LA Vikes Fan

I agree this is depressing, but I think you added some players that we really never expected to be long-term contributors like McCusker, Fitzgerald, Gaspar, and Kiersey. I also don’t think the organization was expecting a big turnaround from Julien and Outman was a complete crapshoot. Those guys were never “core“ guys. They are more like the typical 40 man flotsam every team has.I also don’t think it’s fair to say Martin has been disappointing given his last two months. He may actually turn into a core player. What makes this depressing is that the real core guys that we expected to be every day players were Wallner, Miranda, Lewis, and Lee, and they all disappeared. Those are the 4 real disasters that make one wonder if there is a core going forward to build around.

This is something we all need to remember; Ryan‘s age. He won’t be a free agent until he’s 32. Signing him now to overpay him during his last two years of arbitration might be a way to get him to sign a 4 to 5 year deal with the team at a $18-20 million average annual value. Of course none of that matters if he wants out, and he may. If that’s the case, trade him for some immediate hitting relief and keep Lopez to mentor the young pitchers. Ryan to Boston for Walter Abreu, Payton Tolles, and Tristan Casas.

This. The difference now is that the 2026 team has the chance to have at least 2 guys who should start a playoff game, 3 if Ober gets his mojo back. That’s why we have an opportunity that we shouldn’t waste. The Dodgers are the current juggernaut because they have the best starting pitching, not because they out homer everybody. The Dodger bullpen is not good. Playoff games are primarily won by quality starting pitching. The Dodgers have it, The Reds, Padres, and Brewers do not. Phillies starters are good but not as good. Our rotation isn’t as deep but the top 2 are pretty damn good. That creates we a competitive opportunity that we shouldn’t waste. We need to find ways to score with what we have and what we may have is singles and speed.

I think you underrate Martin - he played the last two months well enough to be an everyday player on a good team. Roughly 2-2.5 WAR guy and that's if he doesn't get better with experience. Roden is a complete crapshoot, and so is Jenkins, GG and Emma. As I said in another post, i would dump both Outman and Keirsey (off the 40 man) and start the season with Buxton, Martin, Roden, and one of GG (my choice), Jenkins or Emma, and Wallner as the 5 OFs. Wallner is really the DH who plays in the OF 1 or at most 2 days a week. Clemens could stay as a backup 1B/2B/RF/LF/Dh who gets 200 ABs a year, mostly because we don't have anybody else. That's what I would do but I don't think that's what they are going to do. I think one of the youngish guys will get the shot, probably Roden first, and Outman will be the 4th OF out of ST. Why? Age and Service time. The Twins get an extra year of control over GG, Jenkins, and Emma if they wait until late April to bring them up. Not so with Roden. In ST Roden will be 26 (same for Fedko), Emma 22, GG and Jenkins 21. Those latter 3 probably start in AAA and then come up in May to see if they're ready assuming they start out well in St. Paul. Much as I don't like it, that is probably the smart way to play it to maximize control over young talent.

I don't think that's a fair assessment of Martin after last August and September. IF that's really who he is going forward, recognizing it's a SSS so it's a big IF, he's a 2-3 WAR player over the course of a season. The man hit .282/.374/.365 (.739), 106 OPS+ in 156 ABs over 50 games. 1 OAA in LF, 74th percentile sprint speed, no power. Classic lead off or #9 hitter on a good team. He's earned the starting LF job unless he gets hurt or craps out in ST. He is really the one find in last year's tryout camp after the deadline. You're right about Roden. He is a complete unknown at the MLB level, along with Fedko (who might/should get a shot at 1B in AAA or for the Twins), GG, Jenkins, and Emma. I think Roden will get the first shot and I hope all 5 get a real shot next year. Let's see if one of them can lock down a starting RF spot and another a 4th OF spot by August 1. I would start that process right out of the gate, with Outman only there at the beginning if we really need a backup CF and Keirsey on the DFA list re-signed to play at AAA. I would love to see an OF in July that's Buxton, Martin, and some combination of 2 of GG, Jenkins, and Emma mixed in. Wallner? He gets 350-400 ABs as the DH, and another 100 or so in RF playing once or twice a week as we rotate rest days. He either makes it on his bat, or he doesn't make it. He's shown enough to get at least a full year's run playing 5-6 days at a week, but we can't play him in the OF. He just isn't good enough there. He is potentially good enough to DH if he can hit 30 plus home runs and get his average up to .240 so he can actually drive in runs. If he can't do that, there really is no place for him on a good team. I try to trade Larnach for a relief pitcher or for another team's not quite good enough maybe guy like Ryan Mountcastle but I think it's more likely he gets non-tendered and moves on.

I think this is the planned starting OF coming out of ST. Buxton in CF, Martin in LF, Roden in RF, with Wallner as a RF/DH and either Outman, Clemens, or a cheap FA as the 4th/5th OF with the winner depending on whether they think that Roden and/or Martin can man CF 50-60 games a year. That really leaves open the possibility of GG, Jenkins and/or Emma coming up mid-season unless Buxton is healthy and Martin (likely if this august and September were any indication) and Roden (unknown) show they are everyday players.

MLB Trade Rumors and the New York Post are reporting that the Yankees have granted the Twins permission to speak with James Rowson about the managerial vacancy. They also mentioned Derek Shelton as a potential candidate with whom the Twins have spoken or are going to speak. I like all three candidates, but leans toward Shelton because he is prior managerial experience. What does the rest of the world think?

Breaking news from MLB Trade Rumors. The Yankees have granted the Twins permission to speak with James Rowson about their managerial vacancy. The news originally was attributed to the New York Post baseball reporters. They also report that the Twins have considered Derek Shelton and Ramon Vasquez as potential candidates. I frankly like all three possibilities, although I would lean more towards Shelton due to his managerial experience. What you guys think?

Laweryson and Festa should absolutely be in the bullpen from Day 1 next season. I agree that Laweryson has only a small sample size, but that isn't his fault and he really showed out in his SSS - 1.17 ERA, 7 SOs in 7.2 IP, 0.522 WHIP. Double his WHIP and ERA and he's still a back of the bullpen weapon. Festa could be the next closer with his stuff. More importantly, it doesn't look like his shoulder will hold up enough to start. Bring him back slowly next season by starting him out in the bullpen at least and keep him there if he's as good as I think he can be. Adams, Hatch, and Ohl fall into the same bucket for me. Overall not so good last year but showed enough in some appearances to get a shot. I'm betting at least one of them makes the team out of ST, maybe 2. My money is on Ohl. I see next year's starting bullpen as Sands, Festa, Topa, Laweryson, Funderburk, Ohl, and either 2 FAs or some combination of Adams, Hatch, Misiewicz, and maybe one of Matthews, Raya, or Preilip. Frankly, that's a pretty thin group so I'm hoping they sign at least 1 and really 2 experienced arms, including a guy like Williams, Moton, or Helsley on a pillow contract to close. Let's also give Danny Coulombe a call to be the second LH in the pen.

It's 19 names. but there aren't 19 potential Twins on that list. The $15M-$25M and up a year guys aren't coming to MN even if we would pay them that - they will get their money wherever they go so they're going to a winner, not a rebuilding team. The Japanese guys are too expensive and going to a place where there are Japanese people and culture, LA, SF, NY, Chi, Seattle. So eliminate Alonso, Naylor, O'Hearn, Hoskins, Murakami, and Okamoto from the list. Eliminate older guys who are declining, OFs being sent to 1B because the suck in the OF (why do that when we could have Larnach or Wallner switch), guys who can't hit and/or have only one skill and it ain't with the glove; they are all bad adds - Arraez, Andujar (also likely to get $10m plus), Goldschmidt, Moncada (he stinks guys), Santana, Turner, Bell, France, Wade, and Tellez. None of those guys make any sense at all to me. Besides, at least half of those guys are more than $5M a season. So who's left that might make sense? Yandi Diaz, Ryan Mountcastle and maaaybe Tristan Casas. Diaz can really hit but he was -5 OAA last year in the field as a 1B/Dh. How is that even possible at 1B? Epically bad. Mountcastle was a good hitter in 2023 (.780 OPS), average in 2024 (.733 OPS), and lousy in 2025 (.653 OPS), and is a dead average 0 OAA fielder. Maybe we can fix him? Casas is similar - declining since 2023 to a .580 OPS in 2025 in 99 ABs with some major injury concerns. Guys, it's ugly out there at 1B. I could see trying to trade for Mountcastle on the cheap (he's not a FA until 2027), so maybe trade one arb eligible alleged OF in Larnach for an arb eligible alleged 1B in Mountcastle? Neither can field much so maybe it's a fair deal. Maybe we can try to get Casas for Larnach in a trade of disappointing guys or as a throw in when trading Boston Joe Ryan? That's about it. We need to look at making someone we have as a 1B because there ain't much out there. Wallner and Larnach might not be good enough but it's worth a try.

While I wouldn't discount this kind of a trade of someone like Ober or even Jeffers or Lewis, let's not get too snide in our comments on the Polanco trade. When Polanco was traded, he was a broken down 29 year old making $10.5M, He physically could not even play 2B any more, much less a taxing position. He had very little value despite our fond memories of him when he could actually move. He then went to Seattle and became a DH with a .651 OPS in 2024. Posters here would have wanted him run out of town and Seattle only kept him because they couldn't get anyone else. He did rebound this year at age 31 and hit well for Seattle while still not being able to run or field a lick (89 games as DH, 38 at 2B, 5 at SS, 1 at 1B), -3 OAA, 37th percentile sprint speed. In return we got a competent/average reliever in Topa and the best hitting prospect in the Twins organization in Gabriel Gonzalez. GG is 21 and hit .329/.395/.513(.909) over 3 MiLB levels in 2025, including .316/.358/.504(.862) in 150 AAA PAs. He's likely our RF/DH by mid-season 2026 and out performed Emma AND Walker Jenkins at both AAA AND AAA last year. I know folks don't like to let the facts get in the way of a good "the FA is incompetent" rant but this isn't the hill to die on for that. It actually looks like a win/win trade so far if Gonzalez is even an average MLB player. Looks like he could be more. I love me some Jorge Polanco and I hope he is the World Series MVP but this was a smart trade. I could get behind a trade of a guy like Ober for a decent reliever and a high upside AA ball SS, or a solid AAA 1B prospect blocked in an organization. Ober might not be worth that much, but it's exactly the kind of trade we should be thinking about. I think the Polanco trade as a blueprint - fading MLB player for a reliever and high upside MiLB guy a year or two away - makes a whole bunch of sense for dealing with a replaceable guys like Ober.

Didn't see this before I posted the same thing. You beat me to it. I'm right there with you.

How about Hunter as the manager with Ron Washington as his bench coach? Washington wants to manage again but probably won't get a shot because of his heart condition and his age. He could mentor Hunter through the tough parts of the job, like bullpen management, and use the next 2-3 years as a way to go out gracefully while making a contribution. An added bonus would be Washington's skills as an infield fielding coach, either on his own or in tandem with a younger coach. Better infield play is something we could use. Hunter's charisma and relative youth could add the sou we need while Washington adds the expertise. I'm sold.

No brainer to tender Sands a contract. He's a lock for the 2026 bullpen along with Funderburk and Topa. I think Sands will get first crack at the closer role unless we sign a former closer on a pillow deal like Williams, Maton, or Helsley. I'd like to see them sign him on a 2 year deal and lock him in but I understand that the 2027 uncertainty may make that impossible.

Completely agree. A poster in another thread proposed Ryan to Boston for Wilyer Abreu (26 yo gold glove RF, .256/.326/.465(.791) in 850 MLB ABs, FA in 2030), LH SP Payton Tolle (Bos #2 prospect, 22 yo, just got to MLB), and Tristan Casas (25 Yo, .800 OPS in 815 ABs over 3 seasons but only .580 last year in 99 ABs, FA 2029). I want to keep Ryan but I wouldn't object to a trade if that kind of a deal was available AND the Twins commit to keeping Pablo.

Much as I don't want to trade Ryan, this is actually pretty interesting. Abreu is a legit MLB player with several years of control remaining, probably a #6 hitter but could be a middle of the order bat, and Tolle is 22 and Boston's #2 prospect. Those two alone are probably a little light on the return so the addition of Casas makes sense, Is he the 2023 or 2024 Casas (very good) or the 2025 version (awful)? If he's the good version, great trade. If all we get is the bad Casas, Tolle has to be a legit front line starter for us to get fair value. Worth a shot IF we are going to trade Ryan. I'd still rather keep him. I'm with you on Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley. A formerly good closer coming off a bad year looking for a pillow contract to rebuild value makes a lot of sense for this team.

I'm persuaded by your argument that the Larnach decision may be more nuanced than just "he's too expensive at $4.5M and not that great". You're right that he was probably our 4th or 5th best hitter last year depending on how you look at Jeffers and Martin. Hard to just let that walk when the price is "only" $4.5-5M on a team that should have lots of payroll space. 4th OFs and UTLs make that much or more. To me, the problem is shoehorning Larnach onto the roster. I start with the proposition that Martin needs to play everyday in 2026. Not 3-4 times a week as a 4th OF, every day as the starting LF unless he shows us that the last 2 months of 2025 were an aberration. If he can continue to hit .275 plus with a .360 plus OBP and an OPS even in the .725 range, he's the everyday leadoff hitter. That allows Buxton to take his 35 HRs to the #2 or 3 hole where he can drive in 100 runs instead of 80 on the same performance. We NEED middle of the order bats; Martin's performance helps us let Buxton be one of those bats (we're still 2 short). So now you have Wallner and Larnach - what do you so with them? Wallner could hit 30 HRs a year with an .800 OPS and he's pre-arb so you have to keep him and play him. There goes RF or DH most days. We need to get more athletic, faster, and better on defense because Buxton and Wallner are the only 2 guys we have likely to hit 20 or more HRs a year so we have to run, steal bases, and play good defense to have any chance to be successful. Larnach doesn't help us there. Roden, Jenkins, Emma, and even Outman might and we need to find out early in 2026. Gonzalez could be one of those middle of the order bats we need so desperately. We just don't have an everyday OF or DH spot for Larnach if we want to get better, IMHO. What we do have is an opening at 1B. Clemens is not the answer, not even close. He's a fun guy to have on a lousy team. I don't want to be that. While I would seriously consider moving Keaschall to 1B, Lee to 2B, and play Culpeper or a real glove man at SS to improve our infield defense and help the pitching, it looks like that thought is at least a July away. If Larnach wants to stay and get a $4.5-5M salary, he needs to spend every waking off season hour learning 1B. That's the only place he fits with the Twins, IMHO, and he isn't going to get that kind of a deal if he is non-tendered. I think he could be a decent 1B with the bat if he can handle the position with the glove. Wait, why don't we find a $5m free agent 1B instead? Who the heck is that? 33 year old Rhys Hoskins who is weak with the glove, has no speed, and is coming off of injuries and a $17M salary? Good luck getting him for $5M or even $10M and he isn't that much better of a hitter than Larnach any way. Ty France, he of the 88 OPS+, and .680 OPS? He's solid with the glove, but he's 31, coming off his 3rd straight down year and has no power. His one advantage might be his salary in a platoon with Larnach or Clemens. UGH on the second. Luis Arraez, Wilmer Flores, Josh Bell? Not any better than Larnach, arguably worse and probably more expensive. Naylor would be great but he is gong to cost $20M a year plus on a multi-year deal, Ryan O'Hearn is $15m plus, and Pete Alonso in $25M plus. Bottom line, there isn't anybody unless we're going to spend serious money. Moreover, why would any of these guys come to MN where the team isn't very good, the stands are empty, and ownership is in flux? They're going to get the money wherever they go, may as well be a good situation. So, bottom line for me is Larnach learns to play 1B or there just isn't a place for him. On the other hand, there is a spot for him in 2026 if he does learn 1B. Let's nor pre-judge whether he can do it, let's give that a shot. It might be a $4.7M gamble but it fills a real hole if it turns out. Oh, and by the way, it's only a 1 year gamble.

I agree with this with one exception. I think Festa should be in the bullpen next year given his shoulder issues, assuming he's ready to pitch at all. I think that's the best way to get value from next year and we can always switch them back to starting for 20s 27 (if there is a season) and beyond. I would rather keep Matthews as a starter, probably in AAA because I don't think he can beat out SWR or Bradley yet, although I would also be open to having him open up in the bullpen to be a real weapon. I think the AAA depth is able, Morris, Rojas, and maybe Prielipp.

There are two issues with Larnach. His market value is less than the $4.7 million projected salary through arbitration. He's more of a $2 million-$3 million guy. Whether he accept that from the Twins to stay there or agree to a trade knowing that's what the trading team would pay him seems unlikely before the tender deadline. For that reason alone, I think you trade him if you can and get what you can and, if you can't, do not tender him and then potentially try to sign him for less as a free agent. However, the bigger issue is we don't really need him and have nowhere to play him unless he plays 1B. He's not good enough in the outfield and he doesn't hit well enough to be the DH. I agree with the poster that says it's either him or Wallner, not both, but I come out the other way. Wallner can't field much in the outfield either, but he is a potential 30+ HR guy who hit 22 in a down year, and he actually hits left-handed pitching some, so he can be a primary DH who fills in as a RF on occasion. We have to make room for Martin, and need opportunities to guys like Roden, Fedko, Jenkins, Gonzales, Rodriguez, etc. There just isn't room on the roster for both Larnach and Wallner. I would gauge the trade market for both and, unless there was some overwhelming offer for Wallner (unlikely) or some decent offer for Larnach (also unlikely), I would nontender Larnach. I would think about signing him to a smaller contract if possible and bring him to spring training in the hope he can show enough to be traded or as a Plan B if the young guys just aren't ready. It's more that he wouldn't be interested in that and would have better opportunities elsewhere so he wouldn't sign with the Twins if he's non-tendered. In that circumstance, I would be prepared to just say goodbye and give other guys a shot.

I love me some Joe Maddon but it's hard to see why a 71-year-old guy would want to manage a team that may be a few years away from contending, and it's equally hard to see why we would hire someone at the end of their career for a team that requires development time. Maddon might be a great hire for a team on the cusp of true title contention to get them over the hump but that's not the Twins. Also, let's not forget that his last three years with the Angels did not go very well. I don't see him as a good choice.

This. No reason to tender. If we want him on an MilB contract with a ST invite he'll be available in February. If he isn't, someone that looks just like him will be.

So here's a thought about Lee and the rest of the team if development at he MLB level is the real focus for 2026. Do this now so guys can prepare over the winter. Move Keaschall to 1B. Permanently. Move Lee to 2B and he can be the backup SS. I know he wasn't good at 2B before but give him and off season and ST to prepare. Either start Culpeper at SS or sign a guy like IKF or Orlando Arcia, or retain Fitzgerald, to start the season at SS. That guy becomes the utility INF when Culpeper comes up, but that is no later than May 15. Sign Castro as a FA to backup 2B and 3B, SS in a pinch, with Clemens as the backup at 1B, 2B, and RF, 3B in a pinch. Solves the search for a 1B, gives Lee run with some backup if he can't play 2B and he is the Plan B if Culpeper is overmatched. Culpeper gets necessary development time and/or replacement gives us a better fielding SS until Culpeper is ready. Promote Fedko as the 4th/5th OF/1B for his RH bat. Roden is the 4th OF/backup CF, Martin plays every day in LF, and, the part no one will like, re-sign Vasquez for less than $5m to be the second catcher. Our pitchers love him and pitch better when he or Jeffers is behind the plate. Hope Vasquez can OPS .625-.650, replace him with Cardenas or Jhonny Perada if he can't. That's your IF and C. Spend your FA money on relief help. Save some payroll space to take on a bad contract from another team during ST or at the deadline to fill a hole/potentially improve part of the team. Bryan Reyolds of the Pirates stands out - making 13m increasing to 15m a year for a .720 OPS last year, signed through 2030. Pittsburg is always looking to move payroll. Batting order/lineup without Reynolds: Martin (LF), Buxton (CF), Keaschall (1B), Wallner (RF/DH), Jeffers (C), Lewis (3B), Lee (2B/SS), Roden/Fedko (RF/DH), Culpeper/Fitzgerald/FA (SS). Bench - Castro (2B, 3B, SS), Clemens ( 1B/2B/RF), Vasquez (C), UTL who can play SS (Eeles, Fitzgerald, Schobel, FA like INF or Arcia). Against LF starter - switch Wallner and Jeffers. If trading for Reynolds - Reynolds plays LF, hits 5th, Roden/Fedko move to the bench, Martin plays RF, Wallner is full time DH/occasional RF. When Vasquez plays - he hits 8 everyone moves up one. from 5-7 to 4-6. When Castro plays - he hits 9 or 1 and gets one base and steals. A lot. Pencil in 20+ stolen bases from Martin, Buxton, Keaschall, Culpeper and Castro, 10+ from Lewis and Fitzgerald. You will need those to overcome the lack of HR power.

I agree and, unlike Outman, somebody that is actually young and good.

I'm not sanguine about Lee's ability to be an MLB SS long term, but I think you're right. We have to give him at least part of 2026 to find out, even if only because there is no one else and the FA market is either expensive or very thin. Can he become Greg Gagne or Jason Bartlett in the field or at the plate? The fielding looks tough given his lack of speed and agility, but maybe off season training can help that. His bat isn't great but he did improve from .221/.265/.320 (.565), 64 OPS+, in 172 ABs in 2024 to .236/.285/.370, (.655),79 OPS+, in 487 ABs in 2025. Can he improve to 0+ outs above average or the equivalent stat you like in 2026? Can he improve to a .250/.310/.400, 110 OPS+, in 2026? Most likely not, but there's chance. Give him half a season at least to find out. Culpeper and Houston won't be ready until then at the earliest any way.

Much as I'd like to sign a Pete Alonso, you're right. The top tier fee agents will have their choice of where to go and will get the money wherever they go so money isn't a consideration that will move the needle. The Twins are not an attractive destination right now regardless of what they are willing to pay. Players want to go where there is a chance to win during the life of their contracts, where the organization invests in the team and treat players and their families well, and where there is a passionate, committed fan base. None of that describes the current Twins' situation. It does describe the Vikings and that's why they can attract quality free agents. The Twins could do well to look across town and learn a few things. I think the right move is to get a couple of FA relievers in the Danny Coulombe, Jacob Junis, Taylor Rodgers range - serviceable and sometimes more, nothing below. Try to sign Ryan and Jeffers long term (tough since they're Boras clients, but maybe we earned some good will by signing and then trading Correa when he wanted out). Trade Larnach for what you can get and try to bring Castro back for the bench. Other than that, roll with what you got and promote aggressively. Fedko, Roden, Laweryson, Ohl, Festa (relief, not SP) SWR, and Bradley make the team out of ST. Matthews could also move to the BP and start out the season there, depending on what you can get in FA. Anyone falters or gets hurt, Abel, Rojas, Morris, (SPs), Preilipp, Klein (SP/RP) Peredes, and Baker (RP) get a shot. Culpeper, Gonzalez, Jenkins, and Emma are all up by mid-season if they continue to perform in AAA. Eeles, Schobel, and Cardenas get a chance in case of injury. Run the bases like mad, and expect 20+ SBs from Martin, Buxton, and Keaschall (plus Castro if you sign him), and 10+ from Lewis, Roden and Outman (if he makes the team). Hire an aggressive manager who will hold players accountable and not be afraid to bench guys who don't play hard. Don't give out playing time or roster spot scholarships to guys who don't improve (looking at you, Wallner, Lee and Lewis, and Outman and Clemens if they make the team). Improve the defense by moving Keaschall to 1B and singing Castro or a guy with a good glove at 2B or SS. Be a team that is aggressively looking for every possible edge in personnel and tactics. This is a team that will have to win on good starting pitching and on the margins everywhere else. Fight for those margins and if it blows up in certain games, live with that and stay aggressive.