A debate about how good the Minnesota Twins can be in 2024
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Minnie and Paul are fighting. Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Minnie and Paul, the characters who smile and shake hands at Target Field, don't always get along, much like the two cities they represent.
Why it matters: With the Twins season starting Thursday afternoon in Kansas City, Axios has learned that Minnie and Paul are at odds over how good the team will be this year. We asked them to hash it out.
Paul: This is the most excited I've been about the Twins in 20 years. They won the AL Central last year and notched their first playoff series win since Jesse Ventura was governor.
Minnie: You're such a homer, Paul. Did you miss the part where the team owning Pohlad family cut payroll by $30 million, even though they ended up taking the big local TV money from Bally Sports?
Paul: You're uppity, just like the residents of your city. The Twins are a shoo-in to win the division again.
- Nearly every one of last season's top players are back.
- It looks like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis are all healthy after injuries in 2023.
Minnie: I'm not surprised you're OK with mediocrity, Paul. But I want more. I want a parade on Nicollet Mall.
- If the Pohlads had spent that extra $30 million to sign ace pitcher Blake Snell, they'd be real contenders.
Paul: You're forgetting about all of the great young prospects who are playing at CHS Field in Lowertown this year. You probably don't know about them because you never cross the border.
- This year's St. Paul Saints team is stocked with good talent like Brooks Lee, David Festa and Austin Martin. They can help the Twins make a World Series run.
Minnie: Actually, I won't be able to visit CHS Field because Uber and Lyft are leaving my city, or at least they say they will.
St. Paul: Suckers. You ever heard of public transit?
Minnie: Listen, can we talk this out over beers at the ballpark? I will buy you a Fulton.
Paul: Make mine a Summit.