Cody Christie

When the World Baseball Classic rosters were unveiled, it appeared the Minnesota Twins would have a healthy presence on the international stage. Now, that presence may be nonexistent. Right-hander Taj Bradley has elected to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic, opting to remain in Fort Myers and continue building toward what the organization hopes will be a breakout season. Bradley had been slated to pitch for Mexico, but after conversations with the coaching staff, he decided his focus belonged in Twins camp. “He just approached me and said that he would like to stay in camp and be with the club,” manager Derek Shelton said. “And I just listened to him because we committed to him playing, and he committed to playing, and let him express himself. And I think the biggest thing was he felt his priority should be in this camp. He stated, new manager, new staff to some extent, new catcher in terms of Victor Caratini, and he just felt that the best use of his workload during Spring Training was going to be to be in our camp. So we supported him in terms of his decision.” It is hard to argue with that reasoning. The Twins acquired Bradley from the Tampa Bay Rays at last year’s trade deadline in a deal that sent Griffin Jax the other way. Minnesota was buying into upside. Two years ago, Bradley was viewed as one of the most electric young arms in baseball, ranking as a consensus top-50 prospect entering the 2023 season. His initial run in Minnesota was uneven. Bradley posted a 6.61 ERA in six starts after the trade, struggling at times to command the zone and keep the ball in the yard. Still, there were flashes. The Twins believe there is another level to reach, and with club control through 2029, they are invested in helping him find it. At just 25 years old, Bradley already has 385 1/3 innings in the majors between the Rays and Twins. That experience matters, especially for a pitcher still working to harness premium stuff. He owns a 4.86 career ERA, largely inflated by a 1.49 HR/9 rate. The underlying numbers paint a more optimistic picture. Bradley carries a 25 K%, an 8.6 BB%, and a 41.1% ground ball rate. His 4.38 FIP suggests he has pitched better than the surface results indicate. By staying in camp, Bradley can continue building chemistry with Caratini and work closely with a pitching group that has undergone changes. For a pitcher expected to slot in as the third or fourth starter, those relationships and routines could prove more valuable than a handful of high-intensity innings in March. Minnesota’s Classic outlook has shifted dramatically. Pablo López underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this week, and Joe Ryan’s availability remains uncertain as he manages lower back inflammation. What once looked like a showcase of the Twins' arms on the global stage now looks like a spring devoted entirely to getting healthy and aligned. For Bradley, that alignment starts now. If the Twins are going to surprise people in 2026, they will need their rotation to outperform expectations. Choosing camp over Classic may not generate headlines in the same way, but it could pay dividends when the games start to count. View full rumor

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. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports (Graphic by Brock Beauchamp) Prospect lists serve as both a roadmap and a reminder. They highlight what an organization hopes to become, while also documenting just how unpredictable baseball development can be. When Minnesota Twins fans looked at the top 20 prospects entering the 2021 season, the belief was that the next core of contention was already on the way. Some of those players have delivered on that promise. Others have fallen short of even modest expectations. A few took entirely different paths than anyone could have envisioned at the time. Outside the top 10, there were notable hits and misses as well. Bailey Ober checked in at 20th amid questions about his long-term upside, but has become a steady member of the rotation. Matt Wallner was ranked 13th and has likely exceeded what most projected when he joined the organization. Brent Rooker landed at 12th and eventually developed into a multi-time All-Star. Unfortunately for Minnesota, that growth happened elsewhere. The back half of the top 10, by contrast, has not aged particularly well. Blayne Enlow, Matt Canterino, Aaron Sabato, Keoni Cavaco, and Jordan Balazovic each had intriguing ceilings on draft day. None managed to reach those lofty expectations in a Twins uniform, and collectively, they serve as a cautionary tale about betting on projection over polish. Let’s look at Twins Daily’s top five from 2021 to see what was said at the time, and what has happened over the last five years. 5. RHP Jhoan Duran What was said at the time: An intimidating force on the mound with high-90s heat. Will he start? What happened: No, he did not start. In fact, the Twins moved him to the bullpen after making only five appearances in 2021. He became one of baseball’s most dominant closers. His fastball and splinker reached triple-digit velocities in shorter appearances, something that wasn’t hard to imagine when he started. His tenure in Minnesota ultimately ended when the club dealt him to the Philadelphia Phillies at last year’s trade deadline, in exchange for Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait. 4. C Ryan Jeffers What was said at the time: Showed his value as a polished two-way asset in MLB breakthrough. What happened: Jeffers has developed into an above-average hitter, especially when compared to others at his position across the league. Over the last three seasons, he's averaged a 113 OPS+, and his 117 wRC+ ranks second among AL catchers. Defense remains a question, but the Twins appear committed to giving him the bulk of the workload behind the plate in 2026, which will be his final season under team control. 3. OF Trevor Larnach What was said at the time: Looks the part of a near-ready, well-rounded bat for the heart of the order. What happened: Larnach’s offensive development hasn’t met the expectations he had as a first-round pick. He posted a 116 OPS+ in 2024, but saw that total dip to 99 in 2025, a rate of production that is unacceptable for a corner outfielder. Injuries and limited defensive value have complicated his role, and his name has consistently surfaced in trade rumors. He has become the embodiment of the post-hype prospect the Twins are waiting to take the next step. 2. SS Royce Lewis What was said at the time: Twins believe he will stick at short. Stardom is easy to envision. Born leader. What happened: Multiple serious knee injuries altered that trajectory and pushed him to third base. He has flashed star-level ability, but struggled to maintain consistency as the physical toll has mounted. Over the last two seasons, he's posted a 93 OPS+. Still, he remains firmly embedded in the organization’s long-term plans, especially after revamping his swing during the winter. 1. OF Alex Kirilloff What was said at the time: Prolific bat is big-league ready. High ceiling seems imminently reachable. What happened: There were moments when that optimism looked justified, but injuries ultimately derailed his career. Kirilloff retired following the 2024 season, at only 26 years old. In parts of four seasons, he posted a 99 OPS+, but he leaves behind one of the biggest “what-ifs” in team history. Prospect rankings are inherently optimistic snapshots. For every success story like Duran or Jeffers, there are several players whose paths never quite align with their potential. Minnesota’s 2021 top 10 illustrates both sides of that reality, and underscores just how difficult it is to translate minor-league promise into sustained major-league production. What stands out about the team’s 2021 top prospect list? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins made a small but notable adjustment to their spring training lineup on Thursday when Royce Lewis was scratched before first pitch. In late February, even minor changes draw attention. According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Lewis was removed from the lineup after experiencing tightness on his right side while running the bases during pregame work. The Twins’ media relations department labeled the move as being made out of an abundance of caution. For an organization that has spent the winter publicly elevating Lewis, there was little incentive to push him through discomfort in a Grapefruit League game. The new regime has been intentional about its messaging, and protecting one of its most talented players in February aligns with that philosophy. Since being hired, manager Derek Shelton has made it clear that Lewis is central to the Twins’ vision. Lewis was reportedly one of the first players Shelton sought out after taking the job. In radio interviews at the GM Meetings and Winter Meetings, Shelton did not shy away from calling Lewis a “superstar.” That is not language this organization has historically thrown around lightly. Lewis spent the offseason working with an outside hitting coach recommended by Bobby Witt Jr., another young star who has navigated early expectations with poise. The emphasis this winter has been on simplifying Lewis’s offensive operation. Observers this spring have noted fewer moving parts and a calmer pre-swing setup. The mechanical work has focused on getting Lewis into the best possible position before the swing even begins. The idea is repeatability. If Lewis can consistently win the pre-swing phase, the athleticism and bat speed take care of the rest. Early returns have been encouraging. His posture looks quieter. The leg kick appears more controlled. There is less wasted motion and more direct intent. That makes Thursday’s scratch feel more like a pause than a setback. Still, the Twins are well aware of Lewis’ history and the importance of availability. Even minor tightness becomes headline material when attached to a player who has battled lower-body injuries in previous seasons. Spring training is about preparation, not proof of toughness. Behind Lewis, the depth chart at third base is serviceable but uninspiring. Ryan Kreidler offers defensive versatility and contact skills. Gio Urshela brings veteran steadiness and familiarity. Tanner Schobel represents more of a developmental option than an immediate solution. None of them carries Lewis’ upside or middle-of-the-order presence. That reality underscores why caution is the correct play. For now, the Twins appear to be choosing patience over panic. And if Lewis is indeed the superstar Shelton believes him to be, a quiet afternoon in February will be long forgotten by the time the games start to matter. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Twins Daily There are difficult starts to a new job, and then there's whatever the last few weeks have been for Jeremy Zoll. When Zoll took the reins of baseball operations at the end of last month, it was supposed to be a seamless transition from the leadership group that had helped keep Minnesota competitive for the better part of a decade. Instead, it quickly became the organizational equivalent of logging into your email on Monday morning to discover that every message is marked urgent and your password no longer works. Things began unraveling when Derek Falvey shocked everyone by mutually agreeing to part ways with the Twins just two weeks before spring training began in Florida. Nothing says stability like an unexpected leadership change when pitchers and catchers are already Googling local rental listings. Then Framber Valdez decided to sign elsewhere. That would have been manageable, if elsewhere had not happened to be within the American League Central, where the Twins will now (ahem) enjoy seeing him approximately three times a year in games that count (and once in a while in their nightmares). Owner Tom Pohlad continues to insist that the club will contend in 2026, despite most projection systems responding with the statistical equivalent of a polite cough to cover very rude laughter. Optimism remains high internally, which is fortunate, because the external outlook has been described by some as character-building. Unfortunately, the situation escalated dramatically on the first day of full team workouts when Pablo López suffered a torn UCL. There are bad omens, and then there's losing your ace before the team photographer has even finished setting up the backdrop. Sources say that was the moment Zoll quietly opened Google Maps and typed in 'Los Angeles'. In what insiders are calling a proactive roster move, Zoll has decided to trade himself back to the Los Angeles Dodgers, in exchange for future considerations and significantly less stress. It is believed that the deal includes a reduced decision-making role, which many view as a feature rather than a bug. Undeniably, it is simply easier to operate in Los Angeles. There is money. There are resources. There is Shohei Ohtani, who tends to solve problems that might otherwise require an entire analytics department and three offseason strategy meetings. Even in a lesser role, success feels more attainable when your biggest challenge is deciding which All-Star should bat second, instead of trying to determine how many waiver claims it takes to build a bullpen by May. The Twins, meanwhile, are expected to name an interim executive sometime before Opening Day, assuming no one else trades themselves first. View full article

Spring training optimism is built on bullpens, backfields, and best-case scenarios. Reality tends to show up somewhere between the trainer’s room and the long toss line. On Thursday, Minnesota got a dose of both hope and concern when head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta provided updates on three critical arms that could shape the trajectory of the pitching staff not just for this season but beyond. The biggest update came for Pablo Lopez, who underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. Importantly, Lopez received the repair version of the procedure with an internal brace rather than a full ligament reconstruction. The repair process generally shortens recovery by 1 to 2 months, significantly altering his return timeline. If the 2027 season begins on schedule, Lopez should be tracking toward a return near the start of the year. That alone represents a meaningful win given the alternative. However, the looming possibility of a labor stoppage could further change the equation. Should a lockout delay Opening Day, Lopez might realistically be ready when games resume, allowing Minnesota to regain its ace without missing meaningful time. Meanwhile, Joe Ryan continues progressing after experiencing back tightness over the weekend while warming up for what would have been his first spring start. Ryan has resumed long toss and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this coming weekend. That outing will serve as the next checkpoint in determining how his body responds before the Twins chart out a clearer ramp-up plan. There is also an international wrinkle. It remains undecided whether Ryan will participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and how he rebounds from the bullpen session could factor heavily into that decision. Minnesota has long preached the importance of managing workloads early in the year, and this situation may force a more conservative approach. The most concerning news may belong to David Festa, who is being shut down for a couple of weeks due to a shoulder impingement. Festa received an injection in the shoulder, and the pause immediately puts the start of his season in jeopardy. Paparesta noted that the issue is unrelated to the thoracic outlet syndrome that ended Festa’s 2025 campaign, which is certainly encouraging, but the timing remains problematic. Minnesota has not publicly suggested any long-term role change, yet it is fair to wonder whether a move to the bullpen could ultimately be the best path forward for Festa. Shoulder concerns layered on top of last year’s thoracic outlet syndrome history make durability in a starting role increasingly difficult to project over a full-season workload. Taken together, these updates offer a snapshot of the balancing act that defines modern pitching staffs. Lopez provides optimism for the future. Ryan represents cautious day-to-day monitoring in the present. Festa embodies the uncertainty that often forces organizations to reconsider development plans on the fly. For a Twins club that has leaned heavily on its pitching depth in recent years, how each of these timelines unfolds could quietly determine how aggressive the front office needs to be before Opening Day and how sustainable the rotation will look once the games begin to matter. View full rumor

When the Minnesota Twins scratched Joe Ryan from his scheduled start on Saturday due to lower back tightness, it was the kind of spring training update that immediately makes an entire fan base uneasy. A few days later, however, the news cycle has already shifted in a much more encouraging direction. Twins manager Derek Shelton told reporters that Ryan played catch from 90 feet on Tuesday morning after undergoing imaging over the weekend. The results showed inflammation in his lower back rather than any structural damage. For a team that is already navigating the loss of Pablo López to Tommy John surgery, that distinction matters in a significant way. “He played catch today at 90 feet, so I think that was really encouraging,” Shelton said. “And he was also in the training room doing movement stuff. Encouraging. Trending in the right direction.” At this point in camp, the most important thing for Minnesota is not necessarily how quickly Ryan gets back on the mound, but that he continues to progress without setbacks. Spring training schedules are flexible. A timeline is not. There is still no clear indication of when Ryan will throw his next bullpen session, but the early internal expectation is that this is a short-term interruption rather than something that threatens his availability for Opening Day. That is critical given the Twins' rotation's current state. With López sidelined for the season, Ryan is no longer just part of the front-end mix. He is the front-end mix. If healthy, he becomes the obvious choice to take the ball on Opening Day, setting the tone for a rotation that will lean heavily on Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson behind him. That makes maintaining his health through the remainder of camp one of the most important storylines the Twins will navigate before the regular season begins. Ryan is also scheduled to pitch for the United States in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, though his availability for that event is now less certain. Minnesota may ultimately take a cautious approach if there is any lingering question about his back responding to increased intensity. There should still be enough time for Ryan to ramp back up for the regular season without issue. The bigger unknown now may be how the Twins handle his workload in the short term as they balance competitive commitments in March with the reality that their postseason hopes could hinge on his ability to stay on the mound from April through September. Behind Ober and Woods Richardson, the final spots in the rotation are expected to come down to a camp competition between Zebby Matthews, Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, and potentially David Festa. Bradley might have the inside track to a spot since he has thrown over 380 innings at the big-league level. Festa is “gradually ramping up” after ending last season on the injured list. Minnesota has touted its pitching depth, but losing Joe Ryan might have pushed the Minnesota Twins from fringe contender to full-scale rebuild. Without their projected Opening Day starter anchoring the staff, the domino effect would stretch from the top of the rotation to the final bullpen spot, forcing Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson into roles that demand more innings and consistency while accelerating timelines for young arms that were expected to develop more gradually. In a season already shaped by the loss of López, Ryan’s health is not just important to Minnesota’s April outlook but foundational to whether this team spends the summer chasing a postseason berth or reevaluating its long-term direction. View full rumor

Image courtesy of William Parmeter Gabriel Gonzalez carries himself a little differently this spring. The same easy smile is there, and the appreciation for the opportunity has not changed, but there is a noticeable sense of confidence that comes from settling in and proving to himself that he belongs. After a rocky introduction to the organization in 2024, Gonzalez settled in last season and reminded everyone why he remains one of the farm system’s top prospects. Now, as camp unfolds under the watchful eyes of big-league coaches and the Minnesota development staff, Gonzalez is thinking bigger. “First of all, thank God. I had an incredible year last year, and I’m happy for that," he said. "I want to build off last year, and I’ve got some goals that I want to achieve for this year. I’m incredibly lucky to be a part of this team right now, and I look forward to the staff helping me get better.” That perspective did not come overnight. Gonzalez came to the Twins as part of the Jorge Polanco trade, and that transition came with some bumps. A new clubhouse. New coaches. New expectations. Even for a highly regarded prospect, that can be overwhelming. “At first, it was a little difficult for me coming to a new team, not knowing anybody," Gonzalez recalled. "It was all new to me. Thank God that my teammates were helpful, the staff was helpful, and I’m getting better. I found my rhythm. I’m looking forward to this year.” Finding that rhythm changed everything. His bat speed returned. His approach sharpened. The natural ability that made him such an intriguing addition began to show consistently over a full season. Now the focus shifts toward 2026, a year of high stakes for both Gonzalez and the organization. While he is unlikely to break camp with the big-league club, the expectation internally is that he could force the conversation before long. The Twins have leaned heavily on young talent in recent seasons, and Gonzalez fits the timeline of a roster that continues to blend cost-controlled upside with competitive expectations. His goals for the upcoming year are grounded but telling. “First of all, I would like to stay healthy," he said. "That’s number one. Then I’d like to help the team with whatever they need. Control the controllables.” Health is foundational. Consistency follows. But Gonzalez knows that if he is going to make the leap from promising minor leaguer to everyday contributor at Target Field, there is one area that demands attention. “I think first and foremost, I need to work on my defense, and make it a huge emphasis. At the big-league level, people play good defense. The game speeds up on you. Everything is hit harder and further. So, I need to focus on my defense.” That self-awareness matters. The bat has long been his calling card, but modern roster construction demands versatility and reliability in the field. For a young outfielder hoping to carve out a role in Minnesota’s long-term plans, sharpening routes, reads, and arm accuracy could be the difference between being a contributor and being a cornerstone. And he has already allowed himself to dream a little. “It's definitely crossed my mind. We [he, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Walker Jenkins] played together in Triple-A, shared the same outfield, and we get along very well. But it's definitely crossed my mind that in the future we could share the same at Target Field. That would be an incredible experience.” The image of a young, homegrown outfield growing together at Target Field is exactly what the organization hopes to build toward in 2026 and beyond. Gonzalez is not guaranteed anything, but the path is visible. Continued offensive production. Defensive growth. A healthy season. If those boxes are checked, the timeline accelerates quickly. For now, Gonzalez remains focused on the daily work. The drills in the Florida sun. The conversations with coaches. The steady climb that every prospect must navigate. Last year was about finding his rhythm. This year is about proving it was not a fluke. If he does that, 2026 could be the year Twins fans finally see Gabriel Gonzalez turn potential into presence on a major league stage. What should the expectations be for Gonzalez in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of William Parmeter There's an argument to be made that the most important games the Minnesota Twins will play this decade are the ones scheduled between Opening Day and the All-Star break in 2026. That may sound dramatic for a franchise just a few years removed from postseason relevance, but recent history has shown how small the margin for error has become. In both 2024 and 2025, Minnesota found itself playing from behind almost immediately. In 2025, the club limped to a 13-20 record and sat eight games out of first place on May 2. A 13-game winning streak briefly revived belief inside the clubhouse and across the fan base, but it ultimately masked deeper roster flaws that resurfaced over the final four months. The 2024 season followed a similar script. The Twins were 7-13 entering play on April 22, before a 12-game winning streak shoved them back into contention. Those bursts were impressive, but unsustainable. Minnesota was forced to play nearly perfect baseball for weeks at a time just to erase the damage of a slow start. Needless to say, it didn't work out that way. Following the same path in 2026 might mean a full-fledged freefall. This version of the Twins does not have the same depth to weather injuries or prolonged slumps. The lineup is thinner, the bullpen is weaker, and the rotation does not feature the same high-ceiling leaders. Falling six to eight games under .500 in April could be the difference between buying at the deadline and beginning a more aggressive sell-off. To that end, trade speculation will not wait for clarity. Joe Ryan remains one of the more valuable controllable starters in the American League. A healthy Byron Buxton is still a dynamic, game-altering talent. Ryan Jeffers has developed into one of baseball’s best-hitting catchers, but is a pending free agent. All three heard their names in rumors over the last year, and that has only increased since last July’s trade deadline sell-off. Another sluggish first half would intensify conversations across the league. Ownership expectations complicate the picture. Tom Pohlad has consistently communicated that the expectation is to contend and play meaningful games in September. That likely requires the Twins to hover around .500 at the trade deadline, while hoping the American League Central underperforms relative to the rest of baseball. If the division remains tightly packed and flawed, a team sitting a game or two out of first place in late July could justify adding, rather than subtracting. But if Minnesota enters July buried in the standings, the calculus changes. At that point, the front office must decide whether holding onto veteran talent serves the long-term vision or delays an inevitable reset. What makes this first half uniquely fascinating is the wave building in the upper minors. Minnesota expects several of its top prospects to open the season at Triple-A, including Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kaelen Culpepper, and Connor Prielipp. Each brings a different element. Jenkins profiles as a middle-of-the-order presence. Rodriguez offers impact power and on-base ability. Culpepper has quickly climbed, with advanced bat-to-ball skills. Prielipp, if healthy, has the type of stuff that can alter a rotation’s ceiling. The environment they enter matters. If the Twins are within striking distance in July, those call-ups could feel like reinforcements for a legitimate postseason push. Young talent arriving to supplement an already competitive roster can energize a clubhouse and a fan base. On the other hand, if veterans are moved at the deadline, those same prospects could debut in a far more developmental setting, tasked with learning on the fly while the organization prioritizes growth over wins. That fork in the road will be determined by the first 81 games. There is also a business reality layered into the baseball conversation. After back-to-back disappointing seasons, the Twins are actively trying to re-engage a frustrated fan base. The organization has announced promotions ranging from discounted beer to free ice cream for kids to create a more inviting ballpark experience. Those initiatives matter, but history has shown that the most effective marketing strategy is winning. Compounding the pressure is a payroll that has dropped from $160 million in 2023 to just over $100 million in 2026. Even that number requires context. Minnesota is paying the Houston Astros $10 million toward the salary of Carlos Correa, and Pablo López will not throw a pitch this season following Tommy John surgery despite carrying a $21.5-million salary. In other words, the margin is thin on and off the field. A strong first half could stabilize everything. It would quiet trade rumors, justify ownership's patience, energize the fan base, and create a pathway for prospects to join a competitive core. A poor start could accelerate difficult conversations and reshape the organization’s timeline for the remainder of the decade. The Twins do not need to dominate April and May. They simply need to avoid the kind of early hole that has defined recent seasons. Because this time, there may not be another 12 or 13-game winning streak waiting to save them. How important is the first half of the 2026 season for the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The season-ending elbow injury to Pablo López has forced a reality check for the Twins before the regular season has even begun. With their ace now set to undergo Tommy John surgery, questions about Minnesota’s direction are surfacing once again. Appearing Monday on Fair Territory, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal was asked whether López’s absence could impact how the organization approaches trade discussions involving key players such as Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan. "I would expect the Twins are going to be sellers, but not just yet," Rosenthal said Monday. Rosenthal pointed to the immediate impact López’s injury has on the club’s competitiveness, especially when evaluating how the roster stacks up against the rest of the division. "Certainly with losing Pablo Lopez, the team is not as competitive as it might have expected," continued Rosenthal. "But their new ownership, or I should say their shift in control people, to a different Pohlad, he's talking like they want to compete, and he keeps saying that, and he keeps coming out saying, 'We intend to be competitive in the AL Central.' So, I don't expect a trade of either of those players, Ryan or Buxton, to happen this spring." Both Buxton and Ryan have remained popular names in trade speculation dating back to last summer’s deadline when Minnesota reshaped much of its roster but ultimately held onto several cornerstone pieces. Ryan recently told The Athletic’s Dan Hayes he was "really happy" to still be in Minnesota after the front office opted against dealing López or Buxton earlier in the process. Buxton, meanwhile, has consistently stated his desire to remain with the Twins, even as rumors have continued to circulate. “All it takes is for somebody at the top to go to the media: ‘We’re not trading you.' Trade rumors stop," Buxton said recently. Ownership, led by controlling owner Tom Pohlad, has been clear in its desire to remain competitive rather than move additional talent. Still, Rosenthal noted that stance may become more difficult to maintain if Minnesota struggles in the standings. "Could it happen down the line, by the deadline? Certainly could happen if the Twins don't contend," Rosenthal reasoned. "And I'm still having a hard time seeing how they will contend. Now, they're in the forgiving AL Central. That will help. But the Tigers should be really good. The Guardians always seem to figure it out. The White Sox are improving. And the Royals, they see themselves as a contender as well." Rosenthal also referenced last July’s deadline decisions and the inherent risk of holding onto players who could have been moved at peak value. “The Twins are a team that, of course, deconstructed in a major way last July at the deadline. You remember all the players that they moved, Correa being the headliner, but a number of others as well, including really their entire bullpen.” “At that time, they chose not to trade Joe Ryan, not to trade Pablo Lopez, who was hurt. And the danger when you do that is you’re risking a player or pitcher getting injured or not performing to his previous norms. The Twins, in this case with Pablo Lopez, they were probably going to trade him at the deadline if he was healthy this year.” “Joe Ryan might have been a trade candidate and still might be a trade candidate for them at the deadline. They talk about competing. The Twins keep saying, ‘we want to compete, we want to be back in the AL Central mix,’ and all that. Well, they haven’t spent enough money to do that, and now they have this question of their rotation without one of their big premier starters.” Whether Minnesota stays the course or pivots later this summer could ultimately depend on how it navigates the first few months of the season without its ace leading the rotation. View full rumor

Spring training is always about progression, but for David Festa, the climb toward Opening Day may be a little more deliberate this year. According to The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale, Festa is “gradually ramping up” this spring after ending the 2025 season on the injured list. In September, Festa was diagnosed with a mild form of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, which caused nerve compression in his right shoulder. He underwent treatment that included Botox injections in an effort to avoid surgery. Over the weekend in Fort Myers, Festa took another step forward by throwing live at-bats on a back field. Nightengale reported that his fastball sat between 91 and 92 miles per hour during the session. That mark falls short of last season when Festa averaged 94.1 miles per hour on his four-seamer, but it is also an indication that he is trending in the right direction after previously being limited to bullpen sessions. The nerve issue near his pitching shoulder required a cautious offseason approach, and the Twins are clearly taking the same path this spring. Even so, Festa still has a legitimate opportunity to win a spot in Minnesota’s rotation as camp progresses. Earlier in the winter, there was some speculation that Festa could shift to the bullpen in order to bolster a group lacking high upside right-handed options. However, starting pitching depth has quickly become a priority for the Twins following the news that Pablo López will miss the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Minnesota’s projected rotation currently includes Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Taj Bradley. The final spot could ultimately come down to Festa, Zebby Matthews, and Mick Abel as the calendar inches closer to Opening Day. Whichever two pitchers fall short in that competition will likely begin the year with the St. Paul Saints and serve as early-season depth should injuries arise or performance dictate a change. Festa entered last season as arguably Minnesota’s top pitching prospect after posting a 34.9 K% with a 4.00 FIP at Triple-A in 2024. However, his big-league tenure has matched those upper-minors results. In 117 2/3 innings, he has posted an 83 ERA+, 4.27 FIP, and 25.7 K%. For Festa, Saturday’s live session was not about velocity as much as it was about availability. If the trend continues upward, he could still find himself in the Opening Day conversation even as the Twins take a patient approach to his return. View full rumor

Image courtesy of © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images ​ Every spring, a handful of players force organizations to make uncomfortable decisions. They may not have the prospect pedigree or the lengthy big-league résumé, but something in their profile demands a closer look. Sometimes it is a mechanical tweak. Sometimes it is an approach change. Increasingly, it is something that shows up in the data before it shows up in the box score. That is where the newest public-facing metrics from Baseball Savant begin to matter more than ever. The Athletic recently highlighted Bat Speed, Swing Tilt, and Intercept Point as part of a growing toolkit that can help teams identify future impact hitters even in the smallest samples. These numbers are not perfect in isolation, but together they can start to paint a predictive picture of what a player might become before traditional production ever catches up. Swing tilt, in particular, has become an increasingly useful piece of the puzzle. A higher tilt swing is generally more capable of lifting the baseball and doing damage on pitches located in the lower part of the strike zone. That aligns naturally with the movement profile of many breaking balls. It is not surprising that many of the game’s best power hitters generate their thump with a steeper bat path designed to create loft. Of course, there is another path to offensive success. Hitters with lower tilt swings tend to produce more contact because that flatter bat path plays better against fastballs that enter the zone on a more direct plane. That trade-off between contact and power has historically made bat-path evaluation difficult across the league. Multiple MLB front offices have wrestled with grading swings in a way that fairly captures both outcomes. The research group at Driveline Baseball sought to bridge that gap by separating bat-path evaluation into two metrics. Contact+ attempts to measure a hitter’s ability to consistently put the bat on the ball. Power+ focuses on their ability to drive it with authority. When looking at last season’s leaderboards through that lens, one member of the Minnesota Twins quietly stands out as a sleeper candidate for more. James Outman posted a 28 Contact+ alongside a 61 Power+. That profile aligns with what his career 34.5% strikeout rate already suggests. He is not built to be a high-contact hitter. The model sees it, and so do the results. However, the encouraging piece of the puzzle is the combination of bat speed and swing tilt that gives him a legitimate chance to impact the baseball when he does connect. Outman demonstrated that power potential throughout his time in the minors, including a .945 OPS and 131 wRC+ at Triple-A last season. Those numbers are not just the product of favorable environments. They reflect a swing that is capable of generating damage in a way that traditional contact-oriented profiles cannot. There is also a practical roster element at play. Minnesota could use a defensively capable fourth outfielder who can handle center field on occasion. Outman is out of minor league options, which means a strong showing this spring could force the organization to carry him rather than risk losing him on waivers. The other outfielders on the 40-man roster include Alan Roden, Austin Martin, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Gabriel Gonzalez. There will likely be room for two of those names on the Opening Day roster, with Martin and Outman having the inside track at the start of spring training. In a roster battle that often comes down to marginal differences, a player with real underlying power traits can quickly become the more intriguing choice over a younger but lower-impact alternative. The strikeouts may never disappear. That is the cost of doing business with a swing designed to lift and drive the baseball. But in an era where teams are increasingly comfortable trading some contact for impact, Outman’s underlying profile suggests there may be more upside than his surface numbers currently indicate. Recently, I reviewed the Twins trade that brought Outman to Minnesota from Los Angeles. It was starting to look like this might be a trade that didn’t help either organization. However, if Bat Speed, Swing Tilt, and Intercept Point truly are as predictive as early research suggests, the Twins may already have a potential breakout candidate hiding in plain sight. Can Outman be a breakout player for the Twins in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article