Key Twins Roster Takeaways From MLB Winter Meetings

The Minnesota Twins left the MLB winter meetings without a splashy headline signing. Instead, they walked away with a clear blueprint: lean into pitching depth, stretch every dollar, and carefully reshape a roster that can contend in a wide-open AL Central.

With budget constraints, a young bullpen in flux, and first base still a glaring offensive question mark, the Twins are banking on internal growth and smart additions. Strategic versatility is their ticket to staying in the hunt.

Twins Confront Budget Reality While Reworking the Bullpen

After multiple trades involving relievers, the Twins arrived at the winter meetings with a lot less payroll flexibility than in recent years. That financial squeeze has nudged the front office toward a model that emphasizes homegrown arms and value signings over expensive veteran relievers.

The plan is simple: build a young, cost-controlled bullpen, then supplement it with selective external additions. The Twins brought in former big league closer LaTroy Hawkins as a mentor for their incoming wave of relievers, hoping his experience will help the youth movement click.

Young Arms Set to Carry the Relief Load

Manager Derek Shelton keeps stressing the importance of bullpen depth in this new phase. The Twins might lean heavily on relatively unproven arms like Cole Sands, Justin Topa, and Kody Funderburk, who all project to play meaningful roles.

Inside the organization, there’s an ongoing debate: should some starting pitching prospects move to full-time relief roles? Names like Marco Raya and Connor Prielipp are on the table, depending on how their development unfolds.

If the Twins shift either pitcher to relief, it’ll show they’re willing to trade potential innings for high-leverage impact. It’s a gamble, but sometimes you’ve just got to try something new.

Rotation Battle: Depth, Youth, and Opportunity

While the bullpen gets a facelift, the Twins’ starting rotation is a mix of established arms and ascending prospects. In an AL Central without a true powerhouse, the Twins’ path back to October runs right through maximizing this starting pitching core.

At the top, the returning trio of Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and Bailey Ober should anchor the staff. Behind them, a big group of young pitchers will battle for the last two spots.

Prospects Competing for Rotation Spots

The competition is expected to include:

This depth gives the Twins flexibility. They can absorb injuries, shift arms to relief if needed, and play matchups creatively over a long season.

First Base Remains the Lineup’s Biggest Question

No position looms larger than first base on the offensive side. The Twins know they need more production from that spot if they want to keep pace, especially with a tight budget.

Internally, Kody Clemens and Edouard Julien are the leading candidates. Both bring some upside with the bat, but there’s no guarantee either one delivers the kind of middle-of-the-order power that transforms a lineup.

Limited Internal Options, Eyes on the Market

Despite a crowded outfield, the Twins don’t view Matt Wallner or Trevor Larnach as first base solutions. Alan Roden has a bit of experience at the position, but the team doesn’t seem ready to make him a primary option there.

That leaves the door open for outside help. The front office is poking around both free agency and trade for a more impactful bat, someone who can lengthen the lineup and bring stability at first base.

With the payroll what it is, the challenge is finding a slugger who fits both the budget and the clubhouse. That’s a tall order, but it’s not impossible.

Luke Keaschall’s Versatility and the No. 3 Draft Pick

Position-player versatility is another theme this offseason, highlighted by Luke Keaschall. After debuting at second base before a forearm fracture cut into his rookie season, the Twins are eyeing a possible move to the outfield in 2026 to increase his flexibility and roster value.

The Twins also secured the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft. While decision-makers Derek Falvey and Jeremy Zoll had hoped for No. 1, they still see the outcome as a big win for an organization trying to keep the pipeline flowing.

Competing in a Weak AL Central

The Twins play in a division without a true powerhouse. They don’t need a record-breaking payroll to stay in the hunt.

But getting the big calls right? That’s absolutely crucial. Here’s the gist of their approach:

 
Here is the source article for this story: What we learned about the Twins roster during the Major League Baseball winter meetings