Let's jump right in. To date, the Twins' offseason earns a C grade. While they have made some solid low-cost additions, the grade remains due to a lack of clear direction and the lingering vacuum of unreplaced talent left by last summer's trades.
Between the 2025 trade deadline, the firing of manager Rocco Baldelli, and the Pohlad family’s public vacillation on selling the team while changing leadership. The roster moves feel more like a cost-controlled remodel than a traditional rebuild.
Twins' Key Offseason Moves (To Date)
Josh Bell
- The Upside: Bell remains a capable power-hitting switch-hitter. In 2025, he hit 22 home runs with 63 RBIs for Washington. While his .237 average was a career low, his power metrics suggest he still has significant power and plate discipline.
- The Downside: Bell is 33 years old and statistically one of the worst base runners and defenders in the league.
The $7 million guarantee is an affordable commitment for a front office operating under imposed budget constraints. If Bell performs, he’s a bargain. If he struggles, the one-year term makes him easy to move on from, which earns a grade of C+.
Alex Jackson
- The Upside: Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league infielder Payton Eeles. Jackson is a defense-first catcher who will likely serve as the backup to Ryan Jeffers.
- The Downside: His career .153 average is a concern. He is a cost-effective solution for a backup role but offers little offensive upside.
While a capable backup defensively, his limited offensive upside makes this signing a C-.
Eric Orze
The first move of the offseason saw the Twins trade minor league pitcher Jacob Kisting to the Rays for right-hander Eric Orze.
- The Upside: The Twins' bullpen was gutted at the 2025 deadline. Orze posted a solid 3.02 ERA in 33 appearances last year and relies heavily on a splitter.
- The Downside: He projects more as a middle-relief stabilizer rather than a high -everage arm, but he is a necessary addition to a bullpen that currently lacks proven arms.
While capable and with upside, his lack of MLB experience and low velo hold this to a C grade.
Dan Altavilla
- The Upside: Altavilla posted a shiny 2.48 ERA across 29 innings for the White Sox. For a Twins team that needs to rebuild its bullpen on a budget, getting a veteran with a sub-2.50 ERA on a minor league deal is a logical "flyer."
- The Downside: Despite the low ERA last year, Altavilla's career metrics are concerning. While he is a low-risk depth piece, his 2025 statistics suggest they may be an anomaly heading into the 2026 season. Because he has over five years of MLB service time, Altavilla cannot be easily optioned to the minors if he makes the Opening Day roster.
While the spring training invite makes sense, he's very expendable, making this grade a C-.
Closing Thoughts
The Twins are making "smart" small moves, but they haven't addressed the glaring back-end weakness in the bullpen needed to compete at the top in the AL Central. They are currently a team built for 78–84 wins.
The final grade could jump from C to a B if the Twins can land a high-leverage reliever and solid closer before Spring Training begins, and/or these players perform above expectations. The biggest move to date has been the non-moves of Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, which keep the Twins from total rebuild mode and semi-relevant as we head towards January.