What as soon as appeared to be a promising season for the Twins is coming to a devastating finish, because the membership was formally eradicated from postseason competition final evening after a free fall within the standings spurred on by their brutal 9-16 report to date this September. Whereas Minnesota entered the month with a 91.7% probability to make the postseason based on Fangraphs, they’ll sit on the sidelines this October only one yr after breaking a 20-year drought with out a victory within the postseason.
With that being stated, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic instructed in a report at the moment that each president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and supervisor Rocco Baldelli (in addition to staff president Dave St. Peter, who handles enterprise operations for the membership) seem unlikely to be let go by the membership as issues stand. Falvey took the helm of baseball operations for the Twins previous to the 2017 season, and the staff has usually been profitable throughout his tenure with 4 postseason appearances and 5 seasons with an above .500 report throughout his eight years with the membership’s entrance workplace. In the meantime, Baldelli joined the membership previous to the 2019 season and has led the membership to 3 postseason appearances and 4 over .500 information in his six years within the Minnesota dugout.
That’s to not say no change is coming to the group, nevertheless. In keeping with Gleeman, it’s “anticipated” that modifications shall be made this winter that might affect high-ranking members of each the entrance workplace and training employees. Of notice, Gleeman didn’t report on the standing of GM Thad Levine. Levine has served because the #2 to Falvey all through his tenure with the Twins and seemingly entered the yr with out a contract for the 2025 season. Speculatively talking, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Levine depart the membership if the Twins have been to shake up their entrance workplace, significantly given the truth that Levine was a finalist for the highest job in Boston final winter earlier than the Crimson Sox in the end employed Craig Breslow and will as soon as once more look to pursue a prime job elsewhere this offseason.
Disappointing because the 2024 season was for Twins followers, it’s honest to level out that the membership’s struggles can’t be blamed fully on the entrance workplace or teaching employees. In spite of everything, membership possession slashed payroll by $30MM coming off the membership’s profitable 2023 season, not solely forcing the membership to enter 2024 with out changing 2023 AL Cy Younger finalist Sonny Grey but in addition leaving them unable to make strikes of significance to enhance the roster past including veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, a transfer that wanted to be paired with a deal to ship out longtime infielder Jorge Polanco.
Sadly for followers in Minnesota, Gleeman suggests there’s little motive to imagine payroll will enhance headed into 2025. As a substitute, he notes that the membership’s income has landed beneath expectations this yr and will immediate much more cuts. That might depart the membership needing to commerce away veterans on assured contracts over the winter with the intention to enhance different areas of the roster, and Gleeman means that right-hander Chris Paddack and catcher Christian Vazquez might be the membership’s most expendable items if such a scenario have been to return to move.
Paddack, 28, returned to the membership after Tommy John surgical procedure worn out practically all of his 2023 season. He made 17 begins for the Twins this yr however struggled with lackluster outcomes, posting a 4.99 ERA regardless of a strong sufficient 4.18 FIP. It’s simple to see how Paddack might be a horny commerce piece for pitching-hungry golf equipment this winter, significantly these with price range constraints of their very own. In spite of everything, he’s set to make simply $7.5MM in 2025. Even back-of-the-rotation arms have usually garnered ensures north of $10MM on the open market lately, so $7.5MM for Paddack might be seen as a cut price even regardless of damage issues due to the tantalizing upside he flashed throughout his time with the Padres.
Vazquez, however, seems unlikely to deliver again a lot outdoors of wage aid for Minnesota. The 34-year-old veteran entered free company following the 2022 season with a robust defensive repute and a strong 95 wRC+ in 4 years since taking on as the first catcher in Boston. Sadly, issues haven’t labored out nicely since he signed with the Twins on a three-year deal previous to the 2023 season. In Minnesota, Vazquez has hit simply .224/.267/.324 (64 wRC+) over the previous two years whereas ceding the common duties behind the plate to breakout teen Ryan Jeffers. He nonetheless stays a stalwart defender behind the plate, however his lackluster offense and hefty $10MM wage for subsequent yr would make him unattractive as a commerce candidate except the Twins have been to sweeten the cope with both money or further expertise.
