What as soon as gave the impression to be a promising season for the Twins is coming to a devastating finish, because the membership was formally eradicated from postseason rivalry final night time after a free fall within the standings spurred on by their brutal 9-16 file thus far this September. Whereas Minnesota entered the month with a 91.7% probability to make the postseason in keeping with Fangraphs, they’ll sit on the sidelines this October only one yr after breaking a 20-year drought with no victory within the postseason.
With that being mentioned, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic urged in a report Saturday 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 file throughout his eight years with the membership’s entrance workplace. For his half, Baldelli joined the membership previous to the 2019 season and has led the membership to a few postseason appearances and 4 information over .500 in his six years within the Minnesota dugout.
That’s to not say no change is coming to the group, nevertheless. Based on Gleeman, it’s “anticipated” that adjustments shall be made this winter that would influence high-ranking members of each the entrance workplace and training workers. Of be aware, Gleeman didn’t report on the standing of GM Thad Levine. Levine has served because the No. 2 to Falvey all through his tenure with the Twins and seemingly entered the yr with no 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, notably given the truth that Levine was a finalist for the highest job in Boston final winter earlier than the Pink 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 truthful to level out that the membership’s struggles can’t be blamed solely on the entrance workplace or teaching workers. In spite of everything, membership possession slashed payroll by $30M 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 additionally 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 consider payroll will enhance headed into 2025. As an alternative, he notes that the membership’s income has landed under expectations this yr and will immediate much more cuts. That might go away 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 could possibly be the membership’s most expendable items if such a state of affairs have been to return to go.
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 straightforward to see how Paddack could possibly be a lovely commerce piece for pitching-hungry golf equipment this winter, notably these with funds constraints of their very own. In spite of everything, he’s set to make simply $7.5M in 2025. Even back-of-the-rotation arms have sometimes garnered ensures north of $10M on the open market lately, so $7.5M for Paddack could possibly be considered as a discount even despite damage issues because of the tantalizing upside he flashed throughout his time with the Padres.
Vazquez, however, seems unlikely to deliver again a lot exterior of wage reduction for Minnesota. The 34-year-old veteran entered free company following the 2022 season with a powerful defensive fame and a strong 95 wRC+ in 4 years since taking up as the first catcher in Boston. Sadly, issues haven’t labored out properly 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 teenager Ryan Jeffers. He nonetheless stays a stalwart defender behind the plate, however his lackluster offense and hefty $10M wage for subsequent yr would make him unattractive as a commerce candidate until the Twins have been to sweeten the take care of both money or extra expertise.
