The Minnesota Twins have a stable of young, exciting players to build around this offseason and that includes Luke Keaschall. The 23-year-old had a challenging second season in the majors, bouncing around defensively and enduring a cold start to the season. But as he prepares for next year, The Athletic's Dan Hayes believes he's a player the Twins can build around as their leadoff hitter and a permanent fixture in the outfield.
"Keaschall is a building block, someone they're eying to take over as the club's leadoff hitter in 2027," Hayes wrote. "Whether it's his determination, his no-frills attitude or his joy in being a dirt devil, the Twins discovered Keaschall is the kind of player worth building around. ...The Twins think Keaschall, who switched to the outfield mid-season, will improve with repetitions."
The Twins putting Keaschall in their long-term plans is a wise move, but it doesn't come without ramifications. With the Twins housing a ton of outfielders that belong on a major league roster, it means someone has to go and an unlikely casualty could be Josh Bell, whose usage as the designated hitter may no longer be needed.
Bell signed a one-year, $7 million contract just before the start of the 2026 season and the Twins got great value out of the move. His 96 RBI were the most by a Twins hitter since Brian Dozier drove in 93 runs during the 2017 campaign and he was a solid performer at the plate, hitting .255/.319/.419 in 154 games.
With Bell's elite leadership in the clubhouse, there's a case to bring him back for one more season. But the problem is that he's more of a designated hitter at this point of his career. Of Bell's 149 starts, 129 of them were made as a designated hitter last season. He also hasn't been a full-time first baseman since he appeared in 124 games between the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres during the 2022 season and that's unlikely to change as he enters his age-34 season.
If the Twins had a spot for a full-time DH, a path to return would be clear. But the Twins have several key decisions to make as they have a logjam in the outfield.
The Twins outfield relied on Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton and Austin Martin for most of last year. But Larnach was almost traded at August's trade deadline and Martin is out of minor league options going into next season. Even if the Twins get rid of both corner outfielders, there are plenty of players who should be competing for regular playing time.
Top prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are at the top of that list and there's a case for both to start at the beginning of next year. Rodriguez is likely to make the roster as he is out of minor league options next season and performed well after a late-season call-up. While Jenkins struggled initially in the majors, he finished the year hitting .385 with three homers and five RBI in his final 10 games and doesn't have much to prove at the Triple-A level after hitting .291/.386/.497 with 14 homers, 36 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 25 attempts in 92 career games with the St. Paul Saints.
This isn't even including Alan Roden, who will have minor league options next year but could fill a bench role. With Keaschall sticking in the outfield, it leaves five players vying for three defensive spots and a need to get someone into the lineup with the designated hitter role.
This doesn't bode well for Bell's chances of returning to Minnesota. While he could return as a full-time DH, it would severely limit manager Derek Shelton's options to create the best lineup possible and leave a younger bat with more upside out of the lineup.
Getting rid of Bell would also be a way to create depth the Twins may not have had a year ago. While Buxton is expected to make a full recovery from his hip surgery, having him serve as the DH more could be a way to get him to or over the 100-game benchmark that appears to be the new normal as he enters his late 30s.
It also ensures that Keaschall can play everyday whether it's in the field or as a DH as his defense was a major talking point throughout last season.
At 23 years old, it's more important to cater to Keaschall than it would be to Bell, who turned 34 in August. It's also why Bell, who was a productive player a year ago, might have a short stay in Minnesota as they look to build around their young core and be a better team in 2027.
This article was originally published on www.puckettspond.com as Twins' plans for Luke Keaschall could make Josh Bell an offseason departure .
