Cody Christie

The Minnesota Twins ended the 2025 season with 92 losses and no postseason appearance for the second consecutive year. For all the chatter about “retooling on the fly,” it looks more like the team has dug itself into a deeper hole. Now, with a new manager coming in for 2026, the front office may be setting him up to fail before the season even starts. Buxton and Ryan Were Great, and It Didn’t Matter Byron Buxton’s season was about as perfect as any Twins fan could dream of. He stayed healthy, dominated at the plate, and played center field with his usual highlight-reel flair. Joe Ryan looked like one of the best pitchers in the American League until fatigue caught up with him late in the year. Those two performances should have been the backbone of a playoff team. Instead, the Twins collapsed. That’s the harshest evidence that this core isn’t good enough. Even if Buxton and Ryan repeat those seasons (a big “if”), they can’t drag this roster to contention on their own. Regression is more likely, and that means the team’s secondary pieces must step up. The problem? The track record suggests they won’t. Trade Deadline Priorities: Floor Over Ceiling The Twins’ front office made clear choices at the deadline: they wanted players who could impact the roster in the short term. Mick Abel, Taj Bradley, Kendry Rojas, Alan Roden, and James Outman all fit that mold. Abel’s stuff is real, but he’s still working through command issues. Bradley has front-line flashes but comes with plenty of volatility. Rojas is young and intriguing, but not a sure thing. Roden’s injured thumb prevented him from making an impact. Outman looks more like a fourth outfielder than an everyday solution. Could the Twins have traded for higher-upside prospects further away from the majors? Sure. But they didn’t. Instead, they’ve built a roster that looks like it could hang around .500 if everything goes right, which is rarely the case. Banking on Bounce Backs and Breakouts Beyond the deadline additions, the Twins are counting on a list of names that comes with more questions than answers. Matt Wallner needs to rediscover his power stroke after a disappointing season. Royce Lewis flashed excitement, but hasn’t found offensive consistency. Austin Martin thrived in a half-season audition, but can he replicate those results for 162? Brooks Lee owns the shortstop job but must prove he can hit enough to keep it. Luke Keaschall showed promise when healthy, but his durability remains a concern. The front office will also dangle hope in the form of Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Gabriel Gonzalez. All three ended 2025 at Triple-A and are expected to debut in 2026. While they bring excitement, it’s unreasonable to assume they’ll carry the team as rookies. If the Twins are already leaning on prospects to save the season, that’s a major red flag. That’s a lot of “ifs” in one infield and outfield mix. And the danger with building around “ifs” is that they rarely all hit at once. Maybe Wallner rediscovers his power stroke, but what if Lewis’s offensive inconsistency lingers? Maybe Lee steadies himself at shortstop, but what if Martin’s strong finish turns out to be just a hot streak? The Twins don’t need one or two of these bets to pay off, because they need almost all of them to click just to be respectable. It’s the exact opposite of how sustainable contenders are built. Winning teams insulate themselves with depth and proven production so that if a player backslides, the roster doesn’t collapse. Right now, Minnesota’s roster construction feels like a house of cards, waiting for the first gust of wind to send it tumbling. The Bigger Picture: A No-Win Situation The Twins’ brass will hand their new manager a roster that has the potential to look competitive on paper but is riddled with volatility. If things go sideways early, fans will blame the skipper, not the flawed roster construction. If everything clicks, the Twins might hang around in the Wild Card race, but it’s hardly the kind of setup that screams long-term stability. It feels like the front office is trying to buy time while hoping a few lottery tickets cash in. That leaves the new manager stuck in the middle: judged on wins and losses while managing a team built more on wishful thinking than certainty. And that’s why, unless something changes dramatically this winter, the Twins aren’t setting up their new manager to succeed. They’re setting him up to fail. Are the Twins putting their new manager in a no-win situation? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints When Derek Falvey was hired away from Cleveland, the expectation was clear: bring that organization's steady stream of arms to Minnesota. In Cleveland, pitching prospects seem to appear out of thin air, whether it’s a starter stepping in to cover a rotation spot or a reliever throwing 98 mph with a wipeout slider. Nearly a decade later, fans are still waiting to see if the same can happen in Minneapolis. A Different Path to Development Minnesota hasn’t replicated Cleveland’s high draft pedigree or international pitching dominance. Instead, the front office has adopted a unique approach: identifying unheralded college arms in the mid-to-late rounds, refining their mechanics, expanding their pitch mix, and emphasizing velocity gains. It’s how Bailey Ober, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews all forced their way onto prospect lists and into major-league roles. But 2025 served as a harsh reminder of the risks. All three dealt with injuries this summer, and while velocity gains can elevate a pitcher’s ceiling, they also push arms closer to breaking down. The pipeline looked stocked in February. By September, it looked more fragile than fans had hoped. The Current Rotation Picture The Twins’ top three (Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and Ober) were supposed to be the bedrock of the 2025 staff. Instead, injuries and inconsistency have raised questions about all three, with trade rumors swirling as the front office reassesses roster priorities. López and Ryan are set to be two of the highest-paid players on next year’s roster, and that could mean shopping them this winter in an attempt to further reduce payroll and amass even more young talent. Festa was one of the organization’s brightest pitching hopes, but a thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis casts a long shadow over his career path. Initial reports are positive, in that it is the less devastating form of TOC, but it is still one of the worst diagnoses for a pitcher. Simeon Woods Richardson and Matthews both had chances, but were unable to seize rotation spots. They showed flashes, but flashes don’t win a division. Other Reinforcements At the trade deadline, the Twins went shopping for arms to fortify the future. Mick Abel and Taj Bradley both come with pedigree as former top-100 prospects, while Kendry Rojas offers intriguing upside. The Twins have talked very highly of him since he was acquired. Minnesota had other prospects who were expected to break through in the minors this year, but that did not happen. Andrew Morris, though slowed by injury, showed promise late in the season. Marco Raya flashed his potential, while Cory Lewis endured a season to forget. There is hope that these three can have a healthy winter and return in 2026 with something to prove. These young arms highlight a familiar theme: the Twins are still searching for their “pipeline identity.” Cleveland can rely on a constant churn of major-league-ready pitchers. Minnesota has to piece theirs together through trades, tweaks, and patience. The 2026 Pitching Pipeline: Tiers of Hope Instead of a single clear pipeline, Minnesota’s future appears more like a layered system of possibilities. Projected Opening Day Options López, Ryan, Ober – All three could anchor the rotation if healthy and not traded, but each carries questions about durability or performance. Bradley, Woods Richardson – The former trade acquisitions will push for full-time roles, especially with their big-league experience over the last two seasons. Bradley has frontline upside if he clicks, while Woods Richardson needs to sharpen his command. Next Wave of Starters Abel, Matthews – Both showed flashes in 2025, but need consistency. Each could profile as a back-end starter or a dominant relief option. Raya, Morris, and Rojas – Young arms with enough stuff to break through in 2026. If the frontline group falters, these pitchers may get opportunities. Wild Cards Festa – Everything hinges on how he recovers from thoracic outlet syndrome. If he avoids surgery and bounces back, he could still be a long-term piece. Lewis – After a rough year, he’ll need a strong rebound to reestablish himself in the pipeline. Connor Prielipp – He was one of the top-performing starters in the system this season. Does it make sense for him to shift to a bullpen role, or to stay in the rotation? This tiered structure highlights the Twins’ reality: plenty of options, but few certainties. And given how many bullpen spots are up for grabs after the trade deadline selloff, some of these names (particularly the “next wave” and “wild cards”) may be asked to shift into relief roles. That could accelerate their path to the big leagues, while also giving the Twins a chance to stabilize a bullpen in flux. When Falvey arrived, the vision of a self-sustaining pitching pipeline was one of the biggest selling points. In 2025, the promise remains only partially fulfilled. Minnesota has discovered hidden gems, taken calculated risks on projects, and acquired talent through trades. But until the Twins can count on consistent, reliable production from their pipeline, both in the rotation and bullpen, fans will keep wondering when the “Cleveland magic” is finally going to show up at Target Field. Next season could be the year it finally starts to become a reality—or it could be another reminder that Minnesota’s pipeline still leaks. How do you feel about the pitching pipeline heading into 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins made headlines by announcing they were parting ways with manager Rocco Baldelli following another playoff miss, a fourth in the last five years. Baldelli was hardly the primary issue over this stretch, but the organization had already exhausted its other scapegoats. Last offseason, the Twins cleaned house on the hitting side, firing coaches across the board. David Popkins was quickly hired for the same job with the Toronto Blue Jays and helped that club win a competitive AL East division this season. On the front office side, the Twins moved on from general manager Thad Levine, allowing the club to promote others from within the organization. That left Baldelli as the next logical choice. Still, his dismissal might have been written months earlier when the Pohlad family unexpectedly pulled the club off the market and recommitted themselves as majority owners. A Different Timeline With a Sale Had the Twins’ ownership sale gone through as planned initially, it would have made sense to keep Baldelli in place at least through the 2026 season. His contract extension had already been picked up for next year. A carryover manager would have given a new ownership group time to learn the inner workings of the organization while providing stability in the dugout. It also would have been pragmatic. Minnesota’s current roster construction doesn’t point to a likely playoff run in 2026 unless something drastic changes. There’s talk that the team could potentially trade Pablo Lopez and/or Joe Ryan, making it even more difficult for the team to compete in the AL Central. If the club underperformed again, new owners could have cut ties with Baldelli at that point and made their own hire without rushing into a decision. Instead, the Pohlads’ renewed presence changed the calculation. Once they reaffirmed their control, the clock sped up. Patience became less of a virtue and more of a liability, especially after back-to-back disappointing campaigns in 2024 and 2025. Appeasing the Fan Base For years, a portion of the Twins’ fan base has loudly called for a change in the manager’s seat. Social media and comment sections have long been filled with critiques of Baldelli’s bullpen usage, lineup construction, and reliance on organizational philosophies. By moving on from him now, the Twins can appease that vocal group and give the appearance of a fresh start. A new manager may provide a short-term spark, if only by virtue of being different. There’s always excitement around a new face in the dugout, and that novelty can buy both the team and front office a bit of goodwill. Still, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. The Twins’ underlying roster issues remain, and no managerial change can magically transform the talent level of the current core. If the same problems surface in 2026, fan frustrations will quickly shift from the manager’s office back to the front office and ownership. Falvey’s Last Card to Play With the sale off the table, Derek Falvey’s position as president of baseball operations seems secure for now, but the pressure has never been greater. Ownership has little appetite to hit reset at the top of the front office after already committing to him as their lead decision-maker. That left one final ace card to play: firing the manager. Baldelli’s dismissal was as much about optics as performance. The reality is that Falvey is now running out of levers to pull. His influence spans both baseball and business operations, meaning that dwindling attendance and sagging revenue will be directly tied to him moving forward. Baldelli’s exit removes the last convenient shield, leaving Falvey as the ultimate target if things don’t turn around soon. What It Means for the Future The Pohlad pivot ended Baldelli’s tenure and reshaped the Twins’ trajectory. By choosing to hold onto the club, ownership signaled that short-term results now matter more than ever. A manager once seen as a stabilizer through transition became expendable. This is especially telling for an ownership group that has been loyal to managers through some rough seasons. Falvey, meanwhile, has bought himself time, but only in the short term. For fans, this all sets the stage for a pivotal 2026 season. The Twins will either prove they can retool and compete under current leadership, or the Pohlad family may be forced into the most difficult decision of all by moving on from the architect of the “Falvey era.” Either way, Baldelli’s firing serves as the clearest reminder yet: when ownership changes direction, the fallout is felt from the top of the dugout all the way down to the turnstiles. Do you believe the Pohlads' decision to keep the team led to Baldelli's firing? View full article

Image courtesy of Steven Bisig-Imagn Images For the second straight October, Twins fans won’t have to rearrange their schedules around playoff baseball. Instead of stressing over late-inning bullpen decisions or a lineup change that doesn’t make sense, Minnesotans get to sit back, relax, and decide whom they’re going to casually cheer for in the postseason. It's a luxury, in a way. Here’s a guide to help navigate the options, while I try to sell you this bridge in Brooklyn. Big Market, No Thank You: Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox This is the easiest category to cross off the list. Nobody in Twins Territory is itching to see the Yankees add another banner to their overcrowded wall. That rivalry pain runs deep. From the endless playoff heartbreak to the constant national hype, Minnesota fans have seen enough pinstripes for a lifetime. The Dodgers and Red Sox fall into a similar boat. Both are loaded with star power, big payrolls, and national TV attention. They’ll get their shine no matter what, but they hardly represent the underdog spirit Minnesotans tend to root for. These teams are like seeing the same blockbuster sequel every October. Fans already know the plot, and it usually ends with someone else’s parade. If you’re looking for joy in October, it probably isn’t going to come from watching one of these teams steamroll the bracket. AL Central Foes: Tigers, Guardians There’s no good outcome here. Detroit and Cleveland face each other in the Wild Card round, which at least guarantees that one rival will be eliminated quickly. Unfortunately, the other will move on. Twins fans know these lineups all too well, and the idea of sitting through national broadcasts gushing over Spencer Torkelson or Steven Kwan is enough to make stomachs churn. Maybe the best advice is to root for chaos: extra-inning marathons, defensive blunders, and bullpen meltdowns. The Guardians completed a historic comeback to win the AL Central, so Twins fans can pull for the Tigers in the Wild Card round as the lesser of two evils. The Shrug Group: Padres, Cubs, Reds San Diego, Chicago, and Cincinnati all fall into the “why not?” tier. The Padres have Luis Arraez, forever beloved in Minnesota for his pure hitting and infectious smile. He hasn’t been the batting champ version of himself this season, but that doesn’t mean he can’t flick a few opposite-field singles in October. The Cubs have Willi Castro, who became a surprisingly valuable utility player during his stint with the Twins, including being an All-Star last season. They also have old friends Caleb Thielbar and Taylor Rogers in their bullpen. No one in that group is likely to carry their teams, but stranger things have happened in October. Heck, Delmon Young won ALCS MVP back in 2012. The Reds snuck into the postseason and have a handful of former Twins (e.g. Emilio Pagan, Spencer Steer, Zack Littell, etc.), but none who were fan favorites during their Twins' tenure. Pick Your AL Favorite: Mariners or Blue Jays If you want a storyline that mirrors the Twins’ own struggles, the Mariners are a perfect fit. They’ve got playoff futility baked into their DNA, and their fan base knows the pain of waiting too long for postseason success. On top of that, familiar faces like Jorge Polanco and Mitch Garver are easy to root for. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, bring their own Minnesota connection. Jose Berrios, Louis Varland, and Ty France all wore a Twins uniform at one point. Sadly, Berríos’s elbow injury has sidelined him during the most critical stretch of the year, so he may only reappear if Toronto makes a deep run. Still, fans can pick their favorite alum and live vicariously through them. Pick Your NL Favorite: Phillies or Brewers The Phillies are practically “Twins East” at this point. Jhoan Duran, Harrison Bader, and Max Kepler are all postseason-bound, and West Fargo’s Matt Strahm adds a regional angle. The roster is stacked, but there’s enough Minnesota flavor to make it palatable, even for fans wary of another big-market contender. The Brewers might be the other logical choice. They’re a small-market squad that continues to punch above its weight, and there’s something fun about imagining the NL Central running through Milwaukee. Of course, Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalries die hard, and for some fans, decades of Packers pain will outweigh any reason to cheer for the Brew Crew. When a fan’s favorite team isn’t in the postseason, fandom becomes about narratives, connections, and rooting interests. Whether it’s picking the Mariners because they feel like the Twins’ baseball siblings, latching onto Arraez’s singles in San Diego, or hoping the Phillies’ collection of ex-Twins makes noise, October is still full of storylines for fans to enjoy. Whoever you choose, remember: at least the Yankees can’t beat the Twins this October. Which club are you hoping wins the 2026 World Series? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of TwinsCentric, LLC The Pohlad family has been at the helm of the Minnesota Twins for generations, guiding the club through both high points and lengthy rebuilds. Throughout that tenure, ownership has leaned on familiar talking points to explain their approach to spending, roster construction, and long-term planning. Yet over time, many of those narratives have worn thin with fans, creating frustration when actions don’t seem to match the words. “We need a new stadium to compete.” The campaign for Target Field leaned heavily on the argument that the Metrodome’s revenue limitations made it impossible for the Twins to retain star players or raise payroll. In fairness, the Dome was outdated, and Target Field has since provided one of the best fan experiences in baseball. But when the gates opened in 2010, many expected payrolls to take a permanent leap forward. Instead, the team’s spending rose only modestly, and it rarely kept pace with other mid- to large-market teams. While Target Field did improve financial flexibility, the promise of a new spending tier hasn’t been fully realized. Fan Perspective: “We gave you a ballpark. Where’s the payroll we were promised?” “We can’t afford to keep our stars.” The Pohlad family has consistently leaned on the “small-market team” label. This has been used to explain trades and departures of beloved players like Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, and even José Berríos. Now, Minnesota is paying Houston $10 million per year to keep Carlos Correa off its payroll. It’s been a challenging dynamic as the team tries to stay competitive with a relatively low payroll compared to the rest of the league. Fans, however, see the broader picture. National TV deals, revenue sharing, and new streams of MLB income mean all 30 franchises enjoy unprecedented financial stability. Even if Minnesota doesn’t have Dodgers-level resources, ownership wealth and modern MLB economics have undermined the notion that the Twins can’t retain their cornerstone players. The Pohlads choose not to at specific price points. Fan Perspective: “Small-market? Maybe in population, but not in revenue anymore.” “We’ll be aggressive when the time is right.” Perhaps no refrain has been repeated more often than this one. Whenever the team is building through a youth movement or retooling, front office and ownership figures stress that aggression will come once the roster is in position to contend. Yet Twins fans can point to multiple contention windows where “aggression” translated into mid-tier free agent signings or modest trade deadline additions, rather than transformative moves. Following the success of 2023, the ownership group should have invested in the team. Instead, they cut payroll by $30 million, and the results on the field have matched that cut. While some of this can be attributed to baseball’s inherent unpredictability, the pattern has left many to wonder if the franchise’s definition of “going for it” differs from the fans' perception. Fan Perspective: “Every window ends with bargain shopping and hoping it works out.” “Payroll will reflect attendance.” This narrative gained particular prominence after Target Field opened. Ownership suggested that as fans showed up in larger numbers, payroll would rise accordingly. And to some degree, it did. Minnesota’s payroll ranked in the top 10 during Target Field's first two seasons. From there, things deteriorated as the team ranked in the 20s from 2013 to 2017. In 2023, the Twins reached a payroll of nearly $167 million, ranking 16th in MLB. Still, compared to the dramatic attendance spike in those early years, payroll increases felt incremental. The connection between fan support and player spending hasn’t always been as direct as ownership implied. Now, the Twins are in a no-win situation. Attendance dropped in 2025, and the season ticket base is likely going to be at a Target Field low point in 2026. However, if ownership continues to keep payroll stagnant (or even drops further), the team’s attendance problem will persist. Fan Perspective: “Why would we fill the seats when ownership doesn’t follow through?” “We’re committed to championships.” Every owner in professional sports insists their ultimate goal is a championship, and the Pohlads are no different. Press conferences, radio appearances, and team statements often highlight the World Series as the standard they’re chasing. The reality, however, is more complicated. Since the Pohlads took over, the Twins have enjoyed pockets of success, including the Gardenhire-led division titles of the 2000s, the Bomba Squad’s record-setting offense in 2019, and the recent streak-snapping playoff win in 2023. But in each of those moments, the team stopped short of making the kind of bold, high-risk moves that can elevate a contender into a true favorite. Fan Perspective: “Committed to championships? More like committed to staying in the middle.” The Pohlads aren’t unique among MLB ownership groups, with many franchises deploying similar talking points. However, for Twins fans, these recurring narratives have become a source of frustration, especially when actions fail to align with the rhetoric. While the family has ensured the franchise’s stability in Minnesota, the gap between promises and outcomes remains one of the defining aspects of their tenure. The Twins’ fan base has proven its loyalty time and again, through the lean years of the Dome, the excitement of Target Field’s opening, and the rollercoaster of recent seasons. What fans want now is more than words: real, tangible action that backs up the narratives ownership has leaned on for decades. If the Pohlads want to rebuild trust, they’ll need to show that competing for championships is more than a slogan. Do you agree with the fan perspectives above? What are some of the other narratives from the ownership group? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images The 2025 season has not gone the way anyone inside Target Field imagined. Injuries, inconsistency, and missed opportunities left the Twins outside of serious contention, and the frustration has been evident among the fan base. However, in a recent episode of Inside Twins, Derek Falvey, the president of baseball operations, was asked to give his two-minute pitch to fans on why they should believe that better days are coming. His answers reveal a blueprint for how Minnesota plans to reclaim its position at the top of the AL Central. Youth Movement “I think that when I look out at this team and I see a group that's really young, that's still learning, that's still growing, that is going through some pains and moments in time," Falvey said. But I also see a lot of players that are taking those steps forward.” Falvey’s first point focused on youth, and for good reason. While many veterans on the roster have struggled to stay healthy or consistent, the next wave of Twins talent has been cutting its teeth in the big leagues. That means growing pains, but it also means development. The organization believes this group’s rough patches in 2025 will translate into smoother roads by 2026. For Minnesota to climb back into contention, those young players will need to show that these lessons are sticking, whether it’s Austin Martin finding his footing, Brooks Lee reaching his full potential, or the pitching depth (Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, etc.) continuing to progress. The losses in 2025 could be the foundation of wins in 2026. Veterans Finding Consistency “And I don't see this as a team that maybe is kind of aged out, so to speak, and gotten to the end of the line in their careers," Falvey continued. "I see a lot of guys that are on the front end, that are still climbing, that are still getting better. This month of September has been that opportunity for them.” One of the most significant differences between the Twins and other clubs hitting reset is that the roster isn’t in decline due to age. Byron Buxton has shown that he is still in his prime. Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and others are entering their late 20s, when they should perform at a high level. The rotation is anchored not by veterans at the end of their careers, but by pitchers still working toward their ceiling. Falvey is banking on the idea that the core has room to grow, rather than being in danger of fading. For a front office that has tried to thread the needle between developing and contending, this is a critical distinction. The Twins clearly believe the team is closer to a rebound than a rebuild. September baseball has been more about auditions than standings, and Falvey views that as an investment in the future. Giving younger players extended run in meaningful roles (rather than sprinkling them in as depth pieces) sets the stage for a more prepared roster next spring. The front office knows 2025 tested the patience of fans, but the hope is that those trials accelerate development. Falvey bets that by the time February rolls around, the Twins won’t just be the same group with the same flaws, because they’ll be a more seasoned, battle-tested version of themselves. The Base of the 2026 Twins "So I feel really good about the group that we have at the base, and we'll see how the rest of the offseason shakes out going forward," Falvey concluded. Ultimately, Falvey is selling belief in the foundation, and that’s what every front office must do. The Twins’ base of talent of Buxton, Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Wallner, and a wave of young contributors is enough to dream on. The front office has holes to fill, especially in pitching depth and lineup balance, but they aren’t starting from scratch. The 2025 season has been frustrating, and fans are justified in feeling disappointed. But Falvey’s message is clear: this isn’t the end of the Twins’ competitive window. The foundation remains strong, the youth is still climbing, and with a healthier roster and a few strategic moves this winter, Minnesota has a path back to October baseball in 2026. Do you believe in Falvey’s message? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Thieres Rabelo Minnesota’s pitching pipeline saw multiple rookies impact the big-league roster this season, with mixed results. Technically, Zebby Matthews and David Festa didn't number among that group, but they're important to the team's future—as is the incoming next wave of homegrown hurlers. Derek Falvey and Minnesota’s player development team have prided themselves on building a pitching pipeline. If the team’s winning window reopens in 2026, the organization’s top-performing pitchers will need to get to the big leagues and perform well. Before exploring this year’s top vote getters, here’s a look back at Twins Daily’s recent winners of this award. 2024: Zebby Matthews 2023: Cory Lewis 2022: Louie Varland 2021: Louie Varland 2019: Randy Dobnak 2018: Tyler Wells 2017: Stephen Gonsalves 2016: Stephen Gonsalves 2015: Jose Berrios 2014: Jose Berrios 2013: Taylor Rogers 2012: BJ Hermsen Let’s get into this year’s voting, starting with the honorable mentions and others receiving votes. Honorable Mentions: RHP Michael Ross (Low-A): 3.18 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 76 K, 22.0 K%, 29 BB, 8.4 BB%, 82 IP RHP Jose Olivares (High-A): 4.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 107 K, 27.6 K%, 57 BB, 14.7 BB%, 90 1/3 IP RHP Adrian Bohorquez (Low-A, High-A): 4.29 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 85 K, 27.2 K%, 31 BB, 9.9 BB%, 71 1/3 IP Others Receiving Votes: Chase Chaney, Cole Peschl, Trent Baker, Andrew Morris 4. RHP C.J. Culpepper , Double-A 2025 Stats: 2.43 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 53 K, 21.2 K%, 31 BB, 12.4 BB%, 59 1/3 IP (17 GS) Culpepper didn’t rank among the largest innings totals among Twins pitching prospects, but he made every start count. He missed two-plus months with a pinched nerve in his right elbow, and got sick with a virus multiple times. Despite the missed time, a sub-2.50 ERA across 17 outings in Wichita showed that he can keep hitters off balance and limit damage even when batters find way on base. The 23-year-old was still a year and a half younger than the competition in the Texas League, and held older batters to a .544 OPS for the season. His strikeout rate didn’t jump off the page, but he paired it with a knack for inducing weak contact and working his way out of jams. If he can trim the walks, Culpepper has the foundation of a back-end starter with the stuff to surprise. 3. LHP Connor Prielipp, Double-A/Triple-A 2025 Stats: 4.03 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 98 K, 31 BB, 82 2/3 IP (23 GS, 24 G) The Twins have been patient with Prielipp after his injury history, and 2025 represented his most consistent season of work yet. He took the ball regularly in Double-A before earning a bump to St. Paul, where he held his own against veteran hitters. He faced older batters in over 57% of his plate appearances and struck them out 27% of the time. His ERA hovered just above 4.00, but the left-hander showed stretches where his slider looked like a big-league weapon. For a pitcher still working his way back to full strength and consistency, this season was a step in the right direction. The next challenge will be refining his command so that his strikeout ability can shine through more consistently at the upper levels. He’s arguably the team’s top pitching prospect, and the organization recently named him their own pick for minor league pitcher of the year. 2. RHP John Klein, Double-A/Triple-A 2025 Stats: 3.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 128 K, 27.6 K%, 37 BB, 8.0 BB%, 106 1/3 IP (15 GS, 31 G) The Twins took a revolutionary approach with a group of pitching prospects this season, and Klein was among them. Instead of being part of the regular rotation, the Twins had a group stay on a four-day rotation while throwing fewer pitches in each appearance. Klein quietly thrived in this pitching environment and put together one of the more reliable seasons among Twins pitching prospects. He logged over 100 innings across two levels and held hitters in check, with a balanced mix that allowed him to both miss bats and limit free passes. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stood out as a strength, and he adapted well when moving between the rotation and the bullpen. That versatility could end up being his ticket to the big leagues, where he may eventually profile as a swingman or multi-inning reliever. Regardless of role, Klein’s steady production has made him a name worth watching. 1. LHP Dasan Hill, Low-A/High-A 2025 Stats: 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 83 K, 31.3 K%, 40 BB, 15.0 BB%, 62 IP (19 GS) Hill’s season was the definition of a breakout. At just 19 years old, he showed a maturity on the mound that belied his age while making the jump from Low-A to High-A. His fastball routinely overpowered hitters at both levels, and his sharp slider gave him a true out pitch that piled up strikeouts in bunches. That dominance is reflected in his gaudy 31.3% strikeout rate, one of the best marks in the organization. In his first 11 starts (33 IP), he posted a 2.45 ERA while limiting batters to a .561 OPS. The one bad side of his season was the command. With a 15.0% walk rate, Hill often put himself in tough situations, but what stood out was how often he pitched his way out of trouble. His OPS with runners on base was over 20 points lower, compared to when the bases were empty. For a young arm still refining his mechanics, the ability to miss bats at such a high clip outweighed the occasional lack of control. He faced younger batters in only 15 plate appearances this season, and they went 0-for-10 with six strikeouts. That combination makes him both raw and incredibly exciting. He is the kind of prospect who could make significant developmental strides in a short period. Beyond the stats, Hill’s profile is exactly what the Twins have been searching for: a high-upside left-handed arm who can project into a starting role. Minnesota has rarely had this type of pitcher rising through the system in recent years, and Hill’s emergence gives them a legitimate candidate to grow into that mold. His final start in Cedar Rapids put a bow on his season. In five innings, he limited Beloit to two earned runs on two hits, with seven strikeouts and two walks. He kept the team’s playoff hopes alive and dominated as a teenager. If he can smooth out the command, his ceiling is that of a playoff-caliber starter—the type of arm who could anchor the staff for years to come. With his youth, strikeout ability, and fearless approach, Hill became the most exciting pitching story in the Twins’ system in 2025. The Twins saw progress from several different arms in 2025, with each name on this list taking critical steps forward. Prielipp and Klein showed durability and flashes of upside at the upper levels, while Culpepper quietly dominated in Double-A. Still, it was Hill’s emergence that stole the spotlight, as his combination of strikeouts and youth made him one of the most intriguing pitchers in the organization. With arms like these pushing upward, Minnesota’s pitching pipeline may be better stocked than it has been in quite some time. How would your ballot look for the Twins’ top minor league starter this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins entered the last two seasons with playoff expectations, but the end results haven’t been quite what the front office envisioned. Between bullpen blowups, injured stars, and an offense that disappears like Wi-Fi in Target Field’s left-field concourse, manager Rocco Baldelli has found himself answering more questions than an IT help desk at a high school. While no one knows for certain what this winter will bring, Baldelli seems to be preparing for the possibility that the Twins could move on. Sources close to the clubhouse have confirmed that he’s been updating his resume, tweaking his LinkedIn profile, and even considering a new professional headshot, something less “concerned in the dugout” and more “ready to lead a corporate team-building seminar.” Explaining What Went Wrong On his updated resume, Baldelli has had to delicately describe his recent managerial years in ways that don’t sound quite so bleak. Instead of “bullpen collapses,” he phrases it as “delegating high-leverage opportunities with a focus on character-building.” Rather than “failure to hold divisional lead,” he calls it “emphasizing parity in a competitive market.” And the line about “teamwide offensive inconsistency”? That’s been masterfully rebranded as “encouraging players to embrace unpredictability as a lifestyle.” He’s even found a way to market the daily rest schedule that has driven fans mad. Under “innovative strategy,” Rocco proudly notes that he “optimized long-term employee performance by minimizing workplace burnout,” which sounds a lot better than “sat Byron Buxton in three straight division games.” In the section about postseason play, Baldelli has opted against using the words “swept again” and instead highlights his “commitment to efficiency by reducing October workloads.” And his ability to swap pitchers mid-inning with almost algorithmic precision? That’s been reframed as “embracing the principles of agile project management.” If nothing else, Rocco has proven he can spin the darkest days of Twins baseball into something that sounds suspiciously like a TED Talk or at least a PowerPoint pitch for middle management. Possible Jobs for Rocco Baldelli’s Next Chapter If Baldelli’s Twins tenure does end this winter, here are some of the most likely next steps on his employment journey: Peloton Instructor – He already specializes in resting people, so encouraging a group to sit down after 12 minutes on a bike feels like a natural fit. Middle School Hall Monitor – Perfect training for explaining to confused teenagers (or Twins relievers) why they’re not allowed to do something they were just told was fine yesterday. Target Field Concessions Consultant – No one in Minnesota is better at finding creative ways to explain why the product on the field isn’t quite what you ordered. Plus, he's already on the Pohlad payroll for next season. Escape Room Designer – Years of watching Twins hitters try to figure out how to leave the batter’s box with a hit makes him uniquely qualified. Starbucks Shift Manager – Finally, an environment where over-managing who’s on the clock every day is a job requirement. Motivational Speaker on “Work-Life Balance” – Nobody rests starters on a random Tuesday in Detroit quite like Rocco. He’s practically the Dalai Lama of scheduled days off. Dog Walker – If you thought his pitching staff management was unpredictable, wait until you see how he handles six leashes at once. Baldelli has accomplished a lot in his time with the Twins, including division titles, playoff appearances, and even convincing Minnesotans that “bullpen games” are a legitimate strategy. But baseball is a results-driven business, and with his resume polished and ready, it seems Baldelli is preparing for whatever the next chapter may bring, whether that’s another dugout, a corporate office, or a yoga studio. Of course, he’ll probably get pulled halfway through the interview just to be safe. View full article

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Last Friday, the Minnesota Twins announced that Matt Wallner’s season is officially over, with an oblique strain sending him to the injured list. For the 27-year-old Forest Lake native, it closes the book on a year where he fell short of expectations. Hopes were sky-high for Wallner entering the season, as the team talked glowingly about him throughout the spring and even had him penciled in to take over the role of leadoff hitter. By season's end, that felt like a remote memory. Injuries and Rhythm Wallner never really found his footing in 2025. A hamstring strain cost him six weeks during the first half, and the interruption seemed to derail his offensive rhythm. Across 104 games, he slashed just .202/.311/.464, numbers that look odd for a player with his track record. For context, over 2023-24, Wallner had posted an .885 OPS and was worth 4.4 WAR in just 151 games, even with plenty of time spent shuttling back and forth from St. Paul. This year, he ended up with only 0.5 WAR in 104 games. “It's not the way anyone wants their season to end, but his goal now is to make sure he's going into the offseason as healthy as possible to get himself in a good spot,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “I don't think that's going to be an issue, but it might take some time once the season ends to make sure his body is in a good spot.” An Unorthodox Stat Line Wallner’s statistical profile has always been unusual, but 2025 took that reputation to another level. His 22 home runs set a career high, yet he drove in only 40 runs, the fewest RBIs ever for a player with at least that many long balls. Barring a ferocious finish by Kody Clemens, Wallner will finish second on the team in home runs and slugging percentage, behind Byron Buxton. There’s more: of his 68 hits on the season, 41 went for extra bases. He joined just three other players in MLB history to reach 40 extra-base hits while finishing with fewer than 70 total hits. That’s the definition of boom-or-bust. Still, a .776 OPS equates to a 110 OPS+, meaning he was 10 percent above league average offensively. That tells the story of 2025 Matt Wallner perfectly: disappointing compared to his past, but still valuable in the Twins’ lineup. Baldelli was asked about the potential adjustments Wallner could make. "Closing up some gaps in his [swing] path, taking away some direct avenues in the way pitchers will attack him," the manager said. "Close up any of those holes—not completely, just by a fair amount—and it takes away a lot of different ways to pitch him.” Indeed, the league has figured out how to pitch Wallner, even after he made a major change to his swing this season. His next step is to make another adjustment, be it physical or in his approach, to create more hard contact on pitches inside and cover the top half of the zone better. What Went Wrong? The most obvious source of lost value was Wallner's batting average. After hovering in the .250-.260 range the last two seasons, Wallner cratered to .202. However, a closer examination suggests that some bad fortune may have played a role. His BABIP fell to .228, after sitting above .300 in each of his first three seasons. His ground-ball rate only crept up a little, and he still hit the ball with authority. On top of that, his strikeout rate actually dipped slightly to 29%, and his walk rate also improved. Those ingredients typically indicate better outcomes, which makes 2026 a strong candidate for positive regression if Wallner can stay on the field. What Comes Next? The Twins have some decisions to make with Wallner. He won’t reach arbitration until after next year, so he remains a cost-controlled power bat. If healthy, it’s easy to envision a 30-homer season in 2026. The bigger questions revolve around his role: Outfield spot? He’s serviceable in the corners, but the Twins have more athletic options coming, including Austin Martin and top prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez. His strong arm has been his calling card on the defensive side, but he's rarely created real value with it, and opponents don't fear it. DH role? Shifting Wallner to a full-time designated hitter role could keep him healthier and maximize his power, while allowing others to handle the outfield workload. The Twins haven’t employed a dominant DH since Nelson Cruz was traded to Tampa Bay. Perhaps Wallner can take over this role next season. Platoon future? Wallner is a career .181 hitter with a .641 OPS against left-handed pitching, which means he may always be a matchup-dependent bat. Some fans have called for the team’s left-handed bats to get more opportunities against southpaws, but the Twins aren’t likely to follow that path with Wallner. Even with those caveats, it’s worth noting: Wallner’s “down year” still included 22 homers and a 110 OPS+. For most players, that’s a career year. For Wallner, it just felt strange. The Twins will gladly roll the dice on positive improvements and good health in 2026, because if he looks more like the 2023–24 version, Wallner remains one of the franchise’s most dangerous hitters. What do you make of Wallner’s 2025 season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (graphic by Thieres Rabelo) Baseball is a game of stories, and one of the most enjoyable parts of the minor league award season is diving into the stories behind the names on the ballot. This year’s top-five Twins hitters feature a mix of former high draft selections alongside players who had to take the long road as they developed in the system. Every path looks different, and there’s no single blueprint for reaching the majors. Looking ahead to next year, Minnesota’s farm system is projected to rank among the very best in the game. The current front office has carefully assembled that depth through a combination of savvy drafting, trades, and player development. The performances highlighted below demonstrate the organization's ongoing efforts to develop talent, ensuring the major league club has the resources to maintain its competitive edge well into the future. Who have been the previous winners of this award? PREVIOUS WINNERS 2012 - Oswaldo Arcia 2013 - Miguel Sano 2014 - Mitch Garver 2015 - Max Kepler 2016 - Daniel Palka 2017 - Mitch Garver 2018 - Alex Kirilloff 2019 - Trevor Larnach 2021 - Jose Miranda 2022 - Matt Wallner 2023 - Yunior Severino 2024 - Luke Keaschall Here are some of the hitters who received votes on writers’ ballots: Honorable Mentions: 1B/DH Aaron Sabato: 109 G, .261/.327/.481 (.809), 23 HR, 18 2B, 1 3B, 68 RBI, 38 BB, 129 K C/1B Nate Baez: 96 G, .278/.371/.423 (.794), 8 HR, 17 2B, 4 3B, 54 RBI, 45 BB, 65 K UTL Jay Thomason: 64 G, .244/.397/.477 (.873), 10 HR, 11 2B, 2 3B, 29 RBI, 45 BB, 66 K OF Maddux Houghton: 97 G, .270/.356/.456 (.812), 12 HR, 13 2B, 3 3B, 45 RBI, 34 BB, 93 K C Noah Cardenas: 69 G, .245/.387/.438 (.824), 10 HR, 10 2B, 33 RBI, 42 BB, 51 K Others Receiving Votes: Carson McCusker, Kyle DeBarge, Ricardo Olivar, Billy Amick , Khadim Diaw Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year Here are the top five players for the Twins Daily Hitter of the Year, leading up to the choice for the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year. 5. OF Walker Jenkins, 20, Wichita/St. Paul 84 G, .286/.399/.451 (.850), 10 HR, 17 2B, 2 3B, 34 RBI, 56 R, 50 BB, 76 K, 17 SB The Twins’ top prospect entered the 2025 season with plenty of hype, and he didn’t disappoint. Jenkins started the year in Wichita, where he quickly established himself as one of the most polished bats in the Texas League, despite being nearly four years younger than the competition at that level. Over his final 23 Double-A games, he posted a 1.105 OPS while showing his true power potential with five home runs and six doubles. A late-season promotion to St. Paul allowed him to face more advanced pitching, and his ability to get on base consistently stood out at both levels. His combination of power, patience, and speed continues to give the Twins confidence that he could be a cornerstone bat in the big leagues sooner rather than later. 4. OF Kala'i Rosario , 23, Wichita 130 G, .256/.358/.487 (.844), 25 HR, 30 2B, 5 3B, 83 RBI, 92 R, 73 BB, 159 K, 32 SB Rosario entered the 2025 campaign at a critical juncture in his career, especially after the Twins left him unprotected in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. He has always had the raw power, but 2025 showcased his ability to be more than just a slugger. He set career-highs across the board while playing in 130 games for Wichita. Rosario faced older batters in over 84% of his plate appearances and posted an .852 OPS. His 25 home runs and 30 doubles highlight the damage he can do when he makes contact. He dominated during August as he posted a 1.135 OPS with 11 homers and six doubles in 27 games. While the strikeouts remain high, Rosario’s development into a more complete hitter, especially a right-handed power threat, has put him firmly on the radar for a future role in Minnesota’s outfield mix. 3. SS Kaelen Culpepper, 22, Cedar Rapids/Wichita 113 G, .289/.375/.469 (.844), 20 HR, 16 2B, 3 3B, 64 RBI, 77 R, 50 BB, 90 K, 25 SB Culpepper entered the season with the hype of being a first-round pick in 2024, but few envisioned him putting together a season that vaulted him into national top-100 lists. He started the year with Cedar Rapids but quickly proved he was advanced for the level by hitting .293/.385/.479 (.864) with nine home runs and nine doubles in 54 games. Some scouts questioned his power potential when the Twins drafted him, but his 20 home runs illustrate his growing pop. Also, his ability to swipe 25 bags and play a premium defensive position makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the organization. The Twins haven’t had many shortstops with this kind of offensive upside in recent years, and Culpepper is starting to make the case that he could be part of the long-term infield picture. 2. OF Kyler Fedko, 26, Wichita/St. Paul 130 G, .258/.367/.487 (.855), 28 HR, 25 2B, 82 RBI, 91 R, 79 BB, 120 K, 38 SB Few players in the system can match Fedko’s mix of patience and power. The 2021 12th round pick broke out in a big way this year, hitting 28 homers while maintaining an on-base percentage near .370. In 88 Double-A games, he posted an .868 OPS with 35 extra base hits and a 79-to-58 strikeout-to-walk ratio. On top of that, he was a real weapon on the basepaths with 38 steals. He was promoted to Triple-A at the beginning of August and posted a 1.104 OPS with six homers and seven doubles in his first 22 games. At 26, he may be older than some of the other names on this list, but his production speaks for itself. Like Rosario, he is a right-handed power option that could fit into the team’s plans as soon as next season. 1. OF Gabriel Gonzalez, 21, Cedar Rapids/Wichita/St. Paul 123 G, .329/.395/.513 (.909), 15 HR, 38 2B, 3 3B, 66 RBI, 75 R, 48 BB, 80 K, 8 SB Gonzalez entered the season as a promising but somewhat overlooked prospect. He joined the Twins organization last season in the Jorge Polanco trade and struggled at Cedar Rapids with a .706 OPS. There were still hopes he could turn it around in 2025, and he leaves the year as the clear-cut offensive star of the system. At just 21 years old, he made an aggressive climb through three levels, finishing the year in Triple-A while never looking out of place. His calling card in 2025 was consistency: he hit over .315 at every stop, and his 38 doubles show how frequently he found the gaps. While some of the other outfielders in the system showcased more raw power or speed, Gonzalez’s ability to combine hit tool, approach, and extra-base ability is what sets him apart. His .909 OPS was the highest among the organization’s top bats. He faced older pitchers in all but 30 of his plate appearances and hit .338/.405/.527 (.932) against them. He dominated left-handed pitchers with a 1.022 OPS, which included a .592 SLG. The Twins have had plenty of high-profile outfield prospects in recent years, but Gonzalez’s blend of polish and production at such a young age might make him one of the safest bets to contribute in Minnesota soon. The fact that he adjusted so seamlessly after each promotion suggests a maturity beyond his years. For a 21-year-old to go from High-A to Triple-A in one season and still improve his production is rare, and that’s why Gonzalez stood out as the system’s top hitter in 2025. Each of these players took significant strides forward in 2025, giving the Twins plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about their offensive depth. From top prospects like Jenkins to breakout performers like Fedko, the organization saw development across multiple levels. Still, no story stood taller than Gonzalez’s meteoric rise through the system, and his performance serves as a reminder that impact talent can emerge quickly. With this group pushing toward the big leagues, Minnesota’s lineup of the future looks as promising as it has in years. How would your ballot look for the Twins' top hitter in 2025? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images The first pitch hit the zone, and the stakes were invisible but heavy. Baseball is a game of microseconds, but some seconds feel like they can tilt a franchise. In July 2025, at Coors Field, the Minnesota Twins discovered exactly how fragile momentum can be. 2024’s Warning Twins fans saw this story play out before. In August 2024, Jorge Alcala’s meltdown in Texas became shorthand for a second-half collapse. The team had over 90% odds of making the playoffs, but injuries, slumps, and poor pitching turned a season of promise into disappointment. Some fans blame Joe Ryan’s shoulder injury or the lack of offensive punch in September. There are always places to point fingers, and multi-layered narratives to write. Still, one game, one inning, and one pitch can feel like the turning point. Sometimes, it truly is. The Stage Was Set Coming out of the All-Star break, the Twins hovered at .500. The Rockies were historically bad. Win the series, and Minnesota could flirt with contention. Lose, and the front office might pivot toward the future. It was a crossroads. On July 18, Chris Paddack (aka The Sheriff) strode to the mound, a veteran ready to stabilize a rotation looking to make a quick second-half impact. Alas, nothing that night went according to plan. Before fans had time to settle into their seats, Tyler Freeman worked the count full. Crack. A leadoff double. Not yet catastrophic, but it was a first hint of trouble. Three pitches later, Mickey Moniak sent a line drive to deep right-center. The ball screamed off his bat, bouncing into the gap. Colorado led 1-0. Paddack tried to smooth things out. The next batter, Jordan Beck, worked a 2-0 count before ripping a triple into the alley. Byron Buxton seemed to have the ball in his sights, and made a diving attempt. Maybe a younger, faster Buxton makes the catch and keeps the Twins in the game. Instead, the ball eluded him, and scoreboard ticked: 2-0. There have been plenty of games where the Twins were down a couple of runs early and mounted a comeback, but the Rockies weren’t done yet. Ryan McMahon stepped to the plate and took a massive swing at the first pitch he saw. The hanging curveball was crushed for a two-run homer, sending the pitch sailing into the Rockies’ corner seats. Colorado’s win probability jumped by nearly 7%, to 87.1%, and the Twins were back on their heels. Four runs in a single inning, and Minnesota’s season suddenly felt fragile. Paddack pitched five innings, gave up five earned runs, and left the mound without answers; the damage was done. He had a -.236 WPA, one of his lowest totals of the season. However, there were much larger ramifications to that one inning. That first frame wasn’t just a stumble. It was a gut punch that redefined the team’s trajectory. The Deadline Domino Effect After two losses in three games in Colorado, the front office shifted into high gear. By the trade deadline, nearly 40% of the active roster was gone. Carlos Correa, Jhoan Duran, Paddack, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart, Danny Coulombe, Harrison Bader, Willi Castro, and Ty France were all traded, in a whirlwind selloff that few teams have seen at a trade deadline. Had Minnesota swept that series, it’s likely many of the pieces with team control beyond this year would have remained. Instead, one inning snowballed, and accelerated a rebuild (or retool, if you ask the Twins’ front office). That inning didn’t just lose a series; it arguably reshaped the next half-decade of Twins baseball. What Comes Next Now, the spotlight shines on the organization's next long-term core, including Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kaelen Culpepper, Luke Keaschall, and others. Payroll flexibility opens doors to potential bold acquisitions, but there are no guarantees that the Pohlad ownership group will invest in the team for the 2026 season. This puts the farm system under pressure to produce results quickly, including some of the players acquired in the now-famous trade deadline deals. Fans will adjust to a roster in flux, while the front office bets that short-term pain will seed long-term gain. In baseball, one pitch rarely defines history. But some innings? They do. For the 2025 Twins, one nightmare inning in Colorado may have rewritten the future entirely. Do you believe that inning was the turning point in the season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images For a long stretch this year, Joe Ryan looked like everything the Twins hoped he could be: swing-and-miss stuff, elite control, and a bona fide frontline starter. His surface numbers back that up with elite peripherals (K/9, BB/9, FIP) and counting stats that put him among the American League’s better arms. But the storyline that’s defined his career more than the strikeouts is durability. That thread keeps showing up, even in a season where he finally got the All-Star nod. This isn't the first season where Ryan's durability has been questioned. In 2023, the Twins were unsure of how to use Ryan and Bailey Ober in their postseason rotation. The club knew that Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray would be in the top two spots. When it came to the club’s first game versus Houston, the reins were turned over to Bailey Ober instead of Ryan. Ryan got the start in Game 4, which became the decisive game. However, Minnesota only let him pitch two innings (1 ER on two hits) and turned it over to the bullpen. Last season, the Twins were in the hunt for the playoffs in the second half with 90% playoff odds during August. Ryan suffered a season-ending shoulder strain on August 7, 2024 after he exited a start at Wrigley Field. He didn’t require surgery but his season was over. The team had an epic collapse down the stretch and it’s easy to wonder “what if” Ryan had been healthy. Could he have helped the club avoid their collapse? Why This Matters The Twins know on paper that Ryan is a top-of-the-rotation arm. However, they have tougher decisions to make about committing future payroll and roster construction to a pitcher whose calendar has an asterisk: “great, if he gets through the back half.” The Twins know what they’re getting when he’s right with high-leverage innings and a starter who can give the bullpen breathing room. But they also know what they get when the wear shows up: short starts, extra bullpen usage, and the subtle collapse of a rotation plan in September. It came to life with a shoulder strain that ended his 2024 season and his end to 2025 looks, uncomfortably, like deja vu. If the Twins decide to retain Ryan and build their 2026 plan around him, it may be time to reevaluate his usage. That means: Aggressive workload management: An innings cap or series-of-starts cap in the early season, with a ramp tailored to his history. Let the calendar, not panic, dictate his place in September. Rest and recovery emphasis: Deeper in-season monitoring, scheduled extra days between starts if metrics trend poorly, start having rest conversations before anything becomes a bigger problem. Rotation construction that protects him: Continue to build the organization's pitching pipeline. If the back end of the rotation is unreliable, Ryan’s failures cascade. A more conservative rotation means the Twins can accept the occasional two-inning outing without turning September into a bullpen apocalypse. Retaining him this way buys upside: the Twins still have an ace when he’s right, but you try to blunt the damage when he’s not. That’s a reasonable strategy if the Twins aren’t convinced the market will pay top value for him in a trade. And right now, the market is at least whispering about interest. He’s been listed among the offseason’s top trade candidates, which underscores how other clubs value his present performance despite the worry about the back half of seasons. The alternative is blunt and transactional: the Twins could sell high on a pitcher who’s shown All-Star level production and still has two years of control left. Moving him would solve the durability headache by making it someone else’s problem, and it would accelerate a rebuild or restock the farm system with controllable talent. Teams in win-now mode often overpay for present performance. If other front offices believe Ryan is a four-plus WAR difference-maker when healthy, the return could be significant. That said, trade markets price risk. Other teams aren’t blind to the shoulder history or the second-half fade. Any package the Twins get will be discounted by how much prospective buyers think Ryan might bow out late in the season. And if the Twins’ front office is convinced they can better manage Ryan and extract more value than a trade return, they’ll keep him. This summer’s roster shakeups showed the Twins were willing to move many pieces but retained Ryan as part of the core construction at that time, which tells you how they were already sizing his value versus trade capital. All the debate, projections, and contract math come down to one simple thing: what happens when Ryan goes through a full spring, a regular season, and into September without the physical hiccups he’s shown before? That’s the proof investors (the front office or trade suitors) want to see. If the Twins keep him and 2026 shows those things, they’ve got a frontline starter they can build around, and the “what-if” of 2025 fades into a memory. There’s also a chance that Ryan again wears down, or an injury pops up. Then the narrative flips: his trade value tanks, his arbitration trajectory becomes a liability, and the Twins are left balancing lost wins with future payroll commitments. Ryan’s 2025 told two truths at once: he’s legitimately good, and he’s still a gamble. For the Twins, keeping him is a bet that smarter load management and surrounding pieces can turn upside into reliability. Trading him is a bet the market will overvalue current performance and spare the Twins a long, expensive experiment. Which gamble is smarter? That depends on how patient Minnesota wants to be, and how many heartbreaks they’re willing to endure before Ryan finally, fully answers the simple question he’s failed to solve so far. Can Ryan ever answer his biggest question? Will the Twins trade him this winter? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article