As the offseason dust settles, we’re getting a clearer picture of just how aggressive the Minnesota Twins were willing to be in reshaping their roster-and one name loomed especially large in their plans: Framber Valdez.
Now wearing a Detroit Tigers uniform, Valdez was firmly on Minnesota’s radar this winter. Twins owner Tom Pohlad confirmed the club's pursuit of the veteran lefty, calling him “the best pitcher on the market at that point.”
And when you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why. Last season with the Houston Astros, Valdez posted a 3.66 ERA with 187 strikeouts across 31 starts, finishing with a 13-11 record.
That kind of production doesn’t just bolster a rotation-it anchors it.
Pohlad didn’t mince words about what Valdez could’ve meant to the Twins’ starting staff. “We would’ve had a hell of a 1-2-3 punch,” he said, alluding to the kind of top-end rotation that can change a team’s trajectory. For a club that’s been looking to level up its pitching, Valdez would’ve been a statement move.
The Twins did make some noise on the pitching front, signing veteran reliever Liam Hendriks, but clearly, the front office had its sights set even higher. Pohlad emphasized that the pursuit of Valdez wasn’t just about spending money-it was about making the right baseball decision.
“It would’ve been fun to make a splash and show the organization and the fans that we’re committed,” he said. “I do know that payroll matters to people… but it was a decision that [General Manager Jeremy Zoll] thought was in the best interest of the team, and if he thought that, then I was going to be willing to go there for us.”
That’s a telling quote. It suggests a willingness from ownership to back the front office when the right opportunity arises-something fans have been eager to see more of. And while the deal for Valdez ultimately didn’t materialize, the intent was there.
Of course, the Twins are coming off a tough 70-92 campaign that landed them fourth in the AL Central, and expectations around the league haven’t exactly been sky-high heading into 2026. In fact, Vegas has Minnesota’s over/under win total pegged at 73.5-a number that Pohlad flat-out dismissed.
“I want to be aggressive,” he said. “That’s my personality.
But there is only so much we can do given the timing that we were in. We tried to be aggressive on some things.
Those things didn’t work out, and here we are. But I also don’t want something to get lost in translation here: We really like our team.”
That last line matters. Despite missing out on Valdez, there’s still belief inside the organization that this roster can compete.
Pohlad’s comments reflect a front office that took big swings this offseason, even if they didn’t all land. And while the outside projections may be lukewarm, the internal confidence remains.
So no, Framber Valdez won’t be toeing the rubber in a Twins uniform this season. But the pursuit itself speaks volumes. The Twins are aiming higher-and if they keep that mindset, it may not be long before a big move does break their way.