The recent trade involving Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins was finalized not by the team’s baseball operations president Derek Falvey, but by ownership figures. According to longtime Twin Cities sports columnist Patrick Reusse, the deal occurred earlier this week through intervention at the highest level within the Twins’ organization.
It’s gospel that (Astros owner) Jim Crane called and made it happen, apparently,
Reusse stated on SKOR North’s Reusse Unchained.
He called Jim Pohlad. He did not call Joe (Pohlad). He called Jim Pohlad and they negotiated the money.
Senior Leadership Negotiated Financial Terms to Complete Trade
Reusse detailed how ownership executives bypassed Derek Falvey during negotiations, with Astros owner Jim Crane engaging directly with Jim Pohlad of the Twins to hammer out the financial aspects of the trade. This arrangement reportedly sidelined Falvey from active involvement in the transaction.
So literally the adults above Falvey decided to work this deal out and told young Derek you’re gonna (sit this one out)?
Judd Zulgad asked during the discussion.
Yes, Reusse confirmed.
Jim called them up. They wanted $50 (million) apparently, they wanted half. And he got them down to a third, basically, $33 million. And then they had to take a body to go with it.
Trade Primarily Functioned as a Salary Dump for Minnesota Twins
The transaction that sent Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros essentially served as a mechanism for the Twins to alleviate a major financial burden. By absorbing a portion of Correa’s remaining expensive contract and shipping him to a preferred team—the only one Correa would accept via his no-trade clause—the Twins effectively offloaded two-thirds of his salary obligations.
In return, Minnesota received a 26-year-old High-A relief pitcher whose career earned run average exceeds 6. This player’s prospects for a long-term baseball career appear limited, signaling the trade’s focus on salary relief rather than competitive advantage.
Ownership’s Direct Involvement Raises Questions Amid Exploration of Team Sale
It is particularly notable that the Twins’ ownership group took an active role in orchestrating this deal, especially considering they have been publicly exploring a potential franchise sale. Jim Pohlad, who has been connected with the Twins since the family’s acquisition in 1984, still influences decisions behind the scenes despite handing daily operations to his nephew Joe in 2022.
As of now, no agreement has been reached in the proposed sale, but this trade’s behind-the-scenes actions hint at ownership’s intent to manage payroll responsibilities carefully while navigating uncertain franchise future.
Jim Pohlad’s Longstanding Role and Current Status with the Twins
Jim Pohlad’s involvement spans over four decades, beginning with the family’s purchase of the Minnesota Twins franchise. Although operational leadership transitioned to Joe Pohlad last year, Jim remains a significant figure in crucial decisions, as demonstrated by his negotiation of the Carlos Correa Twins trade.
The recent revelations suggest that Jim Pohlad’s direct participation was instrumental in achieving the deal’s financial terms and final approval, keeping ownership control firmly in their hands during a period of franchise transition.