Why Does It Feel Like We're Living the Same Season Over and Over?

[Sherry Cerny]

Will someone, for the love of God, get Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray to fall in love with each other, so the Twins can stop starting 7-12 every year?

Image courtesy of © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

It’s like Groundhog Day (1993), only instead of waking up over and over to another day of bad weather, it’s another season of bad baseball. At the end of last season, all eyes were on the White Sox, but it’s the Twins who are battling a 19-39 record since last August. Some things have changed, but some things (and people) have stayed the same. Let’s dive in. 

By the Numbers 
Despite talking a big game about changing the core of the team in October, the Twins front office made minimal changes in that regard. The players they did bring in—Danny Coloumbe (again), Harrison Bader and Ty France—happen to be three of the better producers of this young season.

Bader and France, on paper, are doing more for the team than players like Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. France has a stat line of .265/.324/.397, while Correa has batted .164/.227/.246. If we are looking at what has changed and what has stayed the same, the evidence suggests that change has been good. Maybe there should have been more of it. The fans were promised a solution to the problems that plagued the team last year; one was not provided.

The Trio
Last season, the Twins had no Buxton or Correa and a struggling Royce Lewis during that nightmarish final stretch. This season, there is no Lewis, and a struggling Correa and Buxton. This was supposed to be the trio that would carry the team each year, but they can’t even be on the same field for more than five games together. 

Do they all three have to be together to make something happen? Does this trio only work when they are together on the field and in the lineup? And doesn’t it feel, going even further back than 2024, like we’re going through the same cycles of losing them, in turns, over and over?

Is there a problem with developing healthy cornerstone players here? Is it something the front office is doing wrong? Are they accepting too much injury risk when they evaluate potential draft picks, invest in players via extensions, or sign top-tier free agents?

Realizing there are a lot of unanswered questions, we must then turn to the one thing that is a constant, the manager. 

Lost Faith in a Manager
The team did hire a new hitting coach, but the lineup continues to struggle. Is it possible that the problem is with the manager?

There have been louder-than-average whispers, the past three seasons, that manager Rocco Baldelli may be a portion of the problem. With all the same players being the cornerstone of the club, there is room to discuss the possibility that the players have lost faith in their manager, or that Baldelli's famously (and, generally, positively) consistent messaging has gone stale by having to be rehearsed to the same audience so often. This is a chicken-and-egg problem, which means it has no definitive answer, but throughout baseball history, when a group of players consistently underachieves, it usually winds up landing in the lap of the manager.

There are believers in Baldelli, but there are also many who wonder why he's unable to get consistency from his players on the field. Last season, there were health issues, but there was also never a consistent “who’s playing” lineup, and the team could never get into a swing—pun intended. Keeping everyone involved has value, but so does assuring several players that they'll play every day, so they can prepare the same way for each game.

The problem is, there's no one person to whom you can necessarily pin blame for errors, but as failures mount, someone will have to be held accountable. The collaboration between the front office and the manager and his staff is so seamless that they'll have a hard time pointing fingers at one another, but if the problems are things like playing too many matchups, pulling starting pitchers too soon, or doing too much roster churn, then little will change if the executive group fires Baldelli. Many of those things are their call, even more than his.

Firing the players was an option, in a sense, last fall. Now, they've missed that shot, so a shakeup to leadership might be their only option. When players lose confidence in a manager's strategic choices—regardless of personal respect—it can lead to a breakdown in psychological cohesion and on-field execution. This disconnect may manifest subconsciously through decreased focus, hesitation in situational play, or reduced adaptability under pressure. Internalized stressors such as performance anxiety, role uncertainty, or dissatisfaction with team direction can compound these effects. The result is often a marginal decline in individual performance metrics and overall team efficiency, even if the effort level appears unchanged. 

Firing Baldelli isn't the answer, but it would be an answer. Not having the answers leaves the fans with more questions. Right now, it sure feels maddeningly, drive-off-a-cliff-in-a-stolen-van-with-your-favorite-celebrity-varmint possible that Groundhog Day will continue until the Pohlads finally sell the team and give everyone some relief.

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[Blyleven2011]

There are very many unanswered questions with this team  ...

Who is held accountable  , 2021 , 2022 , first half of 2023 and 2024 were unacceptable performances for a major league team ...

FO , Rocco and coaching staff is accountable for constructing and developing this team ...

The players are accountable by playing baseball with no passion of the game  , just a job collecting a paycheck  ...

[mikelink45]

I put 75% of the blame on owners, 10% FO, 10% Baldelli - 5% on players, but they are who they have always been and if they are not good enough that is not their fault.  The smartest thing they have done is bring up Keaschall - some excitement factor.  The next best thing is Zebby because he has caught the fans imagination.  

[LambchoP]

Because it basically is the same year after year. Our hopes of winning are seemingly always based on our trip of "stars" producing on the field together. It's time to admit we will never get Buxton, Correa and Lewis all playing together, and even when we have two guys together like right now, they still aren't leading this team. Time to stop counting on them. Ownership needs to shake up the roster with real players. They cannot role out the same losing team year after year with only two or three marginal players being added at the edges. New ownership, new manager and a real roster shake up needs to happen if we expect a different outcome for the 2026 season. The pitching should be there, now we just need some offense to go with it. 

[Craig Arko]

Most of life works this way.

[tony&rodney]

Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall .....

...... What is this beautiful life .....

[Chris Hove]

Yeah, it's tough when you see all of the errors and baserunning gaffes, that's on the players. The lack of talent, cutting of payroll, and players being put into the wrong situations, that's ownership and management issues. Unfortunately, with the Pohlads, these problems have been around for many years. Hopefully, the Twins can get something going and spark some positivity.

[DJL44]

32 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

The smartest thing they have done is bring up Keaschall - some excitement factor.  The next best thing is Zebby because he has caught the fans imagination.  

Repeatedly bringing up the next shiny new prospect to please the fans is not a recipe for sustained success. Fans always get disappointed with their new toy after a couple weeks and want the player they were clamoring to see sent back to Fort Myers.

[BH67]

A Rally Groundhog might suffice for a tourniquet...

[TwinsDr2021]

17 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Repeatedly bringing up the next shiny new prospect to please the fans is not a recipe for sustained success. Fans always get disappointed with their new toy after a couple weeks and want the player they were clamoring to see sent back to Fort Myers.

And if we are being honest most Twins fans have no idea or little idea on who Keaschall or Zebby is, I had two friends text me last night to ask about Keaschall (and both are limited season ticket holders)

Being on this site daily or almost daily is being in a Twins fish bowl and thinking people that aren't on here have any idea who Twins prospects are is just kind of silly.

[NYCTK]

Boils down to the Twins seeming long-time philosophy to strive for 85 wins and hope to win a very weak division. Never actually going for it, means nothing drastic ever changes. 

This team went 70-79 last season against teams that didn't set a major league record for losses in season. And they all looked at each other and said...yeah, let's run it back. 

[AceWrigley]

Good article.

[Karbo]

I have to think at least Rocco is on the hot seat. I doubt Falvey is due to the fact he is now the President. IMO if things don't turn around by the end of the month Rocco should be gone. Not because it's all his fault, but someone has to take the fall, and it's easier to fire the manager than to get rid of the players.

[Maybe Next Year]

In 2024 Baldelli used 154 different lineups and had the same batting order just two games in a row (only 11 times). Yes, there were injuries. But not to the extend you would need to have a different lineup on the field 154 games. This season it has been no different. A new lineup most every day. There is ZERO consistency from day to day. Pretty hard for younger players to develop from a defensive and a hitting perspective when they only play every other day at best.  Baldelli overthinks everything. His platooning mentality, handling of the pitching staff and lack of any confidence is his young players is the root cause of the ballclubs struggles. He has to go and it can't be soon enough.  

Edited April 18, 2025 by Maybe Next Year
doubled up on a word

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I put 75% of the blame on owners, 10% FO, 10% Baldelli - 5% on players, but they are who they have always been and if they are not good enough that is not their fault.  The smartest thing they have done is bring up Keaschall - some excitement factor.  The next best thing is Zebby because he has caught the fans imagination.  

Keash and Zeb.

Certainly flows off the tongue easier than Hrbek and Gaetti.

[lukeduke1980]

35 minutes ago, AceWrigley said:

Good article.

Agreed - my favorite synopsis to date

[Parfigliano]

49 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I have to think at least Rocco is on the hot seat. I doubt Falvey is due to the fact he is now the President. IMO if things don't turn around by the end of the month Rocco should be gone. Not because it's all his fault, but someone has to take the fall, and it's easier to fire the manager than to get rid of the players.

Fire Rocco now.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Because it basically is the same year after year. Our hopes of winning are seemingly always based on our trip of "stars" producing on the field together. It's time to admit we will never get Buxton, Correa and Lewis all playing together, and even when we have two guys together like right now, they still aren't leading this team. Time to stop counting on them. Ownership needs to shake up the roster with real players. They cannot role out the same losing team year after year with only two or three marginal players being added at the edges. New ownership, new manager and a real roster shake up needs to happen if we expect a different outcome for the 2026 season. The pitching should be there, now we just need some offense to go with it. 

We also have to remember that Buxton and Correa are "stars" in large part because of their defense, not their offense. They are both really lead dogs on the field, but supporting players in the batter's box. Lewis is a key to the offense if he can hit like he did in the first half of 2024 - he hit .292/.354/.685 (1.039) before the AS break. That's the guy we need or even 85-90% of that guy. Buxton and Correa are streaky, nice offensive players who can compliment a Lewis at his best, or really, 2 Lewises.  

I know i sound like a broken record but the problem with this offense is we don't have any hitter who is good enough to hit 1, 2, 3, or 4 in a championship contending lineup except for Lewis and maybe Wallner. Both are hurt.  I don't see anyone on the roster likely to be that guy in the future. Julien could be a nice complimentary bat, Jeffers is already at his peak, and France and Bader are pleasant surprise - all great for the 6, 7, or 8 hole. Lee might be a solid bat hitting 5 or 6. but again, not a lead dog. The 2 players I personally had hoped would really develop into that missing offensive piece were Larnach and Miranda and they have both completely crashed and burned so far this year.  Maybe Keaschall is the second coming of Shannon Stewart and be that needed bat in the 1 or 2 hole? A guy can dream ... 

This year looks the same because it is the same. We still haven't solved out main problem; we need a bat and we need one bad. We haven't had that guy since Nelson Cruz. Oh, and by the way, fire Rocco. Why? Because this ain't working and doesn't look like its going to work, and Rocco seems incapable of changing that narrative. Besides, we got to do something. 

[NYCTK]

50 minutes ago, Maybe Next Year said:

In 2024 Baldelli used 154 different lineups and had the same batting order just two games in a row (only 11 times). Yes, there were injuries. But not to the extend you would need to have a different lineup on the field 154 games. This season it has been no different. A new lineup most every day. There is ZERO consistency from day to day. Pretty hard for younger players to develop from a defensive and a hitting perspective when they only play every other day at best.  Baldelli overthinks everything. His platooning mentality, handling of the pitching staff and lack of any confidence is his young players is the root cause of the ballclubs struggles. He has to go and it can't be soon enough.  

This is repeated over and over on this site, and it always sounds like the lamest excuse. So-and-so keeps being played out of their natural position or moved around in the order, how are they supposed to get comfortable?! They're major league baseball players and most every major leaguer is expected to be flexible.

Outside of the true STARS of the league and catchers, no major leaguer should feel like they get to play one position and/or have a set place in the lineup. And the Minnesota Twins have only one star, and he's actually playing like complete ****.

My primary team, the Mets, had one of the most incredible seasons last year, in terms of team chemistry, entertainment, and vibes. They used 143 different lineups and had 11 players play multiple positions in the field. This isn't some great failing by Rocco. 

Now, you could try to make the argument that this sort of management has to be paired with a great leader that is able to strongly communicate both team and player goals and expectations, but that's an unknowable. He probably sucks at it, but we have no way of knowing outside of speculation.

 

 

[twinstalker]

It all seems the same because the Twins hitting approach is the same, which is far below standard.  There are batters on other teams (we know because we face them) who make the plate appearance a nightmare for the pitcher.  Except for very rare and seemingly random occurrences, the Twins just don't do that and certainly don't versus the caliber of the better Twins pitchers.

This disparity really shows itself in the quality of ABs by teams considered true contenders.  Yankees hitter, even rookies and lesser players, constantly put together quality ABs.  Maybe they're cheating and know what's coming.

Meanwhile, the Twins go into games with strategies like: swing at the first pitch.

Perhaps all hyperbole and imagined trends, but that's my feeling.

[NotAboutWinning]

The team experienced an epic collapse, on the field and in the clubhouse. The same players are back, with a couple of low leverage moves, the manager is still here and the POBO got promoted! It is no surprise that they picked up right where they left off!

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

And if we are being honest most Twins fans have no idea or little idea on who Keaschall or Zebby is, I had two friends text me last night to ask about Keaschall (and both are limited season ticket holders)

Being on this site daily or almost daily is being in a Twins fish bowl and thinking people that aren't on here have any idea who Twins prospects are is just kind of silly.

This is completely 100% true. Decades and decades ago when morphed from The Sporting News to the brand spanking new upstart, Baseball America, I became interested in the minor leagues. I had previously gone to a number of minor league games when I lived in Florida so it was a natural detour. When I worked crazy hours and was raising a family I squeezed my baseball time in with family or did my "research" from 1-2am. Four hours of sleep per night has forced me to catch up now in my eighth decade of life. Retired people do have time to watch and read about minor league players but I don't expect many people do that. It is a kind of lunacy if I'm honest. It's my crack. Fans are happy to get behind a new player, especially if that guy has a little charm. Luis Arraez was an example. Keaschall could be too. If I was still young, playing and working I would know who Keaschall was but I would not have had the time to watch him play the number of times I have the last few years.

[1985Fan]

The problem with Rocco constantly changing lineups, and moving players positions around is how it affects the younger players. When young players are trying to learn how to hit or play at this level, they need two things; repetition, and confidence. When a young hitter has a bad day at the plate, the best thing for him is to go out the next day and get right back at it, knowing your manager trusts you. This instills self confidence in the player. If self doubt creeps in, the hitter is lost. This is what I see when watching Larnach, Miranda, Julien, Lee, and others for their AB’s. Their confidence may be gone at this point, after failing, demotions, bench role, etc. Maybe they don’t have the talent to succeed, but they have shown flashes and had a lot of hype at one time. 
Rocco can defend his style by saying that the team has to win games. But Falvey has put him in the position that in order to win, the young players have to perform. Unworkable situation if you ask me. Shouldn’t rely on young players to perform at high level immediately on being called up. I hope Keaschall doesn’t think he has to carry the team, but that is the expectation. Too much pressure on the kid. 
If things don’t turn around this season, they can change the expectations from contenders to rebuilding. Then call up your young players and let them play and develop at the MLB level. Not with Rocco running the team. He’s not a teacher or people person. 

[RpR]

"Why Does It Feel Like We're Living the Same Season Over and Over?"

For those here, who are veteran Twins fans from the get-go, this since the 70s feels a lot like the Twins results norms, especially late season collapse, which started in 1969-70.

Back when it was a LOT harder to get into the post season, it seemed to me, to be one made one's own fortune but now with not making the post-season usually meaning your team had huge faults, it is not as easy to just let go till next season.

At that, it seems, to me, that the Twins team used to be just that at least in the first 10-20 years. A lot of bench players played most or all of their career with the Twins from 1965 team.

Now Cal Griffith was not a multi-millionaire for whom baseball was a hobby, baseball and the Twins were his only business. He had to quit because he did NOT have millions from other enterprises, to fall back on, so he could not wheel and deal like they do now.  

Still the players that were the Twins "team" to me, now, included Polanco, Buxton, and Kepler.  Now there were others earlier that were here and are gone for years now, but those three were regulars , to me, at that; right now , Farmer, Kepler and Polanco are having a year that  would be a spark in the Twins Lack-Lustre season, but then maybe the Twins Org. takes the fire out of players souls, i.e. they want to be any where but here.

 

 

 

[RpR]

32 minutes ago, twinstalker said:

Meanwhile, the Twins go into games with strategies like: swing at the first pitch.

Perhaps all hyperbole and imagined trends, but that's my feeling.

That I disagree with as , on Gameday, they let most first pitches that are down the middle of pipe go by and then chase a lot of crap.

[MGX]

As long as Flavey & Rocco are here it will look the same. Rocco inherited a great team in 2019 & they went 101-61. From 2020 forward he has a slightly under .500 record as our manager. Every year when listening to them & seeing the moves they make/don't make you get the feeling that things are going great. It's just not going to change until at least one or both of them are gone.

 

[CRF]

...because we are! It's the same broken record over and over. 

[Doctor Gast]

"The collaboration between the front office and the manager and his staff is so seamless that they'll have a hard time pointing fingers at one another."

Great job, Sherry. Yeah, it's frustrating not knowing who to blame. But because it's so seamless, they're all to blame, starting from the top. What do they call keep doing the same thing & expecting a different result? Firing Baldelli won't change anything. Tingler will step in & be worse & later hire another Baldelli. If you want change you need to do it at the top. 

[HelmetTip]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Still the players that were the Twins "team" to me, now, included Polanco, Buxton, and Kepler.  Now there were others earlier that were here and are gone for years now, but those three were regulars , to me, at that; right now , Farmer, Kepler and Polanco are having a year that  would be a spark in the Twins Lack-Lustre season, but then maybe the Twins Org. takes the fire out of players souls, i.e. they want to be any where but here.

This is revisionist/short-sighted at best. 

Kepler has been miserable early, hitting .228 with 1HR, 2RBI. How would he provide a spark? 

Farmer is off to a hot (small sample) start but hit .214 in 2024 with the Twins & had the worst full season of his career. Can you imagine the howls if the Pohlads had brought Kyle back? I can hear them in my head. Right move to let him walk. 

Polanco, too, is off to a good start...after hitting .213 during his first year in Seattle, one of the statistically worst of his career. You wanted to pay $10.5M for that 2024 season? 

There are reasons, mostly related to money, why these three aren't Twins anymore. But overlooking their poor performances in 2024 while lusting after 60AB sample sizes as a fix to a largely broken lineup is beyond silly. 

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, 1985Fan said:

The problem with Rocco constantly changing lineups, and moving players positions around is how it affects the younger players. 

Is that why the Tigers with their incredibly young talent and 155 different lineups really struggled at the end of the season? 

Wait...hmmm...never mind. 

 

1 hour ago, 1985Fan said:

This is what I see when watching Larnach, Miranda, Julien, Lee, and others for their AB’s.

What I see with most of these players is just a mediocre player that is not confident because they don't quite have the talent to be anything more than a marginally above replacement level player. It's not because Rocco is unfair to them. 

I'm firmly on the Fire Rocco bandwagon, but blaming him for middling prospects coming up and playing exactly how we should expect is not why. And I don't really hate on Larnach or Miranda for being a marginal player. Players like them have roles in more complete teams, but Falvey has failed to build such a squad.