Confirmed: The Minnesota Twins are Now Buyers

Since this time two years ago, when Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey announced that the Twins were cutting player payroll by $30 million, we’ve talked incessantly about the extreme financial issues plaguing this organization and how it is hurting the product on the field

The Pohlads were they biggest target of criticism, after they racked up debt that has ballooned near $500 million. ‘Will the Twins trade X player’, how much money are they looking to cut, who can they afford to keep, etc? Those are the topics that have taken up the bulk of MN Twins media coverage over the past 24+ months.

But that all changed over the weekend, when reports dropped that Minnesota had decided NOT to trade away any of Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan or Pablo Lopez, flying in the face of a number of rumors running wild across the league in recent months.

Still, fans and media across Twins Territory remain skeptical of the Pohlads’ willingness to spend. Sure, the new minority owners are dangerously close to being finalized, but would that really warrant such a drastic change in offseason planning?

Derek Falvey confirms Minnesota Twins’ new offseason plan

Well Minnesota Twins president Derek Falvey met with reporters on Monday at the MLB Winter Meetings down in Orlando, Florida, where he confirmed the recent reports, and even doubled down.

Not only are the Twins going to keep Buxton, Ryan and Lopez in the Twin Cities, but Falvey told Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) that he is very much on the prowl to add more talent around them, specifically in the bullpen and right-handed batter’s box.

The message Twins executives are telling agents during this week’s MLB winter meetings is a different one than they had during face-to-face meetings in November.

I was hopeful [said Derek Falvey], as I said [in November], that we’d get to this place, but I always knew there could be different paths that we choose. I think, at this stage, figuring a way to add to this group was clearly the best fit for all what we aligned around.”

From the Twins’ perspective, it’s better late than never. They want to add relievers to boost a bullpen that was torn apart at the trade deadline four months ago, and they are looking to bring in at least one more power hitter.

Star Tribune

Related: Former MN Twins Infielder Nearing New Deal

If I was funnier, I’d place that one Talladega Nights meme right here, where Ricky Bobby is saying “I don’t know what to do with my hands.” Because that’s how I feel writing about a Minnesota Twins team that has suddenly shifted their offseason gears from “Seller” to “Buyer”.

Many of us had already accepted our sad Twins fan reality, as we believed it to be just days ago. Because of that, it’s extremely difficult to switch gears. And at this point, who in their right minds would trust anything coming from the top of this organization?

Twins confirm they are offseason buyers… on a tight budget

But today in Florida, Falvey told reporters that he presented multiple plans to ownership, prior to the MLB Winter Meetings. He hoped the Pohlads, with help from their new minority partners, would choose a plan forward that included a drive to win baseball games.

As rumors swirled, Falvey did not want to produce false hope by assuming which route the ownership groups would choose. But now that he’s gotten the green light, the Minnesota Twins’ president wants to make it known that he is no longer in sell mode.

“A month ago, I was direct and honest in meetings we had. I said: ‘Guys, I’m not sure I’m in a position right now to tell you exactly where we’re headed, so I’m not sure what I want you to tell your player. We like some of your players and want to talk about them. But I’m not in a position to move the ball forward much.’ Now, it’s a little more clear that we have been able to move the ball forward.”

Derek Falvey (via the Star Tribune)

We do not know how much the Minnesota Twins have in this new “buyer” budget. Rest assured, however, that there is no free agent shopping spree in Derek Falvey’s future. With their current roster, the Twins’ are currently projected at ~$95 million.

CAUTION: Do NOT expect a MN Twins spending spree

So how much higher will it go? Well, Nightengale Jr reports that, while the Twins now plan to add, their final payroll number is still expected to be the lowest it has been in nearly a decade.

That likely means we are looking at a MN Twins roster entering Opening Day 2026 that sits somewhere between $105-$110 million, which would be the lowest it’s been since 2017.

There won’t be a major influx in spending, and their Opening Day payroll will likely be at its lowest figure in about a decade.

Still, this is the path they chose.

Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune

Related: Washington Nationals Scoop Up Former Twins Coaches

It’s sad that this is obnoxiously good news for Twins fans, and goes to show how far the bar has been lowered. Nonetheless… it’s better than the alternative.