Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images
Since the Minnesota Twins won their first playoff series in decades during the 2023 postseason, the Pohlad family has been on a crusade budget cuts.
Publicly, a lot of time has been spent on their slashing of player payroll, which is currently projected to finish $70 million below the $181 million spent on baseball talent during that memorable 2023 season.
But behind the scenes, the Pohlads have been making cuts elsewhere in their baseball business, as well. And while these money saving moves haven’t been made as public as the roster savings in recent years, fans and media are starting to take notice.
While fans have welcomed pregame happy hour, where select beer is just $2 per cup, there are other experiences around Target Field that are not making those in attendance feel valued by the baseball team trying to win their attention.
Budget cuts hitting all levels of Minnesota Twins org.
New owner in-charge, Tom Pohlad — who has crowned himself as new MN Twins president of baseball operations — has talked a big game when asked what will bring fans back.
However, when it comes to spending in order to pay off his promises, Tom’s been by far the most frugal (which is saying something). And apparently, that business trait carries beyond the handling of Minnesota’s roster.
According to a conversation between Aaron Gleeman (The Athletic) and John Bonnes (Twins Daily), during a recent episode of the Gleeman and the Geek podcast ($$$), revealed a few more cost-saving Twins measures they’ve noticed since the 2026 regular season began.
Gleeman: “We have heard from people behind the scenes that have been let go, or encouraged to leave. They have cut back on the scouting side. They have told ushers and concession workers to be prepared for fewer hours to work this year. Definitely cutting some corners.”
Bonnes:”There are a fair number of signs at Target Field that they are starting to watch their expenses…Yesterday [Sunday] at Truly on Deck it was not busy, because it was not busy at Target Field yesterday, even with kids and such.
We ordered food as soon as we got there…they said, just FYI we are closing the kitchen in about ten minutes. This was the third inning. They said they will have sort of an abbreviated menu after that point, but the full menu at Truly on Deck was not available starting in the fourth inning…I’ve never seen that before, where they close the kitchen that early in the game.
On top of that, we’re heading into extra innings and I get a text at 3pm saying “last call.” One of the reasons we like Truly on Deck is we go there for 45 minutes after the game. You can get a beer after the game, 15 minutes after the game is the last call. What they told us is if it’s not busy, [they] can just close any time.”
Target Field feels different this season
If you have been to Target Field during the early portions of most seasons, it’s customary to see upper level concessions stands not in operation, and some of the typical game day experience dialed back. This feels entirely different.
Although the Minnesota Twins are struggling to usher even 1,000’s of fans through the gates for game two of their series this week against the Detroit Tigers, it doesn’t seem like they are trying to impress even those diehards.
It’s inevitable that lower gate entrances will create less work for stadium support staff, but pulling the plug on additional alcohol sales seems like the last place to try and save money.
Related: Official: Minnesota Twins Fans are Completely Hopeless
The Twins sold a boat load of beer cheap beer on Opening Day. They’ll continue to do that as the weather warms up. Inevitably, fans will fill the stadium better than they will during the cold spring months, because Target Field is a great venue to watch warm-weather baseball.
If they can’t keep the limited number of fans who do show up at Target Field this season happy with the amenities offered, then they are in big trouble since the product on the field, sitting 4-6 thus far, probably won’t be anything to write home about.
Mentioned in this article: Aaron Gleeman Target Field
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