Rosterman

This is where the Twins suffer in their marketplace standing. Between Pablos $20+m and the $10m paid to the Astros to play Correa the next few seasons, it is basically 1/3 of the payroll not being used to play the game. On top of that, the Twins will be stuck paying Pablo for 2027, with hopes that they get a decent season out of him, make a qualifying offer, and get at least a modest draft pick. The Twins can't afford to have salary sit on the bench, sadly, unlike BIG market teams. And although we could've got out of Pablo's services, possibly, right at season's end, the value wasn't there. it was still a major gamble for any other team who would jsut as soon wait to see how Pablo comes back in Spring Training, or how he starts the season. I'm still curious to see how the World Baseball Classic plays out in the end. Ryan pitching there. Is Hendriks still pitching for Australia, or realizing he is better suited to being in camp with the Twins to get the job. Matt Bowman also pitching in the classic.

I wonder if this puts the ka-bosh on himn pitching in the World Baseball Classic. One reason WHY the Twins need to make him available for trade once he shows he can pitch. The team can't afford to get just 8-15 starts out of him for another season. Sadly he didn't have the strongest off-season trade value, due to being out half-of-2025.

TWO FACTORS! The 40man roster is pretty tight. One pitcher spot potentially open. We might free up three position players, at best, if Twins decide there is not a need to keep out-of-option guys. Who moves to the pen? ANyone think Ober would be better there? We talk about Matthews and Festa converting. Eitehr would probably see a need of some time at St. Paul. Although Spring Training, with the short stint might prove useful enough. I would develp Travis Adams into an exclusively one-inning guy and see if he can take the place of Jax or Varland, and maybe appear in 70 games for the season. Prielopp and Canterino are two guys that could shine. They probably want Conrad to be a starter but if he can impress in spring training, make him a bulpen arm like they did Duran. How much time does Canterino need to comeback at AAA. Lewis is intrigiung, but have to make the choice of a bullpen specialist, multi-inning guy, or 5-inning starter. Same with Raya. Both need to get an assigned role at St. Paul, stick to it, and develop pitches accordingly. Festa rehab time? Is Bradley a starter or relief arm. Same with Matthews. With Bradley it will take convincing. Too many guys see rotation as the way to riches. Hey, just staying in the majors is some way is what you want. Coulombe hasn't signed with anyone, yet. Could the Twins carry three lefties in the pen. Fundeburk had a good end of the season. Still don't totally trust him. Is Liam Hendriks still looking for a job? Seems he expects to showcase himself in the World Baseball Classic. I don't put much stock in any of the minor league free agents/spring training invites. Even wonder why bother with them at AAA. Again, you would have to have a rotating 40-man spot to bring any one onto the team.

I was expecting a much bigger blowout of old named jerseys at the State Fair last year.

Well, you enter spring training and hope none of Lopez, Ryna, Jeffers or Larnach go on the injured list. And you hope someone from another team does, so they come calling on Twinsland. My main reason for trading, say, Lopez, is salary. The Twins can't afford to have Lopez start just 15 games again in 2026. It also hurts his return. If he stays healthy heading towards the trade deadline, or just in April/May, is can bring abck a decent return. The Twins have no desire, it seems, to extend Jeffers. What $$$ amount would it take? Does Jefers hope he can get 3-5 years once a free agent? Teams will come calling if they lost a catcher in spring training. But the Twins also need to weigh carefully what they can get in return vs. him just walking. I see the Dodgers grabbed Rortvedt, who is making the waiver musical chairs. Too abd they couldn't grab him to stash at AAA. Ryan is worth a helluva a lot right now. I would worry about attitude as much as injury. How frsutrated will he be only get 2-3 runs of support in a game? If the Twins aren't willing to offer him $120m plys, they need to package him sooner rather than later. It would open the logjam of arms at AAA for sure. Larnach, Wallner, Roden, Outman, maybe even Martin, are all replaceable by next season with Gonzales, Jenkins, Rodriguez and even more 4th/5th guys in the wings. Larnach has the most worthg of the bunch, which isn't saying much. Martin brings something to the game that they don't have if he isn't in the lineup. Bullpen arms. Bring back Coulombe!? The Twins have been very week in picking up ANY minor league free agents of note. Most I wouldn't even give a month at AAA. Finding gems in the coal bin ain't happening in 2026.

Any thought of Ober becoming a relief pitcher? St. Paul will have a solid rotation and a great outfield. There are at least six players mentioned above that have no business being on the 40-man roster, let alone considered for jobs in the majors. All could've been replaced with better players at a modest cost. So few minor league free agents as of today. Will be interesting to see how the Saints fill out from the Wichita roster and so on. Raya and Prielipp need to egt innings, but also looked at mainly in the relief role. I would treat Prielipp as thei did Duran. If he shines in spring training, let him join the majors. I hope Lewis at St. Paul can make it. Would also prefer bullpen.

The Twins have been really quiet on the minor league free agent front. Usually you see upwards of 20-25 guys signed to play varying roles at AAA/AA ball. Looks like barely a half-dozen right now.Maybe time to advance and play team prospects at St. Paul rather than a roster full of AAAA guys!

At some point you add a player to the roster to fill a position. Is Bell a 1st baseman or DH. Is Wallner in the field or an everyday DH. Does Martin bring a different skillset to the lineup and demands everyday play? Can Larnach lay in the field, or do you really need both him and Wallner on the team? Like Lee and Lewis, who have to prove themselves this season. If Lee fails, he becomes, at best, an expensive utility player, but is he the best chocie for that (defense, average, speed, power?). Youy gota make hard decisions on Roden, Outman and Julien... not to mention Jackson (nice to have a decent catcher at AAA). Expect some trading from that mix during spring training, but not expecting much in return, sadly. Only an open 40-man roster spot for an AAAA relief pitching arm or two.

I fear the relationship has been burned. Unless the Twins would be offering a five-year contract (or maybe six buying out arbitration) starting at around $120m, he will be gone. Right now, both Ryan and the Twins are hoping he is injury free, which would hurt his value if injured for the Twins trading him, or at least delay a big payday. That's a gamble for someone who has really good worth in regards to return right now. He will still have that worth, as long as healthy, in spring training. And would also be a dynamite tradechip by the deadline. But I don't see solid love. Brings back memories of Frankie Viola who was glad to get out-of-town. By Santana, who just wanted to be paid a fair price. Looking at Jose Berrios, who was low-balled. By Sonny Gray, who just wanted to finish an inning and have some run support. Right now, the Twins have 14 rotation arms on their 40-man roster. At least two could be swiftly transferred to the bullpen. There are another 3-4 set for 40-man consideration come 2027.

I still remember Frankie Rodriguez throwing a hissy fit back in 1997 when the Twins wanted him to try being a reliever. All about the money. But, again, you don't make money if you can't pitch in the majors. Duran became a lights out stopper, partly because the Twins feared stretching him out to be a starter. He will still thrive once he hits free agency. Jax, like such guys as Guarado, Hawkins, Perkins, were all failed starting pitchers who found life in the bullpen. I didn't expect the Twins to trade Duran, Jax AND Varland. I was hoping that one of the two of Jax or Varland would be the stopper of the future. Yes, the Twins currently sit at 14 rotation arms, only 12 if Ryan or Lopez relocate. There are at least four pitchers also in the mix who would step into a probable rotation mid-2027. So, a couple will need to be bullpen arms if they wish to see major league action. I would say none of the 10 listed above are first class tradebait for now. At best, there might be interest in Woods Richardson. Adams, Ohl are surefire bullpen arms. Prielipp, too. I would do the Duran appraoch, try to get 40-50 appearances rather than 125+ innings. I wonder if Over, too, would be better in the pen. That is what spring training is all about. Nut it is also a process. Getting up and throwing x-amount of pitches during a game to come into the game. Knowing if you have the right stuff to hold a lead with men on base. Can you pitch the dreaded 10th with the phantom runner at 2nd. I miss Jax. It seemed it would have a horrible outing, and then four gems. I was amazed at the workhorse arm of Varland, hoping he would deveoop into the 2-3 inning guy, but he actually has become a dynamite setup guy on the cusp of closing.

Saying you should spend $40-50 million more (and not doing it) would be as bad as cutting salary that came out of Joe's mouth a couple of season's ago. Seriously the marketing of this team right now is such a big question. TwinsFest is supposed to be the time for excitement, no matter the state of the team. But with ticket prices all over the place depending on the game, no season ticket holders to speak of, deflated television package, and the meltdowns for the past two seasons, the Twins could do no worse than to trade off Lopez, Ryan, and even Buxton, before the season begins and continue to restock the organization. Still mad that 10% of the current payroll is being paid to Houston now and the next two seasons and we got nothing, player wise, in return. At least should've got one of their overpaid end of the roster guys to maybe see if could revitalize their career and become tradebait. I'm still confused. Eliminated payroll in the longterm, but that is quite a few ticket sells not benefitting the Twins in anyway.

His worth sure dropped after his time in Chicago. But even then anything north of $2.5 million would be too much for someone not able to be a fulltime shortstop or third baseman if a regular goes down. Not that the Twins have viable alternatives right now (Gasper, Kriedler, Arcia) and the Twins will have to keep of let fly Julien.

With his age, would the Twins make a 4-5 year offer to Ryan in the $120-140m range, and would Ryan accept it? Sure, maybe today, because of the age factor and there are two seasons that Ryan could actually reduce his value. But I doubt, like they did for Santana waaaay back when, and Berrios of late, do it. Ryan has his greatest trade value going into spring training. Would hate to see something arm-wise happen in spring training. Lopez should also be traded. His value is about as high as you might expect, with his contract going forth. Reason? The Twins can't afford another 15-20 start season from Lopez, thus decreasing his value. Which is one problem with teams like the Twins. They can spend money (supposedly the Twins could carry a payroll in the $140-150 million range), but they can't carry an i njured list eating a third of the payroll, which almost happened last season with Buxton, Correa and Lopez all going dowen at times. If the Twins truly are not competing in 2026, they need to part with these two pitchers. What they get in return is debatable. Prospects more than likely. Then they have to trust their farm system.

We need a long-term solution at first base. Moving Keaschall to the outfield... what do we do when Jenkins and Rodriguez come calling? Brooks Lee, right now, at best is the super utility guy for the infield. Advancing Culpepper early any worse than playing Lee everyday... who has also been learning on the job the past two seasons. Always felt Lee needed more time at AAA as well as regular play at ONE position, if you felt you wanted him playing one position. The Twins are a mess. Culpepper was pencilled in at third base in Basseball America's future Twins outlook, with Royce moving to... FIRST BASE. At some point the Twins have to make decisions at lower levels on the playing position projection of their players and stick with it.

Right now, the Twins need three bench players. One capable of playing first base, another a backup at shortstop, and another than can play centerfield. They have all on the roster right now, although two are also slotted as starters (Lee and Clemens).

Twins have so many worthless pieces. They have two starters, but what can they bring back for offense that is within the budget. If you want to spend $2-5m an arm, there will be ample proven bullpen arms. But then they need roster spots. Is Pressley done? Do you want Rogers, a lefty, back? Do you go after Thielbar or Coulombe again? Already lost out on Blewett. You need a solid defender at first base who will be there most every game. Some ways, wish it was Keaschall. But then who's on second? The roster is full of so many bad players, fighting for a bench job, but a couple will actually get starting jobs in the mess of the current roster construction. The only redeeming grace is that 2027 will bring a pretty big turnover in the overall roster, but also a learning curve that would keep them from winning.

Yes, the roster is a MAJOR mess. What do they have for a bullpen. Assuming Lopez and Ryan stay, the rotation has Matthews, Ober and Woods-Richardson. You aren't getting rid of any of the other live arms: Abel, Bradley both ready and able. But you have Klein and Morris looking to show they belong in a rotation. You'd like lefties Rojas and Prielipp to prove they can throw 5+ innings and stay away from bullpen call. Raya pretty much needs to become a relief pitcher. But not ready to break camp (or maybe he can, as much as any Rule 5 pickup the Twins COULD make). Right now the bullpen is Sands, Topa, Fundeburk, Orze, Adams. You can probably add Ohl and the best place for Festa to land at the moment. Still short an arm. On the 40-man, you need at least one roster spot to cycle thru the minor league free agent bullpen arm, adding them, using them, waivering them, adding back another. If that is the fate of your pitching staff. Of the 21 other roster spots, the Twins still need a first baseman, a solid shortstop (or backup shortstop), and a designated hitter. The Twins are set at catcher. They have no one at first. At best, Clemens is valuable because he can play first and a variety of other positions, so he should duldill one of the bench roles. Right now, looks like Keaschall at second. Okay. But make a decision soon on where you do want him to play. Lewis and Lee are cemented for the far side of the infield, but both are currently bring same stats to the job. We can live with one of them playing this way, but not both. Lee would be a good bench guy in the end. But not sure if Culpepper is ready. There is nothing non-replacable in Kreidler, Fitzgerald, Gasper or even Julien, That they are still on the roster is only because you have no faith in names like Fedko or Sabato. The outfield in a mess. Buxton is still in centerfield, but not for more than another year or two. Martin shows he can bring something different to the plate than a host of guys hovering around or below .200. Larnach is okay, but you don't need both him and Wallne. Gotta make a choice. And can Wallner be a fulltime DH or even a first baseman? Sadly I would almost rather see France back at first and talk an aged Cruz back into being the DH. But that ain't gonna happen. McCusker never got an opportunity and is so far down on the ladder that he is only holding a replacement roster spot. Outman and Roden supposedly need to stay so it looks like the Twins didn't get skimmed at the trading deadline. But you then have Rodriguez, Mendez and Gonzalez also taking up roster space and none ar a logical spring training add to the roster going north. As a matetr of fact, there are at least eight names that have little chance of breaking camp on the major league roster, which means the Twins have six spots to juggle for other players. In thiose six spots you need a potenial third catcher, although that can be an add/subtract position as needed, you need someone who can play shortstop - either starting or off the bench. It's nice to have someone who can also play first base in a pinch. And one of the outfielders who can also backup Buxton in center if needed. And you need that 13th pitcher that is a mop-up guy or cycled thru the bullpen as need be. The biggie is who's on first. Clemens is the man for now. Julien as the backup and bench guy. Doesn't make me feel good. Lee is at short with Fitzgerald as the backup. Arrgh. Outman will find a place on the roster. Why they rgabbed Kreidler, and McCuskers fate are here and gone, I suppose. But, hey, the Saints are going to have a dynamite rotation in Abel, Bradley, Morris, Klein, Rojas, Prilipp. Maybe Lewis and Raya will shine out of the pen.

I was surprised the Twins didn't clain Ben Rortbedt when he was released. Ben's .152 average is jsut behind Alex's .153.

I look at Lopez and Ryan in two ways. One, is Lopez worth gambling to bring back more before the trade deadline? Can the Twins afford an injury and a $20m need to pay, or better to get back a decent rectun now. With Ryan, would he accept 4-5 years at $100m+ to stay with the Twins? As he enters his 30th year, if he worth that gamble? I would think a return and making someone else feel the need to extend him would be more viable. The Twins also have to ask about the possibilities of signing (and needing)Jeffers for 2-3 more seasons and at what cost. You would think he would be worth the same $30m they paid out to Vasquez, but is he? Of course, they have nothing in the immediate system. I'm surprised they didn't try and sign back Rortvedt when he became available. The same can also be said for Lewis and Lee. Both are very similar players. High draftees. Expectations of more. But looks like Le could be a more than adequate utility player for a couple of seasons, until he gets too expensive. Lewis is a man without a true position. If bumped from third base, where does he play, and is he the best for whatever that position may be. Lewis is one of those guys right now that if he has a breakout year you ask one of two questions, do you pay him $100m to stay a Twin for awhile, or trade him. Do we actually think the Twins will hit $100m for a payroll in 2026. At what point in time do we expect them to hit $150m again, and if they do, then they should be at $200m at that time looking at the state of things. The Twins have 12 starting pitchers on their 40 man rosters and 7 relief pitchers (with Ohl and Adams in that category). At best, it is nice to have a depth of 8-9. They also have a solid 8 players on their 40-man, none of which should expected to break spring training, which means you have six reserves... a couple named starters at AAA, you need a couple of swing spaces for waived minor league free agents, particularly pitchers. And always a spot for a third catcher (although the Twins now have 4 with Gasper).

Yes, people forget that you can't cut 40-man adds unless via trade, so you have to choose carefully, and also have a few "spare parts" on the roster. What makes the Twins decision tough this year is that none of the names you mentioned would probably break spring camp with the club. Yet they could potentially come up by mid-season. (Last year, Rodriguez and Raya didn't make the team at all). This becomes a problem if you need players, due to inujury or ourtight badness. Yet you can't touch the prospects. Kyle Fedko should've been an interesting tryout last season, especially if he could play first. The Twins right now are stuck with basically Julien and Clemens for 1B and a full roster (although names like McCusker, Kiersey, Gasper, Fitzgerald, Pereda, Kreider are on the bubble, not to mention arbitration non-tenders Larnarch or Topa). It does get complicated in the pitching arena. Abel, Ohl, Adams, Festa, Matthews, Bradley. Gonna have the best AAA starting staff in baseball or move some bigger contracts from the regular staff for more... prospects. Y'know, the Twins have a portfolio of catchers on the verge to being backups, yet how many do you devote to that roster spot, or what kind of leash do you have, especially when you "pop" guys off a 40-man and anyone can claim them (as Twins saw in Laweryson neing grabbed as they tried to sneak him thru, not to mention he loss f pitching arms Henriquez and Headrick last season as the Twins chose to keep... Tonkin). Will Holland got the message and walked as a six-year minors free agent. Surprised (speaking of first baseman) Aaron Sabato is still around.

The Twins NEED to sign Jeffers for an additional couple of seasons, or trade him. See what it takes. Even with his low bat, Vasquez was a good defender behind-the-plate and someone who could work well for the next generation of pitchers. Coming of three $10m seasons I wonder what it would take to bring him back.

Not to mention Hawkins and Perkins. And wasn't Nathan a starter prospect with the Giants? How much time do they need defining their craft is the question.

I predict the beginning of the Toby Gardenhire era!

Well, let's advance some of the FUTURE to the majors. The Twins started two huys hitting less than .200 in the lineup, and had three guys on the bench batting equally as low. Throw in Wallner, Martin and Lewis on the cusp, and Clemens hovering. Well, you can afford to have one guy hitting like the good fielding catcher of yore, but 4. Or 5. Or 6? At least let the future come up and get some swings so they can work on something in the off-season. Jenkins should be able to put up Gasper numbers with his eyes closed.

There is no better time than the final weeks of the season to look at anyone or everyone that could contribute in 2026. Forget the minor league free agents clinging onto their careers. We need to see Abel, Bradley, Prielipp, Culpepper, Sabato, Fedko, some other catcher than Gasper, Eedes...just to give them exposure, things to work towards the off-season, along with the return of Festa and Woods Richardson. The team can afford to keep Lopez if he shines in September. They have no need to even think about trading Ryan before the mid-season trade deadline. They need to extend Jeffers. Hard decisions do have to be made on Kulien, Miranda. The Twins have to look at Larnach, Wallner, Roden, Outman. Martin and Lewis have to be on the bubble. Not saying much for the batting order right now. Let's think about having a true leadoff man, a solid 3 and 4 hitter in the lineup. And tackle the bullpen. Might be some aging past guys available (Rogers, Hendricks, Pressly) and who from the promising starter arms are best suited for shot (Adams and Ohl) or long (Hatch) stints in the pen. For the luv of baseball, get some lefties on the pitching staff.