Where Could Minnesota Twins Spend $30 Million (or More) This Offseason?

[JD-TWINS]

The details I don’t understand with all the negativity on spending for ‘26 (from pundits and fans alike)……….$400M of investment and an ownership stake doesn’t happen from anyone without EXPECTATIONS! If Team doesn’t spend nobody will buy TV packages/tickets/swag/etc. ………. there has to be some expectation (caveat) for “competitiveness” in ‘26 with the investors - has to be. Nobody gives Pohlad’s $400M as a charitable act - right?

They are at $95M total now for ‘26………. there may be a defensive FA Catcher available for $4M - a 1B option at 15M - FA relievers at average of $5M x 2………..that’s $29M. I think they could easily go to $135M……that’s $40M over current total salary………also, it’s $20M less than they spent in 2023…..3 seasons later.

I know nearly everyone here (rightfully so) passionately dislikes the current majority owners and their lack of spending & mediocre management ………cannot create interest for a future Sale nor “make a profit”, with a non-competitive Club!!

[Woof Bronzer]

The Pohlads just fired their scouting staff to save, what, a few hundred thousand dollars?  In what world are they spending $30m next year?

They're in cost cutting mode until their new investors are made whole.  It's really not that complicated.  They are much more likely, I'd even say probable, to cut $30m then spend it.

[PatPfund]

Naylor is interesting as 1B is a void right now. I love Arraez, but I think Martin and Keaschall take a lot of OBP pressure off this lineup, and they both have better speed. Don't think Julien is on this team next year, let alone in a planned starting lineup. (Frankly, I'd be talking to Larnach or Wallner about a move to 1B if you can't trade them as the team is likely counting on Emma and Jenkins moving into OF spots next year.) But mostly, I hope the team holds on to Ryan/Lopez (they can certainly afford them now, and would get more trading at the deadline if '26 goes sideways), and scores gold on a couple RPs floating in the offseason. It's boring, but if they don't actually spend up to their limits in the offseason, then they actually could afford to make a couple moves if the new manager (my fondest offseason dream) injects some life into this team.

[JD-TWINS]

‘26 PEN Scenario:

Prielipp - Sands - Raya - Funderburk - Topa - Adams - Matthews - Hensley (or like) & the spend is $8M more than today.

’26 ROTATION Scenario:

Lopez - Ryan - SWR - Ober - Bradley/Abel/Festa ………. one of which may end up in PEN.

Hensley may not be the guy? Somebody will be out there as a FA…….,to me, Matthews is another Varland with a bigger pitch mix. In short bursts from PEN he’d have elite velocity and brings backend upside!! Adams is best suited for an inning at a time.

To me, this staff works!!

[Chembry]

8 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

The details I don’t understand with all the negativity on spending for ‘26 (from pundits and fans alike)……….$400M of investment and an ownership stake doesn’t happen from anyone without EXPECTATIONS! If Team doesn’t spend nobody will buy TV packages/tickets/swag/etc. ………. there has to be some expectation (caveat) for “competitiveness” in ‘26 with the investors - has to be. Nobody gives Pohlad’s $400M as a charitable act - right?

They are at $95M total now for ‘26………. there may be a defensive FA Catcher available for $4M - a 1B option at 15M - FA relievers at average of $5M x 2………..that’s $29M. I think they could easily go to $135M……that’s $40M over current total salary………also, it’s $20M less than they spent in 2023…..3 seasons later.

I know nearly everyone here (rightfully so) passionately dislikes the current majority owners and their lack of spending & mediocre management ………cannot create interest for a future Sale nor “make a profit”, with a non-competitive Club!!

Spot on with all your posts in this thread...

3 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

The Pohlads just fired their scouting staff to save, what, a few hundred thousand dollars?  In what world are they spending $30m next year?

They're in cost cutting mode until their new investors are made whole.  It's really not that complicated.  They are much more likely, I'd even say probable, to cut $30m then spend it.

It wasn't a cost cutting move...Many other teams have also cut their pro scouting departments in favor of video scouting.  Cubs cut their scouting department last year.  It's more a sign of the direction the MLB is heading versus cutting costs.

[JD-TWINS]

8 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

The Pohlads just fired their scouting staff to save, what, a few hundred thousand dollars?  In what world are they spending $30m next year?

They're in cost cutting mode until their new investors are made whole.  It's really not that complicated.  They are much more likely, I'd even say probable, to cut $30m then spend it.

Maybe they want some fresh faces in the Scouting Dept? …….. the $1m savings doesn’t add up in anyone’s book……..technology is being used with much lower paid IT guys being used across the game. I don’t see this move having any bearing on how they would spend on roster. If nobody comes to the park - nobody buys TV subscriptions, there’s no profits to help get investors whole.

If they fire the Coaching Staff on October 5th nobody is going to think there will be zero coaches next year due to a $$ savings move.

Nobody spends $400M on a sinking ship approach - has to be an expectation to be competitive via modest spending!

[Woof Bronzer]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Nobody spends $400M on a sinking ship approach - has to be an expectation to be competitive via modest spending!

The investors are giving the Pohlads a loan to clear the $400m off their books, which was the impediment to them making the billions they feel they so richly deserve.  The debt was not Twins operating debt, but rather debt from their other failing real estate businesses that they sheltered with the Twins.  (Could also be stadium debt - the Pohlads hate spending their own money on anything.)  So their limited partners are paying off the debt for what I'm guessing is a healthy ROI, which the Pohlads can guarantee by cutting cost and maximizing their revenue share. 

This is a hedge fund or private equity investment. It has nothing to do with baseball.  The limited partners are investing $400m to make boatloads of money, not to win baseball games.  

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I’m not sure any of these moves actually move the needle on a competitive season.  IF the bullpen was kept intact from this year, AND Pablo and Ryan aren’t traded, then maybe some of these guys would be useful pickups.  However, as is, they will need to devote at least some of their resources to rebuilding the bullpen (because what they have now probably isn’t even a good AAA bullpen) and then backfill whoever they trade BEFORE even touching upon making the team competitive.  All of this is without the speculation of WHETHER they actually will spend the money.  

I think the most likely scenario, and let me be clear, I HATE IT, is that they will trade Lopez & Ryan, possibly Jeffers, which will put the payroll down to about $60M.  Then they will try to spend about $30-35M to backfill, all while shouting from the mountaintops that they are spending to bring people in.  Last time I checked, spending $95M on payroll with those good players is about the same s spending $95M on payroll without them.  It’s still a pathetic amount for a Major League Baseball team.  

[Woof Bronzer]

17 minutes ago, Chembry said:

It wasn't a cost cutting move..

It was a cost cutting move.

Hayes points out in his report that a reduction in pro scouting departments is becoming a "trend" in Major League Baseball, but his source described the decision as "cost-cutting measures."

[USAFChief]

Can we hold off on the "$400M invested in the Twins" at least until we  know if that actually  happened? 

Thinking that's some sort of magic bullet is silly in and of itself, even if true. And we don't know if it's true. 

We were told the Twins were sold lock stock and barrel not long ago, ferpetesakes. Let's calm down. We know pretty much nothing about these alleged "investors." 

 

 

[Chembry]

16 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

It was a cost cutting move.

Hayes points out in his report that a reduction in pro scouting departments is becoming a "trend" in Major League Baseball, but his source described the decision as "cost-cutting measures.”

I understand the Hayes article said that.  I read the article and the article on the Cubs last year.  I don’t believe it was a cost cutting measure.  We don’t know who his source is and I don’t want to speculate. 

Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, Mariners, Rays, and Brewers have all cut their pro scouting departments in the last 5 years.  Significantly cut their departments.

Cubs reduced staff by 20, Angels by 23, Dodgers by 13, Giants by 13, Mariners by 23, Both Rays and Brewers reduced by 10…are they all cutting costs?  Absolutely not.  The Cubs are looking to resign Tucker, Dodgers, Giants, Red Sox never shy away from spending money…

The only reason this it’s viewed as a cost cutting measure is because it’s the Twins and the Pohlads.  I am not a Pohlad apologist, I want them gone as well, but this move in particular isn’t a cost cutting measure.

 

 

 

[spanman2]

Are there 10 million Twins fans around the world that would be willing to contribute $3 each to make this $30,000,000 dream a reality?  Had to do it...enjoy the day all. 

[Glorybound]

54 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

‘26 PEN Scenario:

Prielipp - Sands - Raya - Funderburk - Topa - Adams - Matthews - Hensley (or like) & the spend is $8M more than today.

’26 ROTATION Scenario:

Lopez - Ryan - SWR - Ober - Bradley/Abel/Festa ………. one of which may end up in PEN.

Hensley may not be the guy? Somebody will be out there as a FA…….,to me, Matthews is another Varland with a bigger pitch mix. In short bursts from PEN he’d have elite velocity and brings backend upside!! Adams is best suited for an inning at a time.

To me, this staff works!!

   I wouldn’t give up on Mathews as a starter just yet. I don’t see a scenario where Lopez is not traded. A far as Festa is concerned it sounds like his career is in serious doubt do to Thorasic Outlet Syndrome.

[David Maro]

Doesn't matter who they sign with the organization meaning ownership,FO and manager. The fan base is over anything they do. With this season now over they will be cutting payroll in the winter meetings. A smart organization would do a total rebuild like the White Sox or the Athletics. It's time to cut bait and bring up the youth and let them play with a manager and coaches to teach them the game.

[lukeduke1980]

I'm more looking forward to the article Ty France's Return and Other 2026 Potential Basement Bargains 

[TwinsDr2021]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Arraez has 168 hits and is hitting .287 - he’s got 3 batting titles prior. ……. not sure what constitutes a good season???

If you are looking for a slightly above replacement type player then by all means look to sign Arraez, My hope is that the vaunted Twins prospects are better than that. Is an infield of Lewis, Culpepper, Lee and Keaschall, better than an infield with Lewis, Lee, Keaschall and Arreaz? IDK, but give me option A. 

Like I said the Twins are in a tough position to sign FA, when they are supposed to have the prospects to feel the holes that are in the current lineup. 

[LambchoP]

I don't think we'll sign anyone other then waiver wire, DFA, minor league deal type relievers. Bring in a bunch of nobodies and hope a few will stick. We are probably trading one of Lopez or Ryan and will be calling up lots of prospects and minor leaguers. How long this rebuild will last all depends on how well our top prospects adapt to the majors. If we get lucky and Keaschal doesn't have a sophomore slump and guys like Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Culpeper and maybe Fedko work out, we could have a real interesting lineup. Our pitching is what will take some work. None of our upper level minors pitchers had a very good year in 25. We need guys like SWR, Zebby, Bradley and Abel to stick as starters. Guys like Adams, Festa, Raya and Prelipp are probably relievers. Most likely a long losing season, but should still be fun watching all the major league debuts and players of the future.... hopefully...

[DocBauer]

Well, ai covered this a couple of weeks ago in a Forum article I created. And have said the same thing in various OP's since. So I guess might as well go down this path one more time.

Josh Naylor is the best fit to take over 1B and add a veteran bat with some power to the lineup. He's also acceptable against fellow LH for his career so he's not an automatic platoon player either. But it's going to cost $15M to get him, IMO.

Then, they spend about $3M on a veteran FA catcher to backup Jeffers. 

If you've got $30M to spend, you'd have about $12M left at this point. Not including som3 MILB camp invites at minimum $, that $12M gets spent on 3-4 pen arms...however you want to spread it around. You're not signing TOP arms. You're signing guys on the rebound from bad years, guys coming off injury, former starters that just never put it together in the rotation but might make really good relievers. 

That $30M should have the Twins around $120M, which is actually less than they spent last year. 

You full 1B and backup catcher. You can still keep Lopez and Ryan. And between a few pen arm options on hand, a couple pen conversions, the 3-4 FA arms you sign, and a handful of other fliers, you're trying to build a pen that's not going to be great. But you're looking for serviceable at least.

 

[Chembry]

Naylor keeps getting thrown out there, but what about Ryan O'Hearn?  Obviously, I would rather have Naylor, but I know Seattle has expressed interest in re-signing him and I assume other teams will be in the mix.  I assume O'Hearn will be cheaper than Naylor.

Average stats over last 3 years: 

Naylor: 137G, .276avg, 22 HR, 97 RBI, 15% K rate, 8% BB rate, .803 OPS, 123 OPS+, 122 wRC+, 2.1 WAR 

O'Hearn: 129G, .272 avg, 15 HR, 58 RBI, 18% K rate, 8,5% BB rate, .781 OPS, 120 OPS+, 118 wRC+, 1.7 WAR

Average Statcast metrics over Last 3 years:

Naylor: Batting run value = 15, Baserunning value = -1.3, Fielding run value = 1, Outs above average = 1.6

O'Hearn: Batting run value = 8, Baserunning value = -1, fielding run value = 1.3, OAA = 2.7

 

 As mentioned previously, if we are going to sign a FA 1B, I would rather have Naylor, but O'Hearn isn't a bad option either and could be had for a bit less money.  If we are going to the depths of France, Wilmer Flores, Josh Bell, etc...I would much rather let the younger guys get a shot. 

Let's also not discount trading for a pre-arb C/1B.  There could be several options available.

[nddan67]

Twins are already having a tough time filling all their radio and tv ad spots.  On TV instead of an ad break its a conversation with someone in the dugout, Audra talking with someone in the crowd or a warning track walk with a player.  This happens at least twice per broadcast.  On radio it is the same as there are usually at least two breaks where they don't play ads.  Good Luck with that next year.

 

 

 

 

 

[Heiny]

In the first place, free agents are not going to want to come to Minneasota due to the lack of competitive nature.  So that leaves the left overs who can't get a deal elsewhere.  So the Twins will probably sign a bargain basement 1B, trade Lopez and Ryan and have around 60M to sign 50 or 60 RP's to minimum contracts throughout the year.

More seriously, I think the Twins shoud fire Rocco and hire a former RP with pitching coach experience to manage the team.  Someone like Carl Willis.  Or maybe a former catcher with minor league coaching experience and good fundamental teaching skills.  

More realistically,  the front office will probably pretend to go after some good FAs but purposely fail in those attempts and then blame the fans due to lack of support for the team, hoping that the shame and feelings of guilt will bring the people back to the park.  Is there any more ways for the team to increase toxicity between the team and the fans?

But hey, I'm not going to get discouraged.  We will be good again someday, probably not in my lifetime but maybe when there is peace in the world and common sense become normal again.  Oh boy, I may need to go take my pills.  Have a good day.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Chembry said:

I understand the Hayes article said that.  I read the article and the article on the Cubs last year.  I don’t believe it was a cost cutting measure.  We don’t know who his source is and I don’t want to speculate. 

Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Cubs, Red Sox, Mariners, Rays, and Brewers have all cut their pro scouting departments in the last 5 years.  Significantly cut their departments.

Cubs reduced staff by 20, Angels by 23, Dodgers by 13, Giants by 13, Mariners by 23, Both Rays and Brewers reduced by 10…are they all cutting costs?  Absolutely not.  The Cubs are looking to resign Tucker, Dodgers, Giants, Red Sox never shy away from spending money…

The only reason this it’s viewed as a cost cutting measure is because it’s the Twins and the Pohlads.  I am not a Pohlad apologist, I want them gone as well, but this move in particular isn’t a cost cutting measure.

 

 

 

I'm in basic agreement with your POV, though we're all just guessing.  That's because the team itself is silent on the matter.  I do not understand the team's approach to Public Relations in general.  It's been so poor in the past, that now they may be in a pickle, and feel that "anything we say will be taken wrong so let's say nothing."  

If you give a group of employees their pink slips, you have to count on word getting out.  So get ahead of the curve and get your own spin on the subject out there first - pink slips go out (and make sure they are received) just before a press release is put out.  "We are reallocating resources," or something like that in this particular case. 

It's preposterous that they are "eliminating scouting," which is the spin some choose to put on this.  But nature abhors a vacuum.  (So did my cats.)

[farmerguychris]

Does anybody know if they are actually required to fill all 26 spots on the active roster?  I would expect to save a buck they'll try to play with Buxton and a bunch of no-names.  

This year they sent people down before calling up others to save a buck - next year they might just forget to call people up?

I predict a payroll closer to $75M than $100M+

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Arraez has 168 hits and is hitting .287 - he’s got 3 batting titles prior. ……. not sure what constitutes a good season???

Sure, we can ignore defense, power, base running.....he's not good anymore. He just isn't.

As to the OP, why would they spend money to lose 85 games instead of 90? It really makes not short or long term sense. They aren't competing next year.

The most likely place any money is spent is the owner's pocketbooks, because they aren't quite rich enough yet.

[Mike Sixel]

4 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Maybe they want some fresh faces in the Scouting Dept? …….. the $1m savings doesn’t add up in anyone’s book……..technology is being used with much lower paid IT guys being used across the game. I don’t see this move having any bearing on how they would spend on roster. If nobody comes to the park - nobody buys TV subscriptions, there’s no profits to help get investors whole.

If they fire the Coaching Staff on October 5th nobody is going to think there will be zero coaches next year due to a $$ savings move.

Nobody spends $400M on a sinking ship approach - has to be an expectation to be competitive via modest spending!

Do we think private equity (or whomever gave them this money) cares about winning? They care about money. It's a business. I don't think competitive matters to them at all (or any owner, other than a few).

[Woof Bronzer]

4 hours ago, Chembry said:

The only reason this it’s viewed as a cost cutting measure is because it’s the Twins and the Pohlads.  I am not a Pohlad apologist, I want them gone as well, but this move in particular isn’t a cost cutting measure.

 

 

 

It's viewed as a cost cutting measure because a Twins source told Hayes it was a cost cutting measure.  

[Morland]

The claim is that the $400M is all Twins/ballpark related debt. I don't know whether that's true since the Pohlads have given us no reason to trust them. I fully expect that when the debt is paid down in a few years the team will be up for sale again.

[rv78]

My guess is it'll be somewhere close to 3 Joey Gallos.

[sweetmusicviola16]

The Twins aren't going to spend 30mil on FA's. They just aren't. Lopez, Ryan, Jeffers and maybe even Ober are likely to be gone cutting about 45mil from payroll. If the players association makes a stink about it they will make the claim that they are losing 40mil this year and attendence is sagging. My best bet is they make more trades lowering payroll and overpay on some long has been veterans. They know they aren't competing, think the past 6 weeks, so why sign high priced good players?

[ashbury]

19 minutes ago, rv78 said:

My guess is it'll be somewhere close to 3 Joey Gallos.

How many Gallos per Punto?