Twins Expect to Add Starting Pitcher This Offseason

[wabene]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

Back on topic, It is possible to get a decent FA SP or via trade this offseason. Looking back on what the FO has done previously makes me hope they have learned their lesson on reclamation guys. We also have 2 guys(Varland &Festa) that look better than any of the guys in the same position over the last 7-8 years. I will have to exclude Ober because he was last years Varland situation. Having Ober be the odd man out worked perfectly. The same strategy should work to motivate Varland to up his game as well in ‘24. We need some depth but more importantly, we need a guy in October to shut down game 2. Is Giolitto that guy? How about Paddack? Someone has to be that guy or we don’t win 2 let alone 3 playoff series.  Its a huge gamble to wait until the aug trade deadline to get that guy. 
I see a team that can get to October as we stand now with a couple guys to round out the 40 man but we need to do better and get the guy that is going to drop the game 2 hammer.  Just get the guy. 

If you wanna take the next step, a frontline starter is the price of admission. 

[terrydactyls]

On 11/30/2023 at 5:43 PM, Doctor Gast said:

The feeling I got was when they mentioned looking to clear Kepler, Polanco, Farmer & Vazquez salary due to trade, to me it sounds that the salary they cut from trading these guys they will go out & look for a FAs. If this is their focus then this is a recipe for disaster. Trying to find a SP to replace Gray in FA won't work it never has. Trading anyone of these players especially Vazquez will create a big hole if they are looking to trade all of them the hole will be insurmountable. If they want to destroy the Twins & their fanbase this would be good way to do it. 

Just when you see them making good off season trades with Gray & Lopez you think they finally got things right. I hope I don't see them go back to their old pitiful ways.

Looking at FA never works?  What about Verlander, Cole, Eovoldi, Scherzer, Nola??  Don't make blanket statements that aren't true.  And no one said that we're trying to trade all of the four guys you mentioned.  Those are the four "most likely" salaries that could be used in a trade.  Finally, you had to include catcher bias as you do in so many of your posts.  I get it.  You think Jeffers is crap and that Vasquez was the guy who made the Twins' pitching staff great.  I beg to differ.  If freeing money by trading Vasquez can lead to obtaining good pitching, good-bye Christian.

[specialiststeve]

So not sure if anyone has discussed and I will likely get crucified by suggesting and know it would be very controversial, but Trevor Bauer has done his suspension and is out there looking for a job. 

A cheap one-year deal with a team option for year 2 would seem like something to consider. Getting a #1 or #2 at a major discount... Say a two year deal for 10 mil each year.... 

mind you I feel a bit uneasy just suggesting it but.... baseball wise.. ? 

 

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, specialiststeve said:

So not sure if anyone has discussed and I will likely get crucified by suggesting and know it would be very controversial, but Trevor Bauer has done his suspension and is out there looking for a job. 

A cheap one-year deal with a team option for year 2 would seem like something to consider. Getting a #1 or #2 at a major discount... Say a two year deal for 10 mil each year.... 

mind you I feel a bit uneasy just suggesting it but.... baseball wise.. ? 

 

Sadly, he may have already been voted off the island by his peers in addition the PR departments.

[Oldgoat_MN]

I am not familiar with the Financials of the Seattle Mariners, but let me see what sort of response this gets:

Seattle finished just shy of a playoff spot. They did this with absolutely abysmal hitting from their 2B position. Polanco would be a clear upgrade for the Mariners. 

Their left field, right field and DH positions all had a lower OPS than Kepler had. They also just traded away their 3B for a pitcher and a catcher.

Blake Snell has voiced an interest in pitching for the Mariners. If they signed him they could let one of their young rotation arms go away.

How do we get that young arm? What do we add to a Polanco, Kepler, Miranda trade to get Seattle to bite?

Help me out or flame away. Interested in other people's take.

[nicksaviking]

12 hours ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

I am not familiar with the Financials of the Seattle Mariners, but let me see what sort of response this gets:

Seattle finished just shy of a playoff spot. They did this with absolutely abysmal hitting from their 2B position. Polanco would be a clear upgrade for the Mariners. 

Their left field, right field and DH positions all had a lower OPS than Kepler had. They also just traded away their 3B for a pitcher and a catcher.

Blake Snell has voiced an interest in pitching for the Mariners. If they signed him they could let one of their young rotation arms go away.

How do we get that young arm? What do we add to a Polanco, Kepler, Miranda trade to get Seattle to bite?

Help me out or flame away. Interested in other people's take.

https://sodomojo.com/posts/mlb-insider-fans-flames-of-yamamoto-to-mariners-talk-01hgbcpb7p7a

They've also been linked to Yamamoto. The Mariners have done a fantastic job with their rotation, and while it runs counter to most MLB ideologies, they could feel that the best way for them moving forward is to industrialize their pitchers and move them out for hitting which they've struggled to develop outside of Rodriguez.

And since their available pitchers are so talented, they could leverage it into deals that helps them now and in the future. I mean a Polanco + E-Rod + more deal would have to sound pretty enticing. I'd go as high as Lee as far as prospects go, but the Mariners sound like they'd be receptive to deal one of their starters, maybe more depending on how free agency goes for them.

[harmony55]

17 hours ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

I am not familiar with the Financials of the Seattle Mariners, but let me see what sort of response this gets:

Seattle finished just shy of a playoff spot. They did this with absolutely abysmal hitting from their 2B position. Polanco would be a clear upgrade for the Mariners. 

Their left field, right field and DH positions all had a lower OPS than Kepler had. They also just traded away their 3B for a pitcher and a catcher.

Blake Snell has voiced an interest in pitching for the Mariners. If they signed him they could let one of their young rotation arms go away.

How do we get that young arm? What do we add to a Polanco, Kepler, Miranda trade to get Seattle to bite?

Help me out or flame away. Interested in other people's take.

Would Jorge Polanco represent a significant upgrade over Seattle's in-house options at second base (and third base)?

Compare how Polanco stacks up in fWAR over the past two seasons:

Polanco 3.3 fWAR in 184 games

Luis Urias: 2.2 fWAR in 171 games
Josh Rojas: 3.8 fWAR in 230 games
Jose Caballero: 2.2 fWAR in 104 games (2023 debut)
Dylan Moore: 2.8 fWAR in 171 games

Seattle also has an intriguing second-base prospect in Ryan Bliss, who is projected to make his MLB debut in 2024 after posting these numbers split between Double A and Triple A this year in his age 23 season:

612 PA, .304/.378/.524/.902, 110 R, 23 HR, 86 RBI, 34 2B, 8 3B, 55 SB, 15 CS, 58 BB, 119 K

 Bliss was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Arizona Fall League where he slugged a grand slam in the championship play-in game. A college teammate of Edouard Julien at Auburn, Bliss was the starting second baseman for the National League in the 2023 Futures Game before being sent to Seattle later that month in the Paul Sewald trade.

The Mariners are unlikely to trade a starting pitcher for Polanco.

[harmony55]

14 hours ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

I am not familiar with the Financials of the Seattle Mariners, but let me see what sort of response this gets:

Seattle finished just shy of a playoff spot. They did this with absolutely abysmal hitting from their 2B position. Polanco would be a clear upgrade for the Mariners. 

Their left field, right field and DH positions all had a lower OPS than Kepler had. They also just traded away their 3B for a pitcher and a catcher.

Blake Snell has voiced an interest in pitching for the Mariners. If they signed him they could let one of their young rotation arms go away.

How do we get that young arm? What do we add to a Polanco, Kepler, Miranda trade to get Seattle to bite?

Help me out or flame away. Interested in other people's take.

Seattle's dismal wRC+ of 83 from second base this year was largely attributed to Kolten Wong's woeful performance. The Mariners had a wRC+ of 72 from second base through July and 99 after the trade deadline acquisition of Josh Rojas. The M's have since added 26-year-old Luis Urias to the mix.

Perhaps more telling is the fWAR of 2.1 the Mariners got from second base in 56 games after the trade deadline. This year Jorge Polanco posted 1.5 fWAR in 80 games while FanGraphs projects Polanco with as 2024 WAR of 2.4 in 141 games.

The Mariners would trade a starting pitcher only to secure a clear upgrade.

[Old fox]

 Marlin’s & Twins could hook up and make a trade to benefit both clubs roster needs. At a price both can afford.  The Twins have a good Stack of middle infield prospects .

I suggest  moving Julian,  Kepler, Miranda, for either (Rogers or Cabrara) both starting pitchers and. Puk a reliever.  All three carry better ratings than the Tampa Rays $25 million pitcher. They are controlled  for 3 or more years.  They pitched “23” with good results. Injuries history are tolerable. Thier salaries are very reasonable and they are 25, 26 year olds with about 3 yrs. Mlb experience. 
This type of trade would accomplish the #1 goal reducing payroll, #2 filling a starting pitching role and a relief pitching for the Twins. This would leave the Twins in good FA  for aC-Dh-1b like Garver or a power hiting outfielder or 1b. The Twins would still have Polanco, Larnach, Kerriliffo, Gordon, Miranda and  Vasquez for trade bait. 

 

[dex8425]

On 12/2/2023 at 6:55 PM, tony&rodney said:

Sadly, he may have already been voted off the island by his peers in addition the PR departments.

I think you're right. The Twins seem to really care about clubhouse chemistry and players fitting with their culture after the Donaldson deal and I can't see the Twins signing Bauer. He's probably going to play in MLB somewhere though and I wouldn't bet against him succeeding. Seems like a fit for TB after they trade Glasnow.

[nicksaviking]

17 hours ago, Old fox said:

 Marlin’s & Twins could hook up and make a trade to benefit both clubs roster needs. At a price both can afford.  The Twins have a good Stack of middle infield prospects .

I suggest  moving Julian,  Kepler, Miranda, for either (Rogers or Cabrara) both starting pitchers and. Puk a reliever.  All three carry better ratings than the Tampa Rays $25 million pitcher. They are controlled  for 3 or more years.  They pitched “23” with good results. Injuries history are tolerable. Thier salaries are very reasonable and they are 25, 26 year olds with about 3 yrs. Mlb experience. 
 

I don't think Rogers is worth Julien alone. His injury history is troubling and he wasn't good in 2022. I'd take a flyer on him, but I wouldn't give up too much of value.

As for Cabrera, I'd guess the Twins have next to no interest in him. His stuff is awesome, but his command is awful. The Twins no longer deal with starters who allow free baserunners. They'd have to change their whole pitching philosophy to fit him into the rotation.

If the Twins dealt with Miami, I'd guess it would only be for Garrett or Luzardo. Who would have very high price tags.

[Cap'n Piranha]

On 12/1/2023 at 6:05 AM, wabene said:

The Pohlads are more than a billion ahead on this deal.

The Pohlads had many seasons when they did not spend to their market size.

In the Falvey era their spending has improved, but has been adequate, nothing more.

They choose not to strategically up their spending to make a run when they have an opportunity. 

A banker would definitely approve of their tight grip on financials. A fan? Not so much.

The Pohlads run a first class operation in many respects, but as St Peter's tone deaf comments illustrated, some of their sensibilities are lacking.

It surely is a self imposed spending limit. 

Edit: I apologize for the thread drift

By a billion ahead, I presume you mean the value of the team now versus the value of the team when Carl Pohlad purchased it.  In one sense, that is accurate, but in another, it is wildly inaccurate.  While the value of the franchise is certainly dramatically up, none of that change is accessible to the Pohlads until such time as they sell the team.  The only exception is if they choose to borrow against the perceived value of the team, but I would be very surprised if the Pohlads saw accumulating debt as a palatable option.

At the end of the day, no responsible person on this thread would willingly run deficits unless, as Jocko pointed out, there was a reasonable expectation of future revenue outstripping costs.  It's entirely possible the Pohlads don't see that, or at least aren't willing to take the risk.

[wabene]

On 12/4/2023 at 11:35 AM, Cap'n Piranha said:

By a billion ahead, I presume you mean the value of the team now versus the value of the team when Carl Pohlad purchased it.  In one sense, that is accurate, but in another, it is wildly inaccurate.  While the value of the franchise is certainly dramatically up, none of that change is accessible to the Pohlads until such time as they sell the team.  The only exception is if they choose to borrow against the perceived value of the team, but I would be very surprised if the Pohlads saw accumulating debt as a palatable option.

At the end of the day, no responsible person on this thread would willingly run deficits unless, as Jocko pointed out, there was a reasonable expectation of future revenue outstripping costs.  It's entirely possible the Pohlads don't see that, or at least aren't willing to take the risk.

Yes it is their equity value I was referring to. I understand it is not cash. I'm also not advocating for them to run deficits overall. I pointed out that there were years when they left some cash unspent, which is understandable in some circumstances, and I would like to see them up the ante when they have a chance to make a run. I don't think they have done this.

[Cap'n Piranha]

On 12/1/2023 at 6:24 AM, DJL44 said:

Until the window for contention is over. Then they can dump all the expensive guys, play rookies and watch the money flow in again.

Goddamn it, I want to see the Twins take a shot at winning when they have an opportunity - like the freaking Brewers do. I don't want to see them put their profits ahead of wins at every opportunity. Otherwise I think I could care more about my bank account balance than whether the Twins win, too.

According to stevetheump.com, the Brewers have been ahead of the Twins on opening day payroll 3 times in the past decade--2021, 2019, and 2013.  In 2021 and 2019 it was by a grand total of $7M each year.  If the Brewers are your prime example for how you want the Twins to spend, then you should be ecstatic with the Twins spending over the past 10 years.

[Cap'n Piranha]

On 12/1/2023 at 11:33 AM, DJL44 said:

I will believe it when I see it. Apple just paid $85M a year for 2 games a week. ESPN is paying $550M per season. I'm supposed to believe that the Twins TV rights are worthless the very next season.

I'm guessing Apple was given strong assurances about both the quality of matchups they would get, as well as how often major markets like New York, LA, Chicago, Houston, etc. would be involved.  They also get to access a national (and perhaps international, I'm not sure how the rights work) subscriber base, as opposed to a couple of million households predominantly located in the upper midwest of the US.  Same goes for ESPN.  The Twins TV rights are not worthless, but to pretend that they're worth the same as rights, albeit limited, to the entire league is not in keeping with reality.

[Cap'n Piranha]

5 minutes ago, wabene said:

Yes it is their equity value I was referring to. I understand it is not cash. I'm also not advocating for them to run deficits overall. I pointed out that there were years when they left some cash unspent, which is understandable in some circumstances, and I would like to see them up the ante when then have a chance to make a run. I don't think they have some this.

To be fair, that was under a different front office.  Under Falvine, they have spent to their ownership-provided level basically every year.  If you don't think they have upped the ante when they have an opportunity, how do you explain the over $300M they've spent on payroll the past two seasons, coming out of a revenue-crippling pandemic, as well as a lockdown, while knowing for at least the last year that their future revenues were far from certain?  If the Twins were acting as you assert they are over the past two years, they don't sign Correa, they don't sign Vazquez, they don't extend Lopez, and they certainly trade Polanco and Kepler prior to 2023, if not 2022 for the savings.

[wabene]

19 hours ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

To be fair, that was under a different front office.  Under Falvine, they have spent to their ownership-provided level basically every year.  If you don't think they have upped the ante when they have an opportunity, how do you explain the over $300M they've spent on payroll the past two seasons, coming out of a revenue-crippling pandemic, as well as a lockdown, while knowing for at least the last year that their future revenues were far from certain?  If the Twins were acting as you assert they are over the past two years, they don't sign Correa, they don't sign Vazquez, they don't extend Lopez, and they certainly trade Polanco and Kepler prior to 2023, if not 2022 for the savings.

Isn't it true that the last few years they have just spent to their market share in relation to other teams? 

Look, I've never been one to complain about their spending, never once said cheap Pohlads. But they are bankers and they are frugal. It is very convenient to give them a pass on unspent money by Ryan. They must've approved since they did keep him around forever in spite of poor team performance. What I am saying is I think they are close to contending, they have made some huge investments, if there ever was a time to take a loss and push some chips in, now is that time. 

[DJL44]

51 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

By a billion ahead, I presume you mean the value of the team now versus the value of the team when Carl Pohlad purchased it.  In one sense, that is accurate, but in another, it is wildly inaccurate.  While the value of the franchise is certainly dramatically up, none of that change is accessible to the Pohlads until such time as they sell the team.  The only exception is if they choose to borrow against the perceived value of the team, but I would be very surprised if the Pohlads saw accumulating debt as a palatable option.

At the end of the day, no responsible person on this thread would willingly run deficits unless, as Jocko pointed out, there was a reasonable expectation of future revenue outstripping costs.  It's entirely possible the Pohlads don't see that, or at least aren't willing to take the risk.

You know the Pohlads own a bank, right? If they borrow against the team they're going to borrow from their own bank.

 

[DJL44]

50 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

According to stevetheump.com, the Brewers have been ahead of the Twins on opening day payroll 3 times in the past decade--2021, 2019, and 2013.  In 2021 and 2019 it was by a grand total of $7M each year.  If the Brewers are your prime example for how you want the Twins to spend, then you should be ecstatic with the Twins spending over the past 10 years.

It's actually embarrassing that the Twins have ever been outspent by the Brewers considering the Twin Cities market advantage over Milwaukee. That means the Twins are spending at the level of the 27th largest market in baseball when they're really a mid-market team.

[nicksaviking]

 

I'm sure the mystery team signing Eric Fedde is NOT the Twins, but with how this organization is able to play their cards closer to the vest than about every other team, Mystery Team = Twins, is always at the back of my mind.

[BSLinPA]

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

 

I'm sure the mystery team signing Eric Fedde is NOT the Twins, but with how this organization is able to play their cards closer to the vest than about every other team, Mystery Team = Twins, is always at the back of my mind.

Nick.....i wouldnt be surprised if this IS the Twins....actually the first thing that came to my mind when i read on MLBTR.  Two years at $5M each for a SP is right in their wheelhouse.  His AA numbers when he played here in Hbg, PA over parts of 4 seasons were not shabby.  Reports he found "more horizontal" with the slider and tweaked his change-up grip in KBO......where he was league MVP in '23.  

Uh oh....now  i've absolutely convinced myself it IS the Twins.  LOL  Only thing missing is a cutter!!

[nicksaviking]

In a vacuum, I don’t really care about adding a back end starter. However, if they do so, it would open up the possibility of using Ryan or Ober as part of a package to upgrade to a front of the rotation starter.

To be clear, I wouldn’t look to move either, but if that gives the team a chance to use one of those two in lieu of Lee, I like having that option.

[DocBauer]

On 11/30/2023 at 9:30 PM, Brock Beauchamp said:

But that absolutely is what's happening. You can understand and agree with their decision, that's fine. I happen to disagree. A business wholly owned by the Pohlads (and therefore not under pressure from minority stakeholders) can decide whether to be profitable and to what extent, particularly over the short-term of a season or two. Businesses do it all the time. 

I don't recall the team giving money back to the fans when they were wildly profitable running barebones payrolls from 2013-2014. Why is it okay for them to reap the rewards during boon times but play the role of the pauper when things temporarily go sideways?

Hey, I chose to quote you here, in this part of the discussion, as it rings true with some of my own thoughts.

Personally, I DO think the Twins have good ownership overall. And I'm not even speaking about community efforts and the such. But I do applaud them during covid, and their efforts their to keep everyone and pay everyone. And when the FO has advanced the payroll for multiple seasons as of late, they've done that.

And while being a middle class, OK but traditional struggling middle class American, I would never begrudge a business to make a profit.

But there is a point where I do want to slam my fist down!

It's OK to look at ownership of a pro sports team as an investment. You make $ every single year. And 10-20-30 years later if and when you sell, your quadruple your initial investment, if not more, even adjusted for inflation.

So I'm OK with making a huge profit at the end, and $ earned before that.

Owning a sports team is, ultimately, a profit.

And you might own one for profit, but if you are even a little bit of a fan, you would hope for something that adds to the community as well as your own self worth. And investing in that team adds to total $value in the long run. And it should do so for the community at large as well.

Where MY problem comes in to play is a lack of investment because the investment is ONLY $ earned.

Let's say the Twins earn $300M per season, arguement sake. Based on expected payroll, $155M should be in play. Then you have FO, scouts, milb, advertising, travel, who knows! So you profit...I'm just spitballing a number for numbers sake...let's say $50M yearly from owning the Twins.

EXCEPT, you are a multi-billion family and the profits from the Twins are about 10th on your list for income.

So if you invest a little more in the Twins, and "lose" another $10M in your total yearly income, what does that actually do for the family portfolio, as well as future value, and the community spirit you are part of?

I live in a fantasy world of sports ownership. I miss Carl. I'm betting he would see the things I see...spend a little more, and a $30M is still OK rather than a $50 payout that we really don't need. And everyone is happy.

Here's hoping Joe is more like his grandfather. 

[laloesch]

On 11/30/2023 at 3:03 PM, tony&rodney said:

Giolito would provide innings and may see the Twins as a team to boost his stock on a one year deal. the one year could cost though (up to $20M).  However, Giolito may also get someone to throw a 4/$50M or better deal his way. Giolito has money already and should be looking to put himself at the top of a post 2024 pile of SP. Maybe the Twins get him for $13M.

I always liked both Miley and Montas, but they are not likely to throw as many innings. Their contracts will decide if the Twins can gamble on one of them. I think Varland is a better bet straight up though.

I would be open to a 1 year deal for Giolitio with a club option for a second as a gamble, but that's about it.  He was HORRIBLE his final 12 games with the Angels and Guardians.  Almost 7+ era and he lost over 1 mph on his fastball.  His changeup and slider were totally hittable.  That's extremely concerning, in fact it's red alert concerning.  When a pitcher falls apart so completely like that you have to assume arm or elbow troubles.  I know he had UCL surgery before, could be going out again.

I'd like to see the Twins aim higher in their search for a starter. 

[Craig Arko]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

 

Here's hoping Joe is more like his grandfather. 

I think more like his grandmother. I seem to recall Eloise pushing Carl to win.

[tony&rodney]

12 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Here's hoping Joe is more like his grandfather. 

For the record, Carl Pohlad was not a baseball fan at all. He was quoted numerous times that his wife liked baseball, he did not. Carl knows a great business deal when it is offered and he took it. 

The Pohlads have been fair owners, nothing to gripe about, widely compared to their peers. I have no complaints. It might be ideal if the team was owned by someone who breathes baseball but there are no guarantees there either. G. Taylor loves basketball as does Mark Cuban, but they have had different results I think. I like to keep it to just enjoying the games and leave the owners and management aside as much as possible. 

[Cap'n Piranha]

23 hours ago, wabene said:

Isn't it true that the last few years they have just spent to their market share in relation to other teams? 

Look, I've never been one to complain about their spending, never once said cheap Pohlads. But they are bankers and they are frugal. It is very convenient to give them a pass on unspent money by Ryan. They must've approved since they did keep him around forever in spite of poor team performance. What I am saying is I think they are close to contending, they have made some huge investments, if there ever was a time to take a loss and push some chips in, now is that time. 

Spending to market share is irrelevant to your point about wanting them to spend more when they have a chance to win.  They've done it, for the past 2 years, with record payrolls.

For the record, I also think they should go for it this year, and increase spending; but that's because I think if they do it right, they can increase revenue enough to offset the increase.  Clearly, the Pohlads don't agree with that, and given their dramatically better handle on the actual finances of the team, I'm willing to believe them.

[Cap'n Piranha]

23 hours ago, DJL44 said:

You know the Pohlads own a bank, right? If they borrow against the team they're going to borrow from their own bank.

 

So you want the Pohlads to run a loss on a different one of their businesses, to finance running a loss on the Twins?  Feels like the sort of thing successful businesses avoid whenever possible.

This would be like saying you don't want to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for the new Porsche you want (which is the responsible choice), but then emptying your 401k to pay for it instead.

[Cap'n Piranha]

23 hours ago, DJL44 said:

It's actually embarrassing that the Twins have ever been outspent by the Brewers considering the Twin Cities market advantage over Milwaukee. That means the Twins are spending at the level of the 27th largest market in baseball when they're really a mid-market team.

What's the market advantage though?  It really only comes into play in TV/radio contract, right?  As best I can tell from some quick googling, the Brewers TV contract used to be just above $20M, but since 2021 has been $34M.  The Twins just finished up a 12 year contract worth $55M.  $30M sounds like a huge amount, until you realize only half of that goes to payroll--so only $15M.  Given the differences in team position going into different years (in 2018, for example, the Brewers won 96 games, the Twins won 78--makes sense the Brewers would look to maintain a higher payroll given their hope to compete and no revenue reductions), it's not that hard to understand why the Brewers would occasionally outspend the Twins.

 

https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/milwaukee-brewers-local-tv-rights-2021-fox-sports-sinclair-bally-rsn/?zephr_sso_ott=AIMkwI

[chpettit19]

6 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

What's the market advantage though?  It really only comes into play in TV/radio contract, right? 

Wrong. That is certainly one way it comes into play, but there are many more. Is it easier to fill a stadium in a larger market with more fans that could attend? When there's more people to fill the same number of seats in a stadium is it then possible to raise the prices for seats? Is it easier to sell more merchandise in a larger market with more people that could buy it? If the market not only has more people, but also a higher median income level is it not easier to do all of these things as well? If you can sell more tickets to your games because of the larger market are you then able to get more for in stadium advertisements? Then you can get into the corporate entities in your market as that's where most of the super high priced seats and boxes go. 

The TV/radio contract is absolutely not the only place a market advantage comes into play.