Pohlads Aren’t Set on Selling Twins

Despite a slow offseason due to cutbacks on spending, arguably the greatest news for Minnesota Twins fans was the announcement that the team was for sale. Finally, the long awaited nightmare that has been ownership under the Pohlad family appeared to be imminent.

Reports even suggested that the new owner could be announced informally by Opening Day. Unfortunately, that dream fell apart when the most viable and somewhat pre-ordained Justin Ishbia ended his pursuit of the Twins in favor of a larger stake in the Chicago White Sox, of which he already owns minority shares.

Minnesota Twins may not be sold after all?

The exact level of interest coming from other interested billionaires remains a mystery, for now. But after Ishbia dropped out, it appears the Pohlads may be getting some cold feet anyway. In this weekend’s Pioneer Press, longtime local insider and columnist Charley Walters reported that it’s still very possible the Minnesota Twins aren’t sold at all, especially if they do not get the full $1.8 billion they’re asking.

“The Pohlad family, which owns the Twins, announced in October that it was exploring a sale of the Twins. The Pohlads never announced they were selling the team. If the Pohlads don’t get the price they want, expected to be in the $1.8 billion range, there’s a scenario that they retain ownership of the club. There is also a scenario that they retain just a part of the team.”

Charley Walters on the Twins sale (Pioneer Press)

The good news? We know the Pohlads are motivated by money, not baseball passion. Unlike the cold feet experienced by Glen Taylor, after he agreed to sell the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Pohlad family will sell the team if they get the price they’re asking.

Related: Justin Ishbia Bailing on Twins Purchase for More White Sox Stock

With that in mind, is this report a result of offers to this point being underwhelming. Is this a public call from the Pohlads to perspective buyers to let them know that if their offers do not increase, the price won’t come down?

Forbes valued the Twins at $1.46 billion in 2024. Something closer to that mark is likely what’s being offered. Last March, the Baltimore Orioles became the latest Major League Baseball team sold to new ownership. They went for $1.73 billion. That valuation was good for 15th in the league, three spots higher than Minnesota at 18th.

Steve Greenberg, who is overseeing a potential sale for the Twins, must round up enough interest to drive the price up, or we may not get the new owners we so desperately deserve.

What if the MN Twins aren’t sold?

The Pohlads put the Minnesota Twins up for sale, after they cut spending last offseason, setting off the fanbase. By the end of the summer, they were kicking fans out of Target Field for signs that were asking for the Pohlads to sell. If Joe and the rest of his family members think that’s the worst they’ll see, should they fail to complete their sale, they’ll find out very quickly otherwise.

@DanHayesMLB I had more signs to hold up but the Pohlad’s and their goons didn’t give me a chance… pic.twitter.com/iSDIcfYtn7

— Bailey (@bailbino) September 28, 2024

The valuation of the Twins franchise will continue to rise as time goes on. However, it’s not going to grow at a pace that makes waiting a year or two significantly more beneficial. If the desire is to move on from the asset, then all focus should be on finding a buyer during this cycle.

Hopefully that buyer will emerge as the best fit from multiple interested parties. Recently ousted Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said he needed to resolve his arbitration case before considering the Twins. I’m not sure fans would welcome him with open arms either.

Related: Brooks Lee May Not Join Twins on Opening Day

It was already a blow for fans to hear that a welcomed party is no longer interested. No one, including the Pohlads, should want to experience the handwringing that will come with the caveat of an explored sale not coming to fruition.