I wish I had a camera on Byron Buxton for this, just so everyone could see the look on his face when he said "A.J. Pierzynski?!" back to me: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Covering the Minnesota Twins since 2002. The Athletic senior writer + Gleeman and The Geek junior talker. Articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/aaron-gleeman/ Podcasts: https://www.patreon.com/Gleeman
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I wish I had a camera on Byron Buxton for this, just so everyone could see the look on his face when he said "A.J. Pierzynski?!" back to me: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
This might be my favorite story I've written this season. Byron Buxton, A.J. Pierzynski, and the shocking steal a decade in the making: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
I wish I had a camera on Byron Buxton for this, just so everyone could see the look on his face when he said "A.J. Pierzynski?!" back to me: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
No better compliment. @jaysonst.bsky.social is the best.
Twins called up RHP Travis Adams, RHP Noah Davis, and OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. from Triple-A St. Paul.
This might be my favorite story I've written this season. Byron Buxton, A.J. Pierzynski, and the shocking steal a decade in the making: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Byron Buxton stole third base Friday for the first time in his entire career. Seriously. And now he's trying to do something no one has ever done in Twins history. On healthy Buxton greatness, chasing 30-30, and the stolen base a decade in the making: www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Making his third (and likely final) Triple-A rehab start, Pablo López (shoulder) threw 5 2/3 shutout innings on 82 pitches. Seven strikeouts, one walk, and just one hard-hit ball. Fastball averaged 93.9 mph and topped out at 95.6. Looks ready to rejoin the Twins' rotation.
Twins optioned Mick Abel to Triple-A St. Paul. Abel was acquired from the Phillies in the Jhoan Duran trade and pitched twice after being called up on August 23, struggling in both outings. Rosters also expand from 26 to 28 on September 1, so they'll be adding three players.
Twins won two out of three from the playoff bound Padres, snapping a streak of five straight series losses.
Most times on base through 30 career games in Twins history: 52 — Luke Keaschall 51 — Chuck Knoblauch
Seven shutout innings for Joe Ryan, who is having one of the best seasons by a Twins starting pitcher in 25 years: www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Most times on base through 30 career games in Twins history: 51 — Luke Keaschall 51 — Chuck Knoblauch
Byron Buxton set a new career-high with his 29th homer. Buxton has four homers in his last four games. And he's now tied with Max Kepler for the most homers in Target Field history with 84.
Carlos Santana, who was released by the Guardians, joins Willi Castro, Caleb Thielbar, Taylor Rogers, and Minnesota native Michael Busch on the playoff-bound Cubs. www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
Position player Ryan Fitzgerald was the only Twins pitcher not to allow a run tonight.
Much better second Twins start for Taj Bradley. Five innings of one-run ball, with a solo homer as the only hit allowed. Six strikeouts and 14 swing-and-misses, including at least three whiffs on four different pitch types. Fastball averaged 97.2 mph and topped out at 98.9.
The legend @sweetloumn.bsky.social comes through with Sweet Martha’s delivered to the press box for the second straight season.
Kody Funderburk, Proven Closer.
Byron Buxton just stole third base for the first time in his entire MLB career, after 112 steals of second base. And there wasn't even a throw.
Rocco Baldelli on Cole Sands' mustache: "It's filling in fine, I think. You kind of have to see it in the right light, but when you do, it's good."
Walker Jenkins aced Double-A at 20 and has now reached Triple-A at 20, both of which have proven to be extremely positive indicators for future stardom in prospects: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Pablo López (shoulder) is expected to make his third, and likely final, Triple-A rehab start Sunday in Toledo. López said he feels good physically and is hoping to complete five innings to check the final box before rejoining the Twins' rotation. He's been out since June 3.
New (free) podcast! On the Twins' losses piling up, Byron Buxton's latest multi-homer game, a rotation logjam for September, Luke Keaschall's defense, and top prospect Walker Jenkins reaching Triple-A at 20. 🎧Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b... 📺Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqzX...
Allow me to get you hyped up about Walker Jenkins, the best Twins prospect since Byron Buxton and a rare 20-year-old to reach Triple-A: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Guardians released Carlos Santana, who hit .225 with a career-worst .650 OPS after returning to Cleveland on a one-year, $12 million deal.
ESPN is reportedly buying MLBTV and taking control of local broadcasts for teams, including the Twins. What would that mean for Twins fans? It's all part of MLB's bigger plan, so let's talk through what we know and what we can likely assume. 📺Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtJh...
Hardy Boyz and Stud Budz throwing out first pitches at Target Field in back-to-back home stands. Or maybe home standz.
My pitcher-by-pitcher look at the future of the Twins' starting rotation, with thoughts and trade/bullpen odds on: - Joe Ryan - Pablo López - Bailey Ober - Zebby Matthews - David Festa - Sim Woods Richardson - Mick Abel - Taj Bradley - Kendry Rojas www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
I guess it's good wins and losses ceased mattering for the Twins, because otherwise that would have been a brutal loss.
Most multi-homer games in Twins history: 35 — Harmon Killebrew 20 — Justin Morneau 18 — Tony Oliva 16 — Kent Hrbek 16 — Byron Buxton
Always cool to see one of my stories featured in the print edition of the New York Times (from Saturday), even if Joe Ryan's numbers took a hit since then after back-to-back poor starts: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
After the trade deadline, Derek Falvey touted the Twins' future rotation depth by mentioning nine starting pitchers by name. I wrote about all nine starters, looking at their current and future outlooks, and why some will be trade or bullpen candidates: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Are the Twins right to think next season's starting pitching depth will be a strength? My pitcher-by-pitcher look at the wide assortment of 2026 rotation options, including the most likely trade candidates and possible bullpen conversions: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
The Athletic has put together a survey for Twins fans who want to share their opinions about the state of the team, on and off the field. It's quick and easy. Just answer some questions and we'll compile the responses in a follow-up article next week. www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
“Gonna be a tough day out here for the 10+ yrs-dating-but-not-engaged-crowd” - @aarongleeman.bsky.social
Twins' Win Probability Added leaders/trailers through ~80% of the season: +2.30 Joe Ryan +1.64 Byron Buxton +1.38 Louis Varland +1.37 Luke Keaschall +1.13 Danny Coulombe ... -1.14 Travis Adams -1.17 Royce Lewis -1.33 Christian Vázquez -1.37 Bailey Ober -1.93 Carlos Correa
With the Twins in Toronto, @danhayesmlb.bsky.social caught up with Louis Varland, who talked about the shock of being traded, the impact on his family, and how pitching for his hometown team "was the time of my life." www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Twins fans might want to bookmark this: www.tankathon.com/mlb
New podcast! First impressions of Mick Abel and Taj Bradley from their shaky Twins debuts, Walker Jenkins moving up to Triple-A St. Paul, and an ugly series against the White Sox. www.patreon.com/posts/abel-b...
Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins has been promoted to Triple-A St. Paul. Jenkins hit .309/.424/.489 at Double-A Wichita as a 20-year-old, cementing his status as a consensus top-25 prospect. Here's more on Jenkins being one step from the big leagues: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Curious to see who gets the fourth corner locker in the Twins' home clubhouse (along with Byron Buxton, Pablo López, and Christian Vázquez) now. Erasmo Ramirez had taken it over from Carlos Correa, by virtue of 14 years in MLB. But he's out, as is 11-year veteran José Ureña.
Got some "can't blame him for looking out for himself" replies to this, which isn't surprising. Here's the thing: That hasn't worked. At all. There are 202 hitters with at least 450 plate appearances since August 1 of last year. Royce Lewis ranks 189th in AVG and 185th in OPS.
Rough quotes from Royce Lewis, playing into every negative stereotype of someone caring about their stats over the team. And his stats are awful, so it doesn't even make logical sense to avoid adjustments and help. Read the story for more context/quotes: www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
Good to see Mr. Grand Slam again. Sixth grand slam of Royce Lewis' career, which is tied for seventh in Twins history with Gary Gaetti. Harmon Killebrew is the Twins' all-time leader with 10.
New (free) podcast! On the Twins now playing as poorly as everyone expected after the fire sale, calling up trade deadline pickups Mick Abel and Taj Bradley, and the questions Brooks Lee still has to answer. 🎧Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b... 📺Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Wu...
As the team crumbles around him, and after a deadline full of trade speculation, Joe Ryan is having one of the best seasons by a Twins starting pitcher in 25 years: www.nytimes.com/athletic/656...
Twins were swept by the A's at home, finishing the home stand 1-6. Twins are 7-12 since the trade deadline, a 102-loss pace. They're now tied for the AL's second-worst record, ahead of only the White Sox. And the Twins and White Sox are playing this weekend in Chicago.
Twins would be one of the five teams.
Twins and Astros are both 7-11 since the Carlos Correa trade.
Twins are hitting .190 with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break.
Ryan Fitzgerald is just the third player in Twins history to play shortstop, third base, and first base in the same game. Previous two: Terry Jorgensen, 1993 César Tovar, 1968
Twins need to go 15-22 or better in their final 37 games to avoid their first 90-loss season since 2016, the year before this front office regime took over. They are 16-21 in their last 37 games.
Twins and Astros are both 7-10 since the Carlos Correa trade.
Here are the Hardy Boyz throwing out the first pitch at Target Field. It was a big enough deal to get wrestling fanatic Hank Conger out of catching retirement (while wearing a "Raw Is War" shirt, no less).
First time all season Joe Ryan has failed to complete at least five innings and just his third time allowing more than four runs. Defense definitely didn't do Ryan any favors. Three of the five runs he allowed were unearned.
Big day at Target Field: Hardy Boyz are throwing out the first pitch and, if my pleas worked, will be appearing on the TV broadcast during the game.
Twins first-round pick Marek Houston was promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids after hitting .370/.424/.444 in 12 games at Low-A Fort Myers. Similar timing as last year's first-round pick, Kaelen Culpepper, who played nine games at Low-A before finishing his debut season at High-A.
Happy fourth birthday to @racketmn.com, which is already an essential part of the Twins Cities media ecosystem. I'm a Day 1 subscriber and proud to support a shining example of truly independent, user-supported media. racketmn.com/happy-birthd...
Watching what's become of the Twins, it's hard to comprehend how they were reigning division champs with a 70-53 record exactly 365 days ago. How did it go wrong, so suddenly and so thoroughly? No one seems to know, and that might be the scariest part: www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
New podcast! On the Twins crashing back to reality after initially playing well after the fire sale, Brooks Lee's adjustments at the plate, and my thoughts from a conversation with Rocco Baldelli about the collapse starting 365 days ago. www.patreon.com/posts/realit...
It started with a blown lead 365 days ago. And now they've gone 70-93. "I don't want this conversation, that question and the response, it shouldn't sound good." One year later, the Twins are still struggling to break free from last season's collapse: www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
Twins' record this season ... ... when starting Chris Paddack: 5-16 ... when facing Chris Paddack: 2-0
Twins avoided a four-game sweep with an 8-1 win over the Tigers. Old friend Chris Paddack took the loss for Detroit, allowing three homers and eight runs in 5 2/3 innings. Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, and Brooks Lee homered, and Thomas Hatch threw five innings of one-run ball.
Rocco Baldelli, pregame, on facing old friend Chris Paddack: "You have a decent idea that he's going to be on the mound, ready to come at you, ready to throw strikes, ready to try to get ahead. And we need to be ready for it. We should be prepared for it. We absolutely should."
Brooks Lee takes old friend Chris Paddack deep for his first career grand slam.
Byron Buxton takes old friend Chris Paddack deep for his 25th homer of the season.
Royce Lewis takes old friend Chris Paddack deep for his first homer since July 23.
I’m going to assume this wasn’t purchased at the team store.
Alan Roden's season is over. Twins transferred him to the 60-day injured list with a sprained thumb ligament. Roden will run out of time to return this season no matter what the hand specialist determines. He hit .158 in 12 games after coming over in the Louis Varland trade.
Fresh batch of Twins notes, including: - Alan Roden seeing hand specialist - James Outman called up, debuts - Pablo López nearing rehab start(s) - Simeon Woods Richardson update - Connor Prielipp promoted to AAA - Corey Koskie going into Twins HOF www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
Twins have lost three straight games and five of their last six. They are 6-9 (.400) since the trade deadline after going 51-57 (.472) before the trade deadline. Twins will try to avoid a four-game sweep Sunday, with old friend Chris Paddack on the mound for the Tigers.
Most times on base through 18 career games in Twins history: 35 — Rich Becker 33 — Kirby Puckett 33 — Luis Arraez 32 — Luke Keaschall Now that's a list.
Twins promoted Connor Prielipp to Triple-A St. Paul. Prielipp ranked No. 5 on my midseason (and pre-trade deadline) Twins prospect list: www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
Twins placed Alan Roden on the injured list and called up James Outman from Triple-A St. Paul. Outman was acquired from the Dodgers for Brock Stewart at the trade deadline.
It's a dark time for the Twins. Our personal message to Twins fans and especially Gleeman and The Geek listeners: We're not going anywhere, and we'll never stop speaking freely and critically about the team. We're devoted to doing right by Twins fans even if the Twins aren't.
Alan Roden has a sprained left thumb ligament. Sounds like he could be headed to the injured list, but nothing official yet. Acquired from the Blue Jays in the Louis Varland trade, Roden is the lone deadline pickup to play for the Twins so far. He's hit .158 in 12 games.
Twins allowed five runs in the first inning and were shut out 7-0 by the Tigers. Beyond that, the less said about this game, the better.
Twins and Brewers are now tied for MLB's longest winning streak of the season at 13 games. Twins are 44-64 outside of their winning streak. Brewers are 64-44 outside of their winning streak.
Pablo López said his simulated game went well. He threw 35-40 pitches over two innings, and got his velocity up to 93-95 mph. "Everything felt normal." No official word yet on the next steps, but López indicated he's hoping to go on a rehab assignment.
New (free) podcast! Here's everything we know — and think we know — about the Pohlads pulling the Twins off the market and selling pieces of the team to pay off their debt. 🎧Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s... 📺Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIuI...
New (free) podcast! On the Pohlads pulling the Twins off the market, instead selling chunks of the team to pay off their debt, and why it might be the worst-case scenario for fans. 🎧Listen: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s... 📺Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIuI...
Pablo López (shoulder) throwing a simulated game facing, among others, Edouard Julien.
Corey Koskie, the volleyball-playing 'no shot' from Canada, will be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame on Sunday. My look back at the career of one of the most underrated players in Twins history: www.nytimes.com/athletic/309...
Rocco Baldelli said his issue was with the umpire refusing to look at the baseball to see if it hit the ground on Ryan Jeffers' foul tip.
Twins scored three runs in the third inning, but got shut out for the other 10 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Tigers.
Rocco Baldelli got ejected for the 18th time in his career, four of which have come this season. Got his money's worth, kicking dirt on the plate and then flinging his hat onto the field.
Edouard Julien is now 2-for-2 vs. Tarik Skubal after previously having two hits vs. left-handed pitchers all season.
Edouard Julien takes Tarik Skubal (very) deep for just the second homer of his career vs. a left-handed pitcher. And it's the first homer Skubal has allowed vs. a left-handed hitter this season. Julien came into the game batting .170 vs. lefties for his career, including .105 this season.
In pulling the Minnesota Twins off the market, the Pohlads continue to crush the hopes of a fan base that deserves better. ✍️ @aarongleeman.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
Alternate headline: This sucks for Twins fans. www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
On a day like this, I'm especially grateful to our Patreon subscribers for empowering us to speak freely and critically about the Twins. They enable us to serve our audience, above all else and no matter the pushback, and that's never been more important. www.patreon.com/posts/pohlad...
Gleeman: In pulling Twins off the market, Pohlads crush hopes of a fan base that deserves better www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
🚨Emergency podcast🚨 The good news? We were seconds from starting to record a new podcast when the Pohlads released their statement about pulling the Twins off the market after 10 months, so we reacted instantly. The bad news? Everything else. www.patreon.com/posts/pohlad...
My new Twins mailbag column includes: - Joe Ryan/Pablo López trade odds - Roden vs. Larnach/Wallner logjam - Most intriguing trade deadline add - Jenkins/Culpepper/Houston ETAs - What's the future shortstop plan? - Target Field attendance numbers www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...
Twins are now 44-125 (.260) vs. the Yankees since 2002, including 9 straight losses. Twins' winning percentage is .514 vs. all other teams since 2002. All three Twins managers since 2002 have a sub-.270 winning% vs. the Yankees. .269 — Ron Gardenhire .259 — Paul Molitor .237 — Rocco Baldelli
Austin Martin led off the game with a single and then the Yankees no-hit the Twins for nine innings.
Thomas Hatch's seven walks vs. the Yankees tonight are tied for the most by a reliever in Twins history.