Reviewing the Twins' Offseason Approach Ahead of the Last MLB Lockout

The last time Major League Baseball experienced a lockout, November became a race for teams to get as many deals completed as possible. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement set to expire on December 1, 2021, front offices worked quickly to finalize contracts before the offseason came to a sudden halt.

For the most part, the Minnesota Twins took a patient approach. They had some important decisions to make after finishing 73-89 and landing in last place in the American League Central. The organization addressed two areas before the lockout, but its biggest moves came after baseball returned.

Before the Lockout

Minnesota's biggest priority was figuring out Byron Buxton's future. The star center fielder was entering his final year of team control, and his injury history made contract negotiations complicated. However, the two sides found common ground, agreeing to a seven-year, $100 million extension that would keep Buxton in Minnesota through the 2028 season.

It was a significant commitment to a player with enormous potential but considerable availability concerns. Buxton had hit .306 with 19 home runs and a 1.005 OPS in only 61 games during the 2021 season. The Twins were betting on his ability to produce when on the field while also securing one of the most talented players in franchise history.

Minnesota also looked to improve its starting rotation by adding Dylan Bundy on a one-year contract with a club option for 2023. Bundy was coming off a difficult season with the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 6.06 ERA across 23 appearances. However, he had finished ninth in American League Cy Young voting in 2020, giving the Twins some potential upside if he could recapture that form.

Those were the primary additions before the lockout. The Twins had secured their franchise center fielder and added a veteran starting pitcher, but plenty of questions remained about the roster.

Coming Out of the Lockout

During the 2021-22 lockout, MLB prohibited clubs from discussing potential trades with one another. However, front offices had an opportunity to establish trade frameworks before the work stoppage began. Those earlier discussions could be revisited and finalized once the lockout ended. Teams also had plenty of time to evaluate possible deals and determine which players might become available. When baseball finally returned in March, the Twins wasted little time addressing their biggest needs.

Their first major pitching addition came through a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. Minnesota acquired Sonny Gray and minor league pitcher Francis Peguero in exchange for pitching prospect Chase Petty. Gray immediately gave the rotation an experienced arm capable of taking the ball near the top of the staff. After another disappointing season, the Twins finally had a veteran they could count on to help stabilize their pitching staff.

The organization then made one of the biggest free-agent splashes in franchise history. Minnesota signed shortstop Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3 million contract. The deal included opt-outs after the first and second seasons, but it gave the Twins an unexpected superstar addition. Correa had been one of the top players available on the free-agent market, and his arrival dramatically changed expectations for the team.

Minnesota wasn't finished adding pitching. The Twins signed Chris Archer to a one-year contract to provide additional rotation depth. The former All-Star came with some health questions, but the organization believed he still had enough upside to contribute.

The final major addition came right before Opening Day. Minnesota traded closer Taylor Rogers, outfielder Brent Rooker, and cash considerations to San Diego for Chris Paddack, Emilio Pagan, and a player to be named later (Brayan Medina). Paddack offered another controllable starting option, while Pagan had late inning bullpen experience. The move also represented a significant departure for Rogers, who had been a reliable part of Minnesota's relief corps.

The Bigger Impact Came in 2023

Looking back, the Gray and Correa additions might not have delivered the immediate team success the Twins wanted in 2022. Minnesota finished 78-84 and missed the postseason. However, it would be unfair to say either player failed to live up to expectations individually.

Correa hit .291 with 22 home runs and an .834 OPS across 136 games. Gray posted a 3.08 ERA in 24 starts, giving Minnesota a dependable starting pitcher. The problem was that the rest of the roster couldn't consistently perform well enough to turn those individual contributions into a playoff berth.

There was also some uncertainty surrounding Correa's future. After the season, he exercised his opt-out clause and briefly appeared headed elsewhere. He agreed to massive contracts with San Francisco and New York, but concerns during physical examinations prevented either deal from becoming official. Minnesota eventually brought him back on a six-year, $200 million contract in January 2023. That decision proved to be another important piece of the organization's next chapter.

Gray also continued to provide tremendous value. In 2023, he turned in one of the best seasons of his career, posting a 2.79 ERA across 32 starts. He struck out 183 batters in 184 innings and finished second in American League Cy Young voting. The trade that initially helped stabilize the rotation had produced an ace-level season.

Correa's return gave the Twins an established veteran presence at shortstop and a player with significant postseason experience. His offensive numbers dipped in 2023, but his defense, leadership, and October experience remained important parts of the club's identity. Together, those moves helped lay the foundation for a much better team. Minnesota finished 87-75, captured the AL Central title, and finally had the pieces to compete in October.

The biggest moment came against the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card Series. On October 3, 2023, the Twins defeated Toronto 3-1 to snap their 18-game postseason losing streak. Minnesota followed that victory with another win to sweep the series and advance to the ALDS. It marked the organization's first postseason series victory since 2002.

The Twins had gone from a last-place team in 2021 to a division champion that finally broke one of baseball's most frustrating postseason streaks. Gray and Correa weren't the only reasons for that turnaround, but their additions played a significant role in changing the organization's direction.

Looking Back and Forward

The Twins' approach during the last lockout offers an interesting look at how quickly an offseason can change. Minnesota didn't make a massive splash in November, but the organization was much more aggressive once the new CBA was finalized.

The additions of Gray, Correa, Archer, Paddack, and Pagan completely changed the team's outlook heading into the 2022 season. Not every move worked out perfectly, but the front office demonstrated a willingness to be aggressive when opportunities became available.

More importantly, the Gray and Correa moves provided lasting value beyond their first season in Minnesota. Gray became a Cy Young runner-up, Correa returned on a long-term contract, and the two helped form the foundation of a team that brought postseason success back to Minnesota in 2023.

With another labor deadline approaching, Twins fans have a recent example of why the offseason doesn't necessarily need to be judged by what happens before a potential work stoppage. Sometimes, the most important work happens after baseball gets back to business.

What stands out about how the Twins approached the last lockout? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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