Beyond the bullpen, an obvious area of need, finding a capable starting first baseman is a priority. At the moment, the job appears likely to fall to Kody Clemens. If that’s the extent of their plan, Derek Shelton’s team can’t be taken seriously. Fortunately, there are low-wattage options available on the open market.

Slugging Help at First Base on the Horizon

Minnesota acquired Kody Clemens last season as injuries continued to pile up, and he handled his first extended opportunity in the big leagues reasonably well. Still, expecting another step forward, or simply allowing first base to go unaddressed, would be risky. According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, the Twins have at least explored external options.

Team and league sources confirmed Wednesday that the Twins inquired about or have shown interest in veterans Rhys Hoskins, Josh Bell and 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn, among others.

The Athletic

None of the reported candidates are particularly inspiring, but the bar to clear for improved offensive production is not high. In 112 games last season, Clemens hit .216/.284/.442, good for a just-below-average 96 OPS+. While that was easily the best showing of his career, his performance dipped significantly in the second half.

The Twins are heavily left-handed at their power positions, which makes either Rhys Hoskins or Josh Bell a potential fit. Hoskins, who recently signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, posted a 108 OPS+ last season and once looked like an ideal target. Bell, a switch hitter, recorded a 110 OPS+ in 2025 and brings proven power, with 193 career home runs.

Ryan O'Hearn demolishes the 4th @Padres home run of the night 😳 pic.twitter.com/JJ96j5xZj5

— MLB (@MLB) August 21, 2025

Former Kansas City Royals infielder Ryan O’Hearn also fits the profile. He appeared to unlock another level in Baltimore under former Twins hitting coach Matt Borgschulte. O’Hearn posted a career-best 125 OPS+ last season and earned his first All-Star selection. He would have been an ideal trade target for Minnesota had they not been a 92-loss team, but instead was dealt to the San Diego Padres at the deadline.

Path for Twins Additions Looks Murky

The Twins made it clear they don’t intend to trade their stars and still plan to add pieces. However, with the payroll currently checking in under $100 million, there isn’t much financial flexibility unless the new minority owners are willing to spend.

Still, fielding a competent roster in 2026 shouldn’t require a massive investment. Adding even a modest, needle-moving slugger at first base would be a meaningful step in the right direction.

“On the offensive side, another bat or two with some thump, with some impact, to bolster a group that we’re excited about and that young core that we’re excited to keep growing with.”

Jeremy Zoll – The Athletic

Beyond first base, the bullpen remains an unresolved concern. General manager Jeremy Zoll told The Athletic this week that Minnesota is looking to add help to supplement the current relief core. Doing so shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive, and even a modest willingness to spend could meaningfully improve the roster.

Now, the organization is headed towards a payroll shy of $100 million for the first time since 2014 and they’re looking for all the bargain bin deals they can find, both from inside and outside the organization. In other words, the expectation for “open” roster spots in 2026 is little more than a warm body.

Of course, Ryan Jeffers clears that by quite a bit, especially off an impressive 2025. Kody Clemens, on the other hand, does not. Either way, it appears both are ticketed for serious playing time this season, under new manager Derek Shelton.

Ryan Jeffers to get more time behind Minnesota Twins dish

When the MN Twins season ended back in September, Christian Vazquez saw his three-year, $30 million deal come to an end. To fill his backup role to Jeffers, president Derek Falvey traded for veteran catcher, Alex Jackson.

Jeffers started 80, 81 and 73 games behind the plate the past three seasons, splitting time evenly with Vázquez. Presumably, the 2026 plan is for Jeffers to start 100-plus games, with Jackson — projected to make $1.8 million via arbitration — taking the remaining 50 or so. Jeffers could also be a trade candidate ahead of his walk year.

Aaron Gleeman – The Athletic

During the recent general managers’ meetings, Twins president Derek Falvey made it clear Jeffers would handle the bulk of the catching duties: “We’ll intend for him to take down a lot of the games,” a message the veteran said is music to his ears.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

Asking Ryan Jeffers to play 100-plus games behind the dish is a big jump from what he is used to. He has played in 119 and 122 games the past two seasons respectively, but only 80 and 81 of those games came as the starting catcher.

Minnesota remained relatively steadfast that splitting time, despite Vazquez owning just a 57 OPS+, was the most straightforward way to keep Jeffers’ production up.

He batted .266/.356/.397 last season, and the .490 slugging percentage from 2023 was nowhere to be seen. It remains questionable if a larger workload won’t simply sap his output even further.

Cody Clemens is (probably) your 2026 MN Twins first baseman

Unfortunately, the answers at first base aren’t as obvious, after the Twins traded Gold Glove winning first baseman Ty France and lack funds to find a suitable replacement.

Cody Clemens was a waiver claim after being dumped by the Philadelphia Phillies. His 91 OPS+ in 112 games was a career high. However, he had just a .482 OPS lefties with a .782 OPS against righties wasn’t exactly earth-shattering either.

Dan Hayes and Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic believe Shelton already has his first baseman on the 40-man roster, in Clemens, even after his lackluster performance at the plate in 2025, when given regular playing time.

My assumption coming into the offseason was that adding a good veteran bat at first base would be a priority, but instead, Falvey has indicated the job might be Clemens’ to lose…If the Twins aren’t even going to be in the market for a mid-tier free-agent first baseman — along the lines of, say, Carlos Santana two years ago — then that’s a pretty strong indication they’re not serious about investing in the roster. 

Aaron Gleeman – The Athletic

It’s a relative assumption that the MN Twins aren’t interested in putting their best foot forward this season. Using Clemens as an every day first baseman would be completely indicative of that. Also, Edouard Julien is a lefty as well, negating any platoon option there.

Bullpen could see young faces round out roles

There is next to nothing left for the Minnesota Twins bullpen after the trade deadline. It’s the most important and necessary place for Derek Falvey to rebuild this offseason.

Thankfully for him, it’s also a relatively cheap area to make additions. That doesn’t stop either Hayes or Gleeman from opining that young arms may fill key roles.

Prielipp and Raya were identified by Falvey as bullpen options earlier this month, and you can see the upside, but both will face big learning curves.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

It makes sense for both Prielipp and Raya to be involved in the Twins bullpen this season. The former has struggled to stay healthy, but turned in 82 2/3 innings this season and had 98 strikeouts.

Raya flopped in a massive way this season and his starting prospects could be all but gone. Despite being at Triple-A, he owned a 6.02 ERA and had 57 walks to his 102 strikeouts.

Both players realistically look like upside plays in the bullpen. If things settle in right, they could eventually move their way back into starting plans.

What all of these situations add up to though, is a franchise looking to cut the closest corners for the cheapest figure imaginable.

Of course the MN Twins now have a secret weapon at their disposal. When the team traded for Kody Clemens with the Philadelphia Phillies they didn’t just get a utility player wanting a chance to prove himself.

What a moment 😮

Kody Clemens homers in his first game at Fenway Park … of course Roger Clemens was there to go crazy for it! pic.twitter.com/QWGhEExl36

— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2025

Minnesota also got a should-be-Hall-of-Famer in Roger Clemens that all of a sudden had an interest in the ballclub. It was fun when Kody homered in his first game at Fenway Park. He didn’t homer at Yankee Stadium (he tripled), but that didn’t stop Roger from sharing wisdom.

Roger Clemens imparts wisdom on Minnesota Twins pitchers

The Minnesota Twins pitching staff was gutted at the trade deadline. They now routinely employ bullpen games and have new relievers in leverage spots. What better person to talk pitching with than living legend Roger Clemens. MLB.com’s Bill Ladson noted the impact it had in a rain delayed contest on Thursday.

Minnesota relievers Funderburk and Justin Topa pitched the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a run. They had extra motivation to do well. The relievers spoke to Clemens’ dad, Roger Clemens, in the bullpen before the game. The man who won seven Cy Young Awards during his career was teaching the pitchers about the mental part of the game.

Clemens talked to the relief corps because they are a much younger group now, after the team traded veteran relievers like Jhoan Duran, Brock Stewart and Griffin Jax before the July 31 MLB Trade Deadline.

“[Clemens] was out there talking about his mentality, routine, what made him dominate. It was pretty cool,” Topa said. “ … Hearing how he attacked guys and pitching inside, it was a good thing for all of our guys.”

MLB.com

Sure, Roger Clemens used steroids while MLB Commissioner Bud Selig profited off of it (and was ultimately inducted into the Hall of Fame), so you can miss me with that. The reality is that Clemens owns a career 3.12 ERA with 4,672 strikeouts, an MVP, and seven Cy Young awards.

Related: Minnesota Twins Pitcher Underwent Scary Surgery

To say he is among the best five or ten pitchers to ever step on a big league mound would not be an understatement. That he’s willing to impart wisdom on his son’s teammates is just an added bonus.

Immediate work done while Clemens watches MN Twins

Kody Clemens didn’t get any pitching help from his dad on Thursday night, but he kept doing what he has done all year for the Twins. Given a path to playing time, he has produced. A two-run triple broke the game open and gave Minnesota a chance to end the streak.

Kody delivers with an RBI triple! pic.twitter.com/wzNCcjPXsf

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 14, 2025

Leading 4-1, it was up to Topa. The reliever acquired as the key big league piece in the Jorge Polanco trade, has never been put in a higher-leverage role than he is right now. With Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Louie Varland all gone, manager Rocco Baldelli has leaned on the veteran.

Since the trade deadline, Topa has pitched in six games for Minnesota. All of them have been high-leverage, and he has not entered a game before the 7th inning. Across seven innings pitched he has not allowed a run on just four hits and a walk. Topa has also struck out six.

Related: Former MN Twins Fireballer Likely Done for Year

Minnesota needs to establish the next wave of leverage arms with such a significant departure taking place. Topa is making just $1.23 million this season, and he has a $2 million team option next year. Clemens could be proud of the pitcher he turns into.

The good news for Minnesota is that Cartaya passed through waivers unclaimed and will stay in the organization. His departure from the 40-man roster left an open spot for the front office to work with.

It seemed like the opening could have been for standout Triple-A outfielder Carson McCusker. For now at least, that’s not going to be the case. Roger Clemens hasn’t played since 2007. His son Kody is now coming to the Twins organization.

Kody Clemens joins the Minnesota Twins organization

The Philadelphia Phillies recently designated utility player Kody Clemens for assignment. As the Minnesota Twins did with Jonah Bride from the Miami Marlins, they swung a trade to add him to the roster.

Twins acquiring Kody Clemens from the Phillies, source tells @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 26, 2025

Kody Clemens is not his father. He hasn’t been connected to steroids, but he also hasn’t been very good. Roger Clemens should be in the Hall of Fame. Kody Clemens has never played more than 56 games at the big league level during a single season.

This season Clemens has just six at bats in seven games for the Philadelphia Phillies this season. He is hitless with a walk. Across 153 career games Clemens owns a .197/.244/.367 slash line. He has 20 doubles, a triple, and 14 home runs.

Thank you Philly! It was an amazing chapter in my book! Thankful for all the memories and relationships I’ve created over the past 3 seasons!

Extremely excited for this new opportunity in Minnesota!

Let’s go Twins! pic.twitter.com/DrcQwTj2Ka

— Kody Clemens (@kodyclem) April 26, 2025

The former third round pick plays all over the place but primarily has factored in at first and third base. He could spell Ty France for the Minnesota Twins, and he’ll add additional depth after the injury to Luke Keaschall. Minnesota will be without their second base prospect for a matter of weeks after he suffered a forearm fracture on Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Clemens has a level of familiarity with the AL Central as he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. He made his big league debut with the organization in 2022 as well.

MN Twins roster shuffle incoming

It was announced that Keaschall fractured his forearm after Friday night’s game. Of course the Twins didn’t make an immediate roster move. He will be placed on the injured list Saturday, and it stands to reason that Clemens will take his spot.

Royce Lewis is currently rehabbing with the St. Paul Saints. He hadn’t played since injuring his hamstring during Spring Training on March 16. He could rejoin the big league club on Monday in Cleveland if they want to expedite his timeline.

Related: Minnesota Twins Lose Exciting Young Call Up to Injury

Clemens will get an immediate opportunity to factor in for Minnesota. Rocco Baldelli’s infield is relatively stretched while rostering Jonah Bride, Mickey Gasper, and Clemens. The sooner they can return to a relative level of health, the better.