2026 Silver Slugger Awards Reveal: Everything Twins fans need to know about voting results on Nov. 17
The Baseball Insiders podcast will announce the Silver Slugger Award winners on Tuesday.
Latest news and updates about the Twins
The Baseball Insiders podcast will announce the Silver Slugger Award winners on Tuesday.
The LG Twins have inked a one‑year, $2 million extension with first baseman Austin Dean. Since arriving from MLB in 2023, Dean has posted a .320 average and 127 homers over four KBO seasons, outpunching the next best power hitter by 11 long balls. The 33‑year‑old, a former 2012 Marlins fourth‑round pick who bounced between the Marlins, Cardinals and Giants, has found his niche in Korea as a power‑hitting DH/first baseman, though his -15 Defensive Runs Saved in the majors limited his MLB prospects. The deal keeps Dean swinging in Korea for at least another season.
Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz says the team will prioritize adding depth to the rotation—like moving Grant Taylor to a starter—while using any surplus starters in the bullpen, rather than splurging on relievers. He leaves open the idea of trading from a deep in‑field prospect pool, yet says it isn’t on the table now. Meanwhile, Minnesota Twins also favor bolstering the rotation, potentially shifting a starter to fill bullpen holes, with Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley and Pablo Lopez slated as the top three arms. Lastly, Cleveland Guardians hire former Giants coach Alex Burg as quality‑control coach after a varied stint in bullpen and catching roles. The piece outlines each AL Central club’s off‑season strategy.
Boston’s offseason may get a surprise boost as the Red Sox emerge as a leading suitor for free‑agent catcher Ryan Jeffers, who just finished a strong 2026 season with Minnesota. Jeffers posted a .256/.353/.461 line with 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 92 games, ranking as the top catcher on the market despite a defensive shortfall. Boston, already deep at the position after acquiring Adley Rutschman and Jake Rogers, could slot Jeffers as the everyday starter with Connor Wong and Riley Adams backing him up. Jeffers declined a $23.15 million qualifying offer and will cost any signing team a draft pick, with projected contracts ranging $12‑$18 million per year over two to five years. The pursuit adds another bold move by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
The Silver Slugger Award winners will be announced Tuesday on the Baseball Insiders podcast. What are the chances Kody Clemens and the Twins take home the 2B and Team awards?
The Minnesota Twins have a message for agents this winter, and it has a lot to do with how they plan to approach MLB Free Agency.
The GM Meetings brought news on a Minnesota Twins outfielder, and it could complicate the offseason for Trevor Larnach.
The Twins could use a first baseman. Unfortunately, Jake Bauers is no longer an option for the club.
The San Diego Padres sign former Twins prospect Kala’i Rosario to a minor‑league deal, adding depth to their left‑field options. Rosario, a 24‑year‑old Hawaiian who posted a .260 average with 22 homers and 54 RBIs across Double‑A and Triple‑A in 2026, has a career .252 line, .806 OPS, 95 home runs and 354 RBIs. The move gives San Diego a potential outfield upgrade and may allow a full‑time shift of Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base. Rosario will compete in spring training, and if promoted he follows fellow Hawaiian Kirby Yates as a notable Padres alum.
DaShawn Keirsey Jr., a former 2018 fourth‑round pick of the Minnesota Twins, signs a minor‑league deal with Atlanta and spends most of 2026 in Triple‑A Gwinnett, where he posts a .295 wOBA, steals 40 of 43 attempts and hits .290 xWOBA. Injuries to Lane Thomas earn him a September call‑up; he appears in five games, scoring the winning run in a 10th‑inning 3‑2 victory over the Reds on Sept. 23 and recording a single as a pinch‑hit the day before. Despite solid speed, his major‑league line is limited to five plate appearances with a 0‑for‑4 start on Sept. 27. Keirsey makes the Wild Card roster but sees no action, leaving his big‑league future uncertain due to persistently high strikeout rates.
Minnesota Twins GM Jeremy Zoll announces the promotion of longtime minor‑league coach Jonas Lovin to the major‑league staff as assistant to new pitching coach Brian Reith. Lovin, who spent three seasons coaching in the Twins system—including stints at High‑A Cedar Rapids and Triple‑A before serving as a minor‑league assistant pitching coordinator—takes over after the departures of Pete Maki and Luis Ramirez. Bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins stays on staff. Zoll praises Lovin’s impact on developing young arms like Taj Bradley, Dean Kremer and prospects Mick Abel, Connor Prielipp, Zebby Matthews and Kendry Rojas, hoping the revamped group will bolster the rotation heading into 2027.
The Minnesota Twins have several holes to fill on their roster this offseason.
Plus, one old friend (Emilio Pagán) gets the free-agent reliever market underway and another old friend (Louis Varland) is voted the best reliever in the league.
Reliever A.J. Minter proved his value after returning from lat surgery, posting a 2.35 ERA in 23 outings for the New York Mets before being dealt to the Minnesota Twins on July 31, 2026. While his strikeout rate slipped to 21.7%, he limited hard contact (36.8%) and walks (2.2%). The Twins saw him finish the season with a 2.78 ERA, a modest bounce‑back in K% (22.3%) but a higher walk rate (6.4%). At 33, Minter’s solid but unspectacular performance likely earns him a one‑year deal, while the Mets cash in on a reliable late‑inning arm amid a non‑playoff year.
After a disastrous 103‑loss 2016 season dubbed the “Total System Failure,” the Minnesota Twins revamped their front office rather than overhauling the roster. Ownership promoted Derek Falvey to Executive Vice President and Thad Levine to General Manager, hoping Falvey’s Cleveland pitching pipeline and Levine’s experience would stabilize operations. The offseason saw modest roster moves: catchers Kurt Suzuki and Juan Centeno departed, while Jason Castro and Chris Gimenez arrived; relievers Matt Belisle and Craig Breslow were added, along with versatile INF/OF Ehire Adrianza. The new “Falvine” duo pledged a measured approach, leaving the 2016‑17 offseason relatively quiet despite the franchise‑worst loss total.
Discover how Bombo Rivera became a Minnesota Twins fan favorite, inspired a Garrison Keillor song, and received 971 votes for student body president.
The Padres are fielding offers for catchers Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano as they consider a trade this offseason, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union‑Tribune. Both veterans become expendable with 20‑year‑old Ethan Salas emerging as the franchise’s future catcher after a .296/.374/.448 debut and postseason starts. Fermin provides elite defense but a weak .203/.274/.315 bat, while Campusano posted a solid .265/.363/.433 line with eight homers in 248 PA despite lingering defensive flaws. With Fermin’s $2.6M arbitration salary and Campusano’s $1.7M projected cost, several clubs—including the Yankees, Twins and Marlins—are reportedly scouting the backup catcher market.
The Minnesota Twins, traditionally frugal, are now publicly declaring they will spend in the upcoming free‑agent market, warning skeptics not to "laugh." With the current CBA set to expire on Dec. 1 and talks of a potential salary‑cap looming, the club signals intent to make early offers. While marquee pitcher Tarik Skubal may be out of reach, catcher Ryan Jeffers—who posted a .256/.353/.461 line with 14 HRs and 56 RBIs in 92 games—could be a target as he hits free agency. The move hints at a more aggressive offseason strategy.
Will the Twins be able to get the return they want in a Larnach trade after the outfielder's latest injury news?
Ryan Jeffers will reportedly decline his qualifying offer. But that doesn't mean Minnesota won't bring him back.
The Twins face a lighter 40‑man roster deadline on November 17, with only a handful of prospects in contention. Relievers C.J. Culpepper, who relies on ground balls, and Paulshawn Pasqualotto, who posted a 3.73 ERA with a strong changeup and splitter across three minor‑league levels, are top candidates. Outfielder Yasser Mercedes, the most intriguing prospect despite a high‑A assignment, flashes power (18 HR) and speed (52 SB) and is posting a .302/.389/.488 line in the Arizona Fall League. Infielder Tanner Schobel offers solid defense and contact but lacks power. The Twins’ recent Rule 5 picks (Eiberson Castellanos, Daniel Susac) suggest they may add another reliever or catcher.
Taking a look at the Minnesota Twins' most tradeable players with the 2026 GM Meetings underway.
The New York Mets are reportedly reaching out to former bullpen lefty AJ Minter, a 2021 World Series champion with the Braves, as they prep for the 2027 season amid a looming MLB lockout. Minter, who pitched for the Mets in 2025‑26 before being traded to the Twins, offers veteran consistency the club hopes will anchor its young core after a disappointing 74‑88 finish in 2026. Sources say the Mets aim to finalize a deal before the December 1 CBA deadline.
Chris Sale lands third in NL Cy Young voting, trailing Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sanchez, and could have topped the poll with more innings. Fellow Braves reliever Raisel Iglesias finishes fifth for NL Reliever of the Year, while Didier Fuentes and Dylan Lee also receive votes. The post also recaps Luke Williams’ 2026 player review, notes Cam Schlittler’s AL Cy Young win, Ryan Jeffers rejecting the Twins’ qualifying offer, Chris Martin’s retirement, and Brad Ausmus being hired as the Astros’ new manager.
The Minnesota Twins sent a hometown arm to Toronto at the 2025 trade deadline, and Louis Varland just capped a breakout season with some new hardware.