MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have too many outfielders. It’s a good problem, but it’s still a puzzle to solve.
There’s not a single outfielder whose role on the 2027 team is completely clear. The closest is Byron Buxton, who will be the primary center fielder as much as he is able, but health questions make him something of an unknown.
Beyond that, it’s wide open. Minnesota has seven outfielders who saw significant time in the second half of the season -- not including Matt Wallner, who has probably played his last game in a Twins uniform.
Here’s a look at those seven players and how their roles and skills fit together … or maybe don’t.
Most likely role: Primary center fielder, with time at designated hitter
Everything starts with Buxton. He’s the biggest presence in the clubhouse, and when healthy he’s the team’s best player. Unfortunately, Buxton was compromised throughout the second half in ’26 before undergoing right hip surgery.
Buxton strongly prefers playing center, and he’s still a good one if not statistically elite (+3 Outs Above Average in ‘26). So when Buxton plays the outfield, he’ll play center. But there are two related considerations with him: the ramp-up as he comes ba...