Hartman: Twins owner won't restrict spending in free agency

[ashbury]

The secret is being frugal not cheap.

According to my Dad's side of the family, that's exactly how the word frugal is spelled.

[TheLeviathan]

Last year they started backing up some of this talk, so here's hoping to a second round of aggressive offseason moves.

[jokin]

Last year they started backing up some of this talk, so here's hoping to a second round of aggressive offseason moves.

 

But last year, Pohlad started "this talk" in September, at this point in November, 2014, they're playing catch-up.

[Brandon]

How much money do you think the Twins should spend? 

 

What improvements do the Twins need to make?

 

On offense we are set pretty good.  we can use one more bat that can play decent enough defense in LF. 

 

We have 3 set starting pitchers for next season with 3 starters (Millone, May, and Meyer competing for 2 spots)  You can include Pelfry and Pino if you want.  But I think we should sign at least 1 starting pitcher.

 

Bullpen is pretty solid but we can replace a few if we need to.

 

end result we can use 1 OF, 1 Starting pitcher, and maybe 1 reliever.  We also have hitting on the way though they have both been delayed a year. 

 

I say sign Hunter to 1 year 10-12 million and Trade for a starter (there's about 10 available cause they'll be Free agents after next season) that's another 5-10 million depending on who we get.  And maybe a reliever.  I'd like to see Neshek back so we'll go with a 2 year 8 million total contract.  that's 19-25 million for next season and we can trade Deunsing and release swarzak to free up 5,000,000 of that.  Granted there are other ways we can do the offseason but if you are looking for the Twins to sign a pitcher think again.  they are more likely to trade for one since they have the assets to do that. 

[TheLeviathan]

But last year, Pohlad started "this talk" in September, at this point in November, 2014, they're playing catch-up.

 

He was clearly busy screwing up the manager interviews.

[jokin]

He was clearly busy screwing up the manager interviews.

 

I know you're being tongue in cheek here, but there is lots of evidence that the "vision" for 2015 has been pretty cloudy and hard to rally around since August... when Ryan first endorsed, and then unendorsed Gardy, followed by DSP trying to put a positive spin on a Twins projected 2015 payroll being close to the 2014 payroll, and then the five-week manager odyssey that avoided interviewing the best available talent and inevitably led right back to the same clubhouse.... not much meat there so far to drum up those season ticket sales.  

 

Better late than never to refocus on presenting the "vision" for 2015 through the reliably standard-issue boilerplate Sid screed, I guess, but despite the potential payroll room to comfortably absorb a net $30-$35M increase in payroll over their current firm 2015 commitments,  I'm not holding my breath that we're going to see any big push for the likes of a Tomas, Kemp or one of the top three FA pitchers.

[jorgenswest]

They need to stop paying for the decline of middle of the road aging free agents.

 

If they can increase payroll, they need to put all of that money towards one big addition. Sign a top pitcher. Trade for a pitcher or outfielder on a small market team soon the be a free agent and then pay the guy.

 

One big younger addition will help more long term than signing guys like a Hunter or Rasmus and continuing the cycle of mediocrity.

[brvama]

They need to stop paying for the decline of middle of the road aging free agents.

 

If they can increase payroll, they need to put all of that money towards one big addition. Sign a top pitcher. Trade for a pitcher or outfielder on a small market team soon the be a free agent and then pay the guy.

 

One big younger addition will help more long term than signing guys like a Hunter or Rasmus and continuing the cycle of mediocrity.

Agree.  Anyone they go after needs to be part of the future and not a short-term fix.