Now that Royce Lewis has been humbled.
The team has taken on a feeling of outcasts against the world. Joe Ryan & Byron Buxton are talented players! In nyc or Chavez Ravine? Maybe playing in Fenway or Wrigley. Even Stlouis, that pair would be hyped and marketed. But I don't think either guy wants that. Joe Ryan is a throwback to the eccentric characters of yesteryear. Most Like Bill "spaceman" Lee? Maybe doc Ellis and the infamy of his no hitter while under the influence of LSD. Or Rube Wadell from turn of 19th century that would leave the mound to pet a dog in the grandstand. Or leave the ball park altogether to chase a fire truck clanging it's brass bell.

Buxton? His whole career is an homage to his father. A long haul trucker that sacrificed to give his son every opportunity to achieve both their dreams. To just become an MLB player.

These 2 "stars" are supported by journeymen on the back end of that never lived up to expectations. It's a "team", a unit held together by last chances and unclaimed glory.

Idk if the pohlads believed that this could be the result of the massive selloff last July/August.
If it was, they're smarter than we twins fans give credit.

And Derek Shelton replacing Rocco Baldelli was the exact seasoning such a squad needed. Shelton was a bench coach back to the molitor as manager days. Who got his managerial shot to train up the young Pirates about 4 seasons back. That pirate lineup was loaded with high picks resulting from trading off big talents like Gerrit Cole etc ... With the Pirates showing promise last season, Shelton was dumped in favor of the " guy that'll take us to the next level. Completing the full Monty of castoff/ never was ingredients that is the TC mix.

TC? I believe they are the most semblence of the human condition that exists. "Happy to be here"- is an understatement. I wanted to hate this team when Joe Pohlad gave away the 2026 all star close Louis Varland for the cows hoof and a shard of the magic bean.

I can't. Just like that vikings team circa 2015?2016? Became a team I enjoyed watching. Not because they had a wealth of top players. Rather they did not have much star power but played above their pay grade as a team. Max effort team work comraderie!

As a fan? Ya just gotta live a team like I've described. Do the twins have a longshot chance of making the playoffs?
Maybe.
Win a series?
Maybe.
Go to the world series?
Very doubtful.
Become 2026 world series champs?
Lmao- that a gigantic laughable thought.
As unlikely as a rapist criminal ponzi scheme fraudster being elected not once, but again 4 years after leading a failed coup attempt.