Twins – Page 3 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

QB Consistency, Longevity for Vikings Far Down the Road

Posted on March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 by David Shama

Because of injuries, failed performance and misjudgment, the Vikings have a revolving door at quarterback. Eight different players have been starters going back to the 2022 season.

The best of them were Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold. The club’s decisionmakers made the right call in not meeting the mega contract demands to retain Cousins. Ownership, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell whiffed on not retaining Sam Darnold with a new deal.

This is a franchise desperately in need of a quality starter who can perform at a high level for many seasons. In fact, Minnesota hasn’t put together a string of three consecutive playoff appearances since 2000.

It was just in August of 2024 that O’Connell told the public the team had “its franchise quarterback in the building.” After a struggling 2025 season for J.J. McCarthy, O’Connell has said he wants a “deep and talented quarterback room.”

The Vikings have seemingly hedged in their full commitment to the 23-year-old McCarthy as their starter. Martin Nance, the franchise’s executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer, recently told a social group in Florida that regarding McCarthy the club still believes he has an “upside.”

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

But at this time McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 draft, might be the best bet to emerge as the longtime starter for the team. True, as of today the Vikings are the wagering favorite to land 28-year-old quarterback Kyler Murray after the Cardinals released him yesterday. As a free agent he and the Vikings may prefer a one-year deal that could allow the parties to part ways after the 2026 season.

Regarding the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings might be savvy to take the best player available, regardless of position. After that draft for specific needs.

The Big Ten, of course, offers players who likely could help the Vikings, including at two high positions of need, center and running back. Logan Jones from Iowa and Pat Coogan from Indiana are centers who figure to be available after the first round.

Penn State’s running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton will be intriguing draft choices. Singleton, particularly, could be a fit for the Vikings because the club needs an explosive home run threat.

Worth Noting

Mission accomplished: Golden Gophers basketball coach Niko Medved told Sports Headliners last fall his goal for his first season was to have fans “more excited” about the program than when the season started. Interest is on the upswing after an overachieving season that included three home wins over top 25 ranked teams.

With the Wild almost assured of the third seed for the playoffs in the Central Division, it will be interesting to see if coach John Hynes rests his best players including Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes when the schedule gets closer to ending.

Myforecast.com projects a high of 59 and thunderstorms on March 26 when the Twins open the regular season in Baltimore against the Orioles. The weather site projects 40 and partly cloudy in Minneapolis for the Twins home opener April 3.

It’s a small sample size but Twins fans have fingers crossed key hitter Royce Lewis, who had disappointing seasons in 2024 and 2025, will do better than his now spring training average of .176 (three hits in 17 at bats). Two of those hits came on February 27 against the Red Sox. With a history of injuries including right side tightness currently, the Twins are cautious about his playing time in Florida.

Financial industry and community leader Dan Stoltz, the Blaze Credit Union President & CEO whose identity is seen in local TV commercials with legends from Minnesota sports, is a proud graduate of Northwestern University—St. Paul. He and his wife Robin, along with their three children (and spouses), are graduates of the school. He and Robin recently provided a generous gift to the University, and the School of Business is now known as the Stolz School of Business.

Well wishes to 1966-1967 Golden Gophers basketball captain Paul Presthus on his 81^st birthday Tuesday. An All-American player in small town Rugby, he is one of the most storied players in North Dakota basketball history. While in high school, he was on the cover of a national magazine with Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

Condolences to family and friends of Dave Wicker, the longtime coach (Patrick Henry) and administrator for the Minneapolis schools who recently passed away. He was revered for how he related to and worked with others.

Comments Welcome

Owner Tom Pohlad: Minnesota Twins “Building for 2028”

Posted on March 1, 2026March 1, 2026 by David Shama

Tom Pohlad, the new face of the Pohlad family Twins ownership group, sounds like he might be tempering his previous optimism for the club in 2026.

Pohlad apparently indicated that at a social club gathering in Naples, Florida recently. Minneapolis-based attorney, writer and historian Marshall Tanick reported via email to Sports Headliners what Pohlad said at the Minnesota Breakfast club gathering, an organization in Southwest Florida that was started in 1964 by Minneapolis natives and draws prominent speakers during the winter months to its weekly programs.

Tanick wrote that Pohlad concluded his remarks by cautioning the team may not be immediately successful but is “building for 2028.” Earlier in the winter Pohlad repeatedly said the club will be competitive in 2026, perhaps indicating a final record that could challenge for the postseason.

A MLB.com story in mid-February said Pohlad met with reporters and was told one sportsbook projected the team’s over-under win total at 73.5 wins. “That’s ridiculous,” Pohlad said, per an article by Matthew Leach.

The Twins are coming off two disappointing seasons including a 70-92 finish last year. The club has made no significant roster changes as Minnesota prepares for the coming season in Florida. And the team’s prospects for a winning season have been further dimmed by a season-ending arm injury to ace starting pitcher Pablo Lopez.

The Twins have a short list of proven talents including pitcher Joe Ryan, catcher Ryan Jeffers and centerfielder Byron Buxton. Sportsbooks forecast a losing season.

Pohlad, though, is optimistic about the club’s farm system that is rated among the best in baseball. He’s hopeful that many players will emerge who can make the roster talent special.

Tanick reported that Pohlad also referred to young talent already with the Twins and those players coming from the farm system create an optimistic outlook for future team performance. “There’s no reason why every single year we can’t win our division,” Pohlad said.

Twins lead owner Tom Pohlad — Tom Pohlad photo courtesy of Marshall Tanick

Pohlad, who replaced brother Joe Pohlad as the Twins leader late last year, has emphasized improved communications since taking over. He addressed the team at the start of spring training, for example. And he’s been aggressive in reaching out to the fans including ticket buyers.

Tanick reported Pohlad told his Minnesota Breakfast audience he’s “trying to turn a new page” after what he termed “a rough couple of years” for the AL Central Division team. Part of mending fences with the fanbase, of course, will include better results on the field.

The organization will be mindful, too, of the fan experience at Target Filed. Traditionally overachievers on promotions, key offerings by the Twins in 2026 will include $2 pre-game beers, free ice cream on Sundays for kids, Friday Happy Hour (beer and food), merchandise giveaways, music concerts, and other allurements.

The disenchantment by Twins fans, though, takes many forms. For example, a middle aged couple whose past passion has included watching the club in spring training, has opted this year to attend Cactus League games in Arizona.

Worth Noting

New Twins manager Derek Shelton and general manager Jeremy Zoll also spoke to the breakfast group in Naples. Shelton is using the term “hunt for the good” to encourage an optimistic outlook.

He announced the club will be aggressive in its play including “run a lot” on the bases, per Tanick’s reporting. Surprisingly, in the team’s opening spring training game against major league competition, the oft-injured Royce Lewis stole a base.

Attendees at Twins home games at the Lee Health Sports Complex can expect extraordinary customer service. Smiling faces and helpful information are abundant. Game pricing can easily be three figures for two fans but can include parking, and hot dogs and sodas.

Longtime Twins broadcaster Dick Bremer, scheduled to be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame July 11 when Minnesota hosts the Angels, turns 70 years old today. He was the franchise’s TV voice for 40 years with his career ending in 2023.

The Capital Club breakfast group will hear from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson on Wednesday, March 11 at Mendakota Country Club. Before his recent departure from the Department of Justice, Thompson was the lead prosecutor in the Feeding Our Future fraud investigation and related investigations of fraud in Minnesota Medicaid programs. Now in private practice, his clients include journalist Don Lemon. For more information, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Pat Colbert, with the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section since April of 1989, retires July 1. The former Assistant Executive Director of the section has been working part-time since January 1, leading up to his retirement. The Bloomington native played tennis for Normandale College where he was team MVP on the 1977 conference champions.

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What to Make of Twins Split with President Derek Falvey

Posted on January 31, 2026January 31, 2026 by David Shama

Yesterday’s announcement about the change in leadership with the Twins makes it clear executive chair and part owner Tom Pohlad is decisive and in charge of the organization’s future going forward. On Friday Pohlad and President Derek Falvey announced the two were parting ways.

But why?

Falvey had been leading the baseball operation since late 2016 and in 2025 added the responsibility of directing the business side of the franchise which has been owned by the Pohlad family going back to 1984. Tom succeeded his younger brother Joe as executive chair last December, and it appears he may not be long on patience.

The Twins were 70-92 last season. Many baseball gurus don’t see Minnesota doing much better in 2026. The fallout between Tom Pohlad and Falvey may have been driven by disagreement on how quickly the Twins could win with limited spending on payroll. Pohlad has been quoted as saying the club “will be competitive” in 2026.

The Twins are expected to have a payroll in the low $100 million range. That’s the most minimal payroll Falvey would have ever had to work with. Falvey had to know his task of contending for a championship in 2026 was going to be a mega challenge.

In a statement yesterday Pohlad said “our commitment to building a championship caliber organization requires decisiveness and urgency.”

Twins executive Derek Falvey — Derek Falvey

There may have been personality differences between the two men that factored into the decision but what’s most plausible in driving the decision was likely a difference in vision as to what is realistic for the team and how soon success can happen. Falvey has felt the limitations of ownership’s lack of payroll commitment in the past, including last summer when the Twins had a fire sale, trading 10 players for prospects or players with limited MLB success.

Falvey may have been on board with that salary dump, viewing it as a chance to restructure the roster and build for the future. Ownership, led by Joe Pohlad, eased the bank balance of a franchise that reportedly was carrying $500 million in debt.

It’s believed Falvey wasn’t so on board with the firing of manager Rocco Baldelli after last season. Baldelli had been hired by Falvey in 2018, and he later managed three division winning teams. The two worked effectively together including with the enhanced use of analytics.

Joe Pohlad succeeded his uncle Jim as Twins executive chair in December of 2023. The club nosedived in performance and popularity during his leadership.

Why did he receive his appointment? Because his last name was Pohlad and he had about 15 years of experience working for the organization in various departments.

Tom is much more the outsider and is generally off to a favorable start with the fans and media. He’s come across as articulate and optimistic, although critics will see him as naïve in his expectations for 2026. Sports Headliners is told he is also willing to spend money in building the franchise.

The club is not without any talent on the roster. The starting pitching rotation could be among the better ones in the American League led by Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez, Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson. The Twins have two of the more underrated players in baseball in catcher Ryan Jeffers and right fielder Matt Wallner. Center fielder Byron Buxton is a superstar when healthy. Young position players Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee showed promise last year. Royce Lewis remains an enigma, tantalizing at times with his potential.

It’s also predicted that much hyped minor league prospects like Walker Jenkins will play for the club in 2026. The Twins are regarded as having one of the better minor league organizations in baseball.

A difference in expectations about what this cast can do and how soon may have driven the split between Pohlad and Falvey. Certainly, the silly theories advanced don’t cut it including the notion that Falvey was let go to save money. His compensation is unknown but almost for sure was in seven figures.

To run the baseball side the Twins are promoting general manager Jeremy Zoll to lead the show. He has admirers and it’s also believed the organization has a “deep bench” of talented administrators, coaches and scouts.

Pohlad has said he’s not searching for someone to replace Zoll or be his boss. He is searching for a new president of the business operations. Sports Headliners predicts there will be internal and external candidates.

Former President and CEO Dave St. Peter, now a strategic advisor, will not return to his old position. He announced in late 2024 he was transitioning from his role of 22 years leading the franchise and led to Falvey’s new business side responsibilities.

There was no public mudslinging in the Falvey departure. Both Falvey and Pohlad were cordial in their words spoken to the media. They admitted their conversations led to a parting, as surprising as it was to almost everyone.

In the past the Twins have fielded calls about Falvey’s availability. It’s likely he will have baseball offers now that will keep him in the industry.

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