Should the Minnesota Twins Extend Brooks Lee?

The Minnesota Twins have a potential contract decision to make with Brooks Lee this upcoming offseason. The 25-year-old infielder is coming off his best offensive season, and a position change has given the organization another reason to believe in his long-term future. An extension this offseason could help Minnesota lock up a young everyday player before his price rises.

Lee hit .253 with 24 home runs, 83 RBIs and a .728 OPS across 156 games in 2026. His numbers were a clear improvement over 2025, when he hit just .236 with 16 home runs and a .654 OPS. The durability he showed again this year was just as important as the offensive production.

The bigger development came on defense. Minnesota moved Lee from shortstop to third base in May, and the change paid off. He looked more comfortable at the hot corner and gave the Twins a clearer picture of where he fits best long-term. With Royce Lewis's struggling early on at third, Lee got an opportunity and made the most of it.

Lee's contract situation also makes this a good time to explore an extension. He is under team control through 2030 and becomes arbitration-eligible in 2028. Minnesota does not need to rush, but waiting until after another strong season could make an agreement more expensive.

A reasonable starting point would be a six-year, $55 million extension with a club option for a seventh season. That would reward Lee for his progress while giving the Twins cost certainty through several arbitration years and potentially buying out some free-agent seasons.

It would also reflect the reality that, despite his improvement, he has not yet established himself as an elite hitter. His low on-base percentage leaves room for growth, and the Twins should not pay him as if he has already reached his ceiling.

There is risk for both sides. Lee would be giving up the chance to earn more if his bat takes another step forward, while Minnesota would be committing a ton of money before knowing whether 2026 is sustainable. But that is the nature of any extension negotiation, and the upside for both sides makes the conversation worth having now.

The Twins finished 77-85 and missed the playoffs. Keeping a player that appeared in 156 games and showed real progress at a new position would give the front office one less question to answer this winter and in the future. They should explore a deal.