Rosterman

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.

By mid-August, the Twins should have no one on the roster and gtetting innings or at bats that isn't expected to contribute in some way in 2026. Make the hard decision on Julien, Gasper. Even Fritzgerald. Many can be resigned as a minor league free agent if they so wish, like Hatch and even Tonkin. Or watch them go elsewhere. You will be able to add a couple of names come September, but still, can look at all those 10/11 starters. If there is a double-header, call-up Raya for at least one start, if nothing else. See who might be better for the "long relief" role going forward, like Adams, Festa, Woods Richardson. Regarding 2026, Austin Martin gets the call until you decide on Rodriguez, Gonzalez or maybe even Jenkins. You need tyo look at WInkel and Cardenas, in the least. I would go ahead and bring up Prielipp for a couple of innings. Let him see what he needs to do in the off-season, and can he handle a one inning roll. Hard=decisions going forth on Wallner, Outman, Larnach, Roden. You really only need two of them. Yes, expect the Twins to trade Ryan and Lopez, sadly. WIll still have a payroll pushing towards $100m. Anyone think Aaron Sabato deserves a shot? He's a minor league free agent!

I was surprised that the penny-pinching Pohlads would end up writing a check to Houston to take a player that they never should've signed in the first place. Usually you take "bad" salary back from the other team, especially if they wish to remain below certain league guidelines for spending. Like do take on the Walker contract if you must, you MIGHT at least get also some on-field return, plus you have a player that you could still, perhaps, move. I was hoping they could pry loose Lance McCullers and his $17.5 contract, as well as the remaining salary from this season, maybe only absorbing out of their own pocketbook the remainder of Correa's 2025 salary at worst. That the player they took needs a 40-man spot, is all-over-the-place in his throwing, and still at High-A. Plus...26? I'm totally surprised Ryan and Larnach aren't also gone, not to mention figuring out what they could get for the injured Lopez, who will surely depart in the off-season. They got three hopefully sold starters to fight it out over the next year with the half-dozen other 25-26 year olds the Twins have in the pipeline. They got three outfielders who probably fall behind three homegrown guys (and Gonzales) who will be pushing Wallner and Larnach elsewhere hext season. Go figrue that. Sometimes you go for lower minor league promise rather than taking on the contgracts of players other teams would probably be jettisoning anyways in the off-season. Hey, anyone notice: except for Ryan, the Twins no longer have pitchers that depend on the strikeout!

Like Griffin Jax, Varland gave his all to the Twins. Sacrificing a dream of being a starter to wade into the world of bullpen relief. You still run the risk of overuse, people recognizing your pitches, injury...all for lesser salaries than a rotation arm. But being on a major league club is first and foremost the dream. And Louie did develop. So much so like Jesse Crain and Ryan Pressly before (and the hopes of Jorge Alcala) - you were thinking coser material in the works. A couple more years as a setup guy, and then - bang. The real deal (J.D. Durbin he is not). Add in the hometown angle. Maybe even a reunion with Gus, who was recently demoted by the White Sox. Not to be. The Twins traded their three top bullpen arms for three potential rotation arms, and I agree that the potential is there in Abel, Bradley and Rojas. On paper, it looks like a Twins win, esecially if Rojas can start as a lefty. The Twins also got rid of France (need to see if Sabato is a keeper, please) for Roden seems to be someone that wasn't needed on the Jays roster, and sadly might prove the same for the Twins as they might have up to 8 outfielders on their 40-man come the off-season. I expected the Twins to include Larnach in a deal somewhere, which would have justified the need to acquire, for even just one season, Outman or Roden. Again, sad that a hometown kid showing such promise was traded. Especially when the hometown team is basically in the midst of a public relations nightmare.

Shows the issues you have dealing for prospects at the Trade deadline. Teams are happy to get rid of guys on their own 40-man fringe that will be questionable in the off-season, as well as rid their rosters of possible upcoming Rule 5 guys, or hard arbitation decisions. The Twins Rule 5 decisions are all guys that the Twins could've considered in trades if they were looking to buy. A few could've been added in packages to get future prospects, too. The Twins are now faced with making decisions on spare aging outfielders James Outman and Alan Roden, while deciding the fate of Austin Martin, the need to add Hendry Mendez who will be a minor league free agent after next season and still is in AA ball, as well as Kala'i Rosario still in AA, and the younger Gabriel Gonzalez, amongst waiting for Emmanuel Rodrigues to play a season unhurt and the rising star of Walker Jenkins. Lots of outfielders which means we have probably seen the last, also, of Carson McCusker and DaShawn Keirsey. All the while with Buxton, Wallner and Larnach holding down the fort. ANy pushing anyone to DH here? I picture the Twins will carry a third catcher when rosters expand. Will it be giving Jhonny Pereda another look at major league pitching, or see if Noah Cardenas is the guy to protect. I doubt they worry about the need to protect Patrick WInkel. And Ricardo Olivar can probably escape Rule 5. For all his faults, Vasquez was still a good catcher working with the young pitchers (who runners steal on, more than the catcher). I picture the Twins will still keep Mickey Gasper on the 40-man, as a possible "off" if they sign a free agent. There is no reason to keep Ryan Fritzgerald on the 40-man. I wish the Twins had packaged Julien or Miranda with another player at the deadline rather than just probably releasing them. Both are on the bubble and could stay on the 40-man with hopes of being someone next season, or packaged in the off-season. Again, you need people on the 40-man to jettison if you do sign a free agent. The Twins can probably avoid adding Nate Baez, Kyler Fedko or Tanner Schobel. All are fringe enough or there are others in the system as closer to the majors. None of those three would be expected to make the roster out of spring training. I would, personally, bring up Aaron Sabato now, and get him 20-30-40 at bats to see if he should be added to the roster as a possibvle 1B/DH going forth. He will be a minor league free agent and got thru the Rule 5 while languishing at AA ball too many seasons. Seems you should give a first rounder a chance, right? The Twins have to quit signing minor league free agents hoping they will be the next Brock Stewart, Matt WInsler, Brandon Kintzler, or even the return of Michael Tonkin (signed for a $1m and thus making the Twins deicde between keeping him or lefty Brent Headrick or young Ronny Henriquez in the spring). You can throw a few spots on the AAA roster to minor league guys you might wish to run thru the bullpen (Scott Blewett), but keep them off the 40-man. And amidst the fact that the Twins have 10 pitchers classified as rotation arms on their 40-man, you are going to add Kendry Rojas. You also have to add Christian MacLeod, although he may be better suited to the bullpen as not sure if he will get enough innings in 2026 to build as a starter at AAA. He could contribute out of the pen next season. CJ Culpepper, Cory Lewis, John Klein, Andrew Morris, and the young Jose Olivares fall in behind the cadre of 24-25-26 year olds currently on the Twins roster. Shows the futrue rotation depth near the majors. Someone will have to become a bullpen arm. None need a 40-man spot next year. Connor Prelipp does need a 40-man spot. Too bad Canterino won't also be ready for 2026. It is arms like these, if healthy, that justify trading away your bullpen in a lackluster year. Of course, the following all need to go elsewhere: Erasmo Ramirez, Jose Urena, Thomas Hatch, Anthony Misiewicz, Brooks Krista, Noah Davis, Michael Tonkin. You can keep Kody Funderburk because he is still a lefthander, and maybe Travis Adams - again, you need names to remove IF you sign a free agent. But both could be replacable. There are 20 names on the 40-man roster that the Twins would not miss. 9 could be kept, are on the bubble, whatever. There are six (Rojas, Prielipp, MacLeod, Cardenas, Sabato, Gonzalez) that I feel MUST be added, which is the usual number that happens in most off-seasons.

Bradley, Able, SWR, Matthews, Festa. Don't forget Raya. Add in Ohl and Adams. The Twins suddenly have a roster full of guys who can easily pitch 3 innings, maybe consistently four, and some who can get into the fifth. They have been piggy-backing rotation arms in the minors. Maybe do the same in the majors, with the ability to pitch guys every third day if necessary. What it leaves is a bullpen of around four arms. The Twins have two right now, who will probably be back next year, in Sands and Topa. Both can pitch multiple innings, too. Sadly, they need a bonafide closer. A situational lefty would be fine, too. I picture, perhaps, Ohl and Festa being developed as relief arms. But none of this matters if you can't field a team of batters that will keep you in the game. Otherwise, it is just pitchers getting innings.

I was hoping they would package Miranda like they did Dobnak, just to get something, anything, as well as a roster spot. Julien isn't even a good bench/utility player at this point. Unless he is playing first base everyday in St. Paul, I would rather see the Twins give 40-50 at bats right now to Sabato than Julien. He showed promise, enough that when the choice was him or Steer, the Twins choose him and traded Steer. I would rather see Eeles up on the bench playing the utility role right now. Martin has a chance to proce himself. Be the right-handed outfield guy spot we gave to Bader. He can aso sub at second. I'm hoping the Twins have a third catcher on tap when rosters expand, and not named Pareda. (I miss the days when could bring up many multiples of players, just to sit on the bench at least and brask in major leafue life).

It was a player dump for France. Twins took Roden who is still as cheap, and has some upside. I ahd fully expected that Larnach was going to be traded before the end of the deadline. Probably another failed attempt at a trade. Varland is the St. Paul kid who failed as a starter and could come back as a bullpen arm and futrue closer, shades of Glen Perkins. Man, talk about using him a lot this season. But Rojas, even if he just becomes a relief ace, was a fair exchange.

Outman is basially Keirsey with a tad more power. Be interesting to see where he lands, and if he pushes Kiersey to the waiver wire, which means we lose Stewar and maybe Kiersey for this guy. Yes, he can play enter. So that was the big grab right now. He will go to the 40-man, which means we don't gain a spot and will likel;y stay there in the off-season.

A call up in 2027. Maybe a regular in 2028?

Good or Bad, he may end up being another, say, Denny Hocking. Someone who can play a position fulltime if someone is injured, but not holding his own. He will be surpassed in the next two years by others who will regularly hold down second, shortstop or third base. His value may not be even as good as, say, Willie Castro right now.

I would hope Luke could solve the DH problems. But the Twins, quite frankly, could replace Castro, Bader, Kiersey, Visquez, France and probably even Wallner/or Larnach with guys from their system that will perform equally as good... IF THE TWINS CHOOSE NOT TO BE COMPETITIVE for the rest of the season. Ober fixed? That is a plus. I feel Ober is the one Twins starter then might be able to extend (see Ryan wanting to walk as a free agent if the Twins won't get him wins, of the Twins need to pay $150m to him). The others will be better next season with Ohl in the wings. If not competitive, the Twins can sell on Coulombe, get anything they can for Paddack, and I guess take another look at Davis, Gillespie, Tonkin and Fundeburk if they wish, and maybe even Dobnak, for all the few in the stands as the season winds down will care.

Two Major Decisions: No need to have Duran as a closer if he only gets 20-or-so saves a season. He's a luxury if not competitive. If you make Ryan an offer of $125m for five years with a sixth year option, does he take it, or wait you out. Are you willing to go $150m on the guy, or sell high. I think, baring injury, Ryan will relish going free agent and maybe signing with a team that will win games for him.

The Twins are fielding a lineup that would be lucky to average .250 a game, which doesn't win you games unless you do have one of the five best rotations/bullpens in the biz, which the Twins ahd before June 1. They have no leadoff hitter or cleanup hitter. Buxton ad Correa are bette served btting, say, second and third. Thank goodness for Bader and Castro coming off the bench allowing others to bat in the DH spot, not that the Twins have fulfilled that position with any great numbers. The bench is weak. Looking at the Twins 40-man roster, there are 20 names that shouldn't be there come the off-season. Right now, you could replace five of them with guys looking to make the majors in St. Paul, replacing deadwood or potential free agents that NEED to be traded to add to the system.