5 Minnesota Twins Out of Options – Who Makes the Cut?

Spring Training activities are well underway for the Minnesota Twins. Derek Shelton has a different look and feel to his camp, and Minnesota is hoping they can beat current projections for the 2026 season.

We have already taken a preliminary look at what the Opening Day roster could look like. More of those decisions are going to be on the horizon.

% Chance Out of Option MN Twins Make Opening Day Roster

When it comes to assessing close competitions, there should always be a level of weight placed on a player that would likely be lost if they don’t make the team. Minnesota currently has five players out of options in camp, but which of them make the team?

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(SP) Simeon Woods Richardson | 100%

Woods Richardson doesn’t have much of a ceiling, but he has a respectable floor. Although he has now allowed nine runs (eight earned) in just 11.0 Grapefruit League innings, his recent track record works in his favor. Across 245 innings the last two seasons, he owns a 4.11 ERA (4.30 FIP).

Possessing a solid floor for a back-end starter, Woods Richardson will be given every chance to stick. He’s not going to pass through waivers, and if the MN Twins decide to move on at some point this season, then he’ll quickly find a change of scenery landing spot.

Mick Abel has been dominant this spring. Across 10.0 IP, he has allowed just five hits, no runs, and has a 13/0 K/BB. If he ultimately lands in the rotation though, it could be usurping Zebby Matthews, or because Bailey Ober isn’t right.

(RP) Anthony Banda | 100%

The Twins were able to land Banda because the Los Angeles Dodgers waived him in their own roster crunch. He’ll likely be one of the best arms in the Twins bullpen, and he’s coming off a World Series winning experience.

Last season Banda owned a 3.18 ERA (4.52 FIP) across 65 innings for the Dodgers. He had 61 strikeouts, and brings another strong lefty arm for Shelton to lean on.

1B Kody Clemens | 85%

From the outset of the offseason it appeared as though Kody Clemens was someone the Minnesota Twins were going to keep around. Picked up from the Phillies last year, he parlayed his first consistent playing time (112 games) into a 96 OPS+.

Clemens certainly faded down the stretch, but his 19 home runs were impressive and he proved capable of playing all over the diamond. Clemens can mitigate some of the defensive issues that exist for Josh Bell at first base, and he can spell other spots as well.

Ultimately it wouldn’t be shocking to see Clemens play himself out of an opportunity if the carriage turns back into a pumpkin. However, ZiPS likes him to be the same sort of player producing a 1.3 fWAR in 114 games (1.4 fWAR in 2025).

It’s hard to believe Clemens would miss the 26-man roster without giving a reason to discredit his own 2025.

OF James Outman | 33%

At the deadline last summer, the Twins swapped Brock Stewart for James Outman. It was a curious move in that Outman is out of options, and he’s another left-handed outfielder.

Outman could be the backup option in centerfield, but last season he owned a career-worst -6 DRS (defensive runs saved) in the outfield.

A former well-regarded prospect, Outman has never been able to replicate the 114 OPS+ from 2023 that landed him third in Rookie of the Year voting. Last season he had just a 47 OPS+ in 59 games with Los Angeles and Minnesota.

Alan Roden still has options remaining, and he’s not an option in centerfield, but he’s definitely started stronger this spring. 7-for-17 with a home run, Roden can keep pushing Outman further down if the former Dodgers outfielder leaves the door this open.

C Alex Jackson | 0%

Minnesota also traded for Alex Jackson this offseason, and he was the backup catcher until Victor Caratini signed a two year deal. But the Twins are unlikely to carry three catchers, and Jackson is clearly the lowest on the totem pole.

A former 6th overall pick, Jackson has just a career 46 OPS+ in 160 major league games. He did post a 111 OPS+ last season in a 36 game sample for Baltimore, however.

Both players a probably someone that the Minnesota Twins could find a trade partner for, after designating them for assignment. If there’s a tandem that needs a strong finish to their spring, Outman and Jackson are it. Unless there’s an injury to the top tandem behind the plate, Jackson will likely be looking at his eighth professional organization.

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5 Minnesota Twins Out of Options – Who Makes the Cut?

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