2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Minnesota Twins

Thanks to the three-batter minimum, though, teams need lefties to get both left-handed and right-handed hitters out to survive. Hence, why the Dodgers were likely fine with losing Banda.

Eric Orze, acquired from the Rays in the summer, does have a three-pitch mix (fastball/splitter/slider) that works against both sides. Orze struck out 40 over 41.2 IP and posted a 3.02 ERA for Tampa last season.

As for the offense, the Twins picked up three notable hitters: Josh Bell, Victor Caratini, and Eric Wagaman.

Bell signed a one-year deal with the Twins after the veteran switch-hitter had a very good second half. He’ll look to be a stabilizing presence as a likely designated hitter and part-time first baseman.

Wagaman was acquired for a Minor League reliever. A former Yankees farmhand, Wagaman saw regular playing time with the Marlins last season. And as we noted in January, Wagaman is good against lefties, making him a good platoon option with Kody Clemens.

Caratini had a good 2025 with the Astros, a season where he picked up 26 extra-base hits, including 12 home runs. Like Bell, Caratini is a switch-hitter and will likely tandem with Ryan Jeffers.

Aside from the names mentioned above, the Twins added a plethora of notable Major League veterans on Minor League deals. Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin, Gio Urshela, and Julian Merryweather were among the players who received MiLB deals from Minnesota over the winter.

Losses

• INF Mickey Gasper
• OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
• INF Edouard Julien
• OF Carson McCusker
• 1B Jose Miranda
• SP Pierson Ohl
• C Christian Vazquez

The Twins did not trade Joe Ryan or Pablo Lopez this winter despite the smoke around them. Instead, it was a more reserved winter as far as losses went. Unsurprising, given how many players exited in July.

Hulking slugger Carson McCusker didn’t hit well in his brief MLB debut last season. The Twins cut him in the summer, a move that allowed McCusker to join Rakuten in the Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan) league.

Pierson Ohl, who had a good rise in the Minors last season, was shipped to Colorado alongside Edouard Julien for a Minor League pitcher.

The trade also ended Julien’s complicated run with the Minnesota Twins.

Overview

Heading into 2026, the Twins were going to be behind the ball to begin 2026, regardless of whether Lopez and Ryan were still on the team. However, having both ready and healthy could have made things interesting in the AL Central.

That won’t be the case. Lopez had season-ending surgery, leaving the Twins without their ace and with more questions than answers. Yes, the Twins have a lot of pitchers with potential who can take advantage of a loss. Still, it’s a big one for a team that needed all the help it could get to compete with the Guardians, Tigers, and Royals.

For this season, it’ll be more about which young players can take the next step forward, as the rebuild in Minnesota marches on.