mluebker

Unless he’s a starting-quality catcher or reliable relief pitcher, I have a hard time seeing where Clemens plugs into any other holes. If they need an upgrade, it’s in the outfield far more than at second base, even if Jenkins and Rodriguez are ready to play out there every day. Buxton is the DH of the future and Keaschall doesn’t belong out there (or at second) with his weak arm and iron glove. But because he can hit and run the bases, he’s a keeper. So he ends up at first base unless someone better is on the trading block and the Twins have something that team needs. Right now they need stability across the roster and defense they can count on. So I have a hard time imagine them making any big upgrade moves except to replace Jeffers or add some experience in the bullpen. Until the new CPA is signed, I think they’ll thin out some of the dead wood, and the rest of the roster they ended the season with will be the one they have to start 2027.

…or maybe when Marek Houston arrives, he’s at SS and Culpepper moves over to second.

Let me put it another, probably better way: There are other holes to plug before worrying about an upgrade at second base. Clemens is a good defender and reliable hitter—that’s more than they have almost anywhere else on the field right now. So first figure out those other slots and then start thinking about what all-star second baseman wants to play for the Twins.

Any GM but one the Twins hire, I guess. My point was that second base isn’t a gaping hole on the field or in the lineup right now. It’s one of the few places where they have someone competent with both a bat and a glove, where they don’t need to take immediate action. No, they don’t need a roster full of over-achieving super-utility guys, but I can’t help thinking such a team still might have done better than this one. So I’m glad to see Lee somewhere he can play every day, Culpepper at short, and Jenkins and Rodriguez playing in the outfield. Guys like Lewis and Larnach are crying for upgrades, and Keaschall needs to find a home in the field (1B) where his defense isn’t taking away from what his bat is producing. I’m worried about who’s going to be behind the plate more than who’s going to be playing second base. And the bullpen still needs some improvement as well. Heck, maybe with a reliable defense behind them, we discover some of those bullpen arms are more consistent than we thought. If there’s money to spend and interest in some of the potential trade bait they have, plug the holes. And when that’s done, then start thinking about upgrades.

At this point they should be building a team around Clemens, one of the few guys who both was a reliable hitter and a solid defender this year. More like him—and thankfully some of the young ones are finally getting a look—and they have a roster that plausibly makes the playoffs. There aren’t enough spots on the field for all the inconsistent “We think he can hit, and he’s athletic with a high ceiling, so we’ll find him a spot to play,” types who’ve been clogging up the roster for the past couple years. Clean house. Keep anyone who’s doing a good job for a reasonable price, let the young guys find themselves (or sort themselves out), and maybe they have a .500 team for 2027, maybe even better if they truly exceed expectations.

I’m all about process when you’ve got a good one that’s working. But even then, it doesn’t replace good judgment.

I think there’s general agreement that they want his bat in the lineup every day, and he does create some excitement on the base paths. But with a weak arm and an iron glove, he’s going to be a liability in the outfield or at second. So where can they put him where his fielding skills aren’t going to erase what he adds with his bat? It’s gotta be first base or DH, and I’m convinced Buxton will be the DH going forward. Hard to imagine Keaschall would be any worse there than Michael Cuddyer, Miguel Sano, or even Joe Mauer when he was learning the position.

Royce Lewis’s problem at first is he can’t hit or field. Keaschall solves half that problem if they move him there, maybe more if his much-touted athleticism allows him to improve his defensive skills as many are hoping. They already have a solid second baseman and outfielders standing in line to nail down the three starting slots and the fourth out there. Unfortunately, Buxton probably shouldn’t be among them. If they want him healthy and his bat in the lineup as often as possible, he’s the DH. I think they should do everything they can to keep Jeffers, but I doubt that’s going to happen, especially with a likely lockout and truncated season in 2027, and no idea what the new CBA actually will look like. If they spend money, do it with an eye on 2028 and the hope that there’s both a salary cap and floor in place by then so they can make the most of what that buys them.

Keaschall at first; Lewis struggling to find consistency at the plate and a defensive home on some other team.

The Twins have already figured out a solid second baseman in Kody Clemens, who fields better and hit better and more consistently than Lewis this year, with less drama and who will cost less in the long run. Lewis has shown everyone who he is and what he can do. The idea that he’s somehow just not had the chance to “develop” seems more like wishful thinking than reality at this point.

When they have enough data to draw a meaningful conclusion, it’s going to come down to whether Keaschall’s hitting is creating more runs than his defense is giving up. If not, he’s the Twins’ next first baseman and Lewis is playing somewhere they’ll let Royce be Royce.

That seems optimistic. Although they haven’t tried him at catcher yet.

You may be right. I was predicting first base was Royce Lewis’s destiny a year or two ago, and he hasn’t stepped up and taken ownership yet and maybe never will. On the other hand, the outfield depth chart already is pretty crowded with actual outfielders. At some point the question with Keaschall is going to be, “Where can they park him where he won’t cost them more runs that his bat generates?”

I like Clemens, but right now he’s the best second baseman they have. Keaschall is probably the worst, and there aren’t really any viable choices in between. Unless they want to rent another veteran for a year, I gotta think 1B is Keaschall’s destiny. Might as well get him over there and learning to play there ASAP.

Yeah, but other than that, they could be contenders next year.