Minnesota Twins on the market for first time in 40 years

The winds shift in the world of baseball, and with it comes the news that the Minnesota Twins are up for sale. For the first time in four decades, the Pohlad family, who’ve steered the ship since Carl Pohlad purchased the team in 1984, are ready to pass the torch. On Thursday, Joe Pohlad, current face of the family’s ownership, announced their decision to sell the team. It’s a surprising turn of events, especially given the long, intertwined history the family shares with the Twins, but all things change.

The timing of the announcement feels like a thunderclap after a stormy season. The Twins, who once seemed poised for a solid postseason run, collapsed hard down the stretch. They lost 27 of their last 39 games and watched the playoffs from the sidelines. It was a tough pill to swallow, particularly for fans who were just beginning to savor the taste of October baseball after a long drought.

Why Sell the Twins Now?

The decision to sell seems to have been brewing for a while, but the final push likely came from a recent business decision that ruffled some feathers. Earlier this year, the Pohlads announced they were slashing the team’s payroll by $30 million heading into the 2024 season. It’s a sharp cut after the team finally broke a 21-year playoff series winless streak. That victory was supposed to be the start of something bigger. Instead, it left fans wondering how a team plans to build momentum while tightening its belt.

While Joe Pohlad didn’t dive too deep into the reasons behind the sale, he did release an emotional statement about what the team has meant to the family.

“For the past 40 seasons, the Minnesota Twins have been part of our family’s heart and soul. This team is woven into the fabric of our lives, and the Twins community has become an extension of our family.”

Still, there’s no denying that selling a team like the Twins is more of a business decision than a personal one. New York-based firm Allen & Company is stepping in to handle the sale, bringing their experience from other high-profile sports team transactions. It’s a growing trend across sports—long-time owners moving on, often because the numbers are simply too good to ignore.

A 40-Year Legacy in Minnesota

When Carl Pohlad bought the Twins from Calvin Griffith in 1984, few could have predicted the story that would follow. Back then, the Twins had a talented, young core - players like Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Frank Viola. That squad, against all odds, would deliver one of the most dramatic World Series victories in baseball history, taking down the St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game thriller in 1987. For a team with one of the smallest payrolls in the league, it was a victory that defied logic and expectations.

The Pohlads didn’t just stop at one title. The Twins captured another championship in 1991, cementing their place in the hearts of Minnesota sports fans forever. Through ups and downs, the family remained at the helm, guiding the team through good times and bad. Even when Carl passed away in 2009, the family kept control, with Jim Pohlad taking over and eventually passing the day-to-day responsibilities to his son Joe in 2022.

But now, just two years after Joe took the reins, the family is preparing to step aside. It marks the end of an era for the franchise. The Twins have played in the sparkling confines of Target Field for the past 16 seasons, and with the team’s value pegged between $1.46 billion and $1.7 billion, whoever steps in next will be inheriting one of the most modern, well-regarded ballparks in the league.

What Next for the Twins?

So, where does this leave the Twins? For now, the team remains in the hands of the Pohlads as the sale process unfolds. But soon enough, a new owner will take control, and with that will come new ideas, new strategies, and possibly a new direction for the team.

Fans will be watching closely, wondering who might step in and how the new ownership will approach the game. Will they be willing to invest in the team, expand the payroll, and build on the current roster? Or will it be more of the same, a cautious approach that leans more toward business than championships?

Whatever happens, one thing is certain: the Minnesota Twins are at a crossroads. With a rich legacy behind them and an uncertain future ahead, the next chapter is waiting to be written. Whether it’s filled with more World Series glory or struggles yet unknown, the ride promises to be anything but dull.