So Far, Tom Pohlad Feels Like a Change for the Better

When the offseason began, most people expected continuity in the Minnesota Twins' ownership structure. Instead, the winter delivered a surprising shakeup. After the Pohlad family sold minority shares of the franchise, leadership within the organization shifted in ways many did not expect.

For years, Joe Pohlad was the public-facing leader of the club. However, as the offseason unfolded, Tom Pohlad stepped forward to guide the organization. The transition became even more notable later in the winter, when longtime president of baseball operations Derek Falvey stepped away from the Twins. With that departure, Tom Pohlad took on an even more prominent role and assumed responsibility for the business side of operations heading into the 2026 season.

The sudden shift caught many fans off guard. Ownership changes rarely happen in such a visible way during an otherwise quiet winter—and this one came just a few months after the fan base was crestfallen to learn that there wouldn't be a more official transfer of power. Since taking over, however, Pohlad has implemented several noticeable changes. Some have been widely welcomed, while others still leave observers wondering about the long-term impact.

Since Tom took over, there have been some obvious changes that can be viewed in multiple ways. Let’s dive in.

Around the Team More Regularly
Pohlad has been vocal about his intention to stay close to the team. That promise has already been visible. He spent significant time at spring training with his entire family during the club’s stay in Florida. The visibility has continued into the regular season.

Players have seen him greeting them outside the locker room after big wins. He spoke to the club during the celebration marking Byron Buxton reaching 10 years in the big leagues. He also made the short trip to St. Paul for the Triple-A home opener to support the organization’s top minor-league club.

In short, Pohlad is more visible around the organization than any member of the ownership group has been in recent memory. That level of involvement can be encouraging, especially for fans who often wonder how closely ownership is involved in the day-to-day operations of the team. At the same time, some will naturally wonder where the line lies between supportive presence and over-involvement.
Rating: Somewhere in between. The jury is still out.

Speaking to the Press More Often
An extension of being around the team more frequently is that Pohlad has also become more available to the media. Reporters now have the opportunity to ask him questions when situations arise during the season.

Under previous leadership, media availability from ownership was rare. It usually happened before the season began, after the season ended, or during major organizational announcements. Regular conversations with ownership during the middle of the 162-game grind were almost nonexistent.

No one expects ownership to address the press daily, and that should become unnecessary over time. However, the willingness to speak when something noteworthy occurs provides needed clarity for fans and transparency for the organization.
Rating: Positive. Increased communication is generally a good thing.

Cheap Beer and Other Happy Hour Specials
Beyond Pohlad’s personal visibility, the Twins have clearly made an effort to reconnect with fans. Attendance and fan sentiment have taken a hit over the past couple of seasons, and the club appears determined to change that narrative.

One initiative has been the introduction of $2 beers before first pitch on Friday and Saturday home games. The idea is to create a happy hour atmosphere leading up to the start of the game. On certain nights, the team has also offered discounted snacks and hot dogs.

Ballpark prices have steadily climbed across the league, especially for families attending games together. Creating opportunities for fans to save money while enjoying the ballpark experience is an easy way to build goodwill.
Rating: Positive. Lower-cost options benefit both the fans and the atmosphere.

Drop in Ballpark Pass Price
Another fan-friendly move came with the adjustment to the team’s Ballpark Pass. This season, the Twins lowered the early purchase price to $229 for the entire year, if fans bought the pass early in the offseason. The pass grants entry to every home game, including Opening Day, though it does not guarantee an assigned seat.

If a fan attends every home game, that works out to less than $3 per game. There is also a monthly option at $59 for fans who prefer flexibility rather than committing to the full season. Last year, the pass carried a price tag of $324.

The reduced cost makes the product far more accessible, especially for younger fans or people who simply enjoy stopping by the ballpark for a few innings.
Rating: Positive. This is a creative way to fill the stadium.

Opening Day Fiasco
The home opener at Target Field did not go according to plan. An hour-long power outage delayed fans from entering the ballpark, leaving thousands standing outside waiting for the gates to reopen. Opening Day always draws one of the largest crowds of the season, so the situation created plenty of frustration.

The organization responded quickly once the issue was resolved. The Twins extended the pregame happy-hour prices through the end of the second inning to ensure that fans who had been waiting in line could still take advantage of the deals. While the outage itself was not ideal, the response softened the blow.
Rating: Positive. The team made a quick adjustment to improve a difficult situation.

Redoing Opening Day
The Twins took things one step further in the days following the outage. As an additional gesture, the team offered fans who purchased Opening Day tickets a free ticket to the April 17 game against the Cincinnati Reds.

That game will feature another round of happy-hour specials, a live band during the pregame celebration, and fireworks after the final out. The organization could have easily blamed the outage on factors outside its control and moved on. Instead, the team chose to turn the moment into another opportunity to reconnect with its fan base.
Rating: Positive. It shows a willingness to go the extra mile for fans.

Not every development will be universally praised, and some observers will continue to watch closely to see how involved ownership becomes moving forward. Still, the early moves suggest a real effort to increase transparency and rebuild goodwill with fans. For an organization entering a new chapter, that may be exactly the type of start the Twins need.

What are your thoughts about the changes made under Tom Pohlad? Leave a comment and start the discussion.