What Happens Next?

[Riverbrian]

I posted the following in another thread. In that thread there was a discussion about picking up the option of Harrison Bader.

I'm thinking it needs it's own thread for discussion. Bader doesn't need to be the focus point. This thread should be about the future health of the Twins organization overall. Bader would just be 1/26th or 1/40th of what the Twins need to do this off-season or maybe as soon as this trade deadline. I admit that I did nothing more than back of the napkin type math to come up with my numbers. Those numbers could certainly be corrected, I don't mind at all. The overall question is this: What will 2026 look like? I don't see a 25 million jump in payroll. 

Here's what I posted in another thread (with some changes) in response to picking up Bader's 10 million dollar mutual option for next year. The breakdown of the players leaving and the possible upcoming raises is the only part that I'm bringing over for the conversation. What can the Twins do?  

Breaking it down. 

For 2025 he (Bader) is guaranteed 4.75M with another 2M possible in performance bonus... the bonuses are mostly tied to awards as far as I can tell so let's just leave his number at 4.75 which will be coming off the books. 

Other contracts coming off the books: 

Vazquez 10M, Paddack 7.5M, Castro 6.4M, Coulombe 3M, France 1M and Topa 1M (Club Option at 2M).

That's about 33.65M coming off the books and 7 roster spots to fill. 

8 players are due arbitration raises: Jeffers, Duran, Ober, Ryan, Jax, Larnach, Stewart and Lewis. 2 players will be Arb 1: Sands and Clemens 

I don't know how much this group will earn exactly in raises through arbitration and therefore how much is taken from the 33.65 million available.

According to the information I've found online, the average arbitration raise is 113%. For this exercise let's just make the math easy and say 100% raises for the 8 players moving up the arbitration ladder. Those 8 players are making 19.2 this year collectively through arbitration. 100% raise due for all 8 and they will be making 38.4 collectively in 2026. Add in whatever you think Sands and Clemens will get in their first year. I don't know but let's say 2 million a piece and we are at 42.4 million in raises.

This means that payroll is already up 8.75M in 2026 before even considering picking up the 10M option on Bader. Keep in mind that we have 7 roster spots on the 26 man roster to fill with Bader, Vazquez, Paddack, Castro, Coulombe, France and Topa not signed beyond this season. If the Twins pick up the 10M on Bader... payroll will be up 18.7M with 6 roster spots to fill. If the Twins pick up the club option on Topa... Payroll is up 20.7 million with 5 roster spots to fill. 

I realize that Clemens may not be offered. I also realize that all 10 players that will be in arbitration this off-season may or may not offered arbitration this off-season and the reason some may not be offered is going to be due to budget more so than performance related decisions.  

What do y'all see?  

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Martin and Keaschell come up for basically free. Martin can replace Bader. Paddock by a free player. That leaves catcher really to be signed. I guess first, but I'd put Keaschell there as soon as he's healthy this year 

I see no real additions this off session until the team is sold. Or they give up selling it. 

As I've said, morning changes until Lewis and CC hit or are gone. 

[RpR]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Martin and Keaschell come up for basically free. Martin can replace Bader. Paddock by a free player. That leaves catcher really to be signed. I guess first, but I'd put Keaschell there as soon as he's healthy this year 

I see no real additions this off session until the team is sold. Or they give up selling it. 

As I've said, morning changes until Lewis and CC hit or are gone. 

Any where but at 2nd base, Martin is another Margot.

[DocBauer]

I'd love to have Bader back for 2026 as a 4th-5th OF who is even better than I was lead to believe defensively. He brings a flair that's fun to watch. And hes got some pop on him and runs well, even if he doesn't steal a ton of bases. But someone is going to pay him $8-10M per season on a 2 or 3 year deal to play CF for them next season. There's no way the Twins can afford that.

I'm also a big fan and believer in Castro, even if he slumps once in a while. He's an excellent Super Utility player, and an above average player at a couple of spots...usually. And while I think there's a handful of guys that might be very similar in the near future, I don't see them ready until some point in 2026 or '27: Schobel, Culpepper, and DeBarge to name the most prominent 3. But he's going to want a bigger and longer deal than the Twins are probably going to be able to afford. 

And as of NOW, it's going to be BAU for the Twins because it doesn't look like new ownership will be in place until this fall/winter at the earliest. 

So what happens next?

It really depends on the next 3 weeks. IF the quiet bats wake up and come to life, IF Matthews comes back soon to help the rotation...(no slight to SWR or Festa)...and Lopez really is back in August, they could stand pat at the deadline and ride this season out to see if they have a shot at the playoffs. But if they keep playing .500 ball, or worse, and don't get in a groove of quality play, they really should be sellers come the deadline.

I think Castro and Bader have a chance to bring back someone usable for the future. Exactly who that might be, and what level and quality is open to debate. I think Paddack might bring back a sneaky solid return from a team needing a 4th or 5th starter because while a contender, they may have a hole in the back end of their rotation. Along those same lines, Coulombe might be one of the best, if not the best, LHRP available for a contending team. He might bring back a good AA pen arm that projects well, or a solid A ball prospect at worst. I don't see anything other than a flier for France or Vazquez.

And again, that's IF they start playing better and get back to .500 or slightly better over the next 3 weeks.

I really don't want to see anyone else moved that's still got control until the offseason. Assuming the current FO is still in place, they need a good long, hard look at the 2026 team they want to build and make any moves of that nature then, IMO. But if things just don't look good, then get SOMETHING for the FA to be.

**Coulombe would be at the top of my list of guys to chase on a bring back once the offseason begins, regardless of age. 

[Major League Ready]

On 7/5/2025 at 10:59 AM, Riverbrian said:

I posted the following in another thread. In that thread there was a discussion about picking up the option of Harrison Bader.

I'm thinking it needs it's own thread for discussion. Bader doesn't need to be the focus point. This thread should be about the future health of the Twins organization overall. Bader would just be 1/26th or 1/40th of what the Twins need to do this off-season or maybe as soon as this trade deadline. I admit that I did nothing more than back of the napkin type math to come up with my numbers. Those numbers could certainly be corrected, I don't mind at all. The overall question is this: What will 2026 look like? I don't see a 25 million jump in payroll. 

Here's what I posted in another thread (with some changes) in response to picking up Bader's 10 million dollar mutual option for next year. The breakdown of the players leaving and the possible upcoming raises is the only part that I'm bringing over for the conversation. What can the Twins do?  

Breaking it down. 

For 2025 he (Bader) is guaranteed 4.75M with another 2M possible in performance bonus... the bonuses are mostly tied to awards as far as I can tell so let's just leave his number at 4.75 which will be coming off the books. 

Other contracts coming off the books: 

Vazquez 10M, Paddack 7.5M, Castro 6.4M, Coulombe 3M, France 1M and Topa 1M (Club Option at 2M).

That's about 33.65M coming off the books and 7 roster spots to fill. 

8 players are due arbitration raises: Jeffers, Duran, Ober, Ryan, Jax, Larnach, Stewart and Lewis. 2 players will be Arb 1: Sands and Clemens 

 

Dobnak's $3M also comes off and Correa's salary is reduced by $5.833M .  That's another almost $9M.

I don't see them doing anything in the OF.  They have Martin in AAA.  They are not going to sign anyone if Jenkins and GG continue to perform at their current level.  Rosario might be in that mix as well.  Of course, Rodriquez is also a possibility.   They have 4 guys with a legit shot to be there by June 1st next year so any change is likely to be from within the organization.   

Lee is establishing himself, so the INF make-up is a product of a couple things.  Does Royce get it together?  If yes, Lee goes to 2B.  If no, Lee goes to 3B.  The big question is do they sign or trade for a 1B.  They really need to let France go by the deadline.  Clemens and or Keaschall can play 1B and it would really help if they can fit Julien or Sabato on the roster to audition them to fill the role long-term.  If they are out of the playoff hunt, Vasquez needs to be released and Cardenas auditioned as Back-up catcher.  If they are not convinced after auditioning Cardenas, they can sign a BU Catcher on a 1 year deal.

[Mike Sixel]

Either Sabato or Keaschell should be the first baseman at this point.... Once the latter is healthy. 

[mnfireman]

Baseball Reference shows 2026 payroll at $72.5 MM in guaranteed contracts, $151.6 MM if no options are picked up, and $167.3 MM if all options are picked up.

Vazquez, Paddack, Castro, Coulombe and France are all FA, Bader ($1.5 MM), Topa ($225 K), and Dobnak ($1 MM) have buyouts if their options aren't exercised. Castro may be the most missed on this list, but the biggest question mark is who replaces Vazquez, need a second C on the MLB roster. 

I won't list all the Arb Eligible players or the Pre-arb players, but most likely Bride, Gasper, Kiersey and one of Funderburk/Wentz won't be back with the big club.

???? replaces Vazquez, Zebby replaces Paddack, Keaschall replaces Castro, ???? replaces Coulombe, Miranda/Julien/Clemens/Martin replace France (and Bader if his option is declined). Topa might get his option picked up, but Dobnak gets bought out and offered a MiLB contract.

If you think next year is bad, 2027 shows only $68.7 MM in guaranteed contracts, but to fill out the roster with the current players and their expected arbitration raises, $224.3 MM (Dobnak's option doesn't factor in here or 2028), and 2028 shows $46.5 MM in guaranteed contracts (Pablo, Ober and Ryan are FA, the pipeline needs to be flowing by then), and expected arbitration raises it to $216.6 MM.

This teams talent had better be showing by 2027, no big FA signings or trades happening anytime soon.

 

[mnfireman]

2026

Rotation: Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Matthews, Festa, SWR - one of the last 3 either stays stretched out at AAA or moves to the BP

Bullpen: Duran, Jax, Stewart, Varland, Funderburk (over Wentz), Sands, Tonkin, Topa (option picked up)/starter that didn't make rotation

Catchers: Jeffers, whoever claims the job in ST - Olivar/Camargo/Cardenas/Cartaya (Cardenas and Olivar are Rule 5 this off-season)

Infielders: Correa, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, one of Miranda/Julien/Sabato (Sabato is Rule 5 this off-season)

Outfielders: Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Emma

Utility: Clemens, Martin

Need some players to figure it out, or sell off and rebuild.

[Fatbat]

On 7/5/2025 at 10:59 AM, Riverbrian said:

I posted the following in another thread. In that thread there was a discussion about picking up the option of Harrison Bader.

I'm thinking it needs it's own thread for discussion. Bader doesn't need to be the focus point. This thread should be about the future health of the Twins organization overall. Bader would just be 1/26th or 1/40th of what the Twins need to do this off-season or maybe as soon as this trade deadline. I admit that I did nothing more than back of the napkin type math to come up with my numbers. Those numbers could certainly be corrected, I don't mind at all. The overall question is this: What will 2026 look like? I don't see a 25 million jump in payroll. 

Here's what I posted in another thread (with some changes) in response to picking up Bader's 10 million dollar mutual option for next year. The breakdown of the players leaving and the possible upcoming raises is the only part that I'm bringing over for the conversation. What can the Twins do?  

Breaking it down. 

For 2025 he (Bader) is guaranteed 4.75M with another 2M possible in performance bonus... the bonuses are mostly tied to awards as far as I can tell so let's just leave his number at 4.75 which will be coming off the books. 

Other contracts coming off the books: 

Vazquez 10M, Paddack 7.5M, Castro 6.4M, Coulombe 3M, France 1M and Topa 1M (Club Option at 2M).

That's about 33.65M coming off the books and 7 roster spots to fill. 

8 players are due arbitration raises: Jeffers, Duran, Ober, Ryan, Jax, Larnach, Stewart and Lewis. 2 players will be Arb 1: Sands and Clemens 

I don't know how much this group will earn exactly in raises through arbitration and therefore how much is taken from the 33.65 million available.

According to the information I've found online, the average arbitration raise is 113%. For this exercise let's just make the math easy and say 100% raises for the 8 players moving up the arbitration ladder. Those 8 players are making 19.2 this year collectively through arbitration. 100% raise due for all 8 and they will be making 38.4 collectively in 2026. Add in whatever you think Sands and Clemens will get in their first year. I don't know but let's say 2 million a piece and we are at 42.4 million in raises.

This means that payroll is already up 8.75M in 2026 before even considering picking up the 10M option on Bader. Keep in mind that we have 7 roster spots on the 26 man roster to fill with Bader, Vazquez, Paddack, Castro, Coulombe, France and Topa not signed beyond this season. If the Twins pick up the 10M on Bader... payroll will be up 18.7M with 6 roster spots to fill. If the Twins pick up the club option on Topa... Payroll is up 20.7 million with 5 roster spots to fill. 

I realize that Clemens may not be offered. I also realize that all 10 players that will be in arbitration this off-season may or may not offered arbitration this off-season and the reason some may not be offered is going to be due to budget more so than performance related decisions.  

What do y'all see?  

 

 

I see bad math.——> -33M + 19M + 4M=-10 M 

The original 19M for the arb players can’t be added twice because the first 19M of it is already accounted for. 
Now you have $10M to sign 7 guys from the $33M in lost salary. 

[Fatbat]

We need to trade C4 to get any kind of salary relief and that has about zero chance of happening 

[Fatbat]

2 hours ago, mnfireman said:

2026

Rotation: Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Matthews, Festa, SWR - one of the last 3 either stays stretched out at AAA or moves to the BP

Bullpen: Duran, Jax, Stewart, Varland, Funderburk (over Wentz), Sands, Tonkin, Topa (option picked up)/starter that didn't make rotation

Catchers: Jeffers, whoever claims the job in ST - Olivar/Camargo/Cardenas/Cartaya (Cardenas and Olivar are Rule 5 this off-season)

Infielders: Correa, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, one of Miranda/Julien/Sabato (Sabato is Rule 5 this off-season)

Outfielders: Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Emma

Utility: Clemens, Martin

Need some players to figure it out, or sell off and rebuild.

I like your baseline. Probably gonna be a trade or two along with a low level signing like France type…. Sabato will be exposed to rule 5. Please someone draft him. 
We are going to be young with K Culpepper, Jenkins and Debarge playing in AAA by June ‘26. Probs have 2-3 young pitchers knocking the door down for a cup of coffee also…

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

I see bad math.——> -33M + 19M + 4M=-10 M 

The original 19M for the arb players can’t be added twice because the first 19M of it is already accounted for. 
Now you have $10M to sign 7 guys from the $33M in lost salary. 

Thanks for pointing that out. 

You are correct. The original 19M in Arb would be coming off the books. I did not factor that in. 

[Fatbat]

30 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Thanks for pointing that out. 

You are correct. The original 19M in Arb would be coming off the books. I did not factor that in. 

Not that $20M is going to buy them anything other than a total lower payroll. Hopefully the buyers offer is a good one and the Pohlads sell the team. Currently, there will not be a high profile FA signing or a blockbuster trade unless someone is dumb enough to over pay for C4.

[Reptevia]

Bader’s value will never be higher- trade him. 

[Riverbrian]

21 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Dobnak's $3M also comes off and Correa's salary is reduced by $5.833M .  That's another almost $9M.

I don't see them doing anything in the OF.  They have Martin in AAA.  They are not going to sign anyone if Jenkins and GG continue to perform at their current level.  Rosario might be in that mix as well.  Of course, Rodriquez is also a possibility.   They have 4 guys with a legit shot to be there by June 1st next year so any change is likely to be from within the organization.   

Lee is establishing himself, so the INF make-up is a product of a couple things.  Does Royce get it together?  If yes, Lee goes to 2B.  If no, Lee goes to 3B.  The big question is do they sign or trade for a 1B.  They really need to let France go by the deadline.  Clemens and or Keaschall can play 1B and it would really help if they can fit Julien or Sabato on the roster to audition them to fill the role long-term.  If they are out of the playoff hunt, Vasquez needs to be released and Cardenas auditioned as Back-up catcher.  If they are not convinced after auditioning Cardenas, they can sign a BU Catcher on a 1 year deal.

Personally... I'd go with your plan. 

The Twins? 

It would be out of character to release two vets and introduce this much youth. 

I'd be ok with it. 

[Riverbrian]

19 hours ago, mnfireman said:

2026

Rotation: Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Matthews, Festa, SWR - one of the last 3 either stays stretched out at AAA or moves to the BP

Bullpen: Duran, Jax, Stewart, Varland, Funderburk (over Wentz), Sands, Tonkin, Topa (option picked up)/starter that didn't make rotation

Catchers: Jeffers, whoever claims the job in ST - Olivar/Camargo/Cardenas/Cartaya (Cardenas and Olivar are Rule 5 this off-season)

Infielders: Correa, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, one of Miranda/Julien/Sabato (Sabato is Rule 5 this off-season)

Outfielders: Buxton, Larnach, Wallner, Emma

Utility: Clemens, Martin

Need some players to figure it out, or sell off and rebuild.

Love your posts. 

[Doctor Wu]

On 7/7/2025 at 6:11 AM, DocBauer said:

I'd love to have Bader back for 2026 as a 4th-5th OF who is even better than I was lead to believe defensively. He brings a flair that's fun to watch. And hes got some pop on him and runs well, even if he doesn't steal a ton of bases.

Well said, especially the "fun to watch" part. This team needs more players like that. 

[Doctor Wu]

14 hours ago, Reptevia said:

Bader’s value will never be higher- trade him. 

True on the value part, but if the  Twins are looking to get some legit prospects, they should think about dealing one of the relief pitchers or even Castro. I'mnot sure that Bader will bring back that much in return. But if the Twins don't see him as part of next year's team, then by all means get what you can for him. 

[Riverbrian]

16 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Not that $20M is going to buy them anything other than a total lower payroll. Hopefully the buyers offer is a good one and the Pohlads sell the team. Currently, there will not be a high profile FA signing or a blockbuster trade unless someone is dumb enough to over pay for C4.

Something interesting will probably have to be done. 

On the top end, the prospect bottle neck may need to be removed due to multiple 26 man spots to fill and the financial limitations that are most likely in place. If they don't turn the kids loose (which they haven't thus far)... They may need to move some of our arb guys like Larnach to free some financial flexibility just to bring in the low cost vet filler again.  

On the other side of the coin. How many seasoned prospects (Miranda, Gasper, McCusker) will need to be jettisoned to make room for the low cost vet filler and the prospects requiring protection from rule 5 come December. 

If we don't reset at the major league level. We may have to do a reset at the minor league level as a new batch of prospects join the 40 man. 

I'm concerned that one Luke Keaschall produced in 2025 will not be enough to cover 2026 needs. 

 

 

[mnfireman]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Something interesting will probably have to be done. 

On the top end, the prospect bottle neck may need to be removed due to multiple 26 man spots to fill and the financial limitations that are most likely in place. If they don't turn the kids loose (which they haven't thus far)... They may need to move some of our arb guys like Larnach to free some financial flexibility just to bring in the low cost vet filler again.  

On the other side of the coin. How many seasoned prospects (Miranda, Gasper, McCusker) will need to be jettisoned to make room for the low cost vet filler and the prospects requiring protection from rule 5 come December. 

If we don't reset at the major league level. We may have to do a reset at the minor league level as a new batch of prospects join the 40 man. 

I'm concerned that one Luke Keaschall produced in 2025 will not be enough to cover 2026 needs. 

 

 

The bigger problem was that the league made adjustments and the prospects did not (Wallner and Lewis  are following Julien, Mirada, et al down this path) or the prospects never panned out or were not given a decent shot. Rooker left the organization and has figured it out, is this his development or Oakland's (Athletics Baseball Team) coaching staff?

This team is relying heavily on their developed players and has no room these players to fail (see previous comment concerning payroll in '26, '27, & '28). There is no $$$ available to sign FA or to make trades (unless the potential new owner(s) decide open up the checkbook).

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

Something interesting will probably have to be done. 

On the top end, the prospect bottle neck may need to be removed due to multiple 26 man spots to fill and the financial limitations that are most likely in place. If they don't turn the kids loose (which they haven't thus far)... They may need to move some of our arb guys like Larnach to free some financial flexibility just to bring in the low cost vet filler again.  

On the other side of the coin. How many seasoned prospects (Miranda, Gasper, McCusker) will need to be jettisoned to make room for the low cost vet filler and the prospects requiring protection from rule 5 come December. 

If we don't reset at the major league level. We may have to do a reset at the minor league level as a new batch of prospects join the 40 man. 

I'm concerned that one Luke Keaschall produced in 2025 will not be enough to cover 2026 needs. 

 

 

There will be a lot of turnover by the spring of ‘27 in AAA. Might be more than that in n the twins especially when the new ownership sets up their priorities and goals. 
It seems like 25/26 is just caught in a ground hogs day scenario. Same type of guys that streak more cold than hot and then get injured. Injuries then derail the career. 
At some point, they gotta stop signing the Margot’s/Gallo’s and let the kids loose.

[Riverbrian]

44 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

The bigger problem was that the league made adjustments and the prospects did not (Wallner and Lewis  are following Julien, Mirada, et al down this path) or the prospects never panned out or were not given a decent shot. Rooker left the organization and has figured it out, is this his development or Oakland's (Athletics Baseball Team) coaching staff?

This team is relying heavily on their developed players and has no room these players to fail (see previous comment concerning payroll in '26, '27, & '28). There is no $$$ available to sign FA or to make trades (unless the potential new owner(s) decide open up the checkbook).

That's the million dollar question and I wish I knew the answer. 

Are the Twins just failing to develop MLB talent? Or have they limited opportunity by becoming more reliant on players developed by other organizations. Or are they simply betting all chips on the wrong horses? 

Either way or combination of... we got a problem with the bill coming due. 

On paper... in order to have 15 pre-arb players making the minimum on your roster like other teams are able to compete with... you have to produce an average of 5 a year. If you are not producing 5 a year... you are paying extra for the shortfall.

Can't sign decent free agents because of budget and you don't have faith in what your farm is doing to fill the spaces adequately. That's a bad combination.

That's 2 out of 3 avenues of talent acquisition compromised. And I can't rule out the possibility of those 2 avenues being compromised INTENTIONALLY in order to milk just enough out of the current year. 

If those two avenues are not getting the job done.

The only avenue left is: Trade the decent talent you have for players developed by other organizations that have a low price tag? That's the start of a rebuild. 

The bill is coming due.      

[RpR]

3 hours ago, mnfireman said:

The bigger problem was that the league made adjustments and the prospects did not (Wallner and Lewis  are following Julien, Mirada, et al down this path) or the prospects never panned out or were not given a decent shot. Rooker left the organization and has figured it out, is this his development or Oakland's (Athletics Baseball Team) coaching staff?

 

Rooker is a one dimensional player, after a 2023 disaster in the outfield, he has played a total of 27 games in the outfield.

Had the Twins kept him, he would be the full time Designated Hitter, leaving a very large number of twins sitting on the bench with no real reason to get in the game. (Larnach, Lewis, Wallner, Jeffers)

The Twins need players that are not one dimensional, so letting him go was not the great loss so many say.

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

That's the million dollar question and I wish I knew the answer. 

Are the Twins just failing to develop MLB talent? Or have they limited opportunity by becoming more reliant on players developed by other organizations. Or are they simply betting all chips on the wrong horses? 

 

The wrong horse is Rocco Baldelli. And I'm not here to start a rip Rocco thread, but he clearly isn't a manager to develop young hitters despite this team cutting payroll necessitating developing young hitters. He pinch hits young guys for vets even as bad as Christian Vazquez. He will not let young left handers develop their skills hitting against left handed pitching. He is not getting any player to improve their defensive fundamentals and situational baserunning.

This team has had soooooo many high end hitting prospects come through here lately and pretty much none of them have met their potential. Leaguewide, most don't, but rarely does a team have everyone miss. Gardenhire was good at this, Molitor was good at this, Baldelli isn't, and frankly, I don't think he WANTS to be good at this. He needs to manage a team with a big budget and loads of vet players he can let do their veteran things and basically let them manage themselves. Am I saying that because the Twins will never be that team? Maybe. But it's true.

So to the main point of this thread: go year-by-year for all decisions going forward until a sale happens. Only give out one year deals and only trade players on expiring contracts, because I don't think there's currently leadership in place to make long term decisions and they've proven time and again there isn't leadership in place to develop young hitters.

[Riverbrian]

37 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

The wrong horse is Rocco Baldelli. And I'm not here to start a rip Rocco thread, but he clearly isn't a manager to develop young hitters despite this team cutting payroll necessitating developing young hitters. He pinch hits young guys for vets even as bad as Christian Vazquez. He will not let young left handers develop their skills hitting against left handed pitching. He is not getting any player to improve their defensive fundamentals and situational baserunning.

This team has had soooooo many high end hitting prospects come through here lately and pretty much none of them have met their potential. Leaguewide, most don't, but rarely does a team have everyone miss. Gardenhire was good at this, Molitor was good at this, Baldelli isn't, and frankly, I don't think he WANTS to be good at this. He needs to manage a team with a big budget and loads of vet players he can let do their veteran things and basically let them manage themselves. Am I saying that because the Twins will never be that team? Maybe. But it's true.

So to the main point of this thread: go year-by-year for all decisions going forward until a sale happens. Only give out one year deals and only trade players on expiring contracts, because I don't think there's currently leadership in place to make long term decisions and they've proven time and again there isn't leadership in place to develop young hitters.

Could be 

The only argument to your post is that Falvey extended Baldelli and has kept his guy in place for many years now. So... I'm going to point my finger above Baldelli's head.  

If Falvey has bigger development dreams, then Rocco is allowing, he is offering an extension that is counter to the direction the front office wants (needs) to go.  

In the end... Falvey has to approach Joe or the other Pohlads and ask for 20 million every year or so... just to roster 5 or 6 low cost vets to enable his manager to work with the personnel he desires. 

Meanwhile, the Larnach's and Wallners are in arbitration or reaching arbitration unable to hit left handed pitchers, the Royce Lewis first pick overall in the draft is reaching arbitration carrying a year long slump on his back. Jeffers will have to catch 100% of the games next year and will be backed up by Chance Sisco or something. A DFA find developed by other organizations like Castro is reaching free agency and now beyond our price point. The DFA find developed by other organizations like Kody Clemons are about to reach arbitration as well. We are about to transition into 2026 with Lee, Keashall, Wallner pre-arb and that's it, no budget, holes that need filling on the 26 man and a bunch of question marks on the farm, plus a manager (Front Office) only willing to give select young players sink or swim opportunities because he feels he can't afford to take Ty France and Christian Vazquez out of the lineup for a single game because... if he takes Ty France out of the lineup, the team won't be able to keep up with the Brewers or Tigers who are beating him anyway with 18 players developed primarily by their farm system. 

I gotta look Falvey in the eye on this one. 

 

 

 

[nicksaviking]

16 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Could be 

The only argument to your post is that Falvey extended Baldelli and has kept his guy in place for many years now. So... I'm going to point my finger above Baldelli's head.  

If Falvey has bigger development dreams, then Rocco is allowing, he is offering an extension that is counter to the direction the front office wants (needs) to go.  

In the end... Falvey has to approach Joe or the other Pohlads and ask for 20 million every year or so... just to roster 5 or 6 low cost vets to enable his manager to work with the personnel he desires. 

Meanwhile, the Larnach's and Wallners are in arbitration or reaching arbitration unable to hit left handed pitchers, the Royce Lewis first pick overall in the draft is reaching arbitration carrying a year long slump on his back. Jeffers will have to catch 100% of the games next year and will be backed up by Chance Sisco or something. A DFA find developed by other organizations like Castro is reaching free agency and now beyond our price point. The DFA find developed by other organizations like Kody Clemons are about to reach arbitration as well. We are about to transition into 2026 with Lee, Keashall, Wallner pre-arb and that's it, no budget, holes that need filling on the 26 man and a bunch of question marks on the farm, plus a manager (Front Office) only willing to give select young players sink or swim opportunities because he feels he can't afford to take Ty France and Christian Vazquez out of the lineup for a single game because... if he takes Ty France out of the lineup, the team won't be able to keep up with the Brewers or Tigers who are beating him anyway with 18 players developed primarily by their farm system. 

I gotta look Falvey in the eye on this one. 

 

 

 

I'm not giving Falvey a pass at all. But I suspect he only extended Baldelli because they can go year to year with him; a new manager is going to be a multi-year commitment and you can't do that with a pending ownership sale. Or at least you shouldn't.

Falvey's problem is that he wants his cake and eat it too. I'm sure he WANTS to develop young players, but he doesn't want to make the sacrifices required to do so, that being taking the time, the at bats, fielding and baserunning opportunities needed to improve on a skill young players have not yet had time to master. Baldelli on the other hand I think would prefer to have a roster of league average 34-year-olds instead of schooling talented youngsters.