DocBauer

Cody, I appreciate the general nature of your OP, but what I strongly disagree with is the implementation of HOW the Twins have built the 2026 roster to achieve better matchup situations. Caratini was my IDEAL #2 catcher option. I just never expected the Twins to spend the $6-7M that it took to get him. I had thought someone like McCann for $3-4M was more likely. I honestly think, overall, catcher is stronger going in to 2026. I like Bell. I actually like him quite a bit. I think there's gas still in the tank! But I like him at DH, with the ability to play a little 1B once in a while. HERE is where I think the Twins have dropped the ball. Nathaniel Lowe is still sitting out there. He's not a GREAT player, but he's solid, and has been for most of his career. Even in a down 2025 he provided 44 XBH which included 18HR, and he still produced 84 RBI. Those would have been WELCOME numbers for the Twins in 2025. Further, he's at least a decent 1B. Even FURTHER, he's a LH hitter with SOLID career splits against LHP. Still sitting out there coming of a mediocre/poor '25 and only 30yo, might he be had for around $10M? Maybe even a 2yr deal? Take away Larnach's $4.5M, the Twins would only need to spend an additional $5.5M to bring him on board. Imagine a COMPETENT 1B with solid splits, solid career numbers including a solid career .771 OPS, and generally producing 45-50 XB power. Your entire lineup suddenly changes on the 75% against RHP: 1] Keaschall 2] Buxton 3] Bell 4] Wallner 5] Lewis 6] Lowe 7] Jeffers/Caratini 8] Lee 9] Roden/Martin LF defense is vastly improved with Martin/Roden working some sort of combination there. And Roden is at least competent in CF to give Buxton a day off. Martin is a seldom used #3 option. And you've added a competent 1B option with a history of not only being available, but is solid against LHP. Bell and Caratini are switch hitters who's career split numbers are solid. NOW you have, potentially, a pretty good lineup. And with a solid pair of switch hitters in Bell, and Caratini, PLUS a generally neutral hitting 1B, you've ACTUALLY achieved balance and depth, along with improved defense at TWO positions. Clemens...if he only replicates 2025...is a decent LH bat with power who can play 5 spots. (He needs to get back to playing some 3B just because). And the only real hole is the 13th spot of utility player. Right now, that's Gray or Kreidler. Gray appears to be able to hit .200. Kreidler not so much. Kreidler reportedly has a great glove at SS, and can play a quality CF. Great. But if he can't hit his way out of a paper bag, maybe Gray is the better option to begin 2026. But if that was the Twins biggest issue, position player wise, it's almost a non-issue. Personally, I'd still be looking for a small deal, even a MILB deal, to look for a Newman, Punto type of deal and HOPING I might stumble on to Castro type of acquisition for some 26yo who just needs a chance. But removing Larnach by himself for a prospect, or combined with a decent prospect of our own for a solid, potential arm for the pen, simply allows the Twins to make ONE MORE MOVE that really changes the complexion of the team. The math isn't hard. A rough $105M minus $5M gives the Twins $20M to spend to ONLY reach the ENDING 2025 payroll. And even that is about a $2-3M stretch. So you add Lowe for approximately $10M and add the defense, offense, and better balance I've mentioned. And you have the "luxury" of $10M left to spend on the bullpen. If Rogers was available for only $2M...that might be partially emotional...what might a couple decent, solid, RH options cost? What the Twins need is a solid, experienced arm or two to be a bridge. What if Hendricks, as an example, was healthy and wanting to prove himself again? LeClerc and Philips might be options. I have no idea of what's left on the market that might be smart additions on the temporary. But I do know nobody left is worth some $7M type deal. BUT I DO KNOW that you SET a lineup that ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE with a $120M payroll. And you HAVEN'T blocked ANY prospects from debuting at any time. Falvey has a habit of pushing the payroll a bit. I don't always agree with his choices, but he does seem to have some "nudge' ability. I'd tell him to "nudge" the HELL out of Tom Pohlad for a $120M payroll, move Larnach for whatever in whatever scenario, SIGN Lowe, and grab the best 1 or 2 RHRP you can as bridge options. This really isn't that hard if ownership will just agree to a slightly less payroll than they ended in 2025. It might even be an 85 or so win team.

I agree as to Rogers providing mentorship as an added value. It doesn't matter if Prielipp has outstanding STUFF already, harnesses it more this year, maybe even develops his 2 seamer still, and looks ready sometime in June, he's probably going to be worked in middle innings first. And that goes for Raya, Lewis, Klein, and anybody else who moves to a pen role. Hawkins brings a WEALTH of knowledge as a coach who has "been there, done that." But it's valuable to WATCH a ML pen arm go about his business, and impart knowledge, and even show how to respond when you have a bad day. Now, messages tend to fall flat if said veteran, Rogers in this instance, suddenly hits a wall and tanks. But he's smart, experienced, and was having a really solid season with the Cubs before the trade to Cincinnati. So I'm still expecting decent, solid results, even though he's not the pitcher he once was. The biggest question remaining...only slightly off topic...is whether or not there's 1 or 2 decent "Rogers-like" RH options available to acquire who can help bridge the pen opportunities while the younger arms work their way in to more pressured roles without crapping themselves on the mound. Unless the Twins spent enough $ for a TOP arm, or two, it was always going to be 2-3 veteran guys to just hold the fort, be decent, and not just blow up on a daily basis as bridge arms. Placeholders. But those placeholders HAVE the ability pass on knowledge, even non verbally, just by showing how they prepare, and how they respond when things go well, and also when things don't go so well.

While I have some hope that DeBarge is going to turn out to be an excellent super utility guy, actual 2B are pretty thin in the system. But as pointed out, Lee and K-Pepper could end up at 2B in the near future depending on Houston's development. (I understand the OP is about NON 40 man options). But this is exactly why I think any chatter about Keaschall in the OF is a bunch of nonsense. First of all, how will he ever get better at 2B unless he's allowed to FOCUS on 2B. He's got the athleticism and range, his arm should be better this season, now it's getting the fundamentals back after playing so little there the past 2 years. Secondly, who do you have in mind to play at 2B on a consistent basis if you actually do play Keaschall in the OF? Clemens? He's part of the 1B mix and a utility player, not a regular starter. Thirdly, Buxton and Wallner are still around. We're not certain yet what we have in Martin or Roden, but they deserve a shot. And behind them is Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and possibly Rosario as well. So I'm not certain putting Keaschall in the OF at this time does anything more than muddy the whole roster. Just let him play 2B for 2026 and see how it goes. That's best for him, and for the Twins.

So a team lacking any pen depth adds a reliever and then cuts a pen depth arm to make room? You can't make this stuff up. IDK if Ohl has a ML future of not, but any decent, young, controllable arm with potential should be about the last cut option, IMO. Now, if they had signed TWO arms, I can see removing Ohl if you honestly felt that was the right choice. But as of today, I don't like removing Ohl.

So Dominguez is gone. I would have really liked to have him. But no way would the Twins have ever offered him the kind of deal the Dirty Sox gave him. I wouldn't have either. Zoll just commented at a media luncheon that the Twins still have room to add to the bullpen. Of course, there is no mention of just how much $ is available to make said additions. While the FA has been largely picked over, as always, there are still a number of veteran arms available and looking for work. There is obvious debate as to what QUALITY is left to bring in, but adding an arm or two that have "been there, and done that" to add experience and depth as younger arms transition to the pen is still a smart move. TD had an article a few weeks back that mentioned Dominguez, Leclerc, and Phillips as veteran options that might make sense. Well, Leclerc and Phillips are still available the last I looked. Are they logical possibilities? Is there anyone else you like? I think we're going to see at least one veteran added. Maybe there's room for two? I never really expect any team, much less the Twins, from revealing what their budgeted payroll is. But it appears they aren't done yet. My DREAM remains that there is enough room for a couple decent RHRP signings, that Larnach is moved for SOMETHING and clear his $4.5M, and Falvey nudges Tom Pohlad with an elbow and says; "You know, if we nudge this payroll just a little bit higher, Nathaniel Lowe is still there. And we might grab him for $10M and have an actual, competent 1B and let Bell be the primary DH". The odds aren't good, of course, but that would by my DREAM SCENARIO to finish the offseason on a budget that might actually turn out to be generally positive. A lineup of Keaschall, Buxton, Bell, Wallner, Lewis, Lowe, Jeffers, Lee, and Roden/Martin might not be too bad. WITH Larnach, plus the recent signings, the payroll sits just below $105M. And would sit almost dead on at $100M if Larnach was moved. Is it so absurd to think they MIGHT settle on a final opening day payroll between $115-120M???

I expected Jenkins for sure. And Culpepper is not a surprise considering he's a recent #1 pick that is ready, or close to being ready for AAA. But I am a little surprised about Rosario and Fedko, but also very pleased. I really hope Rosario is given an opportunity to play 1B this year. He's got a good arm, and isn't a bad athlete overall from everything I've ever heard about him, but just might not have the instincts to ever be a quality OF. Plus, of course, the OF is pretty crowded with ML players and top prospects. I'm still confused on the Twins approach to Fedko. They were intrigued enough to keep him despite less than stellar results, but then after a breakout season in '25 they didn't bother to bring him up to finish the season to see what they might have. So everyone sort of guessed they didn't really believe in him. But now they're bringing him in to ST as a non roster invite. So maybe they actually do sorta like him and see potential but they were A] Not wanting bring any additional attention to him in order to not feel the need to protect him on the 40 man, B] Just wanted to look at other players first to finish out the season. I hope all 4 get a lot of playing time in the spring and aren't used for a couple of games only and then sent to MILB camp right away.

Falvey's ego gets in the way. He traded for Outman, so Outman must stay to get an opportunity to PROVE for a THIRD year he's not a bust. Meanwhile, Falvey traded a BETTER player for Roden...part of a package I know...as an additional LH OF who is younger and has more potential and is probably a BETTER player than Outman. So where does Falvey's Ego go? You send down the younger player with more upside than the player who's proved he isn't a ML player only because he has an option? So Roden sits at AAA to compete with Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, and Rosario because despite HIGH career AAA and MILB production you want to give Outman a 4th chance to be a MLB player? I mean, this is RIDICULOUS! Outman shouldn't be on the 40 man today. If he was DFA tomorrow and someone claimed him, what would be the harm to the Twins? They'd still have Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, Fedko, and Rosario. PLUS 1B convert Mendez that I expect to also play at least a little OF here and there. Meanwhile, I'd absolutely love for the FO to have made a minor deal for another Pedro Floriman, Punto kind of deal for a MILB utility player that has a chance to at least hit .200 vs at the ML level vs Kreidler. Maybe Gray can be that guy. But I'm hoping and praying they add another quality RH RP and dump Larnach for roster flexibility and $ and will have enough payroll to grab Lowe as a 1B for 1yr ir 2yrs to stabilize the INF AND the lineup. While not tremendous, imagine a lineup where Bell is the DH, the very solid Lowe at 1B, Keaschall, Lee, Lewis, Wallner, Buxton, and a mix of Martin and Roden in LF and no block for Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez. While the utility position is still a question mark, Clemens as a 5 position option doesn't exactly stink. And that may change mid season if K-Pepper is ready, but also, maybe Schobel is ready to contribute to some degree. It all comes down to payroll. No Larnach, add 1 more solid RHRP, add Lowe...who should have been a primary addition and is still looking for a team/deal...the only real flaw is the backup SS/utility INF. Again, maybe that's Gray. MAYBE they just give Kreidler the 1st shot. But a $115-120M payroll allows these things to happen very easily. It's up to Tom to PROVE his go big or go home. And it's also up to Falvey to nudge the payroll as he's done in the past. The roster construction is not good right now. Removing Larnach, and adding 1 quality RP, plus adding Lowe, suddenly has the Twins with better defense at 1B, with a solid bat, and better defense in LF, and a quality DH with nobody blocking the AAA prospects on hand. St Paul, position wise, will have Rodriguez, Jenkins, Gonzalez, Culpepper, and others on hand. So why deny their debut by keeping outcasts like Outman when Martin and Roden are not only younger and more talented, but also about ready to push them out of the way? WAKE UP Falvey and do your job right and let your damn ego go!

Sorry, what? Did you get the short stick to write an article? This is absolutely ridiculous! I would absolutely trust in Cartini, and Pereda and prospect Cardenas, who I see as a better hitting version of Butera, before I would do this move. NEXT!

So the LHRP has been signed in Rogers. And for far less than expected. That actually checks off 1 of my points. So what's next?

Look, it's been a long day for me, and I'm tired. So I'm not going to get in to some long debate with anyone about value vs age and performance and cheap Pohlads. And since this is page 4 already, I don't even know who's going to read this. Rogers was putting up some really good numbers with the Reds before being traded to the Cubs. For WHATEVER reasons, he didn't perform well after the trade. STILL, his OVERALL numbers, even post trade, were still pretty solid: 3.38 ERA/ 1.382 WHIP/ 47 hits in 50 IP/ 9.4K per 9 IP. NOT the Rogers we all knew and loved back in the day, but solid numbers. (Better before the trade). I don't even know if there was a truly great LHRP on the market out of the Twins price category or not right now. And if there were, it's a moot point. But there were FOUR LHRP at age 35 or older available who had really solid 2025 seasons: Rogers, Coulombe, Chaffin, and Thielbar. Old friend Thielbar, the eldest of the 4 options, had a great rebound season and turned it in to a $4.5M re-sign with the Cubs. Not sure that makes sense for a soon to be 39yo, but good for him! Rogers was expected to be signed for at least $4M based on productions. I remain surprised by his deal. I would have been happy with a return of Coulombe for $3M. Who is the better pitcher is debatable. Rogers is NOT a pen savior. And nobody should be expecting that. BUT he IS, presumably, still a solid LH option with TONS of experience coming off a solid 2025, even with a bad Cubs experience. Is he better than Funderburk? Do we care? So let's rewind for a moment. I've been following Funderburk especially close since he transitioned to a RP. He's got solid stuff. He's flashed at times. He's also stunk at times. You can either look at his last 2 months of 2025 as a brief flux in his career, or, you can say that when given a 3rd chance in his ML career, he FINALLY started to figure some things out. I am NOT projecting Funderburk to be anything special, but it IS interesting that when the pen was imploded, and he got an opportunity, he suddenly looked better. Did maturation happen before our eyes? I also have to respond to Prielipp expectations. Falvey is a master at GM and "coach" speak. But he doesn't lie. When he speaks about Prielipp as a potential BP arm, we should listen, even if our heart wants him to be a STUD SP. Were I to bet $, he wouldn't break camp with the Twins. I'd expect him to get IP to WORK on his stuff and get ready for a ML debut out of the pen. A few lower leverage innings at first, just to get settled. Let's just say June 1st for giggles. And there would be NO REASON why the Twins couldn't have 3 LH RP. What's really important, IMO, is the next move. There is no bad 1yr deal. And the FO NEEDS that ONE MORE quality signing from the RH side. And I'm sure who that is, but damn, it sure makes sense to bring in a power arm like Dominguez for around $7M ish. Why is he still available? He'd a perfect, hard throwing RH option who could help bridge the younger RH arms in the system to larger roles. Leclerc and Phillips are also available as viable options, I just like Dominguez better. I still believe in my heart of hearts that Festa should be in the pen for all the reasons we've all discussed and debated, despite the Twins not saying so yet. But it would be silly to put Festa in to a closer role Opening Day, when you could have a veteran to take on a bigger role Day One. Rogers and whoever is signed next...and I absolutely believe there is another signing coming...aren't BP saviors. They are solid place holders to lean on early for the younger arms to settle in and grow in their role. Nothing is guaranteed for sure, but I can see a method to the madness with Rogers and another quality RH being added BEFORE Prielipp, Raya, Festa, Lewis, and Klein are put in to tough positions.

I struggle with the best FIT oit there since I'm just as well versed as to other teams holes and the "use" of Larnach on their roster. I do see valid aeguements for the A's, the Reds, and the Pirates. It seems he could be the LH primary DH and a part time OF for those clubs. Do the Twins look for a salary dump and just ask for a prospect? Or do they add a decent prospect in the deal for someone ready to help now? I'd like him to be moved for another team's "Varland". That is, a younger PEN ARM that is just converting, or has just converted, has potential, but is maybe the 4th RH option currently. In other words, a side young arm with some stuff and potential, but not someone who is amongst the top 4 arms that said team just wouldnt want to give up. The other option might be a solid backup SS/utility player who is, frankly, better than the weak options the currently have in their possession. Think a Mears, Reboulet, Punto type. (Names from the past I know, but the comparison is valid). It alleviates a LH OF bat they have too many of. It prevents any blocking of the young OF scheduled to debut this season. It removes $4.5M that might be better spent elsewhere. And it adds another pen arm or solid utility player better than they have now. The other team gets a solid LH bat to fill a role that really isn't that expensive in modern baseball economics.

I'm really surprised it's for only $2M. He's not the pitcher he once was, but he was still solid in 2025. I kept reading $4-5M was his likely landing spot. Is it possible the early run on pen arms...which seems to have slowed...actually worked in the Twins favor? Now go grab the best RH option out there and help stabilize the pen from that side. It's not all about depth. It's also about a couple veterans to help show some of the younger guys how to go about their daily business. That's also where Hawkins comes in to play not just as a coach, but as a guy who's been there, done that, for a long time. Smart, solid, and somewhat surprising move. Here's hoping he had 1 more really solid season left in his arm.

IDK, shouldn't the debate be a healthy Ober throwing like he did prior to his injury deflating 2025, and the SWR we saw the 2nd half with greater confidence in his splitter, which one of THOSE is the better pitcher? Ober back to 100% and SWR throwing for a whole season like he finished in 2025, I think you have a real, honest debate.

I think there is a general thought that should be moved. I actually think he has value, but I don't see a "fit" for him on this team as it's constructed. Whether it's a prospect, or, he's packaged for some #4-5 decent pen arm from someone's current pen IDK. But it also frees up another $4.5M, so the payroll drops from $100M to approximately $95M. I also don't know if Jackson is of any value. But I agree in looking to see if he can be moved. But his $ value is pretty low. So a trade, a DFA and St Paul stash...even though AAA has catchers already...doesn't have any major impact on payroll. IMO, the signing of Caratoni, as I've stated, means the payroll plan is more like $110-115M. That should mean there's room to add someone like Dominguez for $6-7M. The fact he's still sitting there would seem to indicate that's about right. Then, how about Rogers for $4-5M? Again, the fact that he's still available tells me that's about right. Coulombe and Chaffin are also still looking for a home and would probably cost around $3-4M, slightly less than Rogers. WITH Larnach on the roster, that puts payroll around $110-112M. Obviously, without Larnach, the payroll would be around $105-107M. That seems viable to me. And it's still well below the $132M opening day 2025 payroll number. And if Larnach were moved, and $115M was a target point, there's still around $8-10M available to add. Again, this is all speculation on my part, based on current moves, past moves, as well as past payroll numbers that have "nudged" a little higher than expected, while still not being high. That "extra" available $ might mean Kiner-Filefa on a 1yr deal for $3-5M might be in play. While he might not be the player he was a couple of years ago, he'd still be a viable ML option across the INF with a bat that would almost certainly be better than the mixed bag of waiver wire options at UTILITY that are currently in the mix. I mean, if someone goes down with any injury for a couple of weeks, do we want Kreidler starting anywhere for more than a game or two. You might even be able to squeeze in a 3rd FA pen option in for $2M as a middle man option and hit that $115M proposed target, which is still about $8-10M LESS than how the 2025 payroll ended. OR, you could send Wagaman down to AAA since he's on a minimum deal, KEEP Kreidler as a SS/CF option and grab Ramon Urias...who I kinda like...as a 1B/2B/3B option for around $4M. (He can also be an emergency SS if needed) He's a "competant" player and bat who switch hits. And the Twins LOVE switch hitters. And his career splits are almost dead neutral. Either way they go, a $115M payroll allows for 2 competent FA arms to deepen and stabilize the pen, add leadership to the young arms, you add SOMEONE who can cover 2B and 3B without being an automatic OUT at the plate. It's the Twins choice to replace either Kreidler, or Wagaman with a better UTILITY option to make up a better, more balanced bench with better options. And we hit the proposed $115M projected max payroll that has been "squeezed" by Falvey in the past. Again, this makes sense to me based on roster construction, and the cheap ownership watching their pennies, while STILL being bellow the FINAL $120M-ish that was the final 2025 payroll. This is what I see as logical and obtainable. It just makes sense! And it's potentially a pretty decent team to finish above .500. And it also allows for young talent to debut without being blocked. But for "shits and giggles", to borrow an old expression let's fantasize for a MOMENT where TOM ISN'T just being a blowhard Pohlad, and Falvey's elbow still has some "nudge" ability. And let's say the $120M end of 2025 season is actually acceptable. Larnach is moved. Payroll is around $95M. Dominguez and Rogers are added for $12M approximately. The payroll still sits at $107M. You then add EITHER IKF or Urias for $4M...depending on how much you want Wagaman on your roster...and THEN you sign Nathaniel Lowe to a 2yr deal for 2yrs at $9M per. And since he's still "out there" maybe he signs for a little less? Lowe, no pun intended, is coming of a "low" season. But even in the one of his worst seasons, he was still productive. He's only 30yo, and his 18HR and 84 RBI in a "bad season" would have been welcomed in 2025 for the 2025 Twins. His signing settles 1B as a competent 1B and generally productive bat who has solid splits against LHP so he doesn't have to be platooned. And he allows Bell to be a primary DH, where he should excel, only having to play 1B once in a while. And LF suddenly becomes the only real position question mark between Martin and Roden and Outman. To quote Vikings great Chris Carter, "COME ON"! Perhaps I'm only living in a dream for the 2026 Twins. But I can see a solid team based on a $115M payroll. But I can also see a $120 payroll, still in the bottom 3rd, where they could have a comment team.

This is probably going to age as well as a 14 day old bread, but I can't help myself. I DON'T see Caratini as a good value to eat up the rest of payroll. That doesn't make sense considering how the FO views catching, PLUS the OBVIOUS need to still add SOMETHING to the bullpen, which the FO has been very vocal about. So I suspect the $100M payroll that at least SOME have projected is not accurate. Again, this may age poorly, but I don't think Jeffers is gone as many knee jerk reactions opinionated. I think he stays for a FO that kept the core intact and states they want to compete in the ALC. But with $100M payroll as of TODAY, and with the idea that SURELY we must have another $10-15M yet to spend, what would YOU do with what's left? Do you think Falvey, as he's done in the past, maybe nudges the Pohlads a bit higher based on value? Does Larnach still have a role? We're coming closer to "crunch time" based on FO history. And I have my own opinions. But I'm throwing out "what's next" to the community.

I think you got it right. I've been holding back any further comment here until the Twins signed Caratini, and the opinions that have followed. Dominguez is not a closer, with oy 40 career saves. And I don't know that he's an ideal set up man or not. But his career numbers are really solid, with a solid ERA, BB and K and hit per 9 numbers. Most importantly, he is experienced and still throws hard. IMO, the Twins have a payroll closer to the $110-115M mark rather than the $100M mark others have speculated. I'm basing this on the signing of Camariti, the obvious need for some experienced help for the pen that the FO has repeatedly spoken of, and past seasons where it seemed Falvey always squeezed oit a few $M over what was "supposed" to be the budget. It's my belief that Festa might be the Twins next closer, eventually at least, but there are valid arguements for another couple of logical options. While Dominguez is probably not going to reinvent himself as a closer at 31yo, he could be a VALUABLE bridge on the late innings for at least part of 2026. And while he's one of the best arms still available, I'm thinking as of today, January 19th, his $ value may be closer to $7M than the projected $8-9M I read about a couple months ago. IMO, he might be the ONE ARM left worthy of $7M that could actually make a difference in the late innings for the 2026 Twins bullpen as a veteran closer/fireman until Festa, Sands, or someone else takes control. Rogers is also still sitting out there from the LH side. As are Coulombe and Chaffin as other veteran options. Again, the offseason at January 19th isn't over, but it's starting to get late. How about a $7M signing of Dominguez tomorrow and Rogers for $5M the next day. That puts the payroll at $112M. The Twins can't do that???? SOME kind of trade for Larnach would save another $4.5M. But regardless of Larnach being kept or not, and a poor fit for the current roster construction, IF the payroll could be stretched to $115M...and I can't believe I'm saying this is acceptable...the FO would still have a couple $M for a 3rd late signing BP middle are come early February.

I believe he was simply a floor setter until things got further down the road. I didn't like moving Eeles in the deal simply due to depth at St Paul, regardless if he ever turns out to be a ML player of any sort. But similar to Farmer a few years ago...albeit on a somewhat smaller scale...they "got a guy" to fill a spot. Then the opportunity came along to add a better guy. I don't know if they will try and move Jackson somewhere, or if he just ends up DFA. If someone claims him, the Twins financially are only out about $550,000. It's also likely he goes unclaimed, and like Dobnak the past few years, he would be a guy you could bring up, waive, and would probably re-sign with St Paul again. But then again, they've still got Pereda as a rostered #3 catcher, Cardenas, and Winkel already at AAA. And if they promote Olivar to St Paul...while mostly a LF...that gives them yet another guy who can catch. So I don't know that the roster management for acquiring Jackson was all that smart, even for the cost conscious Twins, his contract isn't any hindrance.

I just can't believe the plan would be to keep the core of the team intact...which the Twins have been pretty vocal about...and then ADD Caratini to STENGTHEN the position/team with a better duo, and then turn around and WEAKEN the position/team by moving Jeffers and going with a pair of backups as your new duo for the season. What could Jeffers bring back that would make enough of a difference to improve the team in one area but also weaken the team in another, and make a positive affect? I don't see the logic of a team that keeps their core in an attempt to compete in the ALC but would play a game of positive/negative with an endgame that wouldn't do anything to actually create a positive. I'm only guessing here, but I think Falvey has more $ to play with than has been speculated. Jackson set the floor, Caratini raised the floor. Jackson could be traded. He could also be DFA and hide in St Paul the way Dobnak "hid" there. With the debatable Larnach still on the roster taking up $4.5M, th3 payroll sits about $100M AFTER the Caratini signing. So what if the payroll is actually $110-115M? That means you IMPROVED by adding Caratini and STILL have some $ to add some veteran arms to the pen for depth and experience. Meanwhile, ownership still has a payroll less than they finished 2025 with. Why does that make more sense to me? Now, you tell me the budget is $120M and we can move Larnach's $4.5M? I've got another idea. But for now, my gut is telling me Jeffers is sticking around and this was an unexpected move to actually make the team better.

I think the increase in arms selected is probably a reflection of the new guys in charge. I hear what you're saying about our top signee being rated in the 30's. It doesn't sound very exciting. But after seeing so many highly ranked 16-17yo washing out and a lot of depth signings turning out to be quality players, I've just come to the conclusion it's almost impossible to predict kids this young. More than the ML draft, it's "trust your scouts and hope for the best". Lol

To be clear, I was speaking about th3 INF and K-Pepper in particular, which is why I referenced 1 prospect at a time. I think Houston is ahead of Winokur by a good year, and I'm a Winokur fan. Houston is a year older, probably has a little more natural contact ability in his bat, and if his glove is potentially as good as advertised... potentially elite...he doesn't have to be a great hitter to make his mark. I'm still not sure where Winokur ends up. He's got the athleticism and arm for 3B. But he also runs so well, with that big arm, he could make a great OF. I've often wondered if long term he wouldn't be a better CF option than either Rodriguez or Jenkins just because of body type. But he could also be a 20/20 man at 1B with Gold Glove potential defensively. How awesome would that be? (He could still play some OF as well). But I do think Winokur has got to show an improved overall contact rate to reach his vast potential.

Welcome to Twins Daily! I am going to disagree with your take on Keaschall, however. While I want him to stick at 2B...and would stop all this talk about playing the OF for 2026...if his best position turns out to be 1B, I'm OK with that. Carew was never a great fielder, but he fit better at 1B and had an amazing career. All Star, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger Darin Erstad played CF for the Angels, but also saw time at 1B. Ditto for Cody Bellinger. In recent Twins history Arraez provided a unique skill set without much power or any speed as a top of the order hitter. So when I look at what the OF and INF could/should soon look like for the next few seasons, I can see 1B being a good landing spot for Keaschall if he just can't get the mechanics down at 2B. Not saying he can't or won't, but having his bat and pop and speed at 1B would be fine for me if that's what seems to make the most sense.

I'm not as down on Lee at SS as some. I like his hands. And while not a great athlete, he seems to make a smooth, quick transition and can throw decently off balance. But being solid...with room to improve...he's just never going to be the athlete that Culpepper is. Lee could still improve at SS and probably will. And hopefully, he will transform to a .270 hitter with a .330-ish OB% and produce 30+ Dbls while continuing to provide HR power in the teens. But K-Pepper simply has more potential offensively and defensively. Ideally, he stays healthy and continues on his quality trajectory and is ready by mid season. That changes the depth and versatility of the INF. Does K-Pepper take over SS? Does he debut as a fill-in at first? Regardless, I see him at SS at some point and Lee becoming a valuable utility INF who should be able to also contribute as a 1B. He'd probably play almost daily between 4 different spots. While Houston might provide elite defense in a couple of years, I'm only concerned with 1 prospect at a time. And right now, that's Culpepper hopefully on the fast track to improve the team defense, offense, and depth

8 pitchers? Did I count that right? I could be wrong, but I don't recall them signing anywhere close to that many arms for some time.

I guess I'm going to end up repeating myself here. 1] The Twins have had Garver, Castro, Jeffers, and Vazquez almost exclusively at catcher the past several years. Jackson set a floor for a relatively cheap deal, but now they have a better option to work in a 60/40 split with Jeffers. It also allows Jeffers to DH against LHP and have a guy at catcher that isn't a black hole in the lineup. 2] We simply don't know what the payroll ceiling actually is. With Larnach still on the roster as of now, we should be about $100M. Many have conjectured that's the payroll. But how do we know that? What if it's actually closer to $115M? That's STILL less than where they finished 2025, but still with room to add a couple veteran pen arms to assist in the rebuild and provide some leadership. Maybe there's even room to add another backup SS/utility option better than Kreidler, though I don't know there's actually anyone worthwhile left at this point. But I don't think this signing is an automatic indicator that Jeffers is being moved. Or that no other signings aren't coming. I still don't see the fit for Larnach on this team, but let's say they spend $10-13M on Robertson or Dominguez, for example, and brought Rogers back home? Or maybe Coulombe instead of Rogers for a little less $? If the payroll actually is in the $115M range, and a couple decent veteran arms are brought in, the Caratini signing makes a lot of good sense. If not, then it becomes a questionable move. We should know more over the next couple of weeks as January is counting down fast.

Only speculation on my part, based on how they've built rosters before, and without actually knowing the payroll ceiling: 1] Jackson isn't very expensive, cost little to get, and helped set a floor. The FO has done this before. A fairly recent example was Farmer before Correa. Farmer created an unexciting but decent floor, and then became a good utility player once Correa was brought on board. 2] Since this FO took over, the catcher position has been handled almost exclusively by Garver, Castro, Jeffers, and Vazquez. Caratini gives them a better all around player than Jackson, a better 60/40 time share option with Jeffers, can play a little 1B here and there when needed, and allows Jeffers to DH against LHP without having a black hole behind the plate when he does so. 3] Considering point #2, I'm not sure Jeffers is traded. Maybe at the deadline depending on how the team is doing, but I don't see the sense in keeping your core players in tact, but then moving Jeffers and turning catcher over to a 55-60 game starter and another backup who can't hit a link. 4] They strengthened catcher, and are only paying about $1M more for the position than they did last year. This might indicate the projected payroll is actually more like $115M-ish, and not $100M as some have conjectured.