In less than three weeks, the Twins will pack up and leave Florida, venturing to St. Louis to begin their season.

There’s still much to be settled before that point as the Twins sift through their options and whittle down the number of players in camp, which began at 57, to 26. But it’s coming soon.

With Opening Day on the horizon — the Twins begin the 2025 season on March 27 — here’s a look at where things stand and what’s left to be decided.

Rotation (5): Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson

The Twins’ rotation should look much like it did to begin last season, with Pablo López, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober leading the way. López and Ober were healthy for all of last season, pillars in the rotation when the Twins, near the end of the year, were running out three rookie starters. Ryan suffered a teres major strain in August but had a relatively normal offseason and is full go.

Chris Paddack #20 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 08, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Chris Paddack made 17 starts for the Twins last year before getting shut down early because of a forearm strain that forced him off the field for the second half of the season. He should slot in behind those three.

The Twins have not formally named Simeon Woods Richardson their fifth starter, but he should have a leg up on the competition after a solid rookie season. Though he tailed off in September, the righty took hold of a rotation spot in late April and never let go. David Festa and Zebby Matthews, both of whom debuted last year, seem most likely to begin the year at Triple-A where they will serve as important rotation depth.

Bullpen (8): Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Cole Sands, Danny Coulombe, Louie Varland, Michael Tonkin, Jorge Alcala

The Twins’ bullpen, led by a pair of relievers in Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax that are among the best in the game, projects to be a strength. The Twins seem to have five locks as it stands — those two plus Brock Stewart, healthy after missing much of last season and undergoing shoulder surgery, Cole Sands, who broke out last season, and Danny Coulombe, who projects as the bullpen’s only lefty to begin the year.

Then, it’s anyone’s guess.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Louie Varland delivers against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Michael Tonkin bounced around last season, pitching for three different teams — including two different stints with the Twins — but the veteran put up solid numbers. Jorge Alcala was among the Twins’ top bullpen arms early but had a difficult second half. He still has a minor league option, so the Twins have the flexibility to send him to Triple-A. The Twins finally seem to be preparing Louie Varland for a bullpen spot after seeing what he can do in that role late in each of the past two seasons.

Justin Topa’s status is in flux after leaving Wednesday’s spring training game with what manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters in Florida was shoulder tightness. It’s unclear how long this could set him back for, but Topa missed nearly all of last season recovering from knee and elbow issues, throwing in just three major league games at the end of September.

The Twins could also opt to keep Eiberson Castellano, a Rule 5 selection who has yet to pitch above Double-A, rather than risk losing him.

Catchers (2): Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vázquez

This is the most set position on the roster. As long as Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez remain healthy, the Twins will run it back with that duo. Both have been healthy for the past two seasons, but if either were to get hurt, Jair Camargo should be the next man up.

Infield (5): Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Ty France, Jose Miranda, Brooks Lee

The Twins have the left side of their infield set with Royce Lewis at third and Carlos Correa at short.
On the right side, there are some questions.

Veteran Ty France signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal last month and Baldelli has indicated that he will be getting a lot of playing time at first base. The big question is how the Twins will approach second base.

Jose Miranda #64 of the Minnesota Twins acknowledges fans after his at-bat against the Houston Astros in the sixth inning. Miranda tied an MLB record recording a hit in 12 consecutive at-bats at Target Field on July 06, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

It’s still unclear who will be standing there on Opening Day, whether it’s Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien or Willi Castro. Castro (more on him below) has a roster spot solidified, unlike the other two. The Twins could opt to take Lee or Julien and send the other to Triple-A to begin the year. They could take both, but that seems less likely. Lee and Julien struggled offensively last season, but Lee is the better defender of the two.

Miranda should see time both at first and third, and get plenty at-bats as the designated hitter. The Twins are expected to rotate at DH, as they have in years past, though it wouldn’t be surprising if Miranda was among the leaders in at-bats there.

Outfield (4): Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Harrison Bader, Austin Martin

Byron Buxton will be in center with newcomer Harrison Bader as his primary backup there. Bader also will see at-bats against left-handers in place of corner outfielders Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach, both lefties themselves. With longtime right fielder Max Kepler out of the picture, Wallner and Larnach should each see expanded opportunities.

Utility (2): Willi Castro, Austin Martin

The Twins have another decision to make here.

Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski steals second on Minnesota Twins shortstop Willi Castro in the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo / Gerald Herbert)

The team derives the most value out of Castro when they have him moving around between the infield and outfield as needed. If they don’t feel completely set on Lee and Julien, they could have Castro getting most of his playing time at second to begin the year, which could allow, say, Mickey Gasper — who has experience at first base, second base and catcher — to enter the equation.

As is, it seems most likely that two from the group of Julien, Lee and Austin Martin make the team with Martin likely scaling back his time at second base and spending more time in the outfield as another right-handed option.

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