Twins Owner Admits Aggression Lacking This Offseason

New Minnesota Twins owner Tom Pohlad aims for team competitiveness and talent acquisition by 2026, but his aggressive words contrast with the team's current offseason behavior. The Twins' payroll has seen a substantial decrease, standing around $100 million, down $35 million from last Opening Day. This financial reality fueled skepticism when the team was linked to free-agent left-hander Framber Valdez, who ultimately signed a three-year, $115 million deal with the Detroit Tigers.

Pohlad, who took over ownership in mid-December, acknowledged that the timing of his assumption of control and the departure of former front office boss Derek Falvey created a holding pattern. By the time he was up to speed, many top free-agent options were off the market. Despite pitching being a strength, Pohlad pushed for Valdez, seeing him as the best available pitcher and a potential strong addition to the rotation.

While the pursuit of Valdez didn't materialize, Pohlad emphasized that trade possibilities and other veteran free agents like Lucas Giolito remain options. He reiterated his confidence in the current roster's potential, dismissing projections of a losing season as "ridiculous." Pohlad is committed to making moves that demonstrate the organization's dedication to fans and winning, even if recent actions haven't fully aligned with his stated ambitions.