New York, Los Angeles, Boston. These are cities where sports reign supreme and consistently produce some of the best teams in every league. Minnesota is a Midwest city with the luxury of a sports team in all four major sports, and while we complain about the Twins quite often, all of the city's sports teams are competitive right now.
This makes it a fun time to be a Minnesota sports fan, so let's rank each of the four major sports teams and see where the Twins stack up to their fellow statesmen.
4. Wild
The Wild are in jeopardy of developing some “Twins Syndrome.” Decent, but just not good enough to become a legitimate threat at the Stanley Cup. Before missing the playoffs entirely last season, the Wild lost in the first round of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, eerily reminiscent of the fate the Twins face when they match up with the Yankees come October.
This season is off to a promising start for the squad, as they find themselves second in the Central Division with the third most points in the Western Conference. Kirill Kaprizov has carried the squad offensively, leading them in points, goals, assists, and plus-minus, while Matt Boldy has been a clutch performer with a team-leading eight game-winning goals. They also have the 8th best goaltending iplus-minus with just 2.73 goals allowed per game between Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury.
Their goal differential of +10 is a concern, but if they can continue to rack up wins and points anything can happen in the playoffs.
3. Twins
The Twins might be walking the fine line of pro sports purgatory. They always seem to finish with decent records but never seem to have a strong enough team to make any real noise in the playoffs. The last two years are prime examples, where 2023 resulted in a wild card round win against the Blue Jays and subsequent loss in the ALDS but then followed up with a late summer collapse and a missed playoff campaign in 2024.
Given the financial constraints and issues they face resulting in no desire to spend money, management has its hands tied on ways to improve the team without spending big in free agency. It’s a precarious situation to be in and will essentially require them to run back the same team as last year and expect a different result.
The biggest issue the Twins have faced in recent memory has been health. The roster has the potential to be exciting, but the constant injuries to big name players continue to hold back the organization. Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Jose Miranda are all potential superstars and stalwarts in the lineup that are consistently bitten by the injury bug. Even a once highly regarded prospect in Alex Kirilloff was forced into an early retirement this offseason due to persistent injury concerns.
In a weaker American League, the Twins are fully capable of getting hot, healthy, and capturing the American League Central title with a formidable playoff roster. The question is whether or not they can actually stay healthy and not step on their own toes come September. Until then, the organization is in danger of finding themselves mired in mediocrity.
2. Vikings
The Vikings were quite possibly the biggest surprise team in the NFL this season. Their preseason win total came in at 7.5 wins, which they blew through with an astounding 14-3 record, good for third best in football.
Not only did they overachieve their win total, they had the biggest free agency steal in Sam Darnold. The former third overall pick for the Jets seemed to be headed for a career backup role until the Vikings gave him a 1 year, $10 million contract to bridge the gap to J.J. McCarthy. Darnold shined, throwing for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns on the year, making him a real candidate for Comeback Player of the Year and setting himself up for a massive contract next year.
On top of Darnold, the Vikings have a pair of standout receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison alongside an impressive defense anchored by Andrew Van Ginkel. The first-round playoff loss at the hands of playoff veteran Matt Stafford and the Rams is surely a frustrating end to a strong season, but it was still a season that went above and beyond expectations.
The quarterback position will surely inspire a lot of questions this offseason, but if McCarthy is healthy and ready to go the Vikings will have their quarterback of the future to pair with a dynamic receiving duo and high hopes for their future.
1. Timberwolves
Excitement factor brings home the top spot on this list. The Timberwolves are one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA after a 2023-24 season that ended with the third best record in the conference and a playoff sweep of the Phoenix Suns.
They’re off to a slower start this season, but are still over .500 and are acclimating to a new look roster after an offseason blockbuster trade. Minnesota fully cleared the way for Anthony Edwards' rise to stardom by flipping Karl Anthony Towns for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and picks. While the results are still shaky, the Wolves are dedicated to giving their generational talent in Edwards the reins to the franchise.
Edwards has turned into a full-blown superstar, averaging 25 points per game in each of the last two seasons and is looking like a future MVP candidate for years to come. Alongside the stat-stuffing Randle, four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, 6th Man of the Year Naz Reid, and veteran floor general Mike Conley, the Wolves have built a formidable roster that can threaten in the playoffs.
Considering Edwards’ youth, a young defensive specialist in Jaden McDaniels, and the potential of last years’ first round pick in Rob Dillingham, the Timberwolves have an exciting mix of veterans and young players that will make them the pride of Minnesota for years to come.