Twins Say They're Focused on Winning - But Payroll Tells a Different Story
There’s a new face at the top of the Minnesota Twins’ front office, but the early returns are raising more questions than answers. Since stepping into the role of executive chair following his brother Joe, Tom Pohlad has made some candid remarks that suggest he’s aware of the missteps the franchise has made-most notably, slashing payroll by $30 million after a 2023 season that finally broke a 21-year postseason drought.
That kind of self-awareness is rare in ownership circles. And when the team and longtime baseball boss Derek Falvey “mutually” parted ways-albeit at an unusual time-it seemed like Pohlad was trying to signal a new direction. He even went so far as to say, “we will be competitive in 2026,” during a recent virtual press conference.
But here’s the problem: The actions haven’t matched the words.
Payroll Down Again - And Fans Are Feeling It
Despite having a roster with legitimate talent and a real shot at competing in the AL Central, the Twins are heading into the 2026 season with an even lower payroll than they had last year. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that just watched the team finally win a playoff series for the first time in over two decades.
During that same press conference, Pohlad addressed the payroll situation head-on-sort of.
“Yes, our payroll is down from last year,” he told reporters. “I think there are still some investments to be made between now and Opening Day.
I’d also say, at some point, I’d love to get off this payroll thing for a second. Let’s judge the success of this year on wins and losses, and on whether we’re playing meaningful baseball in September.”
That last line didn’t sit well with a lot of Twins fans. It’s not that wins and losses aren’t the ultimate measuring stick-they are. But when a team cuts spending after a breakthrough season, and then again the following year, it’s hard to ignore the financial decisions that shape the product on the field.
A Talented Core, But Thin Margins
To be clear, this isn’t a team devoid of talent. There’s a wave of exciting prospects on the horizon, including outfielders Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodríguez, and infielder Kaelen Culpepper. All three are expected to arrive in the majors sooner rather than later, and each brings a skill set that could help reshape the roster.
But prospects are just that-potential, not guarantees. Relying on multiple rookies to step in and make an immediate impact is a risky strategy, especially if the goal is to be playing meaningful baseball down the stretch.
If the Twins were truly all-in on contending in 2026, the expectation would be that they’d supplement that young core with proven talent. And while they’ve made some solid offseason moves-bringing in Josh Bell, Victor Caratini, and Taylor Rogers among others-none of those signings scream “win-now.” They’re depth pieces, not game-changers.
The Opportunity Cost of Standing Pat
It’s not just about who the Twins added-it’s about who they didn’t. The top tier of the free agent market has mostly been picked clean at this point, and while trades are always a possibility, the odds of landing a true star this late in the offseason are slim.
That’s where the frustration comes in for many fans. The Twins had a chance to build on the momentum of 2023, to invest in a roster that showed it could win when given the right pieces.
Instead, the organization pulled back financially-again. And that decision, more than any soundbite or press conference line, is what fans are reacting to.
Looking Ahead
There’s still time before Opening Day, and Pohlad hinted that more moves could be coming. But unless something significant happens, the 2026 Twins will enter the season with a thinner payroll and a heavier reliance on unproven youth.
Can they compete? Absolutely.
There’s enough talent in the clubhouse and in the pipeline to make a run. But are they giving themselves the best shot to do so?
That’s a harder sell.
Come September, the standings will tell the story. But right now, the message from ownership feels out of sync with the moves being made-or not made-on the roster. And in a sport where margins are razor-thin, that disconnect could make all the difference.