I really enjoy the fan opinion polls that Twins Daily offers on a regular basis. But this result is alarming:

I don't have access to the trends over time (or do I? - there's a ton of functionality on TD that I probably know nothing about), but I sense that this reflects is a significant improvement since the start of the year. I guess that's just the natural result of team that smashed expectations and is leading the AL Central heading into September.

Oh, wait.

Well, I guess it just the reflects fan enthusiasm over the team's incredible surge after buying a few relievers at the trade deadline.

Oh, wait.

Well maybe it's just the result of fans being appreciative that Tom was willing to push for very tough decisions in the offseason, but now those elite prospects the Twins received in trade look like they're ready to contribute in 2027 or 2028. It was sad to lose Ryan, Lopez and Buxton, but they're predictably hobbled during their new team's respective pennant drives. 

Oh, wait.

Honestly, I can't explain this. An approval rating in the 40s?! Fans realize that Tom Pohlad had nothing to do with drafting or developing Walker Jenkins, right? That adding Kremer, Minter and Hoffman were the kind of bare-minimum additions the team certainly could have made in the offseason, all without losing prospects, including a few with high-end potential?

The only explanation I can think of is this: Minnesota Twins fans are nice. As in, too nice. As in, too forgiving.

"Sure, those Pohlads tried to eliminate the entire team a few years back, and yes, they cut the legs out of our last playoff contender, but that Tom kid was willing to answer some questions back in Spring Training and at least the beers are cheaper at the ballpark."

I also realize that there's a large section of the remaining fanbase that likes that Tom pushed to hold on to Ryan and Lopez. He even phrased all this as benevolence - "we owe it to the fans." As though having a player fulfill a contract here were some sort of favor. As though preserving a roster that went 70-92, and losing remarkable potential prospect value, was even in the team's long-term best interests.

If you like Tom Pohlad, fine. He's got a square jaw and nothing suggests he's a particularly detestable menace to society. But if you think he and his family pulled the team off the market because they suddenly fell in love with baseball and because they can't wait to build a winner here in Minnesota, then I've got a few vacant office buildings I could sell you. Cheap. Great view.

Twins fans, Tom Pohlad has talked a very big game. Right now, that has led to a team that is still one of the ten worst in baseball. Set your standards a little higher and, even if you want to turn the page on past frustrations and welcome Tom into the fold, you really, really ought to make him earn it first.