What Happened to the 2024 Minnesota Twins?

The point remains that there were moves that could have been made. If you have to sweeten a deal a little to get some salary covered then so be it. If the front office truly killed any deal that came across the desk then shame on them. However, the front office should have been able to make some kind of move to solidify this roster.

Lack of Buy-In Down the Stretch

We have hit on the ownership group and the front office. They however had little impact on the actual collapse of the team down the stretch. Despite the lack of adding to the roster both before the season and at the trade deadline, this team was good enough to make the playoffs.

On Aug. 17, the Twins found themselves at 70-53 (.569) with the fourth best record in the AL. They were in prime position to coast into the post season, with a 92.4% chance to make the playoffs.

Since 2012 when MLB expanded to two wild-card teams only the 2019 Indians (92-69, 3 GB), 2018 Mariners (89-73, 8 GB), and 2013 Rangers (91-72, 1 GB) have missed the playoffs after having a .569 win percentage or better on Aug. 17. Looking at these records, you can see just how monumental the Twins collapse was.

Two of these other such teams still won 90 games, and the Mariners still won 89 in a year the final wild card team won 97. The Twins finished with 82 wins but they needed 86 to qualify for the playoffs. To make matters worst, their playoff odds were at their highest on September 2nd, peaking at 95.8%.

Had the Twins just gone 19-20 after Aug. 17, they would have won 89 games and finished comfortably in a playoff spot. Instead they finished 12-27, just a half game better than the White Sox over the same stretch. This was the result of a sheer lack of buy-in.

Unacceptable Implosion

Both the players and manager Rocco Baldelli are to blame for this. From Aug. 17, the offense that had been top-five in baseball fell to 23rd in runs scored and 24th in wRC+.

The starting rotation began to wear down falling to 24th in ERA and 18th in FIP. Compared to 17th and 9th prior to August 17th.

Finally, a bullpen that was 12th in ERA and 4th in FIP fell all the way to 27th in ERA and 11th in FIP down the stretch.

The fall-off in pitching is understandable. As stated earlier, this was a very thin rotation and a top heavy bullpen. The front office not adding support had a direct impact on that. The bats going cold however is absolutely unacceptable.

To put it in perspective, Correa returned on Sept. 14 with 14 games left to play. He played in 11 of those games posting a 172 wRC+ and the Twins went 4-10 over that stretch.

From Aug. 17 on, Lewis hit just .184 with a 33 wRC+. Willi Castro, who was an All-Star, hit just .215 with a 79 wRC+. Not to mention numerous others who struggled. The bats went ice cold.

This falls directly on the leadership in the club house. There seemed to be no urgency, no fight and it was incredibly hard to watch. Fans should be disappointed in Baldelli for not finding ways to win games. Look at what AJ Hinch did in Detroit. With all due respect to the Tigers, Hinch took a less talented roster and found ways to win games. He motivated that team and the players bought in and willed themselves into the playoffs.

At the end of the day this team fell asleep at the wheel. Despite the ownership refusing to invest, this team was good enough to win as constructed.

Who Takes the Heat?

Yes, there is a lot of blame to go around. Pohlad, the front office, Baldelli, and the players all deserve some blame when it comes to the disaster that was the 2024 season.

Thus far, Pohlad has taken the most heat and rightfully so. It all started with him refusing to invest in a team that had shown promise. As a fan it is incredibly disheartening to know that the billionaires that own your team are unwilling to even keep the payroll the same.

Next, Baldelli and the players should share the second most blame for what happened this season. When you have the talent to win but come up short, the players and manager have to be held accountable. The fact that this team had put themselves in such a strong position for success, just to fall up short has to fall on the manager.

It would be one thing if the team was coming up short all season. Players underperforming, getting bit by the injury bug, etc. That all happens, but down the home stretch the Twins were in prime position for a playoff spot. To collapse like that has to come back on the leadership.

To Twins fans, I hear your frustrations and am right there with you. This season was unacceptable, but it does not sound like it could get better anytime soon. All indications point towards cutting payroll again next season.

If there is a silver lining, a lot of the young players that we got to see in 2024 showed a lot of promise. On top of that, players like Emmanuel Rodriguez, Luke Keaschall, and Walker Jenkins waiting in the wings will hopefully offer some excitement in 2025.