Nick Nelson
@nicknelson.bsky.social
Writer, marketer, baseball fan www.twinsdaily.com
If you're looking for some silver linings in the wake of yesterday's devastating news about Pablo Lopez, here's what I've got: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
Finding Solace in the Wake of Pablo López's Bad News
Losing Pablo López might, ironically, improve the chances of keeping him in a Twins uniform long-term.
twinsdaily.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:49 PM
If you're looking for some silver linings in the wake of yesterday's devastating news about Pablo Lopez, here's what I've got: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
This Andrew Chafin quote 😂
"I know how to get guys out and the computer doesn't understand."
via the great @danhayesmlb.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
"I know how to get guys out and the computer doesn't understand."
via the great @danhayesmlb.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
February 18, 2026 at 10:14 PM
This Andrew Chafin quote 😂
"I know how to get guys out and the computer doesn't understand."
via the great @danhayesmlb.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
"I know how to get guys out and the computer doesn't understand."
via the great @danhayesmlb.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...
Solace in the Lopez news, I guess, is that the Twins weren't gonna be good this year anyway. Hopefully he comes back strong in 2027 for a more developed team, and maybe a favorable extension could even be in play.
February 17, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Solace in the Lopez news, I guess, is that the Twins weren't gonna be good this year anyway. Hopefully he comes back strong in 2027 for a more developed team, and maybe a favorable extension could even be in play.
Pablo Lopez is an unbelievably likable player in addition to being probably the team's best & highest-upside player. This news just really sucks. Quite the early spring buzzkill.
Pablo López is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2026 season. www.startribune.com/pablo-lopez-...
Twins All-Star pitcher Pablo López likely will miss the 2026 season because of elbow injury
López left the first full-squad practice Monday because of discomfort in his pitching elbow.
www.startribune.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Pablo Lopez is an unbelievably likable player in addition to being probably the team's best & highest-upside player. This news just really sucks. Quite the early spring buzzkill.
After going thru some injury issues in MIA, Pablo Lopez didn't miss a start from 2022-24.
But last year: 3 starts then hamstring injury -> 8 starts then teres major strain -> 3 starts then forearm injury
Now he's come up with elbow soreness in his first live BP of spring camp.
But last year: 3 starts then hamstring injury -> 8 starts then teres major strain -> 3 starts then forearm injury
Now he's come up with elbow soreness in his first live BP of spring camp.
February 16, 2026 at 8:57 PM
After going thru some injury issues in MIA, Pablo Lopez didn't miss a start from 2022-24.
But last year: 3 starts then hamstring injury -> 8 starts then teres major strain -> 3 starts then forearm injury
Now he's come up with elbow soreness in his first live BP of spring camp.
But last year: 3 starts then hamstring injury -> 8 starts then teres major strain -> 3 starts then forearm injury
Now he's come up with elbow soreness in his first live BP of spring camp.
Tom Pohlad on whether the Twins would be willing to take on money in a trade after swinging and missing on Framber Valdez: "One hundred percent, one hundred percent."
Tom Pohlad has a chance to do the funniest thing.
Tom Pohlad has a chance to do the funniest thing.
February 16, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Tom Pohlad on whether the Twins would be willing to take on money in a trade after swinging and missing on Framber Valdez: "One hundred percent, one hundred percent."
Tom Pohlad has a chance to do the funniest thing.
Tom Pohlad has a chance to do the funniest thing.
Not great
Pablo López suffered some right elbow soreness during his third inning and cut it short to be cautious. Story to come.
February 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Not great
Good piece here from @codyschoenmann.bsky.social on Tristan Gray, who's one of the more interesting journeymen vying for a shot with the Twins this year: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
Bench Role, DFAd, or St. Paul: Analytically Breaking Down Tristan Gray’s Player Profile
Acquired from the Boston Red Sox in mid-January for catching prospect Nate Baez, Tristan Gray joined his third organization in two months, becoming a member of the Minnesota Twins. The 29-year-old ent...
twinsdaily.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Good piece here from @codyschoenmann.bsky.social on Tristan Gray, who's one of the more interesting journeymen vying for a shot with the Twins this year: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
While the on-field product is troubling, I have to give Twins immense credit for their efforts to bring fans back to the ballpark.
Twins Pass and pregame drink/snack deals are legitimately cost-effective ways to enjoy live pro baseball at a time where everything's so expensive.
Twins Pass and pregame drink/snack deals are legitimately cost-effective ways to enjoy live pro baseball at a time where everything's so expensive.
February 15, 2026 at 7:42 PM
While the on-field product is troubling, I have to give Twins immense credit for their efforts to bring fans back to the ballpark.
Twins Pass and pregame drink/snack deals are legitimately cost-effective ways to enjoy live pro baseball at a time where everything's so expensive.
Twins Pass and pregame drink/snack deals are legitimately cost-effective ways to enjoy live pro baseball at a time where everything's so expensive.
A few good Twins-related reads on this fine Sunday, with some tidbits and highlights: 🧵
February 15, 2026 at 7:14 PM
A few good Twins-related reads on this fine Sunday, with some tidbits and highlights: 🧵
The fact that there are "CHEAP POHLADS! SELL THE TEAM!" people who also continue to fervently defend the Correa trade is very funny to me.
A move that did nothing but dramatically lower the team's floor & ceiling while putting tens of millions back in pockets of ownership.
A move that did nothing but dramatically lower the team's floor & ceiling while putting tens of millions back in pockets of ownership.
February 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
The fact that there are "CHEAP POHLADS! SELL THE TEAM!" people who also continue to fervently defend the Correa trade is very funny to me.
A move that did nothing but dramatically lower the team's floor & ceiling while putting tens of millions back in pockets of ownership.
A move that did nothing but dramatically lower the team's floor & ceiling while putting tens of millions back in pockets of ownership.
Spring training is officially underway, so I wrote up a quick camp Twins camp primer.
Key position battles, health situations to monitor, and storylines to follow over the next 6 weeks: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
Key position battles, health situations to monitor, and storylines to follow over the next 6 weeks: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
Minnesota Twins 2026 Spring Training Preview: Much to Sort Through
Get up to speed on position battles, injury statuses, and storylines to follow with spring camp underway for the Twins.
twinsdaily.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Spring training is officially underway, so I wrote up a quick camp Twins camp primer.
Key position battles, health situations to monitor, and storylines to follow over the next 6 weeks: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
Key position battles, health situations to monitor, and storylines to follow over the next 6 weeks: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/... @twinsdaily.com
Best bullpen move the Twins have made this offseason. (Not the highest bar but still.)
Twins are acquiring LHP Anthony Banda in a trade with Dodgers for international signing money. Jackson Kowar was designated for assignment.
February 12, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Best bullpen move the Twins have made this offseason. (Not the highest bar but still.)
A great marketing move for Tom Pohlad would be to keep leaning into inexpensive tickets and concessions at Target Field and proudly branding himself "Cheap Pohlad"
February 12, 2026 at 6:17 PM
A great marketing move for Tom Pohlad would be to keep leaning into inexpensive tickets and concessions at Target Field and proudly branding himself "Cheap Pohlad"
I’ve come to terms with the Twins being irrelevant this year, and to an extent the lifting of any expectations is relieving. But it’s frustrating that guys like Ryan and Lopez have to stick around and endure this, and it’ll be really frustrating if anyone gets hurt and spikes their trade value.
February 12, 2026 at 3:53 AM
I’ve come to terms with the Twins being irrelevant this year, and to an extent the lifting of any expectations is relieving. But it’s frustrating that guys like Ryan and Lopez have to stick around and endure this, and it’ll be really frustrating if anyone gets hurt and spikes their trade value.
I have legitimately never had less faith in the leadership of the Twins
February 12, 2026 at 3:09 AM
I have legitimately never had less faith in the leadership of the Twins
The Twins' bullpen will *probably* be bad this year. What would it take to defy those expectations?
Today at @twinsdaily.com I broke down the ingredients in a best case scenario: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
Today at @twinsdaily.com I broke down the ingredients in a best case scenario: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
What's the Best-Case Scenario for the 2026 Twins Bullpen?
What would it take for Minnesota's under-equipped bullpen to take the league by surprise?
twinsdaily.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The Twins' bullpen will *probably* be bad this year. What would it take to defy those expectations?
Today at @twinsdaily.com I broke down the ingredients in a best case scenario: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
Today at @twinsdaily.com I broke down the ingredients in a best case scenario: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
Desperately need this to be the year where Matt Canterino stays healthy. Major long-shot at this point, but would be huge in addressing upside question marks in the Twins bullpen.
February 9, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Desperately need this to be the year where Matt Canterino stays healthy. Major long-shot at this point, but would be huge in addressing upside question marks in the Twins bullpen.
FanGraphs projects the Twins to rank dead-last in fWAR at the shortstop position this year at 1.7. Carlos Correa is projected to nearly double that figure at 3.2 fWAR (granted, as a 3B).
February 9, 2026 at 5:24 PM
FanGraphs projects the Twins to rank dead-last in fWAR at the shortstop position this year at 1.7. Carlos Correa is projected to nearly double that figure at 3.2 fWAR (granted, as a 3B).
Spring training is almost here but, as Twins fans have been conditioned to understand, that doesn't mean the front office is done making moves.
New at @twinsdaily.com, here are 5 significant moves I could see taking place before Opening Day: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
New at @twinsdaily.com, here are 5 significant moves I could see taking place before Opening Day: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
5 Big Moves the Twins Could Still Make Before Opening Day
The Minnesota front office has developed a rep for striking late in the offseason, or even in spring training.
twinsdaily.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Spring training is almost here but, as Twins fans have been conditioned to understand, that doesn't mean the front office is done making moves.
New at @twinsdaily.com, here are 5 significant moves I could see taking place before Opening Day: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
New at @twinsdaily.com, here are 5 significant moves I could see taking place before Opening Day: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...
On August 10, 2024, the Minnesota Twins were 65-51 (14 games over .500) and the Detroit Tigers were 55-63 (8 games under).
Since then, the Tigers are 30 games over .500 and the Twins are 34 games under.
Quite the divergence.
Since then, the Tigers are 30 games over .500 and the Twins are 34 games under.
Quite the divergence.
February 5, 2026 at 2:58 PM
On August 10, 2024, the Minnesota Twins were 65-51 (14 games over .500) and the Detroit Tigers were 55-63 (8 games under).
Since then, the Tigers are 30 games over .500 and the Twins are 34 games under.
Quite the divergence.
Since then, the Tigers are 30 games over .500 and the Twins are 34 games under.
Quite the divergence.
AI slop is overtaking information feeds everywhere while amazing journalists are losing their jobs and legendary media institutions are being dismantled. Very hard to watch.
February 4, 2026 at 7:22 PM
AI slop is overtaking information feeds everywhere while amazing journalists are losing their jobs and legendary media institutions are being dismantled. Very hard to watch.
The Twins announced the 2026 pricing for TwinsPass, which grants SRO entry to every home game. Cost is down almost 30% from last year ($4/game to $2.86/game).
Clearly they recognize the challenge in front of them for drawing fans to Target Field this summer.
Clearly they recognize the challenge in front of them for drawing fans to Target Field this summer.
February 4, 2026 at 5:55 PM
The Twins announced the 2026 pricing for TwinsPass, which grants SRO entry to every home game. Cost is down almost 30% from last year ($4/game to $2.86/game).
Clearly they recognize the challenge in front of them for drawing fans to Target Field this summer.
Clearly they recognize the challenge in front of them for drawing fans to Target Field this summer.
The low points of Derek Falvey's tenure, IMO, all revolved around the trade deadline.
- Acquiring Sam Dyson in 2019
- Whiffing on Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez in 2022
- Inactivity in 2023
- Trevor Richards and nothing else in 2024
- The brutal 2025 firesale
- Acquiring Sam Dyson in 2019
- Whiffing on Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez in 2022
- Inactivity in 2023
- Trevor Richards and nothing else in 2024
- The brutal 2025 firesale
January 31, 2026 at 6:58 PM
The low points of Derek Falvey's tenure, IMO, all revolved around the trade deadline.
- Acquiring Sam Dyson in 2019
- Whiffing on Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez in 2022
- Inactivity in 2023
- Trevor Richards and nothing else in 2024
- The brutal 2025 firesale
- Acquiring Sam Dyson in 2019
- Whiffing on Tyler Mahle and Jorge Lopez in 2022
- Inactivity in 2023
- Trevor Richards and nothing else in 2024
- The brutal 2025 firesale
In an alternate reality where the Twins did not sell at the deadline last year, this is what the Twins roster would look like right now heading as spring training approaches.
Am I wrong or this a pretty clear-cut AL Central favorite?
Am I wrong or this a pretty clear-cut AL Central favorite?
January 31, 2026 at 6:43 PM
In an alternate reality where the Twins did not sell at the deadline last year, this is what the Twins roster would look like right now heading as spring training approaches.
Am I wrong or this a pretty clear-cut AL Central favorite?
Am I wrong or this a pretty clear-cut AL Central favorite?