The Minnesota Twins are moving fast today, and honestly, if you aren't checking the transaction wire every hour, you're probably missing the quiet reshaping of this roster. Between a massive overhaul of the minor league coaching ranks and some head-scratching waiver wire additions, the front office is clearly in "tinker mode" as we head toward spring.
MN Twins News Today: The Big Coaching Shift
The biggest ripple in MN Twins news today actually started in the dugout, but not the one at Target Field. The organization just officially announced their 2026 minor league coaching staffs, and there is a lot to unpack here.
Nico Giarratano is officially the new manager for the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge. This isn't just a random hire. Giarratano is coming off a massive 2025 season where he led the Florida Complex League Twins to a division title with a 39-20 record. He’s taking over for Brian Dinkelman, who isn't going anywhere—he’s actually moving up to manage the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
Dinkelman is a name Twins fans know well. He’s been in the system for seven seasons and has literally never had a losing record as a manager. He’s replacing Toby Gardenhire, who is finally moving up to join new Twins manager Derek Shelton’s major league staff. It feels like a total changing of the guard, basically ensuring that Shelton has "his guys" throughout the entire pipeline.
The Waiver Wire Gambles
While the coaches are moving around, the 40-man roster is getting some weird additions. The Twins just claimed infielder Vidal Bruján off waivers.
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Now, look. Bruján was once a top-100 prospect in all of baseball. People thought he was the next big thing for the Rays. But the reality is he's a career .199 hitter in the Bigs. Why bring him in? Basically, the Twins are betting on his speed and versatility. With the recent trade of Carlos Correa back to Houston—yeah, that still stings—the middle infield is looking a little thin on experience.
He joins Ryan Kreidler, another recent waiver claim who hits even less (.138 average). It’s a clear strategy: buy low on former high-end prospects and hope one of them finally clicks under a new hitting department.
What’s Going on With the Rotation?
You can't talk about the Twins without talking about the arms. We just saw a flurry of activity to avoid arbitration. Bailey Ober, Ryan Jeffers, and Royce Lewis all signed one-year deals on January 8th to settle their 2026 salaries.
- Bailey Ober: Settled to anchor the mid-rotation.
- Royce Lewis: Signed, though the real "news" is just hoping he stays on the dirt for 140 games this year.
- Cole Sands and Justin Topa: Also locked in to solidify a bullpen that got gutted at last year's deadline.
There’s still a massive cloud hanging over Joe Ryan and Pablo López, though. Rumors are flying that the Mets are aggressively pursuing Ryan. If the Twins are serious about contending in 2026, trading your best starter seems... counterintuitive? But with the Pohlad family reportedly selling a 20% stake in the team to partners like Wild owner Craig Leipold, the budget is a moving target.
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The Eric Wagaman Factor
Don't overlook the trade for Eric Wagaman. The Twins sent lefty Kade Bragg to Miami to get him. Wagaman is 28 and spent forever in the Yankees' system before getting a real shot with the Marlins last year. He’s a "lefty-killer." He slashed .283 against southpaws last year compared to a measly .231 against righties.
With Josh Bell already signed to a one-year deal, Wagaman is likely the insurance policy or a platoon partner at first base. It puts guys like Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner in a weird spot. There are only so many DH and corner outfield reps to go around.
Looking Ahead to the Winter Caravan
If you want to see these guys in person before they head to Fort Myers, the 64th annual Twins Winter Caravan kicks off on January 21st. It’s hitting nine cities across four states.
New manager Derek Shelton and President Derek Falvey will be doing the St. Paul and Welch stops. It’ll be the first real chance for fans to grill the new leadership about why the Correa trade happened and what the plan is for the vacant spots in the rotation.
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The kids are coming, too. Luke Keaschall, who was a bright spot as an All-Rookie honoree last year, will be on the tour. So will Mick Abel, the young right-hander everyone is hoping takes a leap this spring.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the MN Twins news today, keep these three things on your radar:
- Watch the 40-man count: The Twins are at capacity, meaning every new waiver claim or "project" signing requires someone to be DFA’d. Watch for a veteran potentially getting the axe soon.
- Spring Training Reporting: Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers on February 11th. If Joe Ryan is still on the roster by Valentine's Day, he's likely staying through the summer.
- The New Management Style: Derek Shelton is a different beast than Rocco Baldelli. Expect more aggressive baserunning—the Bruján and Keaschall types fit that "speed and pressure" mold perfectly.
The 2026 season feels like a pivot point. The team is trying to balance a "rapid rebuild" while keeping stars like Byron Buxton happy. It’s a tough tightrope to walk, but the moves today show they aren't just sitting on their hands.
Get your Winter Caravan tickets now if you're in the Midwest. The St. Cloud and Mankato stops usually sell out fast because people are desperate for any sign of summer when it's -10 degrees outside.
Next Steps
To stay updated, you should track the 40-man roster movements specifically between now and January 31st, as this is when the final pre-Spring Training trades typically materialize. You can also monitor the status of the 20% minority stake sale, which will dictate the team's remaining "slush fund" for late-winter free agent signings.