The rigidity of Minnesota’s desire to find matchups was prevalent all season. Manuel Margot was among the worst acquisitions in recent history, but that didn’t stop the manager from consistenly calling his number. Cory Provus took note of that and wonders if the plan won’t be different this time around.

Cory Provus wonders if MN Twins will operate differently this year

Last year there was a clear understanding as to how Rocco Baldelli would have the Minnesota Twins line up. Pitcher handedness dictated the lineup and that led to him making wholesale changes mid-game. Analyst Cory Provus obviously wasn’t a fan.

“What I am more interested in, is what will change if anything, is what will change philosophically. Where I kept watching the last two, three weeks of the regular season with the Tigers and the Guardians, and seeing left-handed hitters face left-handed pitchers early in the game. I wonder if Rocco shifts a little bit on that and doesn’t pull Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, and Eddie [Edouard] Julien in the 4th inning. He says, you know what, I may lose this round but this matchup is going to look better in the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning…They were easy to manage against.”

Cory Provus (Gleeman and the Geek)

What Provus is talking about couldn’t have been more obvious for Minnesota last season. Rocco Baldelli had a level of rigidity to his lineups based on the handedness of the opposing starting pitcher. The unfortunate fallout meant that late game situations often had less talented players as the only option.

The Twins acquired Manuel Margot with the though that he could be a backup outfield option with utility in centerfield. He also batted from the right side of the plate. Unfortunately he posted negative defensive numbers and was even worse offensively.

Margot’s 76 OPS+ was a career low. He went 0-for-30 as a pinch hitter and Baldelli found himself looking genuinely insane for continuing to run him out in those situations.

Related: Twins Sign Two More Veterans to Compete in Spring Training

This season the Twins don’t have a straightforward answer as a right-handed outfield option. That could mean they allow their lefties to play a bit more despite platoon disadvantages. Regardless, there is no reason for Baldelli to be so extremely rigid with his decision making and the man calling the games agrees.

This time around the Twins broadcast situation is much more clear and he shared some recent updates on what that may look like.

Minnesota Twins broadcast nuggets shared by Cory Provus

Over the weekend the Minnesota Twins hosted their annual fan fest. Always coinciding with that weekend is the Winter Meltdown, hosted by Twins Daily. The speaker portion of the event included Ryan Jeffers, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Cory Provus.

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Although we now know what the cost will be for Twins.TV, the other details remained somewhat murky. Provus provided insight clearing much of that up.

“There’s going to be a designated channel…It will be called Twins Television. I’d imagine if you click on it at 2 o’clock in the afternoon it’ll have the Twins logo on it.”

Cory Provus (Gleeman and the Geek)

Some neat new production tidbits from @CoryProvus during the @twinsdaily Winter Meltdown:

– Two new camera angles coming this year. One with a focus on individual players after big moments.
– Rain delays will now cut to minor league games around the system. You'll see top…

— Ted (@tlschwerz) January 28, 2025

The only thing previously revealed was that the MN Twins would be available via streaming. Major League Baseball remains in active discussions with cable and satellite companies to carry their production. That will materialize in some form or fashion, soon.

Related: MN Twins Reveal Broadcast Team for First Season on MLB TV

Something that will be different for the Minnesota Twins, because they kept the full broadcast team, is pre and postgame shows. Other teams that utilize the MLB streaming option do not have pre and postgame shows. The game pops on minutes before first pitch and the channel goes dark after the final out.

Beyond just the existence of a specific channel on traditional television carriers, the Twins will have a few new broadcast elements as well. This seems like good news for Twins fans!

Other features of Twins broadcast

Provus likened the new camera angles as some of the same stuff that you would see in MLB The Show, the video game. The ability to have big moments highlighted will certainly be fun. Baseball has continued to embrace personality and excitement that the game sees in other countries.

Maybe the coolest updated is that rain delays will be much more functional. Because MiLB.tv exists on the same MLB.tv platform, the Minnesota Twins can cut to games around their system to fill downtime. It’s an opportunity for fans to see future talent, and makes better use of the delay than pre-recorded segments.

High-A HR No. 1 for Walker Jenkins!

MLB's No. 4 prospect (@Twins) rockets this one out in a hurry for the @CRKernels.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/aKtGFgX9NB pic.twitter.com/UwtrkBaqht

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 24, 2024

Related: Rocco Baldelli Anticipates MN Twins Make Multiple Moves Still This Offseason

It’s unfortunate that we suffered through the Bally Sports fiasco for a full season. Provus was direct in admitting how much he hated that, while speaking on January 25th. The new situation is much more consumer friendly though, and will bring baseball back to the masses.

Minnesota Twins hire Cory Provus as new TV play-by-play voice

But once the shock wore off, Dick’s replacement seemed as obvious as what was for dinner at the beef lady’s house, back in the 80’s. The Twins needed to hire Cory Provus, who has done radio play-by-play for the club since 2011, when John Gordon retired.

Carlos Correa had his biggest game as a Twin. Pablo Lopez pitched like an ace, and we have a series. Plus, I had a hunch that Correa would make the game ending play, so I hit record. @TwinsRadio #WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/gKAdjpbXno

— Cory Provus (@CoryProvus) October 9, 2023

Related: Twins and Bally Sports North are Done; Wolves and Wild are Next

And this time, decision makers didn’t overthink or hire for any reason other than finding the best voice for the job. On Friday morning, the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller got the exclusive scoop that Provus has been chosen as the new TV voice of the Minnesota Twins.

Cory Provus, who has called Twins games on radio since 2012, will inherit Bremer’s spot in the TV booth next season, multiple sources have confirmed. And the Twins will stay in-house to replace Provus on radio as well, by promoting studio host and fill-in play-by-play voice Kris Atteberry to the everyday job.

Phil Miller – Star Tribune

Kris Atteberry takes over radio play-by-play

Longtime radio voice, Kris Atteberry will take over play-by-play calling duties on Twins radio calls. Atteberry has been a part of Twins radio broadcasts since 2007, working pre and post-games and filling in when needed. Another good decision.

Related: Derek Falvey Admits Twins Plan to Cut Payroll Next Season

Provus isn’t hamstrung to baseball broadcasting. He is one of Big Ten Network’s premier play-by-play voices for both football and basketball. He’s one of the best young voices in the business and the Twins are very lucky to have him around.

Had they not promoted Provus, I can’t imagine he would have stuck around tag-teaming radio calls with Dan Gladden for much longer.