TopGunn#22

To me, this is the biggest positive impact Shelton has made with the Twins. Rocco never really prioritized defense. His team set a single season HR record in his first season with the team. He managed like that was all he needed from that point forward. He wasn't aggressive stealing bases and trying to plug Miguel Sano "where ever" 3B/1B/RF without any consideration about how defensively challenged he was were Rocco's hallmarks. I 100% agree moving Lee to 3B was the catalyst to get things right defensively. Lee just did NOT have the range and athleticism needed to play SS in the major leagues. But he's been rock solid at 3B. I like Culpepper, but he's nothing but a placeholder at SS. Once Marek Houston is called up there is ABSOLUTELY no question he moves right in at SS no matter how well Culpepper has played. Playing Culpepper at 2B will benefit HIM and the Twins. But Houston is a SPECIAL glove at SS. And with ZERO innings being played in the OF by Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach and the addition of young, athletic guys like Jenkins and E-Rod the OF defense will improve by leaps and bounds. The Twins finally have guys in Jenkins and E-Rod who can fill in for Buxton in CF when he's DH'ing or hurt where we won't fall off a cliff with ability in CF. Minus Buxton in CF you just can't imagine how poor our OF defense has been. And the future with Vahn Lackey eventually moving in as the full time Catcher really completes the transition from a plodding, athletically challenged defense to a future top 10 MLB defense. I do agree that an upgrade from Caratini is needed for 2027. Caratini is a good backup Catcher but NOT a starter. I've mentioned a couple of Catchers in other posts the Twins could look into that could be our primary for 2027 and effectively transition to a lesser role once Vahn Lackey is ready to make the jump. I wish I had more confidence in Zoll and the Pohlad family, but I don't. A sale needs to happen and a complete reset of our FO done. But the pieces are there for a solid foundation of a good team in the not too distant future. The Twins of the early 80's had a similar potential and they capitalized on it. Let's see where this group can take us.

LA Vikes Fan, I like the methodical way you laid your plan out and ideas. I would also include Abreu (if acquired) in the possible Closer role. He failed miserably for Houston when Hader was injured early this season, but his raw stuff is excellent. I would love it if the Astros and the Twins could revisit that trade this off season. I think Abreu just got off to a rough start, and he's capable of throwing 80 innings out of the pen. I have a little different outlook on Catcher and 2B. While I really like Xavier Edwards and agree that we could probably get him from the Marlins for Zebby even up, I still like Zebby's potential too much and I believe Marek Houston is going to be up no later than June 1st. His glove alone is so good, that I could even see him break camp as the starting SS with Culpepper moving to 2B to open the season. Catcher on the other hand is a much more pressing need. Caratini is sub-par but at least a somewhat capable veteran. Jackson will never hit like he did this year. He's primed for major offensive regression. What we essentially have are 2 backups. All our catching depth resides in the minor leagues right now and is about a year and a half to 2 years from being a factor. That's why I disagree with Mike Sixel (no offense Mike, I just disagree) on the priorities between 2B and Catcher. Clemens can hold down 2B until Houston pushes Culpepper over. We desperately need someone who can be better than below average at catcher for 2027. Edgar Quero (CWS) and Endy Rodriquez (Pirates) are 2 I would check on. Daniel Susac from the Giants could be a throw in for a Joe Ryan trade. Catcher is an acute issue in the short term. It's also why I suggested the possibility of trading trading one of our minor league Catchers for someone who could help us in 2027 and still be around to become Lackey's backup. I don't think the Dodgers trade Rushing. He's Will Smith's backup and can also spell Freeman at 1B. But I love your trade idea of Lewis for Grayson Rodriguez. The raw stuff is tantalizing, Gray-Rod just needs to stay healthy. Acquiring him would allow the Twins to move Joe Ryan. It would all be speculation until it happens, but Ryan still has enough value to bring a nice piece or 2 back. The 3 young guys buried behind MLB stars who are 1B would be a good starting point for Ryan, but even if the Twins didn't target those guys, we agree that Cody Clemens at 1B works. 25 HR and 80 RBI are very possible for him. A rotation of Lopez, Bradley, Gray-Rod, Prielipp, Abel, and Zebby and a BP that has Hoffman and Abreu along with Morris, Minter, Banda, Funderburk and Sands has talent. Our lineup would be depending on a LOT of young guys who may be hot and cold throughout the year. But our defense would be much better with Lee, Houston, Culpepper and Clemens in the infield and E-Rod, Buxton, Jenkins and Keaschall in the OF. Just not having Larnach and Wallner makes the OF "D" better. I'd have Keaschall taking hundreds of fly balls in LF. He's a good enough athlete that he could become average. His throwing makes LF the only logical spot to put him. But his bat will always play.

You've hit the 3 biggest areas of need, but I would differ with the order of importance. #1 Catcher. Caratini will be back. Jeffers won't. Although by making him a QO we should at least get draft compensation. The Twins need to approach Caratini as their back-up Catcher, but finding a full time starter won't be easy. The Twins are in a tough spot here. Nobody they acquire will stand in the way of Vahn Lackey, who might make it up sometime in 2028, maybe opening day 2029. But they need a guy who could start ahead of Caratini. Here are some trade possibilities: Pirates: Endy Rodriquez-26 years old or Henry Davis-29. Rodriquez has talent, but can't stay healthy, Davis was a one time top prospect, but is 29 and hasn't fulfilled the promise he once held. The starter is Rafael Flores, so one of the 2 could be available. White Sox: Teel is the starter. They also have Jake Rogers and Joey Bart. That leaves the once promising 23 year old Edgar Quero who also just can't seem to stay healthy. He's currently #4 on the depth chart. He's young, but might be the best defensive catcher that could be had. Brewers: William Contreras is the starter. 33 year old Gary Sanchez and 26 year old former Guardian-Indian Bo Naylor are the potential targets. Padres: Luis Campusano is the starter but young phenom Ethan Salas will be their starter next year. #3 Catcher is former KC Royal Freddy Fermin. Campusano and Fermin are potential targets. Nationals: Keibert Ruiz is the starter. He's backed up by 22 year old Harry Ford. The potential target is 28 year old Drew Millas. Giants: The Giants #3 Catcher is former Rule 5 guy Daniel Susac who the Twins could have picked. He's 25 years old and would be a good pickup. Guys like Edgar Quero and Endy Rodriguez are interesting, but their youth could potentially block Vahn Lackey's future backup, and we have a LOT of minor league talent to consider on that timeline. In addition to Lackey the Twins have Tait, Diaw, Jimenez, Olivar and Tinny. Most every MLB team would be interested in one of these young catchers. What type of pitching prospect could one of them return if we decided to trade one" Since the Twins are only looking for a 2027 starter if we expect Lackey to progress quickly and Tait is also a consideration, a reunion with Gary Sanchez might make sense. The 25 year old Daniel Susac or the 28 year old Drew Millas probably fit the timeline better. There ARE opportunities to make a deal to bring in a catcher that is better than Caratini. The next priority is 1B. Is there a young 1B buried in someone's system who is blocked by a bona fide major league star? Xavier Isaac from Tampa Bay, Keaton Anthony in the Phillies organization and James Tibbs from the Dodgers could all make sense. Tibbs is 23 and stuck behind Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers also have Dalton Rushing C/1B/OF making Tibbs a strong candidate. Tibbs (bats L) hit .287 with 30 HR, 107 RBI and a .941 OPS at AAA Oklahoma City this year. Isaac (bats L) has elite power and is buried behind Jonathon Arranda, Yandy Diaz and even C/1B Liam Hicks. Keaton Anthony (bats R) is 25 years old and has hit at every level after being undrafted out of Iowa in 2023. He's buried behind Bryce Harper. I have no idea what it would take to trade for one of these guys but if the Twins are willing to move on from Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Royce Lewis, Trevor Larnach, maybe one of our young catchers, we should be able to target one of these guys and make a deal. We could spend money and sign Jake Bauers as well although I think he will have a lot of interest this winter. All 3 of the young, minor league 1B could flop, but they are worth going after since we have no one who is an obvious minor league option for 2027. I would rank the BP last of the 3 main areas because I think we have the nucleus of a decent BP and we are starting from a spot FAR AHEAD of where we began this year. Hoffman is a potential Closer or 8th inning guy. Gomez did well until he ran out of gas. He's still a decent 7th inning arm. Some young guys showed some promise and if Banda is under contract for 2027 he is a bounce back candidate. I think Zebby should be in the rotation for 2027 but if he loses his spot in a spring training competition put him in the BP to start the year. Same with Abel. David Festa and Matt Canterino are pipe dreams but I'm not ready to give up on them. Marco Raya could emerge. But I would spend some money on a bona fide Closer. Maybe a Ryan Helsley. Having an arm like that pushes talented arms like Hoffman and Gomez down a notch and deepens the BP. There is some reason for optimism for 2027. There is young talent starting to matriculate to the big league roster. The team is getting younger and more athletic. I say keep the pipeline open and look to bring more on board while moving on from some familiar faces. Even if we embrace a complete rebuild, the bar is low enough in the A.L. Central that we might just surprise like this year's White Sox.

PDX, if Ober could throw a knuckleball it would probably be a different story altogether. Can you imagine how successful a knuckleball pitcher would be in this day and age with hitters being so focused on effectively hitting high velocity pitches? It makes me wonder why teams haven't pursued this path for some velocity challenged pitchers in their organizations. Cody has made a great case for why Ober needs to be traded to a team desperate to find a "semi-dependable" back-end #5 SP. There is indeed value in that, it's just that the Twins should be focused on getting innings for young pitchers like Zebby, Prielipp, Abel and Rojas, NOT someone like Ober.

Spotrack listed Contreras as a FA in the link that somebody provided. But I agree, the Brewers will exercise that option. They aren't letting him go anywhere. He's a vital piece of their success. Buxton could very well be a Twin for the next 2 years and I'd be fine with that. But I think it's time to start the youth movement and Byron could change his mind come next season's trade deadline. And while he's still a decent CF it's probably time to move him to LF and let Jenkins/E-Rod play the majority of innings in CF. If the Braves traded for him, he would most certainly move to LF/DH with Michael Harris remaining in CF. The Twins would probably be wise to use him primarily as a DH with all the young OF they have. The over-arching point is that the Twins can't keep running the same core back year after year. They could get something useful for Joe Ryan. Which teams are most interested? What they get for Lewis, Larnach, Wallner, Ober and others is certainly debatable, but at some point we could call it addition by subtraction.

HarmonK03 asked what my plan was to make a Buxton and Ryan trade. I've attached what I wrote after the bolded script. If we moved on from Buxton and Joe Ryan as the major trades, but others like Bell, Lewis, Larnach and Ober, it's hard to speculate what talent we would have brought back with those trades. But it would open up the DH spot for someone like Yandy Diaz or Seiya Suzuki (who are both FA). Off season priorities: Catcher-William Contreras. 1B-Jake Bauers. A veteran SP-Nick Martinez or Sandy Alcantara. A solid Closer-Ryan Helsley. Add to this the influx of talent that we get from the trades and progression by a young core of Jenkins, Culpepper, Brooks Lee, Luke Keaschall, E-Rod, and the young pitchers and while 2027 could be cloudy with the expected labor strife, you've got the makings of a team that can meet and exceed the low bar of contention in the A.L. Central. So to try to pick up here with an answer...If the exercise is primarily how much the Twins should spend, and how do we use those dollars, I'm of a mind that spending does need to be increased but that bigger, broader changes need to be made. It's time to fundamentally change this roster. With Jenkins and E-Rod being a big part of the way forward, the Twins could simply just move Byron to LF/DH. But we've been able to part with Killebrew and Carew in the past and it's time to get something for Buxton if he's willing to waive his no-trade clause. If he won't, I'm fine with him in LF/DH. Buxton and Pablo are very similar in that their value will immediately bounce back once they demonstrate they are healthy. Joe Ryan has finished the season with a few starts, so there is not any serious doubt he's healthy...he is. I'm hanging onto Lopez to begin the season as well as Buxton. They need to rebuild value. Ryan's value has taken a hit, but with a decent track record and a clean bill of health, he's our primary trade chip this winter. I agree HarmonK03, the activity will be hot and heavy as soon as the World Series concludes. The Twins need to be aggressive EARLY. Waiting until the new CBA is completed will be far too late. But it's difficult to speculate on what the return in trades for Ryan, Lewis, Ober, Larnach and others would be. I'd expect the Twins to target young pitching, an upgrade at 1B from the minor leagues who is buried behind a solid, established major leaguer and maybe a serviceable Catcher. I had mentioned that the Twins should go hard after FA Catcher William Contreras from the Brewers. He's head and shoulders better than Jeffers and for the next 2 seasons would serve as a great bridge to Vahn Lackey. At some point, they could share the Catcher position and ultimately, Contreras moves to 1B/DH. Contreras is a top 3 hitting catcher. If I traded Joe Ryan, I'd look at Sandy Alcantara (31 y/o) for a 4 year contract or Nick Martinez/Nick Pivetta on a 2-3 year deal to replace Ryan in the rotation. I hope this helps clarify my thoughts.

Lets keep in mind that for all the credit we give Jeffers for being an offensive juggernaut as a catcher, he's a .243/.328/.430 lifetime hitter with a .755 OPS. He's NOT Raleigh, Langeliers, Goodman, William Contreras, Will Smith, Drake Baldwin, Dillon Dingler or Liam Hicks. He may not even be Adley Rutschman. William Contreras is listed as one of the FA available in the Spotrack link. I wouldn't waste my time with Jeffers if I could sign Contreras, especially if the money would be relatively the same. But everyone on TD knows the money for Contreras and Jeffers would NOT be the same because Contreras is a far superior hitter and catcher. Contreras would be the bridge to Vahn Lackey and could probably play 1B/DH and occasionally catch once Lackey takes over. Signing Contreras would also allow the Twins to trade some of their minor league catching surplus. One guy NOT listed by Spotrack (I was only able to read one page) is 1B/OF Jake Bauers, also of the Brewers. He would make a fine 1B on a 3-year contract. Both Contreras and Bauers are players I would expect the Brewers would want to retain, so you would have to out-bid the Brew-Crew for them. There are a number of interesting 2B available: Brandon Lowe, Jazz...but with Marek Houston sure to be up in 2027 and Culpepper moving to 2B once that happens, I would resist adding a 2B, especially with Clemens able to fill that spot to open 2027. There are a handful of pitchers in their 30's who would be interesting additions if Joe Ryan was moved: Nick Martinez-34, Nick Pivetta-36, David Peterson-31, Sandy Alcantara-31. I'd be interested in this type of pitcher to pair with Lopez to lead and mentor a young staff of Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Matthews and Rojas. I am ready to move on from: Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton, Bailey Ober, Trevor Larnach, Royce Lewis, Austin Martin, Josh Bell, Matt Wallner and Dean Kremer. That's 9 guys. All 9 will not be moved this winter, but all 9 should be moved by the trade deadline. I'd keep Pablo to begin the season and then see how the campaign is going and determine how much of his value has been rebuilt. If we moved on from Buxton and Joe Ryan as the major trades, but others like Bell, Lewis, Larnach and Ober, it's hard to speculate what talent we would have brought back with those trades. But it would open up the DH spot for someone like Yandy Diaz or Seiya Suzuki (who are both FA). Off season priorities: Catcher-William Contreras. 1B-Jake Bauers. A veteran SP-Nick Martinez or Sandy Alcantara. A solid Closer-Ryan Helsley. Add to this the influx of talent that we get from the trades and progression by a young core of Jenkins, Culpepper, Brooks Lee, Luke Keaschall, E-Rod, and the young pitchers and while 2027 could be cloudy with the expected labor strife, you've got the makings of a team that can meet and exceed the low bar of contention in the A.L. Central.

Unfortunately, even if Buxton was willing to be traded (Atlanta?) wasting the 3 weeks in September when both Byron and the team doctors knew he was going to need surgery of some sort is troubling. It's not like this was a sudden injury. This hip issue had been troubling Byron most of the 2026 season. Original_JB makes a very good point about doctors sometimes finding "more" than they had expected. But it just seems that not addressing it in a timely fashion on the surface is a head scratcher for both the team and Byron. Underneath the surface, maybe there were reasons. At this point, and honestly, for most of his career, the Twins should have approached each season like it was a roll of the dice whether Buxton would be available and if he was, treat it like a bonus. I would much rather be looking forward to the season starting on time and all labor disputes being settled. However, since that is not likely, a delay to spring training and baseball in general may work in Byron's and the team's favor.

I get the point of the op, but have to agree with many others that it's time to move on from Royce Lewis, just like it's time to move on from Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Bailey Ober and a host of others. Clemens is a superior glove and bat at any position Lewis would play. I'm starting next season with Clemens at 2B until it's time to call up Marek Houston. Look, Houston's glove could play at SS on opening day. All the Twins should be doing is giving him April & May to determine how his bat does at AAA. Lewis as a 2B would be the most temporary of tryouts. It's not worth the time or effort. And the bat of Lewis just can't play at 1B. The Twins should hunt for a trade for a 1B. In a different article, someone suggested they acquire Yandy Diaz from Tampa Bay. But Diaz has become a full time DH. He's barely played 1B for 2 years now. Signing Jake Bauers as a FA would work, but I would think Milwaukee would want him back after the season he's had, and other teams could probably out-bid the Twins. So look to trade Joe Ryan, Lewis, Larnach, Ober, Wallner and others, looking for a minor league 1B who's talented, but blocked at the MLB level as well as a catcher and some pitching. That is what my off season plan would be for the Twins. Maybe they part with a minor league catcher for a major league catcher in a trade, Lackey is probably on the fast track, but the major league catching position is bare for the Twins in 2027. Lewis is just one of these players who just don't fit into the Twins current and future plans anymore. All the guys I've suggested have seen their value diminish, but many still have "some" value. it's time to move on.

No. He's a fine 7th or 8th inning option for the time being. They need a REAL Closer.

I like the suggestions LA Vikes, CoachDW and Doc Bauer! The 2B LA Vikes is referring to would be Brandon Lowe and Gleybor Torres. Lowe is 32 years old, and a move to 1B is certainly in his future. He played for the Pirates this year, and they have 2B and 1B options they may prefer due to cost. The new CBA looming for MLB may change their thinking on that though. Lowe has excellent power. He's always been a pretty good offensive player and he could probably be an above average defensive player at 1B. Torres is 29 and a move off of 2B might be a bit premature, although he's a lousy fielder. I think the Tigers will move on though, they have younger, better options. Torres has never been a good defensive player, at any position, so his outlook at 1B is poorer than someone like Lowe. I'm anticipating Houston being called up sometime in June next year if he's hitting reasonably well for the Saints. When he arrives, it will move Culpepper to 2B. That would open a possibility to move Clemens to 1B. For the somewhat distant future, someone like Tinney or Tait makes sense, especially with Lackey expected to be the primary catcher. But Lewis is not the answer, and the sample size is ample enough to reach that determination. That means somebody is needed to open the season at 1B for the Twins in 2027...whenever baseball finally begins playing. The best option in FA would be Jake Bauers. FA estimates for Bauers suggest a 2 or 3 year deal. 3-years $24 million or 2-years for $20 million. Those are actually quite palatable. Otherwise, I'd scour AA or AAA 1B on other teams that are stuck behind an accomplished 1B on the major league team. It's impossible to predict what the Twins will do on the trade market in the off season, but Joe Ryan, Larnach, Wallner, Ober, Royce Lewis, even Dean Kremer, who the Twins hold an option for 2027 could be potential trade candidates. What players could we get in trades for these players? Would a 1B prospect or veteran catcher be among those? While the Twins have a stockpile of talent at catcher in the minor leagues, no one except Caratini can be counted on to begin the 2027 behind the plate. Jeffers would be nice, and about the time Lackey is ready, Jeffers could slide to 1B. But with Scott Boras as an agent, the chances of Jeffers accepting a QO or re-signing with the Twins are about 1%. First base and catcher are major concerns for next season. We are not a good baseball team right now, but with a successful off season of remaking the roster, in the hapless A.L. Central, the bar is LOW for contention. While my confidence is tepid that Tom Pohlad and Jeremy Zoll can do a good job making the necessary trades and FA signings to better our chances, I'd rather have them give it a try than stick with a roster that hasn't succeeded for several years.

Great comp of Rosario and Larnach, jmlease. It really is too bad the Astros owner nixed the trade because Bryan Abreu would have been a great arm to add to our BP and would have become our future Closer. I would revisit this trade with Houston and add a minor league prospect to clinch the deal. The Astros clearly need a bat like Lanach and Abreu has fallen out of favor in Houston. Every name listed in the op makes a lot of sense, and others have pointed out MANY other names that should be on the list. Unfortunately, many have succinctly explained why Zoll would bring back a guy like Bell, who has pretty much done exactly what we hoped he would do but who clearly doesn't fit on any iteration of a future Twins roster. And this is part and parcel of why this ownership and FO are so incredibly frustrating. In 2025 we gutted our BP. Some of the guys needed to be moved. Some, like Varland, clearly should have been kept. It was like the Twins started off with a plan and then went on a drunken spiral they just couldn't pull themselves out of. I still maintain BIG changes of our roster are needed, and I further maintain that even with massive changes, the A.L. Central is so mediocre that we could still contend. After the Twins failed to trade Jeffers for something useful at the deadline, it would appear a QO is essential to at least secure draft pick compensation. A $23 million salary for 2027 would be tremendously bad payroll management for Jeffers, a career .243/.328/.430 hitter with a .758 OPS. But Catcher is a HUGE weak spot and Jeffers for 2027 would be an excellent bridge to Vahn Lackey in 2028. Alas, his agent is Scott Boras. No chance he accepts the QO but at least a high draft pick mitigates the FO malfeasance. I'd use that pick on a high potential pitcher, which is what we should have been getting from the Yankees, just with a little more seasoning.

Clemens is a very interesting player mluebker. He's a solid glove glove, especially at 2B and while the batting average and OBP are low, he hits with consistent power. He should be the starting 2B next year to begin the season (whenever the season eventually begins). But once Marek Houston is promoted, Culpepper will surely swing to 2B. Clemens would still be a very capable Utilityman, but if he puts together a first half next year, similar to what he did this year, something useful could be gotten for him at the trade deadline. I think we are all just frustrated at the mediocrity of what the Pohlad ownership and Front Offices have produced for the last nearly 20 years (with the exception of 2019). We are ALL ready for change. The sooner, the better. These last 2 seasons, many of us were pretty sure the Twins lacked enough to even contend in the lowly A.L. Central. We were right. And our ownership and FO let opportunities slip by that could have made us better. For Example: Trading Joe Ryan to the Red Sox for Arias and Tolle and failing to trade Jeffers to the Yankees for a useful pitcher or two. But there is SOME optimism for 2027. We started 2026 with Brooks Lee at SS. We all knew that would go badly. But I'm encouraged by his season and his play at 3B. He's got room to grow, We started with Luke Keaschall at 2B. The kid can hit, but he and Lee were probably baseball's worst middle infield pairing defensively and with Keaschall's slow start offensively it only added to the negative ranking. Now, for next year, we will be looking at an eventual infield of Lee at 3B, Houston at SS and Culpepper at 2B. THAT is an incredible upgrade from what we started 2026 with defensively for sure, and possibly offensively. We are looking at Jenkins, E-Rod and Keaschall in an OF with Buxton instead of an OF with Larnach, Wallner, Austin Martin and Roden (or Outman for that matter). Again, this is an improvement. How big of an improvement is a valid debate, but it certainly has far more potential than 2026. Whether we have Lopez AND Ryan at the top of our rotation with Bradley or just ONE of them, THAT's an improvement from 2026. If Ryan is traded, he may not bring back an Arias and Tolle, but something useful should be acquired. Zebby looked pretty good last night. Abel looked pretty good at times before getting hurt. Prielipp has stayed healthy and had plenty of encouraging innings. If I'm moving on from Ryan this off-season, and maybe Lopez and Clemens at the deadline. Moving on from Larnach, Wallner, and Ober, as well as Lewis this off-season, and let's add Austin Martin to the list, my focus would be on upside arms that need some tinkering. Maybe there is one position player mixed in, but we have what seems to me, plenty of position players emerging in the system, but adding pitching depth to go with what I believe will finally be at least an average Twins defense, then anything is possible in the tepid A.L. Central. We need new ownership. We need a completely new FO. Something with people from the Brewers and/or Guardian-Indians organizations who are ready for bigger roles in a new organization because they are buried behind smart guys in Milwaukee and Cleveland. That's 7-8 guys we'd be trading. I'll admit, I don't have a lot of faith in our current FO acquiring the right talent in return, but let's say we add just 3 guys that could help the Twins at point next season or 2028 and they are each younger and cheaper than what we traded away. That, to me, would be a small step forward. Maybe Pablo pitches at an All-Star level. Depending on where we are in the A.L. Central and Wild Card race as the trade deadline approaches, he could either be traded for a lot more with his value re-established or possibly extended. Having Pablo around with a young staff of Bradley, Abel, Zebby, Prielipp and whoever we acquired in a Joe Ryan trade would be very beneficial. What dampens the outlook going forward are the Pohlad's still owning the Twins and the same inadequate people in our FO. This has to change for any enthusiasm to return to Twins baseball. Nothing will change until THAT changes, even though there is some young talent emerging that is intriguing. We have to get back to a pitching and defense centered team. 2019 kind of ruined that model from the Tom Kelly/Andy McPhail era. While 2019 was a really fun season for Twins fans, it's effects have dogged the Twins organization ever sense.

This is the prime reason why the Twins need to move on from several players and commit to their young talent. Trading some of Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Trevor Larnach, Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner etc...could also bring some young talent that could eventually help build a better roster. The Twins are a lot like the Chicago White Sox were for the last couple of seasons. 2026 is the year that much of the White Sox "projectable" talent started to contribute at the major league level, in both pitching and position players. This is also a great example that in the A.L. Central, you're never really completely out of contention on a year to year basis. The bar is so low in the A.L. Central that the Twins could trade Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton and possibly still contend and exceed expectations. It also shows that despite the bar being SO LOW, our ownership and FO brain trust have lacked the ability to put a competitive team on the field. There will be a Lockout/Strike that will certainly delay the start of the 2027 season. It's just the way the things are resolved nowadays. But after all that comes to end, my hope is that the Pohlad family sells quickly and the new ownership cleans house and brings in new blood, with a new vision and plan to bring winning baseball back to the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins "might" be able to do something with Dean Kremer (I doubt it) to enhance his pitches, but Bailey Ober "is who he is" at this point. He may have some value to a team who needs a "somewhat" dependable 5th SP but with all due respect to HarmonK03, who I agree with often, I disagree with Ober. We've watched Ober for some time and it's like playing 5 inning Russian Roulette. Eventually, the bullet will find him and a crooked number ensues. Plus, Ober does not represent the Twins "future." The one guy I would keep on the staff for next year, at least until the Trade Deadline, would be Pablo Lopez. Despite yet another 2nd half collapse, Joe Ryan still has more value than any pitcher in our rotation. Lopez has almost no value. If I'm the Twins GM, it's time to commit to the young talent and give them a chance. I keep Lopez and see if he can rebuild his value. If we are somehow in contention, and Pablo is pitching well, I entertain offers, inquire with his people what an extension would cost, and presumably, if we're playing baseball, the labor strife has been resolved, I determine if Pablo gets traded or extended. But I would definitely be entertaining offers for Ryan, Ober and Kremer. It's obvious the Twins FO and ownership overplayed their hand at last year's deadline with Boston. The talent of Arias was well known and Marek Houston had yet to bust out. Tolle has exceeded expectations this season, but even if he hadn't, the Twins would have replaced Ryan in the rotation with a young, controllable left handed SP with good raw stuff. It was a crime the FO wasn't satisfied with that and it underscores their ongoing, consistent inability to effectively build a roster and judge talent. I wouldn't give away Ryan. But there are at least a couple of trades out there that could still benefit the Twins for him. Ober and Kremer are in a different category. I'd give them up for an "A" ball pitcher with great raw stuff but control issues, maybe even some International Signing $. Getting a lottery ticket for either Ober or Kremer would be a win in my book.

Cody, this FO and ownership has never shown the willingness to make difficult trades. Last year's "Trade Deadline Massacre" of the bullpen reeked of panic, not a pragmatic, well thought out plan. The leadership of the Twins, whether ownership or FO hasn't shown any kind of "plan" for over 20 years. In 2006 when they had Mauer, Morneau, Hunter, Santana and Nathan they didn't have the guts to make a bold move to put a team like that over the hump. We were never going to contend in 2026. Hindsight is 20/10, but not making the Ryan for Arias and Tolle was a major blunder. The Twins FO over-played their hand. Not trading Lopez prior to spring training last year was a fail, albeit with significant Monday Morning QB vibes. Not trading Jeffers to the Yankees at the deadline is a MAJOR blunder. Consider this: Jeffers was having a career year and had come off the IL showing he could still hit at a high level. The Yankees were DESPERATE for an upgrade at Catcher. A deal SHOULD have been made. Jeffers is a career .243 .328 .430. His career OPS is .758. Once again, the Twins FO over played their hand. The Twins, under current ownership/leadership are NOT offering Jeffers arbitration leading to a potential $23 million dollar salary for 2027 heading into a lockout/strike. They just aren't. We have driven Ryan's value to it's low point. But it's not as low as Pablo Lopez. One of Ryan or Lopez should be traded this off season. I vote Ryan because he still could bring something back of value. Lopez is a better trade deadline or extension candidate if he comes back to his prime form. It is ridiculous that we still have Larnach, Wallner, and Ober. I'm still not convinced Royce Lewis can be a better 1B option than Cody Clemens once Marek Houston is up at SS, Culpepper slides to 2B and Lee is holding down 3B. For a team whose infield defense has been poor for years...THAT'S a pretty solid defensive IF. It's an off season that is screaming "major shake up" with the eye on 2028 to seriously contend. We do not have the ownership or FO with the brains, talent and guts to make that happen. The bar will always be low to compete in the A.L. Central. The twins should be looking to build something BETTER.

There is a chance Luke could improve as a fielder. He's got the speed and athleticism to improve. His arm is suspect. That usually means 2B, LF or 1B. Koskie was also a good "athlete." Hard work made him an above average 3B. But there is no doubt they need his bat at the top of the lineup. I think Greggory lays out a feasible plan for Keaschall. The Twins are at a crossroads. I think they have to shake things up and stop the doom-loop of the same basic core that can't seem to get over the hump. They have the potential to have a decent starting rotation. But one of Lopez or Ryan needs to be moved. I vote Ryan. We can get a lot more for Ryan than for Lopez. I'd start next year with Lopez pitching opening day, and depending on how the season is going for the team AND for Lopez, either trade him at the deadline or extend him. But it's time to move on from Ryan and get some young talent that is major league ready. The rotation for next season: Lopez, Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Kremer, Matthews, Rojas and maybe someone acquired in a trade involving Ryan. The bullpen (last night's meltdown against the hated Yankees dismissed) is largely on the team now. Minter would be nice to bring back, and there's always hope for Festa (and with me Canterino) but with trades of Ryan, Ober, Larnach, Wallner and maybe Lewis there should be an influx of a few arms that can compete for rotation and bullpen spots. I think Cody Clemens is better to hang on to rather than trade. I don't think we would get sufficient value back for a versatile glove with 25 HR power. Hang onto him and start him at 2B until Marek Houston comes up and Culpepper swings to 2B. Then, possibly trade Clemens at the deadline. I am also of the mind that the sooner Zoll is shown the door and the Pohlad's sell, we can get some new blood leading this organization and hopefully start a new and better chapter of Twins baseball. The Labor Strife could either accelerate the sale or put it in limbo, but the stench of the Pohlad ownership must be cleansed before fans will give the team a chance. The Pohlad's are the weight that pulls this franchise down. You can't put the blame on some obscure scout or the hitting coach. It's the Pohlad family, plain and simple. It is time to embrace the young talent the Twins have and could add, with the trading away of veterans who no longer fit the timeline of the vision. Byron Buxton is also a player at the center of this equation. The Twins could get some serious talent in return for him. Buck wants to retire a Twin, but he's a hard guy for a team to plan around with the constant specter of injury hovering above him. There are better days ahead for the Twins. But it will take a Pohlad family sale and a complete re-ordering of the leadership and vision of the Minnesota Twins. In the division the twins play in, being a contender is a low bar to reach. The current ownership and brain trust has been incapable of meeting this bar.

At long last this finally happens! I'm on the "FIRE ZOLL" bandwagon, but I still long for the day when the Pohlad family finally sells and we have new ownership as well. We have had poor leadership from Twins ownership and FO for quite some time now. Change needs to happen. On one hand, a Twins fan could almost get excited about a Twins starting rotation next year led by Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, with Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Zebby and Ober backing them up. That's 7 deep and you could throw Dean Kremer in there for #8. But you could also make a very compelling case for thinking "enough with the same old same old failures. It's time to blow this team up and re-tool." I can see hanging onto Pablo at least until the trade deadline in the hope we're contending and he's rebuilt his value. I'm not so sure I would hang onto Joe Ryan if I can get a good package back this off season. I also think Bailey Ober has rebuilt a certain degree of value back. I'd rather go with all the young guys and Lopez and Kremer as the stabilizing vets. It will be interesting to see what they could get for Ober should a pitching depth needy team come calling. E-Rod needs to play every day along with Jenkins and Keaschall in the OF. Larnach can pinch hit. The fact Larnach wasn't traded this off season or at the deadline is a prime example of why this FO needs to be replaced. Same with Jeffers. We were NOT a contender. Jeffers could have brought something pretty good back. Wallner has no future with the Twins either. Package him in a deal and get some other team's "Never Was" guy as a lottery ticket back.

What are the realistic chances the Twins bring back Minter? He will be a FA and he's a solid BP arm so I imagine the bidding could be intense. I'd feel better about the BP if Minter was also a part of it. I'm curious what the writers on TD will come up with for suggestions for off season additions. The IF with Lee at 3B, Culpepper at SS, Clemens at 2B and Lewis at 1B looks pretty set, at least until Marek Houston arrives and pushes Culpepper to 2B. The OF should have Buxton, Jenkins and Keaschall as the primary 3 with Emmanuel Rodriguez mixing in. Catcher looks like the biggest lineup hole with Jeffers leaving as a FA. Caratini and Jackson are O.K. but somewhat below average. Our minor league Catching prospects are as good as the Twins have ever had, yet seemingly not ready until end of 2027 or probably 2028. Catcher remains an off season problem. The BP was discussed in this article and the optimism of a starting staff of Ryan, Lopez, Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Matthews and Ober has talent and depth. But I've got to believe some trades are in the works for this off season. How might those trades alter expectations for 2027?

I don't disagree with the general idea of the op. Buxton was hurting. He's been hurting for much of this season. The opening was there. It was clear. There really wasn't much evidence to the contrary. But it's not like Larnach, Roden and others were swinging such hot bats that the kid couldn't have shouldered his way into the lineup on a regular basis. The same was true of Culpepper. They really should have had him up sooner, but he kept getting hurt. At least both of them are getting a taste of the big leagues now. The Twins should be calling up Emmanuel Rodriguez on Tuesday and he should play RF. let Keaschall play LF. That, with Jenkins in CF is your OF of the future. Eventually, Buxton will get his hip healed, but I don't think it will be this season. He and the team should determine if he needs surgery or not. If he does, the sooner he gets it, the sooner he can begin rehabbing. If Buxton returns to CF next season, that's a GOOD outcome. If he has to play LF, I would do what I could to get Keaschall as many AB's as a LF/2B and RF if you want to sit E-Rod against certain LHP. But it's time to give extended play to younger guys and see what you have for 2027.

Guys, I have what could be a stupid question: There is no Icon at the bottom of my above comment on Walker Jenkins being called up...at least when I look at it. I'm not going to comment on my own post, but do the rest of you see the Thumbs Up Icon where you could react to my post? Is there an opportunity for any of you to react? If there isn't one there, am I in some kind of Purgatory?

It seems this move is coming about a week late, but I'm glad we finally did it. Buxton NEEDS this IL stint at the least, and I'm concerned his season may actually be over. It is probably unfair to expect a talented 21 year old to spark the team to a Wild Card spot, seeing as we have about 5 teams to jump over at the moment. But having Jenkins and Culpepper both on the team gives us Twins fans something to look forward to when we settle into our recliner to watch a Twins game at night. Getting back into serious Wild Card position won't be the expectation for me at first. Just watching Jenkins and Culpepper will be enough. But if something remarkable happens, that will be a nice outcome. A welcome by-product of almost yearning for the opportunity to see Jenkins and Culpepper wearing the uniform of a Minnesota Twin. The next couple guys for me are Marek Houston and Vahn Lackey. That will take a little more time, but Christmas finally came on Thursday, and I get to open my presents tonight.

I couldn't agree more L.A. The so/so to just plain bad is addition by subtraction. Kriedler has served his purpose but would not be missed. Taylor Rogers has somehow survived to this point with very little contributed. This is one of the frustrating things about the Twins under the Pohlad family and their FO people they've hired through the years. The team has major flaws, yet still finds itself right in the thick of the Wild Card race. This is a year of complete mediocrity in the American League. I have no illusions about who the Twins are, but the idea of NOT bringing Walker Jenkins up because he would take someone's 40-man roster spot and possibly NOT get to play in St. Paul during a Lockout/Strike next season, when he could give the Twins a BIG boost during this stretch run is disappointing. Byron Buxton is trying heroically, but his body is just not cooperating. Larnach has reverted to being "Larnach." The idea that Jenkins and E-Rod couldn't inject some life in a moribund offense and help improve the OF defense is frustrating. Get them up to the big club for Pete's Sake !!

It isn't just the contract, it's who the Twins have decided to throw their money at. Carlos Correa's contract wasn't for as long as Machado's but the average annual value was very similar. The Padres invested in Machado, a MUCH better, less risky investment than Correa. Correa had HUGE health issues prior to the signing with the Twins. Both the Giants and Mets backed off. The Twins got some decent run out of Correa, but he was consistently hurt, leading to the deal with the Astros where we basically paid them to take him off our roster. Donaldson's health was also sketchy, leading to him ultimately being a poor investment (in retrospect) as well. It's good to hear that payroll will be more next season. It almost has to be. WHO they decide to spend this extra money on will be the key. Correa was never a "smart" investment. The future is Jenkins, Keaschall, Lee, Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Matthews, Lackey and Marek Houston. It has the potential to be a pretty good team with the right veterans embedded with them. I have no idea how much the Pohlad family can actually get for the Twins, but I do know that it's well past time for them to sell. They have lost the fan base. And it doesn't seem to matter whether it's Falvey, Zoll or whoever running the team. It just seems to me new ownership needs to bring some new people into the FO with a new perspective. I'd be looking at Brewers employees who are ready to take the next, big step in responsibility.

I would agree that the Buxton we are seeing in CF, while still pretty good, is not the Buxton we've seen in years past. This kind of thing is inevitable and happens to practically every really good CF from Willie Davis to Kirby Puckett. So I have no problem moving Buxton, or even having him play CF some games and LF others throughout 2027. The more stress you remove from him (and CF is a very high stress position) the fresher and hopefully injury free you keep him. I remember reading that Emmanuel Rodriguez was also above average in CF and could play all 3 OF positions. Maybe that's not the case anymore, and E-Rod's constant injuries have robbed him from some range. I've read Jenkins has a rifle for an arm, but don't recall ever reading that E-Rod does. But it does appear that the Twins DO need to at least start tapering Buxton's innings in CF. Both Jenkins and E-Rod should be able to help in that process. But this off season will once again be very interesting to see how the FO shapes the roster. The last several years have been disappointing despite the massive changes in the bullpen in the 2025 sell-off and failures to make deals in the winter. It's nice when you have a couple guys with cannons for arms in your OF. The 1971 Pirates-Stargell LF and Clemente RF comes to mind. But they also had guys like Gene Clines, Vic Davalillo and Al Oliver in CF who had noodles for arms. Keaschall has the athletic ability to get to balls even if his arm is sub-standard. I love his hit tool and think it will only get better. A future projected OF of Buxton, Jenkins, Keaschall and E-Rod is good for me. But where will Larnach, Roden, Wallner etc...be in 2027?