The Winter Meetings didn't bring a blockbuster move for the Minnesota Twins, not that most of us were expecting one, but they did give us a clearer picture of where the front office says it is heading. Some of the chatter should get Twins fans legitimately excited, while other parts should raise an eyebrow or two.
The biggest impression was that not only are the Twins planning on retaining their core, but they are also looking to add to the roster. No, they were never going to sign Pete Alonso to man first, but they could find some nice bargains for the lane they picked.
3 Winter Meetings storylines that should excite Twins fans (or terrify them)
After a fire sale at the trade deadline and a miserable end to the 2025 season, Derek Shelton has brought some renewed energy into the Twins' organization. No, they may not be ready to take back the top spot in the American League Central, but they shouldn't be as bad as they were during the final two months of the regular season.
1. The Twins Aren't Trading Their Core Players (Exciting)
Let's begin with the rumor that refused to die: the idea that Minnesota might move Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, and Pablo López. This rumor popped up midseason in 2025 and again as soon as the offseason arrived, but the message from the front office during the Winter Meetings was clear - those players are not on the table.
Whether or not we can believe the front office remains to be seen, but even hearing this now is a big deal for a team trying to rebound from an uneven 2025. Whatever frustrations last season brought, the Twins still have solid cornerstone talent in López, Buxton, and Ryan. Buxton changes the game when he is healthy. Ryan continues to climb his way up the top tier of AL starters. López remains a stabilizing force in the rotation - again, when healthy.
Keeping that group intact signals something important: Minnesota still believes its competitive window is open with these three pieces. In a division that is far from settled, this should give fans hope that 2026 is gearing towards winning and not a complete reset.
2. The Twins Are Looking To Spend On A Bat (Exciting)
If there was one consistent theme from the Twins’ side of the Meetings, it was this: they’re trying to add a real bat. Minnesota checked in on multiple first basemen and DH types - Rhys Hoskins, Ryan O’Hearn, and Josh Bell among them - which shows they’re not content to run back the same inconsistent offense from 2025. This tier of hitter makes sense - the Twins don't need a superstar, they need someone who can provide:
One more competent middle-of-the-order threat changes the entire feel of the lineup. If the Twins land one of these bats, rumors suggest they're willing to drop up to $20 million to make it happen; this offense looks a lot more capable heading into 2026.
3. Not Much Actually Happened (Terrifying)
For all of the encouraging talk, the Winter Meetings ended with something noticeably absent: actual moves. Big names are coming off the board, our division foes are shopping their aces, and the Twins stood pat. Too familiar for comfort, if you ask me.
Minnesota left Orlando with the same questions it arrived with, with the bullpen being the biggest worry. The Twins cycled through relievers all year in 2025, sold off most of the competent ones, creating a late-inning stability issue. The club has yet to address starting rotation depth, and, as mentioned earlier, they're apparently looking to add a solid bat to the lineup. None of these issues is unsolvable, but the clock is ticking. The Twins are two months from the beginning of spring training workouts, and the Winter Meetings didn't offer much evidence that urgency is driving the team's approach.
The Winter Meetings may not be what they once for, but for better or worse, the Twins now know the direction the team is headed in.