DocBauer

I am 100% in the camp of playing the prospects. So this OP isn't directed towards me. BUT I'm NOT one of those who believe in tearing down the team and playing nothing BUT prospects. It sounds so easy to say: "trade Lopez and/or Ryan and just throw the young pitchers and play the young talent, in a couple of years we're going to have a REALLY GOOD team ready to contender. It just doesn't work that way. Prospects fail, or just don't become as good as expected. When you actually have some good talent on hand, I believe in re-tooling. Destroying the rotation does NOTHING but mark a complete rebuild. Period. Baseball gods help us then. I advocate KEEPING what we have in regards to the rotation, and arms in general. I advocate a new manager voice and partially new staff, along with some health...Lewis in particular, which is looking optimistic these days...might see some growth just by experience, if nothing else, thinking about Martin, Lee, Roden, etc. I am dismissive of articles that talk about cheap or bounce back OF optional signings BECAUSE of Martin, Roden, Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, and even Rosario and maybe Fedko. I've stated many times the Twins should NOT follow the path of any particular team. They have to find their OWN identity, stamp it, and follow it. But if you do that, you should recognize opportunity and talent. I've gotten some pushback on a healthy Rodriguez, for example, who only has 1 option left, and should spend a month at AAA for future control if nothing else. Point taken. And it's probably a point I haven't considered. Based on talent, a very good MILB career, and his strong Winter League season, I think he's ready NOW to move Wallner to DH and provide offense and defense to the team. But MAYBE it's "smarter" to let him play a month at St Paul to get another year of control. I don't like that idea, but it might be a good long term idea to let Roden get more AB in the OF to BEGIN 2026. As much as we can't wait for Jenkins, he was only 20yo when he reached AAA last year. His power is just starting to come through. If his power starts to develop with a month or two in AAA to begin 2026 AND we get another year of control, is that a bad thing? BTW, Martin's improvement in 2025 was a good thing. Roden isn't a "special" talent. And he's had a very good MILB career. A poor, and very limited, rookie debut shouldn't dismiss him as being a potentially solid, well rounded player. But there is ALSO a REALITY present here. The FO has to just admit a failure in Outman. That should be taken care of SOON in regard to Rodriguez and Jenkins. Hey, you took a shot. No penalty. Just DFA as soon as you promote one of your top prospects. The OF potential is really, really good. Changes may start opening day, and might be even better come June 1st and beyond. I think the INF is different. WHEN K-Pepper is ready, no matter improvement from Lee, I think we start to see changes. Even with improvement from Lee, frankly, K-Pepper is the better, more athletic player. Some sort of shuffle begins. But we STILL have a massive 1B issue. While I agree with my TD friend @Riverbrianabout hating more and more 1B re-treads at 1B, i think we can find a solid option there in the long term. And I WANT it to happen. But tell me honestly, what long term option do we have prepared for 2026? Still unproven Fedko and Roden could be placed there as a quasi platoon and double as 4th OF. Mendez might do something latter in the season. Maybe Gonzalez or Rosario starts to play some 1B as well. It's just ridiculous for the FO to keep ignoring this important position. So I'm fine for a 1B FA for at least 1 more year. It's a balance from what we have, to what we have. The rotation depth is fine, barring a breakdown, with some interesting depth. The pen has to be re-built, but there are external options that will be brought in. Go with the kids as much as possible. But I do think there is a balance where the team can do so, while still adding a handful of veterans to balance the roster, and maybe even make this team competitive.

The odds of Eeles breaking through at the ML level are pretty remote. But at least there is some talent and potential there, and a "break glass" option if nothing else. Absolutely nothing against Alex Jackson...assuming he can even hit in the .190-.200 range with some power and quality defense...but signing Rortvedt and keeping Eeles might have been the smarter move. (Assuming they didn't spend a little more for someone like McCann, which was my preference. I'm hoping and kind of expecting Will Holland to come back to the Saints. He might just end up being that "break glass option". But let's get to the heart of the issue. Lee, IIRC, was about league average at SS once he became the primary starter. I can live with that for now, especially if we see improvement with the bat. There's also room to improve at least a little with the glove. And I will again remind everyone he came in to 2025 as a 24yo with only about 180 ML AB. He was barely above rookie qualification. So it would be a mistake to dismiss potential and growth at this point, even if he eventually moves to a different spot, or becomes a super utility 4 spot INF. Culpepper, based on 2025 and all his talent, should begin 2026 at St Paul. I believe there's a good chance he's ready by July 1st. But that doesn't help to start the season. I know nothing about Kreidler except he's supposed have a quality glove, and simply can't hit. Pretty much at all. I'm 100% in agreement with @DJL44on an add. The Twins NEED options for the INF in 2026, and St Paul needs infield talent/depth as well. I'm not saying the lighting will strike twice and they'll find the second coming of Castro, but they've simply got to find another option for depth, competition, and maybe get lucky and find a Castro-lite somewhere. While Fitzgerald is only a journeyman, and nothing special, the guy has been around. He's experienced. He can run at least a little, pop some XB hits, and probably won't embarrass himself at the plate. And I can live with that for the opening day roster. But I'd sure like some competition and depth. In an ideal world, Lee improves in all phases and K-Pepper is ready by mid season. But with all due respect, you need not only depth, but you should be TRYING to replace both Kreidler and Fitzgerald instead of being content with them.

And that's the target I'm looking at as well. I don't know if he'd want a 1yr deal to bounce back for a bigger deal later, or a multi year deal for more security. I'd really like an $8M price tag. I've just learned to usually add a little more to avoid a nasty surprise later. LOL

I like Lowe of the price is right. Could they possiy get him for $10M? Would $12M be out of the Twins range if they had anything close to a $120M payroll target? Go look at his numbers if you haven't already. He's a solid, above league average hitter with some power and doesn't have to be platooned based on career splits.

Anthony Bender could be a really solid pen option if he checks out physically. Solid WHIP, solid K numbers, and only a career .215 BA AVG against.

IF ownership keeps the payroll way down to the point where Clemens really is the primary 1B, maybe Jake Burger as a RH 1B and 3B bench option?

So I took a look at Hamilton's the last 3 seasons. And while he definitely was better in 2023, his overall numbers the last 2yrs weren't bad overall with fewer hits than IP and almost 10K per 9. What really hurt him in 2025 was a jump in BB. Still 30yo I can him as a possibly smart addition. They need options, including the MILB signing and invite types. Can they get Hamilton on a MILB deal? Even if the Twins are thinking of moving Prielipp to the pen for 2026, it doesn't mean we don't need additional depth and options. And who says we can't have 3 LH pen arms? I could see Cruz and Lucchesi being decent options, but I'd much rather spend $3-4M on Coulombe, Rogers, or Chaffin at this point.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but whether they send him down in June or July it doesn't matter, he still starts burning his last remaining option, yes? He starts the season with the Twins and they decide to send him down later, or, he spends a month at AAA, then comes up, and then gets sent down later, he's still on his last option. Correct? IMO, if he looks ready, you give him the job day one. You potentially add another decent offensive player with power and speed to a lineup that needs it. You also improve the OF defense with Wallner's move to DH earlier vs later. Maybe I'm just getting impatient, but I want him up, playing, hopefully contributing, but also growing and getting better by the week at the ML level.

No. I'd be somewhat interested in Rumfield, but the odds of getting an above average starting player from the rule 5 is very remote. But if there was a SS/Utility option that actually had a chance to stick, that would be of interest. No offense to him, but Fitzgerald is the best option for that role right now? Otherwise, if they want to use the rule 5, a strong armed pen option would make more sense than the options listed here.

Totally respect where you're coming from. But Rodriguez only has a single option remaining. It's time to let him play if he's healthy. Not only is Rodriguez a potential asset on offense, but he's a quality defender and his presence allows Wallner to slide in to the full time DH role. Martin and Roden can fight it out for LF or even share the spot. Other guys need days off once in a while. I can even see Martin playing a little 2B to give Keaschal a day off as well.

With apologies, Kreidler and Gasper really aren't part of the conversation. And unless he just fails at 2B...which I don't expect to happen...Keaschal also shouldn't be part of the equation either. Gasper, McCusker, and Outman should all be DFA, and probably will be in the near future. And they'll have to be for whatever additions the club has yet to make. All three are free to re-sign with the Twins on MILB deals. Same with the recently removed Keirsey. Larnach isn't a fit going forward any longer and needs to be moved. Assuming good health, what SHOULD be the OF opening day is Rodriguez in RF and backing up Buxton, who is obviously starting in CF. Martin and Roden offer a quasi-platoon that doesn't need to be restrictive. And Roden can also play some RF as needed, and both he and Martin can be #3 at CF. Wallner becomes the primary DH, and can cover both OF corners as needed. And, of course, Clemens can also be part of the corner OF discussion, as needed. When Jenkins is up...regardless of the date...someone has to go. But deciding who that is right now would be silly. Fedko will be sitting in St Paul as a 4 position bench option in waiting. And both Gonzalez and Rosario will be there with him. Personally, I'd like to have either or both play some 1B with Mendez to take advantage of all this young talent and potential. **Roden and Fedko could also be in the 1B mix depending on ownership/payroll.

I appreciate all of the perspectives of a better offensive approach in 2025. But it was a limited example of ONE team in a SSS. Now he's with a different team. Does he maintain, grow, or regress? If he's as good defensively as I keep reading and hearing about, he's Butera with more power. I can live with that. Hitting around .200 with power and playing good defense puts his about average offensively, which most don't realize. That makes him a really solid backup for about 50-60 games. If he only hits .150, we have a serious problem.

Stringer, my only argument is a month at St Paul. We know his potential. Even with his 2025 season disrupted with injury, he put up good numbers. I'm not going to say he's Chourio, but like the Brewers, unless Rodriguez just sucks next ST, shouldn't they just give him a starting job and live with hot and cold and let him play? He provides better defense than Wallner, who moves to primary DH, and offers speed and power, and defense, and CF coverage, and actual potential even if he's not great from the outset? I get the 1 month idea. But I'd just RUN with his talent and let it roll. And I'd have Jenkins up another month or two later to really see some changes. Just my opinion.

Just my opinion, Jenkins, despite his amazing talent and rise through the system, has missed a lot of development time. And again, IMO, that's also why the POWER part of his game is just begining to flash. And while I can't wait to see him debut, he's still only 21yo. And forgetting service time, a little more development time at AAA might serve him well. And while Rodriguez is only 2 years older, he does have a little more experience. And when you look at the roster, you still have Buxton, Wallner...even though he should be the primary DH soon...and the improved Martin. Honestly, Roden hasn't really had much of a chance to prove himself one way or the other in a SSS to this point. He's really almost a rookie when you look at his ML time. I just don't see the Twins having BOTH Rodriguez AND Jenkins debuting as rookies at the same time. I see Rodriguez as the RF to begin 2026 because it's almost NOW OR NEVER to get him UP and let him play and just live with some ups and downs. I see Jenkins June 1st, or July 1st. Ready to roll!

I am mildly surprised they tendered Larnach, though not completely. They played this game with Farmer previously and got burned. But I think a younger player, an OF/DH with some power and a solid career OPS against RHP MIGHT still have some value out there. It's my understanding that recent adds to the 40 man can't be removed, but I'm not certain of "cut off" time frames. For instance, could someone like Kreidler still be cut at any time? Keirsey was cut the second Jackson was acquired for a MILB player in Eeles. Based on that, I believe the Twins could decide to DFA someone like Gasper at any time and open a spot for a possible rule 5 selection. He was already on the 40 man roster and not a recent add. I could be wrong, but I believe that a player can be offered arbitration, and then be DFA as the arbitration process doesn't guarantee anything. I don't like to pay attention to rumors for anything other than conversation sake. So any idea of Larnach to the Reds for Steer is to be taken with a grain of salt, IMO. But the teams have a history. Larnach to the Reds, in their ballpark, actually makes sense to me. And while Steer is not a great ballplayer...despite some continuing angst from various bloggers...he could be a nice addition as a RH bat to the Twins, especially as a 1B option. Needs and $ seem to make sense. Honestly, while I gave up on Naylor some time ago due to Twins ownership, I have become somewhat infatuated with the 30yo Nathaniel Lowe. I believe he was due around $12-13M in 2026 and the Nationals cut him loose. And I started looking at his numbers and I'm really wondering why? He's still only 30yo and has had a quietly productive career. And his career numbers against LHP are solid. He's Naylor "junior". Whether 1yr, 2yrs, or even 3rs, he's a great fit to SETTLE 1B for the next year or two as a solid producer for the Twins. At $8-10M for 1-2 yrs, maybe even 3, can't the Twins afford him to just STOP ignoring having a quality 1B in their lineup? That's what I'd be looking to add through FA. Makes total sense for me. But IF rumors might be true, I'd take steer back for Larnach in a heartbeat. It does seem to make sense in a rumored deal. ASSUMING rumors are just that, I've been hoping Larnach might be moved for a team needing a solid, professional LH bat...possibly with a lower level prospect included...for someone's #4-5 pen arm that still might have some potential and control. Imagine a year ago where Houston or Seattle...giggles and examples...had a need for a solid LH DH/OF bat and had a "Varland" waiting to break through, but wasn't in the mix for a top 4 spot in the pen. That's what I've been hoping for. Larnach and a lower level prospect for an upcoming pen arm. But IF rumors might be true, I'd do a Larnach for Steer yesterday just to help settle the enigma at 1B that has been around for more than a couple years now.

Despite this being a possible/probable low wattage move, there's a lot to unpack here for me. Truth is I had never even heard of Alex Jackson until today. Or if I had, he's been quickly forgotten. BUT, from what I have read and heard, he's actually a very good defensive catcher with a good arm, and obviously a good deal of ML experience. (As a ML rostered backup). Those are positives. He was a former 1st round pick meaning he at least HAD potential. His MILB numbers are actually quite solid, despite him never translating those numbers to MLB. While his .220 AVG with Baltimore might be unsustainable...we'll see...with quality defense, experience, occasional flashes of power, he fills the bill of a solid backup catcher if he can hit .200-ish. Do you realize how low the offensive bar actually is for a backup catcher at the ML level? I'm OK with Jackson in a vacuum. What I have a hard time with is the $1.8M when they might have grabbed McCann for about $4M as a better bat to fill the same role. Does another $2.2M on an even better veteran really blow up the budget that's in Falvey's head right now? And then there is trading Eeles for him. Coming off his knee surgery, he wasn't as effective in 2025 as he was in 2024. He still faces rather long odds of being a solid ML player, even in a reserve role, despite his speed, great eye, and "scrappiness". But I have very little idea who's even filling the Saints 2026 INF WITH Eeles being kept! Eeles at least filled a role for St Paul and had the POTENTIAL to be a depth option. And that's what Baltimore is sort of betting on I'd guess. 1] This tells me Jeffers is going to catch 100-110 games in 2026. I know Jeffers wants that. And it makes sense to me. Jackson makes some sense from his positives as the #2. Personally, I'm hoping for an extension for Jeffers to bridge the gap until Diaw, Tait, and others like Jiminez are ready. That also makes sense to me. 2] This tells me Falvey isn't blowing smoke when he literally doesn't know the 2026 payroll yet. So he's trying to keep his moves as smart and cheap as he can for now. Jackson does that. 3] As @chpettit19pointed out, why not just keep Eeles for depth and just sign the LH Rortvedt instead? No offense to Jackson, but that actually makes more sense to me. 4] The FA catching market is pretty shallow, but not completely dry. I still have a hard time believing $ wouldnt have been better spent adding another $1.5-2M for McCann as the #2 wouldn't make more sense coming off injury but still having a nice rebound 2025. 5] We can say Pereda is the #3 guy, but a couple months of additional AAA time, Cardenas might be the true #3. There is ZERO reason to keep BOTH Pareda AND Gasper on the 40 man. Either, or both, should be gone soon. With Cardenas and Winkel in St Paul, you can almost certainly sign Either, or someone else, to also play some catcher for the Saints. I don't hate this move. I just would have spent a little more on someone like McCann as the #2, or signed Rortvedt instead of trading Eeles and removing a POSSIBLE depth piece that at LEAST helped flesh out your AAA roster. Just a lot of moving parts that make sense, and don't make sense to me. But if Jackson's defense is as good as reports say, I again say hitting around .200 as an actual #2 and not some quasi-platoon option, he's fine in that role. At the end of the day, bullpen additions and 1B are of FAR greater importance than angst over Jackson or a loss of a long shot prospect like Eeles. I just would have done this differently.

Rodriguez is a very talented prospect. And also a bit of an enigma. There are questions about AVG and contact and high K numbers. But he's also maintained a high OB% throught his MILB career. He's got real power, good speed, and is a quality defensive OF. Frequent, frustrating injuries have held him back somewhat. And yet, the 23yo come February still put up solid AAA numbers in 2025 and undoubtedly would have debuted already had he been more healthy this past season. He's currently been playing in one of the top Winter Leagues. And he's been healthy. While it's still a SSS, he's been impressive. In 18 games played: .292 AVG/ .417 OB%/ .646 SLG%/ 1.063 OPS. He's produced 3 Dbls, 1 Trip, 4 HR, 11 RBI, and is 3 out of 3 in SB attempts. While only 23yo when the season begins, he's already used up 2 of his 3 options. I've maintained it's time to give him a starting job...probably RF and Wallner moving to primary DH...and roll with him. Better defense, more speed, and a lot of potential. You live with some growing pains. I think he's ready, assuming good health. A solid AAA season, despite being limited, and his Winter League production tells me I'm right. Your thoughts?

Here is the rub in a trade of Lopez, or Ryan, for offensive help. You weaken the rotation, while still trying to rebuild the bullpen, and who do you actually get back? OK, they get a big OF bat from Boston, for example. How much does that bat cost, and how much control do you have? Plus, you already have Buxton, top prospect Jenkins getting very close, and Rodriguez is healthy and tearing it up in Winter Ball. You also have Martin appearing to have turned a corner, and you just traded for a not great, but solid player in near-rookie Roden. And unless he converts to 1B, Gonzalez had a hell of a 2025 and is also close to being ready. And while Mendez just might convert to 1B...and I like that idea...Wallner rebounding to his previous form as the primary DH is a fairly decent bet. So how does this proposed OF really fit? Do the Twins give up the 26yo Lewis who actually had the healthiest season he's had so far and might be ready to finally be a solid piece of the lineup, if not a great piece? Do you move him to 1B even though his defense really improved last season? Keaschal appears to be a very good, young player and your probably 2B for the next X number of years. IF his arm doesn't bounce back, he could end up being the 1B we've been lacking. (A good, productive player at 1B, even if he isn't a power hitter is still valuable). Lee is still only 25yo next season and offers some potential, but maybe he moves to a different spot, or becomes a 4 position utility player. But we also have K-Pepper as a top SS prospect who might be ready to debut mid 2026. But he could also be a quality 3B or 2B. So does a trade for a high end young SS make sense? Maybe. Maybe not. But it probably makes more sense than another OF maybe? A top, talented, young SS and a top, talented, young Catcher to front a Lopez/Ryan trade? With another solid pitching prospect as the #3 who's in AA? That might make sense. You fortify the INF and the CATCHER position, add another young arm, even though you short the rotation and hope Ober is back...odds say that will happen...and hope the other young SP options turn a corner. Is there someone out there that can make that happen? If so, I can see a move taking place. But IMO, you keep your rotation...quality top of the rotation SP is the hardest thing to find/develop...and you play the young talent and see what you've actually got. Naturally, you need to add a couple of pieces to the roster and focus on the pen. But that all comes down again to ownership and the payroll. It's absolutely STUNNING to me that we are almost begging for a payroll of $120-130M for 2026 when the Twins were at $160M for 2023 and the league average is expected to be about $180M in 2026! The math isn't hard. After arbitration, and Larnach expectedly gone, WITH Lopez and Ryan, INCLUDING the $10M being sent to Houston as part of the Correa deal, the Twins will be sitting around $85M. Depending on which calculation you want to use...calculations vary slightly on different sites...the 2025 team began the year between $138-142M. A $120M payroll gives them approximately $35M to add some talent and depth to the 2026 team. Obviously, around $45M for additions with a $130M payroll. Not only are BOTH of those figures LESS than opening day 2025, but are between $50-60M LESS than the expected league average for 2026. With the exception of 2023, and I believe 2011, the Twins have generally been about 75-77% of league average payroll for the past couple of decades. A $130M payroll next season puts them at approximately 72% of the league average. Before a single ticket is sold, before concessions, parking, merchandise sold, or local advertising deals, the Twins get something close to that number from MLB. We also have 2 new minority ownership groups joining in. If ownership lowers payroll even further, then they just don't give a damn. And I'm NOT trying to hijack the OP from Nick's intended purpose. I just remain frustrated and stunned that we have to have these types of discussions. I'm just flabbergasted that a mostly new staff, talent on hand...some of whom need to take a step forward for sure...and a rather large group of talented prospects set to debut, and a not inconsequential $35-45M to spend augmenting the 2026 team should have ANYONE concerned about trading top of the rotation SP and just break down the team. (Frustrated sigh) Sorry, I'm venting. But if we move Lopez, or Ryan, might have to consider just moving both, tear it all down, and go with a full rebuild. And of course, we all know that works within a couple of years, right? (Serious sarcasm there).

This a SMART OP by Cody. Even putting aside questions about WTH ownership is doing in regard to the 2026 payroll, as a mid market team, these are the types of players the Twins should ALWAYS be looking at. Where do you think Stewart, Thielbar, and Castro came from, along with others I could mention. It's NOT dumpster diving in cases like these. It's just being smart, and occasionally lucky. I've stated many times that in order to rebuild the 2026 pen, the Twins should be looking at quality arms coming off injury, or coming off a poor/mediocre return season following injury. FOLEY: I think, at 30yo, with a decent background, he's still probably a MILB contract signing with an invite. He's almost a clone for the Stewart signing a couple years ago. And he and his agent will recognize opportunity with the Twins. MORETA: At 29yo and coming off surgery and still flashing a little bit in 16 IP for 2025, are the Pirates THAT CHEAP that they just cut him?? He's not GREAT in his career, but he's been solid and has solid WHIP and K numbers. I think Foley might be had on a MILB deal. Foley might require an actual ML deal. I'd like to add Alex Lange via @IndianaTwinas a MILB flier option. As recently as 2023 he was the closer for Detroit. He's never been a stud. But he's had a solid career. And he might also be a really nice potential rebound add on a MILB deal. These, and a few other options presented by various posts show that there ARE some options to add to the roster, or bring in to camp, along with some in house conversions to AT LEAST begin to build a decent pen. But if you don't love the idea of adding Nathaniel Lowe for 2026 you're probably sleeping. As I was before hearing him mentioned previously in a different OP recently. He hits LH and so does Clemens? Who cares! Clemens is a utility player and Lowe is a starting 1B! And to be blunt, he doesn't suck against LHP for his career so he doesn't have to be platooned. I've been thinking O'Hearn is the next best option from the better and already signed Naylor. And then I stopped and looked at Lowe's career. He actually beats O'Hearn in AVG, OB%, and OPS with an almost tie in SLG%. If O'Hearn is speculated to be worth 2yrs at $13M, I would JUMP for a 2yrs younger and just as good producer for the same 2yrs at $13M per. If you can get him cheaper, so much the better. Still only 30yo and nobody ready to replace him? How about 3yrs $30-36M? Hell, at this point I'd be on board with a solid 1yr deal just to not have a blackhole at 1B for 2026.

I think you pretty much nailed it, Nick. With Hill in the organization and the team supposedly really high on Rojas...who should have stayed at AA for ALL of 2025 IMO...I guess it's probably time to move Prielipp to the pen, even though I don't like it. A little more time, a little more patience, I still see him as a quality ML SP. But maybe he can follow the Santana route later. I don't expect to see Rojas until 2027 unless he takes a MAJOR step forward in 2026. Klein didn't provide great numbers in AAA, but he's got the tools to be good somewhere. And he actually threw much better with St Paul after his first couple of appearances. I can see him being part of the opening day roster to being promoted a few months in to the season. I still believe Morris is an actual, quality ML SP, but his ceiling is probably as a #3. But that would still be pretty awesome. With Martin, Roden, Buxton, and Wallner as "legitimate" OF options, and Rodriguez and Jenkins close to making their debut, Gonzalez should be given a 1B glove and get plenty of time there with St Paul unless he surprises everyone in ST. It's RIDICULOUS how the FO seems to dismiss 1B as an important position and just keeps "throwing guys out there" while occasionally getting lucky with decent production. Santana has actually been the only real, true, productive 1B they've had since probably Cron? The "THREW" Sano, Arraez, and Solano over there. They gambled on Gallo and lost. France? Come on! IDK if Gonzalez has a good arm and has reportedly improved his defense. 1B is an opportunity within the organization to actually find a quality 1B for the long term. Mendez is STARTING to work there. Rosario, a non 40 man add, should also be given a 1B glove. I like who was protected. But I'm a little worried that Fedko's breakthrough in 2025 might have someone grabbing him as a versatile 4th OF. The odds are against it, but I probably would have found room. I'm really worried most about CJ Culpepper. His development has been slowed some due to injury. And his best future role MIGHT be in the pen. But when healthy he's produced some solid overall numbers. And I'm worried someone will snag him and hide him on their 2026 roster.

I was very encouraged when Julien debuted. I thought he even improved his defense to average at one point. And he seems like a cool and fun dude. But the offense and defense both have cratered except for a few flashes. Maybe he gets a shot and surprises in ST. But with a 13 man position roster, how is he a fit at 1B and 2B only WITH Clemens? And I don't hate Clemens either, as long as he's in a utility role. Any idea you can be a competitive team in 2026 with him as the primary 1B is just a little nuts. And can we stop with the hyperboles of "good value" for a below league average player just because he cost little and didn't stink? The odds that Clemens is Max Muncy Jr now that he's been given his first "real" opportunity with a team are extremely remote. IF payroll constraints will almost force Clemens to be the opening day 1B, it would be a major mistake to bring in a RH platoon partner who is ONLY a 1B/DH option. You only have 13 spots. You HAVE to have someone who can play more positions. IDK, but maybe someone like Miguel Andujar who can at least cover 3B and a corner OF spot who doesn't choke your bench. I can see a possible 2027 where Gonzalez, Rosario, or Mendez have had a chance to play 1B and could be a viable long term possibility there. Even in 2026, I can see a dimly lit path where rookie Fedko and almost rookie Roden could share 1B in a quasi platoon...with Clemens probably getting some time there...and also function as a PAIR of 4th OF. Even that makes more sense than Julien as the backup 1B option. Sorry Edourd, it's just reality. But unless they make a trade for a long term 1B, or make a semi-significant signing, just PLEASE quit IGNORING 1B as a "throw away" position and at least bring in ANOTHER 1yr option that can actually help to bridge towards a potential 2027 and beyond answer.

I'm glad they kept Klein. He would have been a perfect target for a lot of teams: tall and well built with some strong velocity and K rate and easy to hide on the roster. But I'm concerned about 2 guys even though I KNOW the rule 5 draft usually turns out to be nothing but nonsense. CJ Culpepper could be a target for a team that sees potential, despite some injuries the past 2yrs, and could stash him. And that scares me a little bit. What SHOULDN'T scare me but does is Fedko. I KNOW he only "put it together" as a 25yo and will be 26yo next season. And I KNOW the Twins OF depth. But I would have protected him 7 days to Sunday over a handful of current 40 man rostered players as a possible 4th OF/1B option potentially. I have zero illusions that he'll be a great player. But he just MIGHT be a better version of Lew Ford who can also play at 1B. He's probably not going to be selected. And he might not turn out to be anything. But I'd be looking at him, were I another team, as a possible 4th OF. Otherwise, they made the right choices. But it's going to be interesting when they actually add a few FA eventually. I'm still confused about some of the 40 man roster. For instance, they still have McCusker but don't believe in him? I can only surmise they are just waiting for the rule 5 draft and then try to pass a few players through waivers and then assign them to AAA or re-sign them for the same.

Actually, to be fair, he showed better plate discipline and actually hit very well at A+ CR. His season was disrupted due to injury. But his quad slash line at CR was .310/ .418/ .455/ .873. This was only 244 PA and 200 AB. So his season was limited. And the pure POWER we expected to see was way down. But even a half season of A+ ball his quad slash line was damn impressive. So I don't think we should spend a lot of time looking at his AFL numbers.

I'm just too tired to go in to great detail, so forgive bullet point comments. SANDS: Flashed some in 2023. Was really good in 2024. Was disappointingly inconsistent, but not bad, the first 4 months of 2026. Take away 7-10 days of really bad performance, he was really good the last 2 months. Looked like his 2024 self. A lot of upside still, the Twins need BP arms, he isn't going anywhere. LEWIS: Still only 26yo. Admitted he's finally been frustrated with trying to find comfort at the plate with all his injuries. Was a league average hitter the 2nd half of the season plus when he started to feel better. Even began to run more. Played the most games of his career and didn't have any injuries post his ST hamstring injury. Despite vast improvement defensively at 3B, COULD move to 1B down the road depending on the rest of the future INF construction. Foolish to trade him or bet against him and the hitter still lurking inside of him waiting to break out. LEE: Poor athlete. But he's smart, has good hands, transitions glove to hand well, and can make the off balance throw despite an average-ish arm. Has the potential to be solid, not great, across the dirt. Actually played better at SS post Correa trade. Was barely above ML rookie status in 2025. Might actually have more power than originally projected. Has never been a great BB/OB hitter, but should be much better than he's shown so far. Seems to recognize his mistakes as a hitter. But can he overcome his self recognized flaws? If he can, he's a potential starting player, long term, at either 2B or 3B. Possibly his best position? Super Utility INF who plays almost daily across the INF, including 1B. Much more potential awaiting to be unlocked. His trade value is only for someone who sees all of these same things. But the Twins need him more than any value he'd bring back at this time. OBER: I say again, chicken and the egg. What came first? Ober had a bad hip injury that ruined his 2025. Did the hip injury mess with his mechanics? Or did he mess up his mechanics and develop a hip injury? Regardless, Ober has been an excellent #3 starter before 2025's injury frustration. At times, he's thrown like a #2. IMO, STOP with the velocity issue. He's only 30yo! And he doesn't have a tremendous amount of IP on his arm. He just needs to be healthy in 2026 to be what he's been. If someone wants to offer a nice package because they also believe he's going to be OK, then listen for sure. But a healthy Ober is a very good SP. So the return would have to be pretty good. WALLNER: How much angst is directed towards Wallner only because he had a disappointing 2025? He had a solid rookie debut. He followed up with a pair of .870-ish OPS seasons. He was still above league average in a disappointing 2025 where maybe his early injury and missed time just messed with him. Great MILB career where he always advanced and improved. Great first 2 1/2 seasons. Has slowly been better and better against LHP. Should be the primary DH and occasional corner OF. UNTIL Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, etc establish themselves, where else do you find the power and potential of Wallner? He's an absolute keeper. No disrespect to the OP, but ALL 5 of these are definitely part of the current core based on age, payroll, and potential. It stinks that all 5 had mediocre seasons in 2025. But why and when do you trade young and young-ish players with talent that have the potential to be part of your core for the next 2-5yrs?

A nice last week for Winokur. Man, if the bat to ball skills takes a little jump, Winokur could really explode. Still wondering if he jumps to AA to begin 2026, or as young as he is does he spend the first month or so back at CR and then get promoted. From a personal perspective, it's a shame Mendez had a family issue. From a baseball perspective, it's a real shame he didn't get to play the rest of the AFL to build on what was a very nice 2025 season for him. Amick...oh boy...I have no clue what happened. Was he tired? Was he trying something different? Considering his college career and a pretty solid 2025 despite missing time due to injury, I'm not going to use his horrendous AFL to dismiss him as a prospect. Despite the BB issue...which you pretty much expect from someone who's been on the shelf for a year...Boadas really flashed. Does he go to CR to begin 2026 since he's already thrown there? The results weren't great, but he's coming off a really nice AFL, so that's what I'm predicting. The Kernals might have a hell of a staff this upcoming season! It was really nice to see Hoopes have a great last appearance to end his AFL stint. While his late season promotion to AA wasn't so great, the 25yo "rookie" Independent Ball signee absolutely dominated at A and A+ this season. He'll begin 2026 at AA I'm sure, but he could be a fast riser. Just as a reminder, you have to take AFL results of some of the pitchers the Twins send to the AFL are more about just getting work in, and not so much number results. Kade Bragg was a LHP the Twins sent there last year after being hurt and missing a bunch of the 2024 season. He had really poor numbers. But like Boadas this AFL, it was just about getting in some IP. He went out and dominated A and A+ ball and was really solid at AA through 15 appearances. While he might begin 2026 there with Hoopes, a good offseason could see him jump to AAA immediately.