Chin Music w/ Roy Smalley, LaVelle E. Neal III & Jim Souhan - Minnesota Twins Podcast · Talk North Podcast Network

Can Twins complete in '26?

·28 min·5 clips

This episode of Chin Music features Star Tribune columnists LaVelle E. Neal III and Jim Souhan assessing the Minnesota Twins' competitive outlook for 2026. The veteran journalists, with decades of combined experience covering the team, analyze the franchise's current rebuilding strategy. They compare the present situation to historical Twins rebuilds, specifically the late-1990s period that ultimately produced a core for the 2000s playoff teams. The hosts note the team's current dependence on developing young players due to ownership's financial constraints. LaVelle recalls the 1998 Twins, a terrible team with old veterans, which led to a rebuild that debuted 18 rookies in both 1999 and 2000. That process yielded stars like Torii Hunter, Corey Koskie, and relievers Eddie Guardado and LaTroy Hawkins. The hosts identify current young position players like Keishel, Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and Brooks Lee as a potential new core. They contrast the historical lack of pitching in the late '90s with the Twins' current strength: a solid starting trio of Pablo López, Bailey Ober, and Joe Ryan, plus numerous prospects like David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Zebby Matthews. LaVelle argues the 2026 Twins likely won't lose 95 games because their starting rotation should keep them in games. Jim emphasizes that having at least ten viable starting pitching options, including prospects like Mick Abel and Marco Rea, is a key advantage this front office has built. A surprising insight is LaVelle's strong advocacy for converting pitching prospect Connor Prielipp to a reliever, citing a minor league spring training outing where he saw a 97 mph fastball and a "slider from hell." The hosts also discuss the potential positive impact of new bullpen coach LaTroy Hawkins, given his extensive career experience in every pitching role. They debate which young arms could bolster the bullpen, with Prielipp, Abel, and Rea mentioned as candidates. An interesting claim is that the Twins' pitching depth is the direct opposite of the organization's situation just a couple of years ago, when a single injury could crater the rotation. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending historical anecdotes with current roster evaluation in a relaxed, insider style. This episode is ideal for Twins fans seeking a nuanced, long-term perspective on the team's direction from trusted local voices. Listeners wanting breaking news or pure entertainment might find the deliberate, retrospective analysis less engaging.

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