Travis Kriens/KORN News Radio Sports Director
The calendar is about to flip to July, and that means two milestones for the Minnesota Twins.
First, they’re just past the halfway point of the 2026 season. Second, they’re nearing the one-year anniversary of one of the most controversial trade deadlines in franchise history.
The record? Identical.
The 2025 Twins sat at 40-45 after 85 games and were four games out of an American League wild-card spot before management pulled the trigger on a complete sell-off.
This year’s club? Also 40-45 after 85 games, only this time they’re just two games behind the final wild-card berth.
Last July’s fire sale sparked outrage across Twins Territory. Ten major league players were traded as the organization chose long-term flexibility over chasing a slim postseason chance.
The headline move sent Carlos Correa back to Houston in what was largely a salary-clearing deal. The Twins also traded closer Jhoan Duran, reliever Griffin Jax, utility standout Willi Castro, Louis Varland, Ty France and several other veterans in exchange for prospects and payroll relief.
At the time, many fans viewed it as waving the white flag. I didn’t. I thought it was the right decision then, and I still do today. The irony is that despite the same record one year later, this feels like a healthier baseball team. The biggest difference has been the offense.
Minnesota leads the American League in runs scored with 412 and has been baseball’s best team with runners in scoring position, hitting .290 in those situations. That’s 15 points better than the next-best club.
Josh Bell and Brooks Lee have been especially productive in clutch situations, while Ryan Jeffers, before his injury, was among the league’s best run producers with runners in scoring position.
Byron Buxton has also enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career.
He’s healthy for the second consecutive year, already has 25 home runs and owns an .898 OPS while continuing to play outstanding defense in center field.
The one strange statistical quirk? Buxton has only 43 RBIs because he’s hitting just .183 with runners in scoring position, one of the lowest marks in the majors despite producing elite power.
His stolen-base totals also remain modest. For someone with his speed, seven steals through 85 games feels low, but Buxton has never been a big stolen base threat having only stolen more than 15 bases in a season twice.
The offense isn’t what’s holding this team back. Pitching is. Specifically, the bullpen.
Minnesota’s relievers own a 5.45 ERA, the worst mark in Major League Baseball. Too many late leads have disappeared, and too many close games have ended with another frustrating loss.
There have been bright spots. Andrew Morris has shown promise. Yoendrys Gómez has quietly been outstanding. Anthony Banda settled down after a rough start before landing on the injured list. But overall, the bullpen simply hasn’t been good enough.
Ironically, the starting rotation has largely held together despite numerous injuries.
Joe Ryan has pitched like an ace, Taj Bradley has given the Twins quality innings after arriving from Tampa Bay, and several young starters have provided valuable experience.
That depth has kept Minnesota competitive.
Now comes the interesting question. What happens at this year’s trade deadline?
Unlike last season, I don’t expect another fire sale. The Twins aren’t built to buy aggressively, but they also aren’t in a position where selling makes much sense. More importantly, help is coming.
Top prospects Kaelen Culpepper, Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are all nearing the major leagues. Whether they arrive later this season or next spring, the organization’s next wave of talent is close.
That’s why I remain optimistic.
One year ago, the sky was supposedly falling. Instead, the Twins have the same record, a dramatically improved offense, several exciting young players already contributing and one of the better farm systems they’ve had in years.
No, this season hasn’t been perfect. The bullpen has been a disaster. The team still struggles to stay close .500. Fans have every right to be frustrated. But this rebuild is already looking healthier than many people expected when those trades were announced.
I’ve watched nearly every game this season. I understand why some fans checked out after last July. That’s their choice. Just remember where this franchise is headed. The Twins aren’t there yet, but they’re closer than many people realize. And when this team becomes a consistent contender again, don’t pretend you believed in the plan all along.