What to do next?

[DocBauer]

This is probably going to age as well as a 14 day old bread, but I can't help myself.

I DON'T see Caratini as a good value to eat up the rest of payroll. That doesn't make sense considering how the FO views catching, PLUS the OBVIOUS need to still add SOMETHING to the bullpen, which the FO has been very vocal about. So I suspect the $100M payroll that at least SOME have projected is not accurate.

Again, this may age poorly, but I don't think Jeffers is gone as many knee jerk reactions opinionated. I think he stays for a FO that kept the core intact and states they want to compete in the ALC.

But with $100M payroll as of TODAY, and with the idea that SURELY we must have another $10-15M yet to spend, what would YOU do with what's left? Do you think Falvey, as he's done in the past, maybe nudges the Pohlads a bit higher based on value? Does Larnach still have a role?

We're coming closer to "crunch time" based on FO history. And I have my own opinions. But I'm throwing out "what's next" to the community.

 

[lecroy24fan]

What's next is for the Twins to put Opening Day tickets on sale. Last year they went on sale in November. I emailed the team and the reply I got was they're not ready to do it yet.

[old nurse]

You have 23 days. Moneywise it would seem that if they signed Bell somebody is interested in Larnach. They just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.  

[Riverbrian]

Complete the painting. 

You can't understand a Salvador Dali painting after a few strokes. 

If you have a lobster in your right hand and a telephone in your left hand. It won't make sense until you put them together. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

I would trade Larnach next. If you get a reliever, great. If you get a prospect you like, great.

I'd also trade for a reliever they like something about, and I'd sign a decent reliever or two.

I wouldn't trade Jeffers, I do think he is going to show he can catch 100+ games going into his free agency. And I'm good with that too.

If they do more than this, which I think is still needed, that'd be a lot of fun.

[The Great Hambino]

15 hours ago, lecroy24fan said:

What's next is for the Twins to put Opening Day tickets on sale. Last year they went on sale in November. I emailed the team and the reply I got was they're not ready to do it yet.

What? What are they waiting for?

I suppose this means you're one of the few that has asked this question

[bunsen82]

16 hours ago, DocBauer said:

This is probably going to age as well as a 14 day old bread, but I can't help myself.

I DON'T see Caratini as a good value to eat up the rest of payroll. That doesn't make sense considering how the FO views catching, PLUS the OBVIOUS need to still add SOMETHING to the bullpen, which the FO has been very vocal about. So I suspect the $100M payroll that at least SOME have projected is not accurate.

Again, this may age poorly, but I don't think Jeffers is gone as many knee jerk reactions opinionated. I think he stays for a FO that kept the core intact and states they want to compete in the ALC.

But with $100M payroll as of TODAY, and with the idea that SURELY we must have another $10-15M yet to spend, what would YOU do with what's left? Do you think Falvey, as he's done in the past, maybe nudges the Pohlads a bit higher based on value? Does Larnach still have a role?

We're coming closer to "crunch time" based on FO history. And I have my own opinions. But I'm throwing out "what's next" to the community.

 

1. Larnach is traded in the next week - prospect reliever not sure

2. They will sign at minimum 1 reliever maybe 2.  If we can get Dominguez and another suitable arm,  I think most would think the offseason was successful - at least for putting a competent team together.  

3.  I think Jackson is flipped -  a reliever or a better prospect than Eeles

 

[Eris]

16 hours ago, DocBauer said:

That doesn't make sense considering how the FO views catching

There are several scenarios where it makes sense. 1). The Twins solution to needing more right handed power is to maximize Jeffers at bats from 1B or DH. To this they need another catcher to distribute the catching duties. 2). Maybe Jeffers still has concussion like symptoms from his Sept 2025 concussion. 3). Possible trade of Jeffers is in the works (I think this is unlikely as it seems this would be done by now). 

[Chembry]

1 hour ago, The Great Hambino said:

What? What are they waiting for?

I suppose this means you're one of the few that has asked this question

I am a my choice member (STH) and I just got an email that redemption begins tomorrow (1/21/2026).

[The Great Hambino]

1 hour ago, Chembry said:

I am a my choice member (STH) and I just got an email that redemption begins tomorrow (1/21/2026).

I am also, and now see the same message

I also checked last year, and that same redemption occurred in November.  That seems like a really strange difference to me.  Like they postponed it waiting on the limited partner situation and then forgot to do it.  Or they're changing how they price/tier the tickets.  I dunno.  Doesn't seem like the kind of thing that's ideal to start in January

[Original_JB]

I was at the Twins site today and their chat 'bot' didn't know when single game tix go on sale. Also asked if they were going to be keeping the infield upper deck closed for the 1st month (or was it 2?) like last year. Of course, no answer for that either. Have STH gotten their plans/prices yet?

*edit* I see that the package sales are up with pricing. Says that you're getting around 25% off the otherwise dynamic pricing. Don't think prices changed very much though clicking around the stadium, but you only get a coarse feel (infield sections show 3 different price ranges, I'd guess lower, middle, and higher row numbers of the section).

[lecroy24fan]

Can confirm I got the same email as others today. I wonder if they will let us use the choice redemption for opening day though? Have always had to purchase those separate from the package in the now 6 years I've been a STH.

[lecroy24fan]

5 hours ago, The Great Hambino said:

I am also, and now see the same message

I also checked last year, and that same redemption occurred in November.  That seems like a really strange difference to me.  Like they postponed it waiting on the limited partner situation and then forgot to do it.  Or they're changing how they price/tier the tickets.  I dunno.  Doesn't seem like the kind of thing that's ideal to start in January

Probably 10 years or more back they were on sale starting at TwinsFest yearly so maybe that's what they're back to doing?

 

4 hours ago, Original_JB said:

I was at the Twins site today and their chat 'bot' didn't know when single game tix go on sale. Also asked if they were going to be keeping the infield upper deck closed for the 1st month (or was it 2?) like last year. Of course, no answer for that either. Have STH gotten their plans/prices yet?

*edit* I see that the package sales are up with pricing. Says that you're getting around 25% off the otherwise dynamic pricing. Don't think prices changed very much though clicking around the stadium, but you only get a coarse feel (infield sections show 3 different price ranges, I'd guess lower, middle, and higher row numbers of the section).

Upper deck was open last year but not 2024. It was April and May.

Can confirm my package (Choice $900) did not go up as the previous voucher package I had had gone up yearly before that and was up to $1100 last year had I grandfathered it in.

[DocBauer]

I think there is a general thought that should be moved. I actually think he has value, but I don't see a "fit" for him on this team as it's constructed. Whether it's a prospect, or, he's packaged for some #4-5 decent pen arm from someone's current pen IDK. But it also frees up another $4.5M, so the payroll drops from $100M to approximately $95M.

I also don't know if Jackson is of any value. But I agree in looking to see if he can be moved. But his $ value is pretty low. So a trade, a DFA and St Paul stash...even though AAA has catchers already...doesn't have any major impact on payroll. 

IMO, the signing of Caratoni, as I've stated, means the payroll plan is more like $110-115M. That should mean there's room to add someone like Dominguez for $6-7M. The fact he's still sitting there would seem to indicate that's about right. Then, how about Rogers for $4-5M? Again, the fact that he's still available tells me that's about right. Coulombe and Chaffin are also still looking for a home and would probably cost around $3-4M, slightly less than Rogers.

WITH Larnach on the roster, that puts payroll around $110-112M. Obviously, without Larnach, the payroll would be around $105-107M. 

That seems viable to me. And it's still well below the $132M opening day 2025 payroll number.  And if Larnach were moved, and $115M was a target point, there's still around $8-10M available to add. Again, this is all speculation on my part, based on current moves, past moves, as well as past payroll numbers that have "nudged" a little higher than expected, while still not being high.

That "extra" available $ might mean Kiner-Filefa on a 1yr deal for $3-5M might be in play. While he might not be the player he was a couple of years ago, he'd still be a viable ML option across the INF with a bat that would almost certainly be better than the mixed bag of waiver wire options at UTILITY that are currently in the mix. I mean, if someone goes down with any injury for a couple of weeks, do we want Kreidler starting anywhere for more than a game or two.

You might even be able to squeeze in a 3rd FA pen option in for $2M as a middle man option and hit that $115M proposed target, which is still about $8-10M LESS than how the 2025 payroll ended.

OR, you could send Wagaman down to AAA since he's on a minimum deal, KEEP Kreidler as a SS/CF option and grab Ramon Urias...who I kinda like...as a 1B/2B/3B option for around $4M. (He can also be an emergency SS if needed) He's a "competant" player and bat who switch hits. And the Twins LOVE switch hitters. And his career splits are almost dead neutral. 

Either way they go, a $115M payroll allows for 2 competent FA arms to deepen and stabilize the pen, add leadership to the young arms, you add SOMEONE who can cover 2B and 3B without being an automatic OUT at the plate.  It's the Twins choice to replace either Kreidler, or Wagaman with a better UTILITY option to make up a better, more balanced bench with better options.

And we hit the proposed $115M projected max payroll that has been "squeezed" by Falvey in the past.

Again, this makes sense to me based on roster construction, and the cheap ownership watching their pennies, while STILL being bellow the FINAL $120M-ish that was the final 2025 payroll. 

This is what I see as logical and obtainable. It just makes sense! And it's potentially a pretty decent team to finish above .500. And it also allows for young talent to debut without being blocked.

But for "shits and giggles", to borrow an old expression let's fantasize for a MOMENT where TOM ISN'T just being a blowhard Pohlad, and Falvey's elbow still has some "nudge" ability. And let's say the $120M end of 2025 season is actually acceptable. 

Larnach is moved. Payroll is around $95M. Dominguez and Rogers are added for $12M approximately. The payroll still sits at $107M. You then add EITHER  IKF or Urias for $4M...depending on how much you want Wagaman on your roster...and THEN you sign Nathaniel Lowe to a 2yr deal for 2yrs at $9M per. And since he's still "out there" maybe he signs for a little less?

Lowe, no pun intended, is coming of a "low" season. But even in the one of his worst seasons, he was still productive. He's only 30yo, and his 18HR and 84 RBI in a "bad season" would have been welcomed in 2025 for the 2025 Twins.

His signing settles 1B as a competent 1B and generally productive bat who has solid splits against LHP so he doesn't have to be platooned. And he allows Bell to be a primary DH, where he should excel, only having to play 1B once in a while.

And LF suddenly becomes the only real position question mark between Martin and Roden and Outman.

To quote Vikings great Chris Carter, "COME ON"!

Perhaps I'm only living in a dream for the 2026 Twins. But I can see a solid team based on a $115M payroll. But I can also see a $120  payroll,  still in the bottom 3rd, where they could have a comment team. 

 

[Doctor Wu]

8 hours ago, DocBauer said:

That "extra" available $ might mean Kiner-Filefa on a 1yr deal for $3-5M might be in play.

I'd be happy if the Twins signed IKF, but I think they will use the money on a relief pitcher, not that there is much of quality to sign at this point, but still. 

[thelanges5]

Today would be a good day to sign Dominguez or Kopech, and Coulombe. 

Still trying to see the vision for the offense? Trading Larnach or one of the Lefty bats would be a good start. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Maybe I'm being too short-sighted or pessimistic, but I don't understand why you sign Caratini when you have Jeffers / Jackson and arguably the worst, or at least one of the worst, bullpens in baseball. If payroll constraints still exist, and I suspect they do, having that much $$$ tied up in the catching position is rather strange to me.

[Original_JB]

Doc, you were thinking a little high I guess. We traded prospect catcher Baez for IF Tristan Gray instead. SMH.

[The Great Hambino]

2 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Maybe I'm being too short-sighted or pessimistic, but I don't understand why you sign Caratini when you have Jeffers / Jackson and arguably the worst, or at least one of the worst, bullpens in baseball. If payroll constraints still exist, and I suspect they do, having that much $$$ tied up in the catching position is rather strange to me.

They're all in on this strategy of building the bullpen out of the things you can find in the center console of your car. 

And while I think it's a dumb strategy for immediate contention doomed to failure and a diminished return on their most valuable assets, I'd have been even more annoyed if they'd shipped out their bullpen partly in the name of rebalancing their limited resources to other parts of the roster only to turn around and spend more on worse relievers than they had shipped out.  They've committed to a cheap bullpen, so the detriment of spending what they have on the catcher position is a little diminished to me. 

Plus the fact that it's a two-year guarantee - no opt outs, not option years, an actual two-year contract - means they actually have someone able to play the position in 2027 that's beyond replacement level.  Partly because of that, it's actually my favorite move they've made this offseason.

[amjgt]

• Trade Lopez and Jeffers to Boston for Duran and Justin Slaten (net minus 14M)
• Trade Larnach for whatever relief help you can get for him (net minus 4M)
• Sign Coulombe (1/4M) and Seranthony Dominguez (1/9M) (net plus 13M)
• Move Prielipp to the bullpen.
• Sign Nathaniel Lowe (1/11M) (net plus 11M)

Overall payroll up ~$6M from where it’s at right now.

C – Caratini
1B – Lowe
2B – Keaschall
SS – Lee
3B – Lewis
LF – Duran
CF – Buxton
RF – Wallner
DH – Bell

Bench – Martin, Clemens, Gray, Jackson

Rotation – Ryan, Ober, SWR, Zebby, Bradley (Abel, Festa, Morris, Rojas as next men up)

Bullpen – Dominguez, Sands, Topa, Prielipp, Orze, Coulombe, Funderburk, Guy from Larnach trade (Ohl, Adams, Raya, Klein as next men up)

[lecroy24fan]

On 1/20/2026 at 6:11 PM, lecroy24fan said:

Can confirm I got the same email as others today. I wonder if they will let us use the choice redemption for opening day though? Have always had to purchase those separate from the package in the now 6 years I've been a STH.

Updating this they did let me use my package towards opener tickets. Heads up for those not STH prices are going up. I bought seats in the same section as last years opener and they were $71 ($59 last year one row higher) and that was at the 25% discount we were given.

[DocBauer]

So the LHRP has been signed in Rogers. And for far less than expected. That actually checks off 1 of my points. So what's next?

[lecroy24fan]

Dominguez and/or Coulombe

[DocBauer]

So Dominguez is gone. I would have really liked to have him. But no way would the Twins have ever offered him the kind of deal the Dirty Sox gave him. I wouldn't have either.

Zoll just commented at a media luncheon that the Twins still have room to add to the bullpen. Of course, there is no mention of just how much $ is available to make said additions. 

While the FA has been largely picked over, as always, there are still a number of veteran arms available and looking for work. There is obvious debate as to what QUALITY is left to bring in, but adding an arm or two that have "been there, and done that" to add experience and depth as younger arms transition to the pen is still a smart move.

TD had an article a few weeks back that mentioned Dominguez, Leclerc, and Phillips as veteran options that might make sense. Well, Leclerc and Phillips are still available the last I looked. Are they logical possibilities? Is there anyone else you like?

I think we're going to see at least one veteran added. Maybe there's room for two?

I never really expect any team, much less the Twins, from revealing what their budgeted payroll is. But it appears they aren't done yet.

My DREAM remains that there is enough room for a couple decent RHRP signings, that Larnach is moved for SOMETHING and clear his $4.5M, and Falvey nudges Tom Pohlad with an elbow and says; "You know, if we nudge this payroll just a little bit higher, Nathaniel Lowe is still there. And we might grab him for $10M and have an actual, competent 1B and let Bell be the primary DH".

The odds aren't good, of course, but that would by my DREAM SCENARIO to finish the offseason on a budget that might actually turn out to be generally positive.

A lineup of Keaschall, Buxton, Bell, Wallner, Lewis, Lowe, Jeffers, Lee, and Roden/Martin might not be too bad.

WITH Larnach, plus the recent signings, the payroll sits just below $105M. And would sit almost dead on at $100M if Larnach was moved. Is it so absurd to think they MIGHT settle on a final opening day payroll between $115-120M???