Heading into September, postseason baseball seemed like a lock to return to the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Twins were holding a wild card spot by a comfortable margin. They were also still in the mix for the division with the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals. However, a combination of injuries, a non-active trade deadline, and a red-hot Detroit Tigers team caused the Twins to collapse in September. Now the Twins will be spending October at home watching the postseason. The Twins’ failing to secure a postseason spot was a giant organizational failure.
The Twins September Slide Cost Them The Postseason
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen the calendar flipped to September, FanGraphs gave the Minnesota Twins a 91.7% chance to make the postseason. Despite many key players on the injured list, they held a Wild Card spot by a comfortable margin and were still in the AL Central title mix. Minnesota only trailed the first-place Cleveland Guardians by three and a half games. However, after winning their first two games in September, the Twins epically collapsed. Minnesota would go 9-15 down the stretch effectively knocking them out of postseason contention.
A Lack Luster Trade Deadline
When the trade deadline arrived, the Minnesota Twins badly needed pitching help. Key pitchers Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack, Daniel Duarte, Anthony DeSclafani, Justin Topa, and Kody Funderburk were all on the injured list. Pitchers like Erick Fedde, Frankie Montas, Yusei Kikuchi, Alex Cobb, Dylan Floro, Shawn Armstrong, and JT Chargois all would’ve fit the bill. Minnesota had the farm system to acquire anybody they desired. However, the only move made was acquiring reliever Trevor Richards from the Toronto Blue Jays. It should be noted that Richards was designated for assignment after 13 appearances. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since August 26th.
The lack of major activity during the trade deadline burned the Minnesota Twins in the second half of the season. The team had every reason in the world to be very active at the deadline. There were plenty of players available that would’ve helped them get into the postseason and possibly overtake Cleveland. Instead, the Twins foolishly overestimated what they had, and it cost them. It also perhaps disheartened the current players who felt they weren’t getting support despite playing well enough to be a contender. Minnesota has a history of not being very active at the trade deadline. However, the game has changed, and playoff contenders are almost obligated to make moves to solidify playoff spots. The Twins’ current way of operation at the trade deadline is medieval.
Injuries
Embed from Getty ImagesOne major theme of the Twins missing the postseason was injuries. While they are unfortunately a part of the game, injuries happened to many key players at the most inopportune times. Key contributors like Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Joe Ryan, Max Kepler, Jose Miranda, Matt Wallner, and Byron Buxton all spent a significant amount of time on the injured list. Lewis, Correa, and Buxton are the heart of Minnesota’s lineup and Ryan was one of their better starting pitchers in 2024. It’s very hard to win when an injured list is filled with many key starters.
A September Slump
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Minnesota Twins offense was almost non-existent in September. This month, they averaged just 3.6 runs per game. The only teams that averaged fewer runs in September were the White Sox, Athletics, Royals, and Rays. Three out of those four teams won’t be playing baseball in October. It didn’t help that many lineup regulars were on the injured list. Heck, Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis haven’t been on the field together consistently all season. Teams seldom win when they struggle to score runs and falling out of the postseason like the Twins did can happen.
Pitching Staff Struggles
Embed from Getty ImagesThe worst thing that can happen to a team is if their pitching staff struggles late in the season. The Twins pitching staff made it a lot harder for the team to win. This month, Minnesota’s pitching staff put up an ERA of 4.49. The only teams who gave up more runs were the Athletics and Rangers. Top starters Pedro Lopez and Simeon Woods-Richardson all struggled in September. The Twins even recently ended Woods-Richardson’s season by sending him down to Triple-A. Due to injuries, the Twins were forced to have players like David Festa and Zebby Matthews make starts. Matthews and Festa combined to go 0-3 with an ERA of 4.50. With how badly their pitching staff struggled, it’s no surprise the Twins blew their chance at going to the postseason.
There Is Plenty Of Blame To Go Around
Embed from Getty ImagesIt looked like a guarantee that the Minnesota Twins would be playing baseball in October heading into September. However, given Minnesota’s injuries, mostly non-active trade deadline, and the struggles of both their offense and pitching staff; the Twins postseason hopes have now been extinguished. The hierarchy of President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey, Manager Rocco Baldelli, and General Manager Thad Levine are all to blame. Nobody should feel that their job is safe. While injuries happen, it might’ve helped if the front office gave the team reinforcements at the trade deadline. Given all the issues that surrounded this team in September, it’s no surprise that the Minnesota Twins suffered one of the most embarrassing collapses in franchise history.
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