Cody Christie

Prospect development is rarely linear. Twins fans have seen this firsthand in recent years as several of the organization’s top hitting prospects have struggled to convert promising minor league production into consistent performance at the major league level. From strikeout concerns to developmental stalling, it's been a rocky road for many young bats. But in 2025, Gabriel Gonzalez is doing everything he can to change that narrative. He might just be the hitting prospect the Twins have been waiting for The Twins' trade of Jorge Polanco back in January will be remembered for different reasons. Some fans saw it as a tough goodbye, a salary dump of a longtime clubhouse leader. Others viewed it as a way to spread Polanco’s value across four different players, offering both short-term depth and long-term upside. Veterans Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa were expected to contribute in 2024, though injuries derailed those plans. The real intrigue, however, always surrounded the younger pieces: right-hander Darren Bowen and, most notably, outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez. Gonzalez, then a 20-year-old Top 100 prospect, entered the Twins system with significant expectations. His 2024 campaign in High-A Cedar Rapids was solid on the surface, though not overwhelming. He posted below-average numbers overall, but there were signs of promise underneath. His contact skills were clear as he posted a strong 14.5% strikeout rate over 81 games and was more than two years younger than the average Midwest League player. Adding to the challenge, Gonzalez dealt with a back injury that limited his time on the field. There was also the adjustment period that comes with changing organizations mid-development. Twins farm director Drew MacPhail recently addressed that very challenge in discussing both Gonzalez and fellow trade acquisition Jose Salas (from the Pablo López deal). “You can imagine if you are a teenager or 20 years old and all of a sudden you get a phone call that you have been traded to another organization,” said MacPhail. “I think it can be really jarring. I like to think we do a really nice job of getting those guys acclimated and making them feel comfortable, but I think it does take some time.” “When you keep that in mind, these guys have been pushed aggressively,” MacPhail continued. “It’s sort of normal for them to take their lumps and struggle a little bit. They are still really young for their level and once they get acclimated, they go back and know what to expect. They start to take off when they get that comfort level back.” That comfort level has indeed shown up in 2025. The Twins sent Gonzalez back to Cedar Rapids to open the season, and it didn’t take long for him to dominate. Despite still being over a year younger than the average player in the league, Gonzalez slashed .319/.378/.529 (.907 OPS) with five home runs, 12 doubles, and a 150 wRC+ in just 34 games. The performance earned him a late-May promotion to Double-A Wichita, where he’s been even better by posting a .938 OPS and 163 wRC+ over 55 games. From the time of his Double-A debut through the end of July, Gonzalez was among the most productive hitters in all of minor league baseball. His .344 average in that span ranked second in the minors (min. 200 AB), and his .938 OPS was good for eighth. He led all Twins minor leaguers in batting average (.334), hits (117), and doubles (31) through the first four months of the season. Even more impressively, he posted a system-best 12.9% strikeout rate across High-A and Double-A. This is remarkable for a player with his power and age. The Twins rewarded Gonzalez with a promotion to Triple-A St. Paul on August 1st, capping a meteoric rise in his age-21 season. Now, he’s knocking on the door of the big leagues. And with the team’s trade deadline fire sale opening the door for opportunities across the roster, Gonzalez could very well debut in Minnesota before season’s end. He’s not the loudest name in the Twins’ prospect ranks, but his development this season should have him rising on prospect lists. Quietly and consistently, Gonzalez has made himself impossible to ignore. What stands out about Gonzalez’s season so far? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

When the dust settled on the Minnesota Twins’ shocking trade deadline fire sale, fans and players alike were left stunned. Carlos Correa? Gone. Jhoan Duran? Traded. But there was one move that cut deeper than the rest, not because of WAR or contract math, but because it stripped away one of the most human elements left in baseball. Louis Varland is not just a pitcher. He is not just a stat line. He is not just “team-controlled through 2030.” He’s a hometown kid from St. Paul who fulfilled a childhood dream by taking the mound at Target Field in front of his family and friends. In a sport that so often feels like business, Varland was a reminder that sometimes, it still means something to play for your hometown team. Now, that dream has been ripped away. The Deal That Shook the Clubhouse Just minutes before the deadline passed, the Twins shipped Varland and veteran first baseman Ty France to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden. The return was decent, maybe even good on paper. Roden debuted with the Twins the very next day. But even President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey’s carefully worded explanations couldn’t disguise the cold calculus behind this one. "It's difficult. We love Louis, who he is and the way he's gone about the work," Falvey said on the Twins television broadcast. "We felt like in the deal that we got with Toronto there, a young, exciting starter who has reached Triple-A, someone who we think can be one of those guys who fits into the rotation sooner than later and has a great deal of upside from the left side. And then in Alan Roden, who you're seeing tonight, we think he's a guy who can join us as a potential everyday position player. Falvey went on to say, “Those are really difficult decisions in those moments, around how do you make your team better in aggregate? You understand that maybe you have to take something away to get really good talent. We felt like the chance for a starter and a position player in that deal gave us additional upside." What Falvey didn’t say is what everyone already knew: Varland was beloved in that clubhouse. And the Twins didn’t have to trade him. An Inexplicable Exit By every measure, Varland was enjoying a breakout year. A 2.02 ERA. Nearly a strikeout per inning. A legitimate leverage reliever who gave the Twins a reliable arm every time out. And he was doing it for just a salary barely above the league minimum with five more years of team control. You don’t just find that kind of value on the open market, especially since the Twins have talked openly about being competitive in 2026 and beyond. So why do it? That’s the question that left rival executives, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, “dumbfounded.” The answer, apparently, is upside. Or, more cynically, it’s the front office hedging bets on the next wave of controllable players even if it means burning bridges with the guys who are already in your dugout. Baseball Trades, But At What Cost? Falvey made it clear in the aftermath that this wasn’t a financial dump. “By and large across the board, [these] were baseball trades,” he said. But even baseball trades can carry human consequences. Varland wasn’t just a statistical asset. He was a guy who had worked through failures as a starter, reinvented himself as a reliever, and had become a key part of the Twins’ bullpen. More than that, he was one of us. His family was in the stands almost every night. His heart was here. And now he’s gone, with no warning, and no real reason that anyone inside that clubhouse can wrap their heads around. It’s no wonder players were reportedly “seething” about the move. The Twins sent a message and not a good one. If Louis Varland can be traded in the middle of a breakout season, while making less than a million dollars and pouring everything he had into this team, anyone can be traded. There’s no denying that baseball is a business. But at a time when the Twins are asking fans to invest in yet another rebuild, to trust a front office that’s now dealing away franchise cornerstones and hometown heroes alike, there’s something unsettling about the way this deadline played out. Roden may become a useful outfielder. Rojas might develop into a capable starter. But those names are going to have to work hard to earn the kind of loyalty Varland had in that clubhouse, and in this community. You can trade away talent. You can trade away payroll. But once you start trading away trust from players and fans, that’s a harder thing to rebuild. And no matter how many prospects you bring in, there’s no return that makes up for that. Did the Twins ignore the human element in the Varland trade? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

The Minnesota Twins stunned their fanbase and the baseball world when they shipped Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. It was the final signal that the club is rebuilding its core. This was a decision underscored by the minimal return in the deal, a 26-year-old low-minors hopeful named Matt Mikulski, and $33 million in retained salary. But as we’re now learning, the trade could have looked much different. According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Minnesota originally floated the name of veteran first baseman Christian Walker in talks with Houston. The Astros declined. He has two years, $40 million remaining on the free agent contract he signed last winter. It’s a clear sign that the Twins were trying to find ways to be competitive in the short term, even with Correa out of the picture. It’s a missed opportunity. And while there are understandable reasons for the current ownership group to balk at that price tag, it raises uncomfortable questions about the direction and competitiveness of the team moving forward. A Costly Decline in Value On paper, the Astros' refusal to part ways with Walker makes sense. Walker is 34 and amid a down season. His .237 average and .711 OPS are both below his career norms, and though he has hit 14 home runs and driven in 56 runs, his overall production has declined in 2025. There is hope he can turn it around, and Houston had enough faith in him this winter to give him a significant contract. From the Twins' perspective, the team is reportedly carrying over $400 million in debt and has already shed tens of millions in salary. In that light, avoiding another significant commitment during the early stages of a rebuild makes fiscal sense. The Twins do not need another aging veteran on a multi-year deal, especially one with a declining bat and limited versatility. But the bigger picture might be getting lost in the accounting. A Position of Need The Twins' first base situation is shaky at best. Kody Clemens has provided some short-term pop since arriving in Minnesota, but his overall profile as a career 82 wRC+ hitter suggests that the surge is unlikely to last. Other internal options like Edouard Julien and Jose Miranda have spent much of the year in Triple-A due to poor performance. Walker, even in decline, would have instantly been the team’s best and most reliable first baseman. A three-time Gold Glove winner, he brings defensive stability that Clemens cannot match. While his 2025 numbers are underwhelming, he’s rebounded nicely in recent weeks, posting a .288 average with six home runs in his last 45 games. That version of Walker could have brought both value and leadership to a young roster now stripped of veterans like Correa, Willi Castro, and Harrison Bader. The Bigger Question By missing out on Walker, the Twins' narrative becomes that financial flexibility was the sole focus for the 2025 trade deadline. It’s important to note that the front office was at least attempting to stabilize key positions or fielding a more competitive roster in 2026. First base has been a revolving door for the Twins, and Walker could have stopped that rotation for the life of his contract. In the long run, it might be best that the Twins missed out on him, especially if they believe a rebuild will take multiple years and Walker would be past his prime by the time it concludes. But it is fair for fans to wonder what, exactly, the long-term plan looks like. With Correa, Duran, Castro, and Griffin Jax gone, there are more holes than answers. Walker may not have been a long-term cornerstone, but he could have bridged the gap and provided mentorship to young hitters trying to find their place. A Second Chance? Nightengale noted that the Astros are likely to shop Walker this winter, especially with Isaac Paredes poised to take over first base in 2026. There may still be an opportunity for the Twins to circle back, particularly if Houston is willing to eat part of the contract. However, waiting until the offseason may invite competition from other clubs and reduce Minnesota’s leverage. Missing out on Walker may end up being just a footnote in a summer of transition. Still, it could also come to symbolize a turning point, where the front office doubled down on cost-cutting and flexibility at the expense of short-term improvement and stability. If the goal is to build a competitive core for 2027 and beyond, that path must start taking shape soon. For now, it remains unclear if missing out on Walker will be remembered as prudent or problematic. Either way, it was a choice the Astros made instead of the Twins, and that may be the most frustrating part of all. Should the Twins have pushed harder to get Walker? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

The Minnesota Twins have claimed right-handed pitcher Brooks Kriske off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, continuing their recent trend of adding experienced bullpen depth as the team reshapes its roster following the trade deadline. Earlier this week, the team claimed Thomas Hatch from the Royals as the team tries to replenish the five bullpen arms that were traded away. Kriske, 31, was designated for assignment by the Cubs over the weekend despite posting a solid line in his brief stint with the club. He appeared in four games this season, tossing six scoreless innings out of the bullpen while allowing just two hits and striking out four. Command remains a concern, as evidenced by five walks in that span, but the Twins are clearly intrigued by his ability to miss bats and navigate tough spots. At Triple-A, he had very good numbers this season. In 23 appearances (31 2/3 innings), he posted a 3.13 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. More remarkably, he had a 39.4 K% with a 7.6 BB% that was significantly improved compared to his recent seasons, where his BB% averaged above 14%. The Twins have space in the bullpen to take some flyers over the last month, and those minor league totals are tough to ignore. During his time with the Cubs in 2025, Kriske leaned heavily on two primary offerings: the split-finger fastball, which accounted for roughly 57% of his pitches, and a four-seam fastball, making up about 36%, with occasional cutters sprinkled in (6%). His split finger averages 82.2 mph, and batters have yet to register a hit against it this season. Overall, the split-finger finder served as his go‑to swing‑and‑miss weapon (30.4 Whiff%) with fastball usage supplementing for establishment and velocity contrast. Still, command has been a concern given his walk rates during these outings. Originally a sixth-round pick by the Yankees in 2016, Kriske has seen time with four big league clubs: the Yankees, Orioles, Royals, and, most recently, the Cubs. His overall MLB numbers are underwhelming with an 8.78 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP across 27 2/3 innings. It’s important to add in the caveat about a small sample size, and there are flashes of potential beneath the surface. In 2022 and 2023, Kriske spent parts of two seasons overseas pitching in Japan’s NPB, where he showed improved command and struck out nearly 13 batters per nine innings. The Twins are likely hoping that some of that success translates back to MLB, especially with an expanded role in a bullpen that will need competent veteran pitching. Kriske has a chance to carve out a role beyond this season if he performs well. To make room for Kriske on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated Darren McCaughan for release or assignment. McCaughan had just been added to the roster on Monday and did not appear in a game before being bumped. It’s a tough break for the right-hander, but roster flexibility is at a premium right now. Kriske will be active for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale in Detroit against the Tigers, giving manager Rocco Baldelli another option out of the bullpen as the Twins navigate the final two months of the season. What’s Next? With a restructured roster and a focus on evaluating depth options, expect the Twins to continue testing out fringe arms over the next few weeks. Kriske might not be a long-term answer, but his recent effectiveness gives him a shot to carve out a role, especially if he can throw strikes consistently. What stands out about Kriske’s career so far? Can he replicate his minor league numbers? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

The Minnesota Twins remain stuck in a strange limbo. Their competitive window slammed shut in late July with a jarring, franchise-altering trade deadline fire sale. In one week, the front office moved 11 players, including eight on deadline day alone. That number represents 40% of the active roster and a whopping $26 million off the payroll. Yet the question dominating fan conversations isn’t about the prospects received in return or even how bad the big-league product might look in August and September. The question now is simple: When is this team getting sold? Pohlads’ Time Nearly Up? It’s been 10 months since the Pohlad family, the franchise’s owners since 1984, announced their intention to sell. Since then, the on-field results have been a roller coaster. A 13-game winning streak in May pushed the team above .500 and into playoff contention. But that high didn’t last long, and the recent selloff made one thing clear: This ownership group is no longer operating with long-term success in mind. The Front Office Sports report that dropped just hours after the deadline set off alarm bells across Twins Territory. A source indicated that there was “momentum” toward a sale. While no potential buyers have publicly stepped forward and MLB hasn’t confirmed any deals, the timing is raising plenty of eyebrows. After all, why would an ownership group planning to hang around tear its roster down to the studs with two months left in the season? MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hinted at an impending sale during All-Star break interviews. “I can tell you with a lot of confidence that there will be a transaction there,” Manfred said, noting that a clear front-runner had emerged earlier in the process, reportedly Phoenix Suns owner Justin Ishbia before shifting his attention to the Chicago White Sox instead. “When it becomes clear that you have a leader in the clubhouse, everybody else kind of backs away, right?” Manfred explained. “Because they kind of get a feel for the price, and unless they’re prepared to top it, they’re going to move on and do something else. That stall may have delayed the process, but momentum seems to be building again. What’s the Franchise Worth? The Pohlads have been reported sticking to their $1.7 billion asking price and they might have been their best business move in quite some time. The Twins might be entering the most valuable seller’s market in team history. Consider the comps: Orioles sold in 2023 for $1.725 billion Mets in 2020 for $2.475 billion Rays, despite a stadium crisis, agreed to a sale in June for $1.7 billion Minnesota doesn’t have a major stadium issue with the publicly funded Target Field being one of baseball’s best ballparks. It does have one thing those other clubs didn’t, over $400 million in debt. The Pohlads erased some of that debt with the salary dump of Carlos Correa and traded away other team controlled pieces that would become more expensive through the arbitration process. That looming financial burden could muddy the waters and potentially push the sale price south of the $1.7 billion mark. But even with the debt, the Twins remain an attractive asset. They’re a mid-market team in a modern ballpark with a loyal (albeit frustrated) fan base, (finally) stable TV deal, and a strong regional presence. The hope, among fans and league insiders alike, is that a deal can be finalized before the offseason, so the new ownership can guide the team’s forward path. What’s Next? That’s the most complicated part. Nobody knows. The only certainty is that the Twins need direction and fast. This deadline fire sale wasn’t the result of a front office with a bold new plan. It was a franchise in transition, shedding payroll, hitting reset, and waiting for a new voice to steer the ship. Will a new owner come in and spend aggressively to rebuild around Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan? Or will they commit to a multi-year rebuild built around the growing stable of prospects now flooding the farm system? The Pohlads oversaw three distinct eras of Twins baseball: the '90s struggle years, the early-2000s Metrodome miracle runs, and the Target Field optimism that faded into inconsistency. In the end, they leave behind a complicated legacy with financial caution, flashes of success, and a fanbase that always wanted more. For now, all Minnesota can do is wait. Wait for news. Wait for a fresh vision. Wait for someone, anyone, to take the reins and start putting the pieces back together. Because one thing is clear: the teardown is complete. The future now depends on who’s willing to build it back up. Will the Twins have new ownership in place before the 2026 season? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

The Minnesota Twins front office decided to blow up the big-league roster after back-to-back disappointing seasons. After trading away 40% of the 26-man roster, the Twins acquired some intriguing talent that will slot into the team’s top prospect list. Some players like Alan Roden and Taj Bradley were left off the list below because they have surpassed their prospect eligibility. Here are deeper dives on each of the top 5 prospects acquired by Minnesota at the 2025 Trade Deadline: 5. Hendry Mendez, OF Acquired in the Harrison Bader trade with Philadelphia Pre-Trade Stats: .290/.374/.434 (.808), 8 HR, 13 2B, 3 3B, 40 BB, 44 K, 85 G Scouting Notes: Left‑handed hitter with gap-to-gap power, disciplined plate approach, and athleticism in the outfield. Though there are many outfielders in the system, Mendez offers high upside, especially since the 21-year-old was over 2.5 years younger than the average age of the competition at Double-A. Why He Ranks #5: Mendez represents a safe bet to contribute at the upper minors and grow into an MLB regular. 4. Ryan Gallagher, RHP Acquired in the Willi Castro trade with the Chicago Cubs Pre-Trade Stats: 3.43 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 96 K, 20 BB, 84 IP Scouting Notes: At 22, Gallagher mixes a reliable fastball with a solid changeup and curve. His advanced feel and ability to pitch to both lefties and righties provide projection as a future rotation piece at the big-league level. Playing at Double‑A, Gallagher ranked among the Cubs’ top-10 prospects. Why He Ranks #4: A high-floor arm with command, Gallagher appeals as a mid-rotation starter in future years. The Twins could improve his pitch-mix and transform him into another part of the team’s pitching pipeline. 3. Kendry Rojas, LHP Acquired in the Louie Varland and Ty France deal with Toronto Pre-Trade Stats: 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 62 K and 9 walks in 41 1/3 IP Scouting Report: Rojas delivers a quality fastball, slider, and changeup combination with impressive control. Still just 22 years old, his command-first profile suggests mid‑rotation upside if his raw stuff continues to tick up. His ability to limit walks at Double‑A sets him apart among lefty prospects. Why He Ranks #3: Lefties with polish and strike-throwing ability are rare. Rojas fits that mold and offers substantial upside with limited risk. 2. Mick Abel, RHP Acquired in the Durán trade with Philadelphia Pre-Trade Stats: MLB (Phillies): 5.04 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 21 K, 9 BB in 25 IP Triple‑A (Lehigh Valley): 2.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 81 K, 32 BB in 74 IP Scouting Notes: A former first‑round pick (2020), Abel ranks in the Twins’ top-10 organizational prospects and is a borderline top-100 prospect. He throws a mid‑to‑upper‑90s fastball paired with a sharp curve and an emerging slider. He’s viewed as rotation-capable if his secondary pitches and control develop further. Recent scouting reports underscore Abel’s raw stuff as tantalizing, though critics note control and lack of a third reliable pitch as concerns. Why He Ranks #2: Abel brings immediate upside and innings potential, and could factor into rotation plans as early as 2026. According to Baseball America, he was the third-best prospect traded at the deadline. 1. Eduardo Tait, C Acquired in the Jhoan Durán trade with Philadelphia Pre-Trade Stats: .255/.319/.434 (.753),11 HR, 22 2B, 30 BB, 65 K, 82 G Scouting Notes: Tait is an 18‑year‑old left‑handed hitting catcher who entered the trade as a Top 100 prospect. As a teenager, he is extremely young for High-A. He represented the Phillies in this year’s Futures Game. He profiles with a 60‑grade raw power, plus arm strength (60), and improving receiving skills (fielding 45). Projections place him among Minnesota’s elite catching prospects once fully developed. Why He Ranks #1: Tait’s blend of youth, offensive upside, and positional value (catching depth is scarce) makes him the centerpiece of the haul. Baseball America ranked him as the second-best prospect that was traded at the deadline behind shortstop Leo De Vries. Tait is the centerpiece with gradeable raw tools, positional value, and a clear path in the catching ranks. Abel offers potential rotation depth almost immediately, as injury‑depleted Twins may push him faster than usual. Rojas, Gallagher, and Mendez round out a balanced group with high-floor arms and a polished young bat, each adding depth and flexibility. They’ve retooled by trading present bullpen strength (notably Duran, Varland, Jax, Coulombe, etc.) for long‑term prospects. These five now anchor a revamped Twins farm system, and if development goes smoothly, they’ll be foundational pieces in the next competitive window. Do you agree with the rankings? Who is too high? Where do they rank among the Twins’ top-20 prospects? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Dear Derek Falvey, the Pohlad family, and the Minnesota Twins front office, Thank you for your recent note to season ticket holders. It’s always good to hear directly from leadership in a time like this, when the dust is still settling on one of the most dramatic trade deadlines in franchise history. A dozen moves in 24 hours. The largest contract in team history is gone. A flame-throwing closer sent to a contender. The team’s emotional leader and utility man shipped to the North Side. Ten players out the door. A completely different clubhouse was left behind. You said this was “a clear and deliberate decision to strengthen the next chapter of championship-caliber baseball.” That sounds noble, and I believe the intention behind the moves was real. But from this seat, it looks less like a “next push” and more like an organizational white flag. After weeks of treading water, the Twins didn’t just pivot to the future. They sprinted toward it, carrying half the roster in their arms. Let’s be honest: this wasn’t a pivot. It was a purge. And if we’re talking about reactions, you’re right, we’ve got plenty. You said our response reflects how much we care, and that’s absolutely true. But passion only goes so far when fans are asked to watch stars leave year after year. Carlos Correa, the marquee signing we were told represented a new era, is gone. Jhoan Duran, the face of the bullpen and a guy who could have anchored the back end for years, gone. Fan favorites like Griffin Jax and Willi Castro, who grinded it out daily, gone. In return, the Twins acquired several names most fans have never heard of and a few fringe contributors who might get a look in September. We understand the logic. These are moves aimed at 2026, maybe even 2027. But that’s a tough sell when fans are still waiting to see the supposed long-term core stay healthy and produce consistently. These are guys like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, and Matt Wallner. You pointed out that this wasn’t “about patchwork or small adjustments,” and we agree. You tore it down to the studs. But after cutting payroll over the last two seasons and backing away from adding at multiple deadlines, the question isn’t just “what’s next?” It’s why should fans still believe you’ll follow through when the time comes to spend again? You can’t build long-term success if you’re always in transition. This was supposed to be the competitive window. You signed Correa long-term. You extended Pablo López. You told fans this was the team that could break through. And then, two years after winning your first playoff game in nearly two decades, you sold off half the roster and didn’t leave a lot of hope for the future. The most telling move might be Louis Varland. You dealt a guy who’s under team control, has been a revelation in the bullpen, and was pitching well in July. That’s not a deadline move teams make when they believe they’re retooling. That’s a move you make when you’re starting over. We want to believe there’s a plan. We want to believe this pipeline you’ve built is going to blossom into a contender. But those are promises we’ve heard before. Fans can only be asked to stay patient so many times before they start looking for something else to do on a summer night. So, to borrow your own words: this wasn’t about small adjustments. This was about accountability. And now, the Twins’ front office needs to hold itself to the same standard it set for the players it just sent packing. Twins fans want a championship-caliber product. And we don’t want to wait until 2026 to get a taste of it again. Sincerely, A fan who still cares.

With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Twins will spend the final two months of the season learning more about their new conglomeration of players, including internal options. Minnesota stripped down the roster ahead of the trade deadline, which allows the team to rely on a trio of young arms with something to prove. Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa, and Zebby Matthews have all shown flashes this season, but the stretch run will be about consistency and growth. Can the group handle heavier workloads? Will they find success against lineups the third time through? Can they make adjustments in-game to work deeper into starts? The answers to these questions will help shape the Twins’ plans for the rotation in 2026 and beyond. Simeon Woods Richardson: Earning Trust Through Consistency The Twins handed Woods Richardson a rotation spot out of spring training, and he has rewarded them with a season of growth. After a rocky start to the year, he has been one of the team’s steadiest starters since mid-June. In his last eight starts, he posted a 2.58 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks. On the season, he owns a 4.24 ERA with 69 strikeouts in over 80 2/3 innings pitched. Woods Richardson has done well limiting hard contact, but he is still working to prove he can handle a lineup the third time. Opponents have a .356 OBP with an .803 OPS against him the third time around, compared to a .623 OPS the first time and .762 the second. The next step in his development will be refining his sequencing and pitch usage deeper into games. With his improved command and willingness to mix pitches, Woods Richardson is trending in the right direction. Now the Twins need to see if he can maintain that level through the end of the season. David Festa: Power Arm Searching for Efficiency Festa’s debut came with plenty of excitement, and his early outings offered a glimpse of what makes him such an intriguing prospect. In 2024, he consistently missed bats, racking up 166 strikeouts in 124 2/3 combined innings between the majors and minors. With a high-spin fastball and a devastating changeup (44.0 Whiff%), Festa profiles as a high-strikeout arm with the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation fixture. However, the Twins want to see more than just strikeouts. Festa has struggled with efficiency at times, often needing 90 pitches to get through four or five innings. He has also been vulnerable to big innings when his command wavers. His ERA sits at 5.40 through ten appearances, but his FIP is 4.84, suggesting there’s more upside than his surface stats reveal. His xSLG is also 30 points lower than his actual slugging this year, pointing to him being unlucky at times. Down the stretch, Festa needs to show his recent shoulder injury is a minor issue. Then he can push toward the 100-inning mark and show he can avoid high pitch counts. If he can find ways to generate quicker outs and stay away from walks, he could force his way into next year’s rotation. Zebby Matthews: Staying Healthy and Getting Stretched Out Last season, Matthews was the talk of the Twins’ pitching pipeline as he moved from High-A to the big-league level. The 2025 campaign hasn’t been as smooth. He dominated in Triple-A with a 1.72 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. Since joining the big-league roster, he has made seven appearances and posted a 5.67 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings. Matthews has already shown the ability to generate whiffs (27.9 Whiff%, 70th percentile) and limit damage, but the Twins have kept him on a short leash. He has thrown fewer than five innings in four of his six starts and has not consistently faced lineups a third time through. He only has 20 plate appearances versus a lineup for the third time. Minnesota will need to extend his outings to see how he responds as he works deeper into games. Health will also be a consideration. Matthews missed time with a shoulder strain earlier this season, and the Twins may be cautious with his workload. If he can stay on the mound and show durability, he has a chance to make a strong case for a 2026 rotation spot. Rotation Plans for 2026 Looking toward next season, the Twins have Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and Bailey Ober under contract and locked into the rotation’s top spots. However, there are no guarantees that all three will be back if Minnesota continues to trade off pieces this winter. The Twins also added starters at the trade deadline that will be added into the rotational mix, including Taj Bradley and Mick Abel. There is still plenty of season left, and the Twins are watching closely. The next nine weeks are about opportunity and evaluation. If these young starters can rise to the occasion, the path forward becomes clearer. If not, the Twins will need to look elsewhere to complete their 2026 rotation. Who has the most to prove in the season’s final two months? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Last month, designated hitter Aaron Sabato claimed Twins Daily’s Minor League Hitter of the Month after his monster performance at Double-A forced the Twins to move him to St. Paul. He cooled down a little in July, which allowed a new group of prospects to showcase their offensive prowess. Before we get into the top performances, here are a few hitters who just missed the cut. Honorable Mentions: At High-A Cedar Rapids, Jaime Ferrer is continuing to help his prospect stock. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Ferrer slashed .291/.365/.545 (.911) for the month. His OPS jumped over 340 points compared to June. In a five-game stretch, he went 9-for-21 (.429 BA) with four doubles, a triple, and two home runs. In the Dominican Summer League, offensive performance can be fluky because of the pitching inconsistencies at that level. However, infielder Haritzon Castillo still had an impressive month where he finished with a .807 OPS, including six doubles in 16 games. He’s only faced younger pitchers in five of his 144 plate appearances this season and has an .877 OPS for the year. While this duo didn’t make the cut, let’s see what players had standout performances. 4. Yovanny Duran, DSL Twins .373/.506/.418 (.924), 3 2B, 18 R, 12 RBI, 14 SB, 16 BB, 7 K Duran showed some growing pains in June during his first month of professional baseball as he hit .238 with more strikeouts (14) than walks (7). He completely flipped the script in July, starting the month with a 10-game hitting streak where he posted a 1.055 OPS. On July 3rd, he had a career day, going 4-for-5 with a double and a run scored. At 17 years old, he is one of the youngest players in the Dominican Summer League and has only faced younger pitchers in four at-bats for the entire season. Duran is an intriguing prospect, but he is a long way from Target Field. 3. Ricardo Olivar, Wichita Wind Surge .294/.388/.500 (.888), 3 HR, 5 2B, 12 R, 16 RBI, 11 BB, 18 K For most of the month, Olivar sat near the top of the Texas League in OPS before finishing in fifth among players with at least 20 games. From July 1 to July 22, he went 17-for-46 (.370 BA) with eight extra-base hits and a 1.138 OPS in 13 games. He is a year younger than the average age of the competition in the Texas League, and 67% of his plate appearances have been versus older pitchers. He has split time between catcher and left field this season. His bat continues to carry his prospect status, and the Twins could have him finish the year at Triple-A. 2. Caden Kendle, Cedar Rapids Kernels .315/.358/.562 (.920), 3 HR, 5 2B, 2 3B, 13 R, 13 RBI, 5 BB, 12 K, 4 SB Kendle struggled through his first three months in a Kernels uniform before finally putting it all together in July. He ended June with a .214 BA and .658 OPS for the season. He started the month with a 12-game hitting streak, including six multi-hit games. During that streak, he went 19-for-45 (.422 BA) with eight extra-base hits and three stolen bases. Kendle’s .920 OPS ranked fourth among players in the Midwest League who played a minimum of 20 games during July. He was drafted last year as a college senior, so it’s good to see him putting it all together at a level where he is slightly older than the competition. 1. Edouard Julien, St. Paul Saints .309/.423/.568 (.991), 5 HR, 34 2B, 1 3B, 13 R, 15 RBI, 15 BB, 29 K Julien has slowly been rediscovering his approach at Triple-A and now should have a chance to prove to the Twins that he belongs at the big-league level. His OPS ranked in the top 15 in the International League, and he has a 133 wRC+ since being demoted to Triple-A. His lack of defensive versatility and propensity for strikeouts have always been his Achilles heel, but the Saints have continued to use him at second base, and he made nine appearances at first base. The Twins have been more hesitant to play him at first, but that could change over the season’s final two months. In July, he had eight multi-hit games, including four straight games where he had multi-hit efforts. From July 9 to July 29, he went 21-for-47 (.447 BA) with a .536 OBP and a .787 SLG. During that stretch, he drew eight walks and only struck out 12 times in 14 games. Julien can insert himself back into the team’s long-term plans if he can translate that performance back to the big-league level. How would your ballot look for the month? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Thankfully, Minnesota’s pitching staff bounced back slightly in July after a brutal month of June. The club was more in the middle of the pack instead of ranking near the bottom of the league in multiple categories. Still, the results on the field were unchanged as the team came out flat after the All-Star Break and became sellers ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline. Here’s a look at the team’s top pitching performances for July, along with some surprises along the way. #4 Jhoan Duran 10 G, 3.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 12 IP, 14 H, 4 BB, 11 K Duran was the team's first big trade of the deadline as he was dealt to Philadelphia for catching prospect Eduardo Tait and rookie pitcher Mick Abel. He is under team control for two additional seasons beyond 2025, and the Phillies hope he cures their bullpen woes. It wasn’t a clean month for Duran, but he finished fourth on the team in WPA. The Twins asked him to pitch multiple innings in two of his ten appearances for the month, perhaps in an attempt to showcase him for a potential trade. His numbers for the month looked even better before he allowed three earned runs over his last five frames with the Twins. Duran was electric with the Twins and provided a moment that won’t be soon forgotten in Twins Territory. #3 Simeon Woods Richardson 5 G, 3.22 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 22 1/3 IP, 19 H, 13 BB, 17 K For the second consecutive season, the Twins have turned to Woods Richardson to fill a rotation spot when injuries struck the starting staff. Once again, he has answered the call. In July, he pitched into the fifth inning in four of his five starts, providing some needed stability. The Twins have managed his workload carefully, often avoiding the top of the opposing order a third time through. As a result, he threw fewer than 80 pitches in four of those outings. Still, he's approaching the 100-inning mark for the season, following a career-high 147 innings pitched in 2024. Minnesota will continue to monitor his usage down the stretch, and the remainder of the year could serve as an audition to determine whether he breaks camp in the 2026 starting rotation. #2 Brock Stewart 12 G, 1.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 10 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 7 K Stewart was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline for outfielder James Outman. He is under team control through 2027 via arbitration and is making barely over the league minimum. His final month with the Twins showed why other teams desired him. He finished with the lowest ERA on the team for the month and was second in WPA. Stewart earned five holds and only allowed two earned runs for the entire month. Health has always been the question mark with Stewart. Now he heads to one of baseball’s most successful organizations with a chance to impact their postseason hopes. #1 Joe Ryan – Twins Daily Pitcher of the Month 5 G, 2.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 30 IP, 27 H, 4 BB, 33 K Realistically, this should likely be Ryan’s third straight month winning this honor. However, Varland had a nearly perfect June and took the top spot away from Ryan. He’s continuing his All-Star performance in the second half as he ranks in the AL’s top-10 in multiple categories, including rWAR, ERA, WHIP, H/9, BB/9, K/9, K/BB, Adjusted ERA+, FIP, and WPA. During June, he accumulated 11 walks across five starts, but he only allowed four total walks in July. In the All-Star Game, he pitched a perfect fourth inning on 10 pitches with two strikeouts. On July 20, Ryan earned his 10th victory of the season and struck out a season-high-tying 11 batters at Colorado. For the month, he pitched five innings or more in every appearance, including two starts (7/1, 7/20) where he went seven innings and allowed one earned run. His 0.8 fWAR was more than double any Twins pitcher for the month. He’s pitching like an ace, and it’s too bad the Twins are wasting the best season of his young career. Congrats to Ryan. How would your ballot look for the month? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Carlos Correa sat in a quiet room at Target Field and listened as Derek Falvey laid it out plainly. “The direction we are going,” Falvey told him (as reported by The Athletic), “is not the one you signed up for.” It was a pivotal moment, one that confirmed what Correa had likely suspected for weeks. The Minnesota Twins were no longer building around him. They were turning the page. Correa’s departure at the 2025 MLB trade deadline marks a seismic shift for the Twins, not just in roster construction but in franchise identity. The 30-year-old shortstop, once the crown jewel of Minnesota’s spending spree, was dealt back to Houston in a deal that signaled a full-scale teardown. And in a series of candid quotes, Correa pulled back the curtain on the conversation that ended his time in the Twin Cities. “When he told (me) that we were going to go into rebuild mode,” Correa said, “I said then I deserve to go somewhere where I have a chance to win and my kids can watch me go out there in the playoffs and perform. He agreed with me and he said out of respect for me he would get to work.” The mutual respect between Correa and Falvey has been well documented. They first connected in 2022, when Correa surprisingly signed with Minnesota after the lockout-delayed offseason. That partnership survived an opt-out and a flirtation with the Giants and Mets, culminating in a six-year, $200 million pact that appeared to solidify the relationship for the long haul. But while the shared goal was always to bring a title to Minnesota, that dream unraveled quickly over the last two seasons. A Shift in Direction The 2025 Twins opened the year with playoff expectations, buoyed by a veteran core and roster that was projected to finish near the top of the AL Central. Instead, they cratered. Poor health, inconsistent offense, and clubhouse tension left them buried in the AL Central standings by midsummer. Ownership’s ongoing negotiations to sell the team have only added to the murkiness. Though manager Rocco Baldelli’s 2026 option was picked up months ago, his job status now feels tenuous. The once-promising roster looked more and more like a team running in place. By the time Correa met with Falvey in late July, the Twins were six games under .500 and 12 games back in the division. The writing was on the wall. That included honoring Correa’s preference, something that had been lingering behind the scenes. “I’ve been asking the Twins to play third base for the last two years,” Correa admitted. “But it was not aligning because of how we were constructed. When Falvey told me the Astros wanted me for third base, I was like, that would be perfect.” Many of these quotes are frustrating for Twins fans to hear because they point to how the front office and the team’s highest-paid player were misaligned. He was supposed to be the player who changed the team’s fortunes. Instead, the Twins are paying the Astros $30 million to take his contract off the books. The Fallout In the hours following Correa’s closed-door meeting, the team fell apart on the field. A 13-1 drubbing at the hands of Boston turned chaotic. A confused sequence involving Willi Castro and visible frustration from setup man Griffin Jax told a bigger story than the box score could. Later that night, the team dealt closer Jhoan Duran to the Phillies. That was only the beginning. On deadline day, Falvey executed a dramatic overhaul. Ten players from the Twins’ 26-man roster were traded, including several bullpen arms and multiple starters. While the club held on to young talents like Joe Ryan, the deadline marked the most aggressive sell-off under the Falvey regime. The return? A collection of controllable arms, toolsy outfielders, and infield depth. Falvey’s message was consistent: this was about the long-term future. It echoed the message he gave Correa just days earlier. Correa’s return to Houston is as much about fit as it is about familiarity. He joins a contender in search of stability on the left side of the infield. The Astros plan to deploy him at third base, a position he has been quietly lobbying to play. After years of battling injuries and adjusting his game to support his lower body, the move to the hot corner could extend his career and help improve his performance. For the Twins, this is a turning point. With the front office operating under tighter financial constraints and a shifting organizational mandate, this summer’s moves reflect a broader shift in vision. The Correa years are officially in the rearview. And as painful as the departure is for fans, Falvey’s decision to handle it openly with transparency and respect provided a rare moment of clarity in a confusing season. Correa came to Minnesota to win. Unfortunately, those winning moments were few and far between. What do you make of Correa’s quotes as he exits the Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

With hours until the trade deadline, rumors surrounding Carlos Correa’s potential return to Houston have picked up steam. Reports from multiple outlets confirmed that the Astros have reached out to the Twins to gauge interest in a deal. Correa reportedly would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to return to Houston, and the Twins believe that the Astros are perhaps the only club that could convince him to do so. The talks, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes and Chandler Rome, are not close to reaching a resolution, and consummating a deal is less likely now that Houston has acquired third baseman Ramón Urías. But even the existence of the conversation raises significant questions for a franchise already fighting battles on multiple fronts. The Twins are trying to maintain credibility with their fanbase; relevance in a disappointing season; and respect from star players around the league. Trading Correa now might undermine all three. Echoes of the Donaldson Deal It is impossible not to see the parallels between Correa’s situation and Josh Donaldson’s exit a few years ago. The Twins signed Donaldson to the largest free-agent deal in franchise history at the time, only to trade him away before the contract ran its course. They were able to offload the deal to the Yankees and use the money saved to help bring Correa in as the face of the next competitive window. But if Minnesota turns around and does the same thing again, it sends a message to future free agents: even if the Twins step up to sign a star, they might not be committed long-term. The front office can point to Donaldson's age or Correa’s drop in power, but the optics remain difficult. If the Twins move on from another marquee name before the contract fully vests, it could chill future negotiations with top-tier free agents. Minnesota already has trouble luring top names to the Twin Cities. Geography, market size, and weather are often cited as reasons players look elsewhere. Stability and reputation matter when a player considers long-term deals. If the Twins develop a reputation as a revolving door for high-priced veterans, it will only compound the issue. It would also subvert another reputation they take pride in having, as one of the most accommodating and friendly teams in the league for players' families. Great family organizations don't make a habit of shipping out players in the middle of long-term deals. Reading Between the Rumors Correa has not had a monster season, but he has shown signs of returning to form. After a slow start, he has hit .300 over his last 274 plate appearances. His power numbers are down, due in part to a career-high ground ball rate, but his bat remains productive and his glove remains solid. At 30 years old, Correa still holds value, even with the large contract attached. The Astros are reportedly serious in their pursuit. Injuries to Isaac Paredes and Jeremy Peña have left them with a need on the infield that Urías only partially satisfies, and Houston owner Jim Crane remains a fan of Correa’s, even years after his departure. Bringing him back would push the Astros over the luxury tax threshold, something Crane has resisted in the past, but sentiment and urgency might tip the balance. Correa has three years remaining after this season on his six-year, $200 million contract, with vesting team options that could make the deal longer and even more expensive. To make a trade work, the Twins would almost certainly need to eat a portion of the money owed. That reality puts added pressure on the front office to decide if the savings (and whatever prospects might come in return) are worth the reputational hit. The Bigger Picture For Minnesota, the Correa decision comes at a moment of organizational uncertainty. The club is under .500, with little hope of making a playoff push. The Pohlad family is exploring a sale, with no clear deadline in sight. A new owner might want payroll flexibility, or they might want star power. Either way, trading away the team’s highest-paid player before the halfway point of a six-year deal sets a clear tone, whether the team intends it or not. There is also the fan perspective to consider. Correa is one of the most recognizable players on the roster and has consistently praised the organization. Moving him while he is still a capable contributor could alienate a portion of the fanbase already frustrated with the team’s up-and-down results and budget-conscious decisions. Walking the Line The Twins are not wrong to consider every possibility at the deadline. This is a team that needs to be strategic, not sentimental. But there is a fine line between a smart baseball decision and one that damages the team’s standing with players and fans alike. If the Twins trade Correa, they had better be sure of the return. Because if it echoes the Donaldson move without the benefit of a corresponding leap forward, the long-term cost could stretch well beyond the numbers on a payroll sheet. Should the Twins consider trading Correa? What are the long-term ramifications of dumping his contract? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

The Twins announced Tuesday that they’ve placed Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list with left ribcage inflammation. While any injury to Buxton triggers a wave of anxiety in Twins Territory, this particular case appears to be more about precaution than cause for panic. Buxton left Saturday’s game with what the team initially called left side soreness. After undergoing imaging, he was diagnosed with rib cartilage irritation. Manager Rocco Baldelli referred to the MRI results as positive, and the Twins listed him as day-to-day. A few days later, they’ve decided it’s best to let him heal on the IL. He’ll be eligible to return next Wednesday, though the team has not committed to a firm timetable. And really, why rush it? This is a frustrating development, no doubt. Buxton has been in the middle of a spectacular campaign, finally playing like the superstar everyone knows he can be. He’s hitting .282/.343/.561 with 23 home runs and 17 stolen bases. His 3.9 WAR ranks him among the best in the American League. His defense in center field has again been excellent. He’s played with a spark and intensity that remind fans of why the Twins believed so strongly in him for so long. But the Twins are 50-57, and slipping further from contention by the day. Buxton's value this year is real, but his long-term availability is more critical. The decision to place him on the IL doesn’t feel like a setback, as much as a decision made with clarity. The goal for the Twins isn’t to squeeze a few extra August wins out of their best player. It’s to protect the best version of Buxton for 2026 and beyond. The injury is not believed to be serious. That’s the silver lining here. But this is still the second time this season that Buxton has landed on the IL, having previously missed two weeks with a concussion. And this is a familiar refrain. He’s only once topped 100 games in a season since 2017, and he hasn't reached 400 plate appearances since then. This year, he had a real shot to clear both hurdles. There’s still time for that to happen, assuming this rib issue doesn’t linger. In the meantime, the Twins have a capable fill-in (for now). Harrison Bader has done everything the Twins could’ve hoped for this season, hitting well and playing solid defense. He’s primarily worked in left field this year, but his Gold Glove pedigree in center makes him a natural replacement for Buxton. The catch is that Bader may not be around much longer. With the trade deadline looming and the Twins clearly leaning toward a light sell, Bader is one of the club’s more obvious candidates to move. Bader and utility man Willi Castro are likely to be gone after Thursday, so that the Twins may be left with DaShawn Keirsey Jr. in center field. The rookie’s offensive struggles have been evident, hitting just .120 with a .354 OPS. His speed makes him a serviceable defender, but there is a reason the Twins haven’t been giving him regular at-bats with Buxton and Bader on the roster. Still, this is the direction the season is going. The Twins know Buxton’s career is worth protecting. He has played like a franchise player in 2025, but the franchise’s focus is shifting. Resting Buxton might cost them a few games in the short term, but they’re games that likely won’t matter in the standings. What matters more is giving Buxton the best chance to stay healthy for the seasons that still hold meaningful possibilities. He’s been worth the wait before. They just need to make sure he’s there when it matters again. What has been the best Buxton moment so far this season? Can Keirsey handle the center field duties if Bader and Castro are traded? Leave a comment and start the discussion.