DocBauer

I was really curious how the Saints roster would shake out. Rosario and Olivar seemed to be easy adds and ready for AAA at this time. Deservedly so. But I guess the OF and catching depth is strong enough, deep enough, that they decided to keep both at AA to begin 2026. **Rosario was screwed out of AA player of the year by an older journeyman player. He's ready for AAA! Olivar is more an OF than he is a catcher. But his profile suggests a AAA promotion fairly soon. But Rosario should already be in St Paul save the ridiculous OF depth there. It's "nice" to have a ML experienced catcher like Jackson as a #3 with a quality defensive reputation. Banuelos was signed for defense as well. But Cardenas is the best combination of defense and potentially "adequate" offense with the ability to hit a bit, and work a count. While the FO might disagree, I believe Cardenas is the #3 best option. I guess Sabato gets ONE MORE CHANCE at 1B. He pushes Mendez back to AA, where he dominated despite an issue with ground balls. So I get him getting more time at AA. I'm not crazy about that decision, but I can see the logic of spending time at 1B, and learning to "power up" a bit more and learn a bit more pop/power for more line drives and XB potential. The Saints INF is really based around K-Pepper and Schobel. Everyone else is a borderline player. KP could be up as early as June 1st if he just keeps doing what he did in 2025 and his strong 2026 ST. While injury affected his 2025, there's a chance Schobel debuts later in the season as a decent utility player option. I'd rather see him than Kreidler or Arcia. I DIDN'T agree with some posters entering 2025 making Rodriguez as ready to go. But with a solid AAA, season, a great, healthy, WINTER LEAGUE season, and a healthy ST , I'm FINALLY in the camp of "go for it" BUT teams like the Brewers, the Rays, and the Guardians aren't afraid to "go for it" with top prospects. Remember how Keaschall needed more time but was promoted out of desperation? So when does Rodriguez, despite some K issues, get his chance to prove he can be good, and maybe great later? Were he a Guardian prospect, he'd probably be in the opening day lineup and they'd just live with some ups and downs until he figured some stuff out. Same with what Chourio did with the Brewers. The Saints roster is FUN for the OF. But it's also a collection of WHAT SHOULD BE DAMN SOON. As far as the rotation, it stinks Rojas is out for now. Hopefully he's back soon because MeCloud is really a BP add. IDEALLY, Matthews, Morris, Klein, Prielipp, and Rojas will fill SP roles for the Saints and allow Festa to fulfill his ultimate role as a stud backend arm, and potential closer.

I really like Festa a lot. And while it would be great for him to add a little more weight/muscle and develop in to a quality starter, I still think his future is as a high velocity K bullpen arm as a setup man, and potential closer. But with Lopez out for the season, and major questions about Ober right now, maybe he needs to stay as a starter for now. HOWEVER, Festa is a couple weeks from throwing from the mound. And then a few weeks of doing that and building himself up pitches wise. So if Matthews, Morris, Klein, Prielipp, and Rojas any/all get off to strong starts over the next month plus, it might affect how Festa gets used ultimately.

But nobody seems to care about that. They only see a #1 pick that seemed to be a steal and should already be a stud position player.

This is about HIT tool, not pure OPS. I just can't/won't comment on Agbayani or Young. I mean, COME ON, we're talking about 18yo kids just drafted who barely held a bat in a game after being drafted. As to the rest, why would anyone be down on Houston? He was great at A, and then didn't look so good at A+ in his rookie debut. Didn't K-Pepper do the EXACT same thing the previous year? There are debates about Houston's power...despite not being a small guy...but he has a history of contact and zone recognition indicating he might be a solid hitter. Amick has suddenly lost his power, but has suddenly been a solid hitter and OB% batter. If he can find a way to combine the 2 approaches, he just might jump up the prospect rankings. But back to the top 5: DIAW: He might be the most athletically talented catcher since Mauer. The kid can play some CF for you if needed. But he needs to be healthy and stick behind the plate. When healthy, he's shown actually HIT ability. He runs well. There's at least some pop/power potential. If he's healthy in 2026, watch his status rise. He MIGHT be catching in Minnesota sooner than you realize. CULPEPPER: I really don't think we have to discuss him much. Great athlete, way more potential than I realized when drafted. He's up with the Twins in 2026 at SS, or utility early, before taking over SS. Even that might be temporary based on Houston's development. But Culpepper will be starting somewhere in the Twins INF. MENDEZ: I think it's great the Twins are moving him to 1B. I think it's even better if they commit to it. I have zero objection to him playing a little OF for versatility, but reports are he's just not a good OF. He's shown the ability to HIT. And not everyone can do that. And he seems to have at least some power. But you can't succeed at the ML level with the number of ground balls he hits. ML INF will gobble them up. He just needs to take natural power, contact, and a solid swing and elevate his bat to ball and he has a real future. He actually reminds me a lot of Arraez with more power. That's a good thing! But I need to see more power and LIFT of hits before I buy in. GONZALEZ: The kid can HIT. He's got power and a good arm. Whether he can ever be a starting OF or not depends on his defense, as well as the talent around him. As impressive as Rodriguez was in ST, Gonzalez was right behind him in looking good. And while ST stats don't matter in a SSS, he looked good and had a great 2025. It's crazy to realize he reached AAA as a 22yo, only a little younger than Jenkins. There might be more HR power in the the future, but he had a 2025 season that surprised me he didn't jump back in to top 100 prospect rankings considering age and production. His bat may be ready soon. Same as Rodriguez. JENKINS: Not sure there is anything more to say. Just stay healthy. The BAT is there. The power will come naturally. I still keep thinking a "Mauer" bat with more power.

Honestly, what is this, the 6th or 7th article about Lee since the offseason began? There's a chance he might flame out and never be close to the player hoped for when drafted. But why is he such a major target? One more time, he only turned 25yo in February, just as ST began. While he DID debut in 2024, you'd think he's been around forever. In 2024 he had 172 ML AB. Rookie status is 150 ML AB. So he began 2025 ONLY 22 ML AB above rookie status. And his career is at some kind of crossroads after ONE full ML season as a 24yo who JUST turned 25? Please! Even when drafted, it was expected he'd probably move off SS to be a 3B or 2B simply because he might not have the athleticism/quickness to be a ML SS. Not exactly his fault he's the default SS to begin 2026. To his credit, by all reports, he's worked really hard to re-build his body and re-distribute his weight/muscle. He's also worked really hard to enhance his lateral movement to gain an extra step. He's also spoken of a tendency he needed to get rid of, of instinctually taking a step forward that probably goes back to his college days. I haven't seen him to this point. But everything I've heard and read is his body looks different, and he's looked at least a half step better in his movements and coverage. That can be important. Because he's got good hands, a decent arm, a good glove to throwing arm, and seems decent in off balance throws. I have zero illusions that he's the Twins SS of the future. K-Pepper is just a better athlete and maybe a better defender already. And if Houston's bat can be even ML average, HE probably moves K-Pepper to a different spot in a year or two. A better defensive profile as the Twins SS in 2026 HELPS, but he's probably just not the SS of the future. What he needs to do is just provide AVERAGE defense for NOW, and become something close to the HITTER he was projected to be. If he does that, he has the potential to be a starter at 3B, or 2B, and be a real asset. He also has the ability to be a Super Utility player with a good, productive bat who can play ALL 4 INF spots with a solid glove at each spot, playing almost every day. Think a younger version of Marwin Gonzalez, but without OF ability. I think there are a couple varying paths where Lee is a successful ML player for several years. I just don't think either path has him continuing on as a starting ML SS. But that was kinda the opinion the day he was drafted. But to say 2026 is a make or break career season for a barely turned 25yo is just short-sighted, if not downright silly.

It all comes back to roster construction. And I guess I'm going to sound like a broken record, BUT, here I go again. No Larnach means Bell is the primary DH as a career solid, switch hitting bat. (Pretty neutral splits for his career, just not in 2025). He can be an emergency 1B. Having to platoon at 1B is a cruel joke, but Clemens and Wagaman would be better doing so...with Caratini getting a few games there...than Bell. You'd probably have at least average defense at 1B. Roden...Outman for now I guess...and Martin can play a good LF. Not to the level Bader showed last season, but still good. They can also cover CF once in a while for a Buxton day off without killing you. I'm sorry, but Larnach's presence skews the entire roster. And his bat isn't going to make up for it. CF is still really good. LF should be good. Catcher is solid. 3B is solid/good. 1B is average, but not horrible, if the above changes are made. Wallner's arm keeps hitters from running. He's been better previously than he was in 2025. If he can raise his defense up even a little, I'll settle for that. Especially considering his offensive potential, and how good he's been this spring. The biggest problem...IF 1B could still be "adjusted" is the middle INF. I'm 100% in the camp of "let Keaschall play 2B and let him get comfortable there again". He's got the athletic ability to be solid-good there. I'm willing to live with a few growing pains. And there's Lee. Personally, I don't think he's as poor a SS as some state. I believe he was -1 Outs Above Average post Correa trade. That's not great, but he's not a butcher. He does a few things well. IF his re-shaped body and hard work to gain a step of lateral quickness is real, and if he's eliminated his self diagnosed impulse to want to initially take a step forward has been eliminated, he just might be AVERAGE. I'll take that for NOW, especially if his hitting comes around. I can see a "coming soon to a ballpark near you" future where Wallner becomes the primary DH as Rodriguez, Jenkins, and also Roden are with the club. And I can see K-Pepper being a quicker, more athletic SS and Lee moving to the role of quality super utility INF, possibly as soon as July. (Though I wouldn't be surprised if KP DEBUTS as a role player initially). The opening day defense worries me mostly about 1B. The Twins believe they can mitigate Bell's deficiencies at 1B due to how they position their 1B. But that puts more strain on the 2B who is trying to get comfortable again at the spot. Grrr. It's like a spinning merry-go-round you can't get off. Between the options at LF, Buxton in CF, and an OK Wallner in RF, I don't think the OF looks terrible at all. Again, 3B and catcher are solid. Not great, but solid. The middle INF is not good, even though there is at least SOME growth potential. But I remain flumoxed in regard to the Twins handling of 1B. (Sigh). The BITE is, they COULD have done better if they just didn't assemble the roster like a blind man throwing darts. Maybe it's not too late? But it probably is. I can see a MUCH better defense in 2027 with Rodriguez, Jenkins, K-Pepper, and an improved Keaschall...if given a real opportunity to re-adjust and grow...but 1B is still a major question mark defensively. And that just shouldn't be the case. But I think there's a real possibility the 2027 version of defense might debut in the 2nd half of this season. But the OD defense absolutely has me worried about giving away outs that we can't afford to give away.

To state the obvious, I've always believed in the deepest, most well balanced team you can field. OBVIOUSLY, you don't always have that based on roster talent, plus adding in bench players here and there. Though matchups also do have an affect. Back when pitchers still hit in the NL, I believe it was Larussa who hit his pitchers 8th so the 9th hitter might have a better chance of being on base for the top of the order to potentially have a runner on base. In my dreams for 2026, Keaschall would be the #1 hitter, followed by a quasi platoon of Roden/Martin in LF getting on base, having the ability to run and not block Buxton, and giving Buxton more chances to drive in runs. NOT the old fashioned speedy leadoff guy and a contract guy who could bunt someone over. I understand and embrace your best hitters getting the most AB in a game. It just makes sense. But IDEALLY, I'd still have TWO really nice hitters setting the table for my #3 and #4 hitters. I'm not sure that approach has changed in an IDEAL lineup. The simple reason being your LEADOFF hitter is ONLY guaranteed to actually LEADOFF ONCE. Now, you'd like to have a bottom of the order that doesn't STINK because your top of the order hitters have the potential to knock in runs also! But how many PA/AB over the course of the ENTIRE SEASON does your BEST hitter actually lose if he hits 2 or 3? It can't be more than a dozen. But how many RBI opportunities does he GAIN from that dozen with runners on base? The way the lineup figures to be constructed currently...grrr from roster construction....Buxton is best at #2 with Keaschall at #1, even though I'd like to go a little "old school" with Buck at the 3 spot with ducks on the pond. Keaschall sets the table, and Buck is OK at #2. Makes sense. DESPITE a poor ST...working on his new balance/approach...Lewis is STILL part of the OD lineup and should be. It's really up to HIM at this point. Bell or Wallner hits 3. I'm going with Bell only because he's a switch hitter and for his career he's been generally neutral. Wallner is next at #4. He's always going to be a bit streaky, but his power is crazy, he has a history of crunch hits and HIGH OPS before 2025, and he's looking like his previous 2023-24 self this spring. Lewis bats #5 despite a poor spring. But the talent is still there. He's still working on a new approach. I'm still a believer he's going to get the new stoke with his talent to work even if it takes a couple weeks. Beyond that, it's who steps forward. Jeffers is a good bat, and a powerful one. Does his power return? Does Lee's bat improve to what we all thought it might be? Early returns are at least hopeful. If Larnach is the DH, where does he fit in? Despite where Rocco placed him, does hit fit in at 6th, 7th? Maybe 6th behind Jeffers? So Lee might be 8th ahead of Outman in LF at 9th? MAYBE that roster works. But I like it a lot better if we were talking about Roden, or Rodriguez or many other possibilities that included prospects, but maybe even Wagaman as a role player other than just a collection of BS LF options in the OF that shouldn't be here. But Keaschall should be the #1 and Buxton #2 even though a better lineup might place him at #3 for even more RBI opportunities.

On a serious note, I think the ABS system might only be a year or two away. And ACCURATE height measurements are very important. On a more important note, I've been 5' 11 3/4" since I was about 14yo. So I've always stated I was 6'. It's even on my driver's license. At my recent 60yo physical, they listed me at 5' 10 and 3/4". Not sure if I was disappointed or pissed. Maybe age cost me an inch? Maybe a couple drunk nights losing my footing and tumbling down stairs lost me an inch? Or maybe they were just being lazy in their measurement? Maybe that slide rule was out of whack? Yeah, I'll go with that. 😁

Absolutely ridiculous roster construction. First...and I mean no offense to him...Larnach is not a fit for a team that already has/had Roden, Martin, Buxton, Wallner, and still Outman for some reason. Beyond that, THREE top 10 prospects in Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez. Let's just play devil's advocate and the Twins are right to give Outman one last chance to see if he can build on a solid spring. They can argue: "well, he was really good for ONE ML season back in 2023. And he's been good the last 2 seasons at AAA." Well guess who else has been really good the last 2 seasons in MILB, including AAA. Roden! And he's 3 years younger and offers some upside at least! Have you really considered AAA at this time, directed to the powers that be, including our own easy vision? Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, Roden, Olivar, Rosario, and even Fedko. That doesn't even include Mendez who despite being targeted for 1B play, has continued to play some OF. I mean, this just makes no sense! I think Roden has a chance to have a good solid career as a quality 4th OF who can play all 3 spots, even if he's only average in CF. If someone wants to ACTUALLY have a little imagination in the Twins FO, they guy also has some experience as a 1B. He has the potential to be a decent hitter, with a solid OB%, gap and some HR power, and the ability to run a little but while being able to backup 4 spots. That's a really valuable role player! He didn't have a good rookie debut. It was 150 PA and 136 AB split between 2 teams, and then an injury that cut his season short. Some rookies hit the ground running, like Keaschall seemed to do. Some, Hunter famously for the Twins, struggle and get a re-set and look much better at their next opportunity. (Psst...Buxton did the same thing). This team needs some youth, defense, speed/athleticism, and projectable players. Roden is that, even if he might end up as a 4th OF. What projectability do a pair of 29yo OF in Larnach and Outman offer the Twins? The answer is none, barring some massive and unexpected turnaround. Who would you rather bet on? I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I'd lay $ Outman looks like the same ML caliber of player he's been the previous 2 seasons. So HOPEFULLY, the Twins will pull the plug and Roden will be up to get his next opportunity. But for a team that is HOPING to compete, and needs the things previously stated, the smart thing to do would be to give Outman the Day One roster spot. And if he struggles after a month or so? Well, he's got options, so you bring up Rodriguez. Rodriguez struggles a bit more than you like? You can cycle again. Now, I believe in giving prospects a real chance and not just bouncing them up and down. Especially when they are as talented as someone like Rodriguez. But keeping the poor performing Outman at 29yo...not to mention Larnach at the same age...only kicks the can down the road because you HOPE they might suddenly surprise you??!! To what end? It does NOTHING to actual build a quality team of talented, younger players, with control, that you NEED as a mid-market team in the middle of what they HOPE is a re-tool and competitive on the field offering. Just HORRIBLE roster construction! As an add on, while he didn't cost much in prospect capital, and is only earning the minimum, why trade for Wagaman at all at this point? While he doesn't offer anything exciting, he's a RH bat who can kinda, sorta, play 4 spots. That fact, and because he finished 2025 really strong, and is a possibly decent RH bat is why they traded for him in the first place. No Larnach, no Outman, Roden is in LF, able to backup the other 2 spots, providing some upside. Rodriguez is waiting in the wings. No Larnach, no Outman, the RH hitting Wagaman brings a potentially decent RH bat who might form a platoon at 1B with Clemens and Bell gets to focus on DH. Doesn't that make a hell of a lot more sense? Instead, we're left with a 29yo DH that should only play the OF once in a while, and a 29yo who has shown he was capable of only 1 good ML season. And the roster is a weird, mis-match collection of pieces that don't fit. Crazy to me that myself, and fellow TD writers and posters can see the obvious...and could have done a better job...and the "professionals" were unable to see and do the same.

This is one of my biggest BURNS about the offseason and how screwed up ownership has handled the entire situation. They handcuffed and confused the FO so much that NOBODY seemed to be in charge. But considering Falvey WAS in charge initially, I am forced to place some blame on him. They KNEW they NEEDED a viable backup SS/utility option. And the BEST they could do was a collection of waiver wire options to run through? There was NOBODY smart enough to examine the other 29 teams, and their rosters, and their AAA rosters, and target SOMEONE who might be a teams #2 utility option? Maybe someone blocked and needing an opportunity? You're telling me the FO, even as frustrated and confused as they were, couldn't identify another Nick Punto that would cost them next to nothing to acquire, but had a good glove, versatility, maybe a little speed, or pop in their profile, that would cost a lower level prospect? Nice to see the OP speak about Kreidler's MILB numbers that still aren't great. And he's only 3yrs younger than Arcia. Funny that Kreidler's ST numbers about mirror his SSS ML numbers. He just can't hit! If Aecia can be solid/competent at SS still, he has the ability to hit around .200. That's way more than Kreidler. For a guy that only plays 1-2 games a week, that's probably OK if the glove is just decent/solid. Funny how Gray wasn't even mentioned in the OP. He's not the glove of Kreidler, but he might hit better than both. Do we care he hits LH at this point? Truth is, HOPEFULLY, K-Pepper is ready in a couple months to be added. He might take over SS, or he might be used as a utility player initially. But for the short term, if Arcia can still play a competent SS, I go with the veteran and what I HOPE is a "competent" bat vs a guy who can't hit his way out of a wet paper bag. And frankly, IDK care if Kreidler can play a decent CF. Roden and Martin can play CF here and there. And we already have a couple "built in" options for CF if Buck spends any time on the IL. There's NO WAY the Twins would let Kreidler play CF for 2 weeks. Arcia gets the job unless they like Gray a little better. Kreidler is a DFA if they want to. This really isn't so hard.

Abel was the right choice. I'm disappointed he's the right choice in so much as I really wanted Matthews to take a step forward and CLAIM that job as his. I still believe there is a viable, quality ML arm in Matthews. But SOMETHING is still missing. I think the control is there, but I think he's still missing the COMMAND part of pitching. That is, the ability to "just miss" the zone enough for whiffs and weak contact. If he can get that part figured out, I could see us as a group suddenly saying: "What's gotten in to Matthews all of a sudden?" in a pleasantly surprised and pleased way. I suppose he's still a viable oen convert where he might just dominate. But I'm still holding out hope for him to be a rotation fixture. This doesn't mean I'm not excited to see what Abel can do. IIRC he was a top 100 prospect...for what that's worth...for 2 or 3 years, but slipped out of those rankings prior to the Twins acquiring him. The STUFF and potential are real. But I don't expect an All Star caliber performance his 1st year. Bradley is interesting. Again, great STUFF. But he never put it all together while in Tampa. He's still young and his arm has some real electricity. No insult to the kid, but I'm still blown away that while in Tampa he didn't really do the "bookwork" on opposing hitters and just trusted his catcher. As I understand it, he's started to embrace the pre-game work the Twins are so diligent about. This would seem to indicate a next level of mental "maturity" as a professional pitcher. NOT to say he was immature as a person, simply that he's growing as a professional. Considering his repertoire, his still young age, adopting a new "homework" approach, and the Twins having a good history of tweaking deliveries and grips, he might just be about ready to raise his game another notch. Again, not expecting All Star results immediately, but considering past experience, it might not be out of the realm of possibility. I'm a fan of SWR not because he blows people away, but because I'm somewhat amazed at how well he's done considering how poorly he's been handled in his early career. The Mets traded him to the Jays when he was 20yo, I believe. The Jays put him at AA as a 20yo, but he had a badly disjointed season being selected to the Olympic team that he never even pitched for. The Twins were pretty much: "OK, maybe you've been rished and missed a lot of time, but you've already been at AA, so I guess we'll keep you there". Not going to blame the Twins for "damage done", but maybe they should have sent him down initially for lost development time. But he looked pretty good as a 21yo in AA in 2022, and finished the season at AAA looking pretty solid. So he began 2023 at AAA as a 22yo and looked average at best. This where the whole lost velocity and change of arm angle happened to get him ready for 2024. And while he was nursed a bit early on, he really saved the Twins BUTT with solid performances before running out of gas late. Fast forward to 2025, he really disappointed me with his early season. I really expected another jump in his development. But after a demotion, he came up and pitched as well, or better than, he ever had before. His splitter over the last couple of months was excellent, and he looked as if he had truly raised his game to another level. And he's STILL only 25yo and learning the game. He's absolutely behind Bradley and Abel in pure STUFF, but if he can keep that splitter working, he has the ability to be really solid, if not downright good. I'm really worried about Ober, as most of us are. I just can't believe a 30yo has suddenly lost 3MPH off his fastball. And yet, he says he feels great, with no physical impairment. So MAYBE it's mechanical and we'll see a ramp up. We can hope for that. Otherwise, he needs to adjust the velocity of his other offerings and take them down a notch to keep a suitable speed variance. In other words, he needs to be more "crafty" as a pitcher. He's got the intelligence to do so. But his days as a really good #3 who often throws like a #2 may be behind him. He might honestly be the Twins #5 starter without an uptick in velocity. And that really stinks! But while I'm not expecting Bradley and Abel to make All Star kind of jumps in 2026, BOTH have the ability to "take over" the #2 and #3 spots pretty quickly. And that's what we should be hoping for, and why the Twins traded for them.

In a very non-insultibg way, I'm kinda glad about Chaffin being let go to pursue other opportunities. I really thought they'd keep him and send Funderburk down. And I didn't like that idea at all. While Kody is no spring chicken, he's a younger arm with the potential to help this club another 3 or maybe even 4 years. I agree with Seth that Urshela was probably brought in as much as a favor to him as much as a possible fill-in if someone got hurt. I don't think he was ever a fit. But I'm a little surprised about Hendricks. I really thought they'd stick with for a few weeks, a good month, to see if hus velocity would crank up another couple MPH to go along with his secondaries and experience to at least be OK. Obviously, they just didn't see that happening. So I guess the pen is mostly set for now? Rogers, Banda and Funderburk from the LH side. Sands, Topa, Orze, Kent, and Altavilla from the RH side. Does that sound about right? Why do I have this feeling that an 11th hour trade is still going to happen?

I think just about everyone not employed by the Twins agree with you. It's not always about being a bad ballplayer. It's about being a bad FIT for your current team. And it doesn't take a genius to look at the roster to realize Larnach doesn't FIT, even if he might FIT with another team in a small trade. But if I'm T Pohlad, or Zoll, I HAVE the ability to quietly trade Larnach for SOMETHING, or even DFA him, and without saying anything publicly, sorta blame Falvey in the transition. It's not FAIR, but it could be implied subtlety that the final roster decision with our new manager it just didn't make sense. Regardless, it's time to bite the bullet and play Roden and see what you have and leave openings for the younger talent.

In case anyone missed it, the Twins won the MILB BREAKOUT game vs the Phillies. Of course it's all in fun and doesn't mean much, but I still find it interesting. Hill started the game and admitted he was ramped up and threw a couple 100mph FB for fun, but then settled down to a "normal' 95-96, while touching 97. He finished with 3.2 IP, 2 Hits, I ER, 2BB, and 3 K. Unfortunately, CJ Culpepper had a pretty bad 2 Runs scored in 1.2 IP with only 1 K. What SURPRISED me was 2025 draftee Ellwanger debuting and throwing 3 IP with 1 hit, 2 BB, and 2 K. Raya pitched the 9th and had a clean inning with 2 K. On the position side, K-Pepper was 1 for 3 with a double and ended with 1 run scored, a BB, and 3 knocked in. Rodriguez was 2-4 with hits, including a triple, a run scored and one knocked in with 2 K. Gonzalez was 2-3 with 2 RBI and 1 BB. Tait also knocked in 2 runs going 1-4. Additionally, 2025 1st round pick Houston went 2-4 with an RBI. There is nothing to be gathered for the future for 1 MILB game between 2 teams MILB systems. But isn't it fun to just see a collection of Twins MILB players doing well? It's really more about FUN, than projection. But it's also fun to win where you can.

As far as Larnach, I see NOBODY interested in Larnach and Jackson as any sort of package. Name me a team that needs a LH DH AND a defense first/no hit catcher because someone is injured? That's a really small needle. With all due respect, I NEVER would have offered Larnach arbitration. And for obvious reasons we don't have to go in to yet again. There's been speculation that teams like Houston, maybe Cincinnati, that have room for a solid LH bat. At this point, considering the horrible roster construction, I'd pay half his salary just to move him off the roster. To be clear yet again, Larnach is NOT a bad ballplayer. His career OPS against RHP is pretty solid. He's an OK corner OF used once in a while. He's actually got some value. He's just NOT A FIT for the Twins in 2026 or the future. But he might have some value to another team in his role. BITE the damn bullet, move him for what you can, or package him, but MOVE HIM. Swallow pride and admit retaining him doesn't make sense and just build the best roster you can from all the oblong pieces you've assembled. If someone had a Nick Punto type who wasn't going to make their roster, I'd jump at the chance to move Larnach for that guy. If someone had a "Varland" they were going to move to the bullpen this season and needed a solid LH bat for their team, I'd add a solid prospect to make it happen. But Jackson is an offering unto himself. Does someone really, desperately need a defense only catcher? I doubt it, but maybe someone does. Maybe they have the next Punto/Castro type that they are going to send out. But again, I really doubt it. Larnach is an issue unto himself. It stinks that he never turned out as hoped for. But again, he's not a lousy player. He's just a role player. And I'd do anything I could to remove him in a trade to get SOMETHING in return vs just DFA him. And let's be honest, Larnach is a NICE roll player for a good team at DH and occasional OF use. But he doesn't FIT with the Twins in regard to Roden, Outman...Ugh...and Rodriguez and Jenkins, and Gonzalez sitting at AAA.

I don't keep abreast of other teams enough to know if someone has had an injury recently, or their "hoped for" backup catcher has had a lousy camp. But considering how small his deal is, there's probably a couple teams that might have need for him, even as a temporary fill-in to start the season. But I expect him to pass through waivers and end up with the Twins at AAA. Funny thing is, even if that happens, while he has actual ML experience, I'm still not certain that the younger Cardenas doesn't offer similar defense and potentially better offense.

He was throwing 90-91 in January workouts and then took a brief rest of a couple weeks before ST started. He says he feels good, and there is no injury and no pain. Assuming that's true, where did his velocity go? He's been 88-90 so far, maybe touched 91 a couple of times. He's still ONLY 30yo? This is not an "old man" or "old" arm. So either he's hurting and not telling anyone...I'm questioning that...OR he's still not mechanically in sync yet, (hoping that's the case)...OR his body type has his arm aging faster than expected. A healthy 30yo with somewhat limited miles just shouldn't be dropping 3mph. And those 3mph make a big difference with Ober. His extension adds a couple perceived MPH, which sets up all his additional offerings. So SOMETHING just isn't right here. He either needs to ramp up over the next couple of weeks...hopefully...or he better learn how to drop velocity on his other offerings to compensate for changes of speed to confuse batters still, which has always been his strength as a pitcher. I'm not in panic mode yet, but I'm approaching that area. Unfortunately, it's possible the Matthews vs Abel debate might be settled with both making the club and Ober going to the IL and sticking around Ft Myers for extended ST. I'm betting they roll with him to open the season and see if mechanics settle in, adrenaline kicks in, and we might see him take a step forward. But the rotation depth we thought we had may be tested sooner than hoped for or expected.

I really hate the "Well, if I had been in charge of the team earlier and the entire ownership situation had been settled earlier, we would have been able to address things differently" paraphrasing Tom Pohlad. THEY created the mess! Obviously, the pen is a mess. I'm as worried as anyone about how bad it might be. I have a sliver of HOPE, but I'm not sure I should. Hendricks is obviously not what he once was. I've been hoping for about 85-90% of what he was previously. He hasn't looked good, he hasn't looked terrible. He seems healthy. He's been throwing 94-95. Over the next couple of weeks can he raise that just a couple mph? If he can, we might get that 85-90%. And with his savy, maybe that's enough to be "decent". Rogers also isn't what he was. But he was having a solid year with the Cubs before his trade to the Reds. If he has enough "stuff" left to go along with experience, he has a chance to be "decent". Those aren't glowing HOPES, but "decent" is a hell of a lot better than lousy. Two of Banda, Chaffin, and Funderburk can at least allow some middle inning matchups that can be solid/decent. MORE of the Sands from 2024 and less of Sands in 2025 will make me feel a lot better. Topa has me worried. I guess he's healthy and his velocity is good. Has he just been tinkering and trying stuff? Because his camp has been horrendous. I guess his last couple of appearances have been better. Ramping up maybe? I sure hope that's it. But I don't want him anywhere the 8th inning. I know this sounds crazy optimistic, but I'm a little encouraged by Kent and Altavilla. They're both a little older, and don't have long track records, but they seem to have velocity and K ability. Could they be right time, place, and opportunity to settle as a couple power arms that might be...here's that word again..."decent"? Plainly, it sucks to ask for a "decent" bullpen instead of a GOOD one. But again, I'd take decent vs lousy. I've got some additional HOPE for later in the season where we might see a healthy Festa, and a transitioned Raya, and Lewis (also healthy), and Klein. I'm not so certain Klein isn't a viable backstop end SP option. But he's behind other arms and I think he might be a really good, hard throwing, multiple offering, solid K guy that might follow the Jax and Varland path in the pen. And even if it's temporary to limit IP and gain ML experience, Prielipp might be a later season option. (I also think CJ Culpepper is eventually headed to the pen, but not immediately). I know the whole mantra of "crap in one hand and wish on the other and see which one gets filled first". But I DO see some potential arms that might debut later in the season to help build a better pen for 2027 and beyond. I'm just hoping for a "decent" pen before any of them arrive to not destroy the 2026 season before it starts. I'm not exactly optimistic, but, I can at least see reasons to have HOPE.

He's at AAA as a just turned 21yo. He's got a great eye, a natural swing, and hard hit exit velocities. The power is there. It's learning when to turn on a ball. That comes with experience, the one thing he's still a little short on. He might end up a consistent 30HR guy. Or he might hit .300 with a .385+ OB% with 35 Dbls but "only" crank 25HR per season. I'd take that in a heartbeat. Let's not panic or loose any sleep for a while on his HR totals, OK?

I'm guessing he will always K a fair amount. But experience and a good eye will see his K % gradually drop to a more manageable number. Not have a high chase rate indicates he knows what he's doing up there. He just has to learn that ML pitchers have a lot better command that what he's seen so far in his career. So he's going to have to swing earlier in counts once in a while. The good news is he seems to understand that based on an early ST interview he gave. But if he can maintain that good eye for the zone, and not chase, pitchers will have to challenge him. It will be up to him to make them pay by swinging earlier in the count.

Prielipp: I think his staying a starter for now makes sense. He's still refining his 2 seamer and his new curveball. Being a starter allows for thst work to take place. And there's still real upside of him as a starting pitcher. Let's not forget, he's still working on the subtitles of actually pitching, like setting batters up. I have no doubt he could be a great reliever. And maybe he has his IP monitored by pitching out of the Twins pen at the end of the year. But I don't know that I agree with him being the closer. Hill: Great velocity, quality secondary offerings, 12K per 9, and a .196 AVERAGE against are all tremendous. A little more stamina, and get the BB down to around 3 puts him easily in the top 100 for 2027. It might also get him to AA at some point next season. Quick: He's very exciting. I think they got a top 20 talent as a steal. No question he sees A+ in 2026. But might he also reach AA late in the year? I think it's possible. Everyone is rightfully excited about Ellwanger. And it's hard not to be intrigued about Reitz if he can get all that 6' 11" moving smoothly. I believe I've heard he's already touching high 90's. But 5th rounder Matt Barr has my attention. Dominating the way he did at his JC and then being recruited to play at powerhouse Tennessee should have everyone watching him very closely. He's pretty young...19yo when drafted...but I think there's a lot of talent/projection there.

OK, this actually a FUN OP! I like the change from another "how bad is this, and what happens here". And "woe is is us". Again, this is kinda FUN. I'm changing the order. RODRIGUEZ: In ST we saw the best and the worst of him. The kid has quality defense, and he has a good eye. By his own admission he has to learn at the highest level he has to swing earlier than before because he can't just wait. I think we saw a glimpse of what he can do in ST. What I am excited for is a healthy, brief Winter league where he was productive, and a ST where he continued to be healthy and flashed his potential. He just needs to be a little more consistent in his approach. By his own words, be a little more aggressive in early counts because that might be the best pitch you see. I can see reasons for getting him ramped up at St Paul, and give Roden a chance to flash, and give Rodriguez a little more time to make the adjustments he's recognized and talked about. But I keep thinking about someone like the Brewers stud, somewhat comparable, Chouri who basically stunk early and adapted and then raked. I think a month or so from now he's ready and the Twins should make room and just live with the ups and downs. WORST RODRIGUEZ: He's a great OF who hits .220 with a .315 OB% and slams 30+ Dbls and 25HR with a few Trips and 12-15 SB, 20 once in a while. That's a great player. But he's CAPABLE of hitting .255 with a .350 OB%. HOUSTON: I never realized how good his glove was until I saw it in practice. He's NOT a small guy. So it's hard to believe the power he showed in his junior year before being drafted was a complete illusion. But that doesn't mean his BAT is, or should be about HR power. I LOVE his ability to work a count and have good OB ability, not K much, and work a count. I want him to be the HITTER he was in college with GOOD contact, stay away from the stuff you can't reach, and let his "natural" power lead to DOUBLES, and the occasional Triple. He's got the ability to steal some bases. But beyond that, he's a good base runner. MAYBE he's another Dozier who will develop HR power. But all he NEEDS to do is hit .250-.270 with an OB% of .320 with 30 Dbls, a few Trips, 8-10 HR and 15 SB to be REALLY GOOD. Better than that, he's a Bona Fide All Star! Less than that, he's a really good full time SS with speed and occasionally HR pop if he hits .240 with a .305 OB% along with 30 Dbls, a couple trips, 8HR, 15 SB . He's still really good if he does that. Here's hoping! LEBRON: Of course you are assuming he's the projected #3 pick. He's got #1 potential in many drafts, the way Jenkins would have been. Thankfully, the lottery didn't take the Twins out of the top 3 spots. And things may change between now and the draft. So Lebon makes sense. Within 2-3yrs the Twins could have Lebron, Houston, Cullpepper, Keaschall, Lee, Lewis, and a few other depth pieces making a tremendous Twins INF. And even IF Lewis is gone after 2018, you can see a hell of a good INF, not even including other prospects. So yeah, I can I see an INF without Lewis in the next couple of seasons...but I don't want to...I can see an INF that might be OK without him. But as much as we talk about the projection of Jenkins for the future, I'd gladly take a 75% future projection of Rodriguez ASAP. He doesn't have to reach his ceiling to be really good.

Can I just vent her for a moment first? This was an important need for the team. And this was the best they could come up with? Back in the 80's, they got Al Newman for next to nothing. He was never a great hitter, but he usually hit in the .220's with some speed and good defense wherever you put him. Internally, they had Reboulet and Mears...before he became a starter briefly...who could play solid defense and not completely embarras themselves at the plate. I believe they traded for Nick Punto?? I don't remember him costing much of anything. In recent history, they picked up Castro for free and got a nice surprise. I don't recall now who it was...and won't embarras myself by trying to remember and speculate...but a fellow poster offered up a collection of AAA SS/utility players that had SOME potential, maybe were blocked or getting a little old at 25-26yo, that might be available on a small deal, that at least offered up OPPORTUNITY to be a decent SS/utility option that might be added. And I had also stated...without naming names...early in the offseason that the FO should have some IMAGINATION and look for someone of that nature to be brought in. A mid market team...regardless of your yearly payroll...ALWAYS has to have IMAGINATION when building your team. So why in hell didn't they look for a 25-27yo SS/utility option that might be put there and cost little to acquire that had some talent who might be blocked, or a late bloomer, or someone else's #2 utility option, etc. OK. Rant over, let's get back to the regular programing. While history has shown offense is the choice above defense...generally speaking...when examining close players, I really do love and appreciate good defense. But that's not exactly what we're looking at here. We're looking at the least "offensive" choice here, meaning the adjective, as in "something smells poorly". I have NO DOUBT Kreidler is a good glove ballplayer. But he's hit around .236 for his MILB career with some speed. While a SSS, it's already been stated at the ML level he can't hit his way out of a wet paper bag. Can the Twins support a glove only player backing up SS/INF who hits at the level of a pitcher??? IDK care that Gray hits LH. We aren't looking for major offensive production from this spot. It's still a 75/25 split of RHSP vs LHSP. And as Greg pointed out, he can easily be placed in to a game against a RHSP to give Lee, Lewis, and Keaschall a day off. (So can Clemens at 2B). It doesn't stink that there is SOME pop in his bat, his defense doesn't stink, and he's played all 4 INF spots. But he's obviously nothing special. And then there's Arcia. At 31yo his glove is not what it once was, but he's not yet to the age where funeral arrangements need to be made. Maybe for his bat? But in 2023 he was still a very productive hitter. In 2024, his entire Quad slash line dropped considerably, with an OPS of .625. BUT, he still produced 41 XBH. So was he toast at that point? Kreidler and Gray might dream about that much pop/power. But then everything fell apart in 2025 between 2 teams and he was sent adrift in to FA as a "nobody" at this point. Deservedly so considering his numbers and a downfall in 2024. Why so much detail offered? To re-inforce how ridiculously this position has been handled this offseason. But to also state, grudgingly, that the "been there, done that" Arcia is PROBABLY the best choice. Again, at 31yo, you're betting on the glove being "decent". And you're betting the bat approaching "decency" based on past production. It's not crazy to think an experienced 31yo player MIGHT have a single decent season still in him. I'm not sure either, or both, of Gray and Kreidler survive DFA if cut to make room for Arcia. But it's more than that, as some BP arms need to be added as well. So at least one is going to be DFA, maybe both. And St Paul isn't exactly full up with INF talent. It wouldn't suck to have Kreidler or Gray around to fill out the Saints roster. Again, I think the FO BLEW the chance to make a minor move...maybe even in rule 5 to add someone other than a rule 5 catcher to only trade away for another A level prospect...but it's over and done at this point. I'm HOPING that NONE of this matters come summer. Not only might K-Pepper be ready, but the forgotten Schobel might be ready to contribute as a utility option. And we might just forget Arcia, Kreidler, and Gray. And I don't mean that that in a negative, mean way. I just mean we might forget how poorly the FO planned this out.

An interesting competition to be sure. But I'm not sure it really matters? Unless he himself is injured, the #6 guy...or "loser" in this competition...is going to start 20 games plus over the 6 month season. It's just the nature of the beast that is a marathon of a season. I would love to see both in the rotation, but that means someone else is hurt, and I never wish that for anyone. If I'm forced to pick, I'd pick Matthews. i say that because he's older, has nothing left to prove at AAA, and in theory that means he's EARNED the job and is ready to take the next step. That leaves the younger Abel...with less time at AAA than Matthews...as the next man up. And again, he'd still end up spending most of the season with the Twins anyway.

This team isn't exactly devoid of talent. But it needs reinforcements at multiple spots, and it's short of one starter. I DON'T want/agree with trading Greenard. HAVE to find a medium to keep him. IF he was moved, he brings back a #2 pick, probably. THAT pick has to be a younger, cheaper replacement that you'd BETTER GET RIGHT. IF he could bring back an additional 3rd or 4th round pick, I guess I listen more closely. But even if he's brought back, the draft priorities remain the same. In no order, the Vikings need a S, CB, ILB, DT, C, RB. But you will have a hard time getting all 6 spots filled in the first 3 rounds and 4 picks. I'd grab Britt-Taylor at CB in round 2 of FA and call CB good. Maybe there's a steal on day 3 you can develop, but you open next season basically set. Considering how few times the defense plays with 2 ILB, I think you can live with what you have, and look for depth later in the draft, or another 2nd tier FA. Even if Harry comes back for 1 more year...and he was still really good once ramped up following WHATEVER his mystery health problem was...you still need depth, and his replacement. So SAFETY is a priority in rounds 1-3. This team is CRAVING a long term answer at CENTER. So unless you believe someone like Dunker from IOWA will be sitting there in the 5th round, you'd better grab one early. I don't mind having Jones around for another cheap deal as a veteran RB who does everything well. But the clock is about to hit midnight. And there are some really nice RB available in round 3 even. Emmet Johnson...even though he needs to improve his pass blocking a bit more...is an ideal fit for the Vikings. But there are some other very interesting options. And while I really like the young DL on the roster, what they've done, and what they might do, I do think they need another talented option to be added. That's what I'd focus on. Bring in another solid CB and focus on S, C, DT, and RB. And use the rest of the draft for good athletes that you don't need to play in 2026 at CB, ILB, TE, and maybe a WR steal. Is there a Punter late you don't want to have to fight for post draft?