All Things 2025-26 Minnesota Twins Off-Season Thread

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On This Date in 1973: In an effort spearheaded by Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley, American League owners vote 8-4 in favor of adopting the designated hitter.

Tony Oliva hit the first regular season home run by a DH off Oakland’s Catfish Hunter on Opening Day.

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TRF Guy said:
On This Date in 1973: In an effort spearheaded by Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley, American League owners vote 8-4 in favor of adopting the designated hitter.

Tony Oliva hit the first regular season home run by a DH off Oakland’s Catfish Hunter on Opening Day.

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Obviously Tony-O and Rodney. Who's #4?
 


coolhandgopher said:
I thought of Griffey also. Pujols and Trout have great arguments. Ohtani could make this question irrelevant 5 years from now.
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Pujols certainly has steroid allegations.

I'll be curious how far the "no steroid allegation" crowd takes this argument. Pujols was accused of steroid use by Jack Clark. According to Clark, Pujols' long-time trainer (Chris Mihlfeld) told him he injected steroids into Pujols. Of note, Mihlfeld also trained other players who were busted using steroids - most notably Jason Grimsley.

I have no opinion whether he did it or not, but I'm guessing Pujols gets voted into the Hall by a lot of the folks that are "no steroid allegation" because they don't believe the allegations.

One last note, there were certainly whispers about Verlander too. He was throwing 100 MPH, signed a big contract, and started throwing 92 - kind of a Brady Anderson thing (neither ever tested positive). I don't know if that's a real allegation but certainly eyebrows raised.
 



Either I missed, forgot or was willfully blind that Toby Gardenhire was kicked up, over the river to the Big Show where he will be a Bench Coach for new Twins skipper Derek Shelton.

The Twins/Saints announced the AAA replacement, Brian Dinkelman.


Take note Immaculate Grid Freaks, Dinkelman has a Career BA of over .300.

www.baseball-reference.com

Brian Dinkelman Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com

Check out the latest Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More of Brian Dinkelman. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, bats, throws, school and more on Baseball-reference.com
www.baseball-reference.com www.baseball-reference.com

You're welcome.
 


I'm not convinced Brooks Lee is the long term answer at SS. I still think Keaschall will be ok at 2nd. How far away is Culpepper and is he better defensively than Lee?
 



TNGophfan said:
I'm not convinced Brooks Lee is the long term answer at SS. I still think Keaschall will be ok at 2nd. How far away is Culpepper and is he better defensively than Lee?
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He is supposedly better than Lee defensively. But I doubt he's in the Majors until at least June. Not only do they not have a viable alternative to Lee at starting SS, they don't really have a utility IF'er either. The best option at the moment is Orlando Arcia but he's pretty far cooked. If the price is $2-3 million or less, I'd bring back Willi Castro.
 

howeda7 said:
He is supposedly better than Lee defensively. But I doubt he's in the Majors until at least June. Not only do they not have a viable alternative to Lee at starting SS, they don't really have a utility IF'er either. The best option at the moment is Orlando Arcia but he's pretty far cooked. If the price is $2-3 million or less, I'd bring back Willi Castro.
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See they just signed a 28 year utility guy that I never heard of before. Probably why.
 

howeda7 said:
He is supposedly better than Lee defensively. But I doubt he's in the Majors until at least June. Not only do they not have a viable alternative to Lee at starting SS, they don't really have a utility IF'er either. The best option at the moment is Orlando Arcia but he's pretty far cooked. If the price is $2-3 million or less, I'd bring back Willi Castro.
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Castro got way more than your hypothetical offer, more than double.

$12.8M over 2 seasons.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

Rockies To Sign Willi Castro To Two-Year Deal

The Rockies upgrade their position player group with a guy who can play almost anywhere.
www.mlbtraderumors.com www.mlbtraderumors.com
 




TNGophfan said:
See they just signed a 28 year utility guy that I never heard of before. Probably why.
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I think that guy is more corner/OF. They cut Ryan Fitzgerald unless they brought him back as a non-40 man signing. At this moment I think Arcia would be a lock to make the Opening Day roster.
 

howeda7 said:
I think that guy is more corner/OF. They cut Ryan Fitzgerald unless they brought him back as a non-40 man signing. At this moment I think Arcia would be a lock to make the Opening Day roster.
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Fitzgerald has already been DFA'd twice this calendar year, by the Twins and Dodgers respectively.

www.mlb.com

Dodgers add Ibáñez to infield mix with 1-year, $1.2 million deal

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers stocked up on infield depth, announcing a one-year, $1.2 million contract with Andy Ibáñez on Tuesday. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, which is full, the team designated for assignment fellow infielder Ryan Fitzgerald, who was claimed off waivers last Friday.
www.mlb.com www.mlb.com
 


Sweet memories

youtube.com

Deja vu!

The Twins are still the only team to turn two triple plays in the same MLB game! July 17, 1990 at Fenway Park.Don't forget to subscribe! https://www.youtube....
youtube.com youtube.com
 








Breakin' The Plane said:
I don't think Caratini is more than a backup. His arm stinks. He threw out only 1 out of 27 runners last year.
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On a team with no $$ to spare, spending $7 million on a back-up catcher instead of your bullpen would be incredibly dumb. But we are talking about incompetent Derek Falvey, so probably.
 


howeda7 said:
On a team with no $$ to spare, spending $7 million on a back-up catcher instead of your bullpen would be incredibly dumb. But we are talking about incompetent Derek Falvey, so probably.
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Gotta go with ya on that Howie
 

RE Culprpper: Gleeman has him as his second ranked Twins prospect, and possibly making his Big League debut this season -

Kaelen Culpepper, SS​

Born: 2002 | Bats: Right | Acquired: 2024 draft

Culpepper’s first full season was a rousing success, as the 2024 first-round pick emerged as a consensus top-100 prospect and was named Twins minor league player of the year. He hit .289/.375/.469 split between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita, with 20 homers and 25 steals in 113 games.

There were pre-draft questions regarding Culpepper’s power, patience and odds of sticking at shortstop, and he made encouraging strides in all three areas. Reviews of his fielding were positive, highlighting solid range, good instincts and a great arm that would also fit well at third base if needed.

Culpepper is prone to chasing off-speed pitches out of the zone, but walked more (50) and struck out less (90) than expected. He reached the 20-homer mark despite having the system’s third-highest groundball rate, suggesting the potential for more power if he can learn to elevate pitches consistently.

He profiles as an above-average regular with All-Star upside at an infield spot still to be determined. And while Culpepper has played just 139 games in the minors and has yet to face Triple-A competition, it’s not unrealistic to think the 23-year-old could make his big-league debut this season.
 


Unregistered User said:
Not yet.

He and his wife really want to stay here.

Shocking, but Philly most likely landing spot if he’s moved.
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FWIW, per The Athletic’s article on the signing (Phillies interest was contingent if they couldn’t resign, JT which they could)-

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Though the Twins have long appreciated Jeffers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him depart via free agency after the season. Earlier this month, The Athletic’sMatt Gelb reported the Philadelphia Phillies showed interest in acquiring Jeffers if the team couldn’t retain J.T. Realmuto, who agreed earlier today to a new three-year deal. Without Caratini, losing Jeffers would have been a massive loss, as the team is thin on major league-ready catching options.

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