Unfortunately, the Twins’ season that once held promise is now ending in devastation, as the club has been officially eliminated from postseason contention after a steep decline in the standings, fueled by a rough 9-16 record in September. Despite starting the month with a 91.7% chance of making the postseason, according to Fangraphs, the Twins will not be participating in October after breaking a 20-year postseason victory drought just a year ago.
However, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reported that president of baseball operations Derek Falvey, manager Rocco Baldelli, and team president Dave St. Peter are unlikely to be ousted from their positions at this time. Both Falvey and Baldelli have been relatively successful during their tenures with the Twins, with multiple postseason appearances and winning records under their belts.
Although changes are expected within the organization this winter, particularly impacting high-ranking members of the front office and coaching staff, it’s uncertain what the future holds for GM Thad Levine. Speculation suggests Levine may not remain with the club, especially given his previous pursuit of other top jobs in the MLB.
The disappointing 2024 season for the Twins was not solely the fault of the front office or coaching staff. Ownership’s decision to cut payroll by $30M after a successful 2023 season left the team unable to make significant roster improvements. The potential lack of increased payroll for 2025 could lead to further cuts and the need to trade veterans with guaranteed contracts to strengthen the roster.
Right-hander Chris Paddack and catcher Christian Vazquez are identified as potential trade candidates if payroll cuts necessitate roster changes. Paddack, despite a challenging season, could be an appealing trade piece for teams seeking pitching depth due to his reasonable salary. Vazquez, on the other hand, may only attract interest for salary relief given his lackluster performance in Minnesota.
