Baseball’s trade deadline is approaching, and it’s not just major leaguers wondering about where they might be playing next weekend.

After excelling at times with the Twins over the past three seasons, long stints with the Class AAA Saints this summer have a couple of former top prospects acknowledging that it isn’t just the Twins brass they’re trying to impress.

“At this point, I’m not just playing for the Twins,” infielder Edouard Julien said before a Saints double-header at CHS Field on Thursday. “I’m playing for everybody.”

Still, Julien added, he’s not thinking much about being part of a trade before Thursday’s 5 p.m. cut-off because, he said, “I don’t think about any of that stuff because that’s out of my control.”

Not so for Jose Miranda, who appeared to be a shoo-in for a corner infield position after the 2024 season, when he set a club record — and tied the MLB record — by hitting safely in 12 straight at-bats last July.

The deadline for MLB teams to add players through trades is Thursday at 5 pm. CDT.

“It does cross my mind,” Miranda said. “Because, you know, there are certain moments in different players’ careers when a trade or something could make a change for you, provide a different scenario, or something like that.”

If anyone needs a different scenario, of any sort, it’s Miranda. The first and third baseman just isn’t hitting, for the first time in his career. After setting the Twins’ record for consecutive at-bats hit safely last July, Miranda was hitting .326 with nine home runs and 43 runs batted in over 72 games.

After that, Miranda hit .219 with no home runs and six RBIs in 49 games for the Twins. Before Saturday night’s game against Worcester in St. Paul, he was hitting .195 with 14 extra-base hits in 58 games with the Saints.

“I’m always optimistic, always trusting my game, trusting myself,” Miranda said before a double-header against Worcester on Thursday. “It’s been a really weird year for me, you know?”

Second baseman Edouard Julien takes a swing during a St. Paul Saints game this season at CHS Field. He broke camp with the Twins but was sent back to St. Paul after 29 games. Hitting .395 with three home runs in his past 11 games, Julien is hoping to convince the Twins he’s ready for another chance. (Rob Thompson / St. Paul Saints)

The Twins move toward Thursday’s deadline insisting a playoff spot remains in play for them, and technically it does. Fourth in the American League Central Division before Saturday night’s game against Washington at Target Center, they’re only four games out of the second AL wild card spot — but behind five other teams.

Still, it seems unlikely the Twins would balk at trading some impending free agents — at the right price — before Thursday, let alone add players for a run. Asked Friday if there might be openings for veterans at St. Paul next month, manager Rocco Baldelli said that kind of speculation is for the people who cover the team, not the ones who run it.

“I’m really focused on playing good baseball in this stretch of games, getting the most out of our players in these games — that’s what I’m thinking about and hoping to talk about, as well,” he said.

Both Julien, 26, and Miranda, 27, broke camp with the Twins in March. Miranda played 12 games before being sent to St. Paul with a .219 batting average; Julien played 29 before being sent to St. Paul with a .198 average — but he has found his swing with the Saints.

On Friday, Julien went 3 for 4 with a single, double and home run, his fifth multi-hit game in his past 11, to raise his average to .265 with 18 extra-base hits, 51 walks, 30 runs scored and 30 RBIs in 55 games.

Minnesota Twins’ Jose Miranda acknowledges the crowd after hitting a fly out to end his streak of 12 consecutive at-bats with a hit during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

“Of course, I would have liked to be up there a little longer and show that I can hit, and in the past two months, I feel like I’ve felt good here,” Julien said. “Of course, there’s ups and downs. But at the moment I feel great. I feel like I can hit anything. I’m much better on offspeed, and I know I can hit the fastball. So, I’ve taken my walks and I feel like I’m capable of being in the big leagues on any team and able to hit and help a team win.

“But that’s not in my control, and the only thing I can do is hit here, right?”

Neither Julien nor Miranda has even started arbitration, so they remain under team control through the rest of the decade. And because they’ve had success in the majors — Julien had a terrific rookie season and hit .364 in the division series against Houston — they’re still valuable pieces for the Twins.

Maybe too valuable to spend as an extra piece in a trade.

But with Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee consistently manning third and second base, respectively — and Luke Keaschall getting his first callup after they were sent down — Julien and Miranda are keenly aware of where they stand in the pecking order.

As Julien put it, the Twins “kind of have their own guys up there, and at the moment I’m not part of them.”

“You go through the tough times and the tough stretches, especially last year in the big leagues, the times when it was harder,” Julien added. “And you know, with the Twins it feels like the leash is not as long, for any player. It’s mostly what you’ve done lately — and that’s for everybody in the big leagues.

“They’re trying to win, so if you’re not performing, they’re going to get someone else up there and give them the chance. That’s the right way to do it; I just wish I could have another chance.”

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A person with a criminal history broke into the state capitol overnight and vandalized it, according to statements released by lawmakers on Saturday.

The Minnesota State Patrol did not immediately return calls or emails Saturday afternoon to confirm the crime or release details about it.

Minnesota Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson released a statement calling on the State Patrol and the Capitol’s security teams to prevent any such future break-ins.

“I’m disappointed to learn that a major security breach occurred on Friday night and Saturday morning. We are living in a heightened threat environment. I expect the (State Patrol and Capitol security teams) will thoroughly review what happened and give Capitol officials and staff, and the public, their assurances that this will not happen again,” Johnson said.

In a statement released Saturday, House Speaker Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, hinted that the person suspected of trespassing had not been arrested.

“It’s frustrating that an individual with a criminal history was able to allegedly vandalize the Capitol and unlawfully trespass in the Senate chamber without being taken into custody,” Demuth said. “Anyone who trespasses in any building — let alone the State Capitol — should be arrested and prosecuted for breaking the law, and I look forward to learning why this did not take place in this highly disturbing incident.”

The incident occurred six weeks after a man shot four people in what authorities are calling a politically motivated assassination. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is accused of fatally shooting Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in another shooting in suburban Minneapolis.

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Josh Metellus walked to the podium on Saturday afternoon at TCO Performance Center and took a deep breath as he reflected on his journey to get to this point.

After agreeing to a contract extension with Vikings that will keep him in Minnesota through his prime, Metellus found himself thinking back to where it all started.

“A young kid from North Miami Beach,” Metellus said. “I’m standing here showing that hard work does pay off. It’s special. I’m extremely grateful.”

It’s reportedly a three-year, $36 million contract extension for Metellus that could be worth up to $42 million with incentives. Those numbers were agreed upon after negotiations between general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and power agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Though it was far from a guarantee that a deal would get done, Metellus was comfortable knowing he had done everything he could to make his case.

“I was confident in the work that I put in,” Metellus said. “I knew at some point it was going to pay off, whether that was now or whether that was later.”

Asked if there was ever a thought of testing the market, Metellus immediately shook his head no.

“I wanted to be here,” Metellus said. “I love it here. This is home. I want to finish my career here.”

The fact that Metellus is sticking around for the foreseeable future is important for the Vikings given everything he does on defense.

His versatility has made him the ultimate chess piece for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. It’s not uncommon to see Metellus lineup at safety, cornerback and linebacker, often in the same series.

“He’s such a vital part of our success on and off the field,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It’s hard to imagine them making them any better as a player and person than Josh.”

Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 draft, Metellus was initially cut by the Vikings before being signed to the practice squad. He slowly made a name for himself, carving out a niche as a special teams ace, then parlaying that into a role on defense that has continued to increase.

“He embodies the relentlessness and work ethic that we value,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s a story of undeniable determination.”

That character trait served as a compass for Metellus. Even when his confidence admittedly started to waver in the early stages of his career, he never succumbed to the doubts that were constantly creeping into his mind.

“You manifest it, and it’s going to come to life,” Metellus said. “My will was greater that anything around me, and that’s why I’m standing here.”

The next step for Metellus is rather simple.

“I want to win a ring for this city,” Metellus said. “I’m pouring everything I have into this.”

Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) answers questions during an NFL football press conference Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses small and large pivoted to remote work to keep the wheels spinning, even if the office lights weren’t on. But is that still the case?

Two of Minnesota’s largest employers: 3M and the state of Minnesota, recently announced that they want their employees in the office more often than not, leaving many to wonder if the sun is setting on remote work.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called state employees back to the office last month for at least 50% of their scheduled workdays, saying it would boost productivity and support the economic vitality of office districts like downtown St. Paul, the capital city.

Meanwhile, other organizations such as global legal publishing and media data firm Thomson Reuters have chosen to lean into remote work in recent years. Thomson Reuters listed its sprawling 263-acre Eagan campus for sale in 2023 after an employee survey revealed workers want to split their time between office and home.

The publisher downsized to a 300,000-square-foot office later that year, and is still operating on a hybrid work model.

Kaylee Thomsen, president and partner of business management consultant firm The Bailey Group, said that despite the disruptions brought to the workforce in 2020, her company noticed a silver lining.

“We saw organizations investing in their people at unprecedented rates,” she said. “They knew their people needed support, resources and strategies to keep them from burnout.”

‘Any change … comes with friction’

“Where most companies are fumbling the ball is less about the models they are choosing, and more about how they are going about doing it,” said Thomsen.

The first step is to acknowledge the change, Thomsen said. “I’ve seen a lot of organizations that keep it top secret, then all of a sudden the mandate from on high comes down and employees rightfully feel frustrated.”

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If you’re calling workers back into the office, “It can’t be because: ‘We’re going to be more productive,’” Thomsen said. “What that communicates to people is: ‘I don’t believe you’re productive working from your own office in your own home.’ That’s incredibly demoralizing.”

As a leader, you’re likely confident in your decision to bring employees back, Thomsen said, and now it’s your job to “cast that compelling narrative,” as clearly, concisely and honestly as you can.

Thomsen also notes that as a leader, you must be open to other perspectives and create environments where people are empowered to have honest conversations that can inform your decisions.

“Any change, good or bad, comes with friction,” Thomsen said. “Your ‘why’ needs to be exciting and clear enough to see people through the initial friction.”

As the traditional work model evolves and employee expectations shift, the Pioneer Press checked in with some of the St. Paul area’s largest employers to see what their work weeks look like.

3M

The 3M corporate headquarters in Maplewood as seen from Metro Transit’s new Gold Line service on March 18, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

3M announced this month that it will be requiring employees to return to the office four days a week, beginning in September.

Known for consumer products like Post-its and Scotch Tape, and an array of industrial products, 3M employs roughly 60,000 people globally, including nearly 9,300 in Minnesota, according to a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development listing of top employers.

For Minnesota employees, returning to the office largely means returning to the corporate campus in Maplewood.

“Our ability to engage, collaborate and innovate is stronger in person,” the company said in a statement. “The value of working in the office is that it allows our teams to be present and engage on a personal level both within and outside of meetings. It also allows our teams to demonstrate our performance culture, and to focus on priorities in real-time, with speed and urgency, throughout the organization.”

Ecolab

The Ecolab headquarters building is seen prominently in the downtown skyline from West Seventh Street in December 2023. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Founded in St. Paul in 1923, Ecolab has grown to employ some 48,000 workers worldwide and brings in annual sales to the tune of $16 billion.

Known for its business-to-business water treatment and hygiene products, Ecolab reported $4 billion in sales for its fourth quarter earlier this year, up 2% from the previous year.

Of Ecolab’s nearly 3,000 Minnesota employees, approximately 1,500 report to work at the company’s global headquarters in downtown St. Paul, said Crystina Thompson, communications manager for Ecolab.

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Unlike some businesses, office workers represent a small portion of Ecolab’s workforce, Thompson said. The majority of employees work in the field in sales and service roles, nearly 9,000 employees work at manufacturing sites and 1,600 employees work in a laboratory setting for research and development.

The current guidelines for office staff, established in May 2022, require employees to spend at least 60% of their time in the office.

“That may be three full days for some or a part of all five days for others,” Thompson said in an email, adding that the company’s human resources department has noted that employees are meeting or exceeding those requirements.

“We believe that in-person interactions are a key part of our collaborative culture, while also valuing the importance of flexibility for our associates,” Thompson said.

Securian Financial

About 2,300 Securian employees report to work three days a week at the company headquarters in downtown St. Paul. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press file)

Securian Financial, which has provided insurance and financial products since its founding in St. Paul in 1880, adopted remote work on a companywide basis in the early days of the pandemic.

The current hybrid work policy, which the company has been operating under since spring 2023, “has employees living within a commutable distance to our offices in St. Paul and elsewhere working three days a week in the office and two days a week virtually,” said Jeff Bakken, spokesperson for Securian Financial, in an email.

Of the insurer’s roughly 2,600 employees nationwide, about 2,300 report to work at the company headquarters at 400 N. Robert St. in downtown St. Paul, Bakken said.

“We believe a routine, on-site presence builds relationships, furthers employee learning and opportunity, and drives company productivity and business results,” Bakken said. “At the same time, we also support flexibility for our employees. A hybrid work policy supports both of these objectives.”

H.B. Fuller

Founded in 1887 and headquartered in suburban Vadnais Heights, H.B. Fuller is a manufacturer and provider of adhesives, sealants and specialty chemical products.

“H.B. Fuller has taken a leadership position within our industry as a successful adopter of a flexible working model,” said a spokesperson for the company. “We believe that work can happen anywhere, and our culture enables work from our plants, offices, homes or while traveling.”

While the spokesperson declined to comment on the number of local employees, H.B. Fuller employs some 7,500 people worldwide.

Most office employees were working a hybrid schedule by 2022. “But not everyone who worked in an office was there at the same time,” the spokesperson pointed out. “We needed a way to maximize their office time by creating meaningful engagement opportunities.”

As a result, the company launched “Collaboration Weeks” in 2024.

During these predetermined weeks, employees based out of the company’s headquarters along Willow Lake Boulevard are encouraged to be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“To maximize their time in the office, we encourage employees to plan in-person meetings, site-based volunteering events, celebrations and other activities,” the spokesperson said. This year, H.B. Fuller will have 16 Collaboration Weeks.

Prime Therapeutics

Andy Gardener leads a meeting at Prime Therapeutics as teams were preparing to return to a hybrid office/home work environment in July 2021. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Headquartered in Eagan, Prime Therapeutics is a provider of pharmaceutical services organization with 7,400 employees nationwide.

Approximately 1,960 Prime employees reside within a 50-mile radius of the company’s headquarters, said Erin Feigal, chief human resources officer for Prime Therapeutics, in an email.

“Prime’s workforce has a national footprint and is geographically dispersed across the nation, and we’ve found that everyone coming into the same location isn’t practical or necessary for us,” Feigal said.

As a result, all Prime employees work within its Hub and Home model, which officially launched in 2021 following the need for remote work brought on by the pandemic.

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A flexible workplace program, the Hub and Home model allows employees to work primarily from home with opportunities to work with their colleagues in person.

Prime’s Eagan headquarters, located at 2900 Ames Crossing Road, serves as the “hub” for its Minnesota-based workforce. Outfitted with work lounges, conference rooms and private workstations, the “hub” is where employees can collaborate, hold meetings and socialize.

“This model was a strategic response to both employee preferences and broader shifts in workplace culture, and the response has been positive,” Feigal said. “Providing a flexible work environment that thoughtfully encourages connection, collaboration and empowerment helps Prime’s teams feel supported in their careers and in life.”

Patterson Cos.

Headquartered in Mendota Heights, Patterson Cos. is a national supplier of medical equipment to veterinary and dental practices that employs nearly 6,000 people with 640 living in Minnesota.

The company, which was founded in 1877, has functioned on a hybrid schedule for its corporate employees in Mendota Heights for several years, “with different teams and departments encouraging employees to come to the office to connect with one another based on their particular projects and workflows,” said Chief People and Communications Officer Christine Moore, in an email.

However, change is coming as the company recently announced a formal office expectation of two days a week, beginning in late September.

“When it came to choosing this model, we focused on two key factors: connection and flexibility,” Moore said.

“We have always been a people-first organization, and creating a winning culture means listening and making sure that employees have a voice. We listened to our employees, recognized what they value, and ultimately chose two days a week in-office because we think that gives us the right balance between connection and flexibility.”