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The Minnesota Twins' ownership situation took an unexpected turn last month. For weeks, all signs pointed to billionaire Justin Ishbia taking control of the franchise, bringing visions of aggressive spending and bold moves. But in a shocking twist, Ishbia backed out—opting, instead, to invest further in the Twins’ division rivals, the Chicago White Sox.
When the Pohlad family announced their intention to sell the Minnesota Twins this offseason, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Ishbia would be the one to take over as the team’s new owner. Reports indicated Ishbia was the frontrunner (although perhaps we all also assumed that, simply because of his trmenedous wealth and the fact that his name was leaked), and Twins fans began to envision an ownership group willing to spend big and operate aggressively. But when the expected news drop came, it was the opposite of what many anticipated.
Understandably, this news was met with disappointment from Twins fans. The thought of an owner with deep pockets willing to take financial risks was an exciting proposition. Ishbia, a partial owner of the Phoenix Suns and the brother of Mat Ishbia, the team’s controlling owner, had seemingly represented a shift toward a more aggressive, win-now approach. However, while the initial disappointment is understandable, a closer look at Ishbia’s tenure with the Suns raises the question: was his withdrawal from the Twins’ ownership race actually a blessing in disguise?
Ishbia’s time with the Suns has been anything but stable. Since gaining control, the Suns have made one blockbuster move after another, trading away a promising young core for established stars like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. While these trades made headlines and sent a message that the team was all-in, they’ve also left the Suns without much of a future. Phoenix is currently sitting in 9th place in the Western Conference; their roster depth has been depleted; and their future draft capital has been largely exhausted. The constant shakeups have extended beyond the roster as well, with the team now on the verge of hiring its fourth head coach in four seasons. The Suns, once a model of patience and development that built a Finals-contending team in 2021, have since become a cautionary tale of ownership overreach and short-term thinking.
So what does this mean for the Minnesota Twins? Baseball is, of course, a different game than basketball, with no hard salary cap and a much more robust farm system that plays a pivotal role in sustaining success. Even with a wealthier owner, the Twins would still be a mid-market team, and Minnesota would never be able to spend at the levels of the Dodgers, Yankees, or Mets. An owner like Ishbia, with his aggressive, hands-on approach, may have been willing to push the payroll higher, but at what cost? Would he have mortgaged the team’s future by trading away top prospects for short-term gains? Would the Twins have ended up in a situation where they were locked into expensive, aging veterans with no clear long-term plan? Admittedly, since teams can't trade draft picks in MLB the way they can and do in the NBA, there would have to be some ongoing replenishment of the farm, but would an Ishbia-led team strip down the scouting department in favor of heavier investments in flashy, expensive big-league moves?
One of the Twins’ greatest strengths over the years has been their stability. Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have built a sustainable model, one that prioritizes development while making calculated moves to improve the roster when necessary. Manager Rocco Baldelli has been in place since 2019, providing consistency and a clear philosophy that has resulted in multiple postseason appearances. Compare that to the Suns, who have been in a near-constant state of flux since the Ishbias took over, and it’s easy to see how the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Of course, no one is arguing that the Pohlads have been ideal owners. The frustration with their spending limitations is valid, and a fresh perspective at the ownership level could certainly be beneficial for the franchise. But there’s a difference between being willing to spend and spending recklessly. The best owners in sports aren’t necessarily the ones who make the biggest splashes, but rather the ones who provide financial support, hire the right people, let them do their jobs, and then get out of the way.
Would Ishbia have been that kind of owner? Based on his track record in Phoenix, there’s reason to doubt it. The allure of an aggressive, risk-taking billionaire was strong, but the reality of what that approach has done to the Suns is a reminder that big spending and constant movement don’t always equal success. In the end, Twins fans may have dodged a bullet. Yes, Mat is the head honcho and has the final word on those moves, but so far, it's been hard to discern a significant gap between the two when it comes to risk tolerance or approach.
The question of who will ultimately buy the team remains unanswered, and until that happens, there will continue to be uncertainty about the Twins’ future. Inarguably, courting Ishbia for months and losing him late in the process sets them back. But while many fans are lamenting the loss of a seemingly ambitious owner, it may not be the disaster some are imagining. The Twins’ next owner will shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come, and rather than simply hoping for someone willing to spend, perhaps the real hope should be for someone who understands that smart, sustainable decision-making is just as important as a willingness to open the checkbook.
What do you think? Are Twins fans really missing out by not landing Ishbia, or was his withdrawal actually a good thing for the franchise’s long-term future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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