Despite the Pohlads Best Efforts, This Team Might Be Better Off

[Bodie]

12 hours ago, MGX said:

It's easy to tear into someone when there gone. Here are some facts about the 4 seasons Correa spent here...

- in 2 of the 4 seasons he was the most valuable player on the team in terms of WAR

- in 2023 when he had a down season we won the division & he hit over .400 in the playoffs

Everyone is entitled to their opinion & can blame Correa if they want. For me the owners, front office & the manager are more responsible for the lack of team success over the last 4 seasons than any one player could be.

 

100% true.

Also true?  Not going to miss the best Twins SS I've seen play.  

I'd rather see Greg Gagne or Roy Smalley man the position. Today.  Guessing at about 60 and 70+ years old.  I know they'd try!

(Sorry, just a tad too young to remember quality Zolo Versialles)

[Doctor Wu]

20 hours ago, rv78 said:

And what you won't read about is when he used that same cerebral approach and hit into a doubleplay to end a Twins rally. How often does he tell his teammates about those experiences? I think they were more numerous. 

Those rally-ending double-play balls certainly DID become a problem!

[Launch Angle]

21 hours ago, NYCTK said:

I hate the Pohlads. But it seems too much ire for this dismantling is on them and not on the rightful target, Falvey. 

It sucks IF his goals or budgets were drastically changed after the 2023 postseason, but the Twins still had a middle of the pack payroll and it's his job to figure out how to put a good roster together. Instead he gave Twins fans DaShawn Keirsey and Mickey Gasper for opening day. One is maybe forgivable. Both, is just a failure. 

Getting rid of Correa is a great decision, for Falvey or whomever takes over his job when he's justifiably axed. 

There's plenty of blame to go around but there is no chance Falvey would have resigned Correa if ownership was going to cut payroll the next season. That completely hamstrung what the FO could do. Most of the blame should be on the Pohlads.

[jjswol]

Hans, this is one of the better articles I have seen here in some time, good job. I agree what you say about Correa and Twins hitters should take the "see ball, hit ball" approach since that is what likely got them to pro ball in the first place. Sure, MLB pitchers are smarter and better but I think the Twins computerized hitting style under this regime killed their productivity. Twins coaches should let the hitters hit and the pitchers pitch and when they ask for help, then step in and give them some tips to try versus forcing hitters and pitchers to pitch in a certain style. Keep up the good writing.

[Castino-2]

I could have gone my whole life without another Doug Mientkiewicz reference. Good riddance.

[Trov]

I find it interesting that the writer blames the failed hitting on a single player, and not on the coaching staff or whole organizational set up.  I get that a leader in the clubhouse can have an impact on other players, positive or negative.  However, the organization and coaches should have a much larger impact.  If they do not, then you really need to reevaluate your coaching staff. 

I am one that in baseball, if a swing is not broke do not fix it.  I think the Twins and many other teams feel that they can predict a swing is broke before the results tell you it is.  Also, they want power more than anything.  Gone are the days of stringing singles, steals and hit an runs.  There may be some of that coming back these days, but Twins clearly have wanted to change swings of players to get more power, and signing players with those traits. 

Therefore, what is the message to the players by the organization? 

Overall, I agree with the statement of the article that the team in the long run may be in better shape, and that is getting off the CC contract.  I know fans were happy the Twins finally spent on a free agent.  However, it proved again, spending big on FA for mid to smaller markets can hamstring you for years if the player is not earning that contract. 

His first contract with Twins he did earn his money, not being MVP level but earning 5.3 bWAR showed he was worth longer term contract.  However, after signing the second long term contract he had total 5.6 bWAR across 2.5 seasons.  He has been fighting injuries, and was not just earning his contract when healthy.  Last year he was on a nice pace to earn it, but then injuries derailed it. He is now on the wrong side of 30, and you can expect his production to decrease each year.  

He was never a super offense guy, but was elite defender with above average hitter.  Now, his defense has dropped a ton, and his hitting has not increased.  There is talks about moving him off SS now anyways.  We have possible viable replacements at near same production for much cheaper over the rest of the CC contract.  Yes, we are paying 33 mil over that time, but the team will now have more open money to spread out on different players.

Now I expect fans to say yeah they will not spend it, but if it means they can keep a few other players that add more value, it is worth it.  If the owners said dump payroll and you either need to dump 3 lower payroll guys or CC dumping CC was the right move.

[Hans Birkeland]

On 8/9/2025 at 9:52 AM, KirbyDome89 said:

I've never been a huge Correa fan as far as personality goes (too crafted) but we're blaming him for young guys not developing? I mean c'mon....

His "protege," Jose Miranda has been terrible in AAA this year. Does the Correa Effect stretch all the way to St. Paul?

Its quite possible that's what got him there if my theory is correct. But it is just a theory. I also think Miranda getting hit in the head right out of the All-Star break in 2024 may have effected him more than was let on. Sad story either way.

[Hans Birkeland]

19 hours ago, Trov said:

I find it interesting that the writer blames the failed hitting on a single player, and not on the coaching staff or whole organizational set up.  I get that a leader in the clubhouse can have an impact on other players, positive or negative.  However, the organization and coaches should have a much larger impact.  If they do not, then you really need to reevaluate your coaching staff. 

I am one that in baseball, if a swing is not broke do not fix it.  I think the Twins and many other teams feel that they can predict a swing is broke before the results tell you it is.  Also, they want power more than anything.  Gone are the days of stringing singles, steals and hit an runs.  There may be some of that coming back these days, but Twins clearly have wanted to change swings of players to get more power, and signing players with those traits. 

Therefore, what is the message to the players by the organization? 

Overall, I agree with the statement of the article that the team in the long run may be in better shape, and that is getting off the CC contract.  I know fans were happy the Twins finally spent on a free agent.  However, it proved again, spending big on FA for mid to smaller markets can hamstring you for years if the player is not earning that contract. 

His first contract with Twins he did earn his money, not being MVP level but earning 5.3 bWAR showed he was worth longer term contract.  However, after signing the second long term contract he had total 5.6 bWAR across 2.5 seasons.  He has been fighting injuries, and was not just earning his contract when healthy.  Last year he was on a nice pace to earn it, but then injuries derailed it. He is now on the wrong side of 30, and you can expect his production to decrease each year.  

He was never a super offense guy, but was elite defender with above average hitter.  Now, his defense has dropped a ton, and his hitting has not increased.  There is talks about moving him off SS now anyways.  We have possible viable replacements at near same production for much cheaper over the rest of the CC contract.  Yes, we are paying 33 mil over that time, but the team will now have more open money to spread out on different players.

Now I expect fans to say yeah they will not spend it, but if it means they can keep a few other players that add more value, it is worth it.  If the owners said dump payroll and you either need to dump 3 lower payroll guys or CC dumping CC was the right move.

If I were to expand on this piece, I would delve into how expectations have historically not been good for this club. The Twins have always had their most success when they catch lightning in a bottle while also playing with house money. Correa is the antithesis of both of those (admittedly highly subjective) concepts. But you're right he can't be entirely to blame- he was enabled by the entire coaching staff and even the front office calling him an "assistant gm."