Aaron Gleeman
@aarongleeman.bsky.social
Covering the Minnesota Twins since 2002. The Athletic senior writer + Gleeman and The Geek junior talker.
Articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/aaron-gleeman/
Podcasts: https://www.patreon.com/Gleeman
Articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/aaron-gleeman/
Podcasts: https://www.patreon.com/Gleeman
Twins are now #23 in projected payroll.
As predicted on this morning's podcast, the Orioles have already moved past them.
As predicted on this morning's podcast, the Orioles have already moved past them.
FanGraphs has updated their payroll breakdown page to switch from 2025 to 2026: www.fangraphs.com/roster-resou...
Twins begin the offseason tied for #22 in MLB with a $96 million projected payroll.
Their payroll was in the $135 million range for 2025 and 2024, and ~$160 million for 2023.
Twins begin the offseason tied for #22 in MLB with a $96 million projected payroll.
Their payroll was in the $135 million range for 2025 and 2024, and ~$160 million for 2023.
November 19, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Twins are now #23 in projected payroll.
As predicted on this morning's podcast, the Orioles have already moved past them.
As predicted on this morning's podcast, the Orioles have already moved past them.
New podcast! www.patreon.com/posts/coachi...
Coaching Staff, Rule 5, and Good Soldiers | Gleeman and the Geek
Get more from Gleeman and the Geek on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:50 AM
New podcast! www.patreon.com/posts/coachi...
Twins now have a full 40-man roster.
So any further offseason additions will require dropping someone to make room.
So any further offseason additions will require dropping someone to make room.
November 19, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Twins now have a full 40-man roster.
So any further offseason additions will require dropping someone to make room.
So any further offseason additions will require dropping someone to make room.
Twins' most prominent prospects not protected from the Rule 5 draft:
- Kala'i Rosario, COF
- C.J. Culpepper, RHP
- Kyler Fedko, OF
- Jose Olivares, RHP
- Ricardo Olivar, C/COF
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
- Kala'i Rosario, COF
- C.J. Culpepper, RHP
- Kyler Fedko, OF
- Jose Olivares, RHP
- Ricardo Olivar, C/COF
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Which prospects do Twins need to protect from Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls
Ranking the most prominent Twins prospects who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they aren’t added to the 40-man roster.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Twins' most prominent prospects not protected from the Rule 5 draft:
- Kala'i Rosario, COF
- C.J. Culpepper, RHP
- Kyler Fedko, OF
- Jose Olivares, RHP
- Ricardo Olivar, C/COF
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
- Kala'i Rosario, COF
- C.J. Culpepper, RHP
- Kyler Fedko, OF
- Jose Olivares, RHP
- Ricardo Olivar, C/COF
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Twins traded minor leaguer Jacob Kisting to the Rays for 28-year-old right-handed reliever Eric Orze.
Orze had big strikeout (and walk) rates in the minors, and posted a 3.02 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 42 innings for the Rays last season.
No secret the Twins need bullpen depth.
Orze had big strikeout (and walk) rates in the minors, and posted a 3.02 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 42 innings for the Rays last season.
No secret the Twins need bullpen depth.
November 18, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Twins traded minor leaguer Jacob Kisting to the Rays for 28-year-old right-handed reliever Eric Orze.
Orze had big strikeout (and walk) rates in the minors, and posted a 3.02 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 42 innings for the Rays last season.
No secret the Twins need bullpen depth.
Orze had big strikeout (and walk) rates in the minors, and posted a 3.02 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 42 innings for the Rays last season.
No secret the Twins need bullpen depth.
Twins added six prospects to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft:
- Connor Prielipp
- Gabriel Gonzalez
- Kendry Rojas
- Andrew Morris
- Hendry Mendez
- John Klein
That's the top five players on my list, and I had Klein ranked eighth: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
- Connor Prielipp
- Gabriel Gonzalez
- Kendry Rojas
- Andrew Morris
- Hendry Mendez
- John Klein
That's the top five players on my list, and I had Klein ranked eighth: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Which prospects do Twins need to protect from Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls
Ranking the most prominent Twins prospects who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they aren’t added to the 40-man roster.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Twins added six prospects to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft:
- Connor Prielipp
- Gabriel Gonzalez
- Kendry Rojas
- Andrew Morris
- Hendry Mendez
- John Klein
That's the top five players on my list, and I had Klein ranked eighth: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
- Connor Prielipp
- Gabriel Gonzalez
- Kendry Rojas
- Andrew Morris
- Hendry Mendez
- John Klein
That's the top five players on my list, and I had Klein ranked eighth: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Jorge Alcala designated for assignment by the Cardinals, who didn't want to give him a modest raise via arbitration.
Alcala has been dropped by two teams since the Twins traded him in mid-June.
Alcala has been dropped by two teams since the Twins traded him in mid-June.
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Jorge Alcala designated for assignment by the Cardinals, who didn't want to give him a modest raise via arbitration.
Alcala has been dropped by two teams since the Twins traded him in mid-June.
Alcala has been dropped by two teams since the Twins traded him in mid-June.
We updated @theathletic.com's free agent big board with Gleyber Torres, Shota Imanaga, Brandon Woodruff, and Trent Grisham accepting $22 million qualifying offers.
More to suggest that players and teams expect it to be a down market for overall spending.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
More to suggest that players and teams expect it to be a down market for overall spending.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Top 50 MLB Free Agents: Tucker, Bichette top 2025-26 class defined by depth
Analysis, best fits, and contract projections for a free agent class that features Kyle Schwarber, Framber Valdez and other impact players.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
We updated @theathletic.com's free agent big board with Gleyber Torres, Shota Imanaga, Brandon Woodruff, and Trent Grisham accepting $22 million qualifying offers.
More to suggest that players and teams expect it to be a down market for overall spending.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
More to suggest that players and teams expect it to be a down market for overall spending.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
FanGraphs has updated their payroll breakdown page to switch from 2025 to 2026: www.fangraphs.com/roster-resou...
Twins begin the offseason tied for #22 in MLB with a $96 million projected payroll.
Their payroll was in the $135 million range for 2025 and 2024, and ~$160 million for 2023.
Twins begin the offseason tied for #22 in MLB with a $96 million projected payroll.
Their payroll was in the $135 million range for 2025 and 2024, and ~$160 million for 2023.
November 18, 2025 at 12:25 AM
FanGraphs has updated their payroll breakdown page to switch from 2025 to 2026: www.fangraphs.com/roster-resou...
Twins begin the offseason tied for #22 in MLB with a $96 million projected payroll.
Their payroll was in the $135 million range for 2025 and 2024, and ~$160 million for 2023.
Twins begin the offseason tied for #22 in MLB with a $96 million projected payroll.
Their payroll was in the $135 million range for 2025 and 2024, and ~$160 million for 2023.
Might have to frame this comment.
November 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Might have to frame this comment.
Let's try to rebuild the Twins' bullpen: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Twins’ free-agent targets: 12 pitcher fits for a front office shopping in discount aisle
After gutting the bullpen in the trade deadline fire sale, the Twins are in desperate need of quality veteran relievers.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Let's try to rebuild the Twins' bullpen: www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Twins free-agent targets: 12 pitcher fits for a front office shopping in the discount aisle
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Twins’ free-agent targets: 12 pitcher fits for a front office shopping in discount aisle
After gutting the bullpen in the trade deadline fire sale, the Twins are in desperate need of quality veteran relievers.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Twins free-agent targets: 12 pitcher fits for a front office shopping in the discount aisle
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Here's my co-byline with Ken Rosenthal (always fun to say that) about the Mariners re-signing Josh Naylor to a five-year contract: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Mariners, Josh Naylor in agreement on five-year contract: Source
The 28-year-old first baseman was an immediate success in Seattle after joining the team at the trade deadline.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Here's my co-byline with Ken Rosenthal (always fun to say that) about the Mariners re-signing Josh Naylor to a five-year contract: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Josh Naylor ranked #14 on @theathletic.com's free agent big board.
I did the Naylor write-up and my personal rankings had him the highest at #10. I just had a very hard time seeing him anywhere but re-signed with the Mariners.
Full free agent big board: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
I did the Naylor write-up and my personal rankings had him the highest at #10. I just had a very hard time seeing him anywhere but re-signed with the Mariners.
Full free agent big board: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 17, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Josh Naylor ranked #14 on @theathletic.com's free agent big board.
I did the Naylor write-up and my personal rankings had him the highest at #10. I just had a very hard time seeing him anywhere but re-signed with the Mariners.
Full free agent big board: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
I did the Naylor write-up and my personal rankings had him the highest at #10. I just had a very hard time seeing him anywhere but re-signed with the Mariners.
Full free agent big board: www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
New podcast!
@johnbonnes.bsky.social returned from the GM Meetings with a much clearer sense of the Twins' offseason plan.
We talked through everything he learned from a pair of Derek Falvey interviews, plus the latest on Byron Buxton and the Twins' coaching staff.
www.patreon.com/posts/gm-mee...
@johnbonnes.bsky.social returned from the GM Meetings with a much clearer sense of the Twins' offseason plan.
We talked through everything he learned from a pair of Derek Falvey interviews, plus the latest on Byron Buxton and the Twins' coaching staff.
www.patreon.com/posts/gm-mee...
GM Meetings Hot Goss | Gleeman and the Geek
Get more from Gleeman and the Geek on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
New podcast!
@johnbonnes.bsky.social returned from the GM Meetings with a much clearer sense of the Twins' offseason plan.
We talked through everything he learned from a pair of Derek Falvey interviews, plus the latest on Byron Buxton and the Twins' coaching staff.
www.patreon.com/posts/gm-mee...
@johnbonnes.bsky.social returned from the GM Meetings with a much clearer sense of the Twins' offseason plan.
We talked through everything he learned from a pair of Derek Falvey interviews, plus the latest on Byron Buxton and the Twins' coaching staff.
www.patreon.com/posts/gm-mee...
I had a good time talking Twins with @randball.bsky.social on the Star Tribune's podcast.
Audio: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awvm...
Audio: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awvm...
November 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I had a good time talking Twins with @randball.bsky.social on the Star Tribune's podcast.
Audio: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awvm...
Audio: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awvm...
My breakdown of which prospects the Twins need to protect from the Rule 5 draft ahead of Tuesday's deadline: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Which prospects do Twins need to protect from Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls
Ranking the most prominent Twins prospects who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they aren’t added to the 40-man roster.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM
My breakdown of which prospects the Twins need to protect from the Rule 5 draft ahead of Tuesday's deadline: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Byron Buxton placed 11th in the AL MVP voting, which means he missed out on a $3 million bonus by one spot.
November 14, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Byron Buxton placed 11th in the AL MVP voting, which means he missed out on a $3 million bonus by one spot.
Tuesday is the deadline for MLB teams to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft by adding them to the 40-man roster.
My look at the most prominent Twins prospects at risk of being poached, from no-brainer additions to tough calls: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
My look at the most prominent Twins prospects at risk of being poached, from no-brainer additions to tough calls: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Which prospects do Twins need to protect from Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls
Ranking the most prominent Twins prospects who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they aren’t added to the 40-man roster.
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Tuesday is the deadline for MLB teams to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft by adding them to the 40-man roster.
My look at the most prominent Twins prospects at risk of being poached, from no-brainer additions to tough calls: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
My look at the most prominent Twins prospects at risk of being poached, from no-brainer additions to tough calls: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Which prospects do the Twins need to protect from the Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls, and biggest risks: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Which prospects do Twins need to protect from Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls
Ranking the most prominent Twins prospects who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they aren’t added to the 40-man roster.
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Which prospects do the Twins need to protect from the Rule 5 draft? Must-adds, tough calls, and biggest risks: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
One week later, Randy Dobnak has signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners.
Tigers declined their $6 million team option on Randy Dobnak for 2026, paying him a $1 million buyout instead.
Getting that buyout money off the 2026 books was why the Twins included Dobnak in the deadline trade sending Chris Paddack to Detroit.
Dobnak is now a free agent.
Getting that buyout money off the 2026 books was why the Twins included Dobnak in the deadline trade sending Chris Paddack to Detroit.
Dobnak is now a free agent.
November 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
One week later, Randy Dobnak has signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners.
A's slugger Nick Kurtz was unanimously voted AL Rookie of the Year.
I was one of two Rookie of the Year voters for the Minnesota chapter of the BBWAA.
My ballot:
1. Nick Kurtz
2. Jacob Wilson
3. Roman Anthony
4. Colson Montgomery
5. Luke Keaschall
bbwaa.com/25-al-roy/
I was one of two Rookie of the Year voters for the Minnesota chapter of the BBWAA.
My ballot:
1. Nick Kurtz
2. Jacob Wilson
3. Roman Anthony
4. Colson Montgomery
5. Luke Keaschall
bbwaa.com/25-al-roy/
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
A's slugger Nick Kurtz was unanimously voted AL Rookie of the Year.
I was one of two Rookie of the Year voters for the Minnesota chapter of the BBWAA.
My ballot:
1. Nick Kurtz
2. Jacob Wilson
3. Roman Anthony
4. Colson Montgomery
5. Luke Keaschall
bbwaa.com/25-al-roy/
I was one of two Rookie of the Year voters for the Minnesota chapter of the BBWAA.
My ballot:
1. Nick Kurtz
2. Jacob Wilson
3. Roman Anthony
4. Colson Montgomery
5. Luke Keaschall
bbwaa.com/25-al-roy/
New podcast!
Topics include:
- Derek Shelton making media rounds
- Emmanuel Clase gambling scandal
- Byron Buxton wins a Silver Slugger
- Bonnes is going to the GM Meetings
- Twins' current rank out of 30 teams
- Plus lots of good mailbag questions
www.patreon.com/posts/shelto...
Topics include:
- Derek Shelton making media rounds
- Emmanuel Clase gambling scandal
- Byron Buxton wins a Silver Slugger
- Bonnes is going to the GM Meetings
- Twins' current rank out of 30 teams
- Plus lots of good mailbag questions
www.patreon.com/posts/shelto...
Shelton's First Week & GM Meeting Preview | Gleeman and the Geek
Get more from Gleeman and the Geek on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:57 PM
New podcast!
Topics include:
- Derek Shelton making media rounds
- Emmanuel Clase gambling scandal
- Byron Buxton wins a Silver Slugger
- Bonnes is going to the GM Meetings
- Twins' current rank out of 30 teams
- Plus lots of good mailbag questions
www.patreon.com/posts/shelto...
Topics include:
- Derek Shelton making media rounds
- Emmanuel Clase gambling scandal
- Byron Buxton wins a Silver Slugger
- Bonnes is going to the GM Meetings
- Twins' current rank out of 30 teams
- Plus lots of good mailbag questions
www.patreon.com/posts/shelto...
Twins free-agent targets 10 hitter fits for a front office shopping in the bargain bin
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Twins’ free-agent targets: 10 hitter fits for a front office shopping in the bargain bin
Can the Twins find good value and lineup help shopping in the clearance aisle like they did with Harrison Bader last offseason?
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Twins free-agent targets 10 hitter fits for a front office shopping in the bargain bin
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...