Five Pohlad Family Minnesota Twins Payroll Levels, and What They'll Mean

[John Bonnes]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

During Twins President Derek Falvey’s wide-ranging, season-ending sit-down with the media on Tuesday, he was asked what the Twins' payroll would be in 2026. He didn’t answer, but we’ll find out. And when that number is released, I want you to understand what it means. So I’m going to give you five payroll levels and what they mean for the future of your Minnesota Twins. That’s because there was also one inadvertent admission during that session: payroll matters. 

Falvey was also asked how he viewed the Twins roster for the 2026 season. He replied that it depended on ownership. “Specifically working with ownership around exactly what the vision is for this team going forward and opportunities and the markets and things like that.” That’s an interesting and backwards response, because usually ownership would lean on, say, their President of Baseball Operations to evaluate the current level of the team and the free agent market.  But you know what ownership can dictate?

They can dictate a payroll budget, which was the very next question. “I think that’s a conversation that we’ll continue to have, certainly with the Pohlads and whatever conversation they’d like me to have with the limited partners”, replied Falvey. So Falvey doesn’t know what we can expect from the Twins next year until he talks to ownership. And he doesn’t know what he has to spend until he talks to ownership. 

Well, of course. It is well-documented that the decline of the Twins' payroll has influenced the decline of the Twins over the last two years. However, it has also been the primary limitation of the team since its inception. For that matter, it has been a critical factor of every baseball team throughout their history, and while we’re at it, for the vast majority of other businesses as well. 

Listen, I love underdog Disney movies, too. But our love of underdog Disney movies doesn’t change the way the world works. In fact, our sad understanding of the way the world works is what makes us love underdog Disney movies. Payroll matters.

So let’s look at the five levels at which the Pohlads and their new limited partners could reasonably be expected to fund payroll for 2026. They correspond with five grades fans should give them. But before we get to that, you have to know one number: 95. 

$95 million is roughly what it will cost the Twins to retain the team they have. Below is the 2026 roster and rough estimates for players' salaries. I’d encourage the baseball geeks to check my work, and more casual fans to peruse what the lineup and bullpen look like.

If $95M is the baseline, here are the five levels (and grades) that Twins fans should reasonably expect.

$80M - Grade: F
At this level, ownership is telling you that the historic trade deadline fire sale still wasn’t enough to satisfy their money-lust. To get to this level, the team will either need to trade away some combination of 

1. Pablo Lopez, or 
2. Joe Ryan AND Ryan Jeffers, or
3. Byron Buxton (who has a no-trade clause).

If the knife cuts this deep, there’s a decent chance that $80M would be the lowest payroll in MLB, behind the Athletics, Marlins, and Rays. The Twins’ win expectations (and likely, attendance) would reflect this. 

$100M - Grade D
At this level, ownership is fielding the same team that went 19-36 after the trade deadline, or they’re trading away one of the names above to free up some cash to add some minor free agents, like a couple of low-leverage relievers or a Ty France-level bat. This is a below .500 team. (Maybe well below .500.)

$120M - Grade C
This was roughly what the team’s payroll was this year. They would have about $25M to spend, which is either enough room to add one big bat, or to add a couple of semi-decent bats at first base and designated hitter, and maybe a bargain reliever. The Twins would be projected to be a .500 team and a wild-card also-ran. 

$140M - Grade B
This was roughly what the team’s payroll was going into 2025, before they traded away $25M in payroll at the trade deadline. They would have about $45M to spend, which is definitely enough to add two middle-of-the-order bats and a decent reliever or two. They would be projected to be a wild-card contender.

$160M - Grade A
This is about the Twins' payroll in 2023, when they beat Toronto in the Wild Card round. It is also $20-30M below the average MLB payroll in 2026. However, it provides $65M to spend, which can be allocated to a combination of two or three big bats, two lockdown relievers, and possibly some complementary pieces. They would be an AL Central contender or Wild Card team. 

So, there you have it: five payroll levels, five grades, and five expectations. The fact that Falvey is entering an offseason claiming not to know which level we should expect is alarming, because surely that would be revealed if he knew it was good news. Whatever the news, he’s going to have to find a way to make the best of it, because payroll matters. And we Twins fans will have to do the same.

---

What will the payroll level be? What should it be? Let us know below. 

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[Cory Engelhardt]

I don't at all see Larnach back. It's also possible that both Jeffers and Ober aren't on the team next year, so within just those three the numbers above add up to 19 million. Just throwing this out as another way to get a lower payroll without dealing Lopez or Ryan. Do have to find 2 catchers then at that point, but it's not unheard of.

Hopefully the front office is free to make creative and multiple moves this offseason.

[dxpavelka]

Two things.  Not sure why we would "expect a number to be released."  # 2:  It's easy to spend someone else's money.  All that being said, I'd hold my cards and make one big acquisition:  Pete Alonzo.  He's a Boras guy, we have a history with Boras. We haven't had a real bopper at 1B in damn near two decades. If Martin is your LF, Klemens can play four other spots. Sure, we didn't like the way things turned out with Correa but there might be a way to get something done.  It might take longer than we want but that's part of the deal.  But, of course, there is one thing you can always count on from Twins fans:  As much as they hate the team not spending money, in the end, they hate them spending money just as much.

[Jeff K]

None of us know which way this is going, but for starters, I do not believe Larnach will be on the opening day roster.  His spot is better utilized by one of our young outfielders.  I don't view this as a money saving move, but a smart baseball decision...which, of course, has to weigh the value of money against the roster spot and internal growth.  I'm not crazy about keeping Wallner, but his salary is compelling and he still has upside...whether he taps it is another question altogether.

[In My La Z boy]

As of today we're projected to have the #2 farm system in all of baseball. This seems to be our greatest asset. How will we utilize this greatest asset will be the question? Will ownership allow us to keep what we currently have in Lopez Ryan Ober & Jeffers ($44.5M) - will Falvey play the hot prospects coming, or do we have room now to trade prospects to fill holes and try and compete? Who manages this team, and who can get the most out of the prospects? Lots of questions?

[Whitey333]

My expectation is payroll will be under 100 million.  Maybe significantly under 100 million.  As in the past fans will be blamed for the decrease payroll because of poor attendance.  For a team to trade so many players to cut payroll, it makes no sense to drive the payroll back up.  I fully expect Lopez will be traded to save another 21 million.  He's a luxury on a bottom feeding team like the Twins.  Pete Alonso?  I sure don't see that as an option.  Cost would be way too much.  The team need much more than an aging, albeit good, firstbaseman to be a contender.  My instinct tells me payroll will be significantly cut this off season.  We are likely headed for a few years of low payroll and very poor baseball.  I sincerely hope im wrong.  It could get very ugly.

[Brandon]

If we get a bump in payroll the acquisitions should be front loaded extensions for Jeffers Ryan and a low cost 2 year deal with option for Ober.  Then some low cost relievers.  Outside of maybe 1 bat and 7 relievers, I don’t see too much for the Twins to do.  

[LewFordLives]

I fully expect their payroll will be below $100 million in 2026. They'll go dumpster diving and hold tryouts to fill out the bullpen and maybe add a has-been/never-was to platoon at first base.

And honestly, if they had another $20 million to spend do you think it would really make that much difference?  As the article states, it maybe gets them to 0.500.  Is that what we aspire to?  

I think 2026 will be about figuring out what they currently have and then build from there.

[Nashvilletwin]

Way too much focus on a $ amount and way too less focus on the strategy.

The Twins have most certainly embraced a strategy to reduce cash costs in the near term (‘26-‘27) while hoarding an overflow of projectable developable assets with which to emerge from the likely lengthy lockout in ‘27.  As part of that strategy, any player who is not projected to be in the system in ‘28 is vulnerable to be traded or cut.  The higher the cost of such players, the more likely those players are traded (or cut).

Conversely, if a player currently outside the Twins system who projects to be part of the core in ‘28 and beyond could be acquired via trade or free agency, then they may be added. But it is much more likely that those players are not near term expensive FAs.

Sadly, winning in 2026, especially by adding short term expensive FAs, is not a priority. Having a modicum of attendance draw for ‘26 is definitely a consideration, but not paramount.

Thus, the key question is: which players currently on the Twins roster will most likely not be part of the team in ‘28 for whatever reason (cost, age, ability, health, etc.)?  The logical follow up question is then which of these players could add most to the strategy (i.e lower near term payroll while adding to new core in ‘28) via their departure from the team in the near term?

The answers to those two questions - as it pertains especially to some of our favorite top producing players - is fairly obvious:

1. Buxton’s trade value will never be higher and, given his health history and age, it’s not unreasonable to assume a fair amount of risk for his abilities in ‘28 and beyond.  It’s his choice, however.

2. Lopez is under contract for ‘26 and ‘27. He will not be renewed and he is our most expensive player. His trade value should be very high despite the late season injury concerns.

3. Ryan’s trade value should be off the charts. He is controllable for two more years but is getting more expensive. His age is such that he could be extended; however, the cost, along with his seemingly frustration with the franchise, make that unlikely.  Too bad - he could be the ideal #1 veteran starter leading the rotation in ‘28.

4. Jeffer is also under contract for two more years.  His price is reasonable and there are very little catching assets in system that could replace him in ‘26.  But the Twins made an effort to find those assets to be ready by ‘28.  Thus, Jeffers is not going to be part of the post lockout core. He probably is on the roster breaking camp in ‘26, but a pre deadline trade is likely.

5. Ober is also controllable via arbitration for the next two seasons. But he’s not that good. It is unlikely that he is part of the core post ‘27.  He costs less than Ryan and his trade value is much less. So he might stay for a year or two - but no guarantees.

Of these five players, Ryan is the only one who could project to be a key cog in ‘28 and beyond plans.  Ideally we would find a way to make that happen.  Maybe utilize the cost savings from moving the other four to help extend him. But there is a high likelihood all five of those players are not on the roster post mid July next season.

 

 

[terrydactyls]

I think 2026 will a year spent lining up the Twins so that the Pohlad's can sell them for maximum profit.  Record?  Who cares?  It's the bottom line that counts.

[Permanent Twins Fan]

I think that the payroll will probably be around 120 Million. A couple of middle to high end bullpen arms and a first basemen would be nice adds to supplement a decent core. I don't see the Twins contending for a championship next year, but with the rotation they have they could be a good team

[Rufus]

Relax you could be an Athletics, Marlins, Pirates fan or lord forbid following everyone's example of what it takes to be a winning team a (gasp) Mets fan.  Yup the Mets they have the second highest payroll in baseball.  Their owner throws money around like confetti in a ticker tape parade.   Cleveland and Milwaukee have lower payroll than the Twins but are both in the playoffs. The ridiculous idea that a teams success is based on how much their payroll is mystifies me.  The idea that the Twins should be graded on payroll is outright stupid. Going out and throwing money at 30 something ego laden free agents seldom works (ask the Mets).  The true super stars are not coming to mid market teams and the rest of the pack can usually be replaced by upcoming players  A good farm system feeder program and free agents like the Twins signed this year. Franz, Colombe, Badar cost them minimum dollars and they were able to flip them for some top prospects.  It isn't how much money you spend it's how you spend your money.  

[4twinsJA]

I think payroll will be around 100M. Twins will not sign any significant FAs. For one thing, FAs would have to want to come to Twins, why would Alonso want to come to Twins. Lopez and  Buxton are the only players with contracts for next year, could see both gone. Their salaries stick out like a sore thumb on list of contracts for next year.

[DJL44]

This team has a LOT of pre-arb talent. It doesn't need to spend $160M to be competitive. The Brewers led the NL in wins with a $120M payroll.

I would be looking to trade Ober and Larnach because they have better, cheaper, younger talent ready to take those spots. That frees up $12M and returns talent to fill holes elsewhere.

If they're going to spend money, SS, C and 1B are the places to spend. I don't think they need to spend $75M on those three positions to compete in the AL Central.

[Woof Bronzer]

5 minutes ago, Rufus said:

Relax you could be an Athletics, Marlins, Pirates fan or lord forbid following everyone's example of what it takes to be a winning team a (gasp) Mets fan.  Yup the Mets they have the second highest payroll in baseball.  Their owner throws money around like confetti in a ticker tape parade.  Yet they have not been in the playoffs since 2015.  Cleveland and Milwaukee have lower payroll than the Twins but are both in the playoffs. The ridiculous idea that a teams success is based on how much their payroll is mystifies me.  The idea that the Twins payroll should graded on payroll is outright stupid. Going out and throwing money at 30 something ego laden free agents seldom works.  A team needs to build a team through a strong farm system.   It isn't how much money you spend it's how you spend your money.  

It's quite the world you've constructed here, a land of sunshine and lollipops where the only thing that matters is competency, but unfortunately it's just a fantasy.  The Mets made the NLCS is 2024. They made the World Series in 2015.  They have unquestionably been more successful over the past 3 decades than the Twins.  Since the last Twins series exactly 1 team in the bottom 1/3 of payroll has won a World Series.  Payroll matters.  It's not the only thing that matters.  But to pretend it doesn't matter is delusional. 

[rdehring]

29 minutes ago, Rufus said:

Relax you could be an Athletics, Marlins, Pirates fan or lord forbid following everyone's example of what it takes to be a winning team a (gasp) Mets fan.  Yup the Mets they have the second highest payroll in baseball.  Their owner throws money around like confetti in a ticker tape parade.  Yet they have not been in the playoffs since 2015.  Cleveland and Milwaukee have lower payroll than the Twins but are both in the playoffs. The ridiculous idea that a teams success is based on how much their payroll is mystifies me.  The idea that the Twins payroll should graded on payroll is outright stupid. Going out and throwing money at 30 something ego laden free agents seldom works.  A team needs to build a team through a strong farm system.   It isn't how much money you spend it's how you spend your money.  

Finished reading this piece, John, and was flat out disappointed.  Was going to comment, but that was before reading Rufus' comment above.  Fantastic response, Rufus.  Also appreciated Nashville's comment and others like DJL who referred to the idea that what you do with said $$$ is as important as how many dollars a team spends.

[The Great Hambino]

Has there been any indication of what the timeline for league approval of the limited partners is supposed to be?  I haven't found anything more concrete than "after the season" or "hopefully by the end of the calendar year."

I ask because if they're waiting for the winter meetings to approve them, then that would only increase the probability of low investment in 2026, right?  If they have to make all their 40 man decisions (which must be made before the winter meetings) before approval, I can't imagine they'll be taking an aggressive approach.  I don't think there's any reason approval has to wait until the winter meetings - the Rays sale was approved during the season, after all - but the longer it goes without hearing anything about it, the more curious I become

In my opinion, this wouldn't ultimately matter since I don't think these limited partners are interested in anything more than a return on their investment, and the simplest way to guarantee that in the short term is to cut costs.   But that's just me reading tea leaves.  We won't know for sure until they're approved.   But if there's still uncertainty by the time 40 man rosters are set and offseason transactions start happening, I can't imagine the Pohlads throwing money at that kind of uncertainty

[USAFChief]

24 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

It's quite the world you've constructed here, a land of sunshine and lollipops where the only thing that matters is competency, but unfortunately it's just a fantasy.  The Mets made the NLCS is 2024. They made the World Series in 2015.  They have unquestionably been more successful over the past 3 decades than the Twins.  Since the last Twins series exactly 1 team in the bottom 1/3 of payroll has won a World Series.  Payroll matters.  It's not the only thing that matters.  But to pretend it doesn't matter is delusional. 

Concur.

There's an undeniable connection in MLB between payroll and winning  

[Peter]

Lopez/ryan and Buxton aren’t going anywhere!!! Just stop with that!!! It’s not happening!!! Larnach/jeffers/Wallner hopefully won’t be back!!! With trades made and top prospects coming up twins will be much better and more competitive!!! Winning will happen soon enough and future is bright!!! 

[USAFChief]

As to the Twins and 2026, I'll wait to form opinions until I see the roster. But as of right now, it's difficult to imagine any scenario that has the Twins even a .500 team. No matter the payroll add, 

And I'd be shocked if there's much if any payroll add.

 

[laloesch]

Don't be the least bit surprised if they flip Lopez this offseason for prospects or potentially Ryan.

[laloesch]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

I think 2026 will a year spent lining up the Twins so that the Pohlad's can sell them for maximum profit.  Record?  Who cares?  It's the bottom line that counts.

I still think ultimately, they will sell the team in the next few years.  The limited partners would be kept on or take on larger percentages.

[jmlease1]

I'd be rather amazed if they get the team back up to $120M in payroll; I'm anticipating a $100M payroll or so, with the front office being told (behind closed doors of course) that if they want to spend more they'll have to trade away more salary. This will likely lead to Lopez & Ryan being dealt, mostly for prospects, and the front office spreading around $30M or so on 3-5 free agents to fill holes at 1B, backup catcher, possibly backup SS, and adding some veteran arms to the bullpen that are more than just waiver-wire fodder. Fans will then be told to appreciate how much investment the team has made in the 2026 squad.

I do not think this will work, unless quite a few rookies/young players get substantial playing time and are all good at the same time.

If we get a $120M payroll, I expect similar action, with only 1 of Lopez/Ryan being dealt. I suspect results will be better, but not playoff-worthy.

I see absolutely zero chance the ownership will set a payroll higher than $120M. Zero. They were leaking that the team was going to lose $30M with last season's payroll before the fire sale & salary dump, and while I don't think anyone should ever believe anything the Pohlad's say about money without proof and a forensic accountant, that was a signal that they ain't spending $140M on this team again.

I think there's better than even odds that we have a payroll closer to $80M than $100M, and that both Lopez & Ryan are traded, with $10-$20M being spent on dumpster-diving FA's, mostly at backup catcher and in the bullpen.

If I had the opportunity to speaking with Joe Pohlad or Derek Falvey in public setting, in front of reporters, I'd love to lay out these scenarios, and conclude with "Prove me wrong."

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, Rufus said:

Relax you could be an Athletics, Marlins, Pirates fan or lord forbid following everyone's example of what it takes to be a winning team a (gasp) Mets fan.  Yup the Mets they have the second highest payroll in baseball.  Their owner throws money around like confetti in a ticker tape parade.  Yet they have not been in the playoffs since 2015.  Cleveland and Milwaukee have lower payroll than the Twins but are both in the playoffs. The ridiculous idea that a teams success is based on how much their payroll is mystifies me.  The idea that the Twins should be graded on payroll is outright stupid. Going out and throwing money at 30 something ego laden free agents seldom works (ask the Mets).  The true super stars are not coming to mid market teams and the rest of the pack can usually be replaced by upcoming players  A good farm system feeder program and free agents like the Twins signed this year. Franz, Colombe, Badar cost them minimum dollars and they were able to flip them for some top prospects.  It isn't how much money you spend it's how you spend your money.  

The Mets were in the NLCS last season. They were a wild card team in 2022. Yes, spending doesn't guarantee winning, and it's not always going to be the top 6 payrolls in each league making the playoffs. But it isn't hard to find the multitude of studies showing that payroll and winning in Major League Baseball are correlated. Pointing to 3 outliers and saying it's "mystifying" is pretty wild. The highest spending teams in baseball win more than the lower spending teams. It's been this way for a long time. 

I think you should do some research on the overall correlation between payroll and record before calling anything "outright stupid." I'll help out with this handy little chart to start. Yes, there's a handful of overachievers and the Angels being way off, but otherwise it's a pretty clear correlation. Payroll matters.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Only the laws of diminished expectations make me say that the absolute max payroll I see for 2026 is $120M, with a likelihood that it will likely be less.  $160M would be a much better place to be, but I'm not seeing it.  More importantly, in order to field anything resembling a team for less than $120M, one or more of Lopez/Ryan/Buxton/Jeffers will need to be dealt for payroll space in order to even be functional as a team, as the team is below replacement level in multiple spots.  We get excited about Martin and Clemens, but lets be realistic.  Are they starters on a serious baseball team in the major leagues?  I think not.  We look ahead with anticipation that Jenkins, Culpepper, et al will be powerhouses, but again, being realistic, maybe one will be really good, another pretty solid, and others will be "wonder why that player missed after such a promising prospecthood."  

Every year posters point to the one or two low budget teams that make the playoffs as proof that you don't need to spend a lot to be good.  In absolute terms, that's correct, but again, I'm a realist.  There is a very high correlation between payroll and success in MLB.  Yes, the right combination of young talent and a little luck can help a team overachieve a little, and yes, it is possible to bungle a high payroll into poor results (ahem. . . Mets), but the odds are stacked a certain way and getting the payroll to a competitive number will certainly help the results.  

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Concur.

There's an undeniable connection in MLB between payroll and winning  

The evidence is indisputable.  There is no doubt the highest payroll teams have produced the most playoff or 90-win teams if you want an easy objective to compare against.  That said, I bet the correlation between revenue and payroll is much higher than the correlation between winning and payroll.  The question that should be asked but never is would be how the Twins revenue rank compares to their payroll rank.  There have countless articles complaining about spending but if there has ever been an article that was meant to provide an objective and quantifiable measure of Twins spending, I missed it.  Not one TD writer has ever written an article focused on providing an objective measure as far as I know.  What is reasonable to expect is that the team spends the same percentage of revenue as other teams.  Expecting a team with 90% of average revenue to spend like a team with a 110% of average revenue will result in disappointment.  That's a $70M swing.

Perhaps more to the point is that three teams (Cleveland, Tampa, and Milwaukee) have been more successful than all of the other teams in the bottom half of revenue any many others outside the top 5 in revenue.  There is often almost an obsession with spending that tends to ignore the realities of revenue.  It also completely ignores how teams without a revenue advantage have managed to construct winning teams.  

The evidence of how to win with average or less revenue is as clear as the advantage of a larger payroll.  Ignoring that very clear evidence is not what I hope for from the Twins.  I want them to follow the acquisition strategies that have made the teams mentioned above successful.  Those strategies are at odds with building through free agency.  Those teams also do far more trading for prospects than they do trading away prospects.  

A low payroll in 2026 would be indicative of following the strategies that have made Cleveland, Tampa, and Milwaukee successful.  Once they actually have a viable core, they should spend for final piece or two.  We are not remotely in that position.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Way too much focus on a $ amount and way too less focus on the strategy.

The Twins have most certainly embraced a strategy to reduce cash costs in the near term (‘26-‘27) while hoarding an overflow of projectable developable assets with which to emerge from the likely lengthy lockout in ‘27.  As part of that strategy, any player who is not projected to be in the system in ‘28 is vulnerable to be traded or cut.  The higher the cost of such players, the more likely those players are traded (or cut).

Conversely, if a player currently outside the Twins system who projects to be part of the core in ‘28 and beyond could be acquired via trade or free agency, then they may be added. But it is much more likely that those players are not near term expensive FAs.

Sadly, winning in 2026, especially by adding short term expensive FAs, is not a priority. Having a modicum of attendance draw for ‘26 is definitely a consideration, but not paramount.

Thus, the key question is: which players currently on the Twins roster will most likely not be part of the team in ‘28 for whatever reason (cost, age, ability, health, etc.)?  The logical follow up question is then which of these players could add most to the strategy (i.e lower near term payroll while adding to new core in ‘28) via their departure from the team in the near term?

The answers to those two questions - as it pertains especially to some of our favorite top producing players - is fairly obvious:

1. Buxton’s trade value will never be higher and, given his health history and age, it’s not unreasonable to assume a fair amount of risk for his abilities in ‘28 and beyond.  It’s his choice, however.

2. Lopez is under contract for ‘26 and ‘27. He will not be renewed and he is our most expensive player. His trade value should be very high despite the late season injury concerns.

3. Ryan’s trade value should be off the charts. He is controllable for two more years but is getting more expensive. His age is such that he could be extended; however, the cost, along with his seemingly frustration with the franchise, make that unlikely.  Too bad - he could be the ideal #1 veteran starter leading the rotation in ‘28.

4. Jeffer is also under contract for two more years.  His price is reasonable and there are very little catching assets in system that could replace him in ‘26.  But the Twins made an effort to find those assets to be ready by ‘28.  Thus, Jeffers is not going to be part of the post lockout core. He probably is on the roster breaking camp in ‘26, but a pre deadline trade is likely.

5. Ober is also controllable via arbitration for the next two seasons. But he’s not that good. It is unlikely that he is part of the core post ‘27.  He costs less than Ryan and his trade value is much less. So he might stay for a year or two - but no guarantees.

Of these five players, Ryan is the only one who could project to be a key cog in ‘28 and beyond plans.  Ideally we would find a way to make that happen.  Maybe utilize the cost savings from moving the other four to help extend him. But there is a high likelihood all five of those players are not on the roster post mid July next season.

 

 

I don't disagree with you because of the last caveat - won't be with the team post July. There is a lot of speculation here about trading Lopez, Ryan, etc, in the off season. I think that's unlikely for the baseball reason that starting pitching is more valuable in trade at the deadline, and the business reason that the team needs something to sell tickets early. I think they wait until mid-season and, if the team isn't contending, major fire sale. Ober, on the other hand, I could see being traded if he can get us anything decent but that may be unlikely.  Frankly, we're stuck with him unless we're willing to take a low minors prospect or mediocre reliever. 

By the way, I would take that roster, subtract Larnach, and add Laweryson and Ohl to two of the RH MR slots. Larnach's replacement is in the organization; we just don't know if it's Fedko for the RH bat and 1B flexibility, or if both Outman and Roden make the team. The younger guys like Gonzalez,  Jenkins, or Emma, will start off in AAA for development and service time reasons, not up until mid-June at least unless there are injuries. 

[Vanimal46]

We've got 40 something years of history with this ownership group. When have they ever spent to dig themselves out of a hole? I wouldn't advocate for it anyway, because it would be foolish to do so. 

- Minority ownership still yet to be approved

- TV contract still a mess... Are we going to be sold off to ESPN now? 

- Attendance next year will be at an all-time low 

$120 million is a stretch goal at best. Below $100 million is more likely while we wait for the "loaded farm system" to produce anything of relevance. 

[thelanges5]

The most important thing is the transactions that Falvey and Zoll make, no matter what the number is. I don’t have a lot of faith in those two right now. 

[tony&rodney]

I'm more concerned about the talent on the roster and the style of play from the team. A plan that continues to lean on home runs for offense, going one base at a time doesn't score enough runs A group of players who work hard but struggle to be slightly below average or worse at fielding their position allows to many base hits that should be outs and stresses the pitching staff. As such, there needs to be changes in the 13 players who comprise the position player side of the roster. The changes we saw after August 15 seemed more like Baldelli than a new team approach.