The Minnesota Twins were hoping to put the 2024 season behind them.
On Aug. 17, the Twins were 70-53, the fourth-best record in the American League. The Twins held a five-game lead for the fifth seed and appeared to be on their way to the postseason. Instead, a 12-27 collapse down the stretch eliminated the Twins from the playoffs. To make matters worse, a resurgent Tigers team that was 10.5 games back on that date roared into the postseason.
While the Twins hoped to put the final few weeks of the 2024 season behind them, little was done in the offseason. Adding outfielder Harrison Bader and reliever Danny Coulombe were the Twins’ biggest moves in free agency. The Twins were active in trade rumors, but nothing came to pass. Ultimately, the Twins were entering 2025 with virtually the same roster, hoping that better health would make a difference.
Instead, nothing has changed. A 4-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday dropped the Twins to 4-11 on the season, the second-worst record in the American League ahead of only the White Sox. Staff ace Pablo Lopez landed on the injured list on Friday, one of a multitude of injuries the Twins have suffered.
Eventually, something has to give. Manager Rocco Baldelli was brought back for this season despite the Twins’ collapse in 2024. Although the players lobbied for their manager, his seat is getting hotter with every loss. Unless the Twins can turn their season around, Baldelli may be out of a job soon.
That may not be enough. The Twins are almost the exact same team that fell apart last season. If the losses continue, the only way to truly put 2024 behind the Twins may be a complete overhaul of the organization.
