We’re nearing the end of the postseason, and that means awards season is about to take over. For the Twins, the list of legitimate possibilities looks pretty short, but there are still a few names worth watching over the next several days and weeks.
One of the clearest candidates is Brooks Lee, who is up for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award on Sunday. His 2026 season turned into one of the best stories on the roster.
Last winter, Lee was told he needed to improve at shortstop, and he responded by putting in the work and arriving at Spring Training quicker and more explosive. But as the year unfolded, it became obvious that his best home was third base, where he settled in and thrived.
That move paid off in a big way. Lee handled the hot corner well, and his bat took a step forward too.
The result was a 2.8 fWAR season for the 25-year-old, and the new position has now helped define his future with Minnesota. At third, he showed strong range, quick hands and a solid arm, making the transition look like a smart one.
The Twins are less likely to make noise with the BBWAA awards on Nov. 11.
A finalist in any of the five major categories - Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young, Reliever of the Year and Most Valuable Player - would be a surprise. Still, Taj Bradley has at least a chance to pick up some support in Cy Young voting.
He won’t reach finalist status, but a few fifth-place votes wouldn’t be out of the question after a season that included 205 strikeouts, 178 1/3 innings, a 3.73 ERA and a .214 opponents’ batting average. He ranked fifth in the American League in strikeouts, 10th in innings, 11th in ERA and sixth in opponents’ batting average.
Nov. 11 will also bring the All-MLB teams, and Minnesota has five nominees in the mix: Kody Clemens, Lee, Ryan Jeffers, Byron Buxton and Bradley. Whether any of them land on the first or second team remains to be seen, but all five were recognized for strong seasons.
Jeffers probably had the clearest path if he had stayed healthy. There was even a case to be made that he was on his way toward downballot MVP consideration before the injuries changed the picture. Still, Minnesota’s group gives the club a handful of names to follow when the All-MLB selections are announced in Las Vegas.
Another Twins player who could draw some attention is Luke Keaschall, though the source of that attention may depend on the award. He started the season at second base, moved to center field for a stretch and finished in right field, so the positional shuffle could keep him under the radar.
Even so, he put together a strong offensive year, finishing with a .374 on-base percentage that topped every full-time right fielder in the American League. He also added excellent baserunning.
Keaschall likely won’t take home a Silver Slugger this season, and the slow start plus the lack of one fixed defensive home will work against him. But he’s at least in the conversation, and the piece of the season he did put together suggests he has a chance to win one down the road.
In Other News...
Twins Just Opened A New Question At DH
Minnesotas offseason began with a clean little roster reset, and one of the first openings is at designated hitter. Josh Bell, who spent this past season as the clubs primary DH while also filling in at first base at times, is now a free agent after the Twins declined his mutual option. It is the kind of move that does not close the door on a reunion, but it does put one of the teams more familiar bats back on the market.
The same day brought another contract decision with a longer horizon attached to it, as the Twins moved on from Joe Ryans 2027 mutual option while keeping him under club control through arbitration for 2026. For now, the bigger short-term issue is Bells spot in the lineup and whether Minnesota wants to shop for a different answer there, or see if the market and its own plans line up again before spring. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Roster Cleanup Leaves One Bullpen Question Fans Will Watch Closely
The Twins used a roster-clearing move to open some space this week, parting ways with Anthony Banda, Aaron Sabato and Tristan Gray and trimming down a 40-man roster that is likely to keep shifting as winter progresses. Bandas situation is the clearest of the three, with the left-hander coming off surgery to repair a lat strain and expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season, a setback that makes his departure more a matter of practicality than surprise.
What comes next is the part Twins fans will be watching closest, especially in the bullpen, where the front office is weighing several ways to add depth. Taylor Rogers remains a possible reunion, while Adrian Morejon and Raisel Iglesias are among the other arms being discussed as Minnesota looks for help that can stabilize the relief corps rather than simply fill innings. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Suddenly Have A Rotation Decision Fans Will Notice
Michael Kings decision to decline his 2027 player option has put one of the markets more intriguing arms on the board, and the timing makes him worth watching for teams still sorting out their pitching plans. The right-hander can first negotiate exclusively with the Padres for a five-day window before he is free to talk with every club, and that has naturally raised the question of whether the Twins should even consider getting involved as they evaluate their rotation depth.
King has been one of the more effective starters in baseball over the past three seasons since arriving in San Diego from the Yankees, which is exactly why his name comes up when teams start looking for stability at the top and middle of a staff. Minnesota is not widely viewed as a likely landing spot, but the Twins have enough uncertainty on the mound that a proven arm like King would at least fit the profile of the kind of swing that can change a winter, even if the path to making it happen still looks long. [Read more 🡒]