Does Anyone Want to Come Here?

[DMcQ]

9 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

If I am a once top prospect catcher looking for a fresh start and opportunity Minnesota would be near the top of my list. There is a clear opening at number 2 and a chance to be number 1 if Jeffers is moved at the deadline. Opportunities in the Twins bullpen are vast. There is an opportunity to come here take over the closer role during the season and change a career. It may be an opportunity a former top prospect shortstop or first baseman would take.

There are players out there that just need a fresh start and new opportunity to take the next step. Anyone looking for that opportunity should want to come here.

 

Some good points, but they would have to want to take a pay cut in most cases.  I would hate to lose Jeffers, but even he might become too expensive. 

 

[Riverbrian]

11 hours ago, old nurse said:

The in demand free agents never came here. They used the Twins as leverage to get a better contract. Top tiers free agents cost money. Jim Pohlad will probably not sign off on another one after the poor return on investment Correa was. I don’t think there is a single Minnesotan in the major leagues that would put fans in the seats so that signing or trade isn’t going to happen. 

This post should be tattoo'd on the right hand of every member of Twinsdaily so we all can refer to it while typing. 

Perfect Post that just nails it. 

[DocBauer]

I agree on the bench coach. How about someone Shelton likes as a smart up and comer? And I love the idea of Hawkins as an additional assistant pitching coach. But Shelton will seldom work with hitters. Who does he have in mind for that role? 

If there's a good news/bad news in regard to a team floundering at the moment, it's the fact the future Twins hope is tied to the talent on hand, and the talent arriving. They simply aren't going to be in the market for expensive additions. I.E. TOP players. But what they need, right now, is a decent 1B option and some veteran depth and bodies in the bullpen. THOSE kind of options just might be available, and should be.

Really interested in seeing what ideas Shelton has for his coaches. He's been around a long time and has a lot of knowledge and contacts, presumably. Does he have some smart ideas? Will he have the power to bring in those additions?

[Riverbrian]

10 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

The Dodgers and Blue Jays?

The Dodgers and the Blue Jays would absolutely care if they had to sign the free agents that we do. 

The Twins will never be in this neighborhood. It's a gated community with 24/7 security wearing suit and ties at 3AM. 

We shouldn't spend a second of time thinking about payroll right now. The Twins are not going to get Dodgers and Blue Jays type free agents. 

And even so... Like a dog chasing a car. In the current context of this team. ... we wouldn't know what to do with one if we somehow caught one. 😉  

[Riverbrian]

Good Article Nick and it's a good question You are a smooth writer. I always read your stuff. Don't always agree but you know your stuff.  

You threw a lot of tomatoes at the front office and I think it's quite possible that... well... this is probably of their doing so it tends to get a little La Tomatina toward them. 

However... There is one thought that I can't shake. One answer that I'd like to know (will probably never know) before I toss that tomato. 

Why did Falvey and Lavine think that the money would be there? Nearly every move they made since 2017 strongly suggested that Falvey and Lavine thought the money would be there. Yeah... they sold on the down years as everyone should but nearly everything they did suggested that they thought the money would be there... and it largely was. 

The money went away with the FSN debacle. With a snap of the fingers... the money was gone and they stood there with a team constructed without a similar sized escape hatch. 

Why did Falvey and Lavine think that the money would be there as they talked about sustainability and drove payroll upward? 

 

 

[Riverbrian]

To answer the question posed in the title. 

If they have a choice... umm... no... they ain't coming.

It would take paying more money and we shouldn't be paying more money at this juncture. Or should I say... we won't be paying more money at this juncture. 

Those will little choice... They'll come.

Jorgenswest did a great job laying out the possible exceptions. 

Someone trying to get back into closing. Someone like Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley could try to rebound as a closer with a team like Minnesota. Middle Relievers could graduate to set up roles with the Twins. 

If I'm a player with something to prove. I'd love to join the Twins. 

The other guys... the ones who proved it... the ones most of Twinsdaily wants. They ain't coming.  

[DJL44]

9 hours ago, Sjoski said:

I agree on Bader, but he’s the exception. But that’s precisely the point. The article is lamenting that the ‘Harrison Bader tier’ is now the ceiling for Twins free agency. That’s as good as it gets.

That’s the 1-year contract tier. Above that is a multiyear deal. I would rather see them offer contract extensions to their own players. It’s a better value.

[jorgenswest]

Last year 15 teams signed free agents to a contract of at least 30 million (in total not AAV). Several signed multiple players at that commitment or much more. Unusually one of the fifteen last year was the A’s. All of the others are the teams we would expect.

The Twins this year as they were last year will be among the other fifteen or so. Some of those fifteen will find a way to compete.

 

[DocBauer]

49 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Good Article Nick and it's a good question You are a smooth writer. I always read your stuff. Don't always agree but you know your stuff.  

You threw a lot of tomatoes at the front office and I think it's quite possible that... well... this is probably of their doing so it tends to get a little La Tomatina toward them. 

However... There is one thought that I can't shake. One answer that I'd like to know (will probably never know) before I toss that tomato. 

Why did Falvey and Lavine think that the money would be there? Nearly every move they made since 2017 strongly suggested that Falvey and Lavine thought the money would be there. Yeah... they sold on the down years as everyone should but nearly everything they did suggested that they thought the money would be there... and it largely was. 

The money went away with the FSN debacle. With a snap of the fingers... the money was gone and they stood there with a team constructed without a similar sized escape hatch. 

Why did Falvey and Lavine think that the money would be there as they talked about sustainability and drove payroll upward? 

 

 

Pardon my language ahead of time, but this is what has pissed me off the most about ownership and FINALLY convinced me how horrible and petty and misguided they are.

Joe, supposedly, took over for Jim. And Joe clearly spoke about a bright future where he could see a $180M payroll. And then it all came tumbling down. And when Houston came calling about Correa, it was JIM who the Astos called to make the deal!

I guess we can thank Joe for actually WANTING the Twins to do well. And I guess we can thank him for the extra $ push in 2025 to get the Twins payroll to around $142M. And MAYBE Joe can find a way to push the payroll to $120-125M to give the Twins at least a fighting chance in 2026, but we clearly have an ownership/family in complete disarray. No matter their spin on bringing in minority owners and still have control of the team, they are CLEARY looking to still sell after the next labor deal, hoping for a higher value.

They THINK they are being smart. They THINK the Twins value will increase somewhat with a different agreement. Meanwhile, they seem content to allow their product to lower itself in value based on fan interest and tickets sold and then STILL have to lose about $500M in payment back to the minority owners when a final sale takes place around 2028.

Even IF the team is sold for $2B in 2028, after the payout to the new minority owners, they STILL "only" walk away with the original $1.5B they could have sold the team for this past offseason. So what was ultimately accomplished?

 

[USAFChief]

11 hours ago, yeahyabetcha said:

Not sure of your point.  But if you believe the Twins will, can, should spend at the level of the Dodgers and Jays you are going to be disappointed.  

And if you think the Twins should "develop some minor league talent and advance it and not spending money" is the route to postseason success you are also going to be disappointed. 

[yeahyabetcha]

20 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

And if you think the Twins should "develop some minor league talent and advance it and not spending money" is the route to postseason success you are also going to be disappointed. 

You are correct, they should sign a few more Correa and Donaldson type of contracts.  That will make things better.

[yeahyabetcha]

9 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

For 2026, clearly I don’t expect the Twins to spend money, I do expect them to cut more payroll. I do not expect a competitive Twins team in 2026.

if a team wants to actually compete for a World Series, they have to spend on a roster.

 

The Twins are NEVER going to be able to spend at the levels that the Dodgers do.  They HAVE TO draft and develop some top line talent to compete.

[Doc Lenz]

Congratulations to the Dodgers!!!🍻

[DocBauer]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

To answer the question posed in the title. 

If they have a choice... umm... no... they ain't coming.

It would take paying more money and we shouldn't be paying more money at this juncture. Or should I say... we won't be paying more money at this juncture. 

Those will little choice... They'll come.

Jorgenswest did a great job laying out the possible exceptions. 

Someone trying to get back into closing. Someone like Devin Williams or Ryan Helsley could try to rebound as a closer with a team like Minnesota. Middle Relievers could graduate to set up roles with the Twins. 

If I'm a player with something to prove. I'd love to join the Twins. 

The other guys... the ones who proved it... the ones most of Twinsdaily wants. They ain't coming.  

Honestly, there are times where I hate being an optimist in general. Especially when it comes to the Vikings, or in this case, the Twins.

I so want to believe Falvey is honest when he states he wants and expects Lopez and Ryan to be on the Twins opening day. Right THERE you have a chance to compete with a sound SP staff with some depth of a healthy Ober followed by SWR and maybe Bradley. We'll see how that shakes out.

Crazy at it may sound, I may be more worried about the offense than the bullpen. Can Lewis stay healthy throughout 2026 and get his attack and AB profile regulated? Can Lee figure out his difficulties, which he says he has, and make corrections to at least be a quality super utility INF at some point? Can Rodriguez JUST STAY HEALTHY enough to finally debut and start to flash his talent? 

And Jenkins, Gonzalez, Culpepper, and some arms and additional prospects are so close to debuting.

Like you, I don't like a bunch of 1yr deals. They have their place. The organization should be in place to have enough younger talent with control in place. But aren't we close to that?

I'm OK for ONE more season for Falvey and his staff to figure 1B out with a few interesting options internally. 

Reference to someone like Williams on a 1yr deal for the pen is exactly what I've been talking about. And I'm certain there has to be another RH BP option also looking for a comeback season. How about 1 more year of Coulombe, for example.

Even if the Twins aren't going to spend a lot, there's room to MAYBE construct a relatively cheap pen for 2026. That gives more time for Lewis, Raya, and others to make their move. 

SWR and Bradley are out of options.  Push will come to shove. Especially if Matthews or Abel suddenly starts throwing great. SOMEONE ELSE moves to the pen we might not have expected initially.

But bullpen wise, that's a potential good gain. Potentially. 

So while we are generally in agreement about a preponderance of 1yr deals,  I'd state if the Twins had ANY idea of competing AT ALL, a couple 1yr deals would make perfect sense. 

 

 

[Lasorda_This_Out]

Byron Buxton..Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez for Dave Roberts, straight up?

Yes?

[Original_JB]

15 hours ago, JADBP said:

OMG!!! How does stripping down the franchise makes it more valuable?  Who wants to invest in a loser?  Who wants to invest in a rudderless, talent-starved, no-future team?  Who wants to invest in a team where  the revenue has been decimated by inane leadership driving fans away?!!?!

You do realize that the Pirates have consistently been one of the most profitable teams in MLB, don't you? Cut local costs to the bone and roll around in the shared media money, that's how.

[Major League Ready]

8 hours ago, USAFChief said:

And if you think the Twins should "develop some minor league talent and advance it and not spending money" is the route to postseason success you are also going to be disappointed. 

What team with similar revenue has had post season success by "spending money"?

[DJL44]

54 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

What team with similar revenue has had post season success by "spending money"?

Seattle, St Louis, San Diego

[Jeff K]

22 hours ago, Nshore said:

The enormous kitchen, and top of the line coaching and nutrition the Tigers shoved into whiner Paddack didn't make him a better player though.  

Paddack should have kept his mouth shut.  Burning bridges is rarely a smart move...and especially for a player who is, at best, becoming a journeyman.

[jmlease1]

16 hours ago, LA Vikes Fan said:

I don't agree. With the good FA it will only come down to money if the Twins offer a significant over pay. Good players get paid wherever they go. If you're Josh Naylor and you get roughly the same offer from 3 or 4 teams including the Mariners, Astros, and the Twins, why on earth would you go to Minnesota? You wouldn't. You would go to the team that gives you the best chance to win and be in the playoffs. That isn't the Twins. In fact, you would probably take less to stay in Seattle because they actually competed for a WS berth in 2025 and might again in 2026 and probably take less to go to Houston and compete for the playoffs.  

Sorry, but I think your take that "money is the only thing" is way too cynical and not in line with the way things actually work. 

 

Players also want to play. There's opportunity to do that in MN (boy howdy is there opportunity). Sure, you get a more likely chance to contend by going to the biggest spenders (Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, etc) but they also don't have opportunities for 6-7 positions. Are the Brewers or Mariners more likely to be able to sign someone this off-season? Sure are...if they'll pay. If MKE brings everyone back and looks to buy to improve the squad, they'll have one of the best chances to win for anyone in baseball. But how many players will take any kind of discount to go play there? They'll need to pay fair market value.

The biggest reason teams at the bottom payroll don't sign significant free agents is a) they're in tank mode and not trying, and 2) they simply don't spend. Tampa is frequently good, but they basically never sign anyone.

Money isn't the only thing, but the idea that the Twins couldn't possibly sign anyone without massive overpays is simply wrong.

Will ownership authorize a payroll that makes it possible to get quality free agents? Will the front office make the right choices? Different issue. But they can sign good players if they pay for them.

[TheLeviathan]

Only the players who we offer more money to than the other teams in the league.

/thread 

[LA Vikes Fan]

29 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Players also want to play. There's opportunity to do that in MN (boy howdy is there opportunity). Sure, you get a more likely chance to contend by going to the biggest spenders (Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, etc) but they also don't have opportunities for 6-7 positions. Are the Brewers or Mariners more likely to be able to sign someone this off-season? Sure are...if they'll pay. If MKE brings everyone back and looks to buy to improve the squad, they'll have one of the best chances to win for anyone in baseball. But how many players will take any kind of discount to go play there? They'll need to pay fair market value.

The biggest reason teams at the bottom payroll don't sign significant free agents is a) they're in tank mode and not trying, and 2) they simply don't spend. Tampa is frequently good, but they basically never sign anyone.

Money isn't the only thing, but the idea that the Twins couldn't possibly sign anyone without massive overpays is simply wrong.

Will ownership authorize a payroll that makes it possible to get quality free agents? Will the front office make the right choices? Different issue. But they can sign good players if they pay for them.

I agree with this, and I think you and I are talking about different types of free agents. Josh Naylor gets paid and starts wherever he goes so he isn't coming to MN given the current state of the team. Same for closers like Kenley Jansen and Ryan Helsley. On the other hand, a promising or formerly good player who has hit a rough patch or someone coming off of injury might take a pillow contract or welcome a trade to MNM to get the chance to play and establish value. I would look into Devin Williams, Taylor Rogers and Phil Maton for the bullpen for example. Ryan Mountcastle or Tristan Casas might welcome a trade to MN where they have a chance to play 1B every day. There will be other guys non-tendered who are decent but haven't quite made it who will be available, much like Trevor Larnach. That's the kind of FA or trade candidate that we have a chance at IMHO.  

[Coach JT]

Did anyone wonder how for the last two years we are one of the only teams in baseball wi the No left handed starter and only one left handed reliever at a time . This is on GM and he needs to be let go . 

[gman]

21 hours ago, Sjoski said:

The Twins were fortunate Correa wanted out, then like a dog....return to its own vomit...plus, stick themselves with a $33 Miillion vet bill.

They were also lucky to be able to unload Donaldson.

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Seattle, St Louis, San Diego

I agree San Diego has had modest success winning 4 playoff series in the past 20 years.  There is no doubt that spending an additional $75M a year would help.  However, I am not sure that we should count on getting an owner who spends well outside the team’s revenue because he is dying.  The Padres lost $53M in 2022 and $113M in 2023.  It's true, San Diego has had improved success through spending.  However, expecting another owner to follow that example is very likely to be disappointed.  

St Louis has considerably more revenue.  Population base does not cover payroll.  Revenue covers payroll.  

Seattle is a very poor example.  The did sign 3 free agents for more than $10M/year.  They produced virtually nothing.  Haniger, Suarez, and Garver made $43M combined and produced .5 fWAR between the three of them.  They also spent $21M on Castillo who pitched 8 innings and produced 0 WAR.  Grand total, they got .5 WAR by spending $54M.  Seattle is a really poor example.   

BTW … Seattle has won two playoff series in the past two decades so not a great aspiration.  They generate 30-50M more in revenue and they have spent less than the Twins over the past 5 years.  The Twins have actually spent an average of $10 more than Seattle over the past 5 years according to Spotrac.  They certainly are not an example of a team that has been willing to spend or found success through spending.
 

 

[EGFTShaw]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think I am. 🤭

Essentially the Pohlads didn't sell because they didn't get the selling price they were looking for, am I wrong? 😏

The prospective buyers decided the asking price was too high.  Whether or not we agree is irrelevant.

If I am the Pohlads, (eeeewwwwww, anyone got any hand sanitizer??), I need to present a better product or at least the perception of a better product.

How would this be done?

First, you don't want perceived as the not knowing what you are doing even if you don't know what you are doing.  Ooops.  Strike One

Second, trade controllable team assets sparingly and only for direct upgrade to your team. Son of a biscuit that is called Strike Two by the ABS system and everyone else with a smidgen of baseball sense.

First item led to the second item.  The second item leads to:

Third you want to build a consistent Central Division, at least, winner.  This would increase ticket sales, merchandise sales and getting the product more exposure on the MLB network.  This would increase the value or at minimum the perceived value of the product you want to sell at a price you have in mind.

So instead of selling their car (an analogy) at a Hemmings Car auction you are on Facebook ads trying get top dollar for buyers are trying to pay bottom dollar.

As Houdini has in its opening lyrics, "Good f*cking luck with that"

[DJL44]

30 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

St Louis has considerably more revenue.  Population base does not cover payroll.  Revenue covers payroll.  

They really don’t. MN has about $325M in revenue and St Louis is $375M. They’re both midmarket teams like Arizona and Detroit.

[saviking]

On 11/1/2025 at 9:47 AM, yeahyabetcha said:

Who cares??  The Twins plan should be to develop some minor league talent and advance it and not spending money on mediocre fee agents.  TD needs to get over its obsession with what the payroll will be.

I agree. I would rather see a young promising player get their turn and develop than watching all the retreads they sign. 

[dxpavelka]

22 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

You are right, every player and coach who’s not good enough to play for a good team will jump at the chance to play for a bad one. There’s only 30 teams, and the money increases a lot from the minors.

Good teams have many players deemed not good enough to play for other good teams.

 

[dxpavelka]

21 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

But 5 did. And 1 will. Rube

And four of those five will go home with as many trophies as the Twins.  It's easy to spend someone else's money.