Projecting Minnesota’s 2025 Line-Up

I did this same thing a week ago on here for a 2025 Roster everything here is the exact same that I put except I put Sabato at DH instead of Sano.

I can see everything shaking out like you indicated, but also agree that it is more likely than not that Sano is not part of our team then and someone else will be our DH.

That actually may not be too different than our 2023 lineup. 
 

Agree with the cjm that Sabato could be in the DH spot by 2025. 
 

Rortvedt will hopefully be around and doing up to 1/2 the catching. He’s very good and our catching should be set for years behind Jeffers and Rortvedt. 
 

My big question mark is SS. Nothing would make me happier than to see Lewis there.  But I think the jury is still out as to his defensive skill base. I could see us looking for a different solution and then Lewis mans RF. A four man outfield of Martin, Buxton, Lewis and Larnach (with Larnach providing a left handed DH option as well) could be a winning combo for years. 
 

Another great attribute of this lineup is the cost.  Between ‘23 and ‘25, only Buxton, Polanco and Sano cost very much (excluding extensions and what we do at SS). That entire lineup, even with bench players Rortvedt, Arraez, and some combo of Gordon, Celestino,  Rooker, etc. would probably run less than $50MM per annum.  That leaves plenty to build the pitching staff, particularly with one top end FA or trade starter and, of course, a shut down pen.

I'm not fretting about ‘22. In fact I will be judging the year on how our young talent develops. But I’m sure getting excited about the window that will start to open in ‘23.  

Very interesting that all of your lineup are presently in the Twins organization with only Sano needing to be extended to still be around in '25.

Like Nashville, I would expect Rortvedt to split the catching duties or even be the main guy as his defense is much better.  A few of the younger kids will need to continue improving towards their ceiling.  Hopefully, one or two will max out and become a real star.

What your presentation really says, however, is that any position players the Twins bring in should be on very short contracts, ie, next year's shortstop.  Do you envision Arraez still being around as a utility guy and part-time DH? 

Not that I want to jump to 2025, but if those guys progress the way they have potential to, that will be a lot of decent guys at or near prime years.  A couple just past prime or just before.  Might be an exciting year, if we have some pitching to go along with them. 

 Sooooooooo, basically the same lineup many want for 2022?

If Sabato is with the Twins in 2025, Wallner should be too. Rooker and Sano will probably not be on the team.

If all of them are available it means we have not made the big trade that everybody is hoping for

I think this is just about spot on when trying to forward project with the best possible accuracy. I'm 50/50 on Sano being on the club. I think there's a good chance, as dex8425 stated, that Sabato and Wallner are on the club by then. Good chance Sabato is the primary DH with others rolling through the spot on occasion. 

Taking things a bit further, I'd also see Celestino as the primary 4th OF. I just have a good feeling about him and think he just fits so many roles as a PR/4th OF with range and acceptable arm, who should decent power/pop and SB ability.

The reserve infield options are just so hard to predict! As much as I love Arraez and think he can be a key part of the top of the lineup the next few years, and while also believing Gordon just may carve out a nice niche as a speedy, athletic, multi-depth piece, I can absolutely see both Steer and Julian pushing for spots to replace them by then.

The thing I'm really excited about when you look at this player roster is the tremendous flexibility you have not only in regard lineup construction, but the versatility for so many guys to fit in to so many different positions comfortably due to days off or injury.

I am really, really hoping the Twins can keep this new, potential nucleus in place while still adding to the pitching side the next year or two, without compromising what we are seeing here. FA is an option that only costs $, not prospects. And for the 100th time, sorry, can they add via trade without said compromise by pulling off another Odorizzi or Maeda type of trade?

Forget Larnach.  If he is brought up by the Twins again, I expect he will prove he cannot hit Major League pitching and will be gone forever.  Don't give up on Kepler. If he hits well in 2022, he'll  probably be a Twin in 2025.

You're projecting 3 FULL seasons from now.  I expect there to be greater roster turnover by then.  Yes, Buxton will be in CF and Polanco will probably be at 2B but too many of our current players are in your 2025 projection.  I'm not down on Larnach.  Far from it.  I just see Larnach being dealt for SP'ing.  I see Rortvedt as the starting catcher. And maybe Trevor Story as our SS.  We have no idea who the Twins would have drafted and who would have matriculated up to the Big leagues quickly.  Maybe we sign an international player who explodes in the minors and is the next Juan Soto ??  I like the overall topic, but looking three FULL seasons ahead you need a crystal ball, and none of us have that.