Twins Commit To Paying Minor Leaguers Through August, No Releases

[Seth Stohs]

On Friday, news broke that the Minnesota Twins will not be making any minor league roster transactions at this time. Instead, they have committed to paying all of their minor leaguers $400 per week through the end of August.On Thursday, news began to leak that major league organizations were releasing dozens of players in recent days. The Seattle Mariners were said to have released over 30 minor leaguers. The Atlanta Braves reportedly released over 50 players. Some estimates noted that over 1000 minor leaguers would be released this week.

 

The Twins went in completely the opposite direction. They will continue to pay their minor leaguers the same $400 per week through the end of August. Normally the minor league seasons go through Labor Day, so they are essentially paying their players for the full season, including insurance, through a season that is unlikely to be played. (Note, if there is a minor league season, it's back to "business as normal" and there could be releases, based on making rosters and such.)

 

 

The Twins very easily could have explained releasing players if they chose to, for a number of reasons.

 

The Twins could have followed the lead of other teams in this. Major League teams have been paying their minor leaguers (those not on the 40-man roster) $400 per week, and will continue to do so through May. Some teams have extended that payment beyond May, but the A’s came out yesterday stating that they would not be paying their minor leaguers once June hits. Some teams will announce that they will continue to pay their minor leaguers through June, well, except for those who get released.

 

While the sheer number of player releases now stands out and can feel devastating, some of that quantity comes from the fact that there have not been “normal” timelines this season. Spring Training wasn’t complete when the pandemic ended things. Normally at the end of spring training, an organization will release anywhere from 10 to 15 players. In the season’s first two months, there are typically more releases as players move up levels.

 

With the draft approaching, even more players typically get released from full-season affiliates or even from extended spring training. Those players who were not set to go to Elizabethton or the GCL (or get bumped to Cedar Rapids) usually were released. And room needs to be made to add newly drafted players.

 

Now, the Twins will have just four draft picks in the June MLB draft, but teams are also able to sign as many other draft-eligible players as they want for $20,000. So, teams could still add 20 to 30 additional players in June and July.

 

The other thing to remember is that the current plan is for the Elizabethton Twins to no longer be a Twins affiliate. MLB is cutting dozens of minor league affiliates from the game, and Elizabethton is one of them. That’s 30+ less players that an organization is able to find playing time for than before in future years.

 

Again, I mention those things only to suggest that the Twins very easily could have explained releasing players at this time.

 

Instead, the Twins did the right thing. They showed a commitment to their players. They showed a huge commitment to the continuing player development work that has been ongoing the last few years.

 

In addition, hey, if you’re a minor league free agent, would you want to sign with a team that just showed this kind of support for its players?

 

If you are a draft-eligible player and you’re not taken in the five round 2020 MLB Draft, you’ve got the option to sign with any MLB team for up to $20,000. Would this news make you more likely to sign with the Twins if all else is equal?

 

And frankly, there are likely a lot of minor leaguers around the league stressing out about where their next paychecks will come from, or even if they need to start looking for other employment. The Twins minor leaguers can breathe more easily now, knowing they'll be paid for the next three months.

 

Personally, I congratulate the Twins, starting with the Pohlad family and all those who were part of this decision. It does make me proud to be a Twins fan, proud of the organization.

 

 

 

 

 

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[PDX Twin]

Bravo!

[DocBauer]

So the Twins are caring, forward thinking and classy? And maybe not so cheap after all, eh?

 

I am extremely gratified by this news.

[Mike Sixel]

Good for them. The Astros, Royals, and Reds all made pretty much the same announcement today. Well, the Royals really went big on keeping people paid.

[rdehring]

Just another example of the Twins being cheap, eh? Thanks for bringing this news to us, Seth.

 

As for a minor league season? Have a feeling the Twins are going to have a couple or even three teams playing. See them putting together groups of 30-40 players who will get together in Ft. Myers for a spring training type situation for four to six weeks. Probably break them into groups with one being AA-AAA, a second A and a third the kids who would be at rookie league.

 

May play games against themselves, or against the Red Sox down the street if they have anyone there. And who knows, maybe the AAA squad will go a bit longer and play some or all of their games at Target Field.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Good for them. The Astros, Royals, and Reds all made pretty much the same announcement today. Well, the Royals really went big on keeping people paid.

 

 

Yeah, those all came out about an hour after the Twins announced it. 

[Squirrel]

 

Just another example of the Twins being cheap, eh? Thanks for bringing this news to us, Seth.

 

As for a minor league season? Have a feeling the Twins are going to have a couple or even three teams playing. See them putting together groups of 30-40 players who will get together in Ft. Myers for a spring training type situation for four to six weeks. Probably break them into groups with one being AA-AAA, a second A and a third the kids who would be at rookie league.

 

May play games against themselves, or against the Red Sox down the street if they have anyone there. And who knows, maybe the AAA squad will go a bit longer and play some or all of their games at Target Field.

 

The Fort Myers facility, the parking lot, anyway, is currently being used as a COVID testing site. At least it was when I left there two weeks ago. So, not sure if that's the place for it?

[Monkeypaws]

Hurrah -- Nice to see this. 

[Darius]

I’ve long been quick to criticize the way this squad operates financially. Signing Donaldson, and now this, has gone a long way in getting me to think the worm really has turned.

 

The team should get plenty of good PR. And, you know, it’s a good thing on a human level. Keeping a lot of families from total ruin.

 

I’m guessing part of it is confidence that they’ll be playing this year. But, whatever it takes. They’re stepping up regardless.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Kudos to the Twins on this one.

[Seth Stohs]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rghrbek]

Gotta say in this sh!t storm hear in MPLS, this is ok news 

ok news

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Proud to be a Twins Fan! Fantastic news

[jamisea]

As a Blue Wahoos host mom, this is great news! I miss my “sons” this year, but at least they will get paid. Thanks Twins!

[SkyBlueWaters]

Wonderful news.

We could use some good karma. 

[DocBauer]

Off subject but still on topic, I've mentioned before in discussion of the whole milb payment structure, were I an owner, knowing the milb system is my lifeblood, even though only a small percentage ever make it and make a real difference at the ML level I'd still like to leverage my odds. Unless there is some rule(s) I don't know about, I'd be the organization that would willingly pay more to my players, and do the best I can to improve their daily, weekly, monthly benefits. Why? Because a milb FA worth a darn might be more inclined to sign with my organization. An international FA might be more inclined to sign knowing he will be better taken care of in regards to salary and simple but important things like room and board plus introduction to English and culture lessons.

 

Things like this can pay dividends over time, and the cost would be minimal compared to ML costs. Think about the 5 round draft coming up. Players, and we're talking about college seniors and draft eligible college players, who would you rather sign with if you can't go back to school for another year? Would you sign with a team that has already cut players...to be fair if it was a normal year EVERY team would be making some cuts pre draft...or sign with a team making NO CUTS at this time and guaranteeing pay and benefits for the rest of the season?

 

Again, the Twins being classy, caring and forward thinking.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

It looks like each affiliate has 36 players, 7 affiliates with Dominican is 252 minor leaguers at 400 per week is $100k weekly over 20 weeks, out of pocket for the Pohlads.

 

$2M is a lot of money, but in the grand scheme, it’s not much compared to what a single major league free agent makes. Thrilled the Twins are supporting their players. Disappointed other teams aren’t.

[adorduan]

 

It looks like each affiliate has 36 players, 7 affiliates with Dominican is 252 minor leaguers at 400 per week is $100k weekly over 20 weeks, out of pocket for the Pohlads.

$2M is a lot of money, but in the grand scheme, it’s not much compared to what a single major league free agent makes. Thrilled the Twins are supporting their players. Disappointed other teams aren’t.

They are also paying their insurance so the number will be higher than $2M.  it's awesome to see the Twins org. step up.  Will likely pay dividends down the road...

[Trov]

I am glad to read this.  I was wondering when I heard of the minor league purge and many teams not paying beyond June.  I had heard other teams but not of the Twins.  It shows how they are not cheap, I pointed out they are paying above league average payroll too.  This great that they are not making hundreds of more jobless people.  Sure, the $400 is not that much, but they could say you lost your job, keep in mind they would not be able to collect unemployment either.  

[drivlikejehu]

If MLB had done this across the board, with respect to staff, minor leaguers, etc., it would have been a good PR move that might have strengthened their position in the ongoing clash with the MLBPA. 

 

Glad that the Twins did the right thing, but missed opportunity for MLB as a whole, I think, even just thinking strategically.