Baseball season is here. The Minnesota Twins opened their 2026 campaign with two series away before their return to Target Field on April 3 for their home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Most Twins fans, however, are expecting the team to strike out this season.
In a poll published by The Athletic, Twins fans ranked dead last on the Hope-O-Meter, with only 4.3 percent of fans expressing optimism for the 2026 season. That follows the franchise’s worst attendance in decades last year.
Just a few years ago, the Twins were playing fall baseball, winning the 2023 Wild Card Series—their first series win since 2002—and going to the playoffs. The series win broke the worst postseason losing streak in all major sports franchises (18 games), and the team seemed to be on the upswing. Today, though, whatever hope existed has been squashed by disappointment in ownership and management regarding downward trends in payroll, questionable trade decisions, and a lack of player signings.
In the 2026 season, the $105 million payroll is almost $20 million down from 2025, and $55 million from 2023. Meanwhile, the roster stays inconsistent. In a massive “fire sale” in 2025 during the trade deadline, the Twins traded away eight players, including key player Carlos Correa, and star closer Jhoan Duran, signaling a shift in philosophy and an eye on rebuilding the franchise. The trades mostly yielded back prospects, but a few familiar faces remain: infielders Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee; Byron Buxton and Matt Walner in the outfield; Joe Ryan and Simeon Woods Richardson on the mound, while a slew of players called up from the minors pepper the roster.
There’s a new manager for the Twins as well. Derek Shelton leads the team, hired in October after a 70-92 season under Rocco Baldelli. Already, he’s making history, becoming the first MLB manager ejected from a game for arguing an ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) system decision.
In the higher levels of management, Twins president Derek Falvey and the organization mutually agreed to part ways in the off-season. General manager Jeremy Zoll is overseeing baseball operations following his departure. On the ownership front, Tom Pohlad took over from his brother Joe as the controlling owner, looking to tidy up administration and give some hope back to the fans.
“Now is the time to put new leadership in place and to have a renewed sense of energy, a renewed sense of focus, a different level of accountability, and ultimately a clear direction on where we’re taking this organization,” Tom Pohlad said in a news conference at Target Field.
Players reflect this sentiment of rejuvenation. Keaschall is back at full health after being plagued by injuries. In the preseason, he was hitting a .377 batting average and a 1.128 OPS with only two strikeouts in 53 at-bats (he’s playing really well). Buxton looks to build on career-high HRs, RBIs, and runs last season, while proving his title of Twins Defensive Player of the Year. Pitchers Taj Bradley and Mick Abel are the new hope for the team, playing well in spring training and cementing themselves in the Twins starter rotation in their rookie seasons.
Another bright spot for the Twins is the farm system players they received during last year’s trades, along with their star prospect Walker Jenkins. Commonly ranked in the top 100 prospects in the league, Jenkins batted .286 for the Triple-A Saints in 2025 and is likely to be called up later in the season.
At Target Field, new concessions include an elote cart from La Madre, chocolate fish on a stick (taiyaki, if you know ball) from Izakaya Kazama, and a stand for celiac and gluten-free fans.
Value nights and deals galore are one perk of a lower-table team as owners look to boost attendance. The first 10,000 fans through the gates for the home opener get a free opening day beanie. Another reason to show up early on opening day: A pregame show from the Fabulous Armadillos and the Friday happy hour of $2 beers, hot dogs, and snacks until first pitch.