The frustration lingers, but spring training is about new beginnings. Here are some ways the Twins are looking to avoid another collapse.

Chip On Their Shoulder

Baseball is a game where players can ill afford to dwell on the past. One bad pitch or at-bat must quickly be put behind a player, so they can focus on the next critical moment.

However, Minnesota’s collapse was one of the most disappointing seasons in team history.

Those involved with the organization will continue to be asked about the end of last season.

Derek Falvey, the Twins’ president of baseball operations, was recently asked if the collapse left a bitter taste in the team’s mouth.

“No question. I think it fueled us throughout the offseason,” Falvey said. “It fueled the work that these players did. It fueled the work the coaches did behind the scenes as far as preparing for the season. It fueled us in the front office to think about what we can do to be better.”

Losing can be great motivation during the offseason, but that can only carry a team so far. The Twins project to have one of baseball’s best bullpens, but even great relievers will burn out from overuse.

To find more consistency, Minnesota will need to focus on other areas when the season begins.

New Hitting Philosophy

The 2024 Twins showed the ability to hit for power, but ran into serious issues when making contact in key moments.

That’s where Matt Borgschulte comes in. Returning to the organization as a hitting coach, he brings a fresh focus to Minnesota’s offensive approach.

Borgschulte visited key players this winter, including Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, and Edouard Julien, to prepare them for the new season.

While the Twins will always have power hitters, they may be moving away from an all-or-nothing approach. Instead of living and dying by the home run, there’s an emphasis on making more consistent contact, especially late in counts.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli did some offseason introspection, which led to a philosophy shift, prioritizing versatility and situational hitting.

“We did make some staff changes. We have a new hitting department that we’re going to unleash with our players in spring training,” Baldelli revealed. “The goals heading into spring training for our team are to talk about approach and to talk about how to win games when you don’t hit two home runs.”

Falvey reiterated that hitting philosophy.

“I will say, I think our guys have thought about how to start winning games that we lost last year,” he said. “We were waiting for that one big three-run homer at different times, to the point that maybe guys put a little too much pressure on themselves.

“I think, this year, there has been a concerted effort among the hitting guys to just figure out a way to grind out different types of at-bats,” Falvey continued. “You don’t always have to wait for the three-run homer. Sometimes, you just have to find a way to move the line along. You get to hit, then you move on to the next guy. You take a walk, then you move on to the next guy. I think our guys are talking about that kind of offensive approach.”

This shift could be crucial for a team that struggled with runners in scoring position and other missed opportunities in 2024.

If the Twins can put the ball in play more often in high-leverage situations, they’ll have a much better shot at bouncing back in 2025.

With a talented roster and a new mindset at the plate, the question has to be focused on how they will rebound when another offensive slump hits the team.

Staying Healthy for the Stretch Run

One of the biggest reasons for the Twins’ 2024 collapse was the absence of key players in the second half. Injuries took a significant toll, with Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton, and Carlos Correa all missing significant time.

All three players were playing at or near an All-Star level in the first half, and there weren’t suitable replacements on the roster.

Their absences weakened both the lineup and the pitching staff, making it difficult for the team to sustain success down the stretch.

A healthy Ryan stabilizes the rotation, as he has shown ace-like potential when at full strength.

Buxton, one of the most dynamic players in baseball, needs to stay on the field to provide elite defense and game-changing power. Correa is arguably the team’s best overall player and will be relied upon to anchor the infield and deliver in big moments.

For the Twins to truly put 2024 behind them, they must keep their stars on the field. Improved injury prevention strategies, smarter workload management, and a little luck could go a long way in ensuring that Minnesota has its best players available when it matters most.

A healthy core gives the Twins their best shot at contending deep into the season and beyond.