Minnesota Twins fans don’t have much to be excited about, as the team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2023 and is in a gray area between competing and rebuilding. That reality is reflected in The Athletic’s fifth annual “Hope-O-Meter,” a survey that ranks optimism among MLB fanbases.
The Twins finished last with just 4.3% of fans expressing optimism. For context, the San Francisco Giants were in the middle of the pack at 72.8%.
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Minnesota doesn’t have the worst roster in baseball, but the team doesn’t have a clear direction. It still has All-Stars Joe Ryan (starting pitcher) and Byron Buxton (center fielder), but it traded three-time All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa last season and doesn’t have any other above-average players. Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez, who had a 2.74 ERA over 14 starts last season, is out for the year with a torn UCL.
Meanwhile, the Twins have young and talented players like third baseman Royce Lewis and second baseman Luke Keaschall, but they need to establish themselves as reliable pieces. Lewis has only played 262 games since breaking into the big leagues in 2022 due to injuries, and Keaschall played just 49 games in his first season last year due to injury. However, the 23-year-old slashed .302/.382/.445 with four homers, 28 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases.
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The fan enthusiasm will likely increase if those two players have breakout seasons in 2026, but Minnesota has a long way to go regardless.
Minnesota Twins second baseman Luke Keaschall (15) and right fielder Matt Wallner (38). © Denny Medley-Imagn Images
While keeping Buxton and Ryan could help Minnesota win more now, it likely won’t be enough to win a championship anytime soon. Therefore, it makes more sense to trade them for prospects and/or young big-leaguers before their contracts are up.
Ryan has a mutual option in 2027, while Buxton is signed through 2028. That gives the Twins time to trade both players, but they can’t wait forever. Dealing them to contenders this season would be best for all parties.
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Otherwise, the Twins must hope that players like Lewis, Keaschall, and No. 1 prospect Walker Jenkins break out. The latter player is in Triple-A and is ranked No. 12 on MLB Pipeline.
Minnesota is 1-3 after losing 3-1 to the Kansas City Royals on Monday. Next up are rematches with the Royals on Wednesday and Thursday before hosting the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers.
Wednesday’s game will start at 7:40 p.m. ET in Kansas City. Ryan will start on the mound for the Twins against Royals southpaw Noah Cameron.