DocBauer

Honestly, I just don't understand this article at all. 13 man position pkayer roster. You have 2 catchers, 5 OF, and 4 starting INF. That's 11 players. One of them must be a backup SS who would invariably be able to play additional positions. That would be Kreidler, probably, since he's out of options, until Ross, DeBarge, or someone else comes along to supplant him with a hopefully better offensive profile. That leaves one spot left over. Unless, for some crazy reason, you want a 3rd catcher or 6th OF, you still need INF depth. Someone with a half way decent glove and bat to provide ACTUAL DEPTH for the INF so the Kreidler's and Gray's and Arcia's of the world don't have to be pressed in to full time duty if/when someone gets injured. It's what good teams have. Kreidler's spot on the roster...or Ross, etc...has nothing to do with any of the 3 options listed in the OP. Those 3 represent actual INF DEPTH for the team. So does Royce Lewis, for that matter, if the Twins braintrust decides they aren't ready to let him go yet. But we need to examine the entire position player roster. And that roster includes a decent INF option beyond an inexpensive, backup SS/SU player like Kreidler. They are two very different discussions.

I wonder if there's some confusion here. Ross, Kreidler, etc, ARE cheaper. And he/they backup SS and are a multi position backup. But they are not "depth candidates" like I'm speaking of. Marwin Gonzalez, Kyle Farmer, Willie Castro, THOSE are depth pieces that can help the team when a starter takes a day off, or more to the point, when a starter misses time. I really don't want Kreidler to be that guy. I want someone who can actually contribute. Lewis could be that guy if he so chooses to accept that role. Crawford could be that guy, and likely be better than Lewis. And he'd better be at twice tge price. But if you don't want him, then find someone who can do the job for less. (Not you directly, I'm referring to the Twins). But there is a difference between a.glove first, backup SS and an actual depth piece.

The Twins have TWO spots to figure out in the INF for 2027. The first is a 1B or 2B with some power and RBI ability to hit in the middle portion of the lineup. Is there a FA that fits that need? Do they go the trade route? Clemens can play which ever spot remains open. After that, they need a quality depth option to help cover the INF when guys are hurt, or even just need a day off. While it remains to be seen exactly just how good/bad Kreidler's bat really is, he's a quality 6 position defender, which includes SS. While I'm hoping Ross or someone else will replace him and offer up better offense, he's not a bad option for that role to begin with. But they need someone better for PROPER depth. Someone with a half way decent bat and glove to help cover 1B/2B/3B. That person could be Lewis were he willing to accept that role, with the idea that the better he performs the more he probably plays. But would he accept it? That's where someone like Crawford comes in to play, pun partially intended. He could be the #3 SS, and he should be able to handle the other 3 spots, reasonably well, as a 6 foot former full time SS. The bat/OPS makes him an excellent depth option this team hasn't had for a few years. Not certain the best option to fill spot #1, but Crawford could be a fine choice to fill spot #2.

ÀThe guy I'd really like to have is Bauers. He would fit really nice behind Buxton. As I understand it he was a pretty hot prospect in the past. He started to show real life in 2025 and took a major jump this season. I initially thought 3 for $36M would be fair. Heck, even 3 for $45 should be considered. But those numbers do carry some risk that 2026 wasn't an aberration. But there has been some speculation he might get 4 years and up to $18M per which is just crazy to me. Then you add in the cost of the Twins 3rd highest draft pick and I just don't see it making sense. Now, if/when Jeffers moves on, we gain an additional pick. So in a sense, it replaces the pick we'd lose if we signed one of the "top 4" as listed above. But even if the Twins want to get in to a bidding war for any of those with the QO, the years, $, AND losing their 2nd round pick would probably be too much to give up collectively. That's the bad news. The good news is there are some really good RP available that don't have the QO. And Bauers and Lowe aren't the only options available to improve the lineup. There's still a handful of FA options to augment the lineup, as well as the possibility of trade opportunities. I don't want the Twins to be cheap. (Any longer). But they will seldom outbid large market teams for cream of the crop FA. That doesn't mean there aren't and won't be quality FA for them to sign. Including this offseason. But I do think giving up a draft pick is a mistake for a team like the Twins, generally speaking, unless it's for someone who fills a specific need for a team with real aspirations. So never say never.

It would take 3yrs and $45M minimum to be in the bidding and not have the phone hung up on you. But the supply and demand of FA probably pushes him to $50+. And I could see someone like the Yankees offering a 4th year and $64-ish... and not worry about production that last season...just to get the deal done. Jeffers is very smart. I'm sure he understands he could take the $23M for 2027 and enter FA again next offseason, this time without a QO attached to him. But he's also smart enough to know he could injury himself and suddenly lose value. Between Lackey, Tinney, Tait, Jiminez, and Diaw...(MAYBE Olivar??)...do we really think they'd go that big and that long? I think the real question is who do they bring in to work/compete with Caratini?

To be clear, I've always liked Arraez. He was a lot of fun to watch when with the Twins. He's a fine AVG/singles hitter. But he doesn't fit what they need now. They need a run producer, someone to knock in runs and can sit somewhere in the middle.of the lineup. That individual can either be 2B or 1B as Clemens can play either. With Keaschall claiming the #1 spot in the lineup, and 3 rookies in the lineup next season, a veteran presence to knock in runs is what's needed. And for all of his hitting ability, Arraez averages 63 R per season and 47 RBI as a mostly top of the lineup hitter. I'm sorry, but that's not a lot of run production. Even with the caveat of better seasons and better or worse teams played on different years. Again, I like Arraez. And it would be fun to see him bat #2 between Keaschall and Buxton. But the Twins really need another bat behind Buxton that "worries" pitchers. Someone with power and the ability to drive in runs. I'm not sure who that person is at the moment...there are quite a few variables...but unfortunately it's probably not Bauers or Lowe based on potential total years and $ as well as each having the QO attached. But it's also not Arraez. Sorry. Once they figure out who and what position to fill that role, the next thing they need is a utility/depth option for the INF. The backup SS/SU job is probably Kreidler's to begin the year. That's OK. But I'm hoping Ross, DeBarge, or someone else with a better bat replaces him. But we need better depth. We need someone who can cover 1B/2B/3B in some configuration with a halfway decent bat/OPS so that when someone is injured or needs a day off...(maybe platoon at 1B?)... we don't have to automatically replace them with a .170 AVG bat. Ironically, Lewis would be perfect for that role, even with a 85-90 OPS, were he willing to accept it, understanding he plays more the better he performs. I don’t know that he would accept that, and I don’t know that all parties might not be better off parting ways. That's TWO important spots to be filled on the INF. Smart decisions need to be made. I don't see Arraez being the answer to either of those spots.

Napkin roster construction and payroll approximates: 1] TWO solid FA RP...1 RH, 1 LH...$20-22M. We'll go high. 2] Bauers at 1B $12-13M. Again, we'll go high. Post FA departures and moving on from Larnach, Ober, and Lewis, payroll sits approximately $100M. $100M ÷ $22M + $13M = $135M. 3] Add a versatile INF to replace Lewis, or keep Lewis and hope he accepts the role of utility (unless he proves worthy of more) $3-5M. 4] Jackson as #2 catcher or similar FA option, or possible trade for someone like Henry Davis from Pittsburgh (examples like this have been offered previously) $2-3M. $135M + $5M + $3M = $140M Twins 2023 payroll FOUR YEARS ago: $157M Expected AVERAGE ML payroll for 2027, approximately $180M plus. So we're talking $17M LESS than payroll FOUR YEARS ago, and $40M less than the expected AVERAGE ML payroll for 2027. If Jeffers really loved Minnesota and being a Twin...and his family felt the same...he could approach the Twins on a deal of 3yrs and $45M and see what they say. By all reasonable expectations and projections, he's going to get an offer of at least 3 for $45. The QO is $22M. MLB contracts are guaranteed. So unless he is thinking about retiring after 2027, or really, really wants to stay a Twin for at least one more season, why on earth would he take $23M instead of $45M plus? Or even 3.and $36-39M? You offer the QO, get a draft pick, and you end up with...I believe...5 of the top 100 selections. (3 team selections and 2 comp picks, IIRC). What are the actual odds of Jeffers taking the QO and saying NO to a larger, guaranteed payday? But let's say for some reason he does. $140M plus $20M (factoring in $3M already accounted for) equals $160M. That's only $3M more than 2023, and STILL a good $20M less than the expected ML average for 2027. And come 2028, you've got $33M coming OFF the payroll. There really should be no "risk" factor in offering Jeffers the QO.

I think it's a mistake to leave Quick and Bohorquez out of the equation. And if Matthews isn't part of the rotation, I'd expect him on the pen. I'd absolutely love to see Rojas as a quality SP. But until I see him stretched out to at least 5 successful IP most days in 2027, I'm going to be on him for the pen. I like Tinney as our 1B and #3 catcher.

Very disappointed in both Lares and Dunn. But maybe they're just working on something specific and the numbers don't really matter?? I'd like to see Maldonado. He was showing promise in the low minors before missing 2025 due to injury. He didn't have a very good 2026, so it's nice to see him off to a good start in the AFL.

Abreu remains my #1 choice based on age, past performance, and experience in big moments. I'm also a fan of Phillips the more I read about him. (Just wasn't very familiar previously). He's a little older, but he responded very well in his comeback from TJ. And with a "new" elbow, I wouldn't have a problem offering him a 2 year deal. Abreu also for that matter. One RH to either set up Hoffman, or take over the closer role Andover Hoffman to set up really changes the complexion/depth of the pen. There's a handful of LH options I like, but I think the top 2 are off the board for the Twins. Honestly, I'd be very happy to have Minter back for another year.

The primary OF for 2027 will/should be Rodriguez, Buxton, Jenkins, and Keaschall. They will all four play most days between the 3 OF spots and DH. The 5th OF...quasi 4th OF...should be Roden. And he should also be worked as a backup 1B to increase his roster flexibility. (Guys get hurt and also need days off). Roden is the better player over Martin...IMO...and RHP still makes up 70-75% of the league. Because he has no options, I'm betting on Kreidler as the Super Utility option. And he can provide a RH OF option if you really want. I'm hoping Ross eventually replaces him as he plays the exact same spots, is younger, and would seem to have a better offensive profile. But that also includes the ability to play OF. I just don't see the need to keep a 3rd RH OF just because he is, when he's only got a mediocre/questionable bat. Martin should be deprh at St Paul unless they just decide to move on.

Bo Naylor on a bounce back season anyone?

Jow

Only 1 week in, but a mostly good start for the Twins prospects. I don't know if it's poor bat to ball skills or just not enough muscle to drive the ball, but if DeBarge could actually start HITTING the ball he could be a nice addition to the Twins in the next year or so.

Not crazy about the winter theme for a summer sport. I don't see anything with another Minnesota team doing a Prince themed uniform. Just have to make sure on a sleeve there is a cloud with some purple rain drops falling. I also like the brewery/Grain Belt idea without being a billboard. Can we fit Hamms colors in their as well? Wisconsin isn't the only upper Midwest state known for beer brewing. I also wonder about a uniform that would have subtle variations of brown/tan and green with some blue accents fit in somewhere to celebrate the summer outdoors in general. These colors would work together to celebrate nature and still hint at the lakes.