Minnesota Twins fans breathed a sigh of relief when Derek Falvey shared they had no intention of trading their top three players, Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, and Pablo López, this offseason during the Winter Meetings.

As much as players try to tune out the rumors surrounding the trade market in the off-season, they can still creep into their daily lives. That was the case for López early this offseason. Still, having the experience of being traded twice already, it was something he could dismiss.

“I heard all the rumors,” López said on Friday. “Just because I’ve had the experience of being traded twice. It’s not real until it happens, but the one thing I told the front office [is that] I would like to be a part of this rotation going forward.”

With López and Ryan staying in Minnesota, the starting rotation remains the strongest part of the Twins roster going into 2026. López ended the season on the injured list with a mild forearm sprain after an awkward landing on his throwing arm in front of first base during his last start of the year.

The injury would have caused López to miss only two starts at any other point of the year. Still, the Twins had fewer than 10 games left at that point, so it made sense to shut him down for the rest of 2025. Since then, he’s been able to have a normal off-season and looks to be more dependable going into 2026.

“I have hit all of my marks, threw a live batting practice session yesterday, which means I had to work out today at 6:00 in the morning,” said López. “I’m going to throw two more before I actually report to spring training. It’s been good. If anything, a little early because of the World Baseball Classic competition, tournament.”

Pablo López is one of three Twins set to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He, along with Buxton and Ryan, will all depart spring training early on March 1 to join their teams for the tournament. The most exciting part about this WBC for López will be having Johan Santana, his childhood icon, on Team Venezuela’s coaching staff. He hopes Santana will help propel them to their first WBC title in tournament history.

“The Twins have been really good about it,” López said on WBC preparation. “As long as I communicate with them how I’m feeling and I’m honest with them that I’m feeling good, should be all good. Johan is going to be the pitching coach, which is also super exciting.”

The Twins’ new chairman, Tom Pohlad, had made a point to meet with his team’s three biggest stars in person at some point during the off-season. He had already flown to Baxley, Ga., to meet with Buxton shortly after taking on the job. He had also done the same in California with Ryan.

Pablo López was the only player Pohlad had yet to meet with going into TwinsFest weekend. Still, shortly after reporters wrapped up their interviews with them, they would get down to brass tacks on what they hope for in Minnesota’s 2026 season.

“They are the anchor of this team, if you will,” Pohlad said. “Just like our fans – here is my perspective: If our fans are unclear on what the direction of the team is, I have to imagine people in the organization are, and our players are. I wanted to reach out to those guys and do the exact same thing I’m doing with you all or the fans.”

“I want to hear what he has to say,” said López. “Obviously, I’ve seen him before, but I haven’t had a chance to talk to him. So, I’m mainly excited to make that first connection, see what he has to say, whatever questions he has for me, be as candid as I can.”

With a new manager and coaching staff in place, López understands it’ll be up to the veterans to help set the tone in the clubhouse for the younger players as the new coaches adjust to their roles. He has full confidence in Derek Shelton in the role, from how he’s been going out and communicating with the players before spring training starts.

“I feel like that shows that he cares; he really values connecting with the people that have been here for a while,” said López. “Obviously, Buxton’s been here way longer than Joe and I. But we’ve been here for quite some time, and we’ve been playing baseball for a decent amount of time, and I think he wants to hear from us. I think that’s a really professional move.”

Pohlad has high aspirations for the Twins to turn things around in 2026 and wants to give the team a shot at competing for a wild-card spot. For the Twins to get into that position, it ultimately comes down to setting the right tone before the first full squad workout on February 16.

Pablo López has already been an established leader in the starting rotation and continues to take that role, especially for newer pitchers in the organization, like Taj Bradley and Mick Abel. If everything falls into place for Minnesota come Opening Day, then López can help lead the rotation into a much better direction for the 2026 season.

“If we have the right culture, a positive energy, and people believe that we can win, and it’s across the organization, that 82 wins will be 86 wins,” said Pohlad. “That’s the difference between a wild-card spot and, in our division, a division title. We want to be playing meaningful games in September, and I think we will be.”

“There’s going to be a decent amount of tone setting from me and a couple of the guys,” López said. “There’s going to be a lot of changes, because we want to turn it up for good. We want to set the standard. Make sure Minnesota Twins baseball means something good and stick to that.”