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Image courtesy of USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect There's something special about Major League Baseball returning to the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa. The setting is unique, the backdrop is recognizable, and the league has repeatedly shown that these games can become major events. The latest installment, however, didn't quite reach the audience MLB had hoped for. The Phillies defeated the Twins 7-1 last Thursday, behind two home runs from Kyle Schwarber. The game averaged 1.66 million viewers on Netflix, according to Nielsen. That number isn't necessarily a disaster, but it represents a noticeable drop from some of MLB's previous special-event broadcasts. It also raises a larger question for the league: How does baseball continue to make these games feel like must-see events, when fans have to search for them and even wonder where to watch them? This year's audience fell well short of the 2.5 million who watched the 2024 matchup between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. That game aired on Fox. Last year's Speedway Classic between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds averaged roughly 1.6 million viewers on Fox. That game was heavily impacted by rain, eventually stretching from Saturday night into Sunday. The Field of Dreams Game also has a much stronger history. More than 3.1 million viewers watched the 2022 game in Dyersville, the last time MLB played there before this year's return. The inaugural Field of Dreams Game in 2021 was an even bigger television success, attracting approximately 5.9 million viewers and becoming the most-watched regular-season baseball game on any network since 2005. Those numbers create a difficult comparison for MLB. The Field of Dreams concept clearly has the ability to attract casual viewers. The challenge is getting those people to actually find the game. It would be easy to blame Netflix, because of the way they've produced baseball events and marketed it and/or because the platform is less accessible than network TV. That probably isn't fair. Netflix produced another polished broadcast and has quickly demonstrated that it can make live sports feel like major entertainment events. They probably did too much to distract from the action, but the product itself also didn't live up to the hype. A 7-1 Phillies victory over the Twins isn't exactly the ideal recipe for keeping casual viewers glued to their televisions. This was Netflix's third major MLB broadcast of 202,6 after carrying Opening Night and the Home Run Derby. Netflix reported an estimated average of 3 million U.S. viewers for Opening Night, according to Nielsen. The company's MLB experiment has produced mixed results, though. The Home Run Derby reportedly drew the event's lowest audience in more than two decades. That doesn't mean Netflix can't become an important part of MLB's future. It does mean the league still has work to do when it comes to building an audience on streaming platforms. That itself might be the biggest issue facing baseball's television product. For years, a fan could have a pretty good idea of where to find a nationally-televised baseball game. Turn on ESPN, Fox, TBS or MLB Network, and there was a reasonable chance you'd find what you were looking for. That isn't always the case anymore. Want to watch a particular MLB game? It might be on Netflix. Another could be on Apple TV+. Another might be on Peacock. A national game could be on ESPN, Fox or TBS. Regional broadcasts remain split among different networks and streaming services. None of those platforms are inherently bad places to watch baseball. In fact, many of them provide excellent viewing experiences. The problem is discoverability. Fans shouldn't have to remember which streaming service has which game every night. Casual fans certainly aren't going to spend several minutes searching through apps to figure out where a special-event game is being broadcast. MLB wants these games to become cultural events. That becomes much more difficult when the first question for a potential viewer is, "Where can I watch it?" The league's media landscape is changing quickly, and MLB is clearly willing to experiment. Last November, MLB formally announced new media-rights agreements involving Netflix, NBC and ESPN. That means streaming will play an increasingly important role in how fans consume baseball. It's not going away. The question is whether MLB can make the transition without losing the casual viewers who might otherwise stumble upon a game while flipping through the channels. Netflix has until at least 2028 to continue developing its MLB audience, but the Field of Dreams Game won't be part of that equation next year. NBC Sports will broadcast the 2027 Field of Dreams Game between the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. That game has plenty going for it, including two historic franchises and another opportunity to showcase one of baseball's most recognizable concepts. Recently, NBC Sports has restored some of its previously fading glory. There's every reason to expect next year's game to be better-produced and better-presented than this year's, and fans will be able to find the game on over-the-air TV. That will provide a great test case for the staying power of this particular spectacle. Are fans now bored of the Field of Dreams? Or did Netflix just fail to deliver? And how important is it that viewers simply be able to view the game, rather than that their interest in that game be built up over weeks of anticipation? View full article

Image courtesy of © Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK For one night, baseball will once again trade packed ballparks for rows of Iowa corn. On August 13, the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies will meet in the long-awaited return of MLB's Field of Dreams Game, marking the event's first appearance since 2022. Hosted at the legendary movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, the nationally televised matchup brings together two contenders in one of Major League Baseball's signature showcase events. The game will be streamed live on Netflix, and it promises to be much more than nine innings. From throwback uniforms and Hall of Fame appearances to a celebration of one of baseball's most beloved films, here's everything fans need to know before first pitch. Baseball Returns to a Legendary Setting The Field of Dreams Game is being played for just the third time after a four-year absence. The inaugural contest in 2021 instantly became one of the most memorable regular-season games in recent history when the Chicago White Sox walked off the New York Yankees, 9-8, on Tim Anderson's dramatic home run. A year later, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds met in the second edition (Chicago won 4-2) before the event was paused while the Dyersville complex underwent expansion and construction. Now, the Twins and Phillies become the latest clubs to take center stage in baseball's most cinematic setting. While the game is inspired by the famous baseball diamond featured in the movie, the teams will actually play in a specially constructed Major League stadium adjacent to the original field. Why the Site Means So Much Released in 1989, Field of Dreams has become one of the defining baseball movies ever made. Starring Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, and Amy Madigan, the film follows Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella after he hears the now-famous message, "If you build it, he will come." Adapted from W.P. Kinsella's novel Shoeless Joe, the movie earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture and was added to the National Film Registry in 2017. Few sporting events blend baseball history and pop culture quite like the Field of Dreams Game, making it one of MLB's premier annual showcases whenever it's held. More Than Just One Game The festivities extend well beyond Thursday night's matchup. More than 25 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame are expected to attend, creating one of the largest gatherings of Hall of Famers since Yankee Stadium's farewell festivities during the 2008 All-Star Game. The site will also host a High School All-American Game on Wednesday, with Twins legend Torii Hunter and Hall of Famer Jim Thome serving as managers. Fans hoping to experience the venue before the major league game can also catch Triple-A baseball earlier in the week. The St. Paul Saints will face the Iowa Cubs in Dyersville at 6:30 on Tuesday, August 11th. This gives Twins fans another opportunity to see the unique ballpark while several of the organization's top prospects are in action. A First for the Twins Although Minnesota has played regular-season games away from traditional MLB stadiums before, this marks the franchise's first appearance in one of Major League Baseball's specialty showcase games. The Twins' only previous neutral-site regular-season experience came in 2018 when they played Cleveland in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This time, however, the spotlight is much brighter. Minnesota will briefly leave a Target Field homestand to face a Phillies club that features familiar faces, including former Twins Jhoan Duran and Luis Arraez, adding another layer of intrigue to an already unique matchup. How to Watch Unlike the previous two editions, which aired nationally on Fox, the 2026 Field of Dreams Game will stream exclusively on Netflix. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, August 13. The game will not be available live on Twins.TV, but fans can still listen through the Twins Radio Network, including 830 AM and 102.9 FM. Throwback Uniforms Take Center Stage Both teams will celebrate their history with vintage-inspired uniforms designed specifically for the event. Minnesota's look pays tribute to the franchise's inaugural 1961 season after arriving from Washington. The Twins will wear classic white pinstripes featuring the original blue-and-red "Twins" script across the chest, paired with a navy cap showcasing the vintage TC logo. Philadelphia will counter with uniforms inspired by the club's 1939-41 road design. The gray jerseys feature red and navy trim, a retro "Phillies" script, navy caps with a red block "P," and a commemorative sleeve patch honoring baseball's centennial celebration as it was recognized in 1939. A Showcase Worth Waiting For MLB has experimented with games at Little League parks, historic stadiums, and even racetracks, but none have captured the imagination quite like the Field of Dreams Game. After several years away, the event returns with a compelling matchup, a nostalgic backdrop, and one of the sport's most recognizable settings. Whether it's the cornfield entrance, the vintage uniforms, or the atmosphere surrounding one of baseball's most cherished films, the Twins will be part of an event that extends far beyond the standings. For Minnesota, it's another regular-season game. For baseball, it's a celebration of the sport's past—and a reminder that some places still make the game feel timeless. View full article

First, if you look at that proposed roster it is not a) good enough to compete for any meaningful post-season level or b) enough of a rebuild to quickly transition to becoming a competitive team. It is more of the half way measures that simply keeps the team in the 70-80 win range with only dreams of sneaking into the playoffs as a team that will get smacked out of the playoffs (over and over again) in the first round, In the 21st century the Twins have made the playoffs ten times. They have 7 total playoff wins, with 4 of those wins occuring in 2002. Second, the payroll configuration listed is what I would state is the maximum from the existing players on the roster. I doubt they tender both Ober and Kremer. I doubt they go with a $2 million backup catcher in Jackson. It is highly doubtful they bring back Banda at even $2.3 million. I will state it again, and when you look at this roster it is blatantly obvious: The Twins erred when they did not move Buxton and Ryan in the previous offseason, and Jeffers and others at the deadline. Now the trade return value of these guys is substantially lower than it was at the beginning of 2026, they are a full year older, and both are struggling with injuries which severely impacted their performances in the 2nd half of the season. Jeffers will be gone as a free agent only bringing back a comp pick and Larnach isn't even being tendered in this scenario. Trading these guys brings back high level prospects that would then fill out the rebuild roster. I think their decisions have made this roster about the best they can do, and we will be in for another fun 77 win season.

The Minnesota Twins have activated Byron Buxton from the injured list, bringing their All-Star outfielder back just in time for Thursday's Field of Dreams game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dyersville, Iowa. Buxton has been sidelined with right hip impingement since July 29. Before the injury, he was enjoying another productive season, posting a .864 OPS with 25 home runs and 45 RBI. The 32-year-old earned his third All-Star selection earlier this season. Because Buxton can be added as the 27th man under a special roster exemption for the Field of Dreams Game, the Twins do not have to make a corresponding roster move until Friday. Now the question is how the Twins will deploy Buxton in his return and who will be the odd man out when they make the corresponding move tomorrow. Look for Buxton to make his return in the Field of Dreams game at 6:30pm on Netflix. What are you expecting to see from Buxton in his return? And who do you think the Twins will move off the roster Friday? Let us know in the comments. View full rumor

Image courtesy of © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins are heading to one of baseball’s most recognizable settings this week, but the distinctive site will come with a rule change that could have a bigger impact on them than their opponent. The Twins will face the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night at the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa. The matchup brings plenty of attention because of the unique venue, but Minnesota will also have to adjust to playing without one of the tools it has leaned on throughout the 2026 season. Major League Baseball’s Automated Ball-Strike system will not be available for the game. That means neither team will have the opportunity to challenge ball-and-strike calls, creating a significant departure from the way games have been played throughout the regular season. For the Twins, that is more than just an interesting wrinkle. Minnesota has been one of the most aggressive teams in baseball when it comes to using the ABS challenge system. The Twins have frequently relied on their ability to challenge borderline pitches, both at the plate and behind it, to turn questionable calls into favorable ones. In fact, FanGraphs crunched the numbers and the Twins have benefited more than any other team when it comes to ABS. On the offensive side, the Twins have made 143 challenges this season, the second-most in baseball behind only the New York Mets. Luke Keaschall leads the team with 12 challenges won, but he’s also been wrong 13 times (48.0 Won%). Austin Martin is second on the team with 10 challenges won in 19 attempts (53 Won%). Trevor Larnach has only challenged 12 pitches, but his 4.4 overturns versus expected leads the team. On defense, Minnesota has been even more active. The Twins lead MLB with 189 challenges from the field and have won 115 of those challenges. Victor Caratini ranks third in baseball with 61 challenges on the defensive side with a 65.0 Won%. He also ranks fifth overall in overturns versus expected (12.6). Ryan Jeffers has gone 38-for-63 in challenges for a 60.0 Won%. That makes Thursday’s game a particularly interesting adjustment for Minnesota. Instead, Minnesota will have to live with borderline calls. That could put additional emphasis on the way the Twins approach the strike zone throughout the game. Pitchers will need to understand that they might not get a call overturned if a borderline pitch goes against them, while hitters will need to be even more disciplined when dealing with pitches near the edges of the zone. Interestingly, the Phillies aren't nearly as dependent on the challenge system. Philadelphia entered Sunday with the fewest catcher-initiated challenges in baseball at 96. J.T. Realmuto has gone 41-for-59 (69.0 Won%) and Rafael Marchan has gone 18-for-33 (55 Won%). The Phillies have also been highly successful when they do decide to challenge, ranking second in the majors in overturn rate. So, while both teams will be playing without ABS, the change could represent a much bigger adjustment for Minnesota. There is also an element of unpredictability that comes with playing at the Field of Dreams site. This isn't a typical regular-season environment, and the absence of ABS adds another variable to a game that already comes with plenty of them. MLB is giving both teams an extra position player for the contest, adding to another rule change to the game. For the Twins, though, the biggest adjustment might happen before the first pitch. They have spent an entire season taking advantage of the ABS system. Now, they'll have to play a game without it. That doesn't necessarily mean the lack of challenges will decide the outcome. But considering how frequently Minnesota has used the system (and how successful the Twins have been when doing so) it is a wrinkle worth watching closely. At a venue built around nostalgia, the Twins will get a brief return to baseball without one of the more modern additions to the game. And for a team that has embraced ABS more than almost anyone, that could make Thursday night's matchup a little more challenging (pun intended) than expected. Should Twins fans worry about there being no ABS for one game? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Is Twins grounds crew involved in field of Dreams game tonight? I ask because the weather looks stormy with heavy rain for northern Iowa today. Think they are due for significant rain today. Makes me wonder about field conditions for tonight. Seems like rain and thunderstorms predicted most of evening. This game may have potential to move to tomorrow night.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Ben Ross after home run in the Field of Dream Game, Dyersville, IA) TRANSACTIONS With the Saints playing among the corn in Iowa, the only move down on the farm on Tuesday came from the Dominican Summer League, where 17-year-old RHP Abraham Martinez was assigned. SAINTS SENTINEL St. Paul 3, Iowa 6 Box Score While the Minnesota Twins are scheduled to highlight the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, the St. Paul Saints got to take their talents there a few days earlier to break in the new field and stadium. Ben Ross wasted little time getting the baseball familiar with the corn beyond the fences. Kendry Rojas got the high-profile starting nod and delivered a solid outing, finishing the first four innings. He went one-two-three in the first, including a strikeout. Faced the minimum in the second by inducing a double-play ball that included a nifty pick by Ross at third to start. A solo home run leading off the third was his only blemish. He topped out at 97.5 MPH with his fastball, and threw 37 of his 57 total pitches for strikes (65%). He gave up three hits, walked one, and struck out one. In the top of the fifth the Saints took advantage of a pair of errors to take a 2-1 lead. Gabriel Gonzalez reached on a throwing error from pitcher Jordan Wicks of the Cubs. Another throwing error on the shortstop allowed him to score, but hitter David Banuelos got a little ahead of himself breaking for second base when the carom off the wall came right back to the first baseman, allowing him to be thrown out at second pretty easily to end the inning. Alejandro Hidalgo came on in the bottom of the fifth and struck out the first hitter of the inning. Five batters later his outing was over and he had surrendered three home runs, allowing the Cubs to take a 6-2 lead they would not relinquish. Relievers Matt Bowman (1 2/3 IP, H, 3 K) and Jack Anderson (2 IP, K) did their best to give the Saints lineup a chance, locking down the final three innings, but Cubs pitchers were also up to the task. The Saints did get a two-out rally going in the seventh, with Tristan Grey, Cody Morissette, and Banuelos hitting back-to-back singles to make it 6-3 and bring up Walker Jenkins as the tying run. He hit a solid liner into right on a 2-0 pitch, but right to the fielder to end the inning. They would not get another chance the final two innings. Jenkins finished 1-for-3 with a walk and stole a pair of bases, including a bit of a delayed steal where he kind of caught the catcher napping. Ross had multiple standout defensive plays at third base in addition to the early homer. The middle of the lineup including Matt Wallner, Aaron Sabato, and the return of Emmanuel Rodriguez, combined to finish 0-for-10 with five strikeouts. The Saints had eight opportunities with runners in scoring position compared to the Cubs two, but the three homers in the fifth proved the difference. WIND SURGE WISDOM Corpus Christi 3, Wichita 2 Box Score Cory Lewis took the mound for the Wind Surge hosting the Hooks this week and completed the first four innings. Both of the runs charged to him were of the unearned variety thanks to a leadoff error in the second inning that led to a 2-0 deficit. Lewis allowed three hits, walked nobody, and struck out six. He struck out two in each of the first, third, and fourth innings, including five of them swinging. The Wichita offense took until the sixth inning to get on the scoreboard, despite having chances in the first, third, and fourth frames. Andrew Cossetti led off the sixth by reaching base on an error, and Caden Kendle followed with his fifth home run of the season and third consecutive game leaving the yard. Down 3-2 at that point, the Wind Surge continued to have chances the rest of the way thanks largely to eight total walks but continued to come up empty. They finished 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base. In comparison the Hooks went 1-for-5 and left only five men on base. Relievers William Fleming (IP, ER, BB), Jacob Webb (2 IP, H, 3 K), and Paulshawn Pasqualotto (2 IP, BB, 3 K) gave them a chance over the final five innings, but the lineup wasn’t able to get that clutch hit. Marek Houston was 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts out of the leadoff spot. Jaime Ferrer pinch hit for Khadim Diaw in the fifth inning and chipped in a double. Cossetti (0-for-3, R, 2 BB) and Jake Rucker (0-for-1, 2 BB) each drew two walks. KERNELS NUGGETS Wisconsin 3, Cedar Rapids 6 Box Score The Kernels jumped on Timber Rattlers pitching and didn’t look back at home in Cedar Rapids about an hour southwest of their St. Paul Saints brethren. Jose Salas got the scoring started in the bottom of the first after Jacob McCombs led off the game being hit by a pitch, and Eduardo Tait followed with a single. Salas’ big swing made it 3-0 with his sixth home run of the season. In the bottom of the second Danny De Andrade led off with a single, and trotted home on the next pitch to Jayson Bass, who sent it deep to right-center for a 5-0 lead. Lefty Michael Carpenter made his second start for the Kernels, going the first two innings and throwing 35 pitches (20 for strikes). He allowed just one hit and struck out two. Ivran Romero was the first reliever summoned and went the next 2 2/3 innings. He was charged with all three Wisconsin runs on five hits and a pair of walks. He struck out one and gave up two homers. Ross Dunn stabilized the middle innings and picked up the win for his efforts. He allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out three in 1 1/3 innings. Cole Peschl picked up the good old fashioned three-inning save to finish out the game. He walked two and struck out one. Tait added his 20th home run of the season leading off the fifth to account for the Kernel’s sixth run. He finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored batting third in the lineup. The only other hitter with multiple knocks was De Andrade, who also finished 2-for-4 and scored a run. Quinn McDaniel added his sixth double. MUSSEL MATTERS Clearwater 1, Fort Myers 2 Box Score Outfielder Yovanny Duran led off this game with a walk, stole second base, and advanced to third on a throwing error. A sacrifice fly from Vahn Lackey made it 1-0 after two batters. Ramiro Dominguez hit a one-out single and scored the second run of the inning on a double from Luis Fragoza before most fans had reached their seats. That was all the offense Fort Myers would put together on the night, but it was also all they needed. Right-hander Matthew Dalquist made the start at Hammond Stadium and completed the first three innings. He was charged with the Threshers lone run on three hits and three walks, while striking out two. The Mighty Mussels bullpen locked it down from there, but the Threshers pitching staff also matched them. From the bottom of the fourth until the bottom of the eighth, 24 straight hitters on both sides went down without reaching base. After Dalquist, Brent Francisco went the next three innings and picked up his eighth win of the season. He allowed just one hit and struck out three. Brad Rudis pitched the seventh and eighth innings, setting all six Clearwater batters down, including four on strikeouts. Adam Falinski got the ninth inning and picked up his fourth save, allowing one hit and striking out one. The Threshers outhit the Mighty Mussels 5-4 in the game. The teams combined to go just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left only nine men on base. The game was completed in just over two hours. Fragoza had the lone extra-base hit for the home team and finished 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the way. Lackey was 0-for-3 with the RBI. DOMINICAN DAILY DSL Twins 13, DSL Miami 3 (6 innings) Box Score The Twins wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in this one, scoring three runs in the top of the first for an early lead. Daiyer Barboza led off with a single, Jendy Martinez followed with a double, and two outs later Enmanuel Merlo brought them and himself in with a three-run homer. As a team the Twins scored in five of the six innings, with the biggest outburst coming in the fifth by sending every hitter in the lineup up to bat. The first run of the frame scored on a bases loaded walk, the next two on an error, and the final two on a Jhon Gonzalez double that made it 11-2 Twins. Fernando Hernandez made the start and went the first two innings. He struck out the side in the first and gave up an infield single in the second before picking up his fourth strikeout to end his outing. Enmanuel Mena went the next two innings and was charged with two earned runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out two. Herkyn Taveras got credit for the win with a scoreless fifth inning, where he worked around a pair of errors and struck out one. Jesus Moreno pitched the final inning before rain cut it short, allowing an unearned run on two hits while striking out two. The Twins collected 11 hits and seven walks as a team. Barboza went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, scored three runs, and stole his 15th base. Martinez (2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, K, SB) Gonzalez (2-for-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI), Jeferson Abreu (2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, BB, 2 SB) and Misael Rodriguez (2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, K) each had multiple hits in the win. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day – Brad Rudis, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (2 IP, 4 K) Hitter of the Day – Jose Salas, Cedar Rapids Kernels (1-for-3, R, HR, 3 RBI) PROSPECT SUMMARY Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did today. #1 - OF Walker Jenkins (St. Paul): 1-for-3, BB, 2 SB (13) #2 - C Vahn Lackey (Fort Myers): 0-for-3, RBI #3 - IF Kaelen Culpepper (Minnesota): 1-for-4, K #4 - SS Marek Houston (Wichita): 0-for-5, 2 K #6 - OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 0-for-3, BB, 2 K #7 - OF Hendry Mendez (St. Paul): 0-for-2 #8 - C Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-4, 2 R, HR (20), RBI, K #9 - OF Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul): 0-for-2, R #11 - C Carson Tinney (Fort Myers): 0-for-3, 3 K #12 - 3B/CF Brandon Winokur (Wichita): 1-for-4, BB, 2 K #13 - C/OF Khadim Diaw (Wichita): 1-for-1, SB (11) #18 - 3B/SS Quentin Young (Fort Myers): 0-for-3, 2 K #19 - OF Yasser Mercedes (Cedar Rapids): 1-for-4, 2 K WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS St. Paul @ Iowa (6:38 PM CDT) - RHP Ryan Gallagher (5-5, 5.99 ERA) Corpus Christi @ Wichita (6:35 PM CDT) - RHP Preston Johnson (0-3, 4.45 ERA) Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Reed Moring (1-1, 9.00 ERA) Clearwater @ Fort Myers (6:05 PM CDT) - RHP Eric Hammond (1-4, 4.86 ERA) Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! 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Dear Twins Front Office: our guy is ready. He reached base 3 times in five plate appearances last night, including a two-run double. There's ample time to get him on a bus over to Dyersville and even to get a good BP session in before the game. That would be an epically cool way to begin an MLB career. Think of the marketing opportunities. Heck, maybe he starts in RF and Buck starts in CF. Crazier things have happened. Just saying.

Image courtesy of Netflix Minnesota’s professional sports teams are having a renaissance when it comes to throwback uniforms. In 2023, the Vikings finally brought back the home uniforms that were based on their original 1960s/1970s home uniform. That same fall, the Timberwolves brought back the original home uniforms from the franchise’s first six seasons and followed it up this past season by bringing back their iconic black “trees” uniforms that were famously worn during the Kevin Garnett era. The Wild wore the original white jerseys from their inaugural season this past year to commemorate their 25th season in the National Hockey League. Even Minnesota United tried a faux throwback that paid homage to the Minnesota Kicks last season, despite the fact the club had only been in Major League Soccer since 2017 (the Kicks were an NASL team from 1976-1981, for those wondering). Now, in 2026, the Minnesota Twins are joining the Minnesota throwback party as they gear up for the Field of Dreams game on August 13th against the Philadelphia Phillies. For one of Major League Baseball’s signature events of the season, the Twins will be wearing their original home uniforms from the 1960s and early 1970s, and then later featured in the first nine seasons of Target Field as an alternate uniform. The last time the Twins wore these uniforms was in the iconic final game of Joe Mauer’s Hall of Fame career. It was reasonable to assume this was the route the Twins would go for this event after the two teams for the game were announced last November, with the logos for each team teasing the era from which they will be drawing their uniform inspiration. The Twins’ uniform is white, with blue pinstripes going down both the jersey and pants, a departure from the previously cream-colored alternates. Running across the chest is the original cursive script ‘Twins’ logo, which is navy blue and outlined in red. On the back of the uniform, you find the same color scheme for the number—and no name plate, as the Twins did not introduce those until they went to the baby blue uniforms in the mid-1970s. The only modern part of the uniform here is (sigh) the Nike swoosh on the upper left chest, which is standard for every MLB uniform as part of the existing deal between the league and Nike. The Yankees and White Sox also had this on their uniforms back in 2021, for the inaugural Field of Dreams Game. On the sleeve is the Minnie and Paul logo, which has had very few touchups over the 67 years the franchise has existed in the Twin Cities. The cap itself for the Field of Dreams game will be navy blue and feature the interlocking ‘TC’ logo, which also remained untouched throughout the franchise’s history until it underwent a modern tuning for the team’s uniform rebrand starting in the 2023 season. Socks will be navy, too, and you will probably see several players adopt the high socks to complement the throwbacks, as that was the style of the era. You might even be lucky enough to get a player in some stirrups. The Twins had some options to choose from their history for this game, but going with the original home uniform was the best choice, or at least the best for those of us who love the aesthetics of these uniforms. Is this heaven? No, it’s the Twins’ original home throwbacks! Share your thoughts on the Field of Dreams uniforms in the comments below! View full article

Hey, if you believe then you believe. Arguing with people about what they believe is like arguing with people about their dreams. It's not real to me, but it's real to you. But I do think it's important to get the facts straight. You point to Joe Pohlad's comments from 2024. But what about his thoughts from 2023? This is straight from Twins Daily, March 3, 2023: "Joe Pohlad’s interaction in the team’s baseball operations since returning to the front office in 2018 has not come without experience. He spent time as an assistant in the baseball operations department beginning in 2007. His experience there, which not many owners in Major League Baseball have had, sheds light that he is willing to shed the common trope Twins fans attribute to his family; the “Cheap Pohlads.” When asked individually at the January 11 press conference if Correa’s re-signing shows critical fans that ownership is committed to building the team for a championship, Joe Pohlad responded, “I hope so. I think how we view it, or at least how I view it, is this the best route for us in order to get to where we want to be, which is a competitive team that can compete for a World Series?. Ultimately, the goal is to win and is every move we make going to add to that and achieve that goal? And this [signing] is gonna do that.” Isn't this essentially the exact same sentiment as what Tom expressed yesterday? I mean, yes, Joe didn't mention a number like $100M specifically, but he didn't have to - the Twins were already spending well above that. And it's pretty easy to brag about increasing payroll on the eve of a labor dispute that almost certainly will require all teams to spend well above what the Twins are currently spending. Honestly, I don't even need Tom Pohlad to give a specific number right now. That would be silly at this point. And he could have said that they're going to spend $200M next year and I wouldn't be impressed ... because I'm not convinced they have the right people and the right plan to spend it well. Until I can see that there's an actual plan in place to build a winner, and until I can see that the Twins are making noticeably smarter moves than their competition, I'm not really interested in a single word ownership has to say. At this point, it's just the buzzing of a housefly.

You've hit the 3 biggest areas of need, but I would differ with the order of importance. #1 Catcher. Caratini will be back. Jeffers won't. Although by making him a QO we should at least get draft compensation. The Twins need to approach Caratini as their back-up Catcher, but finding a full time starter won't be easy. The Twins are in a tough spot here. Nobody they acquire will stand in the way of Vahn Lackey, who might make it up sometime in 2028, maybe opening day 2029. But they need a guy who could start ahead of Caratini. Here are some trade possibilities: Pirates: Endy Rodriquez-26 years old or Henry Davis-29. Rodriquez has talent, but can't stay healthy, Davis was a one time top prospect, but is 29 and hasn't fulfilled the promise he once held. The starter is Rafael Flores, so one of the 2 could be available. White Sox: Teel is the starter. They also have Jake Rogers and Joey Bart. That leaves the once promising 23 year old Edgar Quero who also just can't seem to stay healthy. He's currently #4 on the depth chart. He's young, but might be the best defensive catcher that could be had. Brewers: William Contreras is the starter. 33 year old Gary Sanchez and 26 year old former Guardian-Indian Bo Naylor are the potential targets. Padres: Luis Campusano is the starter but young phenom Ethan Salas will be their starter next year. #3 Catcher is former KC Royal Freddy Fermin. Campusano and Fermin are potential targets. Nationals: Keibert Ruiz is the starter. He's backed up by 22 year old Harry Ford. The potential target is 28 year old Drew Millas. Giants: The Giants #3 Catcher is former Rule 5 guy Daniel Susac who the Twins could have picked. He's 25 years old and would be a good pickup. Guys like Edgar Quero and Endy Rodriguez are interesting, but their youth could potentially block Vahn Lackey's future backup, and we have a LOT of minor league talent to consider on that timeline. In addition to Lackey the Twins have Tait, Diaw, Jimenez, Olivar and Tinny. Most every MLB team would be interested in one of these young catchers. What type of pitching prospect could one of them return if we decided to trade one" Since the Twins are only looking for a 2027 starter if we expect Lackey to progress quickly and Tait is also a consideration, a reunion with Gary Sanchez might make sense. The 25 year old Daniel Susac or the 28 year old Drew Millas probably fit the timeline better. There ARE opportunities to make a deal to bring in a catcher that is better than Caratini. The next priority is 1B. Is there a young 1B buried in someone's system who is blocked by a bona fide major league star? Xavier Isaac from Tampa Bay, Keaton Anthony in the Phillies organization and James Tibbs from the Dodgers could all make sense. Tibbs is 23 and stuck behind Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers also have Dalton Rushing C/1B/OF making Tibbs a strong candidate. Tibbs (bats L) hit .287 with 30 HR, 107 RBI and a .941 OPS at AAA Oklahoma City this year. Isaac (bats L) has elite power and is buried behind Jonathon Arranda, Yandy Diaz and even C/1B Liam Hicks. Keaton Anthony (bats R) is 25 years old and has hit at every level after being undrafted out of Iowa in 2023. He's buried behind Bryce Harper. I have no idea what it would take to trade for one of these guys but if the Twins are willing to move on from Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Royce Lewis, Trevor Larnach, maybe one of our young catchers, we should be able to target one of these guys and make a deal. We could spend money and sign Jake Bauers as well although I think he will have a lot of interest this winter. All 3 of the young, minor league 1B could flop, but they are worth going after since we have no one who is an obvious minor league option for 2027. I would rank the BP last of the 3 main areas because I think we have the nucleus of a decent BP and we are starting from a spot FAR AHEAD of where we began this year. Hoffman is a potential Closer or 8th inning guy. Gomez did well until he ran out of gas. He's still a decent 7th inning arm. Some young guys showed some promise and if Banda is under contract for 2027 he is a bounce back candidate. I think Zebby should be in the rotation for 2027 but if he loses his spot in a spring training competition put him in the BP to start the year. Same with Abel. David Festa and Matt Canterino are pipe dreams but I'm not ready to give up on them. Marco Raya could emerge. But I would spend some money on a bona fide Closer. Maybe a Ryan Helsley. Having an arm like that pushes talented arms like Hoffman and Gomez down a notch and deepens the BP. There is some reason for optimism for 2027. There is young talent starting to matriculate to the big league roster. The team is getting younger and more athletic. I say keep the pipeline open and look to bring more on board while moving on from some familiar faces. Even if we embrace a complete rebuild, the bar is low enough in the A.L. Central that we might just surprise like this year's White Sox.

Good point. A pet peeve of mind was the decision to suddenly make sure he was ready to play in the Field of Dreams game with no AAA proof that he was ready. It hurt the team. I am so sick and tired of HOPING he will play well. He is entering his mid-30s. NOTE TO Buxton, Shelton, FO, and TP. . PLEASE stop thinking that he will be a wonderkid who should be answer to the Twins making the playoffs. Use him as the DH to prevent the likelihood of injuries and sparingly in the outfield. Outfield CF Jenkins in CF, Emma, LF, Keasch RF

I think there is some recency bias to Taj as MVP based on start last night. The start before he was not getting favorable comments. He has been more consistent than in the past but still needs to show more to go to the next level. It still feels like he lacks some of the mental toughness needed, the Field of Dreams game was a great example where he laid an egg in a big spotlight. He has had a good season, but I would not consider it MVP, if so, it's more a reflection of the team than Taj.

Image courtesy of Reese Strickland-Imagn Images I suppose I didn’t have a choice but to be a baseball fan. It’s in my blood, to some degree. My great-uncle died of head trauma, after years of wearing beanballs as a barnstormer in the 30s and 40s. He and my grandfather had the chance to play against Satchel Paige and Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe when they played for the Bismarck Club (sometimes known as the Churchills) in 1935. Apparently, Grandpa got a hit, but I’m skeptical. But Grandpa passed down his love of baseball to his son, and his son passed it down to me. Really, baseball is something you inherit from someone, whether it’s your parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or even your persistent friend who begs you to come out to the ballyard some Sunday afternoon; I myself made a baseball fan out of a nerdish grad school classmate with an afternoon Triple-A game. You don’t stumble into being a baseball fan; you’re led. If you became a baseball fan when you were a child, it probably involved a game of catch. I think my uncle was the first one to really play catch with me, but I also played with my dad plenty. At some point, though, you have your last game of catch with your father. You typically don’t know it. It’s something the two of you have always done, but over time, you play less and less catch. Suddenly, you haven’t played in years. And you didn’t even know it. Maybe it’s when you left for college. Maybe it’s when you hung up your glove after two agonizing years of tee ball. Maybe your dad throws out his shoulder, as many middle-aged men do, and you never get back to it. Maybe Dad left too soon, earlier than either of you hoped or expected. It's what Field of Dreams is famous for. Really, ask yourself, if Kevin Costner asked Dwier Brown anything other than if he'd "wanna have a catch," would you remember the film for anything other than its poor pacing and dialogue? It doesn't truly become a tear-jerker until we start thinking about playing catch with our own fathers, grandfathers, uncles, what have you—because it's something that nearly every baseball fan of a certain age or experience understands: that one last catch with Dad. You didn't know during your last catch that it was your last catch. Or, for some, it's the yearning for their first catch with their father—a catch that never actually happened. I had the privilege of knowing I was playing catch for the last time with my father. When I was 24, and Dad was 58, he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s—a disease that slowly (though much faster than you’d ever hope) and irreversibly erodes the brain, leading to a loss of memory and executive function. It’s a terrible, terrible disease to watch someone experience, and I can only imagine (although I may someday know, or even not-quite-know) how terrible it is to live through. A few months after his diagnosis, I was visiting home. My younger brother was spending the summer in our hometown before leaving for graduate school, and we’d planned to play catch that afternoon. My brother called me a bit later, saying he’d gotten busy with some friends and not to wait up for him. So my dad, sensing the opportunity, asked if I’d like to play catch for a bit. I have no idea when he’d last thrown a baseball, let alone when we’d last played catch together. His arm was shot from years of throwing us batting practice, and I’d hung up my cleats after my junior year to focus on other sports. I clocked what was happening in the moment, and I think he did, too. He made it through about ten overhand throws, his shoulder stiff from years of disuse, before switching to underhand. We played for maybe ten minutes before putting our gloves away for good. But for those ten minutes, we were both 20 years younger. It’s been seven summers since that game of catch. By his 59th birthday, he required a walker to get around, after a lower back injury that he never recovered from. These days, Dad doesn’t do much talking. Or moving. Or even looking around. Once in a while, on a good day, you’ll look him in the eyes, and you’ll know that he knows who you are. We both knew we’d reach a day like today. So I like to think something divine kept my brother away from our backyard that day. We both needed that game of catch. To this day, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth to have had it—tied for first place with thousands of people I'll never meet, and with Dad. My story isn’t special. As I said, most people reading this of a certain age or experience have their own version of this story. There are an enormous number of people who would do anything to play catch with Dad one more time. I suspect many baseball fans think about exactly that every time the Field of Dreams game is played in Dyersville, Iowa. There’s the beauty of the players walking out of the corn, but there’s also the reminder of that final question. Hey, Dad. Wanna have a catch? I’d planned on telling a version of this story about the man who coached me not only in baseball, but also in football, basketball, and track, at a later date. You know, that later date. But Thursday’s Twins-Phillies game hit home for me in a way that I wasn’t expecting. Every time MLB plays a game in that corn, I lower my head and shed a tear thinking about my own father. But this time was different. Because when I lowered my head on Thursday to think about the big strong man that I used to play catch with, I saw my own newborn daughter, my firstborn, sleeping in my lap. She’d been born less than a week before; it was her first Twins game sitting in front of the TV with me. The Field of Dreams Game could have set an impossibly high bar, but given how the game played, I’m sure there are more magical Twins games in her future, if I’m successful in leading her to baseball fandom. I have no idea if she’ll be a baseball fan. She might not even be a sports fan of any sort, and that’s okay with me. But I hope that someday she’ll ask me some version of that question. Hey Dad. Wanna have a catch? Although she’ll never get a chance to play catch with her grandfather, maybe she’ll feel his love playing catch with me. I felt that same connection to my own grandfather when my dad taught me how to throw his dad’s palmball, even though I’d never met him. And I hope that, until she’s ready to see me years later when I’m worn down by life, I can be half the man that I see my own dad as, when I imagine his former, able body walking out of the corn. View full article

Image courtesy of Summit Entertainment Hoping to build on both the goodwill generated by and fan response to this year’s Field of Dreams game, MLB announced that Saturday’s Twins/Phillies game would be played in Forks, Washington, home of the vampire baseball scene in the 2008 film Twilight. “Field of Dreams is a generational touchstone for so many baseball fans,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. “And the same can be said for the story of Bella and her immortal vampire lover Edward in Twilight. The fact that a game of baseball is foundational to her acceptance into Edward’s family of fellow sparkly vampires makes this an ideal sequel to our game in Dyersville.” The game was originally slated to be played at Target Field. Anyone with tickets to the game will have them honored if they make the trek to the remote Washington town. “We understand it’s a bit of a haul from the Twin Cities to Forks,” said a source in the Commissioner’s office. “And there obviously aren’t any direct flights. What we’re hoping is that people will hop in the minivan for a fun weekend road trip with the family to share the beauty of baseball. I don’t really drive. Gas is still cheap, right?” When told that it’s actually quite expensive at this time and that there might be some age gap discourse given that Bella is 18 while Edward is 108, the source pointed out the window and said there was a beautiful baby bird. No such bird was observed, and when this reporter turned back around, the source was gone. Team sources say the Twins and Phillies will be wearing old-timey uniforms like the vampires do in the Twilight scene. The players will be allowed to add as much sparkly glitter to their skin as they are comfortable with. While many MLB greats replicate the Field of Dreams scene where legends enter the diamond from the adjacent corn field, It’s not known how they would be utilized in a Twilight-themed game. At least one Hall of Famer is skeptical. “Vampires are pretty scary,” said Twins great Joe Mauer. “And if they’re sparkly? No way, Jose. Real rough stuff.” View full article

When the Twins went 1 & 2 for catchers in the draft, and we already had Tait and Diaw, I was impressed. Besides athletic SS's, there is probably the greatest shortage of hitting/defensive Catchers. Talk about an inventory for future trades and internal competition to get to the Twins! Please, make sure they are brought along properly so we don't waste their given talent. "God did not give us dreams, without also giving us, the ability to make them come true." In other words, don't hinder them, help them. Just saying.