What Light Does Diamondbacks Deal Shed on the Minnesota Twins?

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins said back in November that their finances would be strapped this offseason due to uncertain television revenues. Ultimately, the situation remains status quo for 2024, but the Arizona Diamondbacks recently unveiled what should be expected for Minnesota in 2025.

Image courtesy of © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

When the Minnesota Twins sent Cory Provus to the microphone to announce that he would be taking over as the TV voice of the Twins, the significant promise was that blackouts were going away. The Twins said they may be cash-strapped this offseason because they would be losing their (somewhat) lucrative television rights fees from Bally Sports North. Fast-forward to where we are now, and they instead re-upped with Bally for close to the same amount while streaming ceases to exist and blackouts remain.

The Arizona Diamondbacks felt a similar situation just a year ago. As Bally Sports defaulted on their rights payments, the TV contract with the company ended over the summer. The franchise was set to receive more money than the Twins at $61.2 million, and they were suddenly out in the cold looking for answers. Of course, the Diamondbacks went on to play in the World Series, ending the year on a note with their franchise riding a substantial-high.

Heading into the 2024 season, fans needed to know where and how they could consume Arizona baseball. On February 22, it was announced that the Diamondbacks would offer a full-year streaming package through MLB.tv that would come in at $99.99. The package was dubbed DBACKS.TV and allows in-market users to watch the games with no blackouts. For an additional $100, they could also get every out-of-market game through an expanded level of service.

The hit in revenue from a $61.2 million regional sports network rights fee to whatever is generated by the new streaming service will be felt. However, it isn’t something that stopped Arizona ownership. Spending at lackluster thresholds as recently as 2002, the Diamondbacks have upped their payroll from sub-$100 million to $143 million in 2023 and currently sit around $140 million for 2024, potentially expanding roughly $20 million beyond that.

Phoenix is a similar market to Minneapolis, and 2023 Forbes valuations have Arizona as the 23rd most valuable franchise, one place behind Minnesota. Despite this, the spending and present situations couldn’t be more different. Where the Twins have slashed payroll by over $30 million, the Diamondbacks brought in Eduardo Rodriguez, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuck. They also re-signed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and extended Corbin Caroll for the long haul. All of those things happened with depressed present money, and Minnesota is out just roughly $8 million from rights fees from a year ago.

It is worth noting that Ken Kendrick has followed that up by talking about a new stadium and leaving the door open to all avenues. Chase Field was opened in 1998, and the Diamondbacks owner is looking for his spending on the roster to be met with public funding for a new place to play. That is a contentious tradeoff but one that typically happens anyway. Ownership groups seek public funding for stadiums almost exclusively, and doing so before a commitment towards the on-field product would be quite the way to go about it.

Even with the strings attached to the dollars, it remains clear that Arizona is focused on capitalizing on the run they just went on. A trip to the World Series had the fan base buzzing, and an offseason of excitement has continued that momentum. Rather than ride the wave of postseason success for the first time in years and the best season in three decades, the Twins immediately threw water on it.

Next season, there will be a more significant commitment of dollars in Twins Territory as the rising costs of arbitration and extended players kick in. That shouldn’t make anyone feel comforted, with lesser revenues derived from viewership, and already backing off spending when the money is the same. The Twins ownership group has been the culprit of an ugly offseason, and when they finally follow through on enhancing viewership, stripping down the team even further could commence.

 

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[Linus]

This can’t be true. We all know from posters on this site that the Twins are just scraping by. I mean that has to be correct right?

[Karbo]

The D-backs already want a new stadium? I lived there for a time, including when that stadium was built. There was a lot of fighting about the increase in taxes then, even though about 1/2 was on the tourism trade. What gives them a chance is they took the extra tax off when the stadium was fully funded. But that place was nice! It isn't that old. Hard for me to believe they already need a new one. Is this going to be the next demand for many teams, a new stadium? funded by the public? The same public that already shells out so much $$ to simply attend the games?

[old nurse]

What Arizona has that the Twins do not is a WS appearance. They might not get back to a 3 million attendance, but a bump up to 2.5 million will cover quite a bit of the expense. Grichuck and Pedeson should bring the same level of excitement to Arizona that retaining Farmer and signing Santana does to Minnesota. 

[Major League Ready]

Yet another article whining about spending.  Baseball is here.  Can we move on!

[tony&rodney]

Milwaukee is more of a comparison due to similarly minded populations.

[chinmusic]

Agree with MLR.

32 sleeps til opening day.

The Twins, as they're currently constructed, are intriguing.

I plan to sit back and take it in.

[Fatbat]

The Dbacks owner is just planting seeds. That stadium is nice and they wont get a new one for a decade.  The Yotes are next in line for a new rink in AZ. 
if we are comparing apples to apples. No Dbacks player is getting C4 type $$$ yet so thats the biggest payroll difference. If you remove the $14M dead money going to bumgarner then the Dbacks payroll is comparable to the twins right to the dime.

[Woof Bronzer]

39 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Yet another article whining about spending.  Baseball is here.  Can we move on!

Guy who literally posts spreadsheets defending the Pohlads suddenly wants to "move on".  Can't make it up. 

I don't blame you though, the Dbacks prove false your thesis that all teams do and must act the way the Pohlads have acted this offseason.  They don't, it's a decision.  The Dbacks had postseason success last year and decided to build on it, even with TV uncertainty.  Smart move.  

[Linus]

45 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Yet another article whining about spending.  Baseball is here.  Can we move on!

I have a solution for you. Don’t read them. I would like all the relevant information I can get on this topic. 

[Nashvilletwin]

Ted, we love your work, but this payroll stuff is just getting so old.

Please, please would someone, anyone, show the actual data proving that a) there are major league owners consistently losing money on an annual operating basis and b) the Twins earn excessive operating margins/profits vis-a-vis the rest of the major league franchises.  The reality is more than likely that the data would show the opposite. 

Seriously, would someone please prove just how penurious the Twins actually are relative to their annual operating profits and the other owners. I have no interest to carry any water for the Pohlads (yes, they are extremely wealthy and many TDers wish they would just spend willy nilly without a care in the world), but, until we see the actual data, could we just focus on enjoying the show and lay off the divisiveness?

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

The D-backs already want a new stadium? I lived there for a time, including when that stadium was built. There was a lot of fighting about the increase in taxes then, even though about 1/2 was on the tourism trade. What gives them a chance is they took the extra tax off when the stadium was fully funded. But that place was nice! It isn't that old. Hard for me to believe they already need a new one. Is this going to be the next demand for many teams, a new stadium? funded by the public? The same public that already shells out so much $$ to simply attend the 

AZ doesnt need a new stadium.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

Yet another article whining about spending.  Baseball is here.  Can we move on!

You cant talk "baseball" without talking spending.  Individual games or players yes.  "Baseball" as a whole no.  

[Linus]

Seriously for all the no more payroll discussions folks. Don’t read them. I want the info. You don’t get to decide what content I receive. 

[roger]

Started to read this piece thinking it would contain some information on what revenue the Twins may have in 2025.  My mistake as it was the 999th bashing of management for not spending another $xx.  
 

Boo, Boo, Boo!

[Thebigalguy]

I think this obsession with payroll is overblown when the Twins have so many good, younger and thus less expensive players who, if healthy and productive, can take the team all the way to October. We have an ace to pitch opening day, an elite closer, a solid rotation and relief staff, and a batting order than can do major damage. If Buxton and Kepler (a big 'if,' admittedly) and a few others can stay healthy and live up to their best work, like a novelist writing a bestseller after a clunker, I see this season keeping all of us on the edge of our stadium seats with pizazz and kaboom. Play ball! I'm optimistic.  (That said, I have Hulu, not DirectTV, and no way, apparently, to stream games, so I might opt out of being the superfan I usually consider myself to be.)

[DJL44]

Why does this have to be either/or? There should be a way to deliver games to people who have streaming AND people who have cable. There should even be some games available for people who only have an antenna. Stop negotiating "exclusive" rights that are certain to shrink the potential audience.

[old nurse]

51 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Ted, we love your work, but this payroll stuff is just getting so old.

Please, please would someone, anyone, show the actual data proving that a) there are major league owners consistently losing money on an annual operating basis and b) the Twins earn excessive operating margins/profits vis-a-vis the rest of the major league franchises.  The reality is more than likely that the data would show the opposite. 

Seriously, would someone please prove just how penurious the Twins actually are relative to their annual operating profits and the other owners. I have no interest to carry any water for the Pohlads (yes, they are extremely wealthy and many TDers wish they would just spend willy nilly without a care in the world), but, until we see the actual data, could we just focus on enjoying the show and lay off the divisiveness?

Cohen spent on the Mets and dialed it back to 255m with 20% of it being dead money this year. After this year they have 8 free agents. Last year the Padres received permission to borrow against the team. Their payroll is also down this year.. 

I should add, No, I don’t think anyone can show that an owner will pay out of pocket for a team. There are owners who also own part of the RSNs as a way to shield profits. 

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

Yet another article whining about spending.  Baseball is here.  Can we move on!

Death, taxes, and MLR whining about  spending.

 

Inevitable. 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Ted, we love your work, but this payroll stuff is just getting so old.

Please, please would someone, anyone, show the actual data proving that a) there are major league owners consistently losing money on an annual operating basis and b) the Twins earn excessive operating margins/profits vis-a-vis the rest of the major league franchises.  The reality is more than likely that the data would show the opposite. 

Seriously, would someone please prove just how penurious the Twins actually are relative to their annual operating profits and the other owners. I have no interest to carry any water for the Pohlads (yes, they are extremely wealthy and many TDers wish they would just spend willy nilly without a care in the world), but, until we see the actual data, could we just focus on enjoying the show and lay off the divisiveness?

Are there a lot of fans asking for the Twins to "consistently lose money?" I don't see much of that. I do see a whole lot of fans suggesting making a long-term investment in the team coming off its first playoff win in 2 decades with its fan base the most excited its been in the same time frame as opposed to immediately throwing water on its own consumer's excitement. And there are absolutely teams that make that decision. Ted is suggesting here that the DBacks are making that very choice. 

Are there fans who scream "cheap Pohlads" every season no matter what? Of course. But this offseason is very different. They had the choice to sacrifice a little financially to dramatically grow their reach with the fanbase. I believe it was Gleeman who said they're in basically 1/4 of households in their viewing area. They chased short-term money over the chance to significantly increase their reach at the perfect time with some actual success last year. Everything came together as they got out from the TV deal they themselves have complained about for years while they were hitting an exciting point in their team development and they chose to go back to the same terrible TV situation while delivering terrible messaging and hurting their connection to their fan base. 

The DBacks are showing that some teams do take short-term financial hits to improve their long-term outlook. I don't think it's too crazy that fans suggest the Pohlads could make the same decision.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Ted, we love your work, but this payroll stuff is just getting so old.

Please, please would someone, anyone, show the actual data proving that a) there are major league owners consistently losing money on an annual operating basis and b) the Twins earn excessive operating margins/profits vis-a-vis the rest of the major league franchises.  The reality is more than likely that the data would show the opposite. 

Seriously, would someone please prove just how penurious the Twins actually are relative to their annual operating profits and the other owners. I have no interest to carry any water for the Pohlads (yes, they are extremely wealthy and many TDers wish they would just spend willy nilly without a care in the world), but, until we see the actual data, could we just focus on enjoying the show and lay off the divisiveness?

First, I need a dictionary for the “penurious” behavior, or lack of, displayed by the organization.

We don’t have income clarity. Whole bunch of sources and ways to get to the theoretical end. Per your sentiments, whatever, let it go. Fair enough.

What seems to be clear or something that provides some clarity are the levels of payroll historically.

Again from me, 2019-$119M …2020-Covid ….2021-$125M …2022-$134M ….2023-$154M.

2023 seems to have been an extravagant year with payroll at about $10M over what would have been expected based on trailing years.

Why are the Twins back to spending between 2019 & 2021 levels?? That’s my question/concern.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Are there a lot of fans asking for the Twins to "consistently lose money?" I don't see much of that. I do see a whole lot of fans suggesting making a long-term investment in the team coming off its first playoff win in 2 decades with its fan base the most excited its been in the same time frame as opposed to immediately throwing water on its own consumer's excitement. And there are absolutely teams that make that decision. Ted is suggesting here that the DBacks are making that very choice. 

Are there fans who scream "cheap Pohlads" every season no matter what? Of course. But this offseason is very different. They had the choice to sacrifice a little financially to dramatically grow their reach with the fanbase. I believe it was Gleeman who said they're in basically 1/4 of households in their viewing area. They chased short-term money over the chance to significantly increase their reach at the perfect time with some actual success last year. Everything came together as they got out from the TV deal they themselves have complained about for years while they were hitting an exciting point in their team development and they chose to go back to the same terrible TV situation while delivering terrible messaging and hurting their connection to their fan base. 

The DBacks are showing that some teams do take short-term financial hits to improve their long-term outlook. I don't think it's too crazy that fans suggest the Pohlads could make the same decision.

Don’t disagree with this. At all. It’s frustrating to fans who want the Twins  to build on the success of last season only to get the announcement early on that payroll is cut. It just seems an antithesis to success. But I am tiring of these articles and discussions that say nothing new with the same posters saying the same things over and over. Like Sisyphus we are bound to Hell.

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Are there a lot of fans asking for the Twins to "consistently lose money?" I don't see much of that. I do see a whole lot of fans suggesting making a long-term investment in the team coming off its first playoff win in 2 decades with its fan base the most excited its been in the same time frame as opposed to immediately throwing water on its own consumer's excitement. And there are absolutely teams that make that decision. Ted is suggesting here that the DBacks are making that very choice. 

Are there fans who scream "cheap Pohlads" every season no matter what? Of course. But this offseason is very different. They had the choice to sacrifice a little financially to dramatically grow their reach with the fanbase. I believe it was Gleeman who said they're in basically 1/4 of households in their viewing area. They chased short-term money over the chance to significantly increase their reach at the perfect time with some actual success last year. Everything came together as they got out from the TV deal they themselves have complained about for years while they were hitting an exciting point in their team development and they chose to go back to the same terrible TV situation while delivering terrible messaging and hurting their connection to their fan base. 

The DBacks are showing that some teams do take short-term financial hits to improve their long-term outlook. I don't think it's too crazy that fans suggest the Pohlads could make the same decision.

First, there are lots of TDers who think that the Pohlads are so wealthy that their only concern should be to deliver a WS win to the community.  And no matter how much they spend, it will never be enough. Lots. 

Second, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You and others don’t seem too excited about this season. Others, including myself, are incredibly excited about the team that has been put together. And way more excited than what we put together at the start of last season - even though last year’s payroll was higher.

Third, who says the Twins are done spending? Maybe they have a bit in their pockets to spend at the deadline to try to get us over the top.

Fourth, no one on this site - including yourself - has any idea how much the Twins have made or lost over the years.  Again, I posit that the Twins probably run the “business” on an annual basis to eke out a little bit of profit with a few years in the red and a few more in the black. Moreover, I posit that relative to the other franchises in the league, the Twins earn lower margins than the vast majority of them. Please, some one prove that wrong so I can jump on the “Pohlads are cheap”  bandwagon.

Fifth, the Twins have made long-term investments. Lots of them (Correa, Buxton, Lopez) with lots more on the way (with many approaching arbitrations and extensions on the way). Patience my friend, the investments are not only there, but are also in the plan.

At the moment, I’ll take the team the Twins have pulled together this season as better and more exciting than last year’s with plenty of great entertainment on the way.  And I’ll take the over on the Twins vs. the DBacks and any other small - mid market franchise this season.

Would another “big” name or two (with a big contract) have been nice? Yeah, sure.   I know you’d prefer to have kept Polanco.  But this roster is solid, exciting and should be more than competitive.  

[Linus]

27 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

First, there are lots of TDers who think that the Pohlads are so wealthy that their only concern should be to deliver a WS win to the community.  And no matter how much they spend, it will never be enough. Lots. 

Second, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You and others don’t seem too excited about this season. Others, including myself, are incredibly excited about the team that has been put together. And way more excited than what we put together at the start of last season - even though last year’s payroll was higher.

Third, who says the Twins are done spending? Maybe they have a bit in their pockets to spend at the deadline to try to get us over the top.

Fourth, no one on this site - including yourself - has any idea how much the Twins have made or lost over the years.  Again, I posit that the Twins probably run the “business” on an annual basis to eke out a little bit of profit with a few years in the red and a few more in the black. Moreover, I posit that relative to the other franchises in the league, the Twins earn lower margins than the vast majority of them. Please, some one prove that wrong so I can jump on the “Pohlads are cheap”  bandwagon.

Fifth, the Twins have made long-term investments. Lots of them (Correa, Buxton, Lopez) with lots more on the way (with many approaching arbitrations and extensions on the way). Patience my friend, the investments are not only there, but are also in the plan.

At the moment, I’ll take the team the Twins have pulled together this season as better and more exciting than last year’s with plenty of great entertainment on the way.  And I’ll take the over on the Twins vs. the DBacks and any other small - mid market franchise this season.

Would another “big” name or two (with a big contract) have been nice? Yeah, sure.   I know you’d prefer to have kept Polanco.  But this roster is solid, exciting and should be more than competitive.  

I agree that nobody knows what the Twins profit margin is including you. Yet you posit the notion that it’s a break even operation. You ask for people to prove the Twins are raking in money or stop complaining. That cuts both ways - you could be asked to prove the aren’t making any money and that their profit margin is lower than other clubs but you can’t prove that either. 

[chpettit19]

28 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

First, there are lots of TDers who think that the Pohlads are so wealthy that their only concern should be to deliver a WS win to the community.  And no matter how much they spend, it will never be enough. Lots. 

Second, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You and others don’t seem too excited about this season. Others, including myself, are incredibly excited about the team that has been put together. And way more excited than what we put together at the start of last season - even though last year’s payroll was higher.

Third, who says the Twins are done spending? Maybe they have a bit in their pockets to spend at the deadline to try to get us over the top.

Fourth, no one on this site - including yourself - has any idea how much the Twins have made or lost over the years.  Again, I posit that the Twins probably run the “business” on an annual basis to eke out a little bit of profit with a few years in the red and a few more in the black. Moreover, I posit that relative to the other franchises in the league, the Twins earn lower margins than the vast majority of them. Please, some one prove that wrong so I can jump on the “Pohlads are cheap”  bandwagon.

Fifth, the Twins have made long-term investments. Lots of them (Correa, Buxton, Lopez) with lots more on the way (with many approaching arbitrations and extensions on the way). Patience my friend, the investments are not only there, but are also in the plan.

At the moment, I’ll take the team the Twins have pulled together this season as better and more exciting than last year’s with plenty of great entertainment on the way.  And I’ll take the over on the Twins vs. the DBacks and any other small - mid market franchise this season.

Would another “big” name or two (with a big contract) have been nice? Yeah, sure.   I know you’d prefer to have kept Polanco.  But this roster is solid, exciting and should be more than competitive.  

1. I acknowledged there were those fans. So we agree. But that's not what many of the complaints are on this site right now so it shouldn't just be a blanket statement about fans complaining about spending.

2. I've never said I'm not excited about the season. I can both believe they're shooting themselves in the foot and have a solid team. I don't think their team is better now than when they lost to the Astros, and that's what I care about. And an extra 10-20 mil in spending would help that.

3. Pohlad himself said they're done spending in any meaningful way. Could they add another $5 mil? Sure. That doesn't impress me. And waiting until the deadline to get into massive bidding wars with other teams isn't some magic bullet that inspires me. With the expanded playoffs there's far fewer sellers and far more buyers now than there used to be. It's not a store. They can't just wait and then go pick out the piece they want at the deadline.

4. I haven't said I do know what they're making. I know they're not losing money, though. Really not losing money during all the 90+ loss seasons they've produced over the last 20 years. And, again, me and plenty others aren't claiming that. We are saying their desire to look short-term hurts them in the long-term. St Peter was out last offseason questioning fans and why they didn't show up to support a team that lost the division by 14 games a season after they lost the division by 20 games. Then when the fanbase is actually excited they choose to kneecap themselves and will probably be super confused as to why the fans are mad again. I'm not even screaming "cheap Pohlads," I'm screaming "short-sighted Pohlads!"

5. They "invested" in Buxton at 1/2 the market rate. No, they don't get credit for that. They "invested" in Correa after he fell into their lap at a shortened, and discounted, rate for the 2nd straight offseason. They get 1/2 credit for that. Lopez is a nice deal for sure. When they actually make extensions I'll give them credit for them. They don't get credit for things they haven't yet done.

I'm glad you're excited and have high hopes. Not telling you, or anyone else, not to feel that way. I see a team that's in the same general win range as last year which should lead to another division title. I don't see them any closer to the World Series. Is Baltimore mid-market? Cuz I'll take them over the Twins in a heartbeat (no, I'm not going to go cheer for them so I hope nobody says that. I can cheer for the Twins and still acknowledge Baltimore is younger and better than the Twins on paper). I would prefer Polanco, but I agree this is a solid roster. My problem is the Twins were handed the opportunity to make this roster more than "solid" while expanding their fanbase and they chose a short-term payday. It's their business and they can do what they want. But they better not be confused when the attendance still doesn't reach their projections after the decisions they've made.

[Nashvilletwin]

41 minutes ago, Linus said:

I agree that nobody knows what the Twins profit margin is including you. Yet you posit the notion that it’s a break even operation. You ask for people to prove the Twins are raking in money or stop complaining. That cuts both ways - you could be asked to prove the aren’t making any money and that their profit margin is lower than other clubs but you can’t prove that either. 

First, I said I suspect that the team is run more or less to earn a small profit give or take.

Second, I agree.  I do not know.  But I point to the Forbes analysis that someone posted supporting that contention. Second, the level of estimated revenues and costs would seem to support the ideas, particularly how payroll fluctuates with revenues.  Third, I personally could understand running the team not to lose money, but I’m having a hard time really thinking the Pohlads are looking to take huge cash out of this business of theirs. Fourth, operating expenses, not just payroll, go up every year.  Let’s just be a bit kind - the Twins are a pretty well run organization doing a lot of things the right way.  And the fam experience at Target Field is pretty much top notch across the board.

So, until proven otherwise, I will just stick with my contention that the team is run with a target small margin and the Twins are at the lower end of that spectrum.  You are free to keep banging the drum about how cheap the Pohlads are. 

[Nashvilletwin]

19 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

1. I acknowledged there were those fans. So we agree. But that's not what many of the complaints are on this site right now so it shouldn't just be a blanket statement about fans complaining about spending.

2. I've never said I'm not excited about the season. I can both believe they're shooting themselves in the foot and have a solid team. I don't think their team is better now than when they lost to the Astros, and that's what I care about. And an extra 10-20 mil in spending would help that.

3. Pohlad himself said they're done spending in any meaningful way. Could they add another $5 mil? Sure. That doesn't impress me. And waiting until the deadline to get into massive bidding wars with other teams isn't some magic bullet that inspires me. With the expanded playoffs there's far fewer sellers and far more buyers now than there used to be. It's not a store. They can't just wait and then go pick out the piece they want at the deadline.

4. I haven't said I do know what they're making. I know they're not losing money, though. Really not losing money during all the 90+ loss seasons they've produced over the last 20 years. And, again, me and plenty others aren't claiming that. We are saying their desire to look short-term hurts them in the long-term. St Peter was out last offseason questioning fans and why they didn't show up to support a team that lost the division by 14 games a season after they lost the division by 20 games. Then when the fanbase is actually excited they choose to kneecap themselves and will probably be super confused as to why the fans are mad again. I'm not even screaming "cheap Pohlads," I'm screaming "short-sighted Pohlads!"

5. They "invested" in Buxton at 1/2 the market rate. No, they don't get credit for that. They "invested" in Correa after he fell into their lap at a shortened, and discounted, rate for the 2nd straight offseason. They get 1/2 credit for that. Lopez is a nice deal for sure. When they actually make extensions I'll give them credit for them. They don't get credit for things they haven't yet done.

I'm glad you're excited and have high hopes. Not telling you, or anyone else, not to feel that way. I see a team that's in the same general win range as last year which should lead to another division title. I don't see them any closer to the World Series. Is Baltimore mid-market? Cuz I'll take them over the Twins in a heartbeat (no, I'm not going to go cheer for them so I hope nobody says that. I can cheer for the Twins and still acknowledge Baltimore is younger and better than the Twins on paper). I would prefer Polanco, but I agree this is a solid roster. My problem is the Twins were handed the opportunity to make this roster more than "solid" while expanding their fanbase and they chose a short-term payday. It's their business and they can do what they want. But they better not be confused when the attendance still doesn't reach their projections after the decisions they've made.

So making decent deals for players is not investing?  Is your point that to be considered an “investment” the number has to be higher or needs to be an overpay?  So if we had paid more for Buxton or Correa, that would count as full credit instead of 1/2? That’s ridiculous.  A dollar is a dollar.  Wait until the arbitrations and extensions kick in starting next season - then we will have the ability to keep our talent, instead of wasting it on the one and done types. I’d argue that the team is actually making a big investment in their young talent this year by clearing the way to develop them, and, yes, pay them in the future. 

 

[Nashvilletwin]

47 minutes ago, Linus said:

Since you are tiring of these articles I assume you won’t be reading or commenting on them. 

Nah, someone needs to keeping pointing out how ludicrous it is for some of my fellow DNers to keep bashing the Pohlads year in and year out for how cheap they purportedly are.   👍

[Linus]

19 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

First, I said I suspect that the team is run more or less to earn a small profit give or take.

Second, I agree.  I do not know.  But I point to the Forbes analysis that someone posted supporting that contention. Second, the level of estimated revenues and costs would seem to support the ideas, particularly how payroll fluctuates with revenues.  Third, I personally could understand running the team not to lose money, but I’m having a hard time really thinking the Pohlads are looking to take huge cash out of this business of theirs. Fourth, operating expenses, not just payroll, go up every year.  Let’s just be a bit kind - the Twins are a pretty well run organization doing a lot of things the right way.  And the fam experience at Target Field is pretty much top notch across the board.

So, until proven otherwise, I will just stick with my contention that the team is run with a target small margin and the Twins are at the lower end of that spectrum.  You are free to keep banging the drum about how cheap the Pohlads are. 

Cool. I have never once used the “cheap Pohlads”. Not once in a decade of posting. I simply think this off season has been a big mistake on their part. That includes not investing in their product at an opportune time and the general disaster their public relations have been.  You feel differently and that is cool by me. 

[Linus]

4 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Nah, someone needs to keeping pointing out how ludicrous it is for some of my fellow DNers to keep bashing the Pohlads year in and year out for how cheap they purportedly are.   👍

Actually I think the business side of the club is very interesting and part of being a fan for me anyway.