Less than a month from Opening Day, here’s what Twins’ roster could look like
(PHOTO)
Minnesota Twins players warm up as pitchers and catchers participate in the first day of spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
By Betsy Helfand, Pioneer Press
The countdown to Opening Day is on. In less than a month, the Twins will take the field in Kansas City, set to begin the 2024 season. While the roster won’t be set for some time, and injuries over the course of the spring could always change things, it appears likely that the wheeling and dealing could be done.
“Realistically with where our team is, with how the roster is now built out, with the way it looks, we’ll obviously keep monitoring where our roster is, the health of it, what we can do,” president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told reporters Monday. “I would say that’s by and large the big-picture items, but we’ll keep an open mind about different opportunities that present along the way.”
Here’s a look at how the roster could look when the Twins kick off their season on March 28.
Pitching rotation: Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, Anthony DeSclafani
The Twins’ rotation was one of the best in the majors last season, and while multiple starters have departed—most notably Sonny Gray—the Twins still expect to have a strong rotation led by ace Pablo López. Bailey Ober is coming off a strong 2023 season, and Joe Ryan looked like an all-star until a groin injury waylaid the second half of his season.
Chris Paddack, who spent much of last season rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery, will return to the rotation after briefly pitching out of the bullpen to end 2023, and newly-acquired Anthony DeSclafani will look to return to his 2021 form. His addition to the rotation seemingly pushes Louie Varland to Triple-A, where he will be the first man up when the Twins need a starter.
Bullpen: Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Justin Topa, Caleb Thielbar, Jay Jackson, Steven Okert, Josh Staumont
While the Twins are seemingly set on the position player side, the bullpen, which projects to be a serious strength of the team, might be the only place where there is still a question mark.
Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Caleb Thielbar and Justin Topa form the core of the bullpen. Jay Jackson and lefty Steven Okert, both new additions, are out of options so they figure to have a leg up on a spot to begin the season.
Josh Staumont is not out of options, so he could be sent to Triple-A if the Twins opt for a long reliever to start the season (Cole Sands and Brent Headrick are options).
Catchers: Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vázquez
Barring injury, the Twins are poised to enter the 2024 season with the same catching tandem that led them through last year. The only difference is that now, it seems likely that Jeffers, who started all six playoff games, will surpass Vázquez in playing time. Still, expect to see plenty of both as the Twins like to rotate out to keep their catchers fresh.
Infield: Carlos Santana, Edouard Julien, Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Kyle Farmer
The Twins’ infield seems pretty set with the addition of first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana earlier this month. Santana, a switch hitter with a good glove at first base, should split time at the position with Alex Kirilloff.
With Jorge Polanco now gone, both Edouard Julien (a left-handed hitter) and Kyle Farmer (a right-handed hitter) should see plenty of time at second base, while Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis are set to handle the left side of the infield. Farmer can also slide over to spell either of the two of them when one is given a day off.
Outfield: Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Manuel Margot, Willi Castro
The Twins are relying on Byron Buxton returning to center field after not manning the position in a major league game all of last year. Buxton reported to camp feeling good after a second surgery on his right knee, and excited and ready to return to the outfield.
Max Kepler and Matt Wallner, who took over left field late last year, will occupy the corners while Willi Castro can move around the field, playing some center, some left and also shifting into the infield. Margot, whom the Twins traded for on Monday, can also play all three outfield positions capably and provides the Twins a right-handed-hitting option against lefties.