Despite the Minnesota Twins quickly spiraling toward the bottom of the American League, the team's front office is acting like nothing is wrong. On the same day that the Twins leaked the news that the 2026 option for manager Rocco Baldelli, team president Derek Falvey pushed back against the idea that they will be sellers ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.
After going 18-8, the Twins' season has gone off the rails in June. Injuries and a historically bad stretch of pitching have given the Twins the impression of being one of the worst teams in baseball instead of being a team that is viewed as a postseason contender. Given that impression, Falvey was asked on Monday about the idea of the Twins being sellers at the deadline.
“[Selling is] not my focus right now by any means,” Falvey told reporters before the Twins lost their fourth consecutive game. “I think when you think you have the team that you believe you have, and you hope you get healthier and get guys back here soon, that you feel like this group … is capable of putting together good baseball, it’s hard for you to think like that. If we have to cross that bridge, we’ll cross that bridge later, but that is not at all our focus right now. It’s to figure out how to get this team right back to where it needs to be."
Twins front office might be in denial — and Derek Falvey’s comments show it
As much as Falvey wants to put off the conversation, it's becoming increasingly clear what the Twins need to do at the deadline. If Baldelli isn't going anywhere, then it would seem that dramatic changes are needed to the roster. Especially when you consider that morale may already be sunk within the Twins' clubhouse.
Assuming the Twins do become sellers, it's only natural to speculate that teams will come calling on Jhoan Duran's status. Beyond Duran, outfielder Harrison Bader and starting pitcher Chris Paddack will also likely draw interest. Infielders Willi Castro, Ty France, and Kody Clemens would also be of interest to teams looking to improve their bench.
A conversation about selling at the deadline is not what Falvey was expecting to have this soon, but it's the conversation that is looking the front office directly in the face.