On Thursday, the Minnesota Twins made a remarkable series of trades at the MLB trade deadline, sending away ten key players, including star shortstop Carlos Correa. This dramatic move sent shockwaves throughout the baseball community and ignited a storm of reactions on social media.
After a promising 2024 season where the Twins were among the favorites to win the AL Central, this season has seen a significant decline. Struggling with a losing record and burdened by a hefty payroll estimated at $440 million, the Twins opted to become sellers at the 2025 trade deadline in a bid to reset their roster and salary commitments.
Major Roster Overhaul Involving Carlos Correa and Nine Others
The Minnesota Twins executed a blockbuster trade by sending Carlos Correa, Harrison Bader, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart, Danny Coulombe, Willi Castro, Ty France, Chris Paddack, and Jhoan Duran to various teams. The most notable transaction was sending Correa back to his former team, the Houston Astros, a year after acquiring him in 2022.
In exchange, the Twins received a mix of players including Hendry Mendez, Geremy Villoria, James Outman, Garrett Horn, Mike Mikulski, Alan Roden, Kendry Rojas, Taj Bradley, Sam Armstrong, and Ryan Gallagher. This group combines major league experience and promising prospects, giving the team youth and cost control, while significantly reducing payroll obligations.
Correa, a three-time All-Star, struggled to find consistency this season. The Twins agreed to contribute $33 million toward his remaining contract, which reportedly totals $96 million through 2028, with club options extending through 2032.
Social Media Erupts Over Twins’ Aggressive Trade Deadline Moves
The sheer volume and scale of the Twins’ trades triggered a flurry of reactions online. Fans expressed frustration and disbelief as the team parted ways with several familiar and high-profile players. The moves highlighted the Twins’ clear shift to rebuilding mode and provoked passionate commentary across platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
A common theme was the sense of loss among fans, echoed by many who felt the team’s recent decline had been precipitated by front office decisions. The chilling reality for some supporters was captured in the observation of current players under contract for the next season, which, at the moment, includes only Byron Buxton and Pablo Lopez.
This is a very depressing day to be a Minnesota Twins fan. Less than two years ago, they were riding a wave of success and popularity and then the Pohlad family decided to “right size” payroll and it’s been a plummet downhill since. Today’s emptying of the roster is the nadir.— Michael Freeman (@michaelpfreeman) July 31, 2025
At the time of the trade deadline, the Twins held a 51-57 record, placing fourth in the AL Central. Their upcoming schedule includes three consecutive three-game series against divisional rivals Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals, underscoring a tough path forward after trading away many of their established players.
Insights from Twins’ General Manager on Trading Carlos Correa
The trade involving Carlos Correa drew significant attention, prompting Twins General Manager Derek Falvey to clarify the circumstances surrounding the move. Falvey emphasized that Correa never pushed for a trade and portrayed their dialogue as open and respectful.
When the Houston rumors came out, he wanted to have a brief conversation about it and I said my door is always open. We had that discussion… but Carlos was never sitting there demanding a trade or wanting to do something else. If it was right for the Twins and it was right for him, he was open to the conversation.
Derek Falvey said as per MLB.com
Correa’s contract history with the Twins has been notable. He initially signed a lucrative three-year, $105 million deal in 2022, then opted out after that season. After exploring options with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, he recommitted to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million contract. Despite the significant investment, his 2025 performance fell short, batting a .267 average with seven home runs and 31 RBIs across 93 games.
Contextualizing the Twins’ Trade Strategy and Future Outlook
The sweeping roster changes represent a pivotal moment for the Twins as they focus on financial flexibility and long-term competitiveness. Reducing payroll while acquiring prospects and younger talent reflects a clear rebuilding intent. This decision comes amid a sharp downturn from last season’s high expectations.
Though the immediate future looks uncertain, the infusion of fresh prospects acquired through these trades could help reshape the organization’s competitive foundation. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Twins navigate this challenging phase and determine whether these moves will lead to renewed success in the coming seasons.