31 replies to this topic

[4twinsJA]

What's going on with Twins struggle to sign anyonesignificant in free agency? Do players not want to come to Twins team? Last year Twins appeared ready to open checkbook to get Wheeler signed, he was not interested in playing for Twins.

Are they not offering enough money? It seems most FAs have signed for more than projected so far. Twins not willing to up the offer to get them signed.

Maybe Twins FO does not feel this is the window to go all in for FAs like San Diego has. Plenty of young, unproven players coming up, maybe Twins feel like this is a year to sign a few mid to low level FAs and see how young prospects develop.

[MNT1996]

It's really not a surprise the Twins don't make big moves. They've been that way for decades. Then they wonder why fan enthusiasm decreases and why their playoff win-less streak reaches new highs.

[CharlieDee]

Struggle?Do the Twins even participate?Honestly it's hard to tell.

[LA VIkes Fan]

I have understood the Twins’ reluctance to participate in free agency many times in the past because the team wasn’t that “great one player“ away from truly contending. I’m having a much harder time this year because I do think the team needs one or two players to even contend in the division, and if it gets those players it could contend for the playoff run. We need a quality starting pitcher, quality reliever and/or middle infielder. If we can get the starter and one quality player in the other two spots, we really have a chance to have a 90+ one team and contend.

I’m really wondering if the Twins thought free agent prices would be down this year because of last year’s revenue loss and are finding to theIr chagrin that premium free agents still cost what they’ve always cost at the higher levels. That may be why we haven’t signed anybody but we are “in” on some of these guys.

Bottom line, I think the problem is the Twins just aren’t willing to pay what’s necessary to get the free agents to Minnesota. The team just doesn’t offer the ancillary benefits that guys get in a big market with endorsement opportunities, heavy TV exposure, or the chance to join an already stacked roster. I think it is unlikely the Twins are going to get any premium free agents at any sort of a discount and in fact they have to be the high bidder to even be in the running. I don’t think we are willing to do that and I think that’s why we haven’t signed anybody yet.

[Danchat]

Well, they made a move today:

 

[Twodogs]

The Twins will always have to overpay for a big free agent. I mean let's be serious. Forget about baseball for a second, would you rather hang out in Minneapolis or San Diego for a two week vacation? The Twins are unwilling to overpay it seems like. So they end up with the run of the mill free agents, the ones that if the Twins didn't call them they probably didn't get any calls. To get the big guys like the Gerrit Coles of the world they will have to significantly out bid other teams.

[jud6312]

 

The Twins will always have to overpay for a big free agent. I mean let's be serious. Forget about baseball for a second, would you rather hang out in Minneapolis or San Diego for a two week vacation? The Twins are unwilling to overpay it seems like. So they end up with the run of the mill free agents, the ones that if the Twins didn't call them they probably didn't get any calls. To get the big guys like the Gerrit Coles of the world they will have to significantly out bid other teams.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

A lot of teams in small markets and/or those that aren't historically competitive are going to have to overpay for FAs. And given the location, weather, etc. we've got here, the Twins are even going to have to outbid some of those teams if they happen to be in a larger market, on a coast, etc.

 

Let's face it: living in Minnesota is a very niche market for those not born here.

 

Yes, there are good restaurants and other entertainment/cultural options downtown, but not on the level of New York, San Fran, LA, Miami, San Diego, Chicago, etc.

 

Then there's the weather - not everyone enjoys the cold and - let's face it - the first and last months of the season here aren't always the nicest.

 

These things don't matter to all players, but I'd guess it matters to more than we'd venture to guess. If they fish or hunt or are super outdoorsy, MN might very well appeal to them. But if they're not, we just don't have all the "bells and whistles" those other places have.

 

That means something is needed to close the gap - and money can go a long way toward doing that.

 

 

[Darius]

It’s way more often that the Twins don’t have the high bid.

I don’t believe there is a prevailing trend of being turned down by players for a lesser contracts. There are plenty of guys that would play in Minnesota if they paid the most.

[Jacksson]

If you were an accomplished and desirable free agent would you want to play outdoors in Minnesota in April or October?Or for that matter, May or September?Too bad they didn't think to build a ...............

 

RETRACTABLE ROOF STADIUM !!

[nicksaviking]

Is this happening on every baseball message board outside of Toronto? Outside of LeMahieu and Springer, neither of whom were much of a fit here, no particularly good free agents have signed. Anywhere. 

 

I'm with everyone else, Happ doesn't get me all warm and excited, but check out the free agent lists, he is arguably the best starting pitcher to sign so far this year, and outside of Bauer I don't see much of an argument that he isn't on par with any other available starters. That's 100% not a compliment to the Twins, it's an indictment on the entirety of the free agent class. It's been a boring offseason for Twins fans, but it was always going to be that way when there were next to no needle-moving free agents to track.

[The Wise One]

The past shows that past one year contracts. non steroid induced players under long term contracts performing at a difference making level are few and far between

[Physics Guy]

I don't get the angst here at all. There are still a large number of FA available at any position the Twins are considering. Happ is not a sexy signing, but the Twins are not paying Trevor Bauer money and the difference for the rest is not that great. 11M for Kluber or 8M for Happ? Since we are talking about their #4 starter, I'll take Happ. I also like the fact that he is a lefty. For those dreaming of another signing for the rotation to push Happ down, I think you should stay asleep longer and enjoy the dream. Honestly, the rotation wasn't the problem in the postseason. Money saved by signing Happ can hopefully shore up holes at DH, IF and RH relief. If all the options to fill those holes disappear, then I will start to worry. 

[Rosterman]

I can sympathize with management. The Twins paid everyone last year. We have no idea how much money they may have lost.

 

They have some young talent that they have to work into the mix. They have spent. Was Donaldson a fluke? They gave money to Cruz. Last year they would've spent a helluva a lot of coin on three pitchers: Bailey, Hill and Odorizzi - all who didn't really pan out.

 

Yes, they CAN use another bullpen arm. I would love to see a real closer. Happ is a good solid mid-rotation arm.

 

Now we need someone like Marwin who can play all positions well with a bit of pop. I would welcome back Marwin, especially if you have misgivings about sending Donaldson to third everyday.

 

Yes, the Twins always seem to retrofit into being competitive in their division rather than going all-the-way. 

 

2021 still ahs many unanswered questions about play. All your minor league guys basically lost a year of play, yet aged a year.

 

I trust the front office is exploring any and all opportunities and DO know what they are doing.

[Number3]

Twins have won Central 2 years straight. What do we want? Seriously, as jud6312 posted, "Then there's the weather - not everyone enjoys the cold and - let's face it - the first and last months of the season here aren't always the nicest......"

 

The fact that they couldn't "afford" an enclosed park is hard to fathom. Going to a Twins game should be a refuge from whatever mother nature has to offer, not a postponement. Target should be another echo chamber clear home field advantage. Check the home v away record since the 'Dome shut down. What does this have to do with free agent acquisitions? Probably more than you think.

[specialiststeve]

Take a look at the FA movement league wide.... has been VERY quiet. Folks whining about not being active are not paying attention.... There are a TON of FA out there that can help. Being fiscally responsible while still winning the division 2 years in a row and building a very strong minor league system... Be Happy folks we are in a great place. Sure we all want to win in the playoffs ... that is a crapshoot and we will take the next step one of theseyears....

 

So we are NOT "struggling with free agency".... just not throwing stupid money at folks....

[jud6312]

Division, division, division. I'm sick of them - and the majority of fans - settling for winning the stupid division.

 

They've won the division 8 times since the last meaningful postseason victory, which is great, but just getting a chance to win a title shouldn't be the goal or the benchmark for success. But for some reason with Minnesota sports fans seem to settle for "good enough."

 

It's been 30 years since this organization has had actual success. We've been patient. It's time.

[Battle ur tail off]

 

Twins have won Central 2 years straight. What do we want? 

 

Playoff wins. Playoff series wins. Not being completely embarrassed anytime they get to the postseason.

Advance once. Hell win a couple of series. 

 

The last few times it was a loss in game 1 with mostly terrible ball and the wind went out of their sails right away and everyone knew the whole series was already over. 

[Battle ur tail off]

I don't need a huge FA signing to be happy. 

 

What I am looking for is for them to man up one of these times and dump a couple high end prospects for a real stud that is in his prime. 

 

Look at the Maeda trade. How did that work out? Great I would say. 

 

Dump one of Lewis or Buxton packed up in a trade. Shop them. If either isn't studly this year or next, they will never be a star. We can afford to get rid of a slightly above league average guy if it brings back studs.

[Dodecahedron]

The title of this post could be the subtitle for the Twins franchise.

[MNT1996]

 

Take a look at the FA movement league wide.... has been VERY quiet. Folks whining about not being active are not paying attention.... There are a TON of FA out there that can help. Being fiscally responsible while still winning the division 2 years in a row and building a very strong minor league system... Be Happy folks we are in a great place. Sure we all want to win in the playoffs ... that is a crapshoot and we will take the next step one of theseyears....

 

So we are NOT "struggling with free agency".... just not throwing stupid money at folks....

 

How do you define being "fiscally responsible" in terms of owning a sports team? Maybe you judge the team by looking at their payroll vs. their playoff results? If that was the case then I'd argue the Twins have been pretty fiscally irresponsible. Also I'd like a list of the "TON of FA out there that can help", because many of the proven players are being gobbled up by the teams that want to take a risk and dish out the money. It's no coincidence that those teams that want to take the risks are usually the ones that end up actually winning playoff games. The "sit back and let's see if the farm system can win us a championship" approach has been going on for many, many years here and it's gotten the Twins a nice 18 game postseason losing streak.