rdehring

I expect that one, or more of the Twins young starters will end up in the bullpen. It is my belief that Matthews should be one of them. With his stuff, I can see him as a shut-down late inning guy. That could be huge for the Twins over the next half dozen years.

Didn't get past reading your headline Nick before bringing a good smile to my face. Thanks. As for what the Twins will do in 2026, none of these guys are all that relevant. Success, or lack thereof, will be based on how Lewis, Wallner, Lee, Keaschall, Martin and whichever young corner outfielder is on the team swing their bats. Well, that and how whomever is in the bullpen pitch.

Absolutely loved this exercise, Nick. Cannot thank you enough for doing it. When I look at your finished result, there are three players in my mind who will have a huge impact on the Twins success, or lack thereof, in 2026. The first is Connor Prielipp. If the Twins keep him as a starter, I don't see him having much of an impact next year. And moving him to the bullpen doesn't mean he will stay there long-term. Like Santana, he could be a reliever next year and a starter down the road. But his biggest impact in 2026 will be if they put him in the pen in spring training and he becomes a late inning shut down reliever by May at the latest. The second player is really one of the #9-#11 starters, Abel, Bradley, and Matthews. The Twins need one of them to take that final step and become a solid #3 starter, a starter who will be approaching ACE status come 2027 and beyond. The final player is Luke Keaschall. Will his bat in 2026 be what it was most of last year? In addition, he provides something the Twins haven't had in recent years, speed and a fire that excites both their bench and the fans. Finally, I will ask many of you criticizing his defense to consider what he has been through these past couple years. If memory serves, he spent most of 2024 as a DH because of his pending TJ surgery. Then he gets hit with a pitch and misses a couple months early last summer with a broken arm. The result is that he has played very little second base for the past two years. When considering his athletic ability there is no reason, he can't become a better than average defensive second baseman. Should this young man hit like last year, play good defense and put pressure on the other team with his speed he just may be the Twins top player. Certainly the most exciting.

This exercise is getting more interesting as we approach the finish line. Thanks Nick. Really like this group, although am a bit surprised that both of the young starters made the Top 10. As Rodney Dangerfield once said in Back to School, I may be living in fantasy land as I remain hopeful that one of the two becomes a top starter for the Twins. Heck, maybe even an ACE. Like most I don't think of SWR as a front-line starter. Yet, his results game after game give the Twins a W or real shot at getting the W. Question? Is he somewhat comparable to Brad Radke? I recall that Radke was never considered a true Ace, yet he was very solid as the Twins #1.

Even though I don't fully understand how these rankings are compiled, I look forward to them every winter. Thanks, a lot! When I began reading this piece, I clicked on the 2025 rankings for a quick review. Can't tell you how shocked I was seeing that Miranda was #17 and Julien #20. Not going to criticize last year's rankings. Just perplexed how far these two very good young players have fallen. As for this year's group, am most excited about Prielipp who could help solve a huge problem for the Twins. Like most of us, I can't wait until I see him on a Target Field mound pitching for the Twins. Will it be in their home opener? Also intrigued by Houston. The Twins, like every major league team, are much better with a really good shortstop. Will Houston hit enough to not be a black hole in the lineup? I guess that's the question? As you hinted at, I am confident that Ober's problems last year were all injury related. If he returns healthy, the Twins should have a very good starting rotation. And as Tom Kelly often said, "you are only as good as your next days starting pitcher."

My biggest concern with this move is whether or not Fitzgerald clears waivers so the Twins can sign him at AAA. As for the guy they picked up, don't have a clue. On the other hand, I also don't expect he will be a big help for the Twins in '26.

Interesting read, Cody. Enjoyed it. Would be beyond exciting should Houston merit a callup come September. Expect you weren't thinking of one issue that will affect anyone not on the 40-man being added this September. I doubt the Twins, or any team, will want to add someone to the 40-man who doesn't have to be added. That way they won't be either on strike or locked out in 2027. Would rather keep these players in the minors so they can play.

Have been hoping since the year ended that the Twins would trade Larnach for a solid, young reliever. Or maybe Larnach plus a mid-level prospect for a better, young reliever. Yes, all is well considering our ages. Thanks.

Enjoyed the read, Seth. Trust you are having an enjoyable Christmas and looking forward to the new Year. Two catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders is fourteen players. Assuming the Twins carry thirteen pitchers they will only be able to carry thirteen position players. Who comes off your list?

Another cold, snowy morning in Minnesota as the year comes to an end. Your article brought a bit of enjoyment to my morning, thanks Cody. Still wondering if GG is for real after his disappointing 2024. But what a year he had last year. And he was only 21 when he reached AAA. So maybe, just maybe he could be a budding star? Is there any indication he is being considered at first base? And you have to love his strikeouts, or lack thereof. I am a believer that the high number of strikeouts the Twins have is something that has to change. Rosario seems to have been around forever, yet he will be only 23 this year. And Fedko isn't all that old at 26 should he break in this year. Recall how worried many were that both would be gone in the Rule-5. Glad that didn't happen. Can see any of these guys having a huge spring training and the rest will all be history.

Thanks for bringing us this message of hope on Christmas Eve, Cody. I pray that at least two or three of the guys you mentioned take that last step and play meaningful baseball for the Twins in 2026. Should one of these guys be in the hunt for 2026 Rookie of the Year, the Twins just may have an exciting summer. Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy your holidays.

Interesting question, Cody. Loved several, heck most of the comments, especially those from Nashville, Arby and DJL. Thanks for saying it so much better than I. With Christmas a few days away, spring training will soon be open. Go Twins! Win the Central in '26!

There have been subsequent articles indicating that Hicks is part of (perhaps the leader) of a group. One reported that the owner's of the Fort Myers Mighty Muscles are part of his group.

Every time I see something written about Correa I wonder, what if? What if the Twins never signed him to that first contract? Instead of adding his big salary, what if they had upped their payroll a few million every year? Or even five to ten million? Could the FO have improved the team a bit every year? Would they be a better team heading into 2026? And more important, what would be the fans opinion of the Twins had they increased their budget every year rather than the big jump followed by the subsequent cuts? Have a feeling they would have both a more competitive team with less animosity from their fans. Heck, the fans may even be happy. Probably also would have had a couple hundred thousand more people at their games last year.

Yes, aware of the Glick family. My question was related to comments in the Strib article that appeared to indicate that Hicks was investing as one of more than one Minnesotan, not including Leopold.

Another good article, Nick. Thanks. Always enjoy reading what you post, even when it leaves me feeling rather sad for what's ahead for the Twins. Seeing you alluded to the ownership changes, have a question. When reading about Hicks have seen indications that he is part of a group of local investors, or at least more than one. When reading about Leopold it appears he is separate from Hicks. Are there other Minnesota investors who have not been named? If so, any idea who? [edit: saw yesterday there is a group led by Hicks. The group includes the owner's of the Fort Myers Mighty Muscles, along with others. It also said none were ex-players]

Thanks for the post, Cody. Interesting!

Got a good smile. Thanks. But you missed several Pohlad's. Tom and Joe have another brother, Chris, who doesn't appear to have any involvement with the Twins. Although it is difficult to even find their names, I believe several of the grandchildren are girls.

Have a question about the investor group. After reading both articles in this morning's Strib I began to wonder. In the article posted by two people who are not sports writers (don't know who they are) it appears there are more than three investors. When they speak about Hicks they refer to the local investors as plural. And they seem to indicate that doesn't include Leopold who invested separately from the other two groups. So it appears there are other local investors, who have not been identified, as part of Hicks group. Does anyone know if this is true and if it is any idea of who? And could that include any former players?

Was in the Strib business section. Think it was early summer, maybe late spring. Don't have any way of finding it and linking. Was a lengthy piece in the business section.

You state that the debt if from Carousel motors, which they are selling. Wrong. Had the wifes Q5 in for servicing yesterday, asked when the Pohlad's sold. The person I was speaking with said it was about two years ago that it was sold. Don't know where you are reading reports that the debt is from Covid/Carousel. I recall reading a piece in the Strib business section this past summer. Or maybe it was spring. Anyway, the professional reporter was clear that 100% of the Twins debt was from the Twins operations, including money they have invested into Target Field over the years. But I guess you will choose to believe what you read here and elsewhere opposed to a professional business reporter.

Agree with your thoughts, tony. But it is gonna take longer than a month for the biggest change. We don't know what Falvey's marching orders were from Joe. Expect it is different today. Assuming their operating plan is changing, he will need time to either get on board or be out the door. With spring training now less than 60 days away, today isn't the time to make a change. Personally, I see the current Front Office as having about 6 months to get on board with whatever change is going to happen which time would be approaching next summer's trade deadline. By then they will also know more about the 2027 season. If a change of the front office is going to happen, I see it being later next summer. As for smaller changes, hopefully we will see a few over the winter. Will they be bringing in a few more free agents? If so, how much will they spend? Will there be a few trades? Makes sense to trade a few players from positions like the corner outfield for a bullpen arm. Or two. Are we going to see changes in the support staffs? Minor league coaches? Scouting, etc?

Key to this move is how much as that may, or may not, have an effect on what bullpen arms are signed. Anyone heard what the contract is?

Every day there are numerous articles about who the Twins should/could trade for player X. I found today's piece by Cody interesting and expect that's what the Twins will be working on the next month or so. But I look forward to the day when I come to TD and actually see that the Twins did something. Kind of like going out in the below zero cold to get today's paper and seeing that the Wild traded three very good young players plus a first round pick for one great defenseman. Not sure how that's gonna work out. Will tomorrow be the day I see something like that from the Twins when I come to TD in the morning?

My question is whether or not one of the Twins excess corner outfielders would be a match for Mountcastle? Seems to me either Wallner or Larnach would be a fair swap that solves a logjam for both teams. And in Larnach's case, he will be making less than Mountcastle, but not all that much less to be a good budget fit.