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

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Old friend Taylor Rogers  would be a good pickup this offseason. He and his brother Tyler could probably both be acquired decently cheaply, and we all know they could use the bullpen help. I don't know how much money the Pohlads would spend, but either of those two along with maybe reunited with Danny Couloumbe could be cheap and could really bolster a weak 2026 rotation. I doubt that any of those three would have to be paid more than 5 million.

[Sjoski]

Spending $30 million to “improve” the Twins roster in 2026 is like pouring an overpriced engine additive into a car to boost MPG from 4 to 5.

Technically an upgrade… but you’re still stuck with a clunker.

[The Great Hambino]

7 hours ago, USAFChief said:

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." 

 

 

All we know about these investors is that Joe Pohlad said they align with their family values

If you still think that means a move toward competitiveness, you are utterly delusional

Baseball is currently structured where you can make more money with a terrible team on a shoestring budget because of the revenue that’s locked in via national media contracts, plus revenue sharing.  It’s like The Producers

[SteveLV]

The caption for this article is a trick question.  The actual answer is:  "Anywhere besides the Twins operating budget".

[Brandon]

A couple of scouts…..

they should frontload an extension for Jeffers and Ryan and make minimal buys with the idea of using next season as a rebuild year and going for it the following season.  By front loading the extensions they save in future seasons.  By keeping payroll lower but spending so they have some payroll keeps them out of union trouble and saves them money to apply towards team debt.  That helps put the Twins in better financial position just in time for the CBA agreement to end and a strike / lockout begins…..

[Jasper]

30 million goes in Pohlad's pocket, team passes on free agents and trades Pablo and Ryan. Using secret partners money lessening the debt and Pohlads sell team for their 1.5 billion. Oh well maybe get better owners, one can only hope.

[Chad Freyer]

Maybe the outside investment groups are counting on a lockout. After the lockout, they sell, along with the Pohlads and make a tidy profit. Or, they will convince the Pohlads to spend a bunch of money to improve the team and buy the Twins outright. No one knows the future. 

[David HK]

17 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

A bonus for the owner - a new yacht, a painting for Pohlad's fireplace, a doghouse for their pet (do they have one?)...

With the Pohlad creativity guiding Falvey we can expect some outstanding DFA candidates and a pitcher who has to be on the IL for the entire year so we can claim we got him for a bargain price.  I just can't wait for the excitement. 

They do have a pet- it's an adorable lapdog named Derek.

[David HK]

13 hours ago, USAFChief said:

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." 

 

 

Wait-- their limo just pulled up outside of Targét!  

[JD-TWINS]

20 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

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.  

That’s my point……. they want ROI.

Investment isn’t a loan……seems to me they are on the hook with full exposure to varying asset value going forward.

Can’t have greatly reduced revenues from your customer base over any length of time and sustain profitability. I get cost reduction for a season but the value of the asset diminishes if they have a greatly reduced fan interest. The savings on salary get off-set by 300,000 less people in the stands per season and thousands of fewer TV paid viewerships and reduced memorabilia/clothing sales …… over time, while the asset’s value is diminished.

The investors don’t want 20% of an additional $35M - $50M in bottom line for a year or two (which I don’t see being attainable) before it dwindles against $430M of $$ sunk. They want to make money on a pending sale! If the asset doesn’t appreciate on a fairly steep rate they don’t see a good return, maybe for a decade or more……. that’s not their timing model.

If Organization squeezes a $60M bottom line for a year or two by reducing payroll more and not spending anything, that’s $12M/yr for the $430M invested……. not attractive ……..The asset has to appreciate for them to be whole!

Maybe the strategy from investors is to stagnate the asset value for a bit so they can get the other 80% on the cheap in upcoming years?

Not saying the investors are rah rah fans but if a product isn’t attractive the bottom line shrinks pretty quickly…..even with revenue sharing.

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, Jasper said:

30 million goes in Pohlad's pocket, team passes on free agents and trades Pablo and Ryan. Using secret partners money lessening the debt and Pohlads sell team for their 1.5 billion. Oh well maybe get better owners, one can only hope.

My understanding was Pohlad’s wanted $1.7B AND a big chunk of their $400M debt covered. Seems I saw that numerous times. (estimated $2B total) 

They gave up 20% for $430M.

$1.5B sale less the $430M (plus some probable additional “return”) leaves them with just north of $1B. Doesn’t seem like a very effective plan for them.

[JD-TWINS]

21 hours 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."

And you think the Cubs organization was/is concerned with $1M (maximum) scouting department personnel spend?

[Woof Bronzer]

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

That’s my point……. they want ROI.

Investment isn’t a loan……seems to me they are on the hook with full exposure to varying asset value going forward.

Can’t have greatly reduced revenues from your customer base over any length of time and sustain profitability. I get cost reduction for a season but the value of the asset diminishes if they have a greatly reduced fan interest. The savings on salary get off-set by 300,000 less people in the stands per season and thousands of fewer TV paid viewerships and reduced memorabilia/clothing sales …… over time, while the asset’s value is diminished.

The investors don’t want 20% of an additional $35M - $50M in bottom line for a year or two (which I don’t see being attainable) before it dwindles against $430M of $$ sunk. They want to make money on a pending sale! If the asset doesn’t appreciate on a fairly steep rate they don’t see a good return, maybe for a decade or more……. that’s not their timing model.

If Organization squeezes a $60M bottom line for a year or two by reducing payroll more and not spending anything, that’s $12M/yr for the $430M invested……. not attractive ……..The asset has to appreciate for them to be whole!

Maybe the strategy from investors is to stagnate the asset value for a bit so they can get the other 80% on the cheap in upcoming years?

Not saying the investors are rah rah fans but if a product isn’t attractive the bottom line shrinks pretty quickly…..even with revenue sharing.

I think we disagree on who these investors are...I don't think they will have any equity, they're basically lenders.  The Pohlads will want to make them whole ASAP so they can get their precious billions from a sale. Time will tell on this, we're both just guessing.  

Also I think you underestimate how profitable it can be for teams to be terrible.  I don't think the Rockies, As, Sox, are seriously try to compete...and the Twins failed upward into the gift ESPN TV deal, which is tens of millions of dollars they'll receive with zero correlation to how the team is doing.  They could lose 120 games and still get every last cent.  

[Woof Bronzer]

Just now, JD-TWINS said:

And you think the Cubs organization was/is concerned with $1M (maximum) scouting department personnel spend?

We're talking about the Twins.  There's a Twins source who says it's a cost cutting move. The Twins have been cutting costs for 2 years now.  And you're saying it's not about cutting costs because the Cubs did something.  Think through that logic man.

Seriously I can't believe the concept that the Pohlads did something to cut costs is offensive.  What has this organization done since October 2023 to signal that they are interested in anything except cutting costs?

[TNtwins85]

On 9/18/2025 at 9:00 AM, Riverbrian said:

 

Hope for a similar deal?

A. Free agency - When a player has leverage due to multiple teams being interested and competing against each other for a signature on a contract. 

B. Arbitration - When a player with very limited leverage reaches an agreement to avoid arbitration or actually goes through the arbitration process with the only team that he can play for.  

 

 

 

 

If the Twins hope enough maybe they can get a similar deal. Unfortunately hope runs out and he signs for $25M a year for 4-5 years. Oh well, we hoped we could get him but reality set in.

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, TNtwins85 said:

If the Twins hope enough maybe they can get a similar deal. Unfortunately hope runs out and he signs for $25M a year for 4-5 years. Oh well, we hoped we could get him but reality set in.

Agreed... I doubt that Naylor is going to require a one year prove it deal. We will see what he gets. It's hard to predict.

On the other hand 1B is one of those positions that most teams have covered so his options may be limited but it's quite possible that Yankees and Red Sox come a calling.  

[jorgenswest]

They have Lopez and Ryan. They have Buxton and some young hitters that should get better. I think it is the right mix to improve many games. Maybe not enough to be a contender but enough to be competitive,

The younger players also need to compete and win. They benefit from staying in the race longer. They can spend money and make this team better but they need to do it with an eye on 2027 and 2028. They can’t sign one year stop gap position players. They need to close those gaps. Either acquire a middle of the line up hitter under contract at least two years or go with the upside in the organization. I think they need one veteran middle of the line up hitter. I think they need to be aggressive with their best positional prospects

The bullpen is different. They might need to acquire a few one year relievers. If Abel or Matthews or Bradley or Festa aren’t in the rotation put them in the pen. Someone will thrive there. The pen if they are among the 12 best arms. Acquire one or two late inning relievers.

They should spend money because spent well they will win more games. Winning games and playing in more competitive games benefits the development of the younger players.

[jkcarew]

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

I’m gonna go with the most obvious choice…

Buying equity back from the new minority owners after the $425M debt is paid off.

[Major League Ready]

$30M in free agency gets us 3-4 wins.  Does anyone believe that puts us in contention.  Would $60M and 6-7 wins added get us in contention? The only way they have a shot in 2026 is spend $60M and trade away several top prosects to get a couple difference makers.  I think the chances of that happening will be exceptionally small.   The only scenario that's worse than a rebuild is starting a rebuild and then changing course almost immediately.  If they wanted to retool they needed to keep Duran, Jax, Varland, and only traded Correa and the expiring contracts.  Changing direction now would be the height of incompetence

[South Dakota Tom]

Agree with Major League Ready - $30M doesn’t make this a good team.  It doesn’t put fans in the seats.  It doesn’t add TV revenue.  With what happened in late July, the only wise “baseball move” is to trade Ryan and Lopez (and Wallner) for a top 100 or pre-arb catcher, 1b, and two starting pitchers and run out a $60M team full of youngsters (and Byron) and let them pretend to be the 1986 Twins.  Just a year (and solid experience, which they won’t get by obtaining even one FA) or two away from Keashall, Jenkins, Rodriguez, Culpepper being the new core (plus $ to spend in 2027 to plug any gaps with one-year vets).  That’s what $400M just bought.

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

$30M in free agency gets us 3-4 wins.  Does anyone believe that puts us in contention.  Would $60M and 6-7 wins added get us in contention? The only way they have a shot in 2026 is spend $60M and trade away several top prosects to get a couple difference makers.  I think the chances of that happening will be exceptionally small.   The only scenario that's worse than a rebuild is starting a rebuild and then changing course almost immediately.  If they wanted to retool they needed to keep Duran, Jax, Varland, and only traded Correa and the expiring contracts.  Changing direction now would be the height of incompetence

Falvey traded Berrios for prospects and then replaced him by trading our first round pick for Gray. Berrios and Gray were at about the same salary level but they had control of Gray in 2023. I thought it was a brilliant move though some argued the Twins didn’t know what they doing trading for prospects and then trading prospects 6 months later.

I also believe every win matters and more competitive games helps the development of the young players. Scoring more runs takes stress off the pitchers. Runners on base make it easier to hit. A better bullpen can put out the fires of inexperienced starters. All of that matters for development. I don’t believe it is the binary of playoff bound or not.

[DocBauer]

6 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

$30M in free agency gets us 3-4 wins.  Does anyone believe that puts us in contention.  Would $60M and 6-7 wins added get us in contention? The only way they have a shot in 2026 is spend $60M and trade away several top prosects to get a couple difference makers.  I think the chances of that happening will be exceptionally small.   The only scenario that's worse than a rebuild is starting a rebuild and then changing course almost immediately.  If they wanted to retool they needed to keep Duran, Jax, Varland, and only traded Correa and the expiring contracts.  Changing direction now would be the height of incompetence

We don't often disagree, and I'm not saying we do here, but I'm going to take a differing opinion because:

A] The OP is asking what I believe to be a legitimate question.

B] As completely down...borderline disgusted...with the Pohlads, and not crazy about the FO these days, I'm still going to ATTEMPT to look at the HOPE side of the Twins.

You mention 6-7 wins brought on board by spending $30M. You are correct that that doesn't bring in a winning team that might compete for the ALC or a WC berth. We agree there.

But let's imagine a world, for a moment, where another offseason of hard work gives us a Royce Lewis healthy for most of 2026 and we actually get to see him return to the player he can be. Not Superman glimpses, but a legitimate. 270-.280 hitter with 30 Dbls and 20+ HR. Suddenly we get another couple WAR.

A healthy Wallner produces at DH/OF like his 2023-24 version and we suddenly pick up another couple of games.

Lee's bat starts to come around a bit better, we have the promising Keaschall for a full season, and at some point...opening day or not...we see Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and K-Pepper debut and provide some offensive spark. We even improve the speed and athleticism of the team, hopefully/probably the overall defense as well. SOMEONE other than France at 1B I'm already calculating in to your original 6-7 wins.

The Twins NOT tearing the whole thing down could/should mean a healthy Lopez and Ober to head the rotation. That helps there as well. Young SP don't succeed right out of the gate all that often. SWR, Bradley, Matthews, and Abel are still only 24-25yo at this point, and have a lot of talent to work with.

I'm NOT claiming you have a sudden 90 win team. But potential of players on hand being healthy and productive plus a couple additions, plus the excitement of talented young prospects debuting starts to change the complexion of the team to being something interesting to watch, with better athleticism, speed, and again, hopefully better defense.

As horrendously poor as the Pohlads have been in running the team, equally poor in public relations, NOT gutting the rest of the team, actually spending the proposed $30M, and the debuts of some very talented prospects just might provide some excitement, and re-kindle public interest.

Informed fans such as ourselves would look at a $120-125M or even $130M payroll and grind our teeth when comparing that payroll to the rest of the league, and the ML average.

But in basic theory, KEEPING Lopez and Ryan and actually adding that $30M...hypothetically Josh Naylor for $15M per for 2-3yrs plus a backup catcher and 2-3 interesting ML FA pen arms...plus Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, K-Pepper, etc...and I'm repeating myself now, LOL, makes this team a lot more fun and potentially interesting to US, as well as the general fan base doesn't it?

It would also make good business sense. Though I don't know that any of us feel the Pohlads have great business sense at this point.

Overly optimistic? You bet. Smarter than tearing it all down? Guess it depends on your perspective, but I say yes. I've been a fan for about 50+ of my almost 60yrs. And I will continue to such. But I'm way more likely to watch if they do as suggested vs blowing the whole damn thing up. 

 

 

[DocBauer]

On 9/18/2025 at 11:28 AM, 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 have developed the utmost respect for Dan Hayes over the last couple of years. If one can be a fan of a reporter, then I guess I'd be one.

But I think Dan overstated in reference to this being a "cost cutting move". This past Wednesday on a Patreon with G&G he agreed that right or wrong, which is a growing tendency for many teams to eliminate advanced IN PERSON scouting and relying on video and computerized data. It's a growing trend. It's also similar to good old football having enough FILM to look at you don't always need an "in person" look at the opposition. And there is undoubtedly some truth to that.

*Note, this is not prospect scouting we're talking about.

Eliminating 4 guys from the advanced team scouting, including flights and accommodations, is less than a single rookie level player salary. Hence the idea that this really isn't really a cost saving move.

The 2 biggest points presented were:

A] The 4 scouts dismissed had DECADES of knowledge across baseball that might be hard to replace. Once in a while you just want to know little things about a player you might want be interested in, for example.

B] Hayes biggest concern was that when Falvey took over the Twins made a huge financial overhaul of the analytics department that was about 3 guys. But since the FO made this huge overhaul, they've stayed stagnant while other teams have surpassed the Twins.

In reality, this just isn't the Pohlads being cheap. The financial cost is pennies in relation to a total operational budget. But there is a cost in experienced personel who have decades in the game that might be greatly shortsighted when you're looking for any advantage you can get. Especially if other teams are advancing their analytics department and surpassing your own.

IMO, you really aren't saving any $. But you are costing your team if you don't either find roles for these experienced scouts, or at least re-invest the cost back in to the analytics department. 

But wasn't this whole OP about spending on the roster?

I just had to comment since it was brought up.

[Chembry]

5 hours ago, DocBauer said:

We don't often disagree, and I'm not saying we do here, but I'm going to take a differing opinion because:

A] The OP is asking what I believe to be a legitimate question.

B] As completely down...borderline disgusted...with the Pohlads, and not crazy about the FO these days, I'm still going to ATTEMPT to look at the HOPE side of the Twins.

You mention 6-7 wins brought on board by spending $30M. You are correct that that doesn't bring in a winning team that might compete for the ALC or a WC berth. We agree there.

But let's imagine a world, for a moment, where another offseason of hard work gives us a Royce Lewis healthy for most of 2026 and we actually get to see him return to the player he can be. Not Superman glimpses, but a legitimate. 270-.280 hitter with 30 Dbls and 20+ HR. Suddenly we get another couple WAR.

A healthy Wallner produces at DH/OF like his 2023-24 version and we suddenly pick up another couple of games.

Lee's bat starts to come around a bit better, we have the promising Keaschall for a full season, and at some point...opening day or not...we see Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, and K-Pepper debut and provide some offensive spark. We even improve the speed and athleticism of the team, hopefully/probably the overall defense as well. SOMEONE other than France at 1B I'm already calculating in to your original 6-7 wins.

The Twins NOT tearing the whole thing down could/should mean a healthy Lopez and Ober to head the rotation. That helps there as well. Young SP don't succeed right out of the gate all that often. SWR, Bradley, Matthews, and Abel are still only 24-25yo at this point, and have a lot of talent to work with.

I'm NOT claiming you have a sudden 90 win team. But potential of players on hand being healthy and productive plus a couple additions, plus the excitement of talented young prospects debuting starts to change the complexion of the team to being something interesting to watch, with better athleticism, speed, and again, hopefully better defense.

As horrendously poor as the Pohlads have been in running the team, equally poor in public relations, NOT gutting the rest of the team, actually spending the proposed $30M, and the debuts of some very talented prospects just might provide some excitement, and re-kindle public interest.

Informed fans such as ourselves would look at a $120-125M or even $130M payroll and grind our teeth when comparing that payroll to the rest of the league, and the ML average.

But in basic theory, KEEPING Lopez and Ryan and actually adding that $30M...hypothetically Josh Naylor for $15M per for 2-3yrs plus a backup catcher and 2-3 interesting ML FA pen arms...plus Jenkins, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, K-Pepper, etc...and I'm repeating myself now, LOL, makes this team a lot more fun and potentially interesting to US, as well as the general fan base doesn't it?

It would also make good business sense. Though I don't know that any of us feel the Pohlads have great business sense at this point.

Overly optimistic? You bet. Smarter than tearing it all down? Guess it depends on your perspective, but I say yes. I've been a fan for about 50+ of my almost 60yrs. And I will continue to such. But I'm way more likely to watch if they do as suggested vs blowing the whole damn thing up. 

 

 

This has been my perspective all along.

[Woof Bronzer]

11 hours ago, DocBauer said:

In reality, this just isn't the Pohlads being cheap.

Everyone here who says it isn't about being cheap have not provided an alternative reason  What baseball benefit is there to the organization by firing scouts, if not cost savings?