Interview with Twins' GM SankTheTank

OSR: In the return of out interview series, the Minnesota GM SankTheTank stopped by our offices today to talk to us a little bit about the Twins, who currently have the best record in baseball at 77-22. Thanks for joining us.
SankTheTank: Any time.

OSR: Well, obviously you’re having one of the best seasons in franchise history, and at 21 games up in the AL Central, a virtual lock to win the division. Any surprises this season on how your team has performed?
SankTheTank: Not really about the way we’re performing, but I’m definitely surprised at the way Detroit came out of the gate in April and struggled to put themselves in this hole. A lot of our guys are performing at the level they should be and it’s allowed us to deal with the “growing pains” of younger players like Shawn Leeburn and Lequentin Harris. Initially, I was concerned about them being in the line up and potentially costing us the division as they grew up, however I’m plesantly surprised that everybody else is able to pick up the slack. So that’s the one small surprise that I’ve had this season.
OSR: Interesting…and even given those growing pains, you still have the top offense in the majors at 6.15 RS/G. Very impressive!

OSR: Let’s talk about a few trades you made this season. RP Jared Helmuth, who was very solid in his 2+ seasons in Minnesota, was traded to Boston for a 3rd round draft pick. What was the thinking behind this deal?
SankTheTank: It wasn’t anything with Helmuth, he’s a great pitcher who got the job done and made everybody’s job easier. He essientially eliminated an inning from the game and I know the fans loved him because he was striking out close to eleven batters per nine. However, it came down to us being in debt and not being able to afford him. We have the largest payroll in the league [Editor's note: Now currently 3rd in the league at 160.4M] but don’t make enough money to cover that, so we had to make some moves and Helmuth unfortunatley was making a lot of money. We left like Matt Hawkers could pick up the slack as he’s been pitching incredibly this season.

OSR: The other major trade you made this season was sending 2B Kent Jeeves to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for OF Peter Fortner, in a rare straight exchange of two young top prospects. Rumor has it that the Twins had concerns about Jeeves staying healthy, but Fortner has his own problems in that area as well. How did this trade come to be, and what does it mean for the future of Minnesota?
SankTheTank: We just didn’t have any room for Kent Jeeves. We discussed it constantly and I was looking for any way to fit Jeeves in somewhere. Unfortunatley, there just wasn’t a spot for him going forward and Chicago was open to trading Fortner for him straight up. I liked the deal because Fortner fills a need at right field and has the potential to be one of the game’s best hitters.

OSR: One last trade related question. Minnesota is said to be shopping RF Raymond Tyler, who is having perhaps the best season of his career since his breakout season at age 22, which was all the way back in 2014. Can you tell us anything about the reasons behind looking to move him?
SankTheTank: He’s a great hitter and we love him on our team. A lot of people critisized me for trading a great prospect in Ed Radin for him but I feel like it’s finally paying off. Unfortunatley, next year Seattle will be finished paying for his salary and it’ll be completely on us to write his check. We most likely will not have the money to do that while taking care of Chanthar Thomas, Jeff Ratcliffe, and Josh Gartner at the end of 2026.

OSR: Let’s move on and talk a little about the state of your farm system. Minnesota has mostly been a seller of draft picks over the last few seasons, leaving the cupboard somewhat bare. Any plans to address that or have you entered a “go for broke phase” and just focusing on bringing home a title?
SankTheTank: Yeah, I feel like we needed the cash more than we needed the draft picks. I couldn’t pass up Boston’s offer of $19,000,000 which will greatly help us this offsesaon when we’re paying for our arbitration elgible players. There won’t be any of this for the 2026 draft, we understand that our farm system – especially our pitching specifically – is a little on the weaker side. While we have guys that we’re hoping will be productive major leaguers like Lucas Chambers and Ron Martin, we’re lacking in the starting pitching department and it’s essiential that we get somebody if we want to compete in the future. Josh Gartner and Albert Everard unfortunately won’t be around for ever and we’ll hopefully be able to draft their replacements next June.

OSR: Okay, let’s wrap it up with our 60 second drill (short, quick answers). Name your two favorite players in Outahere, at least one not currently a member of the Twins.
SankTheTank: [Boston 3B] Edward Harder and [Minnesota SP] Nagafusa Satoya.

OSR: Biggest rival in Outahere, whether on a personal or team basis?
SankTheTank: The Tigers definitely! Both a personal and team basis, a huge division rival, and he took advantage of my Mogul virginity by stealing Sam Harrell!

OSR: World Series match up this season? And who wins? In how many games?
SankTheTank: Minnesota in five against Montreal!

OSR: Twins with the best chance of winning the MVP, Cy Young, or ROY this season?
SankTheTank: MVP – Raymond Tyler. Cy Young – Edgar Maldovado. Rookie of the Year – Lequentin Harris.

OSR: Okay, I think that about wraps it up. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us and good luck in October!
SankTheTank: Yup, no problem. thanks!