Get ready for a wild ride as we dive into the tumultuous 2025 season of the Minnesota Twins! This year was a rollercoaster of emotions, decisions, and unexpected turns for the franchise. From a disappointing start to a series of dramatic changes, the Twins' journey is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A Season of Chaos and Change
The 2025 campaign began with a four-game losing streak, a foreboding sign for the Twins. But it was the decisions made off the field that truly shook things up. With new leadership at the helm, including a different executive chair, team president, and manager, the Twins underwent a major transformation.
Over the course of a year, the Twins saw a seismic shift in power dynamics. Joe Pohlad stepped down as executive chair, replaced by his brother, Tom Pohlad. Dave St. Peter, the club's longtime president, also moved on, making way for Derek Falvey to take on a dual role as president of baseball and business operations. And finally, Rocco Baldelli, the manager, was replaced by Derek Shelton, marking a new era for the team.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The Sale That Never Was
In late 2024, rumors swirled that the Twins might be sold to Chicago-based billionaire Justin Ishbia. However, months later, Ishbia withdrew his bid, opting instead to increase his stake in the rival Chicago White Sox. The Pohlad family, who have owned the Twins since 1984, continued to explore offers, but Ishbia's decision seemed to be a turning point. Ultimately, the team remained in the hands of the Pohlads, who decided to maintain control and bring on limited partners to help manage the team's debt.
This move disappointed many fans who had hoped for a change in ownership, but the Pohlads had other plans. It took some time, but eventually, the new minority owners were revealed: Glick Family Investments, George G. Hicks, and Wild owner Craig Leipold.
A New Era Begins
As the season progressed, the Twins experienced both triumphs and setbacks. They started with a four-game losing streak but then rattled off an impressive 13-game winning streak in May, pulling themselves back above the .500 mark. Kody Clemens' three-run homer at Fenway Park, watched by his legendary father, Roger Clemens, helped spark this winning run.
The team also weathered the loss of stars Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, who suffered concussions after colliding in a game in Baltimore. Despite these challenges, the starting pitchers stepped up during the winning streak, keeping the team afloat.
And this is the part most people miss...
Buxton's Historic Achievement
Byron Buxton was a consistent standout throughout the year. He made the All-Star Game for the second time in his career and finished just outside the top 10 in MVP voting. Buxton hit a career-high 35 home runs and played in 126 games, his highest single-season total since 2017.
On July 12, Buxton made history by hitting for the cycle for the first time. On the same day the Twins distributed a "Buck Truck" bobblehead, Buxton collected a single, a triple, a double, and then capped it off with a home run in the seventh inning. It was a moment of personal triumph amidst a challenging season.
The End of Playoff Hopes
As the All-Star break approached, the Twins were a few games under .500, trailing the Detroit Tigers in the division race. However, they were still in contention for a Wild Card spot. Had they played well out of the break, perhaps they could have convinced the front office to shift gears.
Unfortunately, a series of losses to the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers dashed any remaining playoff hopes. A dreadful road trip altered the course of the season, and the Twins never fully recovered.
A Wild Trade Deadline
The trade deadline brought even more drama. The Twins began their sell-off by shipping Chris Paddack to Detroit. Then, in a confusing turn of events, utilityman Willi Castro was removed from a game, sparking speculation that he had been traded. Later that same game, reliever Griffin Jax yelled at manager Baldelli in the dugout, frustrated by the team's performance.
Hours later, closer Jhoan Duran was sent to Philadelphia, and the front office executed seven more trades in quick succession. Most of the bullpen, some impending free agents, and star shortstop Carlos Correa were shipped out in a salary dump move. The results on the field were predictably poor, and the Twins finished the season in fourth place for the second year in a row.
A New Manager, A New Direction
A day after the season ended, the Twins fired Rocco Baldelli. He had managed the team for seven seasons, leading them to the playoffs three times, but the late-season collapse in 2024 and the disappointing 2025 campaign sealed his fate.
In a joint decision with ownership, Derek Falvey announced that it was time for a "change in voice and direction." Interestingly, Baldelli's contract option for the 2026 season had already been picked up, but the team decided to move on.
Just over a month later, the Twins announced Derek Shelton as their new manager. Shelton had been a finalist for the position in 2018, losing out to Baldelli, his good friend. Shelton had served as the Twins' bench coach that year under Paul Molitor and then stayed on under Baldelli. He then took over as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he had a mixed record before being fired partway through the 2025 season.
A New Executive Chair Steps Up
On the same day the Twins announced their new limited partners, they also revealed that Tom Pohlad would take over as the team's executive chair. This marked a significant change, as his younger brother, Joe, had held the position since November 2022. Additionally, Tom Pohlad is expected to be approved as the organization's Control Person, taking over from his uncle, Jim.
Tom Pohlad, who had been leading the sale transaction on behalf of the family, now finds himself at the helm of the Twins during a challenging time. Fan morale is low, and anger towards ownership is high. At his introductory press conference, Pohlad acknowledged the need to rebuild trust with the fanbase.
"We believe that, with the conclusion of the transaction, now is the time to bring in new leadership, refocus our energy, increase accountability, and set a clear direction for the organization," he stated.
As the Twins navigate these changes, the future remains uncertain. Will the new leadership bring the team back to glory, or will the challenges of the past persist? Only time will tell.
What are your thoughts on the Twins' 2025 season and the changes made? Do you think these moves will pay off, or is there more turmoil ahead? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
