Twins Roster Decisions: Who Stays and Who’s Likely to Go

The Minnesota Twins are heading into one of their most critical offseasons in recent memory after a disappointing 70–92 campaign in 2025. With the second-worst record in the American League and the firing of manager Rocco Baldelli, the franchise stands at a crossroads.

Key roster decisions, the search for a new leadership voice, and a renewed commitment from ownership to keep the team in Minneapolis all point to an offseason packed with change. The big question: can the Twins actually turn all this uncertainty into the start of something better?

Ownership’s Decision and Organizational Reset

Midway through the season, the Pohlad family pulled the Twins off the market. This happened right after a midseason sell-off, sending a pretty clear message—2025 was a wash, but the team’s sticking with its current owners and aiming to rebuild.

The firing of Baldelli happened at the same time, closing out a run that had its ups and downs. Now, ownership has to pick a manager who can guide a team in transition, developing young players while keeping restless fans somewhat hopeful.

Searching for the Right Manager

The Twins need a leader who can foster player growth and bring in a winning culture. With the roster in flux, the front office wants someone with a track record of working with young, emerging teams.

Pitching: Trade Chips and Young Talent

Minnesota’s rotation could look a lot different soon. Pablo López keeps popping up in trade rumors, even though he gave them quality innings when healthy.

Joe Ryan just had an All-Star year and a sharp 3.42 ERA, so he could bring back a big return in a trade if they go that route. Bailey Ober and Louie Varland probably stick around in the rotation, but both had their share of rough patches in 2025.

The team’s watching young arms like Abel and David Festa, hoping they can push for rotation or bullpen jobs next year. There’s some real excitement there, but it’s hard to know how quickly they’ll adjust.

Fixing the Bullpen Woes

The bullpen’s a mess, honestly. Several relievers struggled, and some are heading for arbitration, so their futures are up in the air.

One bright spot: a lefty emerged late in the year and might take on late-inning work in 2026. Still, the front office has to focus on depth and reliability—two things they really lacked this past season.

Offensive Core and Position Player Outlook

On offense, the Twins are still building around Byron Buxton. He put up 35 homers and 24 steals—one of the best seasons in franchise history.

When Buxton’s healthy, the team looks totally different. But that’s always the catch, isn’t it?

Elsewhere, things were mixed. Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis didn’t quite meet expectations, which leaves everyone wondering about their long-term fit.

The catching situation feels thin, too. Ryan Jeffers stays the starter for now, but his power dipped noticeably.

Bright Spots and Emerging Talent

The year wasn’t all bad. Rookie Luke Keaschall showed up with a .302 average and looked ready for more responsibility.

Austin Martin finished strong, so he might get a platoon shot in 2026. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Luke Keaschall: High contact rate and consistent production.
• Austin Martin: Versatile defensive skill set and late-season surge.
• Pablo López: Trade value remains high despite injuries.

The Road Ahead for Minnesota

The Twins look set to lean on youth while shopping some veterans. It’s a balancing act—try to speed up the rebuild, but don’t bottom out in the AL Central.

Finding a manager who can shape young talent and bring stability feels like the make-or-break move for this offseason. Maybe this is the start of something, or maybe it’s just another spin of the wheel. We’ll see.

Balancing Patience and Urgency

Fans will have to stay patient as the Twins reshape their roster. The front office knows they can’t ignore the urgency to get back into playoff contention.

This mix of young talent, veteran trade chips, and a fresh commitment from ownership creates an interesting window. The team has a shot to try something bold and maybe even surprise everyone.

One thing’s for sure: the Minnesota Twins’ 2026 season won’t be about standing still. Whether it’s trades, breakout players, or maybe even a shake-up in the dugout, this offseason feels like it could change everything for their AL Central hopes.

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Here is the source article for this story: Who stays and who goes? A breakdown of the Twins roster.