The Minnesota Twins have a plan as Opening Day approaches.
The MLB offseason continues to wind down, and as Opening Day draws closer, the Minnesota Twins remain in a familiar position. The club is operating with a payroll that currently sits around $105 million, a figure well below league average and once again a focal point of fan discussion.
After missing the postseason and reshaping parts of the organization last year, the Twins are attempting to strike a balance between financial discipline and remaining competitive in an increasingly aggressive American League Central.
Ownership has been under scrutiny throughout the winter, particularly as rival teams have been more active in free agency and on the trade market. While Minnesota has made modest additions, the roster still has visible holes, especially in the bullpen.
Twins owner Tom Pohlad has acknowledged those concerns publicly while signaling that the front office is not finished building the roster. Speaking recently with Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, Pohlad outlined how the organization plans to operate over the final stretch of the offseason.
“Yeah, we're going to continue. The clock doesn't stop until Opening Day, right? For better or worse, Derek (Falvey) and Jeremy (Zoll) have a history of adding pieces late. I'm sure you are going to continue to see that. We know that we have to continue to improve our bullpen. And we're going to continue to be opportunistic about creative pieces that can improve this team across the field,” Pohlad told Gleeman this week.
That approach reflects a strategy Twins fans have seen before. Minnesota often waits for late market inefficiencies, waiver opportunities or short-term deals rather than committing to large contracts early in the offseason.
President of baseball operations Derek Falvey and general manager Jeremy Zoll have consistently emphasized flexibility, preferring to leave room to react as player prices fall or roster needs become clearer closer to spring training.
The bullpen remains the most pressing concern. After trading away several relievers and enduring inconsistent performances late in games last season, the Twins know improvement is necessary if they want to contend.
Pohlad’s comments suggest ownership is open to additions, even if those moves come later than fans might prefer. Minnesota has already shown a willingness to add veteran depth on short deals, and similar moves could still be coming.
While the $105 million payroll has frustrated portions of the fan base, Pohlad’s remarks indicate that spending is not completely frozen. Instead, the Twins are leaning into a patient approach that prioritizes value and creativity over splashy signings.
Whether that strategy pays off will ultimately be judged on the field, but with weeks remaining before Opening Day, Minnesota’s roster construction is still very much a work in progress.