Twins Conclude Productive Winter Meetings with Strategic Moves

In a series of strategic moves during Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Minnesota Twins have concluded their discussions with a focus on enhancing their roster for the upcoming season. General manager Jeremy Zoll characterized the meetings as “productive,” as the team made key selections and trades while laying the groundwork for future decisions.

Key Developments from the Winter Meetings

The Twins secured the No. 3 pick in the 2026 draft, a notable achievement given that they had the second-best odds to land the top pick but could have dropped as low as No. 8 in the lottery. In addition to this acquisition, the team participated in the Rule 5 draft and executed a significant trade.

During the meetings, Zoll emphasized the importance of the conversations held, stating that they built on initial discussions from previous general manager meetings. “We felt really good to have the conversations we did and build on the initial conversations,” he noted, underscoring the clarity gained during the week that would help the Twins “advance the ball in some conversations.”

Questions surrounding the team’s intentions to improve their roster were prevalent as the offseason began. Key players, including Pablo López, Joe Ryan, and all-star center fielder Byron Buxton, were subject to speculation about their futures. Team leaders confirmed that all three players would remain with the organization while Zoll and team president Derek Falvey focus on adding new talent.

Trade and Roster Adjustments

In a move to free up roster space, the Twins placed outfielder Carson McCusker on unconditional waivers as he prepares to continue his career in Asia. This opened the door for the Twins to add catcher Daniel Susac, whom they selected in the Rule 5 draft from the Oakland Athletics. Just after his selection, Susac was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Miguel Carabello, a promising 17-year-old catcher who had a strong performance last season in the Dominican Summer League.

Carabello posted a batting average of .264 with an impressive .874 OPS in 41 games last year. Along with Carabello, the Twins also received cash considerations as part of the trade.

Zoll explained the rationale behind selecting Susac and subsequently trading him. “We looked at all the available guys, worked through some different options, had some really good conversations on how it might all fit together,” he remarked. He highlighted the appeal of acquiring a younger player with growth potential, which aligns with the team’s strategy for building out their roster and bullpen.

Choosing a reliever in the Rule 5 draft would have necessitated keeping the player on the active roster for the entire season, limiting flexibility. Instead, the Twins plan to explore other avenues for strengthening their bullpen, which has become a priority following the departure of five relievers at last season’s trade deadline.

Reflecting on the Winter Meetings, Zoll stated, “I think it was a productive few days for us,” adding that the team is keen on acquiring “another bat or two with some thump” this offseason. He acknowledged that there remains a lot of market evaluation to do, especially in light of recent player movements, including Kyle Schwarber re-signing with the Philadelphia Phillies and Pete Alonso joining the Baltimore Orioles. Such transactions often create a ripple effect throughout the market that the Twins are monitoring closely.

As the Twins head back to Minnesota, the groundwork laid during the Winter Meetings positions them well for the remainder of the offseason and the upcoming season.