Cody Christie

Image courtesy of © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins spent last summer’s trade deadline walking a fine line between cutting payroll, reshaping the roster, and trying to remain competitive in the future. Now that the 2026 season is underway, it is much easier to evaluate those deals based on their actual impact rather than on deadline-day reactions. To evaluate the overall impact, it's not enough to look at what the Twins gained; we also have to look at the roster impact had no trade been made. Some have barely registered on the current roster. Others have already altered the team's trajectory in meaningful ways. Here is a look back at the most impactful deadline moves from the perspective of the impact on the 2026 roster. Trades That Seem Unlikely to Impact the 2026 Roster A few deals simply have not mattered much in the grand scheme of the current season. Enrique Jimenez for Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak has not produced any noticeable effect on the major league club. Paddack and Dobnak were moved largely to clear innings and payroll flexibility, while Jimenez remains far from contributing in Minnesota. Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong for Willi Castro also fall into that category. Castro was a free agent at the end of the year. So far, the return has not impacted the current roster in any meaningful way either, though Gallagher was recently promoted to AAA-St. Paul. Garrett Horn for Danny Coulombe was another low-level move that has not significantly changed the outlook of the 2026 club. Coulombe provided bullpen depth, but neither side of the trade has created lasting ripple effects. 6. Hendry Mendez and Geremy Villoria for Harrison Bader This move always looked like a short-term rental for Philadelphia, and that is exactly what it became. Bader was heading toward free agency, so there was never a realistic scenario where he would still be patrolling the outfield for Minnesota this season. The interesting part of the trade now revolves around Hendry Mendez. Mendez earned a spot on the 40-man roster this winter and recently reached Triple-A. There are still several left-handed hitting corner outfielders ahead of him on the organizational depth chart, but injuries have a way of opening doors quickly. A major league debut sometime this season feels possible if Minnesota needs offensive reinforcements. 2026 Impact: Mendez has a chance to debut, so this trade still feels relatively low impact for 2026. 5. Matt Mikulski and $70 Million in Salary Relief for Carlos Correa This trade still feels surreal. The Twins moved Correa and attached it to a massive amount of salary relief, only to largely pocket the financial flexibility rather than reinvest it in the roster. Before his recent season-ending ankle injury, Correa was actually playing well and could have helped stabilize Minnesota’s lineup during the first month of the season. At the same time, the injury also reinforces why some in the organization were willing to move on from the long-term commitment. Correa’s absence likely would have become a major issue for Minnesota regardless of where he played. Mikulski has been released from the organization, leaving the biggest takeaway from this deal centered on ownership’s financial decisions rather than the actual baseball return. 2026 Impact: The Twins cleared Correa’s contract but failed to meaningfully reinvest the savings into improving the current roster. 4. Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel for Jhoan Duran This one has become complicated quickly. Tait remains years away from the major leagues, making him difficult to evaluate in the context of the current roster. Abel has spent much of the year dealing with injuries after suffering a setback in his recovery from right elbow inflammation. His recent tricep impingement and cortisone shot pushed his timeline back even further. Meanwhile, Duran looked dominant before suffering a strained left oblique. Prior to the injury, he posted a 1.35 ERA with five saves in 6 2/3 innings before recently returning to action. The frustrating part for Minnesota is obvious. A healthy Duran could be helping hold together one of the worst bullpens in baseball right now. Even if Abel eventually becomes a useful arm, the Twins desperately miss the stability Duran brought to the late innings. 2026 Impact: Minnesota badly misses Duran’s late-inning dominance, while Abel’s injury issues have delayed any return value. 3. James Outman for Brock Stewart Few moves have aged worse in the short term. Outman entered the season out of options, which essentially forced Minnesota to keep him on the active roster. Unfortunately, his production has been almost nonexistent. Through his first 28 games, Outman has produced a staggering -0.4 rWAR while occupying a roster spot that could be going to a younger or more productive player. The bigger issue is roster flexibility. Keeping Outman on the bench has prevented the Twins from cycling through alternative options that may provide more offensive upside. Stewart opened the season injured, but recently returned and made his first appearance over the last week. Even limited bullpen help would have been valuable for this roster, considering how disastrous the relief corps has looked for much of the year. 2026 Impact: Outman has negatively impacted the roster, while Stewart’s return to health could have helped stabilize Minnesota’s bullpen. 2. Kendry Rojas and Alan Roden for Louis Varland and Ty France This trade keeps looking worse by the week for Minnesota. The Twins bullpen has completely unraveled at times during the opening stretch of the season, and Varland has emerged as one of the best relievers in the American League. After stepping into Toronto’s closer role, Varland captured AL Reliever of the Month honors and has given the Blue Jays legitimacy at the back end of games. Minnesota’s roster could desperately use that exact presence right now. Roden has battled injuries at Triple-A and has not impacted the major league roster, while Rojas continues flashing electric stuff that may ultimately fit best in a bullpen role long term. The evaluation overwhelmingly centers on Varland. Right now, it is difficult to look at the Twins' bullpen struggles and not wonder how different games might feel with Varland handling the ninth inning. 2026 Impact: Varland’s breakout as Toronto’s closer has magnified how much the Twins need reliable bullpen arms right now. 1. Taj Bradley for Griffin Jax This is a clear win for Minnesota. While several other deadline moves have created frustration, the acquisition of Taj Bradley has been one of the few unquestioned bright spots on the roster. Bradley has emerged as the team’s most valuable pitcher, leading the club with a 1.7 rWAR while posting a 154 ERA+ through his first eight starts. Provided he gets past this recent pectoral injury, Bradley gives the Twins a legitimate chance to win every fifth day. Meanwhile, Jax has struggled since arriving in Tampa Bay as the Rays attempt to transition him into a starting role. The raw material remains intriguing, but the results have not been consistent. For a team searching for rotation stability after injuries and inconsistency, Bradley’s emergence has been enormous. Unlike some of the other deadline moves that created long-term questions, this trade already looks like one of the few decisions that is actively helping Minnesota compete in 2026. 2026 Impact: Bradley has emerged as Minnesota’s best starter and one of the few clear positives from the 2025 trade deadline. Trade deadlines are always judged too quickly. Some deals that looked smart in the moment now appear disastrous because of injuries, roster construction problems, or lack of reinvestment from ownership. Others that drew skepticism initially are beginning to show real value. What stands out most from the Twins’ 2025 deadline activity is how uneven the results have become. Minnesota clearly weakened parts of the bullpen and sacrificed valuable depth, and the consequences are showing up almost nightly this season. At the same time, Bradley’s emergence gives the organization at least one foundational piece to point toward as evidence that not every move was designed strictly to cut costs. Unfortunately for the Twins, one successful trade does not erase the growing list of questions surrounding the rest of the roster. Do you agree with the rankings above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images During the offseason, there was constant discussion about the Twins having too much starting pitching depth. Minnesota looked like a team with eight legitimate rotation options before even mentioning some of the team's top starters in the upper minors, who were viewed more as a long-term development projects than an immediate contributors. At the time, it felt reasonable to wonder whether the Twins should trade from that depth. Injuries happen, but few teams carry that many realistic starting options into a season. A few months later, that conversation feels almost impossible to believe. What once looked like one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball has quickly unraveled. One starter is out for the season following Tommy John surgery. Another recently landed on the injured list after pitching like the staff ace. Multiple depth options have battled significant arm injuries, while another has struggled badly enough that a move to the bullpen may be necessary. Suddenly, the Twins are no longer talking about a pitching surplus. They are simply trying to piece together enough healthy innings to survive. Looking back at the preseason expectations compared to the current reality shows just how quickly pitching depth can disappear. Pablo Lopez Preseason Expectation: Ace of the staff. Helping the Twins stay on the fringes of contention. Current Reality: Lopez is out for the season following Tommy John surgery. Losing the team’s most dependable starter completely changed the outlook of the rotation and forced everyone else into bigger roles. Joe Ryan Preseason Expectation: Build off his first All-Star season and continue establishing himself as one of the American League’s best pitchers. Current Reality: Ryan briefly terrified the organization after leaving last Sunday’s start following just nine pitches because of elbow soreness. Fortunately, he returned for last night's outing without needing an injured list stint. At this point, simply having Ryan healthy feels critical to keeping the rotation together. Bailey Ober Preseason Expectation: There was optimism that a healthy offseason could help Ober regain some of the velocity he lost last year. Current Reality: The velocity still has not returned, with his fastball averaging just 88.6 mph. However, Ober has adapted by leaning more heavily on his changeup and sequencing effectively enough to remain productive. Taj Bradley Preseason Expectation: The Twins spent the offseason trying to determine which version of Bradley they acquired from Tampa Bay at last year’s trade deadline. His inconsistency with the Rays made it difficult to project his role. Current Reality: Bradley looked like the team’s ace before landing on the injured list with right pectoral muscle inflammation. With the state of the rotation, the Twins desperately need him back and pitching well as quickly as possible. Simeon Woods Richardson Preseason Expectation: Woods Richardson had developed a reputation as one of the organization’s steadier pitching options and looked like a reliable back-end starter. Current Reality: He has been one of baseball’s least effective starters with a 64 ERA+ while allowing an MLB-leading 30 earned runs. Since he is out of minor league options, if the Twins want to reset him, it would need to be in the bullpen. Mick Abel Preseason Expectation: One of the key pieces acquired at last year’s trade deadline, Abel entered the spring with expectations that he could eventually force his way into the major league rotation. Current Reality: Abel impressed early before right elbow inflammation landed him on the injured list. A setback later required a cortisone shot, adding even more uncertainty to his timeline. David Festa Preseason Expectation: Festa was expected to fight for a rotation spot this spring. Even if he began the season at Triple-A, he remained one of the first starters called upon when the Twins needed reinforcements. Current Reality: Festa has spent the entire season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury that has resulted in multiple setbacks. At this point, if he returns this year, it may only be as a reliever. Zebby Matthews Preseason Expectation: Matthews gave the Twins another valuable layer of Triple-A depth. Current Reality: He struggled early in Triple-A but has shown recent improvement. Given Minnesota’s current situation, Matthews may soon become the next starter called upon. Connor Prielipp Preseason Expectation: Prielipp entered the year as the organization’s top pitching prospect; he wasn't supposed to be one of the eight major league-ready starters. There was speculation (both internally and externally) about whether his long-term future belonged in the bullpen. Current Reality: He arrived in the majors earlier than expected when Abel was injured and, with Bradley sidelined, will likely continue to receive every opportunity to establish himself in the rotation. The Twins entered the season believing they had enough starting pitching depth to withstand almost anything. Instead, they have learned the same lesson every organization eventually learns. There is never such a thing as too much pitching. What once looked like an organizational strength has quickly become one of the biggest reasons this season feels so fragile. Injuries, setbacks, and inconsistency have thinned out a group that once seemed overflowing with options. Now, every healthy start feels important, every injury update carries added weight, and young pitchers are being asked to contribute earlier than expected. Back in March, the conversation centered around whether the Twins could afford to trade from their pitching depth. By May, that depth is already gone. What stands out about the preseason projections and current reality? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images There were plenty of raised eyebrows when Minnesota tendered Trevor Larnach a $4.5 million arbitration deal this past offseason. He was coming off one of the least impactful seasons of his big league career. Across 142 games, he posted a 100 OPS+ and finished with just 0.1 WAR, dragged down almost entirely by his defensive limitations. The Twins limited him to just 53 starts in the outfield, a clear indication they were trying to hide the glove while keeping his bat in the lineup. That decision looked even more questionable when factoring in roster construction. The Twins already had a crowded mix of left-handed hitting outfielders, including Matt Wallner, James Outman, and Alan Roden. On top of that, high-end prospects like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez loom as long-term fixtures. It was fair to wonder where Larnach fit, and whether his role would shrink even further. For much of his career, Minnesota treated Larnach carefully on defense, in part because of injury concerns and in part because of his performance. The organization continued to bet on the bat that once made him a first-round pick out of Oregon State, and there were flashes that justified that belief. He posted a 116 OPS+ in 2024 and delivered 1.3 rWAR, while his 2022 campaign produced a career best 1.4 rWAR in just 51 games. So what is different now is not just the bat. It is the glove. According to Cory Provus on a recent Twins radio broadcast, Larnach has made a meaningful change to his daily routine. In previous seasons, his extensive stretching program was largely reserved for the offseason. Once the grind of the regular season began, that routine faded. This year, it has become a consistent part of his pregame work, helping him stay loose, improve mobility, and better prepare his body for the demands of the outfield. That physical preparation has been paired with focused defensive instruction. Larnach has spent significant time working with new outfield coach Grady Sizemore, honing fundamentals that had previously lagged behind. The emphasis has been on first-step quickness, reading the ball off the bat, and improving routes. It is not about turning Larnach into a Gold Glove defender, but about eliminating the plays he used to miss. The results have been noticeable. Over the last three seasons, Larnach has graded out as a below-average defender, but this season, he has been a positive contributor in left field. He already has three Defensive Runs Saved, a sharp turnaround from prior seasons. The underlying metrics support the eye test. Larnach sits at 1 Outs Above Average and 2 Fielding Run Value in 2026. A year ago, those numbers were deep in the negative at -4 OAA and -7 FRV. Even marginal gains in range and efficiency are making a real difference. Part of that improvement shows up in his athleticism. His sprint speed has ticked up from 26.1 feet per second to 26.6, which moves him from the 19th percentile to the 34th percentile. It is not a dramatic leap, but it is enough to help him close gaps and finish plays he previously could not reach. While the defensive growth is the headline, Larnach has also been productive at the plate. Over the team’s last 16 games, he owns a .300/.407/.420 (.827) slash line across 59 plate appearances. On the season, he is hitting .288/.418/.425 (843) with a 135 OPS+, and he recently pushed his on-base streak to a career-best 19 games. His approach has taken a clear step forward. Larnach is walking at an 18.4% clip, a significant jump from his 10.2% career-rate, while trimming his strikeout rate down to 17.3% from where it sat at 34% during the 2023 season. The improved discipline is allowing his offensive floor to rise, even without a surge in power. The combination of steadier offense and improved defense is changing the conversation around Larnach. What once looked like a questionable arbitration decision is starting to resemble a quiet win for the Twins front office. If Larnach can continue to pair league-average or better offense with a playable defense in left field, he no longer looks redundant. He looks useful. And in a crowded outfield picture, that might be the difference between fighting for a roster spot and holding onto one. Sometimes the biggest changes are not mechanical overhauls or swing reinventions. Sometimes they start with something as simple as stretching. What has stood out about Larnach so far this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Walker JenkinsKaelen CulpepperEmmanuel RodriguezConnor PrielippMarek HoustonEduardo TaitDasan HillRiley QuickKendry RojasGabriel GonzalezCharlee SotoHendry MendezCJ CulpepperAndrew MorrisQuentin YoungKyle DeBargeRyan GallagherKhadim DiawBrandon WinokurKyler Fedko

Walker JenkinsKaelen CulpepperEmmanuel RodriguezConnor PrielippMarek HoustonEduardo TaitDasan HillRiley QuickKendry RojasGabriel GonzalezCharlee SotoHendry MendezCJ CulpepperAndrew MorrisQuentin YoungKyle DeBargeRyan GallagherKhadim DiawBrandon WinokurKyler Fedko

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Quentin Young) Baseball lineage can bring attention, but production still has to be earned. Quentin Young entered pro ball with both a well-known last name and a toolset that caught scouts' attention. Now, as his first full season gets underway, there are early indications that he may be starting to find his footing offensively. Quentin’s uncles, Dmitri and Delmon Young, each carved out lengthy major league careers. While their playing days have long since ended, the family name continues to carry weight as the next generation works its way through professional baseball. When Young decided to reclassify into the 2025 draft, he brought both that pedigree and a tantalizing skill set with him. His raw power stood out immediately, drawing some of the highest grades in his class. There was legitimate first-round buzz at times, but questions about his hit tool ultimately pushed him into the second round, where Minnesota selected him and signed him for a full slot bonus of $1.76 million. Early exposure to pro ball offered a glimpse of both the upside and the work ahead. In a brief five-game stint last season, Young managed just two hits in 17 at-bats while striking out nine times. The sample size was minimal, but it reflected the challenge that comes with harnessing such a power-driven profile. The Twins have already begun addressing those concerns. Young spent the offseason at the team’s complex focusing on simplifying his offensive approach. With his 6-foot-6 frame, there will likely always be some swing-and-miss in his game, but the organization has emphasized reducing unnecessary movement and creating a more direct path through the zone. The goal is to give his power a better chance to show up in games. Defensively, Young continues to develop as well. While he still sees time at shortstop, most projections point toward a future at third base. During the 2026 season, he has played both positions. His arm strength is a clear asset and should translate well to the left side, even if his size eventually limits his range up the middle. “A player comp for me would be Elly De La Cruz,” Young said. “We’re both around 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6, really tall and quick on the infield. We both have a lot of power. I’m probably not as fast as him, but I definitely think I can be as fast as him at some point.” “I think that’s the biggest goal I have, just to stay at shortstop for as long as I can,” he said. “I feel like if I keep putting the work in and keep staying at that position for a long time, I feel like I could definitely play it as well as other players.” The start of the 2026 season has followed a familiar developmental arc. Young opened the year in the Florida State League, where he is over two years younger than the average age of the competition. The early results were rough, as he went 8-for-50 (.160 BA) over his first 13 games. More recently, though, there have been signs of progress. However, he’s gone 13-for-45 (.288 BA) over his last 11 games with two doubles and a homer. This past Sunday, he had the first four-hit game of his career. On Tuesday, he hit his second homer of the year. It is far too soon to draw sweeping conclusions, but the recent stretch offers a glimpse of what adjustments can look like when they begin to take hold. Young was always viewed as a long-term project, one built on elite raw power that would require time and refinement to fully emerge. That reality has not changed. Development for a player with his profile is rarely linear, and there will be more ups and downs ahead. But if the recent improvements are tied to the work he put in during the offseason, the Twins may be starting to see the early stages of an offensive corner being turned. What stands out about Young so far? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Twins Daily's top ranked prospect Walker Jenkins is once again dealing with an injury, this time after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. The injury occurred on Sunday while playing for Triple-A St. Paul, adding another interruption to what has already been a stop-and-start season. The organization announced that Jenkins will be re-evaluated in 10 days, at which point a clearer timetable for his return should become clearer. For now, the expectation is that he will miss at least a couple of weeks while recovering. The injury happened on a defensive play in center field when Jenkins made a running catch and carried his momentum into the wall. After securing the ball, he hit the fence hard and immediately went to the ground. He exited the game with a trainer and did not return. Imaging the following day confirmed the shoulder sprain. This marks the second time Jenkins has been sidelined this season. The 21-year-old appeared in just four Grapefruit League games before a hamstring injury kept him out of action. When healthy, he has been productive at the plate, hitting .256/.396/.389 across 111 plate appearances with St. Paul. Despite the setbacks, Jenkins showed flashes of his upside during a recent stretch against Iowa. Over that series, he went 8-for-18 with four doubles, a home run, four runs batted in, six runs scored, and four walks. It was one of his most complete offensive showings of the season before the injury halted his momentum. Durability has been one of the few question marks in Jenkins’ young career. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has yet to play a full season, appearing in 82 and 84 games during his first two professional campaigns. In 2025, he missed nearly the entire first month after an ankle sprain in minor league camp. The year prior, a hamstring injury on Opening Day sidelined him for six and a half weeks. Jenkins is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, but consistent time on the field has remained elusive. For a Twins organization looking to develop impact talent, his development is critical. Each setback delays that timeline, even if only temporarily. The injury news does not stop with Jenkins. Triple-A St. Paul has been hit hard in recent days, with outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez leaving Friday’s game with a left thumb injury after a headfirst slide into first base. Infielder Kaelen Culpepper was also absent from Sunday’s lineup after being hit by a pitch. For now, the focus remains on Jenkins’ recovery and his return to the field. The talent is undeniable. The challenge continues to be keeping him there long enough to fully realize it. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins have been searching for consistency in the early part of the season, and over the past week, Byron Buxton provided exactly that. When he is healthy and locked in, there are few players in baseball who can impact a game in as many ways, and this latest stretch served as a reminder of his game-changing ability on both sides of the ball. Buxton put together one of the most productive weeks of his career, appearing in seven games and collecting 10 hits in 29 at-bats for a .345 average. His power was on full display as he launched five home runs, added a double, and swiped two bases. He also crossed the plate six times and drove in seven runs, serving as the catalyst for Minnesota’s offense throughout the week. Notably, he homered in five of those seven games, including a streak of three consecutive contests, marking the sixth time in his career he has accomplished that feat. This recognition marks the third time in Buxton’s 12-year career that he has earned American League Player of the Week honors. His previous awards came on August 26, 2017, and June 11, 2022. It also represents a milestone for the Twins lineup, as Buxton becomes the first Minnesota hitter to take home the award since Luke Keaschall did so on August 9 of last season. With this latest honor, Buxton continues to climb into elite territory within franchise history. He is now one of six players in Twins history to win the award at least three times while with the organization. That group includes Kent Hrbek, Joe Mauer, Kirby Puckett, Rod Carew, and Johan Santana, a collection of names that highlights just how impactful Buxton has been when at his best. Buxton got off to a slow start at the plate to begin the season, and some have pointed to his limited action in the World Baseball Classic after being hit by a pitch as a contributing factor. Through his first eight games, he went just 4-for-30 (.133) with 10 strikeouts. Since then, the turnaround has been significant. Over his next 24 games, he has posted a .288/.351/.615 (.966) slash line with 10 home runs and four doubles, a stretch that looks much more like the All-Star level production the Twins have come to expect. If this stretch is any indication of what Buxton can provide moving forward, the Twins lineup may have found the spark it needs. His combination of power, speed, and defensive excellence makes him one of the most dynamic players in the game, and when he is producing at this level, Minnesota looks like a much more dangerous team. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images On Sunday, Joe Ryan walked off the mound after just nine pitches, and Twins Territory collectively held its breath. The initial diagnosis was right elbow soreness. With Pablo López already sidelined for the season following Tommy John surgery, concern spread quickly. Minnesota fans have seen this story before, and it rarely ends well. Fortunately, the tone shifted quickly. Imaging revealed no structural damage, and Ryan was back on the field playing catch before Tuesday’s game. A bullpen session Wednesday went well, and there is a real chance Ryan takes his next turn in the rotation. For now, the organization and its fan base can ease their nerves, even if only slightly. “I didn’t feel too much discomfort,” Ryan said. “You never know. The injuries I’ve had in the past have kind of been—it wasn’t this excruciating pain or anything crazy, and then I’ve been optimistic on the other side and had bad results. This time around, having good results definitely was, obviously, a win-win and reassuring. You never know until the imaging comes back.” “There will be a watchful eye,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “The first thing you want with any of your players, or especially your pitchers, is if they feel something, especially in their arm, we want them to communicate it. We want to make sure we’re not going to put him in harm’s way. We will carefully monitor this situation. The one really great thing about Joe is, he is probably in tune with his body as any player I’ve ever been around. He can articulate really well what he’s feeling.” That awareness represents growth. Not long ago, Ryan tried to pitch through an injury, rather than being proactive about communication with the team. In 2023, he took the ball against the Atlanta Braves despite dealing with a groin issue suffered during warmups. The results were brutal (5 homers), and the lingering effects were even worse. He carried the injury through multiple outings, posting an ERA north of 8.00 before finally acknowledging something was wrong. This time, he did the opposite. He spoke up immediately, and that decision may have prevented a far more serious outcome. Still, even a minor scare like this can ripple through a front office. Coming into this season, Ryan looked as important to the Twins' future as anyone on the team—whether he was destined to be physically present in Minnesota for that future or not. His name has surfaced in trade speculation before, including last year when a false report briefly sent him to the Boston Red Sox in the rumor mill. That chatter has not disappeared. If anything, it's growing louder as the deadline approaches. This situation complicates things. On one hand, Ryan’s clean MRI and quick return to throwing should reassure potential buyers. On the other hand, it serves as a reminder of how fragile pitching depth can be. Minnesota has already lost López for the year, and Ryan himself missed significant time in 2024 with a shoulder strain that ended his season early. That track record matters, both internally and in trade conversations. If the team has decided that trading Ryan is the best way to balance their short- and long-term competitive goals, this scare could motivate them to act fast. Waiting until late July won't materially increase his value, and in the meantime, all the injury risk associated with him is the Twins' to manage. An early trade to one of the many teams who weren't so lucky this spring when their ace came up with a barking elbow makes sense. There's also the possibility that this moment pushes Minnesota in the opposite direction. Rather than entertaining offers, the front office could decide that holding onto Ryan is the safer path. Twins ownership has been vocal about the team contending this year, even if the results haven’t matched that narrative. Contending teams rarely subtract stability from their rotation, and even a brief injury scare can reinforce just how important that stability is. The more aggressive scenario would be exploring an earlier move, perhaps in June, once Ryan has reestablished himself. That approach would be unconventional, but it could allow the Twins to maximize return while avoiding the frenzy and uncertainty of late July. Of course, any acquiring team would scrutinize his medical history closely, making this far from a straightforward decision. Ryan’s nine-pitch outing Sunday may not impact the standings, but it could shape the direction of the season. The Twins were given a fortunate outcome this time: clean imaging, quick recovery, and no immediate damage. But it also served as a reminder that plans can change instantly. For a team with an unclear future, that kind of reminder can be enough to rethink everything. Should the Twins consider an early trade deadline deal for Ryan? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Peter Aiken-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins bullpen has spent the opening weeks of the season doing an impressive impression of a piñata at a birthday party. Opponents are lining up, taking their swings, and walking away with something sweet. Near the bottom of the league in ERA, WPA, FIP, and just about every other acronym that signals distress, Minnesota’s relief corps has quickly turned from a question mark into a flashing red warning sign. Naturally, this led the front office to a bold and innovative solution: revisiting the exact veteran option they decided they did not need roughly five minutes ago. Back in spring training, the Twins had a handful of experienced bullpen arms in camp, including former All Star closer Liam Hendriks. The narrative practically wrote itself. A respected veteran returning to the organization where his career began, providing leadership and stability to a group that needed both. It had all the makings of a feel good story. Instead, the Twins released him before Opening Day. Fast forward to early May, and with the bullpen actively setting new and creative ways to lose leads, the front office reportedly found itself staring at Hendriks’ contact information like a middle schooler debating whether to text their ex. “It was a tough call,” said one anonymous front office member. “Not emotionally. Just, you know, logistically. We had to figure out what to even say. There is no template for ‘Hey, remember when we said you were not good enough? Quick follow up, about that.’” Another executive described the internal discussion leading up to the call. “We ran the numbers,” they said. “Then we ran them again hoping they would change. They did not. At some point someone just said, ‘What if we simply pretended none of that happened?’ and honestly that was the best plan we had.” According to sources, the call itself was… not smooth. “Hey Liam, it’s us,” one staffer reportedly began. “Just checking in. How have you been? Crazy weather lately, right? Anyway, quick question, how do you feel about high leverage innings on a team that currently treats them like a suggestion?” Hendriks, for his part, handled the situation about as well as could be expected. “I missed the part where I was supposed to be gone long enough for this to make sense,” Hendriks said. “But I appreciate the confidence now. It is very… timely.” He paused before adding, “Do I get bonus points for pretending I did not hear them laugh nervously before asking if I still had my glove?” Twins fans, meanwhile, have taken the development in stride, which is to say not at all. “I thought the plan was to build a bullpen,” said one fan outside Target Field. “Not crowdsource one after two weeks.” Another fan was more direct. “They let him go, watched the bullpen implode, and now they are calling him like they forgot their wallet at dinner,” they said. “At this point I am expecting them to check if Joe Nathan is free too.” There is, of course, a certain symmetry to all of this. The Twins identified a potential solution, moved on from it, and then rediscovered it only after exhausting less effective alternatives. It is not quite a full circle moment so much as a slow, awkward shuffle back to where they started. Whether Hendriks actually returns remains to be seen. Pride, practicality, and the memory of that spring decision all loom large. But the mere existence of the call says plenty about where things stand. For now, the bullpen continues to search for answers, the front office continues to search for better decisions, and somewhere out there, a phone sits quietly, hoping it does not ring again. Because if it does, everyone already knows how that conversation is going to go. View full article

Image courtesy of William Parmeter Player development is often where organizations separate themselves, and the Minnesota Twins are making sure they are not standing still. In a recent appearance on Inside Twins, Director of Player Development Drew MacPhail offered a detailed look into how the organization is rethinking pitching usage and in-game strategy across the minor leagues. What emerged from the conversation was a clear theme. The Twins are not just tweaking around the edges. They are actively challenging long-held norms about how pitchers are deployed and how information flows during a game. The goal is not only better performance today, but a more adaptable and durable pitching pipeline for the future. One of the most notable changes centers on how starting pitchers are used. Traditionally, starters work every five days and build toward 100 pitch outings. Minnesota is pushing against that model by experimenting with a four-day rotation paired with shorter outings. Last year, the Twins tried it with a handful of guys, but this year, it's expanded to about a dozen pitchers. “Honestly, we've been doing a lot of research and talking a lot about this for a long time,” said MacPhail. “We experimented with it in 2025 in a smaller group, and we saw a ton of success. I think the idea behind it…was basically the idea that some of your starting pitcher type guys, some of your best pitchers in the organization, if you put them on a four-day, there's actually some interesting research that they could actually bounce back a little bit quicker if kept under a certain pitch count.” MacPhail continued, “And the benefit of that was they'd actually be able to accrue more innings over the course of a season on that schedule. So we sort of started with a pilot program, and what we saw was the guys that we put on that program having more success in that four-day type role than they had in the previous year, as well as taking down more innings. The group was excited about kind of rolling it out to a bigger group this year, and that's what you're seeing so far in the 2026 season.” The early results gave the Twins confidence to expand the program, and the structure has already produced meaningful workloads. Pitchers like John Klein approached the 100-inning mark last season, a significant benchmark for developing arms. That shift, however, creates logistical challenges. With a mix of four-day and five-day starters and a universal off day, overlap is inevitable. Instead of viewing that as a problem, Minnesota is turning it into an advantage through piggyback outings. “I think what you ultimately see is you have some of your best starting pitchers sort of piggybacking each other,” said MacPhail. “So, an example of that that happened recently was Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas. Kendry was on that four-day schedule, Connor was in a true five-day starter type role. Those guys piggybacked each other and ended up taking down eight plus innings of incredible baseball and Triple-A.” “So I think what it ultimately means is you have sort of more of your starter type guys pitching on top of each other more, but ultimately that's sort of one of the benefits as well, is you kind of have two guys going back and forth, giving you a lot of innings, actually more than a starter pro typically would, is the idea and some two of your best pitchers taking over that workload.” Beyond the immediate results, the approach also creates flexibility in how pitchers transition to the majors. Instead of forcing a binary choice between starter and reliever, the Twins are building pitchers who can handle multiple roles depending on need. The Twins are not stopping with pitcher usage. They are also experimenting with coaches calling pitches during games, a responsibility that has traditionally been the catcher's at the professional level. This is the norm in college baseball, with nearly every program having the coaches call the pitches. “The first is our pitching coaches spend a ton of time going over the advanced process game planning for hitters,” said MacPhail. “Our catchers do as well. But I think if you broke down that time a lot, then the pitching coaches are really the ones that are digging into it and putting in the most work and effort on that front and then helping educate the catchers on that.” MacPhail discussed how the pitching coaches have the information in front of them during the game, making it easier to call pitches. The catcher is relying on recall and memory, which can be challenging with in-game batter changes, different matchups, etc. “I think if you think about it from the outside looking in, it makes sense, just like you see an offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator in the NFL or college football calling plays, that the pitching coach would be calling plays, right? So I think it's a copycat league. We've seen some other organizations do that this past year.” So, what are the benefits of coaches calling pitches? “I think there's an ancillary benefit of our lower-level catching prospects, learning the pitch coach calling process from our pitching coaches, kind of spurring more dialogue there. Additionally, I think those games when they're not calling pitches, it helps free them up, and we're interested in do they perform better offensively? Do they perform better from a receiving standpoint, from a blocking and throwing standpoint?” “There's so many things they have to worry about during the course of a game. If we take this sort of mental workload off them, well, we actually see their performance take up some too. So, you know, I'm not going to pretend like we know for sure that it's going to be a huge success, but it's something that we want to experiment with in the minor leagues, and ultimately, you know, it's a testing ground to bring these concepts to the major league team.” For an organization that has consistently emphasized development, these changes represent a willingness to rethink the blueprint. Not every experiment will stick, and MacPhail was clear that there are tradeoffs worth evaluating. Still, the Twins are leaning into the idea that the minor leagues should be a proving ground for innovation. If the early returns hold, Minnesota may not just be developing pitchers. It may be reshaping how they are developed across the game. Will these changes be successful in the minors? How will this impact the big-league level? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (Photo of John Klein) Not every prospect arrives with hype, signing bonuses, or a clear path to the majors. Some take the scenic route, winding through back fields, small schools, and relative anonymity before forcing their way into the conversation. John Klein fits that description perfectly, and after a breakout 2025 season, he is no longer flying under the radar. A Minnesota native from Brooklyn Park, Klein’s baseball journey started without much fanfare. He went undrafted out of Iowa Central Community College in 2022, eventually signing with the Twins as a free agent after showing promise in the Northwoods League. At the time, he looked like organizational depth, a tall right-hander with projection but limited present stuff. What has followed since then is a steady and impressive climb. Klein spent the next two seasons quietly working his way through A ball, refining his mechanics and building strength. In 2023, he moved from rookie ball to High-A. He posted a 4.17 ERA with a 23.9 K% and a 9.0 BB% across 58 1/3 innings. Minnesota had him return to Cedar Rapids for the entire 2024 season. In 100 1/3 innings, he posted a 4.57 ERA with a 20.4 K% and an 8.6 BB%. He wasn’t overpowering or putting himself on the prospect radar. That changed in 2025 when everything started to click. Pitching for Double-A, Klein posted a 3.12 ERA with 95 strikeouts across 80 2/3 innings, establishing himself as a legitimate arm in the system. A late-season promotion to Triple-A brought mixed results, but he still managed 33 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings against more advanced competition. The transformation is not just statistical. At 6 feet 5 and now around 225 pounds, Klein has added noticeable strength to his frame. Early in his pro career, he sat around 90 mph with his fastball. By 2025, that number had climbed into the mid-90s, averaging 94 and touching 97. The Twins’ development system deserves credit here, particularly their velocity programs that have helped unlock more from previously modest arms. Klein’s delivery adds deception, allowing the fastball to play up even further. His arsenal has grown alongside the velocity. What once was a limited mix has evolved into five distinct pitches. The biggest development has been his curveball, now sitting around 80 mph with sharper break and the potential to miss bats when located well. He has also worked in a splitter in the mid-80s and an upper-80s cutter, giving him multiple looks against hitters from both sides of the plate. That said, there are still questions about his long-term role. While Klein has the repertoire of a starter, he does not yet possess a consistent put-away pitch. The curveball flashes that potential, but can be inconsistent, and without a true swing and miss offering, he may struggle to turn lineups over multiple times at the highest level. Some within the organization believe his stuff could tick up even more in a bullpen role, where shorter outings might allow everything to play at peak intensity. Even with that uncertainty, Klein has already forced his way into the Twins’ plans at the highest level. After being added to the 40-man roster this offseason, he did not have to wait long for his opportunity, making his big-league debut in recent days. The early look confirmed what the organization has believed for a while now, that his development has put him in a position to contribute in a meaningful way. There is something fitting about Klein’s trajectory. A local kid who grew up a short drive from Target Field now is pitching there, not as a highly touted draft pick but as a player who earned every step along the way. Whether he settles into a rotation spot, a swingman role, or a multi- inning relief job, Klein has already exceeded expectations and reshaped his outlook. For an organization constantly searching for pitching depth, stories like this matter. And for Klein, the next chapter could be the most meaningful yet. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints As the calendar turns to May, minor league players are starting to find a rhythm. Early-season noise starts to fade, and what remains is a clearer picture of who is making real adjustments and turning tools into production. This is often the point at which prospects either stabilize or begin to separate themselves. For several of the Twins’ top prospects, that separation is already taking shape. Strong underlying approaches are now translating into box score results, and a handful of names are forcing their way into bigger conversations within the organization. Whether it's former top picks showing why they were so highly regarded or emerging talents finding another gear, the system is beginning to generate some real momentum. OF Walker Jenkins– St. Paul Saints How He Got Here: Since being selected fifth overall in the 2023 draft, Jenkins has looked every bit like the advanced bat scouts envisioned out of high school. His climb to Triple-A before his 21st birthday speaks to both his polish and upside. When he has been available, the production has followed, highlighted by a career OPS north of .850 and strong underlying metrics against upper-level pitching. The challenge has been staying on the field. Various lower-body injuries have limited his total games played, slowing what could have been an even faster rise. Even so, he still managed to be one of the most productive hitters in the system last year. Hitting the Hot Button: Jenkins was locked in at the plate over the past week. Entering play on Sunday, Jenkins had gone 7-for-16 (.438) with four doubles and a home run over his last seven days. He drew four walks to help him get on base nearly 53% of the time and posted a 1.401 OPS. On Friday, he tied the Saints franchise record with three doubles in one game. The momentum hit an unfortunate pause, though, when he exited Sunday’s game after colliding with the outfield fence. He has a Grade 2 sprain of the AC joint in his shoulder and is likely to miss several weeks. C Khadim Diaw– Cedar Rapids Kernels How He Got Here: Diaw’s track record is as much about perseverance as it is about performance. When healthy, he has consistently hit, dating back to his college days, where he showed a strong combination of contact ability and on-base skills. Injuries have interrupted that trajectory at multiple points, but each return has brought more of the same offensive profile. After impressing in summer leagues and pre-draft workouts, the Twins invested a 2024 third-round pick in his bat. His first full professional season has followed a familiar pattern with flashes of production mixed with missed time, but the underlying approach continues to stand out. Hitting the Hot Button: Few hitters in the system have been tougher to retire recently than Diaw. He strung together a remarkable stretch of plate appearances where he reached base a dozen times in a row, combining consistent contact with a disciplined eye. A standout midweek performance saw him reach base five times in a single game. For the season, he is slashing .279/.426/.349, with four extra-base hits and a 26-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio, even while facing older pitchers in 65% of his plate appearances. The blend of patience and contact is turning heads. OF/1B Jaime Ferrer– Cedar Rapids Kernels How He Got Here: Ferrer entered pro ball with a solid offensive foundation after being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Florida State. His debut offered glimpses of that potential as he posted a .748 OPS in 24 games. However, his first extended run at High-A exposed areas that needed refinement. In 101 games, he hit .216/.296/.339 (.634) with 27 extra-base hits and 84 strikeouts compared to 23 walks. The Twins challenged him by sending him back to the same level to start 2026. Hitting the Hot Button: That decision is already paying dividends, with adjustments to his approach and swing decisions that have helped unlock a more complete offensive profile. Ferrer has been one of the most productive hitters in the Midwest League to start the season. A breakout game on Saturday featuring two home runs (in the same inning) highlighted his growing power, but the broader story is his improved plate discipline and overall offensive balance. In 25 games this season, he is hitting .319/.449/.611, with six home runs and three doubles. His ability to produce against older pitching (1.160 OPS) only adds to the intrigue, suggesting real growth rather than a small sample spike. The common thread with this group is impact through adversity. Each player has dealt with interruptions or developmental hurdles, yet all three are showing the ability to adjust and produce when given the opportunity. That combination of resilience and performance is exactly what organizations hope to see from players pushing toward the next level. Of course, what happened to Jenkins is exactly what everyone hopes not to see. What stands out about this trio of prospects? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article