Twins Must Make Difficult Offseason Decision on Kody Clemens

Kody Clemens spent 2026 becoming the kind of player the Minnesota Twins needed. Now, after naming him their Most Valuable Twin, the organization has to figure out where he fits into its plans for next season.

Clemens earned the recognition. He played a career-high 145 games, led Minnesota with 27 home runs and drove in 81 runs while moving between second base, first base and all three outfield positions. For a team that finished 77-85 and missed the playoffs again, his consistency was valuable.

Still, the award comes with an uncomfortable reminder of how much went wrong around him.

Clemens taking home the team's top honor of the Twins' Diamond Awards says plenty about a season in which several players expected to lead Minnesota never found their footing. Byron Buxton was playing at an All-Star level before a hip injury disrupted his second half, while Joe Ryan missed a month with glute and lower-back issues. Royce Lewis finished with career lows in batting average and slugging percentage, and Matt Wallner never returned to the majors after his early struggles.

Clemens, meanwhile, kept showing up wherever the Twins needed him.

His offensive numbers were a considerable step forward. He raised his home run total to 27 while cutting his strikeout rate from 24.5% in 2025 to 21.8% this season. His .239 average and .758 OPS were career bests, and his power held up under a much heavier workload than he'd previously handled.

The defensive picture was more complicated. Clemens spent nearly half of his 1,212 defensive innings at second base, where his results pulled down his overall defensive numbers. As noted by Sports Illustrated's Yirsandy Rodriguez, he graded more favorably at several of the other positions Minnesota used him at, including right field and first base.

That leaves the Twins with a genuine roster question. Should Clemens become their regular second baseman, or does his ability to move around the diamond make him more valuable as a flexible piece while younger players get opportunities?

There is also the possibility of a trade. Sports Illustrated's Alvin Garcia argues that Clemens' value may be at its highest after a 27-homer season, with three years of team control remaining. At 30, he could appeal to a club looking for affordable power and defensive flexibility. Minnesota, meanwhile, could use a deal to address its pitching needs.

Trading its team home run leader would carry a cost, especially with Clemens projected to earn around $3.6 million in arbitration next season, according to MLB Trade Rumors' Darragh McDonald.

For now, Clemens has earned the recognition that came his way. What remains unclear is whether the Twins see him as part of their next competitive roster or as one of their better opportunities to improve it.

After a season in which so much went wrong, that decision may prove more consequential than the award itself.