Free Agent Market May Push Twins Away From Nelson Cruz

I think Twins FO is quietly hoping for universal DH so can get outbid for Cruz and diplomatically not sign him. I like Cruz for a one year contract, but want another SP in the range mentioned above, and another relief pitcher. Can't have too many pitchers, don't know if Twins have pitchers MLB ready in minors.

I think those are good points we definitely could get priced out on Cruz. I don't think the FO wants to spend much more than they have in the past for Cruz.  Cruz isn't getting younger so I can see why he wants a two year deal.  It was a two year deal that brought him to the Twins granted one was an option year.

Not sure what the bidding for Odo is but I find it doubtful that they would bring him back on a three year deal.  He always has trouble the third time through the order and last year was injured and he isn't exactly young for a pitcher either.  I think they get priced out there as well.

Ozuna just doesn't make sense given all the slow plodding hitters the Twins have currently and stacked in the system.

I don't see them going bullpen unless it is a lower priced one year deal as they have Colina and Chalmers pretty much ready to go and they I think they need to keep Gibaut and Waddell on the 40 man as well so they have options.  Ober would likely be used in relief as well so I don't see them being too worried when it comes to relief.

Paxton and Walker seem like possibilities if they come with one year deals.  Next year Twins might need to bring up Canterino, Duran and Balazovic so might need a spot or two next year anyway.  Also they could pitch in relief for the big club if absolutely needed.

With the exception of Cruz I think it is bargain time or they are done.  They will roll with what they have.

.IF we have to choose. I Choose pitching. Im a huge Cruz fan, but if we are on a budget...we NEED another mid-level starting pitching depth. I honestly think the Twins can and should afford Cruz, another starter and 2 decent relievers. Cant understand why our payroll shouldn't be at least equal to last years. Are we trying to win the ws or make money. I just feel like so many mentions of us having the aprox 125 million limited payroll shouldn't be acceptable. But to each his own as they say.

I just believe many of us are setting our sights to low. I believe the Twins will sign Cruz And another starter And another reliever.

To Cody or others -- have there been any actual statements from the front office that lead us to the $125M that people keep quoting? Or is just a guess that people have speculated on, based on the notion that teams will spend less this year?

I've asked this on a thread or two, but haven't had anyone respond.

I just believe many of us are setting our sights to low. I believe the Twins will sign Cruz And another starter And another reliever.

IMO Ozuna isn't an option. Don't you think that he's waiting to see if there's an universal DH too. If we can't afford Cruz we surely can't afford Ozuna if it's official.

Concur. Moreover look at Ozuna's track record and compare it to Cruz's track record before he joined the Twins - I have this feeling that we'd be paying top dollar and getting essentially the equivalent of Eddie Rosario for it at least some of the time, if we signed Marcell to a multi-year deal.