Do Fans Want Twins to Win Next Year?

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Minnesota Twins fans enter every offseason with hope, worry, and a healthy dose of debate. But this winter feels different. The front office has spent weeks hinting at multiple possible directions, and each scenario dramatically reshapes what 2026 and beyond might look like. So it leads to the big question hovering over every move and rumor. Do fans actually want the Twins to win next year, or are they ready for something very different?

This winter has presented three potential outcomes for the franchise. Each one comes with its own stakes and timelines. Each one could shift the outlook for years. And each one says something about the organization's current core beliefs.

A Full Teardown Resets Everything
The biggest swing would be a complete rebuild. This is the do not just retool, raze it to the ground approach. In this version, the Twins listen on Joe Ryan, Pablo López, Byron Buxton, Ryan Jeffers, and almost anyone else who is not permanently attached to the Target Field foundation. It is not hard to imagine rival clubs lining up to acquire pitching and cost-controlled position players, and the return could be enormous.

Minnesota already boasts one of baseball’s strongest farm systems. Adding another wave of top-tier prospects could supercharge the organization. But the cost is immediate and steep. Fans would be staring at multiple losing seasons and a roster filled with young players learning how to survive in the majors. There would be flashes of excitement, but also plenty of rough stretches. This is the long game. It is also the most painful game for fans who still want to enjoy summer baseball while the rebuild happens.

Staying the Course With the Current Core
On the other end is the stay-put scenario. For the last week, reports have indicated that Minnesota is planning to keep Buxton, Ryan, and López. Derek Falvey has repeatedly said this offseason that his preference is to add to the roster to stay competitive in 2026.

The AL Central remains one of the sport’s most forgiving divisions. Even with a tight payroll, the Twins can talk themselves into being in the mix. FanGraphs already projects the current roster for an 82-win season, and that is without significant offseason additions. There is also built-in flexibility. If the first half looks rough again, the team could pivot at the deadline and use one more sell-off to reshape the roster.

This is the safest direction for a front office that wants to remain competitive without stepping back. It may not inspire fireworks, but it keeps the window open while letting prospects like Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Connor Prielipp inch closer to contributing.

The Middle Ground Offers Creativity
The third path blends both approaches. Minnesota could trade a significant piece, but not its entire core. The most obvious example is López. Moving him could free up meaningful payroll space to patch multiple holes while still leaving a strong rotation intact. However, the Twins traded Carlos Correa in a salary dump and aren't reinvesting those savings in the roster. Ryan is another possibility. If a team offers multiple top-100 prospects who arrive in the next two to three years, the Twins would have to think hard.

There are other hybrid options. The Twins could shop Jeffers before his contract expires at the end of 2026 or move a left-handed outfielder like Matt Wallner to capitalize on value. They could target big-league-ready talent instead of teenagers and try to remain competitive while freshening the roster. This outcome still recognizes the payroll crunch but does not fully commit to a rebuild.

What Do Fans Really Want?
Every path has supporters. Some fans are ready for a reset after years of frustration. Others feel this core still has unfinished business and deserves one more true run. The middle ground option appeals to fans who want competitiveness without a long winter in the standings.

But the honest answer may depend on what fans value most. Do they want a chance at 85 wins and October baseball next year, or are they willing to trade short-term success for a stronger long-term foundation? Do they believe this group can bounce back, or have they seen enough?

The front office will ultimately decide, but the tension between winning now and building for later has rarely felt sharper.

The Twins are at a crossroads with no easy answers. A rebuild would bring hope for the future but frustration in the present. Staying the course offers stability but less upside. The hybrid route might be the most flexible, but also the hardest to execute effectively. As rumors swirl and decisions loom, one thing is clear. What fans want and what the organization chooses could shape the next decade of Twins baseball.

Which path should the Twins follow? Do you want the Twins to win next year? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

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