All Things 2026 Minnesota Twins In-Season Thread

[gopherbadgerman]

Sure. But long term they are similar market sizes etc. There's no way the Padres are worth double or more what the Twins are.

They currently are. You’re only worth what someone’s willing to pay.

 

[Ope3]

Not that much. Those trades are on Falvey, not the Pohlads. The Duran trade made sense. The Jax one was a coin flip. The Varland one was ridiculous.

Falvey intimated at the trade deadline he had his marching orders.

For one to think Joe Pohlad didn't have a hand in the Twins dealing their 5 best bullpen options is delusional.

 

[TNGophfan]

Falvey intimated at the trade deadline he had his marching orders.

For one to think Joe Pohlad didn't have a hand in the Twins dealing their 5 best bullpen options is delusional.

The biggest issue is we didn’t/don't have any real power arms ready to fill their spots. A bunch of low 90's finesse guys. That doesn’t work any more. Relief pitching in St. Paul and Wichita is bad too.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

The biggest issue is we didn’t/don't have any real power arms ready to fill their spots. A bunch of low 90's finesse guys. That doesn’t work any more. Relief pitching in St. Paul and Wichita is bad too.

They can convert starters and have already done so with Raya and I’m assuming Preilupp will follow as well.

Morris has some ability, but asking him to get three additional outs after 28 pitch/high stress 8 was poor managing.

 

[TNGophfan]

They can convert starters and have already done so with Raya and I’m assuming Preilupp will follow as well.

Morris has some ability, but asking him to get three additional outs after 28 pitch/high stress 8 was poor managing.

Agree on the managing part.

Not convinced Raya or Preilup will solve the problem. Hope I'm wrong

 

[gophersfan]

 

[Ope3]

The biggest issue is we didn’t/don't have any real power arms ready to fill their spots. A bunch of low 90's finesse guys. That doesn’t work any more. Relief pitching in St. Paul and Wichita is bad too.

I agree, but I don't think any of those 2025 Trade Deadline moves were made under the illusion that the Twins would be competitive in 2026.

Sale of the franchise was falling apart, local TV revenue decimated and 2027 Labor strife looming, the Orders from above Falvey were...Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell. Sell.

Dealing Varland seems to be the one outlier, where that may have been all Falvey.

Get prospects and hope whatever Labor Agreement yields a path to being in competitive. Option B, get the house in order to put the franchise on the market again, but actually cross the finish line with a sale.

 

[howeda7]

Falvey intimated at the trade deadline he had his marching orders.

For one to think Joe Pohlad didn't have a hand in the Twins dealing their 5 best bullpen options is delusional.

I'm sure they encouraged the trade of Correa. But the bullpen moves saved hardly any $$. Varland specifically saved none. That was not ordered by the Pohlad's. That trade is on Falvey.

 

[GopherVotary]

Regressing to the mean. Solid starts being wasted will likely be the common theme this year, until we shed starters at the trade deadline.

 

[Ope3]

Having followed MLB for well over half a century now, if I had to choose any Manager ever to run my club it's an easy choice.

Terry Francona.

Bruce Bochey would be a solid choice, but I think Tito has done more with less in both Cleveland and now Cincinnati.

 

[gophersfan]

 

[Ope3]

I'm sure they encouraged the trade of Correa. But the bullpen moves saved hardly any $$. Varland specifically saved none. That was not ordered by the Pohlad's. That trade is on Falvey.

I acknowledged Varland was probably all Falvey, just 1 post before which you probably didn't see. With him the Twins bullpen wouldn't be as bad, but it would still suck.

Duran got a raise as arbitration eligible to $7M Joe didn't want to pay that.

Jax got a raise as arbitration to $3.5 Joe didn't want to pay that.

That was significant headway to get to the $100M team total.

 

[howeda7]

I acknowledged Varland was probably all Falvey, just 1 post before which you probably didn't see. With him the Twins bullpen wouldn't be as bad, but it would still suck.

Duran got a raise as arbitration eligible to $7M Joe didn't want to pay that.

Jax got a raise as arbitration to $3.5 Joe didn't want to pay that.

That was significant headway to get to the $100M team total.

I don't buy that. If they were THAT concerned with payroll they'd have traded Buxton/Ryan/Jeffers/Lopez. The Pohlad's are cheap and not good owners. But they're not ordering the GM to trade relief pitchers because they make $3-7 million bucks.

They told him to dump Correa and trade the pending free agents. Falvey decided he wanted to tear down and start over. Maybe because he really believed it was necessary. Maybe because he thought it would buy him more time.

 

[Ope3]

They can convert starters and have already done so with Raya and I’m assuming Preilupp will follow as well.

Morris has some ability, but asking him to get three additional outs after 28 pitch/high stress 8 was poor managing.

The Blown Save undoubtedly deserves attention. Shelton indicated he kept Morris in there due to:

- 2 relievers not being available to pitch a 3rd day in a row.
- Liked the match-up against right handed hitters.

It's not just about the bullpen, IMO. Failed to tack on runs to extend the lead.

Also the Twins fielding is horrible. Just handed the Reds runs in the 10th.

 

[Ope3]

I don't buy that. If they were THAT concerned with payroll they'd have traded Buxton/Ryan/Jeffers/Lopez. The Pohlad's are cheap and not good owners. But they're not ordering the GM to trade relief pitchers because they make $3-7 million bucks.

They told him to dump Correa and trade the pending free agents. Falvey decided he wanted to tear down and start over. Maybe because he really believed it was necessary. Maybe because he thought it would buy him more time.

Falvey wanted to trade Buxton. Vetoed by Buck. No Trade clause.

I think they shopped both Ryan & Jeffers actively but didn't like the return, and hope they can get more in 2026.

Lopez was in the IL at the Trade Deadline. Non factor at the 2025 deadline.

 

[howeda7]

Falvey wanted to trade Buxton. Vetoed by Buck. No Trade clause.

What's your source on that?

I think they shopped both Ryan & Jeffers actively but didn't like the return, and hope they can get more in 2026.

Lopez was in the IL at the Trade Deadline. Non factor at the 2025 deadline.

Perhaps, but there's no indicating of that. Perhaps Tom was not on board with Derek's teardown plans and that's why he fired him.

 

[Ope3]

What's your source on that?

There were multiple reports in the media that Buxton would veto any trade, namely the Athletic and SKORNorth. The Mets & Braves were suitors.

Perhaps, but there's no indicating of that. Perhaps Tom was not on board with Derek's teardown plans and that's why he fired him.

Falvey was reporting to Joe when the moves were made.

Joe gone. Tom in. Falvey gone. The teardown had already happened.

Obviously Falvey and Tom weren't on the same page going forward. On multiple facets.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

There were multiple reports in the media that Buxton would veto any trade, namely the Athletic and SKORNorth. The Mets & Braves were suitors.

There were still stories percolating that the Mets still were after him this spring.

Falvey was reporting to Joe when the moves were made.

Joe gone. Tom in. Falvey gone. The teardown had already happened.

Obviously Falvey and Tom weren't on the same page going forward. On multiple facets.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Agree on the managing part.

Not convinced Raya or Preilup will solve the problem. Hope I'm wrong

To clarify, I didn’t/wasn’t saying that it would fix it, rather that is the methodology being employed which they have been discussing since the end of last season .

It worked well with Duran, Jax and Varland and they have power arms in the minors who profile better as relievers than starters, due to their injury history or lack of an MLB caliber 3/4 pitch.

If they were going to reload with quality pen arms, they would have done so in the offseason. If we were seriously in contention at the AS break, I could see them trading for a good RH reliever, as Rodriguez will be ready and Larnach/Wallner will need a new home.

This year is for evaluating the talent they have, so their roster construction is clearer moving forward. As @Ope3 said they didn’t envision being competitive this year, so viewing it from thst prism the preceding paragraphs make sense to me.

Fans can enjoy the process and look for bright spots, as I plan to or choose a different path.
I’m excited for the prospects and to see how they fair.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

The Blown Save undoubtedly deserves attention.

That’s the third blown save of the season; less than the Yanks & Dodgers and Jax already has 2.

Shelton indicated he kept Morris in there due to:

- 2 relievers not being available to pitch a 3rd day in a row.
- Liked the match-up against right handed hitters.

Still would have given it to Acton, but Morris gotta learn and we learn by doing and making mistakes.

It's not just about the bullpen, IMO. Failed to tack on runs to extend the lead.

I was thinking that down the stretch.

Also the Twins fielding is horrible. Just handed the Reds runs in the 10th.

IIRC Gleeman said we’re the worst infield statistically in the MLB.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

The METS have lost 11 in a row heading into Tuesday’s tilt in Queens.

 

[Ope3]

The METS have lost 11 in a row heading into Tuesday’s tilt in Queens.

Something has got to give.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Something has got to give.

Steve Cohen has a For Sale sign on the pitcher’s mound?

 

[howeda7]

We can't have nice things...

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

We can't have nice things...

Guessing that’s why Preilupp was put on the taxi squad as a precaution; my guess is he’ll take Able’s place in the rotation for now.

Must See TV

 

[Ope3]

We can't have nice things...

With the Phillies putting Duran on the IL list as well, advantage PUSH on that deal in the short term.

Strained Oblique for Duran is a much better prognosis than for Abel though, I presume.

 

[Ope3]

Tom Pohlad. Show me the money.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-twins-payroll-tom-pohlad-mlb-rank/601661789

 

[howeda7]

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Thst didn’t take long

Edwin Díaz to have surgery for loose bodies; Dodgers hope for second-half return

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will have surgery at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his elbow, the club announced before Monday's game against the Rockies. Díaz, who is expected to return during the second half of the season, was placed on the injured list on...

www.mlb.com

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will have surgery at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his elbow, the club announced before Monday's game against the Rockies.

Díaz, who is expected to return during the second half of the season, was placed on the injured list on Monday. In a corresponding move, the club recalled left-handed pitcher Jake Eder.

Díaz, 32, allowed three runs without recording an out on Sunday against the Rockies. On the season, he is 1-0 with a 10.50 ERA in seven games. The 10-year veteran is 29-36 in his career with a 2.91 ERA in 527 games. The three-time All-Star has 257 saves in 300 opportunities with 849 strikeouts.

“Today was a tough evaluation,” Roberts said after the outing against Colorado. “I know what it's supposed to look like, and when it doesn't look like that, it gets a little concerning, really. So, I'll have a conversation with him.”

Díaz's four-seam fastball has averaged from 97.2 to 99.1 mph over the last four seasons, but he was only averaging 95.7 mph so far this season, and he was as low as 92.8 mph on Sunday at Coors Field. He has only thrown six slower fastballs in his career.

Eder, 27, was acquired from the Nationals on April 1 for cash considerations. He has appeared in three games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing two runs. He pitched for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025, making eight appearances, going 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 18.1 innings. He made his Major League debut on September 17, 2024 as a member of the Chicago White Sox, allowing one run in two innings. The former Vanderbilt Commodore was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft by the Miami Marlins and has pitched in 72 Minor League games, going 10-29 with a 5.35 ERA and 356 strikeouts in 312.2 innings

 

[howeda7]

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