arm like Louie was. Prielipp doesn't. They may be considering it, but Falvey's comments are a long way from wanting it or even leaning that way.

20 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Not really. Keaschall will be the only hitter on the 26-man who will be under 25. Overall the roster is only the 10th youngest, and most of the Twins youth is pitching and most of that won't break camp with the big club.

Between Outman, Gasper, Fitzgerald, McCusker, Kreidler, Clemens, Jackson and Pereda it looks like the Twins think they have found the next eight Justin Turners. Certainly a really solid use of roster space for a non-competitive rebuilding team.

I think most of these names are just place holders until Jenkins, Rodriguez and Culpepper are ready and or are past the threat of super 2 status.

Interesting article.  Looking at all the players you list is depressing.   Accurate but still depressing nonetheless.    As much as I like Ryan, Lopez, and Jeffers, heck Buxton too, now is probably time to trade them.  Why keep them if you don't care to compete?  They should be at their highest level for a good return.  Lopez at 21.5 mil is way over Twins budget.  Ryan could bring you a nice return.  Keep in mind that each of the past two seasons Ryan has looked gassed.  Jeffers could bring value too.  And Buxton?  After a great season management owes it to him to trade him to a serious contender.  Byron deserves that.

16 minutes ago, TJSweens said:

I think Stevenson is stretching the context of what Falvey is saying a bit. Falvey says he is excited about the potential of the group of pitchers. Not specifically in terms of the bullpen. Raya fits the definition of a failed starter with a big arm like Louie was. Prielipp doesn't. They may be considering it, but Falvey's comments are a long way from wanting it or even leaning that way.

Maybe, maybe not. The truth of the matter, whether we as fans like it or not, is that Prielipp is going to be on an innings limit this year and probably next. I would rather he get those innings at Target Field instead of CHS Field. If that means he has to pitch out of the 'pen, then so be it. He won't be the first young SP to get his MLB service time started there.

Buxton can pick and choose where he wants to go, thus limiting the return. 

The OF and Starting Rotation is actually pretty solid.  The areas of concern are the IF and bullpen.  
 

for the pen, I can see the Twins signing a reliever to a major league contract and signing two or three to a minor league deal for depth and competition.  
 

In the IF the concerns are mostly SS and 1B.  The Twins can sign a low cost 1B like Hoskins or bring in an OF like Larnarch or Wallner as the OF will go through a youth movement due to the skill level of their three prospects in AAA ERod, Gonzales and Jenkins.  Larnarch and Wallner will start the season with the Twins,  I can see them trading Larnarch especially if they sign Hoskins.  
 

On the IF the Twins are giving Lewis a last shot to reclaim his future at 3B and Lee as an IF as well.  Culpepper will be ready at some point next season.  Or atleast we hope.  
 

I hope the Twins keep both starting pitchers but with a strong enough offer, I can see the a trade.  
 

2026 is a rebuilding year with a likely goal of .500 and a small chance of competing if enough goes right.  Most likely a 70-75 win team is my expectation as the Twins set up to be competitive in 2027.  

5 hours ago, mnfireman said:

Maybe, maybe not. The truth of the matter, whether we as fans like it or not, is that Prielipp is going to be on an innings limit this year and probably next. I would rather he get those innings at Target Field instead of CHS Field. If that means he has to pitch out of the 'pen, then so be it. He won't be the first young SP to get his MLB service time started there.

I understand your rationale. It's is not without merit. Personally, if the guy has the upside as a starter that they claim, I would rather they go through the tedious process of stretching him out even if it is in the minors. Prielipp won't be able to build up to starter innings in the pen. As I said before, when the Twins move a starter to the pen, it tends to be permanent. To me that is a waste when a pitcher has top of the rotation potential.

It's almost impossible to do this exercise, given that none of us have any idea what the Twins FO is actually planning.  Complicating things is the news that Buxton would waive his no-trade clause.  That could indicate a massive selloff.  

I'd like to believe that the Twins could ride Ryan and Lopez and show some improved offense from Lewis, Wallner, Lee and Jeffers, and get healthy years and production out of Buxton and Keaschall.  See Festa emerge as a closer and Jenkins/Em-Rod join the roster and shine.  And trade Ober for someone like Jordan Lawler who realizes his potential and steps in at SS.

Unfortunately I know that is probably not probably going to happen.  We have nobody who can reliably close out a game.  We are talking about Cody Clemens as our 1B.  We have lumbering RF and LF who strike out...A LOT.  

I agree whole heartedly that the Twins, as an organization, need to choose a lane.  Either go all in on competing in 2026, or go all in on the rebuild.  

Maybe this Winter meetings will be quiet for the Twins.  But I see the handwriting on the wall.  Buxton is willing to be traded to a team of his choice.  As only the Twins could do, they see Lopez as over-paid, a salary to be cut, money to be saved. 

With Scott Boras as the agent for Jeffers does anyone really think Jeffers is signing an extension with the Twins?  NO WAY.  Boras gets his clients to free agency and then he relishes "selling" his client to the highest bidder.  With Jeffers becoming a FA in 2027 the Twins need to trade him.  Joe Ryan will only get more expensive.  With a lockout/strike expected in 2027 the Twins really should trade Ryan.  

Wallner and Larnach have had their chance.  Auction them off for useful pieces and prepare the way for Jenkins, Em-Rod and Gabe Gonzalez.  Let the rebuild begin with hope pointing toward 2028.  

Version 2.0 after the Winter Meetings could look like this:

Rotation: Ober, Bradley, Woods Richardson, Abel, Matthews

Bullpen: mostly the same

OF: Martin, Roden, Rodriguez, Wallner, Outman

IF: mostly the same

C: Austin Jackson, Reese McGuire

On 12/2/2025 at 9:30 AM, nicksaviking said:

Not really. Keaschall will be the only hitter on the 26-man who will be under 25. Overall the roster is only the 10th youngest, and most of the Twins youth is pitching and most of that won't break camp with the big club.

Between Outman, Gasper, Fitzgerald, McCusker, Kreidler, Clemens, Jackson and Pereda it looks like the Twins think they have found the next eight Justin Turners. Certainly a really solid use of roster space for a non-competitive rebuilding team.

8 guys that have little track record of MLB success at the plate. Oh boy 👀