Falvey "expects" to keep Lopez and Ryan

[glunn]

This is from the Twins' website:

"Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that it is his “expectation” that star right-handers Pablo López and Joe Ryan will both be on the club when the 2026 season begins, but also granted that that is not a certainty at the current time."

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/derek-falvey-expects-joe-ryan-pablo-lopez-on-twins-in-2026

More false hope to encourage season ticket holders to renew?

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, glunn said:

This is from the Twins' website:

"Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that it is his “expectation” that star right-handers Pablo López and Joe Ryan will both be on the club when the 2026 season begins, but also granted that that is not a certainty at the current time."

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/derek-falvey-expects-joe-ryan-pablo-lopez-on-twins-in-2026

More false hope to encourage season ticket holders to renew?

I saw that article too.  "Expectation" is a  great word in the mind of corporate BS  mush mouths like Falvey.  In their mind it means, "I'm off the hook."

I expected X to happen.  It doesn't.  He responds we tried (how hard/did you really) so not our fault.  X does happen he looks good.

[Riverbrian]

There are multiple paths forward. 

One path is to keep the current group of starters and build around it. 

All paths forward have changing unpredictable conditions that should make any declaration on October 1st premature. 

Yet we ask on October 1. 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

There are multiple paths forward. 

One path is to keep the current group of starters and build around it. 

All paths forward have changing unpredictable conditions that should make any declaration on October 1st premature. 

Yet we ask on October 1. 

 

While I agree that discussing a non-answer to that question on October 1 (or pretty much any time) is rather foolish, still that word “expectation that Ryan and Lopez on the roster” sticks in my craw. Falvey is the decision maker in trade evaluation. “I do not expect my trade demands to be met” vs “I expect a payroll budget high enough to restock a competitive team so it makes sense to keep them”. None of those are reasonable answers either…. I’m just rambling and not sure why I’m posting this, but I’m frustrated!

thank you for listening, I feel better

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

While I agree that discussing a non-answer to that question on October 1 (or pretty much any time) is rather foolish, still that word “expectation that Ryan and Lopez on the roster” sticks in my craw. Falvey is the decision maker in trade evaluation. “I do not expect my trade demands to be met” vs “I expect a payroll budget high enough to restock a competitive team so it makes sense to keep them”. None of those are reasonable answers either…. I’m just rambling and not sure why I’m posting this, but I’m frustrated!

thank you for listening, I feel better

You just did a thing there.

Not sure what it was... but it was definitely a thing. 

I've seen things before so I recognize them. 

[Craig Arko]

50 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

You just did a thing there.

Not sure what it was... but it was definitely a thing. 

I've seen things before so I recognize them. 

[C-Gangster]

Well whatever Falvely wants he gets so.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Falvey has become the master of word salad. I've never seen a front office guy use so many words to say things with zero substance.

[ziggy]

"I expect them to be back" = "unless I'm told to trade them".

[Chembry]

Falvey has been on record at least twice since the trade deadline saying he is looking forward to a 2026 rotation led by Pablo and Ryan.

In all reality, CEOs/People in leadership positions rarely speak in certainties because directions change often,  

However, he did say the Twins don't have a clear direction as of yet going into 2026.  Those conversations happen between now and into November.  He also stated that those conversations WILL include the limited partners, so yes they have a say how the Twins move forward.  

We can go into the offseason with a clear plan.  With that being said, plans can and will change.  You never know what is going to happen when the phone starts ringing and conversations start flowing.  We can say that we expect Pablo and Ryan to be back, but if another team really wants Joe or Pablo and drastically overpays, the Twins wouldn't turn down the offer, nor should they.  If the Red Sox offered us Jarren Duran, Peyton Tolle/or Marcelo Mayer for Ryan, the Twins shouldn't turn down that offer.  Purely hypothetical and a gross overpay by Boston but it illustrates my point.

For what its worth, Falvey also stated that the new manager will have to work with developing talent at the major league level, but also with veteran guys that they bring in to help win. That tells me they are looking to add, but also has a whole host of meanings so we need to wait to see how that shakes out.

Jeremy Zoll was asked if there are any players that are untradeable.  He reiterated Buck has a full no trade clause and Buck is adamant about being a Twin for life.  They love Buck and excited he feels that way. He then went on to state that to speak on any other individual guy would be ill advised because they have to evaluate each and every opportunity.

Decoding what both Falvey and Zoll stated = Nobody is off the table (other than Buck), but the asking price will be very high and teams may not want to pay.  Personally, I hope both Pablo and Joe are back for 2026.

[IndianaTwin]

2 hours ago, Chembry said:

Falvey has been on record at least twice since the trade deadline saying he is looking forward to a 2026 rotation led by Pablo and Ryan.

In all reality, CEOs/People in leadership positions rarely speak in certainties because directions change often,  

However, he did say the Twins don't have a clear direction as of yet going into 2026.  Those conversations happen between now and into November.  He also stated that those conversations WILL include the limited partners, so yes they have a say how the Twins move forward.  

We can go into the offseason clear plan.  With that being said, plans can and will change.  You never know what is going to happen when the phone starts ringing and conversations start flowing.  We can say that we expect Pablo and Ryan to be back, but if another team really wants Joe or Pablo and drastically overpays, the Twins wouldn't turn down the offer, nor should they.  If they Red Sox offered us Jarren Duran, Peyton Tolle/or Marcelo Mayer for Ryan, the Twins shouldn't turn down that offer.  Purely hypothetical and a gross overpay by Boston but it illustrates my point.

For what its worth, Falvey also stated that the new manager will have to work with developing talent at the major league level, but also with veteran guys that they bring in to help win. That tells me they are looking to add, but also has a whole host of meanings so we need to wait to see how that shakes out.

Jeremy Zoll was asked if there are any players that are untradeable.  He reiterated Buck has a full no trade clause and Buck is adamant about being a Twin for life.  They love Buck and excited he feels that way. He then went on to state that to speak on any other individual guy would be ill advised because they have to evaluate each and every opportunity.

Decoding what both Falvey and Zoll stated = Nobody is off the table (other than Buck), but the asking price will be very high and teams may not want to pay.  Personally, I hope both Pablo and Joe are back for 2026.

People are down on Falvey (not unreasonably), so it's hard for some to see any possibilities for next year, but I think yours is an excellent take, particularly in your reminder that directions change (as they should).

I wish I could find the article, but I read quotes from Falvey this week where his words when talking about Lopez, Ryan and Ober sounded like an intent to build on them. It would have been easy for his response to the question to be, "We really like those three, but we're also pleased with how Abel and Bradley do this and how Matthews and SWR to this, etc. We think we can rely on our young pitchers for years to come." Instead, he used specifics in talking about what each of Lopez, Ryan and Ober bring to the table and how they would look atop a rotation.

As you note, they should listen to every offer, but I read his tone as a sign of hope -- in the vein of what you are saying, that the price to actually move one would be very high. And much as I hope they keep all three, if someone does offer a massive overpay, I agree they should take it. 

[Chembry]

11 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

People are down on Falvey (not unreasonably), so it's hard for some to see any possibilities for next year, but I think yours is an excellent take, particularly in your reminder that directions change (as they should).

I wish I could find the article, but I read quotes from Falvey this week where his words when talking about Lopez, Ryan and Ober sounded like an intent to build on them. It would have been easy for his response to the question to be, "We really like those three, but we're also pleased with how Abel and Bradley do this and how Matthews and SWR to this, etc. We think we can rely on our young pitchers for years to come." Instead, he used specifics in talking about what each of Lopez, Ryan and Ober bring to the table and how they would look atop a rotation.

As you note, they should listen to every offer, but I read his tone as a sign of hope -- in the vein of what you are saying, that the price to actually move one would be very high. And much as I hope they keep all three, if someone does offer a massive overpay, I agree they should take it. 

I also heard a statement from Falvey in an interview, but I can't seem to find it.  Like you said, he used specifics on how a rotation would look with Pablo, Ryan, and Ober leading the group.  He also said a nugget about adding to next years roster...but I can't find it and don't remember exactly how it was stated, so I didn't include it.  

[SteveLV]

If the Twins at least explore the trade market for Lopez and/or Ryan, I am thinking the Mets might be someone to talk to.  

After the collapse this year, I expect there will be extreme pressure to upgrade their team next year.  Their owner is willing to spend whatever it takes.

Potential trade targets would be McLean (impressive debut already), Jett Williams, Elian Pena (who  they spent $5M international money to sign a year ago) and possibly Will Watson.

I have a hard time the believing the Twins would be looking for OF prospects given their depth at that position.

The Phillies have already been trade partners and have nice pieces, as do the Yankees and Padres.

I am assuming it will be a big market team for a trade that would be happy with Lopez's contract and would sign Ryan to an extension.

Thoughts?  Likely/good trade targets?

[old nurse]

13 hours ago, glunn said:

This is from the Twins' website:

"Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that it is his “expectation” that star right-handers Pablo López and Joe Ryan will both be on the club when the 2026 season begins, but also granted that that is not a certainty at the current time."

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/derek-falvey-expects-joe-ryan-pablo-lopez-on-twins-in-2026

More false hope to encourage season ticket holders to renew?

It means if someone wants to blow them away with a trade offer they will listen.  My suspicion from the comment that Boston came in too late with an offer meant that there was a good potential for the trade but the scouting department did not have adequate information for them to make a trade  So yes they could be traded, but only if the price is right 

[SteveLV]

Since they no longer have a scouting department it should be easier to make trades, no?  :)

[ashbury]

13 hours ago, glunn said:

This is from the Twins' website:

"Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said Tuesday that it is his “expectation” that star right-handers Pablo López and Joe Ryan will both be on the club when the 2026 season begins, but also granted that that is not a certainty at the current time."

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/derek-falvey-expects-joe-ryan-pablo-lopez-on-twins-in-2026

More false hope to encourage season ticket holders to renew?

From the article: "Those guys [López and Ryan] are part of it, right? So that's my vision, that's my hope. That's my expectation as we sit here. It still requires some ongoing conversations with ownership and what that looks like."   

He's talking about cashflow, isn't he?  Who is he talking to?  He switched mid-thought from roster decisions to budget decisions.  The public doesn't want to hear this form of Inside Baseball,

If he wanted to express his uncertainty, he could have positioned it as "if some team offers us a deal that makes us better, of course we have to listen.  But the plan is Lopez and Ryan topping the rotation. We think that's exciting."

Cashflow is whatever ownership, with manifestly deep enough pockets to run a big-time business, decides what it is.  This isn't some mom-and-pop operation like a restaurant, where they can't perfectly forecast their hiring and personnel decisions a year in advance, and they could literally be out of money to write their payroll checks against.  No, if the Twins are running in the red, they have the means to cope.  So pull up those big-boy pants and run a big-time business.

This was the internal discussion the FO presumably had in July, before the deadline deals.  "Where do the numbers look for next year?  If we conduct a fire sale, what does that do to revenue for FY 2026?"   Why the continuing uncertainty 3 months later?

"Expectation" as corporate-speak is nearly as tone-deaf as "right-sizing."    Don't cut your marketing department off at the knees.  Make a commitment at the top level and stick with it.  If it turns out a year from now the forecasts were bad, then cover it, and figure out what made those estimates bad and don't keep repeating it.  But don't make it a topic of public discourse. 

Nobody cares about what the FO "hopes" and "expects" and their "conversations with ownership."  That's saying the quiet part out loud.

It feels like Dave St Peter never left.  (Because apparently he didn't.)

 

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, C-Gangster said:

Well whatever Falvely wants he gets so.

When do I get what I want?

[IndianaTwin]

2 hours ago, Chembry said:

I also heard a statement from Falvey in an interview, but I can't seem to find it.  Like you said, he used specifics on how a rotation would look with Pablo, Ryan, and Ober leading the group.  He also said a nugget about adding to next years roster...but I can't find it and don't remember exactly how it was stated, so I didn't include it.  

Two of us saying, "I heard this is going to happen," makes it a fact on the Internet, right? 😀

[USAFChief]

As usual, Falvey's corporate word salad actually said absolutely nothing, while allowing everyone listening to believe it said whatever the listener wants to hear.

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, ashbury said:

From the article: "Those guys [López and Ryan] are part of it, right? So that's my vision, that's my hope. That's my expectation as we sit here. It still requires some ongoing conversations with ownership and what that looks like."   

He's talking about cashflow, isn't he?  Who is he talking to?  He switched mid-thought from roster decisions to budget decisions.  The public doesn't want to hear this form of Inside Baseball,

If he wanted to express his uncertainty, he could have positioned it as "if some team offers us a deal that makes us better, of course we have to listen.  But the plan is Lopez and Ryan topping the rotation. We think that's exciting."

Cashflow is whatever ownership, with manifestly deep enough pockets to run a big-time business, decides what it is.  This isn't some mom-and-pop operation like a restaurant, where they can't perfectly forecast their hiring and personnel decisions a year in advance, and they could literally be out of money to write their payroll checks against.  No, if the Twins are running in the red, they have the means to cope.  So pull up those big-boy pants and run a big-time business.

This was the internal discussion the FO presumably had in July, before the deadline deals.  "Where do the numbers look for next year?  If we conduct a fire sale, what does that do to revenue for FY 2026?"   Why the continuing uncertainty 3 months later?

"Expectation" as corporate-speak is nearly as tone-deaf as "right-sizing."    Don't cut your marketing department off at the knees.  Make a commitment at the top level and stick with it.  If it turns out a year from now the forecasts were bad, then cover it, and figure out what made those estimates bad and don't keep repeating it.  But don't make it a topic of public discourse. 

Nobody cares about what the FO "hopes" and "expects" and their "conversations with ownership."  That's saying the quiet part out loud.

It feels like Dave St Peter never left.  (Because apparently he didn't.)

 

I came to add the rest of the context of the quote, you beat me to it. The word "expects" isn't what catches my eye at all. Not even a little. It's the word "hope" that stands out. Who cares about "expects" when "hope" is involved. The president of everything involved in the organization's stance is "hope?" Yeah, that is far more concerning than saying he "expects" something. I get selling the fans hope, but now he's trying to sell himself hope?

Falvey has always, always, always said they're willing to listen on every deal. And they should be. You should never just refuse to answer the phone. But set a price that's appropriate and don't accept less. Most conversations will be very brief. He could've given the exact same answer he always gives and said "we're always willing to listen," but that isn't what he said. This was a brutal answer that absolutely sounds like payroll has a very real chance of staying where it is now (in the 90-100 mil range?) or even going down. And if that's the case those guys are very much on the block.

The whole quote is FAR more damning than just "expects."

[Chembry]

2 hours ago, SteveLV said:

If the Twins at least explore the trade market for Lopez and/or Ryan, I am thinking the Mets might be someone to talk to.  

After the collapse this year, I expect there will be extreme pressure to upgrade their team next year.  Their owner is willing to spend whatever it takes.

Potential trade targets would be McLean (impressive debut already), Jett Williams, Elian Pena (who  they spent $5M international money to sign a year ago) and possibly Will Watson.

I have a hard time the believing the Twins would be looking for OF prospects given their depth at that position.

The Phillies have already been trade partners and have nice pieces, as do the Yankees and Padres.

I am assuming it will be a big market team for a trade that would be happy with Lopez's contract and would sign Ryan to an extension.

Thoughts?  Likely/good trade targets?

I don't think the Twins will look at OF targets either, but we need help at C, 1B, and RP.  I assume that if the right opportunities present themselves, the Twins will only trade either Pablo or Ryan, but not both.  I may be wrong though.  I also assume that the Twins want a top 100 prospect that can make a MLB impact right away or a highly regarded cost controlled guy that was a recent prospect.   There are a myriad of possibilities of trade targets, so let's break it out by team (not every team, just a select few that could fit):

Red Sox: We know the Red Sox love Ryan and tried to acquire him at the last minute.  That package was rumored to include Peyton Tolle and Marcelo Mayer, but the Twins wanted a package headlined with Jarren Durran or Wilyer Abreu.  If the Red Sox offer Jarren Duran in a trade I think the Twins will think hard about it, but not necessarily a target.

Targets:

Marcelo Mayer (INF) (#15 prospect in 2024), but he is coming off a season ending wrist injury. Trevor Story and Bregman may opt out and Red Sox may need his services.

Peyton Tolle (LHP) (#27 Overall, #2 Bos, #3 LHP in MLB)- Can never have too much pitching.  Climbed from A+ to MLB in his first full season of pro ball and made BOS roster for the wild card round.  Pitched in last nights game. Came in with the bases loaded, 2 outs, and down 1 run in the bottom 8th inning.  That gives you the idea in the confidence BOS has in him.   

Triston Casas (1B): Dealt with injuries the past few years, but still only 25 years old.  At 23 he played 132 games with a .263 avg, 24 HR, 65 RBI, .856 OPS, 26.5% K rate.  A true power hitting 1B that will K a decent amount, not a great runner, and also a below average fielder

Yankees: There is quite a bit of talk about the Yankees moving Judge to 1B due to his elbow issues.  The Yankees could inquire about Wallner or Larnach as well as Pablo/Ryan.  If that is the case, that could make Ben Rice or Austin Wells available.  The Yankees don't have a ton of high end prospects that are close to MLB ready.  George Lombard is in AA and didn't hit particularly well there (.215).  Spencer Jones is a LH hitting OF, and we are abundant in that regard. 

Targets: 

Ben Rice (C/1B): Hit .255 avg, 26 HR, 65 RBI, .836 OPS in 138g this year.  Played 99g at 1B and 37g at C. Below avg catcher, average 1B, but is a pretty good hitter.  His batting run value is in the 87th percentile in MLB this year.

Austin Wells (C): Hit .219 avg, 21 HR, 71 RBI, .712 OPS in 126g this year.  Very good defensive catcher.  Threw out 24% base stealers.  Can also play 1B...played 28g in college there.  

Cubs:  The Cubs are interesting and they have quite a few targets we could go after.  

Targets:

Moises Ballesteros (C/1B) (#50 MLB, #2 Cubs, #4C): Very good hitter. Hit .316 at AAA and .298 in 20g with the Cubs.  Made the Wild Card Roster.  Not a great defensive catcher, 18% CS rate at AAA.  Can also play 1B and played 62 games there in the Minors

Miguel Amaya (C/1B): Probably not a headliner, but could be thrown in because the Cubs have Ballesteros.  Dealt with a few injuries this year but hit .281/4 HR/25 RBI/.814 OPS in 28g this year.  Career .236 avg over 3 years.  However, has a career 17% CS rate at MLB and 36% CS rate in minors.  Can also play 1B

Michael Bush (1B): Traditional power hitting 1B, but I don't think the Cubs will part from him.  He hit .261 avg/34 HR/90 RBI/.866 OPS in 155g this year.  He is a bit older at 28, but under team control through 2029. 

Johnathon Long (1B) (#7 Cubs, #6 1B): Traditional power hitting 1B.  Hit .305/20 HR/ 91 RBI/.883 OPS this year at AAA.  Slow runner and average fielder at 1B.

Kevin Alcantara (OF) (#5 Cubs): If the Twins want a RH hitting OF, he may be the guy. Hit .266/17 HR/69 RBI/.819 OPS in AAA, but also has a 29.5% K rate at AAA. Hit .364 in 10 games this year with the Cubs.   

Mariners: The Mariners were in the hunt for Jhoan Duran.  There has been some speculation as to who they offered but there really isn't many targets they have, but the one they have is very good.  Most of their prospects are in A ball with the exception of Colt Emmerson, who is almost certainly off limits.

Target:

Harry Ford (C/OF) (#39 MLB, #4 SEA, #2 C):  Harry Ford could bridge the gap until Tait arrives.  He is blocked by Raleigh at the MLB level.  Not your prototypical catcher because he has speed.  Hit .283/16 HR/74 RBI/.868 OPS in AAA this year. Stole 35 bases at AA last year.  Good defensive C that has thrown out 23% of potential stolen bases in the minors. 

These are just the targets that I have looked at in the past and I am sure there are plenty of others.

       

 

 

[shortround81]

For a split second I thought Joe Ryan was doing stand-up comedy for the Mets

[SteveLV]

Some trade targets that intrigue me:

Bryce Eldridge, SFGiants.  Big bopping LH 1B who had a cup of coffee already;

Bradgley Rodriquez, SDPadres: Flame thrower RP who made their post season roster at 21;

Jaxon Wiggins, CCubs; RHP in AAA with good stuff;

Carlos Lagrange, NYY; gigantic RHP in AA with great stuff;

Henry Lalane, NYY; gigantic LHP in A with great stuff;

AIdan Miller, PPhillies; stud SS in AAA (may not be available)

There are plenty of others, but if you are trading premium players you should get premium young talent back.

Anyone else folks are intriqued with?  I don't want anyone over 24 since our horizon is a couple years and 2027 is in jeopardy.

[tony&rodney]

3 hours ago, SteveLV said:

Anyone else folks are intriqued with? 

There are so many choices and opportunities will be available. Nobody knows what teams will be willing to part with talent and so all of our guesses are equally valid/invalid.

I'm wondering about JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals), Max Clark (Tigers), Brody Hopkins (Rays), Harry Ford & Jurrangelo Cijntje (Mariners), Jeferson Quero (Brewers), Jared Jones (Pirates), and Jordan Lawler (Diamondbacks). Oh, and I want all of them.

I do like some of the other players people have mentioned like: Jaxon Wiggins & Kevin Alcantara (Cubs), Ben Rice & Austin Wells (Yankees), and some Red Sox guys (Ceddanne Rafaela, Payton Tolle, Marcelo Mayer, Franklin Arias, and Jarren Duran. It might be difficult to acquire established players.

Hopefully the Twins complete 4-7 trades to avoid 100+ losses in 2026, but more importantly to add needed talent to the team. Of course this will cost us fans some of our dear players.

[jorgenswest]

Falvey would be foolish to say they planned to trade Ryan and Lopez. That would depress the return. Other teams need to believe that the Twins expect to keep them. He needs teams to know that not only are they competing against each other but also a bar they have set before they will be traded

A few years back Falvey said early after the 2023 season that they were going to reduce the budget. He needed to go the word salad direction then and he needs to now. The last thing he would want to be is transparent to the other teams. Sometimes word salad is better.

I will be paying attention to their actions and not their words.

[ashbury]

6 hours ago, USAFChief said:

As usual, Falvey's corporate word salad actually said absolutely nothing

Nothing would be an improvement.

[Vanimal46]

3 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Jurrangelo Cijntje (Mariners)

This player might become the next great thing, but it's going to take 4-7 years for people to learn how to spell his name correctly

[tony&rodney]

25 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

This player might become the next great thing, but it's going to take 4-7 years for people to learn how to spell his name correctly

Got to have him so Gladden can be tortured saying his name. Great spelling for sure. I watched him pitch a couple of times this summer. He looked good. Smaller guy but has stuff.

[Vanimal46]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Got to have him so Gladden can be tortured saying his name. Great spelling for sure. I watched him pitch a couple of times this summer. He looked good. Smaller guy but has stuff.

For the record, a Joe Ryan for Jarren Duran + whatever else it takes to complete that trade is something I'm still very interested in. Duran is controlled through 2029, and the Red Sox can figure out what it takes to lock in Ryan long term. 

[USAFChief]

9 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

For the record, a Joe Ryan for Jarren Duran + whatever else it takes to complete that trade is something I'm still very interested in. Duran is controlled through 2029, and the Red Sox can figure out what it takes to lock in Ryan long term. 

Not at all interested in Jarren Duran. 29 years old. One outlier season.