How Can the Twins Win Back Fans and Fix their PR Issues?

[Vanimal46]

I think we all know how we got to this point. They played listless baseball all year, which prompted an unprecedented sell off at the trade deadline. Now we are witnessing a tank job for the rest of 2025. Moving forward, season ticket sales are plummeting, and the segment of fans that won't spend a dime on the team until the Pohlads sell are growing. So what can be done before Target Field becomes a ghost town in 2026?

- The Pohlad family needs a new voice for the organization. The damage is done, and every time Joe Pohlad opens his mouth to reporters, things get worse. So take a seat, and live your lives as absentee owners. Recruit a trusted, retired Twins player like Joe Mauer who will show empathy to the fans, and discuss a real plan to get back into contention relatively soon. 

- If the Twins aren't conducting a case study on the Colorado Rockies, they need to do so immediately. Those fans hate their ownership group too. Yet they keep showing up to the ballpark even though the Rockies are a putrid baseball team. Is it really just cheap beer that gets people in the door? The Twins need to find out and emulate what the Rockies are doing. Because at this point in time, Target Field will have 10,000 fans or less most games in 2026.

- Winning cures all of course. I don't see a path to winning in 2026, so something else needs to be done beyond hoping for a miracle. 

What ideas do y'all have to win back fans?

[Linus]

This is a tough one because I don’t think they will be good next year and labor strife always puts off the fans. It’s going to have to be something non- baseball related like turning Target Field into the worlds largest bar with cheap beer and drinks. 

[jctwins]

I gather this is a re-tread from the Mackey and Judd podcast yesterday. For what it's worth, I was at a small STH event recently with Derek Falvey, and about 20 STH. After 20 minutes of kissing his ass and garbage about the trade deadline and whether they use the phone or e-mail (who care), and how excited we are all to reload, and how the guys they traded were and still are underperforming, I finally unloaded on him. 

I told him directly there is zero clue they give a sh!t about how apathetic the fan base is, and they make it worse for every day they keep doing the same thing. I explained top 3 of my Twins memories since 1991 are game 163, the playoff win, and the day the Pohlads announced they were selling.

After "thanking me for my passion" (give me a break), he explained he is "waiting for the ownership situation to finalize" and THEN he'll start! I believe I surprised him by having the balls to respond to him we are collectively smarter than his BS as a fan base, and deserve better. 

I then told him one-one (after he again told me "I appreciate your passion"--f you for trying that twice) that if he wants to fix this, he needs to get on the phone tomorrow and start talking to local journalists with the fans' ears.

I was responded to by him walking away, which says everything.

FTP

 

[jaimedude]

A big signal to the fans they are serious about competing would be to not trade Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan you need starting pitching that can pitch more than five innings. Second don't trade Byron Buxton, unless he asks to go because he can still be a cornerstone of a winning franchise with his defense. Those are core guy's that can help you win. Number two would be rebuilding g the bullpen. Trading guys like Louise Varland and Griffin Jax made zero sense and still makes no sense.  Have to identify another group, I like Sands, Topa and Funderburk now but that is only 3 out of 10 guys you need. Have to figure out from the outfielders the group of Outman, Wallner, Larnach, et. all if any of them are a part of a future winning team or if you start to move on with guys  like Jenkins, Gonzalez, Rosario if they are the guys to play moving forward. Twins have a hole at first base with early retirement of Kirloff, have tried plugging with veterans like France and Santanna both were OK to good players on defense. This team needs a first basemen. Clemmons is a urility guy like Castro was. Team has no true consistent hitter at DH.  Had a hole at DH since Cruz. Would like to see them start playing with some of the younger guy's in Outfield and bullpen rest of the season. To me it doesn't even make sense even in losing season in September to be wasting at bats on players not apart of the future, that are 28, 29 or 30 years old. We do not need a third catcher. After Jeffers we need another catcher.  Once the minor league season is about over make some changes for the last 3 weeks and give some other people a chance that played well in the minors. Just standing past with current group not ideal situation.  I would like to see some youth starting to be given chances in bullpen and outfield roles. It's tough to identify what the rebuilding plan really is. If Pablo and Joe Ryan want out not sure where you go. Starting rotation after Pablo got hurt and Joe Ryan last year tanked. 

[The Great Hambino]

1 hour ago, jctwins said:

I gather this is a re-tread from the Mackey and Judd podcast yesterday. For what it's worth, I was at a small STH event recently with Derek Falvey, and about 20 STH. After 20 minutes of kissing his ass and garbage about the trade deadline and whether they use the phone or e-mail (who care), and how excited we are all to reload, and how the guys they traded were and still are underperforming, I finally unloaded on him. 

I told him directly there is zero clue they give a sh!t about how apathetic the fan base is, and they make it worse for every day they keep doing the same thing. I explained top 3 of my Twins memories since 1991 are game 163, the playoff win, and the day the Pohlads announced they were selling.

After "thanking me for my passion" (give me a break), he explained he is "waiting for the ownership situation to finalize" and THEN he'll start! I believe I surprised him by having the balls to respond to him we are collectively smarter than his BS as a fan base, and deserve better. 

I then told him one-one (after he again told me "I appreciate your passion"--f you for trying that twice) that if he wants to fix this, he needs to get on the phone tomorrow and start talking to local journalists with the fans' ears.

I was responded to by him walking away, which says everything.

FTP

 

I briefly thought about that event (I'm assuming this was before the Friday Padres game?) but life got in the way.

Sounds like it went exactly how I thought it would.  But did he really say he's waiting for the ownership situation to finalize?  And then he'll start ... what, exactly?  Picking a direction?  Updating his resume?

Doesn't sound good for those hoping for a competitive 2026

[I Miss The Lakes]

I think the Twins fanbase and the Rockies fanbases are incredibly different, so any comparisons should be very limited.
Twins fans respect winning and trying to win, and most are savvy enough to disbelieve the stuff being shoveled from the top down.
The Pohlads, under Joe's leadership, hit every diehard fan in the head with a shovel by beginning the roster dismantle IMMEDIATELY after the team itself finally won a playoff series and then gave the Astros a run for the money.
I just don't honestly see a way back from that. 
Maybe?
1. Apologize for the dumb stuff they've been doing, and the lip service they use to excuse it.
2. Recommit to building a competitive team that Target Field and the fanbase deserve.

I don't see either one of those going down this decade, so I guess we all have to settle for record low attendance and zero enthusiasm from the very people they haven't shown respect for in years.

Edited September 3, 2025 by I Miss The Lakes
typo

[jaimedude]

7 minutes ago, I Miss The Lakes said:

I think the Twins fanbase and the Rockies fanbases are incredibly different, so any comparisons should be very limited.
Twins fans respect winning and trying to win, and most are savvy enough to believe the stuff being shoveled from the top down.
The Pohlads, under Joe's leadership, hit every diehard fan in the head with a shovel by beginning the roster dismantle IMMEDIATELY after the team itself finally won a playoff series and then gave the Astros a run for the money.
I just don't honestly see a way back from that. 
Maybe?
1. Apologize for the dumb stuff they've been doing, and the lip service they use to excuse it.
2. Recommit to building a competitive team that Target Field and the fanbase deserve.

I don't see either one of those going down this decade, so I guess we all have to settle for record low attendance and zero enthusiasm from the very people they haven't shown respect for in years.

I think people really want new ownership. After 15 years in Target Field, Twins fans have seen Pohlad ownership isn't serious about ever contending for a World Championship. They have had good players in that  run, even a hall of famer, and would never add a piece or do what it took to take a step towards winning a World series whether that was financially or trading prospects. There is no fixing the relationship between the Pohlads as Twins ownership and the fans. They have family that openly disdain the Twins and Twins fans reportedly. I don't see a fix from that going forward. I know for this year, a lot are done buying tickets. 

[jctwins]

1 hour ago, The Great Hambino said:

I briefly thought about that event (I'm assuming this was before the Friday Padres game?) but life got in the way.

Sounds like it went exactly how I thought it would.  But did he really say he's waiting for the ownership situation to finalize?  And then he'll start ... what, exactly?  Picking a direction?  Updating his resume?

Doesn't sound good for those hoping for a competitive 2026

Then he'll start communicating clearly about the plan forward. He did remind me he did some press at the deadline. I only remember a joke of a conversation with WCCO on what Judd appropriately calls State Run Media.

Complete BS through and through. I couldn't believe the lack of interest in a real conversation from people that showed up to a game 3 hours early and spend anywhere from $2,000-$15,000/yr at the ballpark, especially in light of recent events.. 

He also pointed out when weakly asked about player development (leveling off consistently) that EVERY PLAYER HAS A DEVELOPMENT PLAN. He completely avoided the reality that they have shown a pattern of those PDPs dropping off on their top prospects.

I wish I'd grabbed his name, as they seem to be auditioning a new St. Peter type mouthpiece to Emcee events like this, and he also walked away from me when I told him what a failure they are at the simple basics of communication to fans and at least attempting to fix the mess they've created with the fans.

[jctwins]

1 hour ago, I Miss The Lakes said:

I think the Twins fanbase and the Rockies fanbases are incredibly different, so any comparisons should be very limited.
Twins fans respect winning and trying to win, and most are savvy enough to disbelieve the stuff being shoveled from the top down.
The Pohlads, under Joe's leadership, hit every diehard fan in the head with a shovel by beginning the roster dismantle IMMEDIATELY after the team itself finally won a playoff series and then gave the Astros a run for the money.
I just don't honestly see a way back from that. 
Maybe?
1. Apologize for the dumb stuff they've been doing, and the lip service they use to excuse it.
2. Recommit to building a competitive team that Target Field and the fanbase deserve.

I don't see either one of those going down this decade, so I guess we all have to settle for record low attendance and zero enthusiasm from the very people they haven't shown respect for in years.

As I mentioned, and am guessing the OP might have heard, Plouffe with Mackey and Judd did a great job of running down a coherent strategy that would at least show some respect to the fans, just put up Tuesday on the podcast. 

[farmerguychris]

I believe most casual fans have a very short memory.  People who take the time to follow and post comments on sites like this -less so.

With that said - I think there are only 2 ways they can win back the fans.

1 - Sell the team.

2- Prove to us that winning is at least as important as making money.  To do that - they are going to need to overspend this coming off season.  If they were to extend Ryan, keep Lopez, and sign enough free agents (plus possible trades) to get our payroll back in the 12-16 range of all teams, then maybe we can try to believe the trading of our bullpen wasn't just about saving money.  

I give both of these options nearly a zero percent chance of happening.  Its too late, but they don't even seem to care.

[T.O.]

3 hours ago, jctwins said:

I gather this is a re-tread from the Mackey and Judd podcast yesterday. For what it's worth, I was at a small STH event recently with Derek Falvey, and about 20 STH. After 20 minutes of kissing his ass and garbage about the trade deadline and whether they use the phone or e-mail (who care), and how excited we are all to reload, and how the guys they traded were and still are underperforming, I finally unloaded on him. 

I told him directly there is zero clue they give a sh!t about how apathetic the fan base is, and they make it worse for every day they keep doing the same thing. I explained top 3 of my Twins memories since 1991 are game 163, the playoff win, and the day the Pohlads announced they were selling.

After "thanking me for my passion" (give me a break), he explained he is "waiting for the ownership situation to finalize" and THEN he'll start! I believe I surprised him by having the balls to respond to him we are collectively smarter than his BS as a fan base, and deserve better. 

I then told him one-one (after he again told me "I appreciate your passion"--f you for trying that twice) that if he wants to fix this, he needs to get on the phone tomorrow and start talking to local journalists with the fans' ears.

I was responded to by him walking away, which says everything.

FTP

 

I've not understood who calls what shots. To what extent are Baldelli's actions dictated by Falvey. How involved is Pohlad other than maybe dictating "Cut salary". But what you describe sounds like Falvey isn't worried about his job at all. 
There are grooves in my head from all the scratching. 

[Vanimal46]

3 hours ago, jctwins said:

I gather this is a re-tread from the Mackey and Judd podcast yesterday. For what it's worth, I was at a small STH event recently with Derek Falvey, and about 20 STH. After 20 minutes of kissing his ass and garbage about the trade deadline and whether they use the phone or e-mail (who care), and how excited we are all to reload, and how the guys they traded were and still are underperforming, I finally unloaded on him. 

I told him directly there is zero clue they give a sh!t about how apathetic the fan base is, and they make it worse for every day they keep doing the same thing. I explained top 3 of my Twins memories since 1991 are game 163, the playoff win, and the day the Pohlads announced they were selling.

After "thanking me for my passion" (give me a break), he explained he is "waiting for the ownership situation to finalize" and THEN he'll start! I believe I surprised him by having the balls to respond to him we are collectively smarter than his BS as a fan base, and deserve better. 

I then told him one-one (after he again told me "I appreciate your passion"--f you for trying that twice) that if he wants to fix this, he needs to get on the phone tomorrow and start talking to local journalists with the fans' ears.

I was responded to by him walking away, which says everything.

FTP

 

You are correct. I watched their show yesterday and thought it was a good discussion to bring to the forum. I love that you had the guts to tell it like it is directly to Falvey. They need to hear that. Especially from season ticket holders. 

I like that Trevor Plouffe is willing to round up the old guard of Twins players to try to make amends with the fans. There's really nothing that Joe Pohlad can say anymore that won't get the fan base irrationally mad. That relationship is broken beyond repair. 

[S Bart]

5 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

I think we all know how we got to this point. They played listless baseball all year, which prompted an unprecedented sell off at the trade deadline. Now we are witnessing a tank job for the rest of 2025. Moving forward, season ticket sales are plummeting, and the segment of fans that won't spend a dime on the team until the Pohlads sell are growing. So what can be done before Target Field becomes a ghost town in 2026?

- The Pohlad family needs a new voice for the organization. The damage is done, and every time Joe Pohlad opens his mouth to reporters, things get worse. So take a seat, and live your lives as absentee owners. Recruit a trusted, retired Twins player like Joe Mauer who will show empathy to the fans, and discuss a real plan to get back into contention relatively soon. 

- If the Twins aren't conducting a case study on the Colorado Rockies, they need to do so immediately. Those fans hate their ownership group too. Yet they keep showing up to the ballpark even though the Rockies are a putrid baseball team. Is it really just cheap beer that gets people in the door? The Twins need to find out and emulate what the Rockies are doing. Because at this point in time, Target Field will have 10,000 fans or less most games in 2026.

- Winning cures all of course. I don't see a path to winning in 2026, so something else needs to be done beyond hoping for a miracle. 

What ideas do y'all have to win back fans?

Well, Joe Mauer would need to tread lightly getting too involved with the Pohlad family as well as trusting them. His reputation might get tarnished.

[S Bart]

3 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

You are correct. I watched their show yesterday and thought it was a good discussion to bring to the forum. I love that you had the guts to tell it like it is directly to Falvey. They need to hear that. Especially from season ticket holders. 

I like that Trevor Plouffe is willing to round up the old guard of Twins players to try to make amends with the fans. There's really nothing that Joe Pohlad can say anymore that won't get the fan base irrationally mad. That relationship is broken beyond repair. 

I am a big fan of Plouffe. I am a bit surprised how upfront he is at times and worry about the Twinkies removing him from the broadcast team next year. I always find it interesting how the team will not permit resentment by the fan base at the stadium or an ejection will occur. That is simply not the case at other stadiums. Also...thank you to the season ticket holder who communicated with Falvey....although...Falvey is just an overpaid messenger....it is his job to polish the broken down car

[S Bart]

43 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I believe most casual fans have a very short memory.  People who take the time to follow and post comments on sites like this -less so.

With that said - I think there are only 2 ways they can win back the fans.

1 - Sell the team.

2- Prove to us that winning is at least as important as making money.  To do that - they are going to need to overspend this coming off season.  If they were to extend Ryan, keep Lopez, and sign enough free agents (plus possible trades) to get our payroll back in the 12-16 range of all teams, then maybe we can try to believe the trading of our bullpen wasn't just about saving money.  

I give both of these options nearly a zero percent chance of happening.  Its too late, but they don't even seem to care.

$1.00 beers might help...

[jctwins]

35 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

You are correct. I watched their show yesterday and thought it was a good discussion to bring to the forum. I love that you had the guts to tell it like it is directly to Falvey. They need to hear that. Especially from season ticket holders. 

I like that Trevor Plouffe is willing to round up the old guard of Twins players to try to make amends with the fans. There's really nothing that Joe Pohlad can say anymore that won't get the fan base irrationally mad. That relationship is broken beyond repair. 

Thank you. I felt very alone in that moment, and it just has me wondering "what the hell kind of universe am I living in that no one is talking about this stuff?

 

 

[jctwins]

25 minutes ago, S Bart said:

I am a big fan of Plouffe. I am a bit surprised how upfront he is at times and worry about the Twinkies removing him from the broadcast team next year. I always find it interesting how the team will not permit resentment by the fan base at the stadium or an ejection will occur. That is simply not the case at other stadiums. Also...thank you to the season ticket holder who communicated with Falvey....although...Falvey is just an overpaid messenger....it is his job to polish the broken down car

They brought Latroy in as well, presumably to burn up some of the strict 30 minutes they allowed (and abided by). I fully realize he has nothing to gain by ripping ownership, but he went out of his way to I think genuinely thank me, and I think he was giving me a bit of a wink that "you're not wrong".

Thanks for the kind words. It was slightly awkward, but I was going to be damned if I sat there for 30 minutes and not one serious exchange was had.

[jctwins]

35 minutes ago, S Bart said:

Well, Joe Mauer would need to tread lightly getting too involved with the Pohlad family as well as trusting them. His reputation might get tarnished.

I liked everything Plouffe had to say, but I agree that a guy has to agree to sign on to this message, and it would be a big pill to swallow. 

Also it's so frustrating that there is no effort to tell us what the new minority owners expect and want out of this. We can only hope at this point they are aware enough to realize they need to re-orient their messaging.

[RpR]

How Can the Twins Win Back Fans

A picture of the Twins players gathered around Rocco's computer and smashing it with sledge hammers.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, jctwins said:

I liked everything Plouffe had to say, but I agree that a guy has to agree to sign on to this message, and it would be a big pill to swallow. 

Also it's so frustrating that there is no effort to tell us what the new minority owners expect and want out of this. We can only hope at this point they are aware enough to realize they need to re-orient their messaging.

Well they announced there were going to be new minority owners three days after gutting the team, so I kind of think they did tell us what the minority owners want.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, farmerguychris said:

I believe most casual fans have a very short memory.  People who take the time to follow and post comments on sites like this -less so.

With that said - I think there are only 2 ways they can win back the fans.

1 - Sell the team.

2- Prove to us that winning is at least as important as making money.  To do that - they are going to need to overspend this coming off season.  If they were to extend Ryan, keep Lopez, and sign enough free agents (plus possible trades) to get our payroll back in the 12-16 range of all teams, then maybe we can try to believe the trading of our bullpen wasn't just about saving money.  

I give both of these options nearly a zero percent chance of happening.  Its too late, but they don't even seem to care.

They aren't going to overspend.  They have never done so.  They especially aren't going to overspend with the CBA expiring at the end of next season

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, S Bart said:

$1.00 beers might help...

Many many of them.

[notoriousgod71]

5 hours ago, jctwins said:

I gather this is a re-tread from the Mackey and Judd podcast yesterday. For what it's worth, I was at a small STH event recently with Derek Falvey, and about 20 STH. After 20 minutes of kissing his ass and garbage about the trade deadline and whether they use the phone or e-mail (who care), and how excited we are all to reload, and how the guys they traded were and still are underperforming, I finally unloaded on him. 

I told him directly there is zero clue they give a sh!t about how apathetic the fan base is, and they make it worse for every day they keep doing the same thing. I explained top 3 of my Twins memories since 1991 are game 163, the playoff win, and the day the Pohlads announced they were selling.

After "thanking me for my passion" (give me a break), he explained he is "waiting for the ownership situation to finalize" and THEN he'll start! I believe I surprised him by having the balls to respond to him we are collectively smarter than his BS as a fan base, and deserve better. 

I then told him one-one (after he again told me "I appreciate your passion"--f you for trying that twice) that if he wants to fix this, he needs to get on the phone tomorrow and start talking to local journalists with the fans' ears.

I was responded to by him walking away, which says everything.

FTP

 

Falvey has always struck me as a disingenuous a hole who thought he was smarter than everyone.

[shimrod]

2 hours ago, farmerguychris said:

Prove to us that winning is at least as important as making money. 

I'd say they've thoroughly proven winning is in distant second place to making money. Might be third place. 

I get the impression ownership actually resents the fan base. They want us to buy the tickets, buy the food and drink, buy the paraphernalia, then shut up and accept whatever product the team chooses to put on the field. 

 

 

[tony&rodney]

6 hours ago, jctwins said:

I gather this is a re-tread from the Mackey and Judd podcast yesterday. For what it's worth, I was at a small STH event recently with Derek Falvey, and about 20 STH. After 20 minutes of kissing his ass and garbage about the trade deadline and whether they use the phone or e-mail (who care), and how excited we are all to reload, and how the guys they traded were and still are underperforming, I finally unloaded on him. 

I told him directly there is zero clue they give a sh!t about how apathetic the fan base is, and they make it worse for every day they keep doing the same thing. I explained top 3 of my Twins memories since 1991 are game 163, the playoff win, and the day the Pohlads announced they were selling.

After "thanking me for my passion" (give me a break), he explained he is "waiting for the ownership situation to finalize" and THEN he'll start! I believe I surprised him by having the balls to respond to him we are collectively smarter than his BS as a fan base, and deserve better. 

I then told him one-one (after he again told me "I appreciate your passion"--f you for trying that twice) that if he wants to fix this, he needs to get on the phone tomorrow and start talking to local journalists with the fans' ears.

I was responded to by him walking away, which says everything.

FTP

 

The Pohlads, led by St. Peter, have been as poor as one could ever possibly be at communicating to the public and building positive vibes for the franchise. They run the team like Trump ran casinos.

That said, it is hard to believe that the Pohlads have any say whatsoever in player acquisition. The Pohlads set the budget. Since Falvey came aboard the Twins have spent more money than any of their ALC brethren or Milwaukee, our friendly neighbor. The roster and style of play must then be all Falvey. The team we watch is The Falvey Dream Team. Is that even remotely fair or is it right on? After 9 years of Falvey leadership I have zero idea what he has in his mind.

This makes one wonder about Falvey's conceptual ideas. Does he have any real sense of baseball? Is the team we watch the best possible outcome for a Midwestern franchise? Is it even possible to lose money running a casino? Reality suggests that there are people in places of power who are incompetent. Do all failures of the Twins product fall squarely on the shoulders of the players on the roster who should be competing for a ALC title? Is it Baldelli? Is it Falvey? Each person has their own viewpoint. So it goes.

[howeda7]

-Introduce the new minority owners (hopefully at least one is someone people know). 

-Say that after consultation with them, you have decided big changes are needed.

-Fire Derek Falvey and Rocco Baldelli the day after the season ends.

-Hire a new team President and a new General Manager (who will then hire a new manager)

-Vow to never let Joe Pohlad speak in public again.

-Authorize a payroll of $140-$145 million for 2026 and make it clear you intend to compete for the Division.

 

[RpR]

2 hours ago, S Bart said:

$1.00 beers might help...

Bring back Wally he Beerman type vendor wander the stands.

 

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, jctwins said:

I liked everything Plouffe had to say, but I agree that a guy has to agree to sign on to this message, and it would be a big pill to swallow. 

Also it's so frustrating that there is no effort to tell us what the new minority owners expect and want out of this. We can only hope at this point they are aware enough to realize they need to re-orient their messaging.

The new minority owners don't officially own any of the Twins yet. It makes complete sense that they haven't said anything about them. They won't until the league approves the sale.

[S Bart]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Bring back Wally he Beerman type vendor wander the stands.

 

I think that I still have his baseball card.

[S Bart]

3 hours ago, jctwins said:

I liked everything Plouffe had to say, but I agree that a guy has to agree to sign on to this message, and it would be a big pill to swallow. 

Also it's so frustrating that there is no effort to tell us what the new minority owners expect and want out of this. We can only hope at this point they are aware enough to realize they need to re-orient their messaging.

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that MLB has to approve them before they can be announced.