Twins’ New Control Person Tom Pohlad Addresses Fan Frustration Amid Organizational Uncertainty

The Minnesota Twins’ new control person, Tom Pohlad, publicly addressed growing fan frustration on Friday, marking one of the most candid acknowledgments from the organization following a disappointing regression after the club’s promising 2023 season.

Speaking with members of the media, including The Athletic, Pohlad took responsibility for the team’s recent struggles, admitting that the organization failed both competitively and communicatively. His remarks come at a pivotal time for the Twins, who have faced backlash from fans after missing the postseason in 2024 and navigating uncertainty surrounding ownership and payroll direction.

The Twins’ downturn has been particularly painful given the optimism that followed their 2023 campaign, which ended with a loss to the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series. Instead of building on that momentum, the franchise took a sharp step backward—both on the field and in public perception.

Tom Pohlad Takes Accountability for Twins’ Regression

In a rare moment of transparency, Pohlad acknowledged that the Twins’ leadership bears responsibility for the frustrations fans are feeling.

“In a lot of things, we tripped over ourselves,” Pohlad said. “And we certainly didn’t do a good job communicating what we were going through and what we were trying to accomplish. You take that all together, and it’s a recipe for a very challenging time. We’re trying to hit the reset button.”

Those comments resonated with many fans who have long criticized the organization for a lack of clarity regarding its long-term vision. While the Twins have often preached internal development and sustainability, recent decisions—particularly related to payroll—have created skepticism about ownership’s commitment to winning.

Pohlad’s tone suggested a shift toward greater accountability, something that had been noticeably absent during much of the Twins’ decline in 2024.

Reaching Out Directly to Fans and Players

Beyond public comments, Pohlad reportedly took tangible steps to reconnect with both fans and players.

According to reports, he personally called 50 season-ticket holders who have not yet renewed their packages for the 2026 season. That outreach effort signals an awareness of the damage done to fan trust—and an attempt to repair it before it erodes further.

Pohlad also met with several of the team’s cornerstone players, including Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan, and Pablo López, to gather their input on how the organization can improve moving forward. Engaging directly with star players suggests that Pohlad understands the importance of alignment between ownership, the front office, and the clubhouse.

However, listening alone will not be enough to restore confidence.

Payroll Cuts After 2023 Proved Costly

The root of the Twins’ current predicament can largely be traced back to decisions made after the 2023 season.

Rather than supplementing a young and exciting roster with impactful free-agent additions, the Twins cut payroll by approximately $30 million. That move stunned much of the fanbase and signaled a step back at a time when the team appeared ready to contend consistently.

The consequences were swift and severe.

Despite holding a 90% chance of making the postseason in mid-August 2024, according to FanGraphs, the Twins collapsed down the stretch and ultimately missed the playoffs entirely. Injuries played a role, but the lack of roster depth—exacerbated by payroll cuts—proved impossible to overcome.

For many fans, the missed postseason felt less like bad luck and more like the inevitable outcome of ownership’s financial restraint.

Ownership Uncertainty Added to Fan Discontent

As if the on-field regression weren’t enough, the Twins’ ownership situation added another layer of instability.

In October 2024, the Pohlad family announced that they were exploring the possibility of selling the team. That news was met with cautious optimism from fans who hoped new ownership might bring increased spending and a more aggressive approach to roster construction.

For a time, it appeared that billionaire investor Justin Ishbia was poised to purchase the Twins. However, Ishbia ultimately withdrew from negotiations to pursue a long-term agreement with the Chicago White Sox, dashing those hopes.

While disappointing, many Twins fans still believed a sale was inevitable.

Twins Ultimately Remain Under Pohlad Control

Instead of completing a sale, the Pohlad family ultimately decided to retain control of the franchise. Reports suggested the decision was influenced by the team’s roughly $500 million in debt, which complicated potential transactions.

Rather than selling outright, the Twins added three minority investor groups:

• Glick Family Investments

• George G. Hicks

• Craig Leipold, majority owner of the Minnesota Wild

While these additions may provide some financial stability, they did little to reassure fans who hoped for a transformative ownership change.

Against that backdrop, Tom Pohlad replacing his younger brother Joe Pohlad as the team’s control person was viewed as a notable internal shift—one that could signal a new approach, or at least a new tone.

Why Tom Pohlad’s Comments Matter—But Aren’t Enough

Tom Pohlad’s recent remarks were undeniably refreshing. For the first time in a while, Twins leadership publicly acknowledged missteps rather than deflecting criticism or relying on vague platitudes.

However, words alone will not mend the fractured relationship between the franchise and its fans.

The Twins have already made some modest offseason additions, including Victor Caratini, Taylor Rogers, and Eric Orze. While those moves marginally improve the roster, they do not meaningfully change the team’s ceiling or signal a renewed commitment to competing at the highest level.

For a fanbase that watched payroll slashed after a playoff season, incremental improvements feel insufficient.

Fans Want Action, Not Just Accountability

If the Twins truly want to win back fan trust, they will need to do more than communicate better—they will need to spend more.

That could mean:

• Signing a marquee free agent

• Making a significant trade

• Or clearly reinvesting savings from previous payroll cuts back into the roster

The Twins were recently rumored to have interest in trading for All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta, but it remains unclear how serious those discussions were—or whether ownership was willing to meet the price.

Until a major move materializes, skepticism will persist.

Final Outlook: A Critical Moment for the Twins

Tom Pohlad’s arrival as the Twins’ control person represents a potential turning point for the franchise. His willingness to take accountability and engage directly with fans and players is a step in the right direction.

Still, accountability without action rings hollow in professional sports.

If the Twins fail to back up Pohlad’s words with meaningful investment in the roster, frustration will continue to grow—and attendance, engagement, and goodwill may decline further.

The reset button has been acknowledged. Now, it’s time to see whether the Minnesota Twins are willing to actually press it.