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[Minnesota Twins]

Spring Training Game 26: Tigers at Twins

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

BBO (Big Bailey Ober) is on the mound.

First Pitch: 12:05 PM CT​

TV: None​

Radio: Audacy​

Just over a week away from Opening Day, we’re approaching “final tuneup” time for the starting pitchers. With Ober slated as the Twins third starter, he may not see game action again until the regular season. He’ll face a good chunk of Detroit regulars in Ft. Myers, while the Twins continue mixing up the infield around Carlos Correa as they search for Royce Lewis’ temporary replacement. Miranda gets the nod at third today with Edouard Julien getting the start at the keystone.

Lineups​

Twins:

P: Bailey Ober

1. Edouard Julien, 2B
2. Carlos Correa, SS
3. Byron Buxton, CF
4. Jose Miranda, 3B
5. Ty France, DH
6. Christian Vazquez, C
7. Harrison Bader, LF
8. Mickey Gasper, 1B
9. Austin Martin, RF

Tigers:

P: Matt Manning

1. Jahmai Jones, RF
2. Riley Greene, CF
3. Justyn-Henry Malloy, LF
4. Kerry Carpenter, DH
5. Colt Keith, 2B
6. Dillon Dingler, C
7. Zack McKinstry, 3B
8. Bligh Madris, 1B
9. Ryan Kreidler, SS

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/18/24388671/spring-training-game-26-tigers-at-twins

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Minnesota Twins Eccentricity & Ephemera: A Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 19)

Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images

Thome is my homie!

Rounds 1-18 Results:​

1. Herb Carneal
2. Tom Kelly
3. The Metrodome
4. Jack Morris
5. Win Twins Theme
6. Dick Bremer
7. Bob Casey
8. Target Field
9. Metropolitan Stadium
10. Judge Harry Crump
11. Paul Molitor
12. Dan Gladden
13. Ron Gardenhire
14. John Gordon
15. Star Tribune Sports Section
16. Nelson Cruz
17. Sue Nelson
18. Jim Thome

“Deep in Twins Territory, there’s a legendary story—’bout a man with an ox in the batter’s box, he hit one to Missouri”. Not only the line from a great commercial, but also pretty accurate in describing Jim Thome’s Minnesota Twins career. Though only a Twin for 11 active months, Big Jim christened Target Field and became an instant fan-favorite. Everyone loves the guy who hits massive home runs—especially in the Land of Harmon Killebrew—and it certainly helps to be as nice of a fellow as Thome is.

Next: Nothing—we’re down to the nitty-gritty! This is your last opportunity to get one more of these four eccentricities—a movie, a Bear, a blogger, & a transit system—on the list.

Little Big League red carpet (1994)

Little Big League​

• When the Baby Boomers starting getting nostalgic in the 1990s, baseball was on the tip of their cinematic tongues. In 1994, an art-imitating-life story of the woebegone Twins hit theaters. Filmed at the Metrodome and featuring the vocal talents of John Gordon’s “Wally Holland”, Little Big League and its adolescent Billy Heywood gave young Twins fans a dream scenario. Whether teaching us math or exploring baseball’s brand of humor, Little Big League remains an all-time classic in these parts.

TC Bear

TC Bear​

• When you attend a baseball game as a child, you aren’t concerned with stats or standings (okay, maybe I was, but I digress). You simply marvel at the grandness—sights, smells, sounds—of it all. It is very possible your first Minnesota Twins memory (even if you have trouble accessing it in grey matter folds) is high-fiving TC Bear in the Dome/Target Field concourse or observing his silly antics on the pregame field or atop the home dugout.

Photo Illustration by Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images
Blogger

Batgirl​

• By the mid-2000s, the times were a-changin’ in MN baseball journalism. With the rise of high-speed internet, Twins blogs (everybody wave!) began popping up all over the web. In that virtual Wild West, perhaps none were so influential as Batgirl. No, not Barbara Gordon—Anne Ursu of Minneapolis. From 2004-2007 her LEGO re-enactments, Boyfriends schtick, and hilarious snark carved out new ground in Twins coverage. Baseball didn’t have to be all grizzled, cigar-chomping beat reporters. Even without clubhouse access, fan coverage could be just as compelling—and almost certainly more entertaining!

Photo by Wayne Kryduba/Getty Images
Choo Choo!

Public Transportation​

• As it involves elected officials and taxpayer dollars, public transit is always a hot-button issue. But regardless of success/failure, Twin Cities public transportation has moved thousands of paying customers from home/work to Target Field. In my own experience: the Northstar Train served me in north and northwest Metro living stops. When in the south metro, I’d catch the Light Rail from MOA. From 2010-2018, I only drove-and-parked to a handful of Target Field outings. I have even taken a city bus from my grandparents’ home in Fridley to the ballpark! For folks who lack reliable transportation or loathe city gridlock, TC Metro Transit is a significant positive factor in baseball outings.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...-big-league-tc-bear-public-transit-train-rail

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Twins Top Ten Finale: All-Time Twins Lineup

Photo by Chuck Rydlewski/Getty Images

Wrapping It Up

Introducing “Twins Top Ten”​

Over the past few months, I’ve been taking a weekly look at the history of each position on the diamond and figuring out who is the best of the best since the franchise moved to Minnesota. This means that only players from 1961-on will be considered, but I will be taking into account their entire tenures with the franchise for those who moved along with the team. You can find prior entries in the series linked below. Bringing this to an end, we’ll be forming a lineup made up of the best of the best from each entry in the series.

• Starting Pitchers
• Relief Pitchers
• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Shortstops
• Left Fielders
• Center Fielders
• Right Fielders
• Designated Hitters

The Best Lineup in Twins History​

Let’s go around the diamond and look at the top guys from each list, along with their stats and what I’d written about them.

Starting Pitcher: Johan Santana (2000-2007)​

8 Years - 175 Starts - 35.8 bWAR - 141 ERA+ - 9.5 K/9 - 3.79 K/BB - 3x All-Star, 2x Cy Young

“Bert had a strong case for the top spot on this list, but ultimately it’s my list and so I’m giving the nod to my all-time favorite Twins pitcher. Johan Santana and his “Bugs Bunny” change-up put up three of the best pitcher seasons in Twins history- he should rightfully have a third Cy Young in his trophy case. As a whole, his rate stats blow everyone else on this list out of the water and had he been able to stay healthy for a few more years with the Mets, we may be talking about him as one of the best left-handed pitchers of all time.”

Relief Pitcher: Joe Nathan (2004-2011)​

7 Years - 460 Appearances - 18.4 bWAR - 204 ERA+ - 10.9 K/9 - 4.19 K/BB - 0.956 WHIP - 4x All-Star

“Number 1 on the this list, and the Twins All-Time Saves list, is the big Texan Joe Nathan. Nathan is 10th in saves in MLB history and was as dominant as anyone not named Mariano Rivera during his time with the Twins. Hall of Fame voting for relievers has always been tricky, and maybe Nathan doesn’t deserve the honor of being inducted, but the lack of consideration he got, much like with Johan Santana, personally offended me.”

Catcher: Joe Mauer (2004-2018)​

15 Years - 1858 Games - 55.2 bWAR - 124 OPS+ - 143 HR - 5.8 CS%AA - .996 Fielding % - Hall of Fame, MVP, 6x All-Star, 3x Gold Glover, 5x Silver Slugger, 3x Batting Champion

“Yes, he wasn’t able to stay at catcher his whole career. But it is Mauer’s production as a catcher that made him a first-ballot Hall of Famer this past summer. Peak Mauer is on the short list of best batters to ever play the position along with Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza, and his excellent defense sometimes is overlooked in historical arguments. The St. Paul kid and lifelong Twin gave fans a great guy and Hall of Fame player to root for throughout his 15-year career.”

First Base: Harmon Killebrew (1954-1974)​

21 Years - 2329 Games - 60.4 bWAR - 145 OPS+ - 573 HR - 18 SB - .992 Fielding % - Hall of Fame, MVP, 13x All-Star

“This comes as no surprise to anyone. Killer is one of the greatest home run hitters that MLB has ever seen, much less the Twins. The country-strong Idaho native was a Hall of Fame player and person, and an obvious choice for the best first baseman in Twins history. Everyone who knew him seems to have stories upon stories of what a great guy he was.”

Second Base: Rod Carew (1967-1978)​

12 Years - 1635 Games - 63.8 bWAR - 144 OPS+ - 74 HR - 271 SB - .973 Fielding % - Hall of Fame, MVP, Rookie of the Year, 12x All-Star

“Carew isn’t just the greatest second baseman in Twins history- he’s in the conversations for greatest Twin period, as well as being one of the greatest hitters in MLB history. The WAR leader for position players in team history is also the only Twin to be mentioned in a Beastie Boys song, and if that’s not an indication of greatness, I don’t know what is.”

Third Base: Gary Gaetti (1981-1990)​

10 Years - 1361 Games - 27.1 bWAR - 100 OPS+ - 201 HR - 74 SB - .965 Fielding % - 2x All-Star, 4x Gold Glover

The most decorated third basemen in Twins history deservedly earns the top spot on this list, mashing more home runs than any primary third bagger in team history while playing sterling defense at the hot corner and winning a World Series.

Shortstop: Roy Smalley (1976-1982, 1985-1987)​

10 Years - 1148 Games - 20.9 bWAR - 104 OPS+ - 110 HR - 15 SB - .964 Fielding % - All-Star

“Roy Smalley wasn’t spectacular, although he did approach it in 1978 and 1979. He was just really good, year in and year out, for a lot of years. Longevity with the stats to back it up? That’s an all-time Twin. Smalley was by all accounts a great guy, and served the organization for 22 years as a broadcaster before hanging up the headset this offseason. We wish the Greatest Twins Shortstop of All Time well wishes in his retirement!”

Left Field: Larry Hisle (1973-1977)​

5 Years - 662 Games - 17.2 bWAR - 127 OPS+ - 87 HR - 92 SB - 31 A - -1.9 dWAR - All-Star

“This was one of the toughest calls to make at the top of any of these lists. Mack and Hisle are essentially neck-and-neck, but Hisle’s superior power and speed numbers, along with the All-Star accolade, pushed him over the top. Hisle played an excellent stretch during some very mediocre Twins seasons.”

Center Field: Kirby Puckett (1984-1995)​

12 Years - 1783 Games - 51.1 bWAR - 124 OPS+ - 207 HR - 134 SB - 110 A - -0.3 dWAR - Hall of Famer, 10x All-Star, 6x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger, Batting Champion

“What can I say about Kirby that the long list of accolades doesn’t? He’s truly one of the greatest to ever play. He didn’t look the part, but he had every tool you’d want, and he delivered two World Series titles and a Hall of Fame career to the people of Minnesota.”

Right Field: Tony Oliva (1962-1976)​

15 Years - 1676 Games - 43.0 bWAR - 131 OPS+ - 220 HR - 86 SB - 70 A - -4.4 dWAR - Hall of Famer, 8x All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, 3x Batting Champion

“One of the most decorated players in franchise history, Tony O was one of the better pure hitters in MLB history. The Gold Glover held his own in the field as well, although debilitating leg injuries make you wonder what could’ve been had the DH position been introduced earlier in his career.”

Designated Hitter: Jason Kubel (2004-2011, 2014)​

8 Years - 798 Games - 7.7 oWAR - 110 OPS+ - 105 HR - 434 D.A.

“Jason Kubel was never a star, but his long tenure boosted him to the top of this list. He actually played more defense than DH, but he had more appearances at DH than any single defensive position. Kubel also has the second-best OPS against Mariano Rivera of any batter, including a landmark moment in my baseball-watching time when he walked him off with a Grand Slam. Check out this batting line:

5-9, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO, .556 BA, .600 OBP, .889 Slugging, 1.489 OPS

Let’s also not forget the important footnote that he is former and current Twin Michael Tonkin’s brother-in-law.”

That’s a pretty good-looking lineup. Realistically, the outfield and designated hitter slots would look different if you allowed some positional flexibility- think Kirby in Left, Torii in Center, and Tony O in Right with Kent Hrbek or Bob Allison filling the DH slot. Similarly, Carlos Correa would probably be my pick for “Best” Twins shortstop over Smalley, but it’s my belief that there’s more to consider when talking about “Greatest”, which is why Smalley got the nod originally. Five Hall of Famers at the top of the order with different, appropriate hitting profiles for each of their slots paired with a multiple-Cy Young-winning lefty and a closer who can slam the door would make this team the Dodgers unbeatable!

In any case, I hope you all enjoyed this offseason exercise as much as I did, and I’ve appreciated the comment section feedback throughout! Now let’s all get ready for Opening Day!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...mn-twins-top-ten-finale-all-time-twins-lineup

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Spring Training Game 27: Red Sox at Twins

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Someone will surely play third base for this team.

First Pitch: 5:05 PM CT​

TV: Twins TV​

Radio: WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy​

Royce Lewis is out for the foreseeable future and now Brooks Lee was scratched prior to first pitch with lower back tightness. Opening day is a week away and someone will have to start at third base for this team, and somehow it will all come back to Willi Castro. Today, however, it will be Jose Miranda. With Spring Training roster cuts underway, the Twins run out a lineup close to what we’ll see against lefties throughout the season against left-handed Sean Newcomb.

Lineups​

Twins:

P: Chris Paddack

1. Byron Buxton, CF
2. Carlos Correa, SS
3. Trevor Larnach, DH
4. Ty France, 1B
5. Jose Miranda, 3B
6. Matt Wallner, RF
7. Harrison Bader, LF
8. Christian Vazquez, C
9. Willi Castro, 2B

Red Sox:

P: Sean Newcomb

1. Jarren Duran, CF
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Masataka Yoshida, DH
4. Trevor Story, SS
5. Triston Casas, 1B
6. Twins Legend Rob Refsnyder, RF
7. Connor Wong, C
8. David Hamilton, 2B
9. Kristian Campbell, LF

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/20/24390532/spring-training-game-27-red-sox-at-twins

 

[Minnesota Twins]

I don’t know what to think about the 2025 Minnesota Twins

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Head-scratching, indeed

Usually, I can come into a fresh Minnesota Twins season with a finger on the pulse of the squad—underachiever, overachiever, or right-on-the-projections.

But for 2025, I truly have no idea how the Twins may perform. There are legitimate reasons for the campaign to go either way:

Reasons For Hope​

• The SP trio of Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, & Bailey Ober is in the top quartile of MLB. The likes of Simeon Woods Richardson, Chris Paddack, David Festa, & Zebby Matthews are all intriguing candidates for the rotation’s back end.

Photo by Matt Krohn/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Little Joe & Big Bailey

• If Brock Stewart’s comeback trail continues unencumbered, his pairing with Jhoan Duran & Griffin Jax (+ the surprising Cole Sands & a looks-to-now-be-a-true-reliever Louie Varland) would constitute a formidable late-innings bullpen.
• There is always the possibility that Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, & Carlos Correa play 120+ games together. If that happens, I say the Twins auto-win the division almost on that alone. Lewis’ recent hamstring malady does put this into doubt from the jump, but it seems to perhaps be less severe than last year’s quad injury on Opening Day.

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Please oh please oh please oh please...

• The ‘24 Twins were 70-53 on August 17 before the epic collapse. While no one can—or should—forget the bad taste that left, the fact remains that this looked to be a championship-competitive squad deep into the summer’s dog days last year.

If all—or even most—of those things break right, I believe the Twins will play in October.

Reasons For Concern​

• All that optimism over a potential ownership change? Poof—gone. Not that it won’t happen, but it doesn’t look as imminent as it did a month or so ago.

Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images
Pohlad ownership still cemented in place

• Though the Pohlads opened the billfold slightly more than last offseason, depth pieces like Ty France, Mickey Gasper, & Harrison Bader don’t exactly move the needle towards significant roster improvement.
• Health—always just health with this franchise. If multiple key cogs go down with medium-to-long-term injuries, there isn’t enough roster depth to stay afloat.
• The AL Central might just be a beast of a division now. Cleveland has the perennial pitching tree out back of Progressive Field, while the Royals & Tigers are now “tough series” as opposed to “get-right opportunities”.

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Tarik Skubal is gonna be a PROBLEM for Twins bats for years to come, it seems

If most of those break wrong, I could see the Twins on the outer fringes of the Wild Card.

So, flip a coin...shake a magic 8-ball...Ask Jeeves...consult your AI of choice. All those methods are as good as mine in predicting the final result of the 2025 Minnesota Twins.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...s-lewis-buxton-correa-wallner-lopez-ryan-ober

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Twins Opening Day Roster Projection: 1 Week to Go Edition

Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Royce Lewis’ injury shakes things up.

With a week to go until Opening Day, the Twins roster seems to be set in stone, with the only questions left being about specific roles. As a friendly reminder, Spring Training stats don’t really matter and any one of you could go pull up the Twins’ baseball reference page and see who’s performing best in the battle for the final 2-3 roster spots. They’re not completely irrelevant, but I find it’s more helpful to look at lineup configurations, opportunities given, and comments made by the coaching staff. Any changes from the previous update will be italicized in the top section.

Starting Pitchers​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Locks: Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson

In Contention: None

On the Outs: Louie Varland, Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Marco Raya, Travis Adams, non-roster invitees (Huascar Ynoa, Andrew Morris, Cory Lewis, Darren McCaughan, Randy Dobnak)

The top three SPs are as locked as locked can be. Paddack hasn’t performed well, but he will be in the Opening Day rotation unless he gets hurt or traded. If he’s struggling a few months into the season while others are tearing it up in St. Paul, we might have a different story.

With the recent round of roster cuts, the Twins solidified their rotation with only five true starters remaining in Big League camp. The more interesting question will be who is first up among Zebby and Festa whenever the Twins need their next starter, but hopefully we don’t have to find out the answer to that question for quite some time.

Bullpen​

Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Locks: Griffin Jax, Jhoan Duran, Cole Sands, Danny Coulombe, Jorge Alcala, Eiberson Castellano, Louie Varland, Brock Stewart

In Contention: none (for now)

Injured List: Justin Topa, Michael Tonkin, Matt Canterino

On the Outs: Kody Funderburk, non-roster invitees (Anthony Misiewicz, Scott Blewett, Alex Speas, Ryan Jensen, Erasmo Ramirez)

With injuries to Tonkin, Topa, and Canterino this week, the bullpen mix seems to be set. Topa is dealing with shoulder tightness, though the severity of it is unclear. Canterino, meanwhile, just can’t catch a break with yet another season-ending surgery. His stuff is electric, but he’s a new DFA candidate should the Twins need a 40-man roster spot.

The new injuries move Alcala, Varland, and Castellano to locks. Funderburk was demoted thanks to general ineffectiveness and the volume of relievers above him on the depth chart. Brock Stewart, meanwhile, looks to be healthier than expected and should be in the bullpen to start the season, though don’t expect him to carry a heavy load.

Castellano could get bumped if they work out a trade for him, but there’s been no such move thus far. His stuff looks good, but he needs to throw more strikes in order to be an effective long-relief man. If Castellano gets returned or optioned (with a trade), I would expect Scott Blewett or Randy Dobnak to earn a 40-man roster spot by default.

Infielders​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Locks: Carlos Correa, Willi Castro, Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vazquez, Ty France (sigh from previous post temporarily removed), Jose Miranda, Brooks Lee, Edouard Julien, Mickey Gasper

In Contention: None

Injured List: Royce Lewis

On the Outs: Jair Camargo, Diego Cartaya, non-roster invitees (Yunior Severino, Luke Keaschall, Armando Alvarez, Patrick Winkel, Alex Isola, Mike Ford)

With Royce Lewis missing the start of the season, all three of Lee, Julien, and Gasper are now locks to make the Opening Day roster. Gasper in a bench role, while Lee and Julien should be in the lineup most days as they cycle between various infield spots with Miranda and France. Should another injury occur in the next week, Austin Martin may see some time at second as well as Baldelli mixes and matches.

I also really like what Gasper brings to the table as a bench bat/pinch hitter against both righties and lefties who can also play catcher in a pinch. I projected him to be on the Opening Day roster before Spring Training and I’m sticking to my guns on that front.

Miranda has moved to a lock, though in retrospect he probably should have already been one. The 26-year-old doesn’t have anything left to prove in Triple A and will have plenty of opportunities for ABs. Mike Ford moves out of contention. He hasn’t been playing much, and when he has he’s been almost exclusively DH-ing out of the nine hole. Not what you want from a supposed power bat.

Outfielders​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Locks: Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Harrison Bader

In Contention: Austin Martin

On the Outs: Emmanuel Rodriguez, DaShawn Keirsey Jr., non-roster invitees (Jeferson Morales, Luke Keaschall)

No changes on the outfield front, though this group was already fairly set. Keirsey has looked very good in Spring action so far, but being a lefty holds him back. If the Twins bring another outfielder to St. Louis to start the season, it will be a right hander who can platoon with Larnach and Wallner. Emmanuel Rodriguez was never going to make the cut, but it would be nice to see him in Big League action before camp is over. The talented top-20 prospect has crushed at every level, but needs experience against high-end arms. He is currently recovering from an ankle sprain.

Full Roster Projection​

Competitions and spots up for grabs are italicized.

Starting Pitchers (5):

SP1: Pablo Lopez

SP2: Joe Ryan

SP3: Bailey Ober

SP4: Chris Paddack

SP5: Simeon Woods Richardson

Relief Pitchers (8):

CL: Jhoan Duran

RP1: Griffin Jax

RP2: Cole Sands

RP3: Jorge Alcala

RP4: Louie Varland

RP5: Brock Stewart

Lefty: Danny Coulombe

Long relief: Eiberson Castellano

Hitters

C: Ryan Jeffers

1B: Ty France

2B: Edouard Julien

3B: Brooks Lee

SS: Carlos Correa

LF: Trevor Larnach

CF: Byron Buxton

RF: Matt Wallner

DH: Jose Miranda

UTIL: Willi Castro

Bench C: Christian Vazquez

Bench OF: Harrison Bader

Bench: Mickey Gasper

---

SWR has locked in the final rotation spot. Lee starts at third (health allowing) while Julien gets to another chance to prove he can hit breaking balls. Gasper still hangs on to the final bench slot over Austin Martin. Gasper can play second or first decently well and may be able to catch some, while Martin is limited to exclusively outfield and may not even seen time in center with Bader on the roster. Between the four outfielders locked into roster spots and god-amongst-men Willi Castro, the Twins have plenty of outfield coverage already.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...ng-day-roster-projection-1-week-to-go-edition

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Brooks Lee, Brock Stewart Head to IL; Opening Day Roster Takes Shape

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

There appears to be a single roster spot up for grabs.

No more than two hours after I published my latest roster prediction piece, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported that both Brooks Lee and Brock Stewart will start the season on the injured list. In addition, Rule 5 draft pick Eiberson Castellano was informed he will not make the Opening Day roster, meaning he will either be returned to the Philadelphia Phillies or the Twins will have to arrange a trade to option him to St. Paul.

#MNTwins roster starting to take shape. Rule 5 pitcher Eiberson Castellanos has learned he won't make the team. Brock Stewart and Brooks Lee are starting the season on the IL.
Four players for three spots on position side.
One reliever job up for grabs.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 23, 2025​

Lee is dealing with lower back tightness, and given his lack of power due to a back injury last season, the Twins likely don’t want to rush him back. We are awaiting details on the severity, but I would assume this is more of an “abundance of caution” situation allowing him to completely recover before he returns. With Royce Lewis’ injury last week, Lee was expected to split time between second and third base, but Lee’s IL stint will push Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien into everyday roles. Mickey Gasper and Austin Martin should also be with the team in St. Louis on Thursday as bench players.

As for Stewart, he has recovered well from offseason shoulder surgery but experienced hamstring tightness earlier this week. He pitched against the Red Sox AAA team yesterday, but like Lee, the Twins don’t want to rush Stewart’s return given his injury history.

With Stewart hurt, Castellano demoted/returned, and Michael Tonkin already on the IL, there’s now a bullpen spot up for grabs. They have several veterans in camp between Scott Blewett, Huascar Ynoa, Randy Dobnak, and lefty Anthony Misiewicz (who I would expect to make the roster barring another move), but the Twins will certainly be scouring the waiver wire over the next week as other teams make their final roster cuts. If Castellano is, in fact, returned to the Phillies they will free up a 40-man roster slot that way, otherwise they could DFA Matt Canterino, who has thrown a grand total of 85 innings since being drafted in 2019 thanks to his own injuries.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...art-head-to-il-opening-day-roster-takes-shape

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Monday Morning Minnesota: The “Opening Weekend 2025” Edition

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

WAKE UP we have real baseball this week!

The Past Week on Twinkie Town:

• We’ve got spring training and regular-season games this week! Check out our Game Threads and join the conversation!
• Zach Koenig is onto Round 19 in his list of the quirky in Twins history!
• In another list that is sure to have zero controversy, Jonathan Gamble provides his opinion of the All-Time Twins lineup.
• In a preview of the start of the season, Zach Koenig doesn’t know what to make of this year’s version of the Minnesota Twins.
• Ben Jones provides his projection of the Twins Opening Day roster. Of course, all hopes were dashed as the Twins promptly put Brooks Lee and Brock Stewart on the IL to start the season.
• Matt Monitto takes a look at the tallest players in Twins history.

Elsewhere in Twins Territory:

• Matthew Leach at MLB.com, along with other beat writers, reported that the Twins have finalized their Opening Day roster, which includes Mickey Gasper and DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
• Phil Miller at the Star Tribune identifies the keys to a successful Twins’ season.
• Dan Hayes at The Athletic checks in on old friend Max Kepler, in his first spring training away from Fort Myers. ($)

In the World of Baseball:

• Alden Gonzalez as ESPN checks in on the newest executive in baseball - Buster Posey.
• Mike Petriello at MLB.com highlights baseball's most interesting and extreme batting stances.
• OH BY THE WAY OPENING DAY IS THURSDAY.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...ng-minnesota-the-opening-weekend-2025-edition

 

[Minnesota Twins]

The tallest players in Twins history

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

(hmmm... might have to turn this concept into an OOTP tournament...)

One last set of offseason posts before we hop into the 2025 Twins campaign, and one that, as I typed the subhead, I began to think might be a future OOTP tournament.

In recent seasons, the Twins have had a string of exceptionally tall players. One point constantly made when Bailey Ober reached the majors was his six-foot-eight frame, a point made only seasons after fans went giddy over 6’10” Aaron Slegers.

So let’s take a look at the six tallest players, all 6’8” or over, who have suited up in Minnesota. (Note that this is MLB only, so the late minor leaguer Loek Van Mil, at 7’1”, only gets an honorable mention.)

Bailey Ober, SP​

(2021-present)

The most recent and longest-tenured tall guy in Minnesota, Ober has become a rotation mainstay since his 2021 debut. Across the past two seasons, Ober has started 57 games to the tune of a 3.73 ERA and 3.88 FIP, with 337 strikeouts versus 72 walks. He’s in line to be the Twins’ #3 starter again this season behind Pablo López and Joe Ryan.

Trevor Megill, RP​

(2022)

Megill only pitched one season in Minnesota, appearing in relief in 39 games in 2022. Alas, those 39 games resulted in a 4.80 ERA (though a 3.29 FIP) with a 1.489 WHIP. Megill pitched the next two seasons for Milwaukee with much better results (3.11 ERA, 2.69 FIP, 1.160 WHIP) and is still under contract with the Brewers.

Aaron Slegers, SP/RP​

(2017-18)

Despite the hype, Slegers only pitched in eight games across his two seasons as a Twin, starting five. He transitioned to the bullpen across the next three seasons with the Rays and Angels, but a rough 2021 in Los Angeles (6.97 ERA, 5.62 FIP, 1.871 WHIP in 29 games) was his last season in the majors.

Alex Meyer, SP/RP​

(2015-16)

Acquired by the Twins from the Nationals for Denard Span, the 6’9” Meyer only pitched in four games for the Twins with one start before being traded to the Angels (along with Ricky Nolasco for Alan Busenitz and Hector Santiago). For his new team, he started 18 games over the following month and full season before exiting the league after injuries cut his LA tenure short.

Jon Rauch, RP​

(2009-10)

One of the two tallest players in MLB history (6’11”, along with the Giants’ Sean Hjelle, with a jersey on display at the Hall of Fame), Rauch was acquired by the Twins in 2009 and served as the team’s closer for the first half of 2010, setting a career high with 21 saves, before being replaced in that role by (shakes fist at heavens) Matt Capps. Overall, Rauch pitched in 71 games for Minnesota with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), spending his final three MLB seasons with (respectively) the Blue Jays, Mets, and Marlins.

Mike Smithson, SP​

(1984-7)

The first six-foot-eighter to suit up in a Twins uniform, Smithson started for the team for four seasons, leading the American League in starts in his first two years in Minnesota (36 and 37, respectively). However, his ‘86 and ‘87 seasons saw a downturn in play, his ERA, FIP, and WHIP all rising, and he was left off the World Series roster.

That’s it for the tall fellas. Come back soon for the short gents.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...-or-taller-jon-rauch-advantage-on-dating-apps

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Minnesota Twins Eccentricity & Ephemera: A Twinkie Town Definitive List (Wrap-Up)

Bear-ly sneaking in

Final Results:​

1. Herb Carneal
2. Tom Kelly
3. The Metrodome
4. Jack Morris
5. Win Twins Theme
6. Dick Bremer
7. Bob Casey
8. Target Field
9. Metropolitan Stadium
10. Judge Harry Crump
11. Paul Molitor
12. Dan Gladden
13. Ron Gardenhire
14. John Gordon
15. Star Tribune Sports Section
16. Nelson Cruz
17. Sue Nelson
18. Jim Thome
19. TC Bear

Coming in just under the wire, TC Bear rounds out our list of Minnesota Twins eccentricities & ephemera. Whether interacting with children, dancing on the dugout, or depositing spheres in the old Metrodome softball HR contests, the anthropomorphic Ursidae never fails to draw smiles all-around.

A few observations from the poll series overall…

Honorable Mention​

• Little Big League, Batgirl, & Public Transportation all fell a bit short. Nevertheless, they remain key components of the MN Twins experience!

Photo by Wayne Kryduba/Getty Images
MN Light Rail

We Love Our Voices/Music​

• The likes of Herb Carneal, Dick Bremer, Bob Casey, John Gordon, Sue Nelson, & the Win Twins Theme immediately won their weeks. Twins Territory often consumes baseball from dock radios or cabin TVs, so the auditory affection makes sense.

We Still Adore Our Champs​

• Championship-winning Twins figures like Tom Kelly, Jack Morris, & Dan Gladden out-paced the likes of Paul Molitor & Ron Gardenhire. As we learned in last year’s Definitive Twins polling, the ’87 & ’91 guys still hold hearts and minds for the joy they brought to these parts.

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Forever favorites

Dome Sweet Dome​

• Despite paling in comparison to the charm of Metropolitan Stadium or the beauty of Target Field, Hubert H. Humphrey’s palace reigned supreme in the ballpark sweepstakes. Probably what happens when you combine quirkiness with Dome Dogs and championships—sight lines, lime turf, & white roof be damned!

Killebrew Clones​

• With slugger Harmon Killebrew the #1 figure in Twins legend & lore, it should come as little surprise that similar strongmen Nelson Cruz & Jim Thome made the cut. Big flies play well in the Land of 10,000 Lakes Rakes.

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Watch for Boomstick at the Home Opener!

A big thank you to everyone who participated in this poll series! I already have ideas (Washington Senators history, best single moments, etc.) for the next go-round. But that can be put aside for REAL HONEST-TO-GOODNESS BASEBALL RETURNING IN TWO DAYS!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...cot-real-baseball-is-almost-back-and-im-ready

 

[Minnesota Twins]

The shortest players in Twins history

There’d have been many more if I’d included ex-Senators.

After going over the tallest Twins, the obvious complement is to review those of shorter stature. (As a short guy myself — five foot three — I’m rooting for this team.)

Kirby Puckett, arguably the greatest player in Twins history, was 5’8”, as is current catcher Christian Vázquez. So let’s knock off an inch and only go over those five-seven or shorter.

(In fact, all players below are 5’7”, meaning that AAA prospect Payton Eeles, at 5’5”, could become the shortest player if he cracks the big club.)

Jackie Collum, SP/RP​

(1962)

The only pitcher on this list, Collum pitched from 1951 to 1958 before being out of the bigs for three seasons. Upon joining Minnesota, he only pitched in eight games for the Twins with an 11.15 ERA over 15.1 innings before the team traded him to Cleveland in August. He made one appearance for his new club, his last in the majors, allowing four hits and two runs in 1.1 innings.

Sergio Ferrer, IF​

(1974-75)

A backup infielder, Ferrer appeared in 56 games over his two seasons in Minnesota. At the plate, he was good for speed and little else regularly, slashing .261/.322/.326 before being traded to Philadelphia after the 1975 season. Ferrer only played two more seasons in the majors, spending 1978 and ‘79 with the Mets and appearing in 49 more games. Of his 43 career hits, four were triples.

Jarvis Brown, OF​

(1991-92)

Brown spent his five-year career as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner, starting with the team that drafted him in the first round: Minnesota. He debuted in 1991 and is probably best known for being the player Gene Larkin pinch-hit for in the final at-bat of that year’s World Series (Brown had pinch-run for Chili Davis in the ninth inning). Across his two seasons in Minnesota, Brown only tallied nine hits, ending his career with 46 tallies and a .203/.303/.282 slash line; he later coached in the organization.

Quinton McCracken, OF​

(2001)

Only 24 games of McCracken’s 12-year career came as a member of the Twins. In those games, he came to the plate 70 times, netting 14 hits and five walks. McCracken still spent five more years in the majors, ending his career with 999 games played.

...now to figure out how to OOTP-tournament all this. In the meantime, we’ve got a season to watch and a team to cheer for.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...or-lower-dont-want-no-short-people-round-here

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Randy Dobnak challenges Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra to Opening Day Uber-off

Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images

One last bit of satire to close out the offseason.

Baseball fans, particularly those in the Bronx, witnessed a heartwarming moment when Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra was informed he’d made the Opening Day roster, set to make his big league debut at 29.

Heartwarming for most, at least.

“So now New Yorkers are happy an Uber driver’s made the majors,” Randy Dobnak said on Tuesday.

Twins fans well remember Yankee Stadium denizens taunting Dobnak with chants of “U-ber! U-ber!” during his Game 2 playoff start in 2019.

“Look, it’s not J.C.’s fault fans are cheering his story now. It’s great that another one of us is in The Show,” Dobnak said. “But there’s only one solution.”

That solution will be a two-day automotive battle, as Dobnak and Escarra compete to complete the most successful ride share trips during their identical 1,140-mile trips from their spring training complex to the field where they’ll suit up for the opener: Yankee Stadium for Escarra, and Busch Stadium where the Twins are on the road.

“Yeah, he’s got Atlanta and Nashville on 75, so he might have the population advantage,” Escarra said. “But if he tries to make a run in Atlanta, he’s spending an extra day on the road.”

Dobnak, named to his second career Opening Day roster (2021 was his first), dismissed Escarra’s worries.

“Whatever I might lose in Atlanta, he’s losing more with the traffic and tolls on 95,” he said.

As this article is released, both players are reportedly out of Florida, eager to escape the state as quickly as possible regardless of potential fares to be earned.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...to-opening-day-uber-off-five-stars-difficulty

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Game I: Twins @ Cardinals

Low-res here, but always vividly sharp in our hearts. | AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

The circle of baseball life continues anew. Or the diamond. Pick your geometric shape.

First pitch: 3:15 Central​

Weather: National Weather Service now gutted, conservative Christian meteorologist Paul Douglas thinks this is insane, low 60s if we can trust this stuff anymore​

Opponent’s very good SB site: Viva El Birdos​

TV: The Crypto MGM Grand Online Sure Bet Network sponsored by Apple Roku Paramount Extended TV Plus in conjunction with Draft Kings Premium Play​

Radio: Not yet banned for being free but I’m sure they’re working on it (you can click on the link to find radio stations in your area)​

Hello, you fellow boogerheads. Alas, my enthusiasm for the Twins, this season, is... not much more than the level of interest I have in the Westminster Dog Show, or which bot wins the Oscar for Best A.I.-Generated Screenplay in 2035. Or which bot wins Westminster in 2035 for Best CyberDog, for that matter.

Manfred’s expansion of the playoffs has made the regular season practically meaningless to me, and while I was glad the Twins won one ALDS game in 2023, they did so in 2003, also. By my count, that’s two REAL playoff single game wins in the last 22 years. So color me unenthused.

This will be the first season in about 22 years where I didn't buy a baseball video game. I just don’t have time to play them. I’m more focused on watching offbeat library things like a 1925 documentary (which was really good, by the way) and writing about them. I wanna make use of my library before they all die. The library is the last place where you can watch whatever they have and whatever you want to see, without the streaming services deciding what’s forgotten and what isn't.

Some decades ago, I forget exactly when, I read a “letter to the editor” in the Strib that essentially boiled down to the following:

“If a streetlight is built in my neighborhood, that serves everyone. But too much government spending goes to things which serve special interests. I don’t need libraries; I buy books on Amazon. I pay for my children to attend private schools; I should not have to pay twice for other children to attend public schools. I pay for vacations to places that interest me; I do not see why we need state parks I don’t want to visit.”

Yup. And that mindset has, now, triumphed utterly. Probably permanently.

And, by the way, when I saw my doctor two weeks ago, she said even high-priced insurance plans were denying coverage left and right. Denying coverage for things like generic drugs. So much so, she contacted the state Attorney General’s office.

Which was smart -- I like her, even if she’s a former Marine who runs marathons, everybody’s gotta have a hobby -- but I don't think it will accomplish much, in the end.

That “who cares if people poorer than me have anything” mindset is coming for us all. Just some of us faster than others.

I’ll still be into whatever weirdness baseball inevitably offers, that stuff's always great. But I'm not excited about this. I’m more focused on when (not if) our Immortal God Emperor Overlords will kill Mrs. James’s Medicare. It’s a matter of time. Good thing that once you’ve had a stroke, you're immunized against having another! That’s how it works... right? Right.

So, our starting pitchers today...

Sonny Gray is a total unknown to me, and I think he’s Kevin Slowey using a fake name. Pablo López thinks he knows how to fly jets. 2024 digits:

Do the Cardinals want more public stadium money? Who doesn’t! Maybe they can draw enough fans this year to keep hot dog vendors from struggling.

Incidentally, this is a fun read by George Bowles at Viva El Birdos, where he quotes beatnik author Ken Kesey on baseball:

“Spring training might not count for much in the big scheme of things, but watching these men work, watching them fight against the cold reality of their own doubts, it makes you believe. And maybe that’s what spring training is really about - not the numbers or the stats, but the hope that rises like steam from the morning Jupiter grass, telling us that baseball, real baseball, is just around the corner.”

Bowles seems like a neat guy. Probably wouldn't hang out with me, but that’s alright, I don’t always want to hang out with me, either.

And while I don’t agree with having any hope, for anything, if some of you do, that’s OK, too.

GOTWINSGO!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...ening-day-pablo-lopez-sonny-gray-byron-buxton

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Cardinals 5, Twins 3: Nootbaar had fun, López did not

This is how you get bugs in your mouth, Lars. | Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images

His name is Lars, he hits balls fars

Pablo López continues his struggles of late last season and early this spring. Cardinals LF Lars Nootbaar, who is very good at getting on base, does that plus more. Inning-by-inning notes:

1: I keep forgetting Matt Wallner is One Of Us, from Forest Lake. You know what else is from Forest Lake? NOTHING. I mean it. I looked up “things to do in Forest Lake” and a tourist website suggested that you gotta dine at a Keys. We have those here. and less mosquitos. Screw Forest Lake.

Chewy nougaty Lars Nootbaar gets a leadoff single and a balk to second so the Twins already suck this year, surprising me NOT AT ALL. He will score, and the Twins will lose, and everything stinks including Forest Lake. Not the Browns 1-0

2: Trevor Larnach has battled turf toe, which is not a painful injury caused by sprained foot muscles. It’s when you don’t wash your feet for months and they turn green. He should wash them, but he thinks the smell is Pheromonal.

Anyhoo he gets a hit. So does Ty France, his first since 2022. (Not really, but he wasn’t hitting much the last few years). Then Willi Castro walks. Bases loaded!

What do you think happens? It happened. I’m not gonna describe it because I got bored describing it last year. Anyways this team sucks like Forest Lake.

Unfortunately, López commits a lousy error. Happily, it doesn’t matter, since it only advanced the guy one base, and Nootbaar hit a dang homer anyways. Pujolios 3-0

3: Wallner fails again. Someone on a Forest Lake “review site” wrote: “Horrible, It horribly cold and we never get snow days. Its extremely unfair. The school is under construction and nothing is working.” Yeah! F U FOREST LAKE

Leadoff Cardinal gets another hit, because López met a kid in the hospital and asked him what he wanted, and the kid said “please be really terrible your first game, my Daddy has money on it and we can’t afford chitlins.” López hates hospital children but is pitching terrible anyways, Musials 4-0

4: The Twins strike out like a guy trying to dance with a beautiful woman, and woo her and sweep her off her feet, when she’s smart and funny and everything he’s ever dreamed of, but he’s got no shot because he’s from Forest Lake.

5: Runs! For the Twins! Courtesy of... Harrison Bader? Who? He was a Cardinal from 2017-2022. Per Wiki: “He is the first cousin of Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio, as well as a first cousin once removed of actor Scott Baio.” When he lived in St. Louis, he teamed with Sonic (a fast food chain) to sell “Bader Tots,” which were tater tots covered with chili, cheese, ranch, onions and jalapenos. Mmm! Anywyas he hits a homer with his chili tot fart power. Dizzy Deans 4-2

6: Two Twins on and Ty France almost doubles them home except for a fantastic catch by Victor Scott II.

I choose to pronounce his name “Wikktor” like Cloris Leachman in Young Frankenstein and if he doesn’t like it then he can send me a pony and I’ll stop.

Willi Castro knocks one of the runners in. It’s closer!

It’s time to see the new, improved Louis Varland? He switched to full-time reliever in September last year, with mixed results. He throws pretty hard, and escapes a jam of his own devising. Ozzie Smiths 4-3

7: Barely-past-rookie-status Chris Roycroft shuts the Twins down like they’re the only decent restaurant in Forest Lake... which would be the Keys, I guess. The very polluting Cole Sands does his job for Minnesota.

8: Trevor Larnach wants to try, so he gets on, and barely-still-rookie DaShawn Keirsey runs for him, and steals second. But the Twins can’t score, which means they’re facing Ryan Helsley next inning, and RosterResource lists him as the #2 reliever in baseball, even if his last name is spelled annoyingly. Uh-oh.

Griffin Jax gives up his first homer of the season. More uh-oh. At least it’s by Nelson Arenado, who was the subject of a zillion trade rumors in the offseason. So he gets a curtain call moment. That’s kinda nice! This inning continues for 100 frickin’ hours, but the Cards don’t make it any more than 5-3

9: no

Per Atteberry, the Cardinals fans booed the team’s GM when he was introduced in pregame ceremonies. I LIKE that idea. We should do that! Home opener next Thursday...

Studs of the Game: Harrison Bader, I guess. Duds: López so far this spring, Twins front office so far since they started the job

Comment of the Gamethread goes to imakesandwichesforaliving for “‘First “This Day in Twins History” on the radio for this regular season is the death of Bob Casey. Is this foreshadowing?’” Yes.

No game tomorrow, so the Twins can dwell on what it’s gonna be like to be more pointless than Forest Lake all dang year. Saturday has Joe Ryan and Erick Fedde going at 1:15.

Thanks to everyone on the gamethread, see ya next time!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...d-fun-lopez-did-not-lars-nootbaar-pablo-lopez

 

[Minnesota Twins]

2015 begins: A new hope—or same old disaster?

Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Uh oh

By 2015, frustration with the Minnesota Twins had reached levels not seen since the late-90s. Target Field was still lovely—but no longer bursting at the seams after four consecutive losing seasons.

Yet, 2015 also brought hope—a regime change, new skipper, and return of an old friend portended positivity! But when the games started to matter: disaster.

The Twins opened ‘15 on a chilly, 52-degree Detroit day—and ran into a David Price (8.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER) buzz saw. Insult to injury: Joe Nathan retired one batter for the Tiger save.

Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Gut punch

Phil Hughes struggled—as per the fates—with the gopher balls (one apiece to J.D. Martinez & Alex Avila) and DET cruised to a 4-0 victory.

Oh well—get ‘em tomorrow when an ace isn’t on the mound.

Still optimistic

Alas, tomorrow was yesterday—and even worse. Four measly hits was MIN’s offensive tally, while the Tigers erupted for an 11-0 laugher.

Ricky Nolasco struggled—as per the fates—with, well, everything (3 IP, 6 ER) while Tim Stauffer (1.2 IP, 2 ER) provided the opposite of “relief”.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
The Nolasco Walk of Shame (TM)

Hmmm—let’s not get swept in Series #1 under Paul Molitor.

One victory was achieved in the finale—that being Kennys Vargas driving in new 1B Joe Mauer with the season’s first MN run. But Kyle Gibson (3.2 IP, 6 ER) was even worse—sorry T.J.—than Hughes & Nolasco and Detroit brought their brooms in a 7-1 victory.

My sarcasm meter was off the charts

If you are counting at home: 27 innings into 2015 the Twins had put one cleat on home plate and were 0-3.

Chicago’s South Side was the second stop of the ‘15 tour, and while it produced a win (yippee!) it was another series loss.

This is what emotional spiraling looks like, folks

At long last, the Twins returned to downtown Minneapolis to try and right the ship. I was amongst the 40,123 paying customers on that beautiful 62-degree afternoon and when Brian Dozier & Vargas traded doubles in the first inning things seemed to be looking up.

In the house!

They were not.

Before one could consume a hot dog and beverage, the visiting Kansas City Royals opened their offensive onslaught and never stopped. Pounding out 13 hits, the KC crew mauled starter Trevor May (5.1 IP, 5 ER) & Stauffer again stunk (1.2 IP, 2 ER).

The end result: 12-3 Royals.

Photo by Wayne Kryduba/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Not even Home Opener energy could stop this slide

Though the phrase “total system failure” had not yet been coined by Twins ownership, it could have applied to the first week of 2015 action. All signs pointed to another summer slog at 1 Twins Way after the 1-6 start.

Would the slide continue—or would the Twins turn things around under Molly & Torii? Keep reading this summer to find out!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...-kansas-city-royals-target-field-opener-mauer

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Twinkie Town Season Preview Roundtable

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

All of your favorites here to preview another magical Twins season.

Welcome to Opening Day! As always, we will have our game thread up this afternoon to make predictions about the rest of the season based off a single game, but now you can read our predictions before a single game is played. All your favorite Twinkie Town writers have pitched in their thoughts. Leave yours as well!

---

Who will be the Twins’ best hitter in 2025?​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Ben Jones: Everyone who answered this question below is a coward except for Matt (just kidding everyone, go C4). Byron Buxton and Matt Wallner tie for the best wRC+ on the team but Byron’s defense puts him ahead by WAR and he finishes second in AL MVP voting behind Julio Rodriguez.

Zach Koenig: Carlos Correa—I still think he is the best overall hitting talent on this roster.

John Foley: It needs to be Carlos Correa, but with more volume than he’s been able to provide the past two seasons. Correa was excellent last season (155 wRC+), but in only 86 games. If the Twins are going to compete for the AL Central in 2025, getting strong production and availability from Correa will be a key factor.

Tawny Jarvi: Whichever of Buxton/Lewis/Correa is allowed to have bones this year. I’m gonna go with Correa.

Jonathan Gamble: I’m predicting a healthy season from Carlos Correa where he returns to his 2022 form and leads the Twins’ offensive attack.

Matt Monitto: Ryan Jeffers comeback season.

Brandon Brooks: By raw OPS alone, it’s Matt Wallner’s time to shine, although Carlos Correa’s more well-rounded profile will make him the team leader in WAR as well as the only Twins hitter at the All-Star Game.

Who will be the Twins’ best pitcher in 2025?​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Zach Koenig: Pablo Lopez. Joe Ryan may take some time to knock the rust off from last year and I’m just not sure Big Bailey will ever have the A-1 ace ceiling like Pablo has shown.

John Foley: Joe Ryan will continue his ascent to the front of the Twins’ rotation. Like Correa, Ryan was excellent (3.44 FIP) in 135 innings last season. Moreover, how he got there showed important signs of growth, including more confidence and trust in using his secondary pitches and the addition of a sinker to run into the hands of right-handed batters for weak contact. All the pieces are there for Ryan to deliver a ~5 win season.

Tawny Jarvi: I’m a Joe Ryan believer. This is mostly a vibes based pick, but I always feel like he’s on the precipice of taking it to a new level.

Jonathan Gamble: If Joe Ryan can stay healthy, I think he’ll take the next step and surpass Pablo Lopez as the ace of the staff. Bailey Ober doesn’t have the upside that either of those guys have, but watch out for him to potentially put up the best numbers on the staff if he takes a step forward with his consistency.

Matt Monitto: Time for everyone to learn Bailey Ober’s name...

Brandon Brooks: This strikes me as the potential career year for a healthy Joe Ryan. I do think we will see some positive regression from Pablo, as well as high potential out of the pen, but it feels like the time for Joe to realize his ceiling and put together six months of excellence.

Ben Jones: We once again have a strong consensus on this question, but I’ll break with the others and say Pablo Lopez. Historically a slow starter, this year he’s off to the races from the jump.

Who will be their breakout star?​

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Zach Koenig: This might be more “me really REALLY wanting it to happen”, but I’ll go with Matt Wallner hitting 35+ home runs and avoiding the unplayable whiff stretches.

John Foley: I expect Louis Varland to acclimate well to a high-leverage relief role, and there are few things fans love more than a new lock-down reliever.

Tawny Jarvi: Wallner might be a cop out choice, but he’s probably the most likely Twin to evolve into a player talked about on the national stage.

Jonathan Gamble: Matt Wallner very quietly had nearly a .900 OPS in 2024, but he was very streaky. A step forward with his consistency, and he could make some headlines.

Matt Monitto: ...and how to spell Simeon Woods Richardson’s. (No hyphens, people)

Brandon Brooks: As perhaps the foremost Julien truther on the staff, I think we could see Eddy make all the necessary adjustments from a difficult 2024 and become an /r/baseball darling if they remember the Twins exist.

Ben Jones: Who am I to argue with Rocco Baldelli who called Wallner one of the five best hitters in baseball?

Who will be the Twins’ second best reliever?​

Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Note: this question assumes Griffin Jax will be number one, but will Duran’s diminished velocity/stuff allow him to still be in the upper tier or will someone else surpass him?

Zach Koenig: I’ll stick with Duran and hope he can learn to “make do with 98-100” as opposed to be old max-effort 104 or bust.

Ben Jones: I think we’re all forgetting how strong Cole Sands looked last year. I think Duran’s demise is overblown, but he needs some time to figure out how to get his curveball back to 2023 levels.

John Foley: Jhoan Duran. A bit lost last season was that Duran dealt with some misfortune in small samples, in addition to the early season injury and potentially related mechanical issues. His .321 batting average allowed on balls in play (BABIP) was elevated, and his strand rate was just 61.5%. At the same time, he cut down on the walks that plagued him in 2023 and kept the ball on the ground. He might not quite be the overwhelming force that he was as a rookie, but the implications about Duran beginning to decline seem premature to me.

Tawny Jarvi: Louie Varland. He’ll do it quietly and no one will realize he was the second best until we start writing “was Louie Varland the second best reliever for the Twins????” think pieces in like January.

Jonathan Gamble: I believe in Duran, even if his velocity doesn’t quite rebound. He’s still a flamethrower and he’s gotten by on pure stuff to this point; I expect him to come into this season with a more refined approach on the rubber.

Matt Monitto: Let’s go with Danny Coulombe and the lefty love.

Brandon Brooks: This is Duran’s to lose, and I think he will calm some heads by returning to action with a slightly adjusted pitch mix.

What will be the Twins’ final record?​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Zach Koenig: 79-83; I’m really nervous and discouraged by the ownership inactivity and the injuries piling up already. Plus, I’m higher on the upside with the Tigers & Royals than the projection systems.

John Foley: 85-77

Tawny Jarvi: It’s hard to feel like good things can happen on this earth, and the Pohlads still owning the team combined with trying to pick our most “impactful” roster addition feeling like trying to pick my favorite brand of bran flake isn’t doing my pessimist brain any favors. Still, I’ll try force out a little positivity. 83 Wins. 83 Wins is all I can spare for you.

Jonathan Gamble: 88-74

Matt Monitto: Starship’s No Protection, 12” vinyl. (83-79, but somehow a Wild Card spot)

Brandon Brooks: 89 wins. Will that be enough for the division? Something tells me no, and that the predictions for four teams congregating around 85 wins will not bear out. I do think this division will produce a champion with greater than 92 wins, though I don’t think that stands to be us.

Ben Jones: 90-71. You may realize that doesn’t add up to 162 but you’ll have to wait for my bold prediction to hear the rest.

Predict the final AL Central standings​

Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Ben Jones: Twins, Tigers, Royals, White Sox, Guardians

This Cleveland lineup is one Jose Ramirez injury away from being White Sox-esque. The rotation is sneakily bad behind Tanner Bibee and the remnants of Gavin Williams’ UCL. Emmanuel Clase was incredibly lucky last year. Also they traded their second- and third-best position players essentially nothing. If the Guardians have no haters, I’m dead.

Zach Koenig: Detroit, Kansas City, Cleveland, Minnesota, Chicago

John Foley: Guardians 88-74; Royals 86-76; Twins 85-77; Tigers 83-79; White Sox 51-101

Tawny Jarvi: 1st place: Royals. They seem very strong this year. 2nd place: Twins. 3rd place: Guardians. You literally can not count them out any season. 4th place: Tigers, but only because I forgot about them until now. 5th Place: White Sox because you all know why. AL Central is gonna be really strong and the difference between the top four will probably be very thin, and I bet we’ll see 3 AL Central teams in the playoffs.

Jonathan Gamble: Twins, Royals, Guardians, Tigers, White Sox

Matt Monitto: Royals-Twins-Guardians-Tigers-White Sox

Brandon Brooks: Guardians, Twins, Royals, Tigers. The Twins will manage to sneak into the sixth seed as the only Wild Card from the division. None of the sexy Royals/Tigers picks will bear much fruit and both teams will be “hurt” by nonlinear development. The White Sox will also be present.

Bold prediction time!​

Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images

Zach Koenig: In May, my two brothers and I are going to Seattle to see Twins/Mariners. Then, we are venturing into Canada to see the town (Hope, BC) where large parts of First Blood were filmed. After we cross the border, a USA/CAN skirmish breaks out and we have to fight our way back into America Rambo-style (ironically).

John Foley: Bailey Ober is recognized as an All Star.

Ben Jones: The Twins end with 161 games played because of a cancelation vs the Tigers which ends up deciding the division. MLB tries to reschedule that game for the end of the season a la Mets-Braves last year, but Javy Baez accidentally injured so many Tigers (via thrown bats after strikeouts, of course) that they can’t field a full team. No clue why the initial game got canceled though. What do you think I am, a fortune teller???

Jonathan Gamble: The Twins will shatter the modern-day HBP record. Willi Castro, Matt Wallner, and Ryan Jeffers led the team to the franchise record last season; the addition of Ty France will push this team past the 116 HBP’s of the 2024 Mariners. France holds the individual Seattle franchise record.

Matt Monitto: During a 17-2 loss on a gray afternoon in late May, Joe Pohlad insists on pinch-hitting. He gets beaned, forgets why he wants to run the team, and sells the club the next day.

Brandon Brooks: Enamored by his petting zoo experience, Edouard Julien is dubbed “The Llama” by Ryan Jeffers and begins spitting and sticking his tongue out during home run trots. In mid-May he accidentally bites down while rounding third and misses 12 games.

James Fillmore: By the July break, the Twins will be just below .500 and eight games out of first. There will be calls for Rocco’s head, and massive clubhouse infighting; at one point, frustrated at Royce Lewis’s reputation as a party animal, new hitting coach Nick Punto will take a swing at Royce and miss... clocking broadcaster Justin Morneau in the face.

But then Derek Falvey, desperate to save his job, will make a daring signing that invigorates this season and leads the team to a pennant.

You know who it will be, don’t you. DON’T YOU?

It’ll be Air Bud. Because there ain’t no rules says a dog can’t play baseball.

Count on it.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...025-minnesota-twins-season-preview-roundtable

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Game 2: Twins at Cardinals

Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images

We are SO back.

First Pitch: 1:15 pm CDT​

TV: Twins.TV, FS1 / ~ / Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM

No, you haven’t accidentally popped in a disc from your 1987 World Series box set; yes, the Twins are playing the St. Louis Cardinals, but there are fewer names like Tom Lawless and Terry Pendleton involved. It’s regular-season baseball, and after the longest wait of the season — that cruel 48-hour span between Opening Day and the subsequent rain check Friday — we’re finally back in action.

I don’t know if it was just personal distraction, or if the laconic offseason bred this feeling, but I had the sense yesterday that Opening Day had arrived very suddenly, and without much fanfare. Perhaps a good bounceback win on Saturday afternoon will restore the feeling that yes, Twins baseball is back in full force, and the team still might actually be good.

One-game sample size or not, from a narrative perspective, it was a muddled watch on Thursday afternoon, with the top of the lineup putting up an 0-for-12 spot, and staff ace Pablo Lopez somewhat laboring through an uncharacteristically unsettled performance. The telecast alluded to the stress of trying to get all the Opening Day “firsts” out of the way, especially given the end to the 2024 season and the high percentage of players returning from that roster.

Well, some of those firsts are just going to have to wait for the second game.

It’s an exciting afternoon at Busch Stadium today, because Joe Ryan is returning to the mound for the first time since August 7th at Wrigley Field.

Ryan was on track to post the best numbers of his still-young career until a shoulder strain derailed his (and helped to derail Minnesota’s) season. Healthy as a horse that plays baseball coming out of camp, all eyes will be on the Olympian to see whether he looks like the Ryan of old, and whether or not he can shoot lightning bolts out of his hands yet, or something.

Ryan had a brilliant 2024, abbreviated though it was; his signature sneaky fastball produced a 94th-percentile run value, and elite command resulted in a sub-1.00 WHIP across over 130 innings. Pairing with the “heater” a collection of four secondary offerings that dive out of the way (a split, sweeper, slider, and sinker), I propose we start calling Joe Ryan’s arsenal “Get Down, Mr. President.”

On the St. Louis side of the house (me when I name regions of my home after major American metropolises), the Twins will be squaring up against Erick Fedde, familiar to the Minnesota lineup after 21 starts with the White Sox last year. Actually, the Twins have already faced him as a Cardinal, with St. Louis making a late-August visit to Target Field after Fedde had already been dealt. The lineup got three cracks at him last year, beating him just once.

Fedde was an attractive enough arm at last year’s deadline, putting together a 126 ERA+ in 31 starts, far and away his best season in the bigs after six mediocre seasons with the Washington Nationals saw him spin out into the KBO. While the results were steady, an inability to miss bats and fool hitters (8% chase rate, 17% whiff rate) seemed to reveal issues with the general lack of movement in the 32-year-old’s repertoire. With a full winter between starts, you wonder if the book may already be out.

Lining up for 7th-year manager Rocco Baldelli are a bunch of guys that you may recognize as Minnesota Twins. The top of the lineup remains the same, while Mickey Gasper gets the start at designated hitter, still in search of his first major-league hit at the age of 29. Christian Vazquez bits ninth and catches after the off-day.

Harrison Bader and Ryan Jeffers will be off to start this one, and DaShawn Kiersey Jr.’s pinch-running appearance on Thursday afternoon means that Edouard Julien figures to be the last position player to get into action this March for the Twins. Chin up, Eddy - you’ll be out there before long.

It’s a gloomy, rainy day both here in Minnesota and down in St. Louis. Hopefully, we can get some more baseball on our plates without another delay, and even more hopefully! — we see the Twins even their record and take home the first victory of 2025.

GO TWINS GO!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/29/24395934/game-2-twins-at-cardinals

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Cardinals 5, Twins 1: Tough cookies

Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Twins so far have marched to the beat of the same drum.

The Twins tallied just three hits, including just one after the second inning, in a sluggish 5-1 defeat all-too-reminiscent of the 2024 squad. With the victory on Saturday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals lock up the series and will have the opportunity to go for the sweep tomorrow.

Today, all eyes were on Joe Ryan in his first return to action in roughly seven months. For his part, Ryan delivered; striking out five and walking none, he held the Cardinals to a single run across five innings of five-hit ball, departing with 81 pitches thrown and a batter hit. He threw mostly fastballs, inducing three K’s on heaters and two more with his splitter.

But for as good as Ryan was, Cardinal starter Erick Fedde was a tick better. The Twins would only muster two hits off him, both coming in a second inning that saw Willi Castro double home Trevor Larnach for Minnesota’s only run of the afternoon. Even that RBI would only serve to tie the game, with St. Louis having again scored in the home first.

The real story, though, was a uncompetitive offering from Minnesota’s relief corps. Jorge Alcala did not record an out, walking a batter and seeing three earned runs charged to his ledger in the sixth. Jhoan Duran put the team in a similar position to Thursday; up over 20 pitches, he was spelled in the eighth by Justin Topa (as Griffin Jax was on Opening Day) and exited the game with a 27.00 ERA and two walks allowed, as the Cardinals tacked on insurance in their final frame.

One of the only highlights of the day was Mickey Gasper’s infield single, the first knock of his career.

But that an infield single serves as the predominant highlight pretty much sums this one up. The top of the lineup was once again absent from action, and a consistent level-headed approach from the Cardinals, including three two-out RBI and a pair of stolen bases, continued to push the margins throughout a gloomy contest.

COURTESY: Baseball Savant

Bailey Ober will take the mound tomorrow, with the team still looking for their first win in 2025. It’d be swell to grab one here in St. Louis, lest the club show up to Rate Field with a worse record than the Chicago White Sox.

STUDS:

SP Joe Ryan (5 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K, HBP)

DUDS:

CF Byron Buxton (0-for-4, 2 K)

RP Jorge Alcala (0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, 0 K)

RP Jhoan Duran (0.1 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, K)

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/29/24396788/cardinals-5-twins-1-tough-cookies

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Cardinals 9, Twins 2: For the Birds

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Still searching for Win # 1 on the 2025 season

After an entire offseason of nothing from the front office, the Minnesota Twins players have returned the favor—getting swept in St. Louis to start the 2025 campaign.

For a (very) brief period of time today it looked like the much-maligned top of the order would turn things around after Byron Buxton’s RBI plated Matt Wallner in the opening frame.

Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
An early lead!

But after SP Bailey Ober wobbled through his half of the 1st unscathed, he coughed up the lead on a 3-run Victor Scott II long ball in the 2nd.

The Twins immediately put a few ducks on the pond to begin the 3rd—but a Buxton whiff and a Trevor Larnach ground-out ended the threat before one could say “we’ve got something going here”.

From there it was all Red Birds, opening up for five runs in the bottom of the 3rd and chasing Big Bailey to the showers.

Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Smiles all around for the guys in red

As if getting pounded to close out an opening-series sweep wasn’t enough punishment for the Twins and their fans, the game was interrupted in the fifth with about an hour rain delay. I continued my Smallville re-watch and even as bad as Season Eight of that show is, the experience was still preferable to today’s diamond action.

Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Just a ton of fun today

When play resumed, so did the lethargy. Other than long man Randy Dobnak surrendering another Cards dinger, the string was played out the rest of the way.

Your Final: St. Louis Cardinals 9, Minnesota Twins 2

Folks, our Twins are playing some bad baseball to start this season. No clutch hitting or evidence of the oft-heralded new batting approach after the ‘24 collapse, wobbly starting pitching, and some disastrous bullpen outings. The worst part? Now the sphincter-tightening “when do we put the first win on the board?” philosophy begins to take hold—which I’ve seen wreck more than one season (see: 2016 & 2021) before Memorial Day. As the old saying goes: you can’t win a pennant in April—but you can certainly lose one.

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Arch nemesis to begin 2025

Hopefully a trip to the South Side of Chicago will be just what the doctor ordered to get in the left-hand column soon.

Studs​

• Willi Castro putting one over the fence (and narrowly missing a second HR that ended up a double). After Willi was worn down to the nub by the end of last season, it’s good to see a refreshed version of him again.
• Me, for battling through a depressing weekend of weather and bad baseball to remain productive today and stick with this contest until the bitter end.

Duds​

• Buxton flailing at breaking balls in the dirt on multiple occasions, ending ABs.
• RIP Nancy Bea Hefley, famed organist for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine.

Comment of the Game​

• norff stating the obvious about Ober’s outing.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...-bailey-ober-willi-castro-matt-wallner-buxton

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Game 3: Twins at Cardinals

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

I’ve been here!

First Pitch: 1:15 PM CT​

TV: Twins.TV​

Radio: TIBN​

Know Thine Enemy: Viva El Birdos​

Ten years ago this coming May, my sister and I jumped in the car and did a baseball road trip. One stop was St. Louis, Missouri for a couple of Twins/Cardinals clashes!

Busch Stadium remains in my top tier of ballpark experiences. The Gateway Arch looming over the proceedings is epic, the park is full of historical references (I distinctly recall the Gashouse Grill concession stand), and there is a Hardees—the one fast food burger I really enjoy, for some reason—inside the concourse!

But the real draw of Cardinals baseball: the knowledge & intensity (in a good way, from what I could tell) of their fanbase. There was no canned “Get On Your Feet!” videos or clapping musical prompts. It was also pretty sparse—frivolity-wise—between innings. A Cards crowd is there for the baseball and they know when to cheer. Definitely an environment I could get used to!

A few pics from 2015...

Today, the Twins are looking for Win 1 on the young season in the place where Byron Buxton recorded his first major league hit (the one game in that ‘15 series my sister and I didn’t see, of course). Thus far, the up-top trio of Matt Wallner, Carlos Correa, & Buck have been on mute—something they can hopefully turn around against STL starter Andre Pallante.

Who will be the first hero (Lord knows we’re all holding out for one) to bag a 2025 victory...

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/...ateway-arch-baily-ober-andre-pallante-first-w