FORT MYERS, Fla. — Though their playoff odds had once been around 95 percent, the Twins’ 2024 season ended Sept. 29 with the team far from where they had thought or hoped to be, 10½ games out of first place in the American League Central and, worse, out of the postseason.

The sting of an epic, late-season collapse lingered through the offseason.

“I think it stays for a while. For me, it felt like it stayed until that series, the Yankees played the Guardians (in the ALCS),” third baseman Royce Lewis said. “I just felt upset and disgruntled with everything. Obviously, you’re mad.”

On Thursday, when Twins pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training — most position players, like Lewis, reported early — that disappointment felt far away.

Under the Southwest Florida sunshine, a new season always brings a renewed sense of optimism. But the lessons from last season’s collapse will guide some of how the Twins approach camp this spring.

A new group always brings about change, manager Rocco Baldelli said, based on what the group needs. But beyond that, he noted, the changes will be more so on the position player side, aimed, in part, at preparing together.

As far as specifics, he said he would wait to tell his team before he shared with reporters. The Twins’ first full squad workout will take place on Monday.

“I think we’re going to prepare more as a team than we did previously, where we did almost all individual work and then sent them on the field to play as a team,” Baldelli said. “They’re still going to have individual things they’re going to be working on, but I like the idea, and the way that I think it will look in practice of getting guys out there, as a group, to get ready to win a game.”

Bader to get feet wet in left

Harrison Bader hasn’t played left field in a major league game since 2018, but the Twins will spend this spring reintroducing him to the position, Baldelli said.

The Twins’ new outfielder, a Gold Glove Award winner, will serve as insurance in center field option behind Byron Buxton. When their Platinum Glove-winning center fielder is in the outfield, the Twins plan to shift Bader to the corners.

“At our ballpark, when you’re talking about the corners, (left field) is a much bigger playing surface than right field,” Baldelli said. “So, I think putting one of the best outfielders in the game in left field as opposed to right field makes some sense.”

The Twins ;ast week signed Bader to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2026. Along with his outfield defense, Baldelli touted Bader’s ability to make an impact on the bases. Last year, with the Mets, he swiped 17 bags, which would have led the Twins.

“He’s going to bring energy, he’s going to bring athleticism, he’s going to bring the ability to play one of the top outfields in the game,” Baldelli said. “I think he’s really excited to just get out there and contribute.”

Briefly

Twins stars Buxton and Carlos Correa had reported to camp on Thursday. Newcomers Bader and Ty France, whose deal with the Twins is not yet official, were not in camp, either, and neither was Jose Miranda. Beyond that, the rest of the major league position player group seemed to be accounted for.

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