tony&rodney

Ok. That sounds reasonable. Who exactly are those players? I can venture a guess on Tanner Scott, but who was prepared to trade Keaschall, Matthews, Gonzalez, and Doncon? That doesn't sound like a good idea for a rental.

The "freeing up the cash" will go to arb payments. It will be time for Larnach, Wallner, and Emmanuel to take the baton.

The Twins have dangled Max Kepler in trade talks for several years but the cost was always too much for another team to bite. This is apparent because Max is still a Twin. Kepler is still an outfielder the Twins are counting on to help the team win games and his playing time reflects the organization's thoughts about his worth. For those who are currently tired of Kepler, or long ago wanted him gone, there is zero chance that Max returns to the Twins for 2025. He has never known another organization or employer, having signed as a 16 year old kid. Max is pretty cosmopolitan, however, and won't struggle to adapt to another team or city. I fully expect Kepler to sign on the West Coast. I don't believe money will be a determining criteria. As the lists of Twins records go, it is accurate to say that Max Kepler has had a good run for the Twins and been an important part of their success. He never became Mike Trout, but he has been really solid.

Reading the comments on so many articles made me wonder how everyone recovered from all of the deadline moves the Twins made a year ago or two years ago. Well?

Which specific players that were traded did the Twins not go after due to financial constraints?

Yes, this is what one must ask themselves. My own thinking believes the league is stronger top to bottom, particularly Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit within our division. The Twins don't have anyone approaching a Bobby Witt Jr. in talent, however the 26 person roster comparisons still should favor the Twins in the AL Central. Certainly the Twins will need good health, specifically the return of Correa at shortstop. I do think the position side is stronger overall than last season, but Julien and Kepler were pretty consequential last year. Several players will need to step forward in their play. Pitching? I'm a little concerned about the bullpen this year. Thielbar could actually come around though. He is right there with his stuff but inconsistent on command. Perkins postulated that Caleb is looking much closer to his previous self during the broadcast last night. While I still think Varland might have a future as a starting pitcher, it might be time to put him in the bullpen for the last two months. I like this year's starting rotation, which is debatable. Lopez needs to be less picky at times. Ryan has been good and may be really tough down the stretch. I'm not sure how much better Ober can be because he has been almost spectacular outside of his two games versus Kansas City. Woods Richardson has been good and it will be interesting to see how he comes back from his rough night in NYC. I think he will be fine. Of note, Logan Gilbert was lit up on the same night. Not a comparison but all pitchers have rough starts. What can the Twins get from David Festa? I have been a big promoter of the tall feller. He needs to command his pitches, for sure, but he does have good stuff and is plenty fresh and capable of giving the Twins a run of good outings. 86-76 might not cut it this year, so the Twins need a push at home in August.

While it doesn't seem too likely, it is worth remembering that there are a number of communities that would gladly host an MLB team. So many factors go into putting a competitive team together and once an organization reaches a point where there is some success the costs (in players) rises quickly. The Rays keep retooling and manage to remain competitive but they face difficulties in reaching the playoffs. Their attendance is abysmal. The Twins don't draw that well either. Money does drive decisions. A solid media deal helps but filled stadiums still make a statement more than anything else. I think this is why San Diego is so aggressive. I was very frustrated by how the team approached the last several offseasons as well as what I saw as poor decisions at the trading deadline. However as a Twins fan since 1961 I still follow the team and their minor league affiliates. Sometimes I wonder what percentage of folks on Twins Daily are baseball only fans or how many are bigger fans of football. On numerous occasions there are references to the coming Viking season. I get that people are angry at the Pohlads but I don't understand how that helps anything. It just seems like there are folks living in retirement who flail against a symbol. I'm not a supporter of the Pohlads but I also doubt they are even aware of the players around baseball much less the minor leagues; they don't have a card in the deals. They approve the really big stuff, Buxton and Correa, while setting a general budget. Baseball is a long game. Losing one game or one series has consequences but there is another game the next day. In that way it is just like life because your good and bad days end and when you go to bed you know another day is right behind it. I expect big crowds when Cleveland comes to Target Field. It is a chance for the Twins to show their game. If they lose they will have to get ready for Kansas City and the most exciting player in baseball. Go Twins.

Falvey made very specific reference that money/contracts was in no way a consideration during this trading deadline. I guess we can say he lies about everything or is trying to protect his bosses. That sounds complicated. Who were the misses? San Diego traded 3 of their top 5 prospects. Should the Twins have done that for one of the players (Tanner Scott)? Look, the Twins have 18 games out of 28 in August at Target Field. They are going to play some good teams. Let's see what the players people love can do.

The biggest plus is for those who were wary of the Twins trading away the next Cy Young or MVP; the family is intact (err, minus Jay Harry).

If you have an interest, you could always follow the minor league players on milb.com. If you have an MLB.com subscription you can watch any minor league game you wish, time permitting.

Baldelli was spot on in his interview. The Twins have been a good club, will get guys back from the Il, and a player or two from the minors will play a useful role here and there. Strikeouts were up tonight. Hopefully, this practice does not continue. The Twins will need Buxton, Lewis, and Miranda to flush this game and return to hitting the ball.

Falvey has run the team in a fairly consistent pattern. There have been multiple opportunities to make deals and trades have been completed. Always it is within the parameters set by Falvey. They didn't trade Polanco to save money and money is only an issue for the big contracts. Jocko87 is correct. The frustration directed toward ownership is a little strange if you think about it. Who were the big misses? I count only a couple myself and both were within reach for both financial reasons and return costs. Nevertheless, Falvey did not see fit to go after either Puk or Arozarena. Many on Twins Daily weren't interested in either player either. I don't have a problem with either those differing opinions or Falvey's decisions, even if I may disagree. Either way, it just comes down to how the Falvey team determine who they want on the roster.

Im more concerned about the hitting and defense.

The only guy I could see with the Twins was A. J. Puk. Didn't happen and his price was reasonable, even low compared to what followed in the last 24 hours. Falvey had opportunities and believed there wasn't any deals worth completing. For those who wish for trades, Falvey gets another shot in November.

Your parents are billionaires?

So, empathy for millions?

You are aware that the Pohlads have nothing to do with the roster makeup, right? Signing big money deals are an obvious exception, but even then the Pohlads are not making the suggestions.

Harry has been a representative milb player this year. Well, Falvey put together the team he wanted last winter and it is a good squad. The dynamics of deals didn't look good for our guys, so they just sat it out. Now it is time for the players on hand to step forward and play some baseball. Players like Festa and Dobnak get their chance. Players like Miranda, Jeffers, Larnach, Wallner, Martin, and Lewis get to prove their worth. Vets like Vazquez, Santana, Correa, Buxton, Margot, and Kepler need to lead through their play. Castro needs to continue his Twins MVP season. No time for excuses, the Twins have enough to win.

While neither opposed to or in support of the Pohlad corporation, I just think the anger or frustration or whatever people feel due to the Twins inaction at this time is misplaced. Falvey and his support group are responsible for putting the roster together. I would be surprised if the Pohlads are even aware of any conversations related to trades unless it involved a large amount of money. None of the players switching teams or discussed thus far reach that bar. I am unaware myself of any specific comments made by ownership that dictates a reduction in roster expenditure this year as a result of any proposed trades. The MLB agreement with the MLBPA on shifting CBA money to teams that had media issues is completely unclear to me.

Detroit should not be considering a trade of Tarik Skubel. However, Skubel is still under the arbitration system for two more seasons. A player of value for the Twins, although less so, is Royce Lewis. Lewis will also be getting more expensive but has three years of control remaining. Despite my disbelief in any Skubel deal, the type of player(s) needed to acquire such a talent would absolutely demand a huge return; a credible take. The Twins roster, as I understand it, is put together by Falvey and Levine. Ownership sets the general guidelines of the financial limits. Unlimited or large payrolls is simply not going to be a thing for the Twins. Baseball falls below football and hockey in Minnesota, which does result in some limits for the Twins economics. Falvey and company do have the resources and organizational talent (in players) to make trades. I would submit that the deadline deals made with Baltimore and Cincinnati have given Falvey pause in his considerations on how to proceed at this time. Finally, in this too long of a ramble, the inability of a player like Julien to repeat his performance from last year seems to have left doubts within the management team of depth charts. This uncertainty then makes it difficult to decide who is off limits and who can be traded. In another 8 hours we shall all know how Falvey proceeded.

Isn't Witt Jr. something? The defense, speed, power, average .... he is right there with Judge and Soto. I find myself constantly switching to watch Kansas City in hopes to catch his at bats. That grand slam tonight was crazy.

There are players available and Falvey has the resources to complete a trade. Will it happen? We shall know the answer soon.

The Twins marketing seems less than ideal and the public relations related to "unfortunate" comments last offseason added to some poor optics regarding the off field management (owners). The two big contracts (Buxton and Correa) were surprising to many Twins fans. Those contracts likely do lend some credence to what monies are left for other players though, eventually. I don't know the Pohlads, although I met Carl years ago, and have zero interest in getting deep into how wealthy business people manipulate their clients (think public paying for stadiums). Nevertheless, Falvey has had sufficient resources to put together a competitive roster. I really struggled to understand how last offseason unfolded, but that is now well past. Currently, the Twins have numerous good players under contract and/or control via the rules tying players to a team. The organization seems to have a decent level of talent within their minor leagues. Now would be an optimal time to make a couple of trades using good players who are deep on the depth charts. I would guess that Walker Jenkins and Zeb Matthews, among players in the minor leagues, are not in consideration to trade. Maybe Luke Keaschall has risen to that status as well. There should be deals available and that duty falls to Falvey and Levine. For all the crap we read about Baldelli and his coaches, it sure seems like you nail it with your last statement.

True, that the Twins are unlikely to add significantly to their payroll in the next fews. False, the Pohlads do not put the roster together or make trades. This should have been addresses to Falvine.

The media money covers Snell for this season. It is a near impossibility that Snell does not return to the market. The cost may be lower than many expect.