Tom Pohlad is making a swift move to reshape the Minnesota Twins' relationship with their fans and players as he steps into his new role as the controlling owner.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Among his initial tasks during his first month at the helm of the Minnesota Twins, Tom Pohlad prioritized reaching out to 50 fans who have yet to renew their season tickets for the upcoming 2026 season. In hopes of reconnecting with the loyal fan base, he personally called each of them. However, many of these calls ended up going to voicemail, and one individual even hung up three times, mistaking his call for a prank. Eventually, this fan responded via text, delivering some critical feedback on the current direction of the franchise.
"I wouldn't say the replies were particularly warm, but I hope that my effort is appreciated," Pohlad remarked over the weekend at Target Field, where the Twins were hosting their annual fan festival.
The Twins face a significant challenge in mending their relationship with supporters. Pohlad recently assumed control of the franchise originally purchased by his grandfather in 1984, taking over from his younger brother as part of a newly established executive leadership team, which now includes three new investors holding non-controlling interests in the organization. Determined to confront the team's recent downturn directly, Pohlad plans to adopt a more visible and engaging approach compared to the previous ownership styles of his family members.
The current dissatisfaction among fans primarily stems from the front office's choice to reduce payroll following a successful season in 2023, in which the Twins secured the AL Central title and made it to the postseason for the first time in over two decades. Pohlad acknowledged several contributing factors to this decision, including the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic and a failed regional television contract that affected the team's revenue over the past five years. However, he candidly recognized that much of the strain was self-inflicted.
"We stumbled on various fronts, and our communication about our challenges and objectives was not effective," Pohlad explained. "Putting all of that together has created a particularly tough situation. We're aiming for a reset — not a complete rebuild, but a fresh start. We want to inject new energy, a heightened sense of urgency and accountability, and strategize on how to develop a team capable of competing consistently in October for several seasons ahead."
Pohlad has also prioritized building rapport with the players. He recently met with center fielder Byron Buxton and starting pitcher Joe Ryan, with plans to discuss the team's future with starting pitcher Pablo Lopez at the fan festival this weekend. Each of these All-Stars has been prominently mentioned in trade discussions since last summer when the Twins made a flurry of trades leading up to the deadline.
Despite the current payroll being significantly lower than in recent years, the Twins opted to retain their top three players instead of trading them away. They also made some strategic additions to enhance the roster by signing veteran players such as Josh Bell, Victor Caratini, and Taylor Rogers.
"I told the front office that I wish to be part of this rotation moving forward," López expressed, adding, "I want to contribute to a rotation that demonstrates just how far a strong pitching staff can carry a team."
In summary, Tom Pohlad is committed to rebuilding trust and fostering relationships with both fans and players alike as he leads the Twins into a new chapter.
