Twins autopsy: What went wrong, and what's ahead
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Do these two young Twins give you hope? Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
The faces of the people running the Minnesota Twins changed this year, but the results were largely the same: A late-season collapse took them out of the running for a playoff spot, just like 2024 and 2025.
Why it matters: As the Twins pack up their lockers after Sunday's finale, big questions remain about the future of the franchise.
Chief among them: Is Tom Pohlad, who wrestled ownership control of the team from his brother in December, willing to spend money to change the franchise's fortunes?
- The payroll this year was the team's lowest in a non-COVID season since 2014 and ranked 22nd of 30 teams.
Catch up quick: The Twins played competitive baseball into August, but a breakdown of their pitching staff — due to a mix of injuries to starters and under-investment in the bullpen — aided in the collapse.
Yes, but: A promising young core of players emerged, which should give fans some hope and will likely prompt calls for management to supplement the youth with higher-priced free agents.
- The lineup could be good next year. Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee appear to be solid building blocks and three uber-talented rookies — Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper and Emmanuel Rodríguez — showed promise in late-season action.
- On the pitching side, Taj Bradley looks like a high-end starter and Connor Prielipp and Mick Abel could be good complementary pieces in the rotation.
Plus: Former All-Star Pablo López should be back from elbow surgery.
Between the lines: There are still major needs in the bullpen and at first base.
- It's going to take some significant splashes in free agency to coax fans back to Target Field. Twins attendance ranked 25th of 30 MLB teams, even though the team was generous with ticket promotions and offered $2 beers before weekend games.
Zoom out: Looming over all of this is the league's collective bargaining agreement, which expires on Dec. 1 and could lead to a lockout that would delay team decisions — and maybe next year's season.
What we're watching: What Pohlad, as well as first-year manager Derek Shelton and general manager Jeremy Zoll, say about their offseason plans when they meet with the media this week.