MINNESOTA TWINS

The Twins collapsed down the stretch in 2024, squandering a 95% playoff chance as defending AL Central champions and finishing 82-80. They then tumbled to 70-92 in 2025, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. At the 2025 trade deadline, Minnesota dealt Carlos Correa back to Houston, along with closer Jhoan Duran, relievers Griffin Jax and Danny Coulombe, and six other major leaguers in a fire sale. The trades brought back prospects while Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, Pablo López, and young infielders Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee remained. Correa cards cooled after the trade, while injury-prone stars Buxton and Royce Lewis have seen collector interest tied to their availability rather than sustained performance.

Where they stand: As of early August 2026, the Twins sit at 58-60, in second place in the AL Central. Manager Rocco Baldelli was fired after the 2025 season and replaced by Derek Shelton. The club slashed payroll to its lowest level in a decade after the 2025 fire sale. Recent call-up Kaelen Culpepper homered in his major league debut, while veteran Josh Bell has provided offense.