The Minnesota Twins had one of the biggest collapses in team history last summer but it hasn’t sparked anything during the offseason. While the hot stove is still in need of repairs in Minnesota, their winter of silence has reached a critical stage after the Chicago White Sox agreed to a one-year deal with Josh Rojas on Thursday.
The Rojas signing isn’t likely to shift the balance of power in the American League Central but it gives the Twins the dubious honor of being the only team in the division that hasn’t signed a major league free agent this offseason. While there have been additions such as Thursday’s signing of Mike Ford, it’s been a string of minor-league deals that have kept Twins fans waiting for something bigger.
Minnesota Twins’ payroll situation has them behind again in the American League Central
Twins fans know the team’s payroll situation all too well. Coming off their most successful season in two decades, team chairman Joe Pohlad ordered a $30 million payroll reduction in the name of “right-sizing his business” last winter.
While the Twins stayed afloat and were in firm control of a Wild Card spot, the Twins were one of the few teams that didn’t make a significant move at last year’s trade deadline outside of an ill-fated acquisition of reliever Trevor Richards. The Twins lost 27 of their final 39 games and missed the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons.
Frustrated Twins fans scored a moral victory when the Pohlad family announced their intention to sell the team in October. But even if a free-spending owner like Justin Ishbia takes over, there’s no sign that a sale is imminent, leaving the Twins to operate under a $130 million payroll for the second straight year.
Twins insider Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV hinted earlier this week that President of Baseball & Business Operations Derek Falvey may ask Pohlad for “a little wiggle room” but the team is “steadfast” on the $130 million figure which has handcuffed the team for the second straight offseason.
While the Twins have stood pat, their division rivals have tried to move forward. The Cleveland Guardians have had a turbulent offseason including trades of Chris Gimenez and Josh Naylor but still found enough money to sign Carlos Santana. The Kansas City Royals retained Michael Wacha on a three-year, $51 million deal and the Detroit Tigers signed Gleyber Torres and are reportedly “all-in” on Alex Bregman.
Even the White Sox, who lost an MLB-record 121 games last season have gotten in on the action, signing Mike Tauchman, Austin Slater and Bryse Wilson to major league contracts in addition to Rojas joining the team on Thursday.
Minnesota Twins need to add to major league roster soon
An optimist would point to the fact that the Twins stayed in a playoff spot for most of last season, but several deficiencies still exist. The Twins are reportedly looking for a right-handed outfielder after declining Manuel Margot’s 2025 option and need some depth on the back end of the rotation and bullpen.
The Twins’ biggest need is at first base but salary constraints have priced them out of any meaningful addition and incumbents Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien are the favorites to start on Opening Day with unflattering or inexperienced resumes.
In the end, it may mean a trade is coming but not one that Twins fans will enjoy. With dollars take precedence over rings, a deal could be a similar return to the one the Twins got for Jorge Polanco, which included Anthony DeSclafani (who didn’t pitch in 2024), Justin Topa (appeared in three games) and prospect Gabriel Gonzalez (injured in the minors).
It’s a depressing development for a team with enough talent to win the division but remains in the waiting game heading into next year.