Are we talking to open the season, or are we talking in the future? Maybe even the near future? That changes my opinions for sure. 

And I prefer to stay out of trade scenarios as they are so arbitrary. 

CATCHER: Nobody is ready to replace Jeffers. In fact, they need to spend a few $M to find a decent backup as well who can catch 35% of the games in 2026. And trade ideas mess with my head. We trade prospects for a different catcher that might cost the same, or more, $ plus prospects? I’m not sure I see reasoning there.

So at least in the short term, the Twins have a solid, experienced game caller with a better than average bat. Way better than average for a backstop. With a little more time, Cardenas or someone else might step up as a viable ML catcher to at least help. But starting help is a good 2yrs away. 

But having the bat and experience of Jeffers behind the plate is a good place to start, for now, at least to begin 2026.

SHORT STOP: I don’t believe anyone believed Lee was a ML SS on any long term basis when drafted. Seems to me he was always going to end up at 3B or 2B. And that can still happen with different speculative views of the INF. I believe he’s got the basic instincts, hands, transition ability, and enough arm to handle SS for opening day, with room to still improve. 

I think we often forget how young and truly inexperienced he is as a 24yo simply because he was a hyped high draft choice. My biggest disappointment so far is his bat. He’s showing some power, and some ability to hit for sure. But he’s been almost “Miranda-like” in a false confidence to trust his bat to ball contact ability that ends up with too much WEAK contact. BUT, he actually seems to recognize this issue. The question remains if he can go beyond recognition and actually FIX the issue. If he does, his BAT suddenly starts to increase his worth as a ML INF.

IMO, he’s not only OK to begin 2026 as the Twins SS, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he looked smoother, and we saw at least a small uptick in AVG, OB, K, and BB numbers. And again, I can see different INF configurations of him at 3B or 2B at some point. 

What I see as ideal, MY OPINION, is improvement in his BAT and overall glove work and he becomes a quasi-starter across the entire INF. No reason he can’t end up as a solid backup 1B in addition to the other 3 spots.

He OPENS as the 2026 SS but he gives way to K-Pepper by July 1st. Frankly, Culpepper is quicker, faster, more athletic, has a stronger arm, and should be the superior defender. So that addressed OPENING 2026, but looking down the road a bit with a better starting option.

Houston is a couple years away from challenging. Unless they uncover a “Castro” surprise, or spend a little $ on what will undoubtedly be a limited budget, Fitzgerald and Eeles provide immediate depth. That isn’t great, but I don’t believe Fitzgerald will embarrass himself as a temporary option. And if Eeles has his legs back under him 100%, he might surprise as a depth option.

But it’s Lee to begin next season, though I don’t believe he finishes 2026 there. That improves the defense, and the depth.

SECOND BASE: Keaschall has more than enough quickness, speed, and athleticism to make plays at 2B. We all know how the bat/offense plays. But some of his throws have been bad, and he’s looking mechanical fielding the ball at times. But the TJ recovery and subsequent broken forearm has really messed with his ability to get repetition at 2B for 2 full years now. I have no doubt he’s going to be at least average at 2B in short order. He might even become very good with a little more time and work.

He’s just not Julien at 2B.

Speaking of Julien, I’m not convinced he’s even back for 2026, though there might be enough 40 man room to keep him around for now. But Fitzgerald and Eeles also figure in to depth at 2B for 2026. Again, Lee may also down the road when K-Pepper comes up. 

But when we talk about up the middle defense and players and depth, I think Schobel should be included. He was a major disappointment in 2024. But this past season he really took off! Unfortunately, right after his promotion to St Paul he was hurt and didn’t appear again until very late in the season. But I don’t think he should be written off. 

SS/2B PROGNOSIS: Lee and Keaschall to start the 2026 season, which isn’t great to start the season. OK, not horrible, but not great.

But a couple months in to the 2026 season? Keaschall is starting to feel comfortable again at 2B. Culpepper is up and flashing and Lee starts the transition to Super Sub. Fitzgerald might perform better than expected and stick around, but IDEALLY, Eeles is back to his fully healthy 2024 self and is an almost direct replacement for Castro. Additionally, Schobel is doing great at St Paul and we suddenly feel a lot better about the INF and depth.

Further down the line, since they’ve been brought up, DeBarge is doing well, as are Salas and DeAndrade. Why wasn’t DeAndrade mentioned in the OP? He’s very talented, still young, and just needs to stay healthy. He might just jump a few others in 2026 and rise again in prospect rankings.

CENTER FIELD: Well, this is obviously a healthy Buxton. My only wish is that he “accepts” being a #2 or #3 hitter so he has more runners to knock in. He doesn’t even have to be as good as he was in 2025 to be a stud and potential All Star. He remains an excellent CF defender, though I’m thankful he finally decided he didn’t have to sacrifice his body on a daily basis.

Obvious depth is Rodriguez being healthy, having a good Winter League, and a good ST and just taking over a corner spot…maybe RF and let Wallner DH primarily…and run with the opportunity, even with some ups and downs. Right behind him is Jenkins, oh so close to his debut.

Futher depth would be Martin. Can’t believe I’m saying this but, if Martin could improve even half as much as he’s improved in LF over last season, he might be a viable backup in CF. Roden and Fedko are additional options “as needed” but not part of great or future depth. That belongs to Rodriguez and Jenkins, with the possibility of Winokur a few years off.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

CATCHER is fine for 2026 with a decent backup. Long term is very interesting. Mid term is a mess without an extension of Jeffers, OR, another Suzuki, Vazquez type signing for 2027. But the future looks bright if we can find a bridge.

INFIELD IN TOTAL: Way worse defense than we’d all like for opening day. Much better mid season when Keaschall is more comfortable and Culpepper comes up to flash with the bat and glove and move Lee to his super utility spot. And there are some very nice depth pieces on their way.

CENTER FIELD: Buxton is THE MAN, and very well could be for a couple more seasons. But Rodriguez and Jenkins are just behind him and for the first time in years, the FO doesn’t have to look for a fill in type of player. They should dump Keirsey and Outman man from the 40 man…just admit Outman was a mistake and offer either a MILB deal…and realize Roden and Fedko are just younger and have more potential…and roll with the younger players/prospects.

So SHORT TERM and LONGER TERM there ARE solid option UP THE MIDDLE. But there is a difference from Opening Day vs July 1st.