Will Lower-Than-Anticipated Attendance and Payroll Limitations Impact Twins Trade Deadline?

[Craig Arko]

I remember when threads around here were supposed to be fun.

[Linus]

11 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

I remember when threads around here were supposed to be fun.

Yep. My mother always told me to play nice or soon you won’t have anyone to play with. 

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Going to a Twins game isn't cheap, but it's not $6-700 per, either. 

There's no reason a fan can't take in a game, with a hot dog and a beer,  including parking, for $75 or less. Family of four for $250 easily. 

I do it for less.

And there is a dollar dog night, family concession stands with reasonable prices. Bring in your own water. Etc etc. 

 

It probably is for me, but I specifically said it's a different equation for everyone.  I chose to enjoy the game at a certain level, but I do it less at the higher spend.  When the same experience is twice the cost, everyone cuts back. 

And a $250 excursion for a family of 4 is a lot.  

Like special treat a lot. Once a year, on your birthday, a lot. 

It a huge factor.

[SockNet]

Low attendance is just the latest thing. Dr Pepper over taking Pepsi s as the #2 brand in the country. The price of snacks going down. 
 

The Pohlads are losing money hand over fist in all their investments. It’s clearly why they pocketed the cash from the renewed Ballys contract. Gotta prop up that personal wealth.

[tony&rodney]

12 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

The team to beat is Baltimore, and the only chance the Twins have is to get healthy and find a SP who has similar talent to Lopez and Ryan. 

I cannot disagree with anything in your comment. The thing I wonder is who is available and what is the cost? Along with cost .... can the Twins afford to pay in prospects/players what is needed to reel in a decent starting pitcher?

[tony&rodney]

10 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

They screwed up and they're paying for it now.

This is what happened, plain and simple.

Now there has been a long silence since last offseason and perhaps the players can perform at a high enough level to bring back an increase in attendance and an interest in the club.

As far as to whether Minnesota is a baseball state .... look at percentage of attendance of capacity for your answer or attend high school or college football, basketball, and baseball games. I don't follow the Vikings (since Joe Capp) and couldn't name their top five players without looking it up much less the defensive guys. How many people on this site would choose baseball if it meant they could never follow football, hockey, or basketball? It isn't really important or a big deal but St. Louis or Los Angeles are baseball towns and Minnesotans just have other priorities. While I (and others) will always follow baseball, it is not the first choice in this area. Such is life.

[Riverbrian]

I still believe that we are correcting from Vazquez, Gallo and Correa. Vazquez and Gallo signed almost immediately after Correa signed with the Giants. I believe they spent the earmarked Correa money on Vazquez and Gallo only to have Correa become available again. Just a Post Hoc theory from me but it sure seems to add up.

This front office has been typically aggressive as either a buyer or seller in past trade deadlines. 

Last year at the deadline it was crickets despite having perhaps the best pitching staff we have seen in a long long time. 

Last off-season... despite winning a series and building on that momentum. A payroll cut was announced. 

These things smell budgety. 

Attendance down, television viewership down significantly. 

I still have that budget odor in my nostrils. 

I'm not expecting big additions at the deadline.