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Late Monday night, Twins Daily learned that Thad Levine is not currently in consideration for the lead job with the Red Sox. Jon Heyman reported this weekend that Levine and former Twin Craig Breslow were "prominently in the mix." Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas (Image of Thad Levine and John Mozeliak).) But something must have changed in the last 72 hours, though it is unclear if Boston pulled the plug on negotiations or if Levine may have turned down the job or simply removed himself from consideration. After trading Mookie Betts in February 2020 in a move that appeared to be pushed by ownership, there is some belief that ownership's involvement makes the general manager (or president of baseball operations) job less appealing. Earlier Monday, Cody Christie had an in-depth write-up on Boston's pursuit of Levine. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Former Twin Craig Breslow appears to now be the sole front-runner. Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey turned down an interview and now Thad Levine appears to not be a finalist. What's the Red Sox next move? When do they make a hire? Or were Boston and Levine far enough down the road that conversations can be rekindled? None of that is clear right now, but we could have answers soon. Others have confirmed and added additional context: View full article

Thad Levine has been the second in command for multiple organizations over the last two decades. Will he finally get a shot to be the top dog? Here’s the latest on Boston’s pursuit of Levine. Image courtesy of Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports Thad Levine and Derek Falvey have been Minnesota’s dynamic duo since November 2016. It was clear from their opening press conference that the goal was sustainable contention. The Twins were coming off an MLB-worst 103 losses, so it would take time to rebuild multiple parts of the organization to fight for playoff spots consistently. During their seven years at the helm, the Twins have won three division titles and qualified for the playoffs four times. It’s been a steady turnaround, with the team having a bright future. Levine has worked at multiple levels of front offices for franchises throughout the big leagues. He joined the Twins from the Rangers, where he had been an assistant GM since 2005. Before that, he had worked in the Rockies and Dodgers front office. In various roles, he has run the team's international scouting department, working on player acquisitions and roster management. He’s one of baseball’s most well-qualified front-office members, and this isn’t the first time he’s considered for a top job. Previously, the Phillies, Mets, and Tigers organizations were interested in him, but he declined interviews. So, what makes the Red Sox job different from these other opportunities? The timing might be right from a professional standpoint for Levine to step into a new role. The Red Sox have more resources than many other franchises, which must be intriguing to any interested candidate. Boston has won three World Series titles since 2007, with their latest title coming in 2018. However, they have also shuffled through front offices in recent years, which could make candidates a little leery of taking over the top spot. Will Boston allow a new front office more time to rebuild their system? Levine is among a group of candidates vying for Boston’s top role, but there have been others to turn them down. The Red Sox originally asked to interview Derek Falvey, but he prefers to stay in Minnesota. Instead, Boston turned their attention to Levine, and multiple reports confirmed he interviewed in Boston last week. Former Twins pitcher Craig Breslow is another candidate for a job in the Red Sox front office, as he currently serves as the Cubs assistant GM. Interestingly, Levine and Breslow could unite in Boston similarly to how Falvey and Levine joined the Twins. Levine could take on the President of Baseball Operations role, while Breslow can move up and become Boston’s GM. (Notably, the Twins signed Breslow to their bullpen during Levine's first year as Minnesota's GM, in 2017.) Many teams like to have their front office in place before the annual general manager meetings in early November. However, the Red Sox aren’t going to rush the process. Boston’s team president Sam Kennedy told reporters, “You’d love to have clarity as soon as possible, but we’re not going to let any deadline or timeline put constraints on the process.” It still seems likely for the Red Sox to make a decision in the coming days so their new front office can begin making decisions for the 2024 season. If Levine leaves, the Twins have multiple internal candidates prepared to step into his role. Daniel Adler and Jeremy Zoll currently serve as Assistant General Managers in the Twins front office hierarchy. Adler has worked for the Twins since 2017, when he was hired as the Director of Baseball Operations. His primary responsibilities include heading up the club’s arbitration, international scouting, and baseball research and development efforts. Zoll was the team’s Director of Minor League Operations from 2018-19 before being promoted to his current role. His duties include partnering with Dr. Chris Camp to oversee the organization’s performance team and drives developmental initiatives in the minor leagues. When organizations perform well, other teams will notice and try to emulate what they do on and off the field. Minnesota’s turnaround in recent years is undoubtedly a positive sign, but fans can expect losses from the front office and coaching staff. Will Levine be the first departure this winter? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins front office has been criticized up and down over the years for making decisions that could ultimately be looked back upon as wrong. When looking at the 2023 trade deadline, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine decided to bet on the group they had assembled. It was a gutsy move, but they were right. Image courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Coming into the year, Derek Falvey gave Rocco Baldelli a roster that included star power in the form of Carlos Correa. He provided depth in the form of Kyle Farmer, Willi Castro, Michael A. Taylor, and Donovan Solano. He got ownership’s blessing to spend to a threshold the franchise had never before seen. This team wasn’t complete, but it was a very strong foot forward. With the Twins playing through multiple months of baseball and clinging onto a slim lead atop the AL Central division, Minnesota’s leaders opted against adding at the deadline. They had conversations with teams that wound up hanging onto their assets. Maybe they didn’t cast a wide enough net, and they certainly could’ve afforded to bring in relief help. Their inaction suggested one thing though, they believed in what they had. Now, halfway through September, Minnesota leads the Cleveland Guardians by 8.5 games in the division and recently clinched the AL Central. Terry Francona’s club made a last-ditch effort in claiming former Angels Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, and Reynaldo Lopez. Even though Minnesota put in claims for some of those talents, their play on the field proved they weren’t needed. With only a handful of game’s left in the regular season, the front office’s belief that the guys were already in the organization is again starting to rear its head. Brock Stewart was put on ice before the All-Star Break, and his absence has been lengthier than imagined, but he is trending towards a return at the opportune time. Nick Gordon is available for a return to the roster, and Chris Paddack will be called upon as well. More than any other time during the season, they’ll have a roster crunch to sort out. Maybe it’s unfair to suggest that Falvey knew each of his injured players would return, but behind the scenes Minnesota was certainly operating with that belief. While not all of them may be needed on the initial postseason roster, having them for the final games in September, and as an option when games matter most, is a good thing. There’s also an unspoken belief in the youth that Minnesota’s inaction has provided. By bringing in additional bodies at the deadline, it’s uncertain how much playing time guys like Edouard Julien, Royce Lewis, and Matt Wallner may have ceded. Louie Varland probably isn’t transitioning to the bullpen, and though he's a veteran, Kenta Maeda working out of there may not be an option either. It’s a great thing for a clubhouse to feel like the front office believes in them enough to supplement, but there is also a message sent in saying the talent we have already is enough for us to get the job done. How things go in October remains to be seen, but it will be difficult to suggest that the Twins didn’t put their best foot forward. The veteran depth that has served them well all year can round out the edges of the roster, and the youth movement that has stepped up in a big way will be given their first true time to shine. What Minnesota could have done at the deadline may have made a difference in a few key spots, but that the roster got it done on their own, and no prospects were pieced out, is a feather in the cap of leadership as well. View full article

There is no question that Byron Buxton's performance has been disappointing during the 2023 season. With fewer than 40 games remaining, the Twins might have one option: a return to center field. Image courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Byron Buxton was placed on the IL in early August with a right hamstring strain. Early last week, head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta told reporters that Buxton had resumed baseball activities, and his next step was to begin running progressions. The Twins have avoided sending Buxton on a rehab assignment this season, but it sounds like he won't avoid a St. Paul trip with his current injury. "Byron is getting back into baseball activities at this point in time," Paparesta said. "Obviously, him getting back into baseball activity is a good sign. Throwing, hitting, taking some ground balls and stuff, which is good." Minnesota's plan in spring training was to start Byron Buxton as the team's everyday designated hitter and eventually move him back to center field. Initially, the Twins likely hoped his knee would improve during the season so the club could use him in the outfield. Unfortunately, there has been little improvement with his knee, and he's also dealt with back issues and his current hamstring problem. Injuries have been part of Buxton's entire professional career, which can be frustrating for all parties involved. Buxton's time at DH has allowed him to appear in 85 games in 2023, but his offensive performance is below his recent standard. He has hit .207/.294/.438 (.731) with 17 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, and a 109-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 99 OPS+ is his lowest total since 2018. This OPS+ is low for an everyday DH, but it would be an acceptable total for an everyday centerfielder with elite defensive skills. His below-average performance is pushing the Twins to move him back to the outfield. In mid-July, Thad Levine talked about Buxton's outfield work in an interview with Cory Provus. He said, "Behind the scenes right now, we are doing a lot of defensive work, so when that time comes, we don't say we need three weeks to ramp him up. There are some things being done on a daily basis to help position him to be able to go out there when he is ready." Levine's quote also aligns with Paparesta's plan outlined above, which includes throwing and taking ground balls. The Twins also have better-performing DH options currently on the roster. Royce Lewis' return from the IL has left the team with one more infielder than positions on the field. Jorge Polanco and Edouard Julien can both see time at DH and second base. Carlos Correa has also been fighting plantar fasciitis, and some time away from shortstop might help his performance. Ryan Jeffers has been one of the team's best hitters in the second half and has started to get time at DH on days when he isn't behind the plate. Matt Wallner is another young bat that is tough to keep out of the line-up, and using him at DH helps to improve the roster. Minnesota's best-performing team includes Buxton in center field, playing at a high level. Twins fans saw this from him during his All-Star performance in the first half of 2022. Buxton posted an OPS over 1.060 in April and June on his way to being named the AL's starting center fielder. It's hard to argue what that would mean to the line-up if the Twins could glimpse that player in the season's final month. The Twins' playoff losing streak has stretched to 18 games, so winning in October is the easiest way to stop some negativity surrounding the team. Depending on the playoff match-up, Minnesota's best line-up puts Buxton in center field, but there are other injury concerns to sort out before the postseason. On paper, the positions below seem like the best way for the Twins to end their October woes. C: Ryan Jeffers 1B: Alex Kirilloff 2B: Jorge Polanco SS: Carlos Correa 3B: Royce Lewis LF: Matt Wallner CF: Byron Buxton RF: Max Kepler DH: Edouard Julien If Buxton had performed well at DH, there would be less reason to push him back to center field. Instead, his offensive streakiness will force the Twins to make a decision. For better or worse, Buxton will return to center field before the season ends. Should the Twins keep Buxton at DH? What is the best Twins line-up for October? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Much of the takeaway from the Twins lack of trade deadline action rightfully revolves around the current team and the holes that remain. What it may say about the front office long-term is also a worthwhile consideration. Image courtesy of John Bonnes, Twins Daily Many consider the overall body of work by the current front office as a success. It’s easy to compare to the Terry Ryan regime and agree that they’re in a much better place now. That being said, it’s fair to wonder whether their resume undoubtedly makes them the men for the job. This deadline may suggest that ownership, the people who matter, are content. The Falvey regime has had its ups and down, and despite their public desire to build a sustainable winner, the Twins have been anything but. After a surprise playoff appearance in 2017, they understandably finished six games under .500 the following season. 2019 appeared to be the year that years of building infrastructure and a farm system came together. Winning 101 games and setting the all-time home run record, a playoff series sweep was disappointing, but at least the Twins appeared to have a core in place for the long haul. In a shortened 2020, the Twins again made the playoffs only to be swept out by the sub-.500 Astros at home. At no point did the Twins front office express a step back in their attempts to contend between the plans they provided publicly and the moves they made. Still, they missed the playoffs in one of the softest divisions in history both in 2021 and 2022. There were routinely multiple teams missing the playoffs altogether from other divisions who would have run away with the AL Central, but the Twins couldn’t even finish in second place. You’d think this would cause tensions to begin rising within ownership, only to be made worse by a 2023 squad that has always felt mediocre and incomplete. The Twins entered the trade deadline with only a one-game lead on Cleveland. The needs were obvious and relatively cheap, and still, they chose to do nothing aside from part with Jorge Lopez, one of the holdovers from 2022's disastrous trade deadline. The Twins still have the second easiest remaining schedule in baseball, whereas Cleveland is about middle of the pack. It’s a big reason the Twins playoff odds remain near 80% despite their minuscule lead. Making matters even more interesting is Cleveland’s apparent plan at the deadline aiming more toward the future by parting with their most effective starter. They’re begging the Twins to take the division. It’s odd then that the front office chose not to address any of their most obvious needs between a bullpen that’s wearing down and the worst OPS against left-handed pitching in baseball. The Twins may very well still win the division, though it’s far from a done deal given how this team has played to date. We’ll all surely continue to watch in hopes of another division title, but the operation at the deadline should cause long-term concern, as it’s hard to see the front office passing on any upgrades if their jobs aren’t guaranteed. It was true before, and even more so now that Cleveland effectively sold: The Twins should not continue to employ this front office if they miss the playoffs for the third straight year. The bar to clear has never been lower, and the Twins simply should not be allowed to miss the mark for a third consecutive time. With even minor upgrades at the deadline, they could have insulated their division title, but they declined to do so riding a five-game losing streak and having just been swept by the Kansas City Royals. Derek Falvey, Thad Levine, and company simply don’t seem to have any sense of urgency after two-plus years of mediocrity, and that should be a bright red flag. They ignored obvious holes this offseason, and they doubled down on this flawed roster at the deadline even as Brock Stewart’s return to the bullpen and Alex Kirilloff’s return to the lineup became serious question marks. It’s clear they think they know better than anyone else when it comes to building a baseball team despite the lack of historical evidence, and it’s worth wondering whether this deadline’s inaction shows that ownership isn’t close to making a change. That should not be the case. View full article

Like any front office, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have seen their share of ups and downs during their tenure. However, fans' trust in this front office might have hit an all-time low after back-to-back poor seasons and a lackluster trade deadline. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports The Twins hired Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to head up their baseball operations department leading into the 2017 season. At the time, Minnesota had lost 90 games or more in five of the previous six seasons. A new direction was needed for a franchise stuck in some antiquated ways. Over the last seven seasons, the Twins have won two division titles, but the team has gone 0-for-6 in postseason games and had disappointing finishes for two consecutive seasons. It seemed like the 2023 campaign might be a make-it-or-break-it season for the front office, but they haven't treated it as such. Only some things have been doom and gloom for the front office in 2023. They have built one of baseball's best starting rotations through multiple trades in recent seasons. Over the last two winters, they have surprised the baseball world by signing Carlos Correa to multiple contracts. Despite these positives, the front office has avoided adding late-inning bullpen arms or a right-handed power bat. Those were the team's needs coming into the season and remain the same following the trade deadline. Falvey met with reporters in the hours following the deadline to discuss Minnesota's lack of moves. There were three clear messages from the front office, but each can be spun in multiple directions. If fans trust the front office, Message 1: Fewer Teams Ended Up Being Sellers This message is valid on a surface level. Teams on the fringes of contention like the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, and San Diego Padres didn't enter full-out seller mode. Some of that can is expected with baseball's expanded playoffs, including three Wild Card teams in each league. According to FanGraphs, six teams in the AL have a 65% chance or higher of making the playoffs entering play on Wednesday. That leaves one playoff spot for a fringe team, and that was enough to stop some from selling. With fewer teams selling, it might have made it harder for the front office to address the team's needs, but other teams traded for relievers and right-handed corner bats. Minnesota's front office knew the teams guaranteed to be sellers, and their conversations could have focused on players from those clubs. Also, the Twins could have made better offers for players they valued with the deadline approaching. The supply of players changed with fewer teams being sellers, and teams, like Minnesota, must adjust to the market. Message 2: Stick with the Veterans For months, the Twins' front office has stressed that the most significant help to the team would come from the players in the clubhouse. Minnesota's highest-paid position players are Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, Joey Gallo, Christian Vazquez, Max Kepler, and Jorge Polanco. All six players have underperformed compared to preseason projections. Correa and Buxton should crush left-handed pitching, but the team continues to struggle, and some of that performance is tied to the streakiness of the team's top right-handed hitters. Gallo has been one of baseball's worst hitters for two consecutive seasons. Kepler and Polanco have spent time on the IL while providing inconsistent performance. Vazquez was considered one of the top catchers on the free agent market, and his OPS+ is the lowest since 2018. There is plenty of blame to go around. Yes, the Twins aren't going to reach their full potential without the team's top players performing better. There were still opportunities to make low-cost additions to supplement the roster. Also, nothing is guaranteed when it comes to future performance. Some of the team's younger players had sat behind veterans on the depth chart even when it seemed apparent the younger player should be in the lineup more regularly. The front office values depth (maybe too much), making it tough to move on from veterans. Message 3: No Room On the 26-Man Roster Like the points above, the front office claimed that a lack of roster spots was another reason not to make a trade. Falvey and Levine felt there wasn't anyone on the 26-man roster that deserved to be passed over when acquiring a new player. In retrospect, this was the biggest falsity made by the front office in the wake of the trade deadline. Clearly, players on the team's roster deserve playing time over Gallo. He would be the most likely position player to move off the roster. Willi Castro also has the team's fifth most plate appearances with a 94 OPS+. It would be easy to add a better right-handed bat to take either of their roster spots. In the bullpen, the Twins carried Cole Sands for most of a week without him making an appearance. Minnesota has rotated through players in the eighth bullpen spot, which would make it easy to add a replacement. Jovani Moran has also struggled, and the team could have optioned him to make room. There are plenty of spots on the 26-man roster. A playoff cameo won't satisfy this fanbase, and it shouldn't satisfy fans. The front office is placing a large bet on the roster they assembled last winter, but that was before the hindsight of playing over 100 games. There are flaws with the Twins, and there was an opportunity to make minor additions to help this club. It might be time to move on from the current leadership group if the front office can't be trusted. Should fans trust the front office and its process? Will the front office survive if the Twins don't win the division? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Twins fans might not have agreed with it, but the Minnesota Twins’ front office had reasons for their inaction at the trade deadline. As a first-place team in the American League Central and favorites to win the division, many expected the Minnesota Twins to be active at the trade deadline and bring in help as they prepare for their first playoff run since 2020. To the surprise of many, though, the Twins didn’t make a single move on Tuesday afternoon and instead decided to compete for the American League Central with the same roster they had coming into the August 1 deadline. Whether or not standing pat at the trade deadline is certainly fair to wonder, and is currently being discussed at Twins Daily here, here and here. But whether you agree with the front office’s inaction on Tuesday or you don’t, it’s worth exploring why the front office did what they did (or didn’t do). Here are three potential reasons why the Minnesota Twins stood pat at the trade deadline: 1. The landscape of the trade market changed In his statement following the passing of the trade deadline, Derek Falvey noted that the landscape of the trade market changed in the week leading up to the trade deadline, which impacted their ability to make trades. Teams like the Cubs, Angels and Padres seemed like sellers a week ago, but recently changed their tune to become buyers at the trade deadline. Whether it’s a valid excuse or not, the changing of the trade market hampered the Twins’ ability to get a trade done at the deadline. 2. The rest of the American League Central turned out to be sellers While the Minnesota Twins weren’t active at the trade deadline, the rest of the American League Central was very active at the trade deadline, as all four teams outside of the Twins turned out to be sellers. Each of the Tigers, Royals, White Sox and even the Guardians sold off present-day assets at the trade deadline. With the knowledge that the rest of the division, and most notably the Guardians not only weren’t going to be buying at the trade deadline, but would actively be selling, it left the Twins in a position that they didn’t necessarily need to be buyers in order to solidify their playoff chances. Whatever odds that the Twins had coming into the trade deadline went up just from the fact that all of their competition sold off assets that would have helped take down the Twins in their hunt for the American League Central. It’s clear that because of the decreased competition in the division, the front office didn’t feel the same amount of pressure to load up their roster for an August and September run and that they feel confident in their ability to win the American League Central. 3. The Twins didn’t feel that this roster was worth investing in While the front office might have felt that the Twins didn’t need to add to their roster in order to win the American League Central, there is still an argument to be made that the Twins should have bolstered their roster in an attempt to make a run in the playoffs. By their lack of action at the trade deadline, the front office made it pretty clear that they don’t think that the Minnesota Twins’ roster has much of any shot to make a run in the playoffs. If the front office had confidence in the Twins’ roster as currently constructed, they would have done what they could to support that roster with additional pieces that would aid in a playoff run. With the roster that the Twins have, though, it’s not outlandish to have the mindset of “why would we add to a roster that is just going to lose anyways?” The Twins added to a roster in 2022 that didn’t end up being strong enough to even make the playoffs. They didn’t want to double down and add to a roster that wouldn’t be making a run once again. Do you agree with the reasons why the Twins didn’t make a move at the trade deadline? Leave a comment below and start the conversation. View full article

We don't know what happened behind closed doors and over phone calls and messages, but with news that the Twins did nothing at the trade deadline, it's impossible not to have an opinion. Here is mine. Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports News came shortly after the 5:00 Central Time trade deadline that the Twins had done nothing. Made no moves. There were rumors about wanting a right-handed hitter, preferably an outfielder. When news broken that Tommy Pham had been traded, Twins fans had about a 10-minute window to get excited... ultimately learning he was traded to the Diamondbacks. Then we heard that the Twins and Cardinals were exchanging medical records on some players, so there was some thought that maybe the Twins would soon acquire Dylan Carlson or maybe even Jack Flaherty. Well, soon after, we learned that Flaherty was going to the Orioles. And then Twins beat reporters announced that they were told that the Twins didn't make a move. Deflating, right? I wasn't even excited about anyone that was being rumored to potentially be of interest to the Twins, probably other than David Bednar. But even I just had this weird sinking feeling when I read Do's tweet. But ultimately, I'm not upset. I'm not angry. I don't actually have a big problem with it at all. Yes, it would have been fun to add a player, and it's not like they sold. Is there a player that the Twins could have acquired that would have given the team or the fans confidence that they could truly be a competitive contender in a playoff series. The Twins team isn't one piece away. They aren't a journeyman right-handed outfielder who is considered bad in the clubhouse away. Not even adding a couple of veteran bullpen arms that other teams are trying to give away was going to do that. The reality is that this is a flawed team. If they want to truly be a contender for more than an AL Central title, today wasn't going to be the game changer. They weren't getting Verlander or Scherzer. They weren't going to get Goldschmidt. No, what this team needs (whether they added bit pieces or not) is for their own players to start playing like we know that they can. Or, that we know that they have in the past. They need Byron Buxton to hit like Byron Buxton did most of 2022. They need Carlos Correa to hit like Carlos Correa did most of his entire career. They need Sonny Gray to pitch like he did the first two or three months. They need their veteran starters to pitch like they did early. And they need their young players to keep playing. They have, in general, been the players to not only meet expectations but in many cases exceed them and be really good (see Edouardo Julien). The need Alex Kirilloff to only miss 10 days and then get back to his Player of the Week performance. They need Matt Wallner. They need Trevor Larnach. They need Royce Lewis. They need Joe Ryan to turn things back around. They need guys like Jordan Balazovic and Josh Winder to come up big out of the bullpen. They need to get Brock Stewart back... Oh wait, now this came out. Oh, and Alex Kirilloff had an MRI on his shoulder today too. And if all that goes well, the team should coast to the AL Central Division championship, and if all that happens, they should feel "OK" about playing the #3 Wild Card team. And most important, they can hopefully help us remove the 0-18 narrative. (PLEASE!) Oh, and if all those things would have happened up to this point in the season, the front office and ownership would have (and should have) felt much more obligated to make moves. Cleveland was a seller. They traded their best, healthy pitcher (Aaron Civale) and their DH (Josh Bell). Detroit tried to trade Edouardo Rodriguez. The Royals traded most of their bullpen. And the White Sox made all kinds of trades over the past week. What the Twins did at the Trade Deadline - which ultimate amounts to dealing Jorge Lopez for Dylan Floro - will have almost not impact on whether or not the team will win the division, or even run away with the division. We can be as upset as we want at the front office, and that's fair - sometimes trying to add something to breathe new life is good - but the focus needs to go to the players, especially the veterans that have been there and done that to step up. They don't - or shouldn't - need another player's only meeting. But, I get it, Twins fans. Trade Deadline Day is so much more fun when the team you follow is a buyer. Geez, it's more fun when they are a seller because you've likely accepted that decision being correct. Standing Pat is never exciting. That said, I personally don't have a huge problem with it. I mean, they were buyers last year, right? (insert comment here about Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez trades) Share your thoughts, y'all. We can listen. View full article

Ideally, Byron Buxton should be manning centerfield on a daily basis, tracking down balls in the gap, and hitting monster home runs. That scenario has yet to play out in 2023, but the Twins might have a different plan for Buxton in the second half. Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Many fans have called for Byron Buxton to return to center field to help an offense that has struggled mightily for most of the season. Michael A. Taylor has provided value to the Twins, but Buxton has been an All-Star caliber player in center. There are a lot of layers to the Buxton situation, and the team might have an updated plan for the season's second half. Initial Plan The Twins announced that Byron Buxton would begin the season as designated hitter near the end of March. Multiple factors influenced this decision, including his off-season knee surgery and the cold weather in the season's early months. No clear timetable was given for his return to the outfield, but many hoped it would be sooner rather than later. "If he could play 162 games in center field, we would have him in center field for 162 games," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "Almost no player does that, or no player does that in the entire game. So what's going to help us get the absolute most out of Buck and help us win the most games? I think it's going to be him being in the line-up as much as possible." Buxton has been in the line-up regularly by appearing in over 80% of the team's first-half games. In 73 games, he hit .208/.300/.468 (.736) with 12 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, and a 101 OPS+. It's his lowest OPS+ total since 2018, and there are higher expectations for offensive performance from the DH position. Adjusting the Plan Buxton's knee has continued to bother him during the 2023 season, which has been evident throughout the season. It takes him time to pick himself up when he slides into a base, or there can be a limp when he sprints to beat out an infield hit. He's clearly not playing at 100%, but the Twins have been able to pencil him into the line-up regularly. Near the end of June, Baldelli made candid remarks about Buxton and his possibility of playing in center field. "At this moment in time, and from the beginning of the year, he has not been physically able to play in the outfield," said Baldelli. "If he was, he would be out there. If we even thought that it was possible that he could play in the outfield right now, he would be out there. But he can't. He can't. He physically can't." Initially, the Twins likely hoped his knee would improve during the season so the club could use him in center field. Unfortunately, there has been little improvement with his knee, and he's also dealt with back issues. According to Baldelli, his knee isn't any worse, but it also isn't getting any better. Second-Half Changes Baldelli was on MLB Network Radio at the end of last week and expressed many of the same thoughts he shared near the end of June. He said, "As of right now, I don't know if Buxton is going take the field anytime soon. The goal is to have him in the line-up every single day." Those opinions follow the company line. Still, Twins General Manager Thad Levine offered some other thoughts during Sunday's episode of Inside Twins with the team's radio announcer Cory Provus. Provus referenced the catch made by Cedric Mullins during the Orioles series. He approached his question from two views saying that the catch might be a catalyst for Buxton to return to center field or if the team might announce that he just isn't going to play in the outfield this season. "Of course, we believe the best version of the Minnesota Twins includes Byron Buxton spending some time in center field, if not a lot of time out there," Levine said. "It's an ongoing conversation… there are a lot of people who are participating in this conversation. The ones who are most central to our dialogue- Nick Paparesta, our head athletic trainer, our strength and conditioning group, and Byron himself." He said, "Behind the scenes right now, we are doing a lot of defensive work, so when that time comes, we don't say we need three weeks to ramp him up. There are some things being done on a daily basis to help position him to be able to go out there when he is ready." There is a glimmer of hope for fans that Buxton will see time in center field in the second half. His continued health is the most significant factor in the decision, but it's hard not to imagine the boost he could give the team the first time he steps into the outfield grass. Will Buxton play center this year? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

August 1st is quickly approaching and the Minnesota Twins are leading the AL Central. They should be expected to win the division, and that could be argued as true even without reinforcements. They will bring some in, but don’t expect the big splashes. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports A season ago Derek Falvey and Thad Levine swung some of the biggest trades in franchise history. They acquired Sonny Gray before the season, sending top pitching prospect Chase Petty to Cincinnati. They flipped Taylor Rogers on the doorstep of Opening Day to acquire Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan. Then at the deadline they went gangbusters adding Tyler Mahle, Michael Fulmer, and Jorge Lopez. The trades the front office made prior to the season have worked out well for the Twins, but the group they made at the deadline have virtually all blown up. Mahle blew out his arm. Lopez has often looked lost. While Fulmer was fine, he faded down the stretch. Aside from the Baltimore deal, none of those swaps were all the egregious when considering track record and future value. Still though, even with a sound process, Minnesota has to feel a bit more cautious. Then there’s the reality that Rocco Baldelli’s roster doesn’t have many openings. Where are the Twins going to play new faces? Would Paul Goldschmidt or Cody Bellinger find their way into a regular rotation? Sure they would. Do the Twins really want to part with the prospect capital and further complicate a left-hand heavy outfield, or move Alex Kirilloff around the diamond? Max Kepler has played right field all year in spite of Matt Wallner’s emergence, and that is a swap that could have been made internally. Left field is manned by Joey Gallo and whatever other rotational outfielder figures in. Michael A. Taylor is stretched as an every day player, but his defense has been exceptional with Byron Buxton unable to contribute defensively. Buxton himself blocks the designated hitter spot. Second base has been taken over by Edouard Julien with Jorge Polanco coming back. No one is bumping Carlos Correa off of shortstop, and the starting rotation may be among the best in baseball. While Minnesota has succumbed to a level of mediocrity for most of the year, the reality is that it’s a byproduct of already-talented players underperforming. The Twins simply don’t have enough positional flexibility, or openings, for the front office to add like crazy this season. It still stands to reason that a right-handed bat makes sense. Ideally, that player would also play the outfield, and come with some team control. The Twins haven’t been keen on trading for rentals, and someone like Dylan Carlson would fit that bill nicely. He’s still going to command a premium being under team control through 2026, but Carlson is just a 24-year-old with league average offensive numbers and can play strong defense. Beyond that type of addition, it makes sense for Baldelli to be given more help in the bullpen. With both Brock Stewart and Caleb Thielbar still on the injured list, the group of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and Jorge Lopez need more help. Emilio Pagan has rebounded nicely, but finding a way to avoid rostering Cole Sands or cycling through arms has to be a goal. The Twins aren’t going to go and grab the best closer on the market, but getting someone capable of pitching in high-leverage situations, and propping up the overall ability of the bullpen, seems like a logical ask. Those types are always plentiful, and they shouldn’t cost much in terms of exchanged assets. Minnesota is absolutely looking to play well into the playoffs. Just because they have a weak schedule the rest of the way doesn’t mean they’ll coast and be content with where they are now. They aren’t going to blow the doors off the competition at the deadline, and their ability to win in October centers much more around the players already in the clubhouse. Inserting Royce Lewis and Jorge Polanco back into the lineup should help. The rotation will continue to give them a chance. How far they go from there is up to the performers needing to show up. I’m not sure what should be considered a well-executed trade deadline for Minnesota this year, but temper expectations if you think big names will be acquired. View full article

Over the first six years of the Derek Falvey and Thad Levine era, the Twins have been up and down. They've made the playoffs three times, including two division titles. Yet, they are coming off two straight losing seasons, putting into question whether this regime will see an eighth season leading the organization. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports Heading into 2021, it seemed evident that Derek Falvey and Thad Levine had things under control. They modernized the organization analytically, assembled a farm system of players seemingly ready to make an instant impact, and had just won two straight division titles – the franchise's first since 2010. The organization seemed poised for sustainable success with its leadership's thoughtful, cutting-edge decision-making steering the ship. There have always been critics of this front office, but on the back of 2021 and 2022, they have grown louder and multiplied. Some will question the regime's competency, others will criticize their lack of an "ace," and a vocal group of critics will question whether their entire philosophy and reliance on data is the right way to run a baseball team. Let's examine what this group has done well and poorly to evaluate whether the boisterous critics of Falvey and Levine are onto something. Front Office Strengths Development of Homegrown Major League Bats Terry Ryan, a scout by trade, always prided himself on putting together rosters built around cores of homegrown position player talent. This ability to construct a nucleus of quality hitters drafted or acquired via international free agency has carried over to the current regime. It's a critical skill when working with a middling payroll. The Twins can distribute their funds to a few extra quality players because they have team-friendly structures with most position players. Beyond utilizing those homegrown bats in everyday roles, they have shown an ability to develop hitters that they can flip in trades – even if they weren't top picks. That allowed them to acquire Tyler Mahle, and it could come into play again at this deadline when trying to bolster a playoff-caliber roster. Increased Aggression in Acquiring High-End Talent Under the current front office, the Twins have shown a more aggressive approach than the previous regime when acquiring high-end talent, and they've continued grown more emboldened over seven years at the helm. We first saw that when they acquired Nelson Cruz ahead of the 2019 season. That aggression grew when they signed Josh Donaldson to a record free agent deal. While this contract didn't pan out, it made a statement. They traded Donaldson while he still had some value, which enabled them to pay Carlos Correa, breaking the Donaldson contract record. Of course, they eventually shattered Correa's record when they re-signed him. Add in various trades – including the ones that brought in all five of this year's starting rotation members – and the increased aggressiveness is undeniable. Front Office Weaknesses Bullpen Construction and Reliever Free Agents One common thread between the losing seasons in 2021 and 2022 was bullpen meltdowns from newly acquired pitchers. In 2021, Alex Colomé deflated the team and its fans with his early-season implosions. In 2022, the Twins traded Taylor Rogers for Emilio Pagán. He held it together for a bit but memorably cost the Twins multiple times against Cleveland as the Guardians sped away in the divisional race. Beyond those memorable blowups, they have repeatedly tried to sign relief pitchers on small short-term deals, but most haven't worked out either. Due to the volatility of relievers, building a good bullpen is extremely difficult, but the Twins have rarely had enough homegrown arms or capable enough external additions to do so. It may be different this season, but it's one thing to have a good group on paper and another for them to succeed in games. Starting Pitching Development and Free Agent Acquisitions When the Pohlads tapped Falvey as president of baseball operations, they touted him for his role in building the terrific pitching development pipeline in Cleveland. However, Falvey has yet to materialize that level of pitching development success in Minnesota. To this point, Bailey Ober is the only homegrown starting pitcher that has proven to be major-league caliber during the Falvey and Levine era. Others may be on the precipice, including Simeon Woods Richardson, Louie Varland, and David Festa. However, they all have yet to prove they can be quality starters at the major-league level. Beyond the lack of internal development, the front office has invested very little into starting pitchers on the free agent market. Most of their free agent starter acquisitions have been bargain-bin signings, like Homer Bailey, Dylan Bundy and Matt Shoemaker. Most of those did not work out, with their only successful free agent starter addition being Michael Pineda. Not developing starting pitching and not paying for it in free agency has been one of the most significant flaws of this regime. They may have put together a good rotation for 2023 via trade, but the development of their starting pitching prospects this season will be a crucial storyline to monitor. If the strengths remain strong and they have improved their weaknesses, the front office should have put together a winning team in 2023. If so, their future will be clearer as the organization's leaders. However, if their bullpen construction weakness rears its head again and tanks their season, and we don't see progress in developing quality starters, the Twins may be at the point of considering a front-office shakeup. Ownership is investing in this team like never before and that comes with heightened expectations. View full article

Over the weekend, the Minnesota Twins brought back their fan appreciation weekend for the first time since 2019. Twins Fest returned to Target Field, and although the event was substantially changed, it might have been Friday evening’s Twins Fest Live that represented the highlight of the weekend. Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports With details emerging somewhat late for many of the events surrounding Twins Fest, there was little room to understand some of the changes this year. The Winter Caravan was back but in a significantly truncated form. The route was not nearly as long, and plenty of it was in more private or intimate settings. Twins Fest (as we have known it) at Target Field had been shortened to just Saturday, and plenty of the vendors or experiences had been less expansive. A key addition came on Friday night, however, and details leading up to the event were sparse. Following a night at the Diamond Awards on Thursday, I found myself wondering what Friday had in store. Opting for the middle level ticket option, I searched for some details and wound up winging it on Friday night. There was a sold out level that included an open bar and additional face time with players, and there was a get-in ticket that was just $35 allowing access to the general admission floor. The middle ground option came with a pair of drink tickets, gift at the end, appetizers during the early part of the evening, and access to the mezzanine level of The Fillmore. Looking back at the night, that felt like the right option to target. The Fillmore itself is a very nice venue. Having never before been inside, I found myself comparing it to a smaller version of First Avenue. Conveniently located right outside of Target Field, the parking ramp adjacent to Caribou Coffee behind left field was a quick place to pull in. Check in was a breeze, and the event seemed to have a perfect amount of attendees and space. For the crowd here at Twins Daily, it’s hard to define the evening as anything but a team-sponsored Winter Meltdown. The bars were manned by players at times, and Joe Ryan had quite the experience making the evening’s featured cocktail. It was something to see Chris Paddack donning a cowboy hat and slanging beers, but both Joey Gallo and Jorge Polanco had plenty of fun interacting with fans. A stage set up at the front of the venue was the focal point to kick off the program. Something like 30 current and former players were in attendance, and each was introduced. From Glen Perkins to Kent Hrbek, and Royce Lewis to Carlos Correa, the Twins had their bases covered. After fans were made aware of who was there, a select group of players took part in Family Feud and other on stage activities. That certainly gave fans something to watch, but it was the crowd that commanded the most attention. From the minute I walked in, there were people I wanted to talk with. Derek Falvey was near the door while both Tony Oliva and Paul Molitor were canvassing the general admission floor. On the upper level, I found myself having discussions with Dave St. Peter and Thad Levine, then the players began to filter in as well. With those not participating in the games on stage set out to mingle, there was conversation with everyone from Royce Lewis to Brooks Lee and regulars in between. As a no-autograph event, everything about the evening felt right. Yes there were fans looking for pictures with players, but it was certainly an exercise of baseball being the focal point. Whether discussing someone’s career, last season, or the one upcoming, having conversations focused on the diamond was truly a blast. Being able to sit back and enjoy the company of superstars as little more than regular people was quite a fun setting. Next year it would seem logical that this event will do a bit better. Although a few different Twins sources suggested being pleased with the turnout, there probably could have been better numbers with a bit more understanding of what to expect. When we see Twins Fest Live show up again in 2024, it would stand to reason that you may not have as much luck finding a ticket. Signature Saturday has its place if you’re looking for autographs or memorabilia, but I found myself viewing this event as the gem of the weekend. Please share your stories and experiences from the Twins weekend - from the Diamond Awards, to Twins Fest Live(!) to Signature Saturday. It's fun to talk baseball and have this space to share those stories, and photos, if you want. View full article

The Carlos Correa signing was a long time coming. No, not just in terms of a lengthy off-season where he agreed to terms with two other teams. But rather, the entire tenure of this front office has led to this move. Image courtesy of © Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports It’s easy to say that Carlos Correa fell onto the Twins’ laps, not once, but twice. But it’s worth examining the many roster developments that led to the club being able to have an opening on their lap to begin with. From dealing with a revolving door of stopgap shortstops, to injuries that dimmed the long-term outlook of the position and the creation of financial flexibility through trades and early extensions -- that long road led to this franchise-altering move. It’s the butterfly effect. If things had gone differently to the slightest degree, who knows if Correa and his family wind up in the Twin Cities on Wednesday, where the star shortstop signed a mega deal that will keep him in the fold for at least six more years. Each of the six seasons that led to Correa’s newly-signed contract followed a similar pattern with minor variations throughout. Finally, the front office’s efforts to create that financial flexibility aligned with the club’s needs and the availability of a star player. Let’s take a look at all the action (or inaction) that led to the Twins landing another franchise cornerstone. 2017 While Derek Falvey and Thad Levine officially took over as the heads of the Twins’ baseball operations department in the fall of 2016, this season was almost like a barometer for them. Instead of starting their tenures with a bang in free agency or via trade, they decided to mostly stand pat with minor or mostly-inconsequential moves. They also remained relatively quiet at the trade deadline. Maybe that’s due to a lack of confidence that an over-achieving team could make a serious run in the postseason, or maybe they genuinely didn’t like any of the offers they were getting for players like Brian Dozier, Byron Buxton , etc. The team miraculously made the playoffs but was taken down by the mighty New York Yankees yet again in a one-game play-in wild card game. While discouraged by how the season ended, spirits remained high and fans clamored for free agent reinforcements heading into the off-season. 2018 Again, the Twins’ front office decided to wait out the free agent market, signing Lance Lynn and Logan Morrison to cheaper, low-commitment deals. Then, in spring training, Jorge Polanco tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for the first half of the season. It’s a big blow to the team, as Polanco’s numbers in the second half of 2017 throttled the team to contention (.870 OPS, 130 wRC+). Falvey and Levine decided to hold back. They didn’t overreact by acquiring a long-term replacement, despite the fan outcry. Instead, the team rolled with a combination of Ehire Adrianza and Gregorio Petit (remember him?) until Polanco could return in July. Sadly, the team took a major step back from a record standpoint. Falvey and Levine finally got to see some action at the trade deadline, but not in the way many Twins’ fans would have hoped for. They traded away popular players such as Eduardo Escobar and Ryan Pressly in an effort to acquire current-day contributors such as Jhoan Duran, Jorge Alcala and Gilberto Celestino . 2019 Once again, the Twins waited out the free agent market, establishing a pattern that they follow to this day. Instead, they focused their attention on locking up their young talent to team-friendly extensions. This included Polanco, Max Kepler and Miguel Sano , who each landed multi-year deals that included team options at the end of the contracts. When the calendar flipped to 2019, they signed veteran power hitter Nelson Cruz to a modest one-year contract with a club option for the 2020 season. Besides that, they once again mostly took a back seat in free agency. Polanco provided excellent value at shortstop and even made his first All Star game appearance as the starter for the American League. However, he started leaking oil from a defensive standpoint in the second half of the season. Perhaps it was due to lingering injuries in his surgically-repaired ankle, but this was when it started to become clear that he probably was not going to be a long-term option at shortstop. 2020 This off-season was defined by one move that they made, and a few notable ones that they held off on. Sure, their noted interest in Zach Wheeler fell short when he signed a five-year, $118 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The club would certainly have had to pay far more to get him in a Twins uniform, but still, that contract looks rather enticing at the moment. Falvey and Levine also chose to hold back on a pursuit of Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel, who were popular names on Twins’ Twitter due to their availability as well as the club’s need for established arms. That decision to focus elsewhere proved to be wise, as Keuchel hit a wall in the second year of his eventual contract, and Kimbrel has been inconsistent. The Twins chose to instead wait and sign third baseman Josh Donaldson when his market didn’t develop as well as he hoped. The team went on to win the division but were once again swept from postseason play. The dagger ends up being a defensive error by Polanco at short, leading the team to fully transition him out of the shortstop position. 2021 The club made it clear that a new starting shortstop is the first item on their off-season shopping list. At one point, it looked like a three-horse race between free agents Andrelton Simmons, Marcus Semien and Didi Gregorius . They chose a one-year deal for Simmons, as not to block the heir apparent, Royce Lewis . Their top prospect, however, tore his ACL and had to sit out for the whole 2021 season, dimming the long-term outlook at the position. Simmons had a terrible season, and his tenure as a Twin is over after one year, just as planned. 2022 The Twins shipped Donaldson to the Yankees in an effort to unload a now-undesirable contract. Meanwhile, Correa remained unsigned coming out of the MLB lockout and the Twins still had an opening at short. In a move that took everyone by surprise, the Twins landed him on essentially a one-year deal with protections in case he gets injured. Once again, they waited out the market and this time the Twins got their biggest prize yet. Later on, Lewis re-tears his ACL in May, and Austin Martin starts getting more time at other positions due to doubts he can handle the shortstop position. The long-term outlook of the position is once again doubtful. At the culmination of the 2022 campaign, Correa opted out of his contract as expected. The Twins are left with a hole at shortstop, but now they have something they’ve worked to create for the better part of six years – financial flexibility. They are not bogged down by the contracts of yesteryear, and their team consists of young talent and older veterans that signed early extensions. Yet again, they wait out the market instead of springing for high-end players such as Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts . When Correa’s deals with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets fell through, that flexibility and patience led them to this tenure-defining transaction. View full article