Twins 40-Man Roster: Buxton, Bell, Ryan, Lewis Breakdown

This article digs into why the Minnesota Twins remain one of MLB’s most puzzling contenders. They’ve got a legitimate playoff-caliber rotation, a shaky bullpen, and a lineup that still looks a bat or two short.

Projection systems like FanGraphs and ESPN peg them as an 80-win team. Still, recent history suggests it’s risky to count them out too early.

Let’s look at how this roster is built, where the pressure points are, and why a midseason trade might decide their fate.

Why Projections Still Don’t Trust the Twins

FanGraphs and ESPN’s models see the Twins as a flawed bunch, hovering near the 80-win mark. That lands them in fringe Wild Card territory, not as a sure-fire division winner.

These same models have been lukewarm on Minnesota for the last two seasons. Yet, the team keeps outperforming expectations.

The question: Are projections underrating the Twins again, or is their margin for error just too slim this year?

An Offense Still Searching for an Identity

The front office tried to patch up the lineup by signing Josh Bell to a one-year, $7 million deal. Bell’s switch-hitting power and on-base skills look good on paper.

In reality, the offense still grades out as below average. Outside of Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers, there isn’t much bankable production.

Buxton’s dynamic ability is obvious, but his durability is always a concern. Jeffers has quietly become one of the more underrated power bats at catcher, though relying on him as a lineup anchor feels risky.

Infield Picture: Talent, Upside, and Uncertainty

The infield has plenty of upside but not many guarantees. It’s an interesting mix of power, youth, and roster pressure.

Josh Bell’s Role and the Infield Configuration

Bell will split time between first base and designated hitter. That gives the Twins flexibility but also forces tough choices on who loses at-bats.

The internal plan seems to be:

• Second base: Luke Keaschall as a rising option
• Shortstop: Brooks Lee as the favorite
• Third base: Royce Lewis as the cornerstone

Royce Lewis is the linchpin. The Twins are banking that a healthy, full-season Lewis can provide real middle-of-the-order punch.

If he delivers, the lineup’s ceiling jumps a notch.

Roster Squeeze on the Left-Handed Bats

The Twins’ depth has created a logjam of left-handed hitters with nowhere to stash them. Edouard Julien is out of minor league options, so if he doesn’t make the roster, the club risks losing him.

Other left-handed bats are fighting for a shrinking pool of plate appearances. Rookie Luke Keaschall adds another wrinkle, showing enough that the Twins want to find ways to get his bat in the lineup—even if that means outfield time.

That versatility helps, but it also squeezes more established names who are trying to keep everyday roles.

Behind the Plate: Jeffers Steps Into the Spotlight

The biggest shift in responsibility might be happening at catcher, where Minnesota is handing the keys to one guy.

Jeffers and His New Backup

With Christian Vázquez gone, Ryan Jeffers is looking at a career-high workload. He’s not sharing time anymore; he’s the clear number one.

The Twins think he can handle 100+ starts behind the plate and hit in the middle of the order. Newcomer Jackson arrives as a defense-first backup, there to manage pitchers, control the running game, and spell Jeffers when needed.

Offensively, though, there’s a steep drop-off from Jeffers. His health and performance could make or break the Twins’ run-scoring hopes.

Pitching Staff: A Rotation Built to Contend

If the offense is a puzzle and the bullpen’s a question mark, the starting rotation is why the Twins can still dream big.

The Rotation: Minnesota’s True Strength

The top three starters give Minnesota something a lot of clubs just don’t have: top-end stability.

The rotation is headlined by:

• Pablo López – a real staff ace who can carry a playoff series
• Joe Ryan – a strike-thrower with improving swing-and-miss stuff
• Bailey Ober – a towering righty who attacks the zone and limits damage

Younger arms like Simeon Woods Richardson will battle for rotation spots. Woods Richardson is also out of options, so the club has to keep him in the majors or risk losing a live, developing arm.

That roster reality could push some young starters into hybrid bullpen roles.

A Bullpen Stripped of Proven Late-Inning Arms

This is where things get dicey. The Twins traded away their top five relievers before last July’s deadline, and they haven’t replaced that firepower.

The bullpen now has very little high-leverage depth. The organization is basically betting that internal arms, converted starters, and a few value signings can form a functional relief corps.

It’s a gamble. In a tight AL Central race, the bullpen might be the difference between October baseball and an early vacation.

Why a Trade Could Define the Twins’ Season

Put it all together, and you get a Twins roster that just feels imbalanced. There’s enough starting pitching to dream about a winning season.

The lineup has real offensive upside—if the right players actually hit their ceilings. That’s a big “if,” but it’s not out of the question.

With a roster crunch (Julien, Woods Richardson, and a few others are out of options), things are getting tight. The left-handed depth chart is crowded, and the bullpen looks thin.

It all seems to point toward one thing: a trade. A single move could clear up positional logjams, beef up the relief corps, and finally clarify some roles.

Could that turn an 80-win projection into a real shot at the division? Honestly, it might.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Twins 40-man roster position-by-position breakdown