Cody Christie

Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images The camera opens on a quiet conference room overlooking Target Field. It is pristine. It is calm. It is absolutely not calm. This is Succession, Minnesota style. There is coffee. There are spreadsheets. There is a faint sense that someone is about to be told they are still family but no longer in charge. Tom Pohlad stands at the head of the table. He does not raise his voice. He does not need to. He has the tone of a man who has already won the argument fourteen months ago. Tom: Don’t get me wrong. We are still in control. Joe Pohlad sits across from him. He has been here for nineteen years. He looks like someone who just realized the word stewardship can be used as a weapon. Joe: So… this is happening. Tom: This is happening in the best interest of the organization. Joe: The organization being the Minnesota Twins or the Pohlad family. From the corner, a silent PowerPoint flickers to life. It reads New Partners. Majority Ownership. Best Interest. There are no numbers. There do not need to be numbers. Joe Ryan is there for some reason. No one invited him. Pitchers just wander into these things. Joe Ryan: Sorry, I thought this was a rotation meeting. Tom: It is. Just not yours. (Ryan exits) Derek Falvey leans forward like a corporate cousin who knows exactly when to speak and when to let chaos cook. Falvey: We are aligned. That is the message. Derek Shelton nods slowly from the end of the table. He has the calm expression of someone who has seen how this ends and knows it is never clean. Shelton: We believe in the process. Whatever the process is now. Joe Pohlad stares at Tom. Joe: I was not on board with this. Tom: At first. Joe (raising his voice slightly): I was supposed to bring us back to the promised land. Tom sighs. This is the part where the conversation become personal. Tom: This is hard. On the family. On us. This is not what we envisioned when we talked about generations and stewardship and winning a world championship. Joe: And yet here we are. You take the chair. I take understanding. Tom: You understand now. Joe pauses. He nods. Succession teaches us that understanding is often just acceptance with better branding. Joe (reluctantly): I understand. A beat. Outside, the stadium is empty. Control has been retained. Majority ownership remains. The family business continues. From the hallway, a new limited partner peeks in, whispers something about significant financial cleanup, and disappears. Tom straightens his jacket. Tom: This is for the fan base. Joe: Of course it is. The camera pulls back. The Twins will still be run by the Pohlads. The chair has changed. The power has not. Somewhere, Logan Roy smiles politely and says something about control. Fade to black. View full article

Image courtesy of © Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images The MLB Draft Lottery delivered an early holiday gift to the Twins at last week’s Winter Meetings when the club secured the third overall pick. It is the organization’s highest draft position since 2017 and one that should offer the chance to add an impact talent to a farm system already trending upward. Still, ending up in the third spot comes with a history that is anything but straightforward. Depending on the year, the third pick has produced Hall of Famers, perennial All-Stars, fringe big leaguers, and players who never quite lived up to the expectations placed on them. That is the challenge the Twins now face. The third overall pick can transform a franchise, but its legacy also provides a reminder that even the most carefully managed scouting departments can miss. Minnesota has reaped both ends of that spectrum over its history with the pick and now finds itself hoping that this year’s draft can tie the story together in a much more satisfying way. Some of the best selections ever made from the third spot came long before the modern scouting and analytics era. The Brewers struck gold twice in the 1970s by drafting Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. Both players carved out Hall of Fame careers while accumulating more than 75 rWAR apiece, setting standards that have towered over every other third overall pick for nearly five decades. The 2000s produced more star talent with Evan Longoria in 2006 and Manny Machado in 2010. Machado’s 61.7 rWAR already puts him among the elite at the position, and he still has time to climb higher before his career closes. More recently, the third overall pick has been attached to high ceilings and heavy risk. Detroit selected prep outfielder Max Clark in 2023, a player many evaluators believe could be a fast mover once he gets deeper into pro ball. He is already a consensus top-50 prospect and could debut as early as 2026. The Rangers went in a very different direction with Kumar Rocker in 2022 after his winding path from Vanderbilt to independent ball to the first round. It was a surprise pick at number three that changed the rest of that first round. Rocker still flashed top 50 potential entering last season, but has struggled to find sustained success in the majors. Last season, he had a 4.88 FIP and a 19.5 K%. Miami hoped Max Meyer, a Minnesota Golden Gopher legend, would become a rotation anchor after taking him third overall in 2020. Injuries and inconsistency have slowed his ascent, leaving his long-term role in MLB unsettled. In 2025, he posted a 4.47 FIP with a 23.9 K%. The Twins have their own complicated history with the third overall pick, and both of their selections arrived with expectations that were never fulfilled. Minnesota believed Willie Banks could become a fixture in the rotation after grabbing him in 1987. Instead, he bounced around the league and contributed only 1.0 rWAR in 85 career appearances. Dave McCarty followed in 1991 and brought an enticing college power bat, with evaluators projecting a quick rise. He reached the majors but never developed into the middle-of-the-order presence the Twins hoped for, producing negative value during his time in Minnesota (-3.2 rWAR) despite playing parts of 11 seasons in the majors. As Jamie Cameron wrote, the Twins have some intriguing options that will be available with the third overall pick next July. College shortstop Justin Lebron is the frontrunner for the third pick. Last season, he posted a 127 wRC+ for Alabama. Other college options include Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, Virginia outfielder A.J. Gracia, and Coastal Carolina right-handed pitcher Cameron Flukey . However, it’s important to note that a lot can happen during the spring season for college and high school players. There is at least one comforting trend. In both years, when the Twins held the third overall pick, the franchise went on to win the World Series. It may be a coincidence, but with a premium draft selection now secured and a front office that has seen some recent draft success stories, Minnesota has a chance to reshape the story around the third pick. History may be complicated, but the Twins will gladly accept the opportunity to add the next great chapter. What stands out about the history of the third overall pick? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

According to Just Baseball and Aram Leighton, the San Diego Padres have signed Jose Miranda to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. For the Padres, it is a low-risk upside play on a hitter who not long ago looked like a reliable middle-of-the-order presence. For Miranda, it is another opportunity to prove that his best baseball is not already behind him at age 27. For a moment, it felt like the Twins had uncovered yet another homegrown bat. Miranda arrived in 2022 as a former second-round pick and top-100 prospect and eventually settled in after a rocky introduction to the majors. He finished his rookie season hitting .268/.325/.426 (.751) with a 116 wRC+, popping 15 home runs and 25 doubles in 483 plate appearances. A shoulder injury derailed Miranda’s 2023 season almost immediately. Installed as the Opening Day third baseman, he struggled badly before undergoing surgery, finishing the year with a .211/.263/.303 (.566) line. While the injury offered some explanation, it also introduced real questions about whether Miranda’s bat would ever fully bounce back. In 2024, he appeared to answer some of those concerns. Miranda rebounded with a .284/.322/.441 (.763) slash line and a 112 OPS+ across 121 games. The production returned, but so did the physical issues. Repeated back injuries shortened his season and prevented him from building any real momentum heading into the following year. Then came 2025, when everything unraveled. Miranda made the Opening Day roster but quickly looked overwhelmed. Through 12 games, he hit just .167 with 13 strikeouts in 36 plate appearances. His timing was off, the quality of contact evaporated, and the Twins sent him back to St. Paul. Things only worsened there. After a freak accident while carrying bottled water, Miranda struggled throughout the year, slashing .195/.272/.296 (.569) in 90 games with the Saints. His once reliable bat to ball skills disappeared as he chased pitches and failed to drive mistakes. It was a shocking fall for a player who had looked like one of the Twins most dependable hitters just a year earlier. Miranda’s four year run in Minnesota ended with a .263 average, 28 home runs, and a 101 OPS+. He remains a bat first corner player with limited defensive value and pronounced reverse splits, but the talent has not vanished entirely. For the Padres, this is a simple gamble. If Miranda can rediscover even a portion of his former self, the reward could be meaningful. If not, the cost is minimal. View full rumor

Image courtesy of © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images One message from the Twins front office came through clearly at the Winter Meetings. Minnesota wants to hold on to its three stars (Byron Buxton, Pablo Lopez, and Joe Ryan) with an opportunity to trade established talent in return for productive big-leaguers who fit their needs better. The Twins have done this in recent years, when trading for Lopez or when trading away Jorge Polanco. That shift aligns with what is happening in Baltimore. The Orioles surprised much of the league by signing Pete Alonso to a five-year contract. Before the deal, they already had multiple in-house corner infield options, including Coby Mayo. The Alonso signing pushes Mayo further off his defensive home, and Baltimore’s loaded infield creates an opportunity for clubs looking to upgrade at first base. Few teams match up better with Baltimore’s needs than the Twins, who have starting pitchers and young arms they may be willing to move, and who still need help at offense-first positions even after signing Josh Bell. Mayo remains an intriguing target, despite a challenging 2025 season. Right-handed power has long been his calling card. Scouts and analysts loved the explosiveness in his bat and the potential for middle-of-the-order production. Last season, he posted a 103 wRC+ in Triple A, but was limited to a 95 wRC+ in his big-league time. He remains just 24 years old, with the kind of offensive ceiling that doesn't come around often. A team willing to bet on upside could still dream on a future where Mayo anchors a lineup for several seasons. Let's consider three realistic trade concepts that could spark a conversation between Minnesota and Baltimore. Trade Option 1 Twins Receive: 1B Coby Mayo Orioles Receive: RHP Bailey Ober Both Ober and Mayo are coming off rough 2025 seasons. Ober ran into uncharacteristic command issues while fighting a hip issue, leading to more hard contact than he had allowed in previous years. However, his track record from 2022 through 2024 still carries weight with clubs. Over that span, he recorded a 115 ERA+ and a 3.74 FIP while showing reliability and strong strike-throwing. With two years of team control remaining, he matches what the Orioles need as they continue to search for durable mid-rotation pitching. For Minnesota, this deal represents a swap that fits their stated direction. Trade Option 2 Twins Receive: 1B Coby Mayo Orioles Receive: RHP Mick Abel Minnesota acquired Abel at last year’s trade deadline in the Jhoan Duran deal, and they have shown optimism about helping him refine his delivery and command. That makes it complicated for the Twins to move him this quickly, but circumstances have shifted for both teams. Mayo and Abel are remarkably similar assets. Both are pre-arbitration players with prospect pedigrees who have taken early lumps in the big leagues. Sometimes a reset is beneficial. This kind of challenge trade allows each organization to take a new developmental approach with a talented young player. Trade Option 3 Twins Receive: 1B Coby Mayo Orioles Receive: RHP David Festa, RHP Andrew Morris This offer gives Baltimore two pitchers who can cover innings in the near future. Festa has flashed a fastball with carry and strikeout ability (32.0% strikeout rate at Triple-A St. Paul last season), and he is big league-ready, so he could slot into their rotation almost immediately. Morris is a step behind, but earned a 40-man spot this winter because of his strong command profile and the likelihood that he can contribute in the next few seasons. Last season, he posted a 4.14 FIP and a 22.4% strikeout rate for the Saints. For a team looking to build long-term pitching depth, this package may be more appealing than a single arm with risk. Each scenario highlights a different angle for balancing value between the clubs. Baltimore must decide whether it prefers established innings, developmental upside, or a mix of both. The Twins, meanwhile, have to decide whether Mayo is the right risk, as they look for ways to shake up their core and bolster their offense. Which deal gets the job done from Baltimore’s perspective? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Coming out of the Winter Meetings, the Twins find themselves circling back to a familiar need. The team's offense struggled down the stretch and remains the most obvious place to upgrade a roster that is trying to stay afloat while reshaping its long-term direction. Earlier this week, the Twins signed Josh Bell to a one-year, $7 million deal that comes with ramifications for the current roster. Minnesota could let him be the team's everyday first baseman, but he has been a poor defender for most of his career. To field the best lineup, Bell might be better suited for a DH role with a different player taking over at first base. That brings us back to Houston and to a decision that still hangs over the organization. The Twins shocked their fan base and much of the baseball world when they sent Carlos Correa back to the Astros last July. The deal felt like a final acknowledgement that the previous competitive window had closed. The return only sharpened that feeling. Minnesota received a 26-year-old low-minors pitcher in Matt Mikulski, who the team already released, and agreed to retain $33 million of Correa’s contract. At the time, it looked like the Twins took the best offer available. Now, we know the talks may have been more complicated. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Minnesota initially pushed for veteran first baseman Christian Walker as part of those negotiations. Houston declined. Walker had just signed a free agent deal the previous winter and still had two years and $40 million remaining. The ask suggested the Twins were not simply dumping salary but actively searching for a way to remain respectable in the short term without Correa. Fast forward to this offseason, and Walker’s name is back in circulation. Reports indicate the Astros are attempting to clear a logjam at first base and designated hitter. Chandler Rome of The Athletic has noted that interest around the league has been limited. Walker’s 2025 numbers explain some of that hesitation. Over 154 games, he slashed .238/.297/.421 (.718) with a 99 wRC+ and produced 1.1 fWAR. There are reasons to think there is still something left. Walker was far better in the second half, launching 15 home runs and posting a 120 wRC+. He will be 35 years old in 2026 but remains a strong defender at first base (2 OAA in 2025), which carries real value for a pitching staff that will include young infielders across the diamond. This is where the Correa trade could be partially salvaged. Minnesota is already sending $10 million per season to Houston as part of Correa’s deal. A creative solution could see the Astros send Walker to the Twins while covering roughly half of his remaining salary ($16-20 million of the $40 million owed). Minnesota would likely need to include a lower-level prospect to make it work, but the cost would be manageable. It would not erase the sting of trading Correa for such a light return. However, landing a steady first baseman who can provide average offense and above-average defense would help stabilize the roster and provide a more transparent bridge between rebuilding and competing. Sometimes saving a trade does not mean winning it outright. Sometimes it means finding a way to make the aftermath hurt a little less. Does Walker make sense for the Twins? How much of his salary could the front office expect to acquire? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Joe Ryan is headed back to the international stage. The Minnesota Twins right hander will pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, continuing a growing résumé that already includes Olympic experience and a rising profile within Major League Baseball. This will not be Ryan’s first time wearing the red white and blue. He previously represented Team USA at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, which were ultimately held in 2021 due to the pandemic. That trip came at a memorable point in his career. Ryan was still a member of the Rays organization when the Games began, and he was in Japan when the Twins acquired him in a deadline deal that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay. By the time Ryan returned stateside, he belonged to a new organization and was on the doorstep of the big leagues. Five years later, Ryan is no longer a prospect getting his first taste of the majors. He is an established member of the Twins rotation and one of the more recognizable arms in the American League. His selection for Team USA reflects that progression and also highlights the trust both the national team and the Twins have in his preparation. The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to run from March 5 through March 17 and will feature 20 teams competing across four host cities. Pool play will take place in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The quarterfinals will then be split between Miami and Houston before the tournament returns to Miami for the semifinals and championship round. It will mark the sixth edition of the event, with Japan entering as the defending champions after winning the 2023 tournament. For Ryan to participate, the Twins must sign off on his involvement, which suggests confidence in his offseason program and overall workload heading into the 2026 season. That decision carries some added context. Ryan was a first time All Star last season after a dominant first half, but he ran into challenges as the year wore on and his performance dipped in the later months. Allowing him to pitch in meaningful games during March indicates the organization believes he can handle the ramp up and benefit from the competitive environment. Ryan is not the only Twin expected to be part of Team USA. Byron Buxton has also been connected to the roster, potentially giving Minnesota multiple representatives on a high profile international stage. For Ryan, the opportunity is both familiar and new, another chance to pitch in pressure situations while adding to a career that has already taken some unexpected and memorable turns. View full rumor

Image courtesy of ​© Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images Four months after publicly backing away from a full sale of the franchise, the Minnesota Twins have taken a significant step toward financial and organizational stability. On Wednesday, the club announced the addition of several new limited partners, all while the Pohlad family maintains controlling interest and responsibility for day-to-day operations. The new ownership additions include Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, New York-based Glick Family Investments, and Minnesota native George G. Hicks, founder of global investment firm Värde Partners. Major League Baseball has approved the transaction, which brings in minority investors with extensive experience across business, sports, and entertainment. The Twins emphasized that the Pohlad family remains firmly in charge, a key distinction after a turbulent year that included payroll cuts, public backlash, and an aborted attempt to sell the team outright. This move instead reflects a middle ground, adding capital and stability without fully relinquishing control. “As a lifelong Twins fan, I am honored and excited to join the Pohlad family as a steward of this beloved franchise,” said Hicks. “Like many in the state, some of my favorite memories are of times spent watching and cheering for the Twins. The leaders I represent share these values and recognize the importance of Twins baseball to our communities. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and one we view as a true privilege and responsibility.” Alongside the ownership announcement, the Twins also revealed a notable shift in leadership structure. Tom Pohlad will succeed his brother Joe in overseeing the organization and will replace his uncle Jim as the franchise’s primary liaison to Major League Baseball. “It is a profound honor to have the opportunity to continue a legacy that has been part of my family — and this community — for the past 40 years,” Tom Pohlad said. “My uncle and my brother have led this organization with integrity, dedication, and a genuine love for the game. As I assume my new role, I do so with great respect for our history and a clear focus on the future — one defined by accountability and stewardship in our relentless pursuit of a championship.” Joe Pohlad will step away from his day-to-day role, but remain involved as an advocate for the organization and its employees. “It has been one of the greatest responsibilities and privileges of my life to work alongside the people in this organization and to serve our fans,” Joe Pohlad said. “As we begin this next chapter in our ownership of the Twins, I will be stepping away from my day-to-day role. I will continue to champion our employees and Twins Territory as our organization moves forward.” Taken together, the additions of limited partners and the reshuffling of leadership suggest a franchise attempting to reset its footing. While this does not represent the clean break some fans expected when a sale was first floated, it does signal renewed commitment and a clearer organizational direction. For a team searching for stability after two bruising years, that alone may be a meaningful step forward. View full article

Image courtesy of © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images FanGraphs released its annual ZiPS projections this week, giving Twins fans their first broad statistical snapshot of what the 2026 season could look like. ZiPS, created by Dan Szymborski, is a projection system that blends recent performance, aging curves, historical comps, and a healthy dose of probabilistic modeling to estimate future value. It is not a prediction set in stone, but it does offer a valuable lens for identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas where upside may be hiding. For the Twins, ZiPS paints a picture that feels familiar. There are clear problem areas, a few positions of relative strength, and a farm system that still drives significant optimism. Problem Positions Shortstop and left field stand out as the thinnest areas on the roster. Brooks Lee is projected as the primary shortstop, and while ZiPS sees him as playable, it does not treat the position as a strength. Lee’s bat (83 OPS+) profiles better than his defense (-5 Def), and the overall projection reflects a player who can hold his own but may not elevate the lineup. Left field is even murkier with a combined 0.8 fWAR. The current mix of Austin Martin, Trevor Larnach, James Outman, and Alan Roden projects as serviceable but uninspiring. ZiPS does not see a clear above-average regular in that group. Minnesota does have high-end prospects who could eventually change the picture (see below), but most of that help is more realistic for the second half of the season rather than Opening Day. Top Positions At the top of the list is Byron Buxton, who is coming off arguably the best season of his career. ZiPS still likes his overall impact (119 OPS+, 3.0 WAR), but the ever-present health concerns naturally cap expectations for his playing time (473 PA). The hope is that he can come close to repeating last season’s All-Star and Silver Slugger level production, though nothing about Buxton has ever come with guarantees, especially as he gets further into his 30s. Second base checks in as the Twins’ second strongest position. Luke Keaschall is projected to handle the bulk of the workload and comes in with a 106 OPS+ and 1.8 fWAR. Edouard Julien is projected for 1.2 fWAR, a number that feels optimistic after his uneven 2025 campaign, but ZiPS continues to believe in the underlying offensive skill set. Minnesota has talked about Keaschall getting time in the outfield, so that might help the team’s glaring hole in left field. Top Prospects Get Mixed Reviews ZiPS is particularly bullish on Kaelen Culpepper, projecting him for 1.9 fWAR in 510 PA. That raises an interesting question about how aggressively the Twins plan to push him, given that he finished last season at Double-A. The Twins are comfortable letting Lee ride at shortstop for now, and it seems more likely for Culpepper to get 200 PA or fewer in 2026. Injuries could always impact that number, but there is no reason to rush one of their top prospects. The system also sees potential in Emmanuel Rodriguez, assuming health cooperates. ZiPS projects a 98 OPS+ and 1.3 fWAR, ranking in the team’s top-10 in position player WAR. There is a scenario where he could claim left field quickly if things break right. Walker Jenkins, on the other hand, receives a more cautious outlook with a 93 three-year OPS+, signaling some uncertainty about how soon his elite tools will fully translate. Starting Pitching for Days Where ZiPS really lights up is the rotation. Bailey Ober’s projection leans more on his broader track record than his 2025 struggles, viewing him as a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm (102 ERA+, 4.20 FIP). ZiPS is also enthusiastic about Zebby Matthews, projecting a 110 ERA+. Simeon Woods Richardson at 104 ERA+, Taj Bradley at 101 ERA+, and Mick Abel at 97 ERA+ all come in as valuable contributors. The common thread is depth, as the system clearly likes the organization’s pitching inventory across the majors and upper minors. Minnesota’s bullpen carries far more uncertainty than the rotation. ZiPS views Cole Sands, Justin Topa, Kody Funderburk, and Eric Orze as capable setup caliber options rather than true late inning anchors. Sands stands out with the third best projected ERA+ on the roster, a sign that ZiPS is buying into the adjustments he made over the second half. Topa, Funderburk, and Orze all land at a 107 ERA+, suggesting steady but unspectacular production. The hope is that the Twins supplement this group with additional veteran arms while continuing to lean on the front office’s recent success in turning Triple-A depth into usable bullpen contributors. In the end, ZiPS offers a reminder not to let frustration define expectations. As Szymborski put it, “The easiest thing for people to do is set this past season as a baseline and understand that this team isn’t going to be much better in 2026. But using last season’s record as a baseline is generally a poor idea, as there’s a good argument that a lot of the 2025 Twins underperformed their actual ability.” His perspective neatly sums up the tension surrounding this roster. The ZiPS projections are not screaming contender, with a win total estimated between 78 and 84, but they are not confirming a lost cause either. There are obvious holes, particularly on the left side of the defense and in the corner outfield, yet there is also enough pitching depth and prospect-driven upside to envision a better outcome if a few things break right. For a Twins team trying to reset expectations after a disappointing year, ZiPS offers something closer to cautious encouragement than cold reality, and that may be exactly what this fan base needs heading into the spring. What stands out about Minnesota’s ZiPS projections? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (Photo of Kaelen Culpepper) The Twins have been methodical in building an infield pipeline that could anchor the franchise for years, and the 2026 season marks the first true step toward that plan becoming reality. Brooks Lee will open the year at shortstop with Luke Keaschall alongside him at second base, while Kaelen Culpepper continues his climb after a breakthrough season in the minors. Their development is intertwined, and Minnesota is preparing for multiple scenarios where all three could play significant roles. Keaschall’s positional path is already expanding, and Derek Falvey made clear that the organization views him as more than just a second baseman. Falvey explained that Keaschall’s broken forearm last season paused their original plan to explore outfield reps earlier. “For Luke specifically, obviously got a ton of time at second. With the way his season went with the broken forearm, it kind of screwed up our plans for exploring the outfield more like we were originally going to do this past year,” he said. With Keaschall now past his arm rehab, the Twins are revisiting that developmental track. “That’s something that from a throwing program perspective this offseason, we’re going to spend more time making sure he’s building out to get some reps out there in the outfield,” Falvey said. The Twins see Keaschall’s versatility as key to fitting all their pieces together. Falvey said the organization will be having more conversations with him about what that transition will look like and emphasized that both he and Derek Shelton believe it can benefit the club. “We think it could be a real opportunity for him to keep finding as many ways in the lineup that help the group as we try to fit all the pieces together and slide other guys around, too. It could be really valuable if he could run out to left field or center field along the way.” Unstated, there, is the other major reason the team is considering that move: Keaschall looked bad at second base in 2025. He probably doesn't have the fluidity or the hands to play on the dirt on an everyday basis, though the club hopes he can stay there at least part of the time. Culpepper remains a step behind Keaschall and Lee in terms of timeline, but his stock continues to rise. After splitting the year between High A and Double A, he solidified himself as one of Minnesota’s most promising prospects. “Yeah, Kaelen had an awesome year," Falvey said. "Really could not have asked for it to go much better.” Culpepper played shortstop most of the time, but also saw early work at second and third base as the organization began expanding his defensive profile. “He’s getting some work, you know, early work at second base, third base, a little bit of game exposure in those spots. And we’ll let that continue to play out as we get through spring training into the season,” Falvey noted. If all three players are healthy at the same time (a big if when it comes to Twins top prospects), Minnesota has several intriguing defensive configurations. The most straightforward setup would feature Culpepper at third, Lee at shortstop, and Keaschall at second. That alignment keeps all three in the infield, while still allowing Keaschall to move into the outfield when needed. Another scenario emerges if Culpepper arrives ready to take over second base. In that case, Keaschall’s growing experience in the outfield becomes even more critical. Lee would remain at shortstop in that alignment, giving the Twins a strong defensive foundation up the middle. There is also the possibility that early-season struggles or injuries force a different arrangement. If Lee has a problematic defensive start, Culpepper has the skill set to take over at shortstop, sliding Lee to second base. The Twins value the ability to shift players around as needed, and this trio gives them more flexibility than they have had in years. Whatever alignment Minnesota ultimately settles into, Lee, Keaschall, and Culpepper will be central to the organization’s future. Their versatility allows the Twins to adapt to performance, injuries, and roster construction in a way few clubs can match. The next step is seeing how quickly all three can grow into the roles the Twins envision for them. How will these three players fit into Minnesota’s long-term plans? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Miguel Sanó is headed back to professional relevance, even if it comes on the other side of the world. According to Francys Romero, the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball are finalizing a one-year deal with the former Minnesota Twins slugger, pending a physical. For a player who has spent the last few seasons bouncing on and off the margins of Major League rosters, this represents both a reset and a reward. Sanó has not appeared in a regular-season Major League game since being released by the Angels in July of 2024. Since then, he has returned home to the Dominican Republic, quietly rebuilding his value in winter ball. The results have been impossible to ignore. Across the most recent Dominican league season, Sanó slashed .315/.376/.663 (1.039) with nine home runs in just 24 games. That performance followed an .856 OPS campaign the previous winter, making this less of a fluke and more of a trend. For Twins fans, Sanó will always be a complicated figure. Signed as a teenager with generational power, he reached the big leagues quickly and delivered on that promise in bursts. He was an All-Star, posted multiple 30 home run seasons, and helped anchor lineups that regularly finished near the top of the American League in power. In just under 3,000 career plate appearances, Sanó launched 164 home runs and produced a .233/.325/.477 (.802) line with a 115 OPS+. The problem was never talent. Injuries derailed multiple seasons, strikeouts piled up at record-setting rates, and defensive limitations narrowed his paths to playing time. After an above-average showing in 2021, Sanó became a fringe option, appearing in just 48 total games between the Twins and Angels from 2022 through 2024. His last stint in the majors came in 28 games with Los Angeles. If that proves to be his final Major League chapter, Sanó still walks away with a respectable career résumé. But players do not sign seven-figure deals overseas because they are finished. They do it because someone still believes the bat can play. In this case, that belief was earned through dominance against professional pitching, not nostalgia. Nippon Professional Baseball has become a viable bridge back to MLB relevance for power hitters willing to adjust and prove themselves again. Sanó will be tested by a different pitching style and a more demanding daily routine. If the power carries over, the conversation changes quickly. Is a return to the big leagues likely? Probably not. But Miguel Sanó has made a career out of defying neat timelines. As long as the ball keeps leaving the yard, never say never. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins appear close to formally announcing a partial sale that does not change who runs the franchise but meaningfully changes the math behind it. By selling just over 20% of the club at a reported valuation of $1.75 billion, the Pohlad family is positioning the organization to finally address debt that has lingered since the pandemic while also improving the team’s standing should a larger sale ever come back into focus. The structure of the deal matters. This is not a handoff of power or a succession plan in disguise. According to Dan Hayes, the new investors are limited partners with no path to control and no mechanism to force decisions. The Pohlad family remains firmly in charge, with league sources indicating Tom Pohlad will take on a larger role alongside Joe Pohlad. Three new seats will be added to the ownership advisory board, but the family’s authority remains intact. Where the change is real is on the balance sheet. Multiple sources have described the debt reduction tied to this deal as significant, and that word has been repeated intentionally. The Twins accumulated substantial debt over the last five seasons, driven by a combination of COVID disruptions, flat attendance and revenue losses tied to their television situation. Unlike many clubs, the Twins continued paying employees and minor league players during the shutdown, a decision that was laudable but expensive. The debt came on quickly and never truly came off. Attendance trends underline the problem. Target Field has not returned to its pre-pandemic levels despite a division title and multiple playoff appearances. Payroll reductions only intensified fan frustration, further limiting gate revenue. At the same time, the collapse of the regional sports network model cost the Twins tens of millions annually. Twins TV keeps games accessible, but it does not replace what was lost financially. That context helps explain why this deal took longer than expected and why interest grew rather than faded. Once the franchise made clear it was open to minority investment, more groups stepped forward. Instead of two limited partnerships, three ultimately formed, each purchasing smaller slices that required additional league approval. From the team’s perspective, more interest meant better terms and a cleaner exit from debt. The longer view is where this becomes more interesting. A Twins franchise with manageable debt looks very different to potential buyers in the late 2020s than one weighed down by pandemic era obligations. New national television deals arrive in 2029. Any labor uncertainty from the next collective bargaining agreement should be resolved. Franchise values almost certainly continue to rise. That future upside likely explains why none of the new investors demanded a roadmap to control. The appeal is growth, not governance. For now, the Pohlad family insists it is committed to owning the team, and several third generation members have expressed interest in staying involved. Still, this deal quietly restores optionality. Whether the Twins are ever sold outright remains an open question. What is clear is that the franchise has taken an important step toward financial stability, one that could eventually ripple onto the field. View full rumor

Image courtesy of © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Josh Bell is not the kind of signing that flips an organization on its head, but he is the kind that quietly reshapes how a lineup comes together. At 33, Bell arrives in Minnesota as a known quantity. He has been an above-average hitter for nearly a decade—durable to a fault, and consistently productive even when the overall package has not quite matched the star-level expectations once placed on his prospect profile. Bell has spent much of his career teasing something more. The power is real. The plate discipline is real. The problem has always been the ground balls. Despite that flaw, Bell has averaged better than 26 home runs per 162 games over the past seven season, and has shown an ability to carry an offense for weeks at a time when he gets hot. The Twins are betting that stability and experience can help lift a lineup that has too often relied on streaky young bats to do the heavy lifting. First Base Fit and Defensive Tradeoffs Bell figures to be the primary first baseman for new manager Derek Shelton, who briefly overlapped with Bell in Pittsburgh. The Twins' current internal options at first base are serviceable, but limited. Edouard Julien can handle the position in short spurts, but is stretched defensively. Kody Clemens brings versatility and pop, but profiles better as a part-time player. Neither option offers the middle-of-the-order presence that Bell provides. The downside is obvious. Bell is not a good defender. While he posted solid grades at first base in 2021 and 2022, the longer-term numbers are ugly. Over his past 1,551 innings in the field, Bell has been charged with -20 Defensive Runs Saved and -16 Outs Above Average. He struggles with range and consistency, and his lack of speed shows when plays require lateral movement. Minnesota is scheduled to have a young infield around Bell, which could throw his defensive shortcomings into sharp relief. Royce Lewis saw improvements at third base last year, but he has previously struggled with throwing issues. Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall will form the team’s double-play duo, at least some of the time, but both are seen as below-average defenders. The Twins need someone at first who can help their young infield with scoops and errant throws. That reality likely pushes the Twins toward a flexible usage plan. Bell will play first base often, but the club can mitigate some of the defensive damage by rotating him through the designated hitter spot. That would also open occasional opportunities for Julien or Clemens to see time at first, keeping more bats in the lineup without asking Bell to shoulder the full defensive burden. The Designated Hitter Picture Like most teams, the Twins do not operate with a fixed designated hitter. That fluid approach becomes even more critical with Bell in the fold. Sliding him into the DH role on certain days helps the overall defense and keeps him fresh across what is typically a heavy workload. Bell has appeared in 91.5 percent of his team’s possible games since becoming a full-time regular, averaging better than 148 games per season. The DH situation also intersects with Trevor Larnach, whom the Twins retained through the arbitration process. Larnach remains a bat-first corner outfielder who can soak up DH at-bats, particularly against right-handed pitching. At the same time, he is one of the more logical trade candidates on the roster, if the Twins look to rebalance or address another need. With Bell in the mix, the Twins have more freedom to rotate players through the DH spot. That flexibility could keep Larnach involved, while also making him expendable. If Bell occupies first base on a given night, the DH can be used to rest a regular or to keep an extra left-handed bat in the lineup. If Bell is the DH, Julien or Clemens can slide to first, and the outfield alignment becomes easier to manage. How Bell Reshapes the Lineup Even with the defensive shortcomings, Bell adds a legitimate bat to the middle of Minnesota’s order. When he elevates the ball, he does so with authority. Statcast ranked his 96.4-mph average exit velocity on line drives and fly balls 25th among 251 qualified hitters. His isolated power of .507 on fly balls sits well above the league average, even if it falls short of elite territory. Bell’s long-standing issue has been his tendency to hit the ball on the ground. Last season’s 45.7% ground ball rate was actually the second-lowest of his career, trailing only the 44% mark from his 37-homer season in 2019. Even so, that number remains well above the league average. For a hitter with terrible speed for a big-leaguer, grounders sap value and suppress overall production. In the lineup, Bell slots neatly into the top half of the Twins’ batting order. Minnesota needs more right-handed pop, but Bell, a switch-hitter, had an OPS that was 252 points lower against lefties last season. His .804 OPS against righties should make him an everyday player when lefties aren’t on the mound. His presence eases pressure on talented but inconsistent hitters like Lewis, Lee, and Matt Wallner, while also providing insulation if Larnach remains with the club. If the Twins compete in 2025, it will be because in-house talents take meaningful steps forward. Bell, alone, does not change that equation. What he does offer is reliability. He has been at least an average bat in every full season of his career (outside of the shortened 2020 campaign). In a lineup searching for stability, that matters. If the season veers the other direction in a competitive AL Central, Bell’s durability and track record make him a sensible trade chip. In that sense, his signing fits the Twins' current reality. It raises the floor without closing doors, and it gives the lineup a clearer shape heading into spring. What does Bell bring to the Twins lineup? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins spent last summer trading away nearly every living relief pitcher in the organization. Fans watched as the front office moved five arms at the deadline, several of them with multiple years of team control, and then acted surprised when the bullpen depth chart looked like a garage sale table the next morning. Now, after Joey Gallo posted a short social media video of himself throwing a few pitches, the Twins front office has decided that this is exactly the kind of forward thinking they need. Gallo’s three pitch cameo on social media sounded impressive. You could not see where the ball went but it made a loud noise, which is half of pitching anyway. The Twins immediately logged it as a scouting report. Front office officials reportedly gathered around Derek Falvey’s phone like teenagers watching a viral highlight, nodding solemnly as if they had discovered a new setup man. With the bullpen thinned from last year’s sell off, they are willing to consider anything. That willingness has opened the door to a new era of creativity. If Gallo can reinvent himself on the mound, the Twins wonder who else might be hiding untapped bullpen potential. The team will soon introduce the Community Tryout Initiative at Target Field. Anyone who has ever thrown out a ceremonial first pitch is apparently on a short list of candidates. A marketing intern says the team already has radar guns ready for the next school field trip. If a fourth grader accidentally breaks 80 miles per hour, he will be offered a minor league deal and a voucher for ballpark nachos. The Twins have also reportedly asked position players to attend a voluntary pitching seminar that is not actually voluntary. Royce Lewis has been encouraged to learn a splitter because the analytics department believes it could help his recovery timeline even if he never throws it in a game. Matt Wallner and his cannon of an arm was handed a brochure titled So You Might Be A Reliever Now. Even Byron Buxton, a standout high school pitcher, was approached but declined politely since trying to pitch would almost certainly lead to twelve new injury updates. Minnesota is also considering an initiative to convert past Twins who return to the ballpark for alumni events. Latroy Hawkins, the team’s new bullpen coach, is the most logical choice. Plus, it helps add to his career totals. Michael Cuddyer is in the conversation too. Torii Hunter is safe only because the front office assumes he would laugh and walk out of the room before they finished the sentence. In the end, the Twins may actually sign a few real relievers. They always do. But for now the bullpen plan remains a blend of hope, improvisation, and mild panic. And if Gallo keeps posting videos of his fastball, there is a real chance that he becomes the most experienced arm in the entire relief corps. View full article