If you're a Twins fan staring at the calendar and wondering when the front office is going to make its move, you're not alone. January is halfway done, and the roster still feels like a work in progress.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t new. Under Derek Falvey, the Twins have made a habit of letting the offseason market settle before jumping in.
It’s not always flashy, and it’s definitely not always early-but it’s worked more often than not.
Let’s take a closer look at how that slow-and-steady approach has played out over the past few offseasons.
2024-25 Offseason: Late Deals, Big Payoffs
Last winter might be the best example of the Twins’ patient strategy paying off. None of their key free-agent signings-Harrison Bader, Danny Coulombe, and Ty France-arrived until February. But all three ended up being meaningful contributors.
Bader, in particular, exceeded expectations. Brought in with modest hopes, he posted a 113 OPS+ and continued to flash elite defensive instincts.
Shifting him from center to a corner outfield spot helped stabilize the defense overall. Coulombe, signed for just $3 million, gave the bullpen a reliable left-handed presence and served as a dependable bridge to the late innings.
As for France, his bat lagged behind (87 OPS+), but his glove didn’t. He was rock-solid at first base and capped it off with a Gold Glove.
The takeaway? The Twins didn’t rush, and they didn’t overspend. And they still came away with three players who made a real impact.
2023-24 Offseason: Mixed Results, Same Timeline
The previous winter followed a similar script, though the results were more of a mixed bag. The Twins technically kicked things off in December by signing reliever Josh Staumont, but the real action didn’t start until late January, when they traded Jorge Polanco to the Mariners.
That deal is still one to watch, especially depending on how prospect Gabriel Gonzalez develops. In the short term, Justin Topa could play a key role in the bullpen, particularly if the Twins don’t add more arms before Opening Day.
February brought more additions in Carlos Santana and Jay Jackson. Staumont and Jackson didn’t pan out, but Santana eventually found his rhythm. His bat took a while to heat up, but he finished the season with a 109 OPS+ and, just as importantly, delivered a Gold Glove-caliber season at first base.
Again, the Twins waited, took calculated swings, and found value without diving headfirst into the early free-agent frenzy.
2022-23 Offseason: The Early Bird Doesn’t Always Win
Then there’s the 2022-23 offseason-the outlier in this pattern. That winter, the Twins moved quickly.
Christian Vázquez and Joey Gallo were both signed in December, and then Carlos Correa unexpectedly returned in early January after deals with two other teams fell through. The front office jumped on the opportunity, locking in Correa and reshaping the roster well before spring training.
They even added Donovan Solano late in February to round things out.
But being aggressive didn’t necessarily lead to better results. Gallo struggled mightily, posting a .686 OPS in the second half and becoming a non-factor by season’s end.
Vázquez brought defensive value behind the plate, but his offense cratered (60 OPS+). And while the Correa signing looked like a coup at the time, the Twins later offloaded his contract and are now paying $10 million annually for him to suit up for the Astros over the next three seasons.
It’s a reminder that early moves don’t guarantee stability-or success.
What This Means for the Current Offseason
So here we are again. It’s late January, and things are quiet in Twins Territory.
But history tells us that doesn’t mean the offseason is a bust. This front office has shown time and again that it’s willing to wait out the market, target specific fits, and make moves when the timing and price are right.
That patience won’t satisfy every fan, especially after a quiet Winter Meetings. And it certainly doesn’t eliminate the need for meaningful additions. But it does suggest that the Twins are playing the long game-and they’ve got the track record to justify it.
As February approaches, don’t mistake silence for inaction. If recent winters are any indication, the Twins may just be getting started.