Royce Lewis Reflects on Trade Anxiety Amid Twins’ Deadline Shakeup
Royce Lewis found himself navigating a whirlwind of uncertainty when the Minnesota Twins made sweeping changes to their roster at the trade deadline in July. While he was likely not among the players on the trading block, Lewis recently opened up about the anxiety that accompanied the Twins’ fire sale during an appearance on MLB Network.
Lingering Doubts as the Deadline Approached
When queried about the team’s drastic moves, Lewis candidly expressed his mixed feelings. “You know, part of me — you never know,” he admitted, acknowledging the unpredictability that characterizes trade season. He drew a parallel to other high-profile trades in sports, referencing Luka Doncic’s move to the Lakers, which struck a chord with him as a fan. “You see something like that happen, and you realize anyone is available at all times,” he remarked, highlighting the uncertainty that permeates the league during such pivotal moments.
As the deadline loomed, the Twins’ strategy became clear—they were sellers ready to offload several pending free agents. However, the extent of their overhaul left fans in Minnesota both stunned and frustrated, while also sending shockwaves through the baseball community. In a remarkable week, the front office traded away ten players from their major league roster, including five pending free agents and notable talents like Carlos Correa, a key figure in the team’s recent history.
A Personal Connection to Minnesota
Despite the turmoil, Lewis remained hopeful about his future in Minnesota. “Part of me did think I could get traded, but at the same time, I’m a big fan of Minnesota. I’ve always wanted to stay my whole career here and I’m looking forward to still having that opportunity,” he shared, emphasizing his desire to build a legacy with the franchise.
The fallout from the fire sale was stark, as the Twins struggled to a 19-35 record to finish the season. This disappointing performance ultimately led to the dismissal of manager Rocco Baldelli, who was replaced by former bench coach Derek Shelton. In a show of commitment, Shelton made a point to travel to Dallas to meet with Lewis after his hiring. “That meant a lot to me,” Lewis noted, appreciating the new manager’s effort to connect.
A Star in the Making
The Twins’ president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey, reinforced Lewis’s potential, stating that if he can maintain his health, he could emerge as a star. “I mean Royce, we’ve already seen it at the big league level. He was so impactful in our 2023 playoff run, winning games for us,” Falvey said. He acknowledged the challenges Lewis faced with injuries but praised his improvements at third base and his power potential across all fields. “The biggest focus for us this offseason is just making sure he’s healthy coming into Spring Training, because if he is, he’s a star in the middle of the lineup.”
Friendship and Loss Amid Changes
The offseason transitions were not without personal cost for Lewis. He expressed the emotional toll of losing teammates and friends who were traded away, including Correa, Harrison Bader, Ty France, and promising pitcher Louis Varland, who helped the Blue Jays reach the World Series. “That was obviously devastating, from a friendship standpoint,” Lewis reflected, noting the impact of losing mentors and peers. Yet, he remained optimistic about the foundation being laid for the future. “At the same time, we who were left there knew we still had a really good foundation for moving forward.”
In this turbulent period for the Twins, Royce Lewis stands as a beacon of hope, poised to rise amidst the changes and challenges ahead.
