DocBauer

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.

I kinda Ike this move even though it looks low wattage on the excitement meter. He's got good size and I like his pitch mix. He averaged over 12K per 9 in the minors, so I think there's at least something for the Twins to work with here. The Twins seem pretty adept on helping develop sliders and it seems they've been leaning in to splitters more lately. Not exciting, but possibly a smart add.

Not what I said at all. They barely had Lopez, and Ober was still hurt as well. They also blew up the bullpen and even when the team had leads, they ended up usually losing. They need additional help, primarily at 1B and the bullpen. But I still like the rotation if healthy. And I still like some of the hitters to rebound. And I like some of the prospects who are about to debut. The team needed to make changes and they did. We aren't looking at the same team that began 2025. But again, they still need some help. And ad per the topic of this OP, 1B is a major issue and I don't like Clemens as being the answer.

If an offhanded comment from Byron that said he MIGHT waive his no trade clause if the team was further disassemble put pressure on the Pohlads, I'd be OK with that. It would be a fan tragedy if he was moved because not enough of ownership cared. Can you imagine Mauer or Puckett on another team? As fans, we greatly lamented Hunter and Morneau moving on for at least part of the end of their careers. I really don't know that Falvey is calling out ownership, but I wouldn't put it past him for a nudge. Say all the negatives you want to about Falvey, and I've got a few disagreements, but he has always looked to the future of the Twins and his idea of "sustainable competiveness". He's made mistakes. And the Pohlads have messed up a lot of a lot of ideas and ideals that Falvey has probably had in mind. But I truly believe he wants the Twins to succeed, even though I think he's been a bit stubborn in certain areas. Despite an offhanded comment, I believe Buck is ready to be a Twin for life. But I sure couldn't blame him for looking elsewhere if ownership gets further stupid. But it would be a tragedy for fans. Were I Falvey, and they undercut me AGAIN, I'd honestly have to look elsewhere. I may have tremendous power in my current position, and I've made more than a few $M in my role, but if there is no more enjoyment in my role, I'd be better off with another organization. Make no mistake, despite some flaws we all have in regard to Falvey's tenure, he'd be snapped up by in a minute by many organizations as a very solid FO addition. I'd really like to think Buxton and Falvey WOULD be putting pressure on ownership. But the truth is, very few of the Pohlads seem to care. Jim and Joe seem to care. That's the reason the opening day payroll "jumped" last season to $138-142M depending on which website you want to believe/follow. And here we are almost begging for $120-130M for 2026. That's insane. And WAY below 2023, or the expected average of 2026. But even still, it COULD provide the team to have a POTENTIAL $45-50M just to meet the 2025 opening day payroll. Buxton and Falvey can both be optimists. They can nudge all they want. But it still comes down to the Pohlads and the new minority owners to give Falvey some number that makes sense. And as much as we bash Joe and Jim, maybe we should be rooting for them as actual fans at this point.

Nope. We're not at all. Not yet anyway. We ARE in a re-tool or transitionary mode right now. As of NOW. This team NEEDED changes. The same old status quo wasn't going to make things better. The "purge" that happened at the 2025 deadline, whether we all agree with what happened or not, changed the complexion of the team going forward. Offensively AND defensively, a change has begun. Larnach is probably out, and replaced by Martin in LF, who came on surprisingly strong last season, and brings a very different profile, including better defense. While not the long term answer at SS, Lee actually looked better defensively at SS with regular playing time post Correa. Can he improve with the glove and especially the bat? Lewis improved with his defense and looked healthy and began to hit better and ran better. Is he ready for a big/good 2026? Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez are just about ready to appear and make Wallner a full time DH and part time OF. K-Pepper is not far away to help in the INF. Keaschal established himself as a productive player that can't be ignored. IF we give any credence to Falvey's hopes and expectations, a healthy Lopez, Ryan, a healthy Ober, and SWR...who finished really strong and showed a new and dangerous splitter...the rotation looks really good with a nice collection of candidates for the #5 spot. Yes, there are a couple of holes like #2 catcher. And 1B is still an absolute mess! And there is some concern about Fitzgerald as possibly the best backup SS/utility spot. And then there is the bullpen. It has to be rebuilt. There's a couple OK options on hand, but it needs major help to be sure. There's at least 2-3 conversion options to help, maybe more. And they ABSOLUTELY need to add a couple 2-3 just solid, veteran options to balance things out, provide depth and experience. And I'm not expecting a great pen rebuilt overnight. And I'm tired enough and mentally fatigued enough to not go in to details about who and how right now. But there is a really, really good foundation for a good starting staff. There IS offensive talent on the roster, and top prospects about to debut. And who knows maybe the new voice of a different manager and a few new coaches also help make a difference. But we are NOT in a rebuild unless the ownership cuts the FO again, and we can't sign ANY help, or are FORCED to trade off Lopez and/or Ryan. THEN, we are probably in an actual rebuild.

Clemens sounds like a good guy and a good teammate. I saw him play more 2B and 1B last year than I did the OF, but he looked good/solid at all 4 spots when I watched him. Personally, since he's not a bad athlete and has played it before, I'd have play some 3B in ST to see if he can at least be a fill-in, emergency option there. I like his power. I liked some of the big games he had last season, and some of the hit weeks he had. But I'm sorry, a low .200 AVG and an OB% in the .280's with a below league average OPS is not someone who should EVER be starting for a team unless an injury happens, or a team is in complete rebuild mode and he's keeping a spot warm for a prospect that isn't ready yet. Is he much better against RHP? Yes. But should you have a 1B platoon partner? ONLY if said platoon partner can fill another role as well. With a 13 man roster it would be nuts and extremely short-sighted otherwise. I understand Falvey is playing it close to the vest and showing a little love Clemens' way, but to be at all serious about him being the primary starting 1B is roster malpractice. I understand the payroll isn't set yet, even if Falvey has an idea in the back of his head what he hopes for/conjectures it to potentially be. I have my eye on O'Hearn as an option despite only being about a 40XBH bat. At least he's an experienced professional who can hit better and have a better OB% than Clemens. And while I haven't taken a lot of time yet to look at what's "left" for 1B options beyond O'Hearn...other than an OP on TD...I can't believe there isn't a better option that allows Clemens to be what he actually is; a decent, powerful, LH hitting utility player. I wanted Josh Bell last offseason. He was signed to a relatively small contract, started slow, but finished well. Miguel Adujar as a maybe? Is Nathaniel Lowe being picked up or allowed to walk? I haven't heard yet. I WANT the Twins to find a long term answer at 1B. But I'm OK with a short term solution to at least begin 2026 if FA or trade doesn't provide an answer. Considering the Twins have handed a 1B glove to Sano, Arraez, and Solano over recent history and just told them to go play, why haven't they done the same thing with prospects? Roden and Fedko have played some 1B, but they sure aren't close to proven ML performers yet, with only Roden even tasting ML pitching. Mendez began working at 1B last season, though he has yet to appear in a game there. Amick remains a possibility. Why not give Gonzalez and Rosario a 1B glove and see what they can do? Absolutely ridiculous to dismiss 1B as unimportant and toss a glove to ML ballplayers and NOT do the same thing for MILB prospects! Again, I don't want ANOTHER short term 1B option. But I'd rather do that for 2026 while ALSO starting to work in other prospects at the spot for later in 2026 or 2027 where a viable, long term option may present itself. O'Hearn is a decent, veteran option, maybe for 2yrs to settle the spot in a relatively short term. I'm even inclined to look at Hoskins as a 1yr $8M bounce back option at this point. Even in a bad 2025 he had a higher OPS than Clemens. There's AT LEAST the opportunity for some kind of bounce back season. Is there really a thought that Clemens will suddenly turn a corner and be better at 30yo than he's ever been before? And again, I don't dislike Clemens for what he is. But him as a primary 1B is akin to just giving up your lineup and team and potential for 2026 before it even begins, IMO. The Twins SHOULD be shooting higher, even for 1yr, as they re-adjust their thinking and start looking for better alternatives for 2027 and beyond.

He was my dream addition to the Twins for 3yrs. He was a perfect fit in many ways. But even without knowing the $ involved in the deal, no way would I have expected the Twins to go 5yrs! All the more it indicates how poorly they've handled the 1B situation over the past several years. It's time for the FO to adapt and accept that 1B is an important position to fill on a long term basis, and not a "throw away" position where you can just plug anyone in and go. The fact that Amick is playing 1B...regardless of his horrendous AFL appearance...and the recently acquired Mendez is working out at 1B, indicates that MAYBE they're finally starting to figure that out. I'd strongly consider both Gonzalez and Rosario getting some 1B time in 2026. They have good arms, and aren't necessarily poor athletes, but there are questions about how good they might be in the OF. So why not try them at 1B before it's "too late"? Relatively young but unproven players such as Roden and Fedko are athletic OF, with some power and speed, who have 1B experience. Why not lean hard in to that for 2026? There is a POSSIBLE scenario where they could form a quasi-platoon at 1B while doubling as 4th OF. Now, that assumes they actually prove they can hit at the ML level. And I get that. But any scenario that has Clemens as a player FIGHTING to make the roster instead of being counted on is path I'd like to at least consider. I often debate, politely, with other posters about 2026. I'd rather find a short term FA addition for 2026 that is more proven and allow the season to play out at the ML and MILB level to re-evaluate for 2027. But it's DAMN TIME the FO quits dismissing 1B as some "throw away" spot on the INF, and the Lineup! BTW, Hrbek, Mientkiewicz, and Morneau say hello. Oh, Sano even passed by with a quick thumbs up.

I don't excuse Lewis for growing frustrated and opening his mouth too quickly and too wide to say a couple of things he's said. But I DO excuse him for growing frustrated. That kid has been through a LOT. Unless I missed it...I confess to sorta skimming the OP...what WASN'T mentioned was earlier in 2025 he opened up and admitted the 2 knee injuries, and the changes in his body, and all the soft tissue injuries had affected his stance/approach/swing at the plate and he was trying to find a comfort zone that just wasn't there. A further reminder, he worked in the last offseason with a personal trainer that he likes and trusts to work on flexibility to try and avoid all those soft tissue injuries that have held him back. While that didn't allow him to get out of ST without being hurt again, and he appeared to have been rushed back with how awkward he looked on his return, and he never really looked like the "old" Lewis, he was still about a league average or slightly above from about mid June on. He also remained healthy the rest of the season and played the most games if his career. My hope is that that is an indication he's already started to turn a corner, and that with an additional offseason of hard work, we're going to see the STILL ONLY 26yo Lewis play in even more games, but also start to produce the way we've seen, and hope for. Or at least much closer to what we've seen and hoped for. He's still young and still talented. (I didn't even mention he suddenly began running again, and successfully). There's a new Sheriff in town, and a new primary batting coach. So there are some changes that may assist in a more positive approach for him, and potentially others as well. As @ashburypointed out, it's not only Lewis that needs a more positive 2026, but also Wallner returning to previous form. Perhaps Lee takes a step forward as well? But regarding Lewis directly...since he's the target of the OP...I think the turnaround began last season. I'm crossing my fingers the upward trajectory continues. I have a lot of hope it's going to do so.

I don't want to move Lopez. (Or Ryan). But for giggles, I read an online proposal from Clutch Points...which I'm not familiar with...that the Dodgers might make a play for Lopez. It was badly posted as part of the package was mentioned but not all details were included. Weird. DODGERS RECEIVE: Lopez Bonus International Signing $ TWINS RECEIVE: C/1B Dalton Rushing (former #1) SS/3B/2B Alex Freeland (#4) LHP Brent Wrobleski...but I believe they mean JUSTIN Wrobleski...former LH SP converted to the pen currently. And an unnamed 4th prospect. Rushing and Freeland are top 4 prospects recently who haven't found daily duty with the Dodgers yet. But I think the Twins would need a better 3rd option that was a quality arm at AA or above. At least it's an interesting idea. But I don't know if the Dodgers have any actual interest in Lopez or not. And again, I don't want to move him.

I kinda like this idea. The options in the OP are sound options to consider. But it would be interesting to .ake a list of arms coming off injury...like Lange...or coming off a poor 2025 that was an initial return season following injury. There might be some rebound steals to be had.

You don't have to twist my arm to convince me Rogers would be a solid signing. But Coulombe, Thielbar, and Chaffin all also had nice years and shouldn't be expensive. Just pick the right one and make it happen. We need a couple decent, veteran pen arms for experience, IMO. I don't know if Romano or Stanek are the right choices for the Twins or not. But they are what the Twins should be looking for: experienced, decent stuff, possibly a tweak or two away from being solid again. I wonder about Pressly as an option. His season ended poorly, but IIRC he was pretty good for the first couple of months.

I want Prielipp as a starter. I want Prielipp as a starter. But despite that, it's possible moving to the pen is not only best for the Twins, but also for his career. And it just makes so much sense, and for obvious reasons, for Festa to be a power arm at the back end of the pen. That makes a 4-some of Festa, Sands, Prielipp, and Funderburk. Interesting and possibly pretty solid. You could do a lot worse than Topa as your #7 option. And I'd guess Adams/Ohl fit the 8th "shuttle" spot in the pen. In theory, you have 2 open spots. It would really be nice if those last 2 spots were occupied by a pair of solid veterans to provide some experience. But who else is possible internally? IIRC, Raya is already a reliever, and Lewis is also going to convert. Lewis has been pretty good up until 2025. I'm very intrigued by him throwing as hard as he can, throwing his best stuff, and mixing in that crazy knuckleball of his. At some point, I expect at least 1 of Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Morris, Klein, and CJ Culpepper to move to the pen. But someone here is the #5 starter and you still need depth and to fill out the Saints rotation. So I don't know if any of this list converts immediately. Not every potential SP actually makes it as a SP. But that doesn't mean they can't make $ and have a nice ML career as a reliever. And Hawkins is a perfect ambassador to promote and assist with such conversions. But keep an eye on MaCleod, Nowlin, and Bragg from the left side, and Parades, Whitaker, and Hoopes from the right side as possible help at some point next season. They all had great seasons, or at least flashed at times, out of the pen and all should be in the St Paul pen at some point, if not to begin the season.

I really had hope Rowsen would join the staff as the bench coach. But Helberg from the Giants, a well run team, and his resume, sounds like outstanding to me as another choice. I had honestly forgotten who Mike Rebelo was until I looked him up. Memory fades. I always love former catchers as coaches. Hawkins and Sizemore seem like HR hires, pardon any pun. I think Shelton has a really nice staff assembled. I don't like losing Suggs as an assistant pitching, and I'm still unsure about retaining Amicone and Sierra as assistant batting coaches, but what do I know? They seem to be young and smart. I'm really starting to like what Shelton is putting together.

To be fair to Beauregard, successful coaches come from all over. Remember when the Twins sort of "broke the mold" and hired Wes Johnson straight from the college ranks? The Twins, and many teams since then, have busted open the traditional ideals of where a coach should "come from". We even have managers suddenly jumping from the college ranks now. And we even have fairly recently retired players jumping in to major roles. Some guys are just meant to be coaches. The fact that he and Popkins both came out of the Dodgers organization doesn't bother me. Nor do comparisons that both might be sacrificial lambs after disappointing end of seasons bother me. The Dodgers have one of the best systems in all of baseball. Popkins had success, and then he didn't. And then he did again with the Jays. But to be fair, Popkins added a coach...don't ask me his name...who was a great communicator that was better able to relay what he saw to the Jay's hitters. So he made adjustments, and it paid off. Might he have done the same if the Twins kept him? We'll never know. I WAS surprised the Twins kept the assistant batting coaches. Was that a Falvey move? Perhaps a combined move between Falvey and Beauregard? I'm certain we'll never know. But it forced me to look at those coaches a little closer. Trevor Amicone and Rayden Sierra are the names. What they have in common is being guys who played ball at small colleges and went in to coaching almost immediately. Amicone was hired by the Yankees in 2020 as a MILB roving instructor. And he was later promoted as a full time hitting coach for various MILB teams before being hired by the Twins as an assistant ML coach in 2025. Sierra has followed a similar path. He was hired by the Twins as an assistant batting coach for Ft Myers in 2021, then was the primary hitting coach for 2022-23, and in 2024 became the Twins MILB assistant hitting coordinator. In 2025 he was promoted to the Twins as an assistant hitting coach on Borgschulte's staff. So that's WHO the assistant hitting coaches are and where they came from. They seem to be young coaches who probably are plugged in to modern technology and analytics with some real smarts. Otherwise, they wouldn't be where they are. My question is were they FORCED on Beauregard? Or was he familiar with them and was OK with working with them? I'm really fine with Beauregard as the hitting coach. I'm just hoping he's equally fine with his young assistants. SIDE HUMOROUS NOTE: Over the years the Twins have been a bit notorious for some crazy names that have filled their roster, and even the coaching staff. To this day I can't spell MIENTIEWICZ without Google. And now we're going from Borgschulte to Beauregard as hitting coach. Hell, I even struggled with Baldelli once in a while. All I care about is performance. But one of these days, I'd like to have a team/staff that was filled with a few more Smiths and Jones and the such. LOL This last part is a JOKE if you didn't recognize it.