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“We Got It Wrong”: New Twins Controlling Owner Tom Pohlad Admits Payroll Cuts Damaged Fan Trust

New Minnesota Twins controlling owner Tom Pohlad did not shy away from uncomfortable truths during his first media availability Wednesday. In a candid and unusually transparent press conference, Pohlad openly acknowledged the organization’s recent failures — both on the field and off it — and admitted that a controversial payroll decision two years ago severely damaged the franchise’s relationship with its fans.

“When we think back over the last number of years, we haven’t won enough baseball games,” Pohlad said. “We’ve put the financial foundation of the team in jeopardy, and we’ve lost the trust of Twins fans. When we think about how we best move forward, we’ve got to do what’s in the best interest of this organization and the fans.”

Those reflections, Pohlad explained, ultimately led to the ownership group’s decision for him to replace his brother Joe Pohlad as the Twins’ primary operator and liaison with Major League Baseball.

A Franchise at a Crossroads

For many Twins fans, distrust toward ownership can be traced to one defining moment: the decision to significantly reduce payroll following the team’s most successful season in more than two decades.

In 2023, the Twins snapped an infamous 18-game postseason losing streak, swept the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card Round at Target Field, and advanced to the American League Division Series for the first time since 2002. Though Minnesota lost to the Houston Astros in four games, optimism around the franchise was at its highest point in years.

That season, the Twins’ payroll sat in the $155–160 million range, reflecting a clear investment in competing at a high level. However, rather than build on that momentum, ownership made the stunning decision to slash payroll by roughly $30 million entering the 2024 season.

It was during that period that Joe Pohlad used the now-infamous phrase “right-size the business,” igniting immediate backlash from fans who believed ownership was prioritizing finances over winning.

Pohlad Admits the Mistake

Speaking Wednesday with WCCO’s Chad Hartman, Tom Pohlad admitted plainly that the payroll cuts were a mistake — a rare admission from a professional sports owner.

“We made what we thought at the time was a responsible financial decision,” Pohlad said. “And we obviously failed to consider the long-term impact of that decision — and the short-term impact, frankly. We sucked the air right out of our fan base, and it did significant damage to our brand and to our family from a confidence standpoint. Plain and simple, we got it wrong.”

That acknowledgment resonated strongly with fans who have long called for greater accountability from ownership.

On-Field Collapse Followed

The consequences of that decision were immediate and painful. After entering the final stretch of the 2024 season with playoff hopes still alive, the Twins collapsed down the stretch and missed the postseason entirely.

Things only worsened in 2025, when Minnesota fell out of contention even earlier. In a shocking move, the Twins traded away 10 players prior to the trade deadline, signaling a full-scale retreat from contention. The result was another lost season and further erosion of fan confidence.

Payroll Questions for 2026

As Tom Pohlad takes control, questions surrounding payroll remain front and center. He declined to commit to a specific payroll figure for 2026, which many around the league expect to be lower than the franchise’s recent highs.

Currently, the Twins’ payroll sits at approximately $100 million, even after the signing of veteran slugger Josh Bell. While that number is expected to rise with additional roster moves, it remains well below levels seen during the team’s last playoff push.

Still, Pohlad emphasized that ownership is now willing to invest when it meaningfully improves the team.

“We’re willing to make moves that improve this team,” he said, noting that the addition of three minority investors was specifically designed to give the organization greater financial flexibility in pursuit of a championship.

A Shift in Ownership Philosophy

Perhaps the most striking moment of Pohlad’s comments came when he addressed ownership priorities head-on — pushing back against the perception that profits have come before winning.

“We’re in the business of winning baseball games,” Pohlad said. “We’re not in the business of making money to put money in our pockets. Every dollar that we make should be put back on the field, in stewardship of this team, and in an effort to win a world championship.”

For a fan base that has grown weary of mixed messaging and financial explanations, those words marked a notable shift in tone.

Rebuilding Trust Won’t Be Easy

Despite Pohlad’s openness, rebuilding trust will take more than words. The Twins have now missed the postseason in consecutive years after appearing poised to become a consistent contender. Attendance has dipped, skepticism has grown, and patience is thin.

Still, Pohlad’s willingness to publicly admit fault — especially regarding the payroll cuts — represents a meaningful first step.

“This is about accountability,” Pohlad said. “We have to own what didn’t work, learn from it, and do better.”

As the Twins enter a new era of leadership, fans will be watching closely to see whether this renewed commitment translates into tangible action on the field. For now, Tom Pohlad has delivered something rarely heard in professional sports ownership: an honest admission of failure — and a promise to change course