With many local businesses (Target, 3M) and the State of Minnesota requiring employees to return to the office either part- or full-time, the Minnesota Twins announced Thursday that players would be required to work in-person three days a week. Remote work would still be allowed twice weekly.
The team feels that getting players at Target Field and on road trips more often will help them compete in the wide-open American League Wild Card race.
“The ups and downs we’ve had this season are probably reflective of, say, having your starting infield working from home when you’re in Detroit,” said a front office source. “(Jonah) Bride’s a great guy, but I don’t think he would have played as often if we’d had all our options available, much less pitched that much.”
“Obviously, having all your players available a little more often helps,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “We’re not scrambling for a replacement when someone gets injured or the bullpen is getting overworked.”
For their part, the players may not welcome the change, but they understand it.
“If you don’t have to go to Sacramento, why would you,” said one veteran position player. “But at the end of the day, you tend to have more of an impact when you’re on the field, as opposed to a Zoom call with the coaches. It’s weird that they watch you get into the cold tub, right?”
“I work every fifth or sixth day, so I can get a lot of stuff done on those off days,” said a starting pitcher who asked to remain anonymous. “My mustache isn’t possible without remote work, so I’m glad I still have a couple days to really bear down and focus on it.”
Per two clubhouse sources, weekend shifts will continue being determined by whoever says “Not it” fastest.
The team also hopes the return to office impacts players who’ve been struggling to get going this season.
“We really think a player like (Christian) Vázquez will benefit from being here more often,” said the front office source.
When a reporter told the source that the slumping Vazquez has been in the clubhouse every day this season, the source pretended to be getting an emergency telephone call. The source could not find their phone, answered a stapler, and left the room.
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