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    Notes about the team are posted here.

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      Cody Christie

      The Twins welcomed an important piece back to their rotation on Saturday, activating Taj Bradley from the 15-day injured list ahead of Minnesota’s matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Bradley is projected to start on Saturday after missing just over two weeks with a pectoral issue.

      To clear a roster spot, the Twins designated veteran reliever Luis Garcia for assignment, marking another abrupt stop in what has become a turbulent 2026 season for the longtime right-hander.

      Bradley’s IL move was backdated to May 6, allowing the Twins to bring him back after only a slightly extended minimum stay. The organization appeared to take a cautious approach with the injury from the start, and Bradley only needed one rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul before being deemed ready to return.

      Outside of the brief injury interruption, Bradley has been one of the steadier arms in Minnesota’s rotation this season. Through eight starts covering 47 innings, the 25-year-old owns a 2.87 ERA while striking out 26.1% of opposing hitters. His walk rate sits at 8.5%, a touch higher than ideal, though still manageable considering the swing-and-miss ability he brings to the mound.

      Advanced metrics suggest some regression could eventually come, as Bradley’s 3.48 FIP points to a little help from an elevated 84.3% strand rate. Even so, the Twins have gladly taken the production. With injuries testing the club’s pitching depth throughout the first two months of the season, Bradley has helped stabilize a rotation that has rarely been at full strength.

      Meanwhile, Garcia’s tenure with the Twins may already be finished. Minnesota signed the 39-year-old to a minor league contract after he was cut loose by the New York Mets in April. The Twins selected his contract not long after, hoping the veteran could provide innings in a taxed bullpen, but the results never materialized.

      Across nine appearances with Minnesota, Garcia struggled to a 10.38 ERA over 8 2/3 innings. Combining his time with both the Mets and Twins this year, he posted a 9.00 ERA with six walks and six strikeouts in 15 total innings.

      Financially, the move carries little risk for Minnesota. Garcia signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with New York during the offseason, leaving the Mets responsible for nearly all of the remaining salary. The Twins only owed him a prorated portion of the league minimum while he occupied a spot on the active roster.

      Given both his performance and contract situation, Garcia appears likely to clear waivers. If that happens, free agency would probably be more appealing than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A.

      Now, he heads back into roster limbo once again as the Twins continue searching for stability behind a pitching staff that has already been forced to absorb plenty of turnover this season.

      Matthew Lenz

      Every year, MLB Trade Rumors releases a list of the most likely trade candidates for the offseason. In this season's edition, they named a total of 40 players, including three Minnesota Twins in the top nine.

      Starting Pitchers Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, as well as Catcher Ryan Jeffers, were named the 2nd, 6th, and 9th most likely trade candidates, respectively.

      Ryan, expected to make around $6 million in his second year of arbitration, is coming off a season highlighted by a Cy Young caliber 1st half. As has been the case throughout his career, Ryan cooled off in the second half of the season with a 4.59 FIP. In all, Ryan finished with a 3.74 FIP and a 22.5% K-BB rate across a career-high 171 innings pitched. He was the subject of trade talks at the deadline, with a late push from the Boston Red Sox, and will likely be a popular topic of trade conversations throughout the offseason.

      Lopez, who is owed more than $43 million through 2027, only made 14 starts in 2025. In 75 2/3 innings, the righty sported a solid 3.19 FIP and mediocre 17% K-BB rate. While he had been one of the game's more durable pitchers before last season, his tenure with the Twins has been very up and down. While trading the 30-year-old at some point seems likely, Lopez's value right now is lower than it's ever been. While the Twins are more concerned with the bottom line than maximizing value, they would be remiss to deal the righty now instead of waiting until the 2026 trade deadline.

      Jeffers, expected to earn more than $6 million in his final year of arbitration, represents the only MLB-caliber player on the roster. While he remained as one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball last season, his power output left more to be desired. He graded out as a below-average catcher, which is likely what he is, even after three years under the tutelage of Christian Vazquez, but that could be somewhat mitigated by the introduction of the ABS system. Unless the Twins plan to add a catcher via trade or free agency, I would be shocked to see them deal Jeffers, as there is nobody in the entire organization ready to take his job.

      Do you think the Twins will trade any of these guys over the offseason? Let us know what you think in the comments!

      Cody Christie

      Spring training often offers players on the roster bubble an opportunity to force their way into the conversation. For right-hander Travis Adams, the 2026 camp was shaping up as a chance to earn a role in the Minnesota bullpen. However, rather than moving closer to that goal, his spring has hit pause.

      The Minnesota Twins announced Sunday that Adams has been diagnosed with right elbow inflammation and will not resume throwing until at least next weekend. According to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, Adams first experienced soreness on Friday, prompting the club to run additional tests.

      The good news, though, is that the initial imaging provided some relief. An MRI revealed no structural damage in the elbow. Even so, the Twins are taking a cautious approach by shutting Adams down from throwing for at least seven days.

      Adams originally felt the issue while warming up for a scheduled appearance on Friday against the Atlanta Braves. He was scratched from that outing and later evaluated by the medical staff. While the absence of structural damage is encouraging, any elbow concern for a pitcher during spring training is enough to slow the process.

      The timing is not ideal for Adams, who entered camp as a contender for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The 26-year-old has the type of versatility that teams value during the long season. He is capable of pitching multiple innings and bridging the gap between the rotation and the late-inning relievers.

      That flexibility was part of what made Adams an interesting developmental case for the Twins last season. Adams appeared in 18 games for Minnesota during the 2025 season. Across 33 2/3 innings, he posted a 7.49 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP and a 5.39 FIP. The strikeout and walk numbers told a similar story, as he recorded a 19.6 K% with a 10.8 BB%.

      His performance at Triple-A was more encouraging. Pitching in the hitter-friendly environment of the International League, Adams produced a 3.93 ERA with a 19.6 K% and a more manageable 7.9 BB%. Those numbers helped keep him on the radar for a larger role entering 2026.

      Part of Adams’s development also came within a unique pitching structure the Twins used throughout the minor leagues last year. When certain pitchers did not fit neatly into a traditional rotation slot, the organization placed them on a consistent four-day schedule. Instead of traditional starts, these pitchers would throw shorter outings more frequently.

      The idea was that fewer pitches with quicker turnaround could provide better overall volume while helping pitchers recover more effectively. In those outings, Adams would typically face a lineup once or twice after a traditional starter before turning the game over to the bullpen. That approach allowed the Twins to continue building Adams’s workload while keeping him flexible for a variety of roles.

      Entering this spring, it appeared likely that Minnesota would test Adams in shorter one or two-inning stints at the major league level. The hope was that his stuff might play up in shorter bursts, giving the bullpen another option capable of covering multiple frames when needed.

      For now, that plan will have to wait. The immediate focus is simply getting Adams back on the mound and healthy. With no structural damage found, the Twins will hope the inflammation subsides quickly and allows him to resume throwing soon. If that happens, Adams could still work his way back into the conversation at some point during the season.

      Spring training roster battles can change quickly, and injuries often reshape the competition. For Adams, the priority is making sure this brief scare stays just that. If his elbow responds well over the next week, he will have plenty of time to show the Twins what he can offer later in the year.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The first Gabriel Gonzalez era was, as expected, brief. But it was also memorable.

      The Minnesota Twins on Monday sent Gonzalez, an outfielder, back to Triple-A St. Paul and activated infielder Tristan Gray from the paternity list.

      Gonzalez, Twins Daily's No. 10 prospect, played in just one of the three games he was active for in his first MLB call-up. He made his debut in Friday's 8-6 win over the Boston Red Sox, hitting fifth and going 1-for-2 with two walks. That included his first MLB hit.

      Gonzalez will certainly get another shot during this season, but for now heads back to St. Paul, where he has a .216/.294/.392 slash line with eight homers and 21 RBIs in 44 games this year.

      Gray has produced a slash line of .240/.301/.373 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 26 games.

       

      Seth Stohs

      Ryan Daniels, the Twins 11th round pick in 2025 out of UConn, has decided to retire from the game of baseball. As @Jamie Cameron wrote at Limestone Pipeline, Daniels has a history of hip injuries and surgeries. 

      Before joining the Huskies, Daniels was a four-year letterwinner in baseball at St. Paul Catholic in Bristol, Connecticut. He was twice named an All-State player. Upon graduation, he made a 44-mile drive from Bristol to Storrs. 

      He made 25 starts and played in 42 games as a freshman in 2023. He hit .273/.401/.409 (.810) with eight doubles, two triples and a home run. He also had 16 steals in 17 attempts. 

      In 2024, he was limited to just 20 games (18 starts) because he had season-ending hip surgery. 

      He came back at full strength in 2025 and had an incredible season. He started 53 of the 54 games he played. He hit .365/.476/.744 (1.220) with 15 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs and 75 RBI. He was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year, first-team all-conference, and was named second-team All American by a few outlets. 

      The Twins made him their 11th-round pick in July and signed him with a $150,000. 

      Unfortunately, he played in two games for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and went on the Injured List with a hip injury. In mid-December, he made the decision to retire from baseball. 

      Best wishes, Ryan, in whatever is next for you! 

      Cody Christie

      The Twins have spent much of the 2026 season searching for answers in the bullpen. On Monday, they added another intriguing arm to the mix, acquiring right-handed reliever Taylor Rashi from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations.

      Minnesota had room on its 40-man roster after designating outfielder James Outman for assignment over the weekend, making the move relatively simple from a roster-management standpoint. Rashi also has minor league options remaining, giving the Twins flexibility to stash him at Triple-A St. Paul while evaluating whether he can become a contributor at the major league level.

      The move fits a familiar pattern. Rather than investing heavily in relief pitching, the Twins have spent the season collecting arms with intriguing traits and hoping one or two emerge as reliable options. Earlier additions such as Yoendrys Gómez and Justin Lawrence followed a similar blueprint. Minnesota's front office has taken a quantity-over-certainty approach after dismantling much of its bullpen depth at last year's trade deadline.

      Rashi is the latest name to join that list. At 30 years old, he isn't a traditional prospect, but he has shown enough flashes to warrant attention. Over parts of the last two seasons, Rashi has appeared in 13 major league games, posting a 5.40 ERA while striking out nearly 30% of opposing hitters across 20 innings. The results have been uneven, but the ability to miss bats has remained consistent.

      His work at Triple-A Reno this season has been far more impressive. Rashi owns a sparkling 1.03 ERA in 26 1/3 innings while holding opposing hitters in check throughout the year. He has paired that success with a solid 25.5% strikeout rate, though his tendency to issue walks remains a concern after posting a walk rate near 12%.

      Those command issues, combined with a lack of overpowering velocity, likely explain why Arizona was willing to part ways with him despite dealing with its own bullpen challenges. Rashi's fastball typically sits around 91 mph, well below the league average for modern relievers. Instead of relying on velocity, he attacks hitters with a deep secondary mix that includes a slider, curveball, and splitter.

      For the Twins, the appeal is easy to understand. Minnesota's bullpen has struggled for much of the season and currently ranks among baseball's least effective groups in ERA. While the relief corps has shown improvement during the past month, the underlying numbers still reveal concerns. The Twins continue to battle one of the highest walk rates in the league, creating frequent traffic on the bases and placing additional stress on the pitching staff.

      Recent success stories such as Gómez and Anthony Banda have demonstrated that imperfect relievers can still provide value when deployed correctly. The Twins have leaned heavily into matchup-based bullpen management, searching for favorable situations rather than relying on established late-inning options.

      Rashi now becomes the newest candidate in that experiment. The acquisition is unlikely to generate headlines, and there is no guarantee he ever throws a meaningful inning at Target Field. However, teams rarely build bullpens through blockbuster moves alone. Sometimes a successful relief unit is assembled through a series of small transactions that uncover unexpected contributors.

      The Twins are hoping Rashi becomes the next name on that list.

       

      Seth Stohs

      According to his Twitter profile, the Twins have hired Ozney Guillen as a minor-league hitting coach. On his LinkedIn page, Guillen wrote, "I'm excited and grateful to share that I've accepted a position as a Minor League Hitting Coach with the Minnesota Twins organization. Thankful for the opportunity and for everyone who has supported and believed in me along the way. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn, grow, and help develop players at the next level. Ready to get to work." 

      La Vida Baseball.  That includes the administrators, the coordinators, and of course, the minor-league coaching and managing assignments. We don't know what level Guillen will be coaching, but Ozney's track record is pretty impressive. 

      But let's go back a little bit. Ozney Guillen is the youngest of White Sox legend Ozzie Guillen's three sons. He just turned 34 years old this week.

      Most Twins fans remember Ozzie Guillen as the White Sox manager from 2004 through 2011. Over that stretch, he had a record of 678-617 (.524). His club finished second in the division twice, and they won the AL Central in 2005 and 2008. That 2005 team went 11-1 in the playoffs and became World Series champions. He led the White Sox to two 90-win seasons, but to four 88+ win seasons.

      And, of course, there was the time in 2006 when Ozzie Guillen said of the Twins, "All those piranhas - blooper here, blooper here, beat out a ground ball, hit a home run, they're up by four. They get up by four with that bullpen? See you at the national anthem tomorrow. When I sit down and look at the lineup, give me the New York Yankees. Give me those guys because they've got holes. You can pitch around them, you can pitch to them. These little guys? (Luis) Casillo and all of them? People worry about the catcher, what's his name, Mauer? Fine, yeah, a good hitter, but worry about the little guys, they're on base all the time." 

      And at that time, there truly was a rivalry between the Twins and the White Sox. During that same stretch between 2004 and 2011, Ron Gardenhire led the Twins to four division titles and finished second one other time. He had a record of 682-616 (.525), and that's counting a 99-loss 2011 season. There were moments such as Torii Hunter slamming into Jamie Burke, a move that Guillen praised later that night. In Game 163 of the 2008 season, White Sox slugger Jim Thome homered in the 7th inning of what turned into a 1-0 ballgame that sent the White Sox to the playoffs. Then, while only an August walk-off, Twins slugger Jim Thome hit a monster home run off his former teammates to add to the Twins division lead. 

      The Guillen-Gardenhire years were so fun. That was a true rivalry, but it was a rivalry based on respect. Guillen wasn't bashing the Twins hitters for being 'wimpy.' Instead, he was praising the team for battling every pitch, putting the ball in play, hustling on everything. Guys like Luis Castillo, Jason Bartlett, Nick Punto and Jason Tyner were unsung heroes on the 2006 team in which Justin Morneau won the MVP, Joe Mauer won his first batting title, Torii Hunter's 31 homers were second to Morneau's, and Michael Cuddyer's 109 RBI was behind only the Canadian MVP. Both teams usually had strong hitters, good overall hitters, strong starting pitching, and dominant bullpens. Both managers were fiery, and in the days before replay, they were guys whose players knew they had their backs. Those were the days! Then again, Guillen referred to the 99-loss 2011 Twins hitters as "sardines", and in 2021, he called the Twins "guppies." 

      By the way, some of us that are my age and older are also likely to remember him as a really solid big-league shortstop over his 16-season career. He broke into the big leagues as a 21-year-old in 1985 and was named Rookie of the Year. He was a three-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove. He spent 13 seasons with the White Sox and then played with the Orioles, Braves and Rays over the final three seasons of his playing career (2000). 

      Alright, let's get back to the Twins new player development hire, Ozney Guillen. 

      Eldest son, Ozzie Jr., hosted a radio show in Chicago for four-plus seasons during his dad's managerial tenure. He also worked as a translator for the White Sox and was the team's Spanish Radio Broadcaster. He fulfilled the same role with the Chicago Bulls for a year. He has worked in the public sector for about the past 15 years. 

      Middle son, Oney, has worked for a few companies since he finished college a dozen years ago. He spent some time playing baseball. He was the White Sox 36th round pick in 2007 out of North Park University in Chicago. He played that summer and in 2008. He played 17 games in Class A ball and actually got one game in for the Sox Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte. He went 1-for-3 with a double in the one game he played. Ozzie Jr and Oney had a baseball podcast/show called Being Guillen, or La Vida Baseball.  

      Ozney is the son that, at least to this point, has made a career in baseball. He played his high school baseball at Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he was a teammate of former Twins pitcher (and minor league outfielder too) Dereck Rodriguez. Ozney was the 22nd round pick of the White Sox in 2010. Instead of signing, he went to Miami-Dade College where he would have played with the likes of former Twins pitcher Jharel Cotton, long-time big-league catcher Victor Caratini, 

      After his college eligibility ended, he took a tour around various independent baseball leagues. He spent 2014 and 2015 in the Frontier League. In 2016, he played for Sioux Falls in the American Association. In 2017 and 2018, he played in the Atlantic League. He also played briefly in the Canadian-American Association. He spent three winters playing in Venezuela for Tiburones de La Guaira. He spent a lot of time working with their Baseball Operations department, player development and even signing players.   

      He returned to school, now at St. Thomas University in Miami where he earned his Bachelor of Business.  Administration and Sports Administration. All the while, he has worked in a variety of roles and jobs in baseball.

      Since he stopped playing, he has been a minor-league manager, a hitting instructor, worked for a sports management agency, earned a degree, was an assistant coach in college, has been a manager and general manager in Colombia. 

      Since last June, he has taken on new roles for the team in Colombia, joined Tigres de Aragua as a third base coach and Quality Control Coach. And, last month, he joined the Twins organization full time. 

      He has a really solid resume, but he's also got relationships around the game, in affiliated ball, in independent leagues, and throughout central and South America. He is bilingual which is clearly helpful. It will be fun to see how the Twins utilize him within the organization since he's got such a variety of experiences in and around the game. 

       

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins continued reshaping their bullpen on Saturday by signing veteran left-hander Andrew Chafin to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. As camp opens in Fort Myers, the organization is clearly investing in relief depth and experience. Chafin’s addition may seem modest on paper, but in what figures to be a tightly contested American League Central race, reliable left-handed options could quietly influence the team’s postseason outlook.

      News of the agreement was first reported by Jon Heyman, who noted that Chafin will report to Minnesota’s big league camp to compete for a bullpen job. According to Darren Wolfson, Chafin would earn $2 million if he makes the active roster, with an additional $1.25 million available through incentives.

      Chafin enters his age-35 season, and what would be his 13th year in professional baseball. While the deal does not guarantee him a spot on the Opening Day roster, it immediately throws him into legitimate competition for a role. This is less of a speculative flyer and more of a calculated depth play by a front office intent on fortifying the relief corps after last season’s midyear bullpen turnover.

      The veteran split the 2025 campaign between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels, posting a 2.41 ERA across 33 2/3 innings. He struck out 36 hitters against 19 walks and limited left-handed batters to a .136 average. That type of platoon effectiveness remains especially valuable when navigating late-inning matchups against division rivals built with left-handed thump throughout the middle of the order.

      Even with strong run prevention on the surface, some of Chafin’s peripherals told a more complicated story. His elevated walk rate, paired with an 81.9 % strand rate, pushed his SIERA to 4.11, a number that sat well above his actual ERA. Outside of the command concerns, many of his underlying indicators remained encouraging, though durability remained his biggest hurdle. A right hamstring strain and later inflammation in his left triceps each led to injured-list stints that cost him more than five weeks of the season.

      This also marks the second consecutive offseason in which Chafin has signed a non-guaranteed contract. He followed a similar path last year after agreeing to a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers in February. Chafin exercised an opt-out near the end of April and soon secured a major league opportunity with the Washington Nationals, making 26 appearances before being dealt to the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline.

      Minnesota has now added three left-handed relievers in the past month. Taylor Rogers signed earlier in free agency, and Anthony Banda arrived via trade. Minnesota also already had Kody Funderburk on the 40-man roster. Chafin’s presence intensifies competition while expanding the Twins’ flexibility against left-handed heavy lineups within the division.

      Across 12 major league seasons, Chafin owns a 3.35 career ERA while pitching for eight different organizations. If he can replicate anything close to last season’s surface-level results, this minor league deal could evolve into meaningful in-season value rather quickly.

      The message from Minnesota’s front office is straightforward. The Twins are stockpiling experienced arms in an effort to stabilize the late innings and create internal competition before Opening Day decisions are finalized. With multiple non-roster invitees and recent acquisitions now in camp, the bullpen battle is shaping up to be one of Spring Training’s defining storylines.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins announced on Thursday that they have claimed right-handed reliever Zak Kent off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals after he was designated for assignment earlier this week. In a corresponding move, Pablo López was transferred to the 60-day injured list following the internal brace procedure that will sideline him for the entirety of the 2026 season.

      Kent is now on his third organization since the start of spring training and his fourth of the offseason after previously bouncing between the Cleveland Guardians, Texas Rangers, and back to St. Louis before landing with Minnesota. He is clearly viewed as a fringe player for the 40-man roster, but the Twins have a bullpen need, and Kent has one minor league option remaining.

      The 28-year-old made his big league debut during the 2025 season with Cleveland, logging 17 2/3 innings with a 4.58 ERA to go along with a 21.1 K% and a 10.5 BB%. He spent the bulk of the year at Triple-A, where he posted a 2.84 ERA and struck out an impressive 31.4% of opposing hitters despite a disappointing 13.2 BB%.

      Kent does not overpower hitters with velocity as his four-seamer averaged 93.1 miles per hour last season, but his mid-80s slider and low-80s curveball helped generate plenty of swings and misses at the upper levels of the minors. Across parts of four Triple-A seasons, he owns a 3.74 ERA with a 26 K% and a 12 BB%.

      Kent is entering what will be his final minor league option year after being granted a fourth option due to injury history and developmental timeline. He now becomes another name in what is shaping up to be a wide-open bullpen competition that currently has Cole Sands, Anthony Banda, Taylor Rogers, and Justin Topa penciled into roles. Other relief options include Liam Hendriks, Eric Orze, and Andrew Chafin. There was a glut of left-handed relievers, so adding a righty to the mix could help to balance the roster.

      With López out for the season, Minnesota will need to find value on the margins, and Kent represents the type of low-risk addition that could pay dividends over the course of a long season. If his swing and miss stuff translates consistently at the big league level, the Twins may have quietly added a bullpen arm capable of providing meaningful innings in 2026.

      Cody Christie

      Trades at the deadline can seem sudden. A contender needs pitching. A rebuilding team moves veterans. In hours, deals are done and players introduced. Yet, most conversations start months before.

      That was the case for the Twins and Blue Jays last summer. Long before the trade deadline approached, Toronto had already begun checking in with Minnesota about reliever Louis Varland. According to reporting from the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Blue Jays began making inquiries roughly three months before the deal was finalized.

      Minnesota’s front office was assertive in talks. The Twins set a high price, asking for young arms Trey Yesavage and Kendry Rojas. Yesavage, seen as a top Blue Jays pitching prospect, was not available. Still, those talks shaped the final package.

      At the deadline, Minnesota traded Varland and Ty France to Toronto for outfielder Alan Roden and left-hander Kendry Rojas. The deal is now shaping the Twins' roster decisions in camp.

      Alan Roden: Pushing for an Opportunity
      Roden joined as an advanced hitter known for his strike zone control. He quickly became a notable new position player after last year’s deadline and is now poised to make an immediate impact.

      During spring training, Roden has found himself in the mix for a starting job in the Twins outfield. In his first six spring games, he went 7-for-17 (.412 BA) with a home run, five RBI, and three runs scored. Minnesota's outfield remains unsettled, giving Roden a chance to break in. Even if he starts in the minors, the team sees him as a near-term contributor.

      Kendry Rojas: A Power Arm with Upside

      While Roden could help sooner, Rojas may ultimately carry the highest ceiling from the deal. The 23-year-old left-hander has been one of the more talked-about pitchers in Twins camp thanks to a fastball that can reach the upper 90s. The raw stuff has always been enticing, but his development will hinge on improving command.

      Last year showed more work lies ahead. Rojas struggled in 32 1/3 Triple-A innings in 2025, allowing too many baserunners and posting a 15.9 BB% after the trade. The Twins still see potential for him as a starter and plan to keep developing him there.

      At the same time, some evaluators see a future in which his power arsenal plays in high-leverage relief situations. If the Twins decide to bring him to the majors later this season, a bullpen role could offer a natural transition. It would allow Rojas to get his first taste of big league competition without completely closing the door on his long-term potential in the rotation.

      The Varland trade was the product of months of dialogue between two front offices. What started as early-season check-ins eventually turned into a deadline deal that sent a pair of intriguing young players to Minnesota.

      Spring training has already offered a glimpse of what the Twins might gain from that patience. Roden is fighting for a roster spot in the outfield, while Rojas is flashing the kind of velocity that turns heads around the back fields.

      Much like many deadline trades, the full impact of this deal may not be known for years. Still, the proactive conversations that began early last season are already shaping the Twins as they prepare for 2026.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins have not exactly been operating from a position of fan favor in recent years, but they took a step in the right direction following a frustrating start to the season at Target Field.

      After a power outage delayed the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays by roughly an hour, the organization chose to compensate fans who attended by offering free tickets to the team’s game on Friday, April 17, against the Cincinnati Reds. The game will include pregame happy hour deals and fireworks following the game.

      The Twins opted for a gesture that at least acknowledges the importance of their paying customers. That does not erase the lingering frustration tied to ownership decisions, particularly after payroll reductions following the 2023 season. The Pohlad family has drawn consistent criticism, and one goodwill move does not suddenly reset that relationship. Still, credit is warranted here. This situation was beyond their control, yet they chose to respond in a way that directly benefits fans.

      Leading into Opening Day, Tom Pohlad addressed the broader picture of fan engagement. “We can sell all the $2 beers we want. We can have all the concepts we want, but people want to see a winner, and I think the product we put on the field is ultimately what's going to drive, hope, if you will.”

      It is a fair statement, and it is also where the disconnect continues to live. Acknowledging that winning matters most is easy. Investing in a roster that reflects that urgency is something else entirely. The additions of Josh Bell and Victor Caratini provide depth and professionalism, but they are complementary pieces rather than franchise-altering talents. For a team trying to reenergize its fan base, that distinction matters.

      Yes, the Twins recently put together an impressive sweep against the Detroit Tigers, and any winning streak is worth appreciating. But short bursts of success do not carry the same weight as a clear long-term vision. Fans have seen hot streaks before, including last season’s extended run, and understand how quickly momentum can fade.

      Discounted concessions and makeup tickets help. They create a better ballpark experience in the moment. But sustained interest comes from belief in the team's direction.

      The Twins did the right thing last week. They deserve recognition for that. Now comes the harder part. Turning a small gesture into meaningful change is what will ultimately determine how this fan base responds moving forward.

      Cody Christie

      The Twins continued their arbitration housekeeping on Thursday by reaching an agreement with Bailey Ober, avoiding a hearing and keeping one of their longest tenured starters in the fold for the 2026 season.

      According to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Minnesota and Ober settled on a $5.2 million deal that covers the upcoming season. Ober remains under team control through 2027, meaning he will be arbitration eligible one more time before potentially reaching free agency. MLB Trade Rumors projected Ober to earn $4.6 million, so the right-hander came out ahead in the process, earning a notable raise despite a down year.

      That dip in production was real. Ober endured the toughest season of his big league career in 2025, never quite getting right after dealing with a lingering hip injury. Even with time off, the issue persisted, and Ober ultimately tried to pitch through it. The results reflected that struggle. His fastball velocity dipped, his margin for error shrank, and hitters punished more mistakes than they had in previous seasons.

      Over 146 1/3 innings, Ober posted a 5.10 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP, numbers that looked jarring compared to his typically steady profile. Home runs were a significant problem (1.8 HR/9), and the lack of velocity made his trademark command-based approach far less effective. Still, the Twins clearly believe there is enough of a track record to justify the investment, as his second year of arbitration eligibility brings a $1.65 million raise and a continued spot in the rotation.

      Assuming health, Ober remains a key part of Minnesota’s pitching plans. The rotation is expected to be anchored by Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan, with Ober firmly in that next tier if he looks anything like his pre-2025 self. His ability to eat innings, limit walks, and deliver reliable starts has been invaluable when he is right.

      That said, the margin for error is thinner than it once was. Behind the projected top three sits a wave of young arms eager to make their mark. Simeon Woods Richardson showed he belongs. Zebby Matthews is knocking on the door. Mick Abel, Taj Bradley, and David Festa all bring varying degrees of upside and urgency. The competition is real, and it is not going away.

      Even deeper down the pipeline, help could arrive by midseason. Kendry Rojas continues to develop into an intriguing option. Marco Raya and Connor Prielipp have the stuff to force the issue if they aren’t moved to bullpen roles. Andrew Morris has quietly put himself on the radar as well. Minnesota’s organizational pitching depth means performance will matter more than pedigree.

      For Ober, the path forward is straightforward. He must show that the hip injury is behind him and that his velocity and command have returned. If he does, the Twins have a mid-rotation starter on a reasonable salary who can stabilize things behind Lopez and Ryan. If not, the pressure from below will only intensify.

      Thursday’s agreement is a vote of confidence, but it is not unconditional. The Twins avoided arbitration and secured cost certainty, while Ober earned a raise and another opportunity to prove that 2025 was the exception, not the new rule. How he responds will go a long way in shaping Minnesota’s rotation not just in 2026, but beyond.

      Jamie Cameron

      Since 2017, MLB has awarded compensation picks to teams based on a combination of revenue, market size, and record in two separate rounds. Fifteen teams receive these picks in two groups (one of seven teams, one of eight). Comp Round A takes place between the compensation picks following the first and second rounds. Comp Round B takes place immediately following the second round.

      Teams alternate between Comp Round A and Comp Round B selections depending on the year. In 2025, the Twins used their Comp Round A selection on Alabama RHP Riley Quick. In 2026, they will have a Comp Round B pick. The order of those selections was released today.

      The Twins were awarded the final selection in Comp Round B. In 2025, that pick was 74th overall and carried a slot value of $1,111,000. While this isn't great news, it won't have a massive effect on the Twins' bonus pool. The difference between the slot values of the first pick in Comp Round B and the last pick in 2025 was $209,400. We can expect slot values for draft picks to increase by between 4% and 9% in a given year.

      Let's hope the Twins' bad luck is behind them, with the Draft Lottery scheduled for December 9th. The Twins currently have the second-best odds of landing the first overall pick. The outcome of the lottery will have a massive impact on the Twins' ability to spend (and have access to the best talent) in the 2026 MLB Draft. 

      Cody Christie

      The Twins dipped back into familiar waters this week, agreeing to a minor league deal with catcher David Bañuelos. The deal includes an invitation to big league camp, giving Bañuelos a chance to reintroduce himself to an organization that knows him well.

      At 29 years old, Bañuelos does not bring much in the way of major league experience. His time in the big leagues has been fleeting, appearing in just two games with Baltimore across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Those appearances amounted to three plate appearances and not much opportunity to leave an impression. The Orioles ultimately removed him from their roster last summer, and he hit free agency after the season.

      Even in the minors, recent playing time has been hard to come by. Baltimore frequently stashed Bañuelos on its taxi squad as emergency depth, which limited his opportunities to get regular at-bats. Over the last two seasons, he logged fewer than 200 plate appearances on the farm and struggled to find a rhythm in sporadic usage.

      That lack of recent production does not erase his longer history in Minnesota. Originally acquired from Seattle in 2017 for $1 million in international bonus pool money, Bañuelos spent several years climbing the Twins' minor league ladder. From 2021 through 2023, he bounced between Double- and Triple-A, offering occasional power but also plenty of swing and miss. In 176 plate appearances in the minors over the past two years, he slashed .171/.284/.270 (.554).The offensive upside never fully arrived, but the defensive reputation stuck.

      That glove-first profile is what brings him back into the picture now. The Twins currently project Ryan Jeffers and Victor Caratini as their primary catching tandem, with Caratini also capable of spelling first base or serving as a designated hitter. Alex Jackson looms as the third catcher on the roster, though his lack of remaining options complicates the roster math.

      Bañuelos slots in neatly as depth beyond that group. He gives the Twins a reliable defensive presence at Triple-A and an experienced option if injuries strike or roster maneuvering thins the catching corps. If Jackson were to be lost on waivers, or if the Twins need an extra backstop for a short stretch, Bañuelos provides coverage without forcing a rushed promotion.

      There is also a longer view to consider. If the Twins fall out of contention later this summer, Jeffers becomes an obvious trade chip as an impending free agent. Even Caratini, under contract through 2027, could draw interest in the right scenario. In that kind of shakeup, organizational depth suddenly matters a lot more.

      For now, the signing is quiet and practical. Bañuelos is unlikely to push his way into a prominent role, but he fills a necessary space on the depth chart. Those are the kinds of moves that rarely make headlines in February, yet often become important by August.

      Seth Stohs

      Two years ago, the Twins signed a 32-year-old Matt Bowman to a minor-league contract. He began the season with the Saints, but after a handful of games, he was called up to the Twins. He pitched in five games for the Twins and gave up two runs over 7 2/3 innings. In a numbers game, he was DFAd by the Twins before the end of April and claimed by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He worked in five games for them before again being DFAd. The Mariners claimed him, and he pitched in one game for Seattle. He was released. Early in July, the Twins re-signed him and he spent the next five weeks with the Saints. In mid-August, he was released and signed with the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched well in 15 games down the stretch for the O's. Four teams in one season. A wanted man!

      He struggled in 20 games with Baltimore in 2025 and ended the season in the Astros minor leagues. 

       

      Now 34, Bowman signed a minor-league contract this week to pitch in the Twins organization in 2026. He will report to Fort Myers next week as a non-roster invitee to spring training. He will certainly have an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Twins bullpen on Opening Day. 

      A graduate of Princeton, he was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He made the Opening Day roster of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016. Over the next three seasons, he pitched in 156 games out of the Cards bullpen. He spent most of 2019 with the Reds and then didn't pitch at all in 2020. However, in September of 2020, he had Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch again until 2023 when he worked in three games for the Yankees.

      The Twins have been quieter than usual in terms of minor-league free agent signings. However, I could make a case that three minor-league free agents could make the Twins roster.     

       

      Veteran infielder Orlando Arcia signed with the Twins last month. It would be surprising if he isn't on the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old infielder debuted in 2016. He had some decent years in Milwaukee, and a couple of solid seasons in Atlanta where he played in his lone All-Star game. 

      Dan Altavilla is a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher who, you might be surprised to learn, made his big-league debut in 2016. He's mixed in some good years with some bad years. He's had some injuries. Last year with the White Sox, he had a 2.48 ERA over 25 games and 29 innings. The peripherals weren't great (or even particularly good), but if the Twins wanted another veteran in the bullpen, he could see time there.     

       

      29-year-old Andrew Bash signed with the Twins earlier this month. He was the Angels 30th round pick in 2019 out of California Baptist. The Angels released him in 2020, and he signed with the Blue Jays. He spent the past six seasons working his way up the Jays' ladder. Last year in Triple-A Buffalo, he went 6-2 with a 2.57 ERA. He made five starts but came out of the bullpen 35 times. He has jumped back-and-forth between Double-A and Triple-A and hasn't had an ERA over 3.00 at either level since the 2022 season. 

      The Twins signed right-hander Luis Quinones to a minor-league deal in December. Originally drafted in the 34th round by the Blue Jays in 2019, he's slowly worked his way up the ladder showing glimpses of really good stuff. He has also missed a lot time with injuries. In fact, in 2025, he pitched in just three rehab games, rehabbing in the FCL. However, he played winter ball in Puerto Rico and went 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.69 WHIP, and two Saves. In 26 innings, he gave up nine hits, walked nine and had 36 strikeouts.

      After five years at Miami (Ohio), Grant Hartwig signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Mets in 2021. Two years later, he debuted and pitched in 28 games for the Mets. In 2024, he made just four appearances. He joined Hanshin in Japan during the 2025 season. His season ended a little early with an oblique injury. The 28-year-old returned to the States and signed with the Twins just a couple weeks later. 

      Cody Christie

      There are growing pains that come with any new technology, and Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball Strike challenge system is no exception. On Thursday, the Minnesota Twins found themselves in the middle of one of the most talked-about moments yet in the early days of ABS, a call so close that it is now fueling debate across the sport about what the strike zone should actually be.

      In the bottom of the second inning, Royce Lewis stepped to the plate against Jack Flaherty with a runner on first base. The count moved to 3-1, and Flaherty delivered an 91.3 mph fastball that was ruled a ball by the home plate umpire. Lewis began his routine jog to first base, shedding his gear as if the walk was already secured.

      Detroit catcher Jake Rogers tapped his helmet, signaling for a review. Within seconds, the Hawk Eye system took over and delivered its verdict. The call was overturned. Strike two.

      Not just a strike, but the closest confirmed strike yet under the system, according to Codify Baseball. Hawk Eye showed that the tiniest sliver of the baseball clipped the strike zone, enough to flip the call and send Lewis back into the box. Instead of standing on first base, Lewis was suddenly in a 3-2 count, and Flaherty finished the at-bat with another fastball that Lewis swung through for strike three.

      It is exactly the type of moment ABS was designed to handle, but it is also the type of moment that exposes how different a rulebook strike zone can feel compared to the one players and fans have grown used to seeing.

      The debate picked up quickly. MLB analyst Ryan M. Spaeder voiced frustration with how the system currently interprets the zone. He suggested a 50-50 rule, where at least half the baseball must cross into the strike zone to be called a strike. His argument centered on the idea that the current system effectively expands the zone beyond its traditional 17-inch width. When accounting for the baseball's full diameter, Spaeder argued, the zone can be closer to 22.8 inches wide.

      That interpretation has raised eyebrows, especially for hitters who now must account for pitches that barely graze the edge rather than clearly enter the zone. From a hitter’s perspective, the difference between a ball and a strike has never been thinner, literally.

      Still, not everyone sees a problem. There is a strong contingent across the league that believes this is exactly what ABS is meant to accomplish. For pitchers, a pitch that clips the zone is a perfect pitch, and the system rewards that precision without bias or inconsistency. In a sport that has long struggled with inconsistent strike zones from umpire to umpire, ABS offers a level of consistency previously unattainable.

      Royals reliever Matt Strahm even pushed back on Spaeder’s idea publicly, noting that if baseball is going to start redefining what counts as a strike based on partial entry, then the same logic would need to apply elsewhere. He suggests that the foul line/pole shouldn’t be fair then.  

      For the Twins, the moment was more frustrating than philosophical. What looked like a routine walk turned into a strikeout, and a potential scoring opportunity disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. It is the kind of swing that can change an inning, or even a game, and it underscores how impactful the challenge system can be in high-leverage spots.

      At the same time, it is hard to argue that the system got the call wrong. By definition, it got it exactly right.

      That is where the tension lies as baseball continues to adapt. The ABS system is doing what it was designed to do, but it is also forcing players, analysts, and fans to reconsider what they expect the strike zone to look like. The human element has not disappeared, but it is now being checked by a level of precision that leaves little room for interpretation.

      Moments like this one involving Lewis are likely to keep popping up as the season unfolds. Each will add another layer to the conversation about fairness and consistency.

      For now, the early returns suggest that while there may be flaws to iron out, the overall reception to ABS has been positive. Players are adjusting, fans are learning, and the league is gathering valuable feedback in real time. The strike zone may not look the way it used to, but it has never been more exact.

      Cody Christie

      The Twins dipped back into the waiver wire this week, grabbing right-handed pitcher Jackson Kowar after he was cut loose by Seattle. Minnesota had room to make the move and plenty of motivation, continuing a busy stretch of roster shuffling that keeps the back end of the pitching staff very much in flux.

      Kowar’s path to Minnesota is a winding one. Seattle designated him for assignment shortly after acquiring catcher Jhonny Pereda from the Twins, creating an odd bit of organizational overlap. Minnesota, meanwhile, had recently cleared space on the 40-man roster through a pair of trades with Colorado, moving Edouard Julien and Pierson Ohl for Jace Kaminska and cash considerations. That left one open 40-man spot, and the Twins chose to use it on a familiar type of gamble: big arm, big questions.

      Entering his age-29 season, Kowar still brings eye-catching velocity. His four seamer and sinker live in the upper 90s, and the raw stuff has never really been the concern. Translating that power into outs has been another story. Across 91 major league innings with Kansas City and Seattle, Kowar has been hit hard, posting an ERA north of 8.00, but his FIP is below 6.00. His walk rate sits in the low teens, which is not unheard of for power relievers, but the strikeouts have lagged behind expectations. Even in the high minors, results have been uneven, with an ERA hovering near five.

      Seattle also exhausted Kowar’s final minor league option last season, leaving him without roster flexibility. That reality often shortens the leash, especially for a pitcher still searching for consistency. Once the Mariners needed space, Kowar became expendable.

      From the Twins' perspective, the fit is obvious. The bullpen has open spots and needs arms that can fill the void after last season’s trade deadline selloff. While the front office has talked about a return to contention in 2026, the relief group remains light on proven arms. Beyond the reunion with Taylor Rogers and the addition of Eric Orze, there has not been much reinforcement.

      That context makes Kowar an understandable add. Minnesota can afford to see if a new environment and some mechanical tweaks unlock something closer to the pitcher scouts once dreamed on. The opportunity will be there, simply because innings need to be covered.

      There is also very little long-term commitment. Kowar is out of options, and that makes it tough to stick on a big-league roster without a proven track record. If the experiment fails, the Twins can move on just as easily as they claimed him.

      For now, this looks like another low-risk attempt to plug a hole with upside. The stuff gives you a reason to watch, even if the track record urges caution. In a bullpen full of question marks, Kowar becomes one more name trying to turn raw velocity into something the Twins can actually trust.

      Cody Christie

      The Minnesota Twins made a notable decision as camp winds down, reassigning Zebby Matthews to minor league camp and effectively handing the final rotation spot to Mick Abel.

      Coming into spring, Matthews looked like the logical favorite. He had more experience at the big league level and appeared poised to build on that foundation. Instead, the right-hander ran into trouble. Over 11 innings, he allowed seven earned runs while striking out nine and walking four. The results were not disastrous, but they were not convincing enough to lock down a job.

      Abel, on the other hand, forced the organization’s hand. Despite having fewer than 40 innings of major league experience, Abel delivered one of the most electric performances in camp. Across 13 1/3 innings, he gave up just two earned runs while racking up 17 strikeouts against a single walk. It was dominance paired with control, the exact combination teams want to see when evaluating young arms.

      That showing also served as a reminder of why Minnesota targeted him in last summer’s deal involving Jhoan Duran. The raw stuff has always been there, but this spring offered a glimpse of a pitcher beginning to harness it.

      With Abel now in place, the Twins’ Opening Day rotation appears set. Joe Ryan will take the ball first, followed by Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley, and Abel, rounding things out.

      Of course, spring decisions rarely tell the full story of a season. Matthews may be heading to Triple-A, but it would be surprising if he stayed there long. Pitching depth is tested early and often, and Minnesota already has questions to monitor.

      Ober’s velocity has been one of the biggest storylines of camp. The right-hander failed to crack 90 miles per hour in his most recent outing, raising concerns that are difficult to ignore. While the Twins will give him the opportunity to start, it is fair to wonder how sustainable success can be with diminished velocity and no clear explanation.

      That uncertainty only reinforces a simple truth across the league. Teams do not just need five starters. They need eight or ten. Matthews figures to be at the front of that next wave, and he will not be alone. Arms like Andrew Morris, Connor Prielipp, and Kendry Rojas are waiting in the wings at Triple-A. Each brings upside, and each could find themselves taking meaningful innings as the season unfolds.

      The Twins made their choice for Opening Day, but the reality is that this rotation is far from finished. It is simply the first version of what will be an evolving group all summer long.

      Cody Christie

      The calendar is inching closer to Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins. In just over two weeks, the club will begin the 2026 season on March 26 in Baltimore. Until then, the focus remains on getting through the final stretch of spring training in Fort Myers.

      As the big league roster begins to take shape, the Twins have continued trimming their camp roster. Earlier this week, Minnesota made another round of roster moves, bringing the total number of players in camp down to 49. With minor league games beginning on the back fields, those teams need players as well, especially prospects who need regular at-bats and innings.

      After Wednesday’s 2-1 Grapefruit League win over the Detroit Tigers, the Twins made another pair of cuts. Kaelen Culpepper and Aaron Sabato were both reassigned from big league camp, bringing the camp roster down to 47 players. Both players entered camp as non-roster invitees, but they arrived in very different spots in their development.

      Culpepper, 23, was Minnesota’s first-round pick in the 2024 draft and has quickly become one of the organization’s most exciting prospects. The shortstop is already a consensus top 100 prospect across the industry, and his first experience in a major league camp offered an encouraging glimpse of what could be ahead.

      He made the most of his opportunities this spring. Culpepper finished camp batting .316 with a .749 OPS across limited action, collecting six hits in 19 at-bats. He added a double, drove in two runs, walked once, and struck out five times. His final appearance was also his most productive. Culpepper went 2-for-2 on Wednesday with a walk-off hit. However, the Twins announced his reassignment shortly after the game.

      The decision to send him down was never much of a surprise. Culpepper has not yet played at Triple-A, and the organization would prefer he get everyday reps rather than sporadic appearances late in Grapefruit League games.

      Still, his performance reinforced the belief that he may not be far away. Last season, he played 113 games between High- and Double-A, producing an .844 OPS that came with a blend of contact ability, emerging power, and the defensive profile to remain in the middle of the infield.

      He will open the 2026 season with Triple-A St. Paul, where the next step will be proving that his bat can handle upper-level pitching. If that happens, it would not be surprising to see Culpepper enter the conversation for a big league opportunity sometime this summer.

      Sabato’s path has been much different. The first baseman was the 27th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, selected largely for the offensive upside he showed in college. The Twins hoped his power bat could eventually anchor the middle of a lineup.

      While there have been flashes, the production has not fully materialized. Sabato reached Triple- A last season and finished the year on a strong stretch, but his overall numbers still left questions. Across the season, he hit .245 with a .741 OPS.

      This spring, he appeared in 12 games and hit .231 with a .718 OPS. The power potential remains intriguing, but he has yet to consistently show the type of offensive impact that would force the Twins to clear a spot for him at the big league level.

      For Culpepper, the assignment to St. Paul feels more like a step along the path rather than a setback. The Twins wanted to see how one of their most promising young players handled his first big league camp. The answer was encouraging.

      Now the next challenge begins in Triple A, where Culpepper will try to prove that his impressive spring was just a preview of what is still to come. If that happens, the conversation about when he reaches Minnesota could arrive sooner than later.

      Cody Christie

      There was a time not long ago when optimism around the Minnesota Twins felt sustainable. Competitive rosters, postseason appearances, and a growing core gave fans reason to believe. Now, according to The Athletic’s annual Hope-O-Meter, that belief has all but vanished.

      The latest fan survey, which included more than 11,000 respondents, paints a fascinating picture of the sport’s emotional landscape. Across Major League Baseball, optimism is actually trending upward. A strong 72% of fans reported feeling hopeful about their favorite team, a notable jump from 66% a year ago. Baseball, broadly speaking, is in a good place when it comes to fan confidence.

      That makes what is happening in Minnesota stand out even more.

      At the top of the rankings sit perennial contenders and rising powers. The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the way at an eye-popping 99.8% optimism, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals. The presence of Detroit and Kansas City is particularly notable for Twins fans, as two division rivals have surged into the league’s emotional elite.

      Minnesota, meanwhile, sits alone at the bottom. The Twins posted a staggering 4.3% optimism rating, the lowest mark in all of baseball. The only team even within shouting distance is the Los Angeles Angels at 5.7%. After that, the gap widens significantly, with no other franchise falling below 24%. This is not just pessimism. It is a complete erosion of belief.

      What makes the drop more jarring is how recent the optimism once was. In 2022, the Twins checked in at 70.1 %, placing them squarely in the middle of the league. By 2023, that number jumped to 91.3%, good for 10th overall, and they remained near that level in 2024 at 86.3%. Even entering 2025, there was still a baseline level of confidence at 52%.

      Now, that foundation has collapsed, and the reasons are not difficult to identify. On the field, inconsistency and underperformance have chipped away at expectations. Off the field, uncertainty surrounding ownership has only deepened the frustration. There was a moment last winter when it seemed possible the Pohlad family might explore a sale of the team, offering a potential reset and renewed direction. That possibility has since faded, and with it, a significant portion of fan optimism.

      The result is a five-year trend line that looks less like a normal fluctuation and more like a free fall. The Twins Hope-O-Meter arc resembles a slow climb to a peak followed by a sudden and dramatic plunge. There were real highs, but the landing has been hard.

      Rebuilding that trust will not happen overnight. It will take more than a hot streak or a promising prospect. Fans are looking for a clear vision, a commitment to winning, and signs that the organization understands the weight of this moment. That responsibility falls on everyone, from the front office to the clubhouse to ownership itself.

      For now, the numbers tell the story. In a league where hope is rising, Minnesota has run out of it. The next chapter for the Twins will not just be about wins and losses. It will be about convincing a disillusioned fan base that there is something worth believing in again.

       

      Cody Christie

      There was plenty for the Minnesota Twins to celebrate on Tuesday night at Target Field after a 6-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. Still, by the time the clubhouse doors opened and the postgame conversations began, the focus had shifted away from the box score.

      The moment everyone wanted to talk about happened in the fifth inning, and it had nothing to do with a pitch or a swing.

      As Boston’s Jarren Duran returned to the dugout following a groundout, he directed an obscene gesture toward a fan seated near the Twins’ dugout. The interaction quickly became the center of attention, especially after Duran explained what led to his reaction.

      "Somebody just told me to kill myself," Duran said. "I'm used to it at this point, you know? I mean, s--- happens. I mean, I'm going to flip somebody off if they say something to me, but it is what it is. I shouldn't react like that, but that kind of stuff is still kind of triggering."

      It is a jarring quote, and it reframes the moment immediately. What may have looked like a simple loss of composure becomes something far more complicated when placed in that context.

      Duran has been open about his mental health journey, including severe depression and a past suicide attempt that he discussed publicly in a Netflix series released last year. That transparency has helped humanize a player often seen only through the lens of performance, but it has also opened the door to a darker side of fan interaction.

      "Honestly, it's my fault for talking about my mental health because I kind of brought in the haters. So I've just got to get used to it," Duran said. "I was just trying to hold it in and not really bring that up to the team. I mean, we're trying to win a game. I shouldn't even bring that up to anybody. ... It just happens."

      There is a lot to unpack in those words. The idea that speaking openly about mental health invites abuse is a troubling reflection of how conversations like these are still handled in public spaces. At the same time, Duran acknowledges that his reaction crossed a line, even if the comment that sparked it went far beyond anything acceptable.

      Boston manager Alex Cora said he did not see the incident unfold and had not yet reviewed the video afterward, leaving the situation to be addressed more fully at a later time.

      This is not the first time Duran has found himself in the spotlight for an interaction with a fan. In 2024, he served a two game suspension after directing an anti gay slur during a separate incident. That history adds another layer to how moments like this are perceived, both inside the game and across social media, where reactions were predictably split.

      Some defended Duran’s response, arguing that players should not be expected to absorb deeply personal and harmful comments without reacting. Others pointed to the need for professionalism, regardless of circumstance, especially given his prior discipline. Both perspectives exist because this is not a simple issue.

      What should be simple is the baseline expectation for fan behavior. There is a difference between heckling and crossing a line into something personal and dangerous. Players are public figures, but they are not immune to the impact of words that go well beyond the boundaries of the game.

      But baseball does not exist in a vacuum. Moments like this serve as reminders that what happens in the stands can carry just as much weight as what happens between the lines.

      Cody Christie

      Finalized rosters dropped on Wednesday, trimming each organization’s initial 40-player pool down into something much more game-ready. For the Twins, that means a prospect group in the mid-20s taking the field on Thursday afternoon, with a chance to show what the next wave of talent might look like in Minnesota.

      Major League Baseball’s third annual Spring Breakout event runs from March 19 through March 22, serving as a four-day window into the future of the sport. The Twins will host the Philadelphia Phillies prospects on Thursday at 12:05 p.m. CT, giving fans a midday look at some of the organization’s most intriguing names. The game will be widely accessible, airing on MLB Network and Twins.TV while also streaming for free on MLB.TV, MLB.com, and the MLB app.

      For Minnesota, this is more than just a novelty on the spring calendar. The roster is packed with players who could realistically factor into the club’s long-term plans, and in some cases, sooner rather than later.

      Spring Breakout rosters are built primarily from MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospects list for each organization, with eligibility tied to players who still qualify as rookies for the 2026 season. This year’s format again featured a two-step process: a 40-player pool, then a final group announced on Wednesday.

      One notable absence is Walker Jenkins, who will miss the event for the second straight year. The outfielder dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in camp, but the Twins have indicated he is progressing well. The expectation is that he will return to action later this week and be ready for Opening Day with St. Paul.

      Even without Jenkins, the Twins are not lacking in star power. Fourteen of Twins Daily’s top 20 prospects made the cut, giving this roster a legitimate amount of upside across the diamond.

      On the position player side, Emmanuel Rodriguez remains one of the most electric bats in the system, capable of changing a game with one swing or one sprint out of the box. Kaelen Culpepper continues to generate buzz as a fast-rising infielder with the tools to stick on the left side. Marek Houston, last year's first-round pick, will also get his first chance to show his lauded defensive skills at shortstop. Behind the plate, Eduardo Tait and Khadim Diaw give the Twins a pair of catching prospects that bring both intrigue and upside, each carving out their own path toward the upper minors.

      On the mound, Dasan Hill headlines the group as the highest-ranked pitching prospect on the roster. The left-hander has already turned heads this spring after touching 100 mph, and this setting feels tailor-made for a breakout performance. Marco Raya will be another arm to watch, especially as he continues transitioning into a bullpen role. Short bursts in a showcase environment could play directly into his strengths.

      All told, this is a roster that blends proximity with projection. Some of these players are a few adjustments away from knocking on the big league door, while others are just beginning to scratch the surface of what they might become. Either way, Thursday offers a rare opportunity to see that spectrum all at once.

      Finalized roster:
      PITCHERS (13)
      Miguelangel Boadas, RHP
      C.J. Culpepper, RHP, TD’s No. 18
      James Ellwanger, RHP, TD’s No. 20
      Brent Francisco, RHP
      Ruddy Gomez, RHP
      Alejandro Hidalgo, RHP
      Dasan Hill, LHP, TD’s No. 6
      Matt Des Marets, RHP
      Marco Raya, RHP, TD’s No. 15
      Mitch Mueller, RHP
      Sam Ryan, RHP
      Jonathan Stevens, RHP
      Eston Stull, RHP

      CATCHERS (3)
      Khadim Diaw, TD’s No. 19
      Ricardo Olivar
      Eduardo Tait, TD’s No. 4

      INFIELDERS (7)
      Billy Amick, 3B/1B
      Kaelen Culpepper, SS, TD’s No. 2
      Kyle DeBarge, SS, TD’s No. 17
      Marek Houston, SS, TD’s No. 9
      Ben Ross, IF
      Brandon Winokur, SS/3B, TD’s No. 13
      Quentin Young, SS, TD’s No. 14

      OUTFIELDERS (5)
      Gabriel Gonzalez, TD’s No. 7
      Kyler Fedko
      Hendry Mendez, TD’s No. 16
      Emmanuel Rodriguez, TD’s No. 3
      Kala’i Rosario

      Cody Christie

      The Twins made multiple roster moves on Thursday, but one came much later than expected. Just a couple of hours before first pitch against the Marlins, Minnesota scratched center fielder Byron Buxton from the lineup because of soreness in his right hip flexor. Buxton had originally been scheduled to serve as the designated hitter and hit leadoff before the club made the late change.

      With Buxton unavailable, Austin Martin moved into the leadoff spot while Josh Bell stepped in as the designated hitter. Given how important Buxton has become to Minnesota’s offense over the last month, any injury concern immediately grabs attention.

      The timing is especially unfortunate because Buxton is in the middle of arguably the best power stretch of his career. After launching another leadoff home run on Wednesday night, he now has 15 home runs in his last 26 games dating back to April 13. No player in baseball has hit more homers during that stretch, with Buxton sitting two ahead of Kyle Schwarber.

      Even with a relatively quiet opening couple of weeks to the season, Buxton’s 15 home runs still rank tied for second in the American League and tied for third in all of baseball entering Thursday’s games.

      What has made the run even more impressive is the consistency. Since April 21, Buxton has not gone more than three games without leaving the yard. Wednesday’s blast was the 23rd leadoff homer of his career and his third already this season. The Twins have leaned heavily on his ability to create instant offense at the top of the lineup, especially with injuries and inconsistency affecting other parts of the roster.

      Over a larger sample, the production becomes even more eye-opening. Since May 14, 2025, Buxton has hit 41 home runs in just 128 games. Expanding the sample to his last 162 games dating back to April 1, 2025, he has clubbed 50 home runs. He is also currently on pace for 56 home runs this season, which would easily surpass his previous single-season career high of 35 set in 2025. That is superstar-level production from a player who has often battled injuries throughout his career.

      That is why Thursday’s scratch immediately raises concern, even if the Twins are initially calling it soreness. Minnesota has already dealt with a wave of pitching injuries this season, and the lineup looks entirely different when Buxton is unavailable.

      The Twins are already adjusting to life without Matt Wallner after his surprising option to Triple-A St. Paul earlier in the day. That move opened the door for Martin to take over as the club’s primary right fielder, making Buxton’s absence even more noticeable in an already reshuffled lineup.

      For now, the Twins will hope the move was simply precautionary and not something that lingers. Because over the last month, few players in baseball have been more dangerous than Byron Buxton.

      Matthew Taylor

      The Minnesota Twins have begun locking in their 2025 draft class, announcing the signings of three of their top selections, including their first-rounder, just days after the MLB Draft.

      Marek Houston, the Twins' first-round pick at No. 16 overall, has officially signed for $4,497,500, slightly under the assigned slot value of $4,929,600. Houston, widely regarded as the best defensive shortstop in the class, brings elite glove work and advanced instincts to the organization. Though questions remain about the bat, his athleticism and polish make him a potential fast mover in the system.

      Joining him is Riley Quick, the Twins' supplemental first-rounder out of Alabama, who signed for his full slot value of $2,692,000. A hard-throwing righty with a deep pitch mix, Quick profiles as a potential rotation mainstay with multiple plus offerings and a competitive SEC pedigree.

      Second-round pick Quentin Young, the nephew of former Twin Delmon Young, also signed for full slot value at $1,761,600. One of the more intriguing upside plays in the class, Young brings raw but electric tools, boasting elite athleticism and massive power potential. If the Twins can refine his approach, he could become a high-ceiling force in the lineup down the line.

      The Twins are expected to announce additional signings in the coming days as they work to finalize the rest of their 2025 class.

      Stay up-to-date on the 2025 MLB Draft with Twins Daily's draft tracker.

      Cody Christie

      Preseason rankings abound, but MLB.com recently delivered a bleak forecast for the Minnesota Twins. MLB.com’s Mike Petriello recently grouped every Major League club into tiers reflecting their potential to win during the 2026 season. Instead of ranking teams from 1 to 30, he grouped organizations into roughly 8 or 9 groups based on expectations, roster strength, and overall outlook.

      At the very top sits a tier of its own occupied by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The next level includes a collection of clear contenders like the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees. Minnesota, however, landed on the opposite end of the spectrum.

      Petriello placed the Twins in the lowest league tier, with only the Angels sharing that spot. It's a grouping that raises a pressing question: What is the path forward?

      To be clear, Petriello did not suggest these teams will necessarily finish with the worst records in baseball. In fact, he acknowledged that both the Twins and Angels still have talent on their rosters, including superstar players like Byron Buxton and Mike Trout. The concern is less about pure ability and more about the direction of the organizations themselves.

      According to Petriello, the issue primarily concerns the vibe around the clubs. For Minnesota, the last several months have shaped those vibes. Uncertainty after last year’s trade deadline and injuries to key pitchers like Pablo Lopez and David Festa have created a sense that the franchise is straddling competing and retooling. Outsiders often struggle to interpret that ambiguity positively.

      The data-driven projections do little to calm those concerns either. FanGraphs currently projects the Twins for the 23rd most wins (78 wins) in baseball during the 2026 season. The Angels sit even lower at 27th in those projections (73 wins). Only a handful of teams project worse, including the Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Colorado Rockies, who FanGraphs expects to finish with fewer than 70 wins.

      Ironically, Petriello placed several of those clubs in a higher tier than Minnesota. The Cardinals, Rockies, Nationals, and White Sox all landed in the eighth tier rather than the ninth. His reasoning was that those organizations appear to have a clearer long-term plan in place, even if the short-term results may still be rough. That distinction highlights the real criticism facing the Twins right now. It is not just about wins and losses. It is about perception.

      Minnesota still features a roster capable of surprising people if things break the right way. Young players could step forward, the pitching staff could stabilize, and a few early-season wins could quickly change the narrative around a team. But heading into the season, the national view of the franchise remains uncertain.

      The Twins may not accept the assessment, but it clearly outlines the challenge they face as they enter 2026. If the organization wants to shift the conversation about its future, it must do so on the field once the games start.

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