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Interesting, but I will continue to question that amount. Seeing the average Twins salary this year is over $5,000,000 (roughly $130M payroll divided by 26 players), 11% would be costs of $550,000 per player. I can't fathom anything approaching that when the gov't required payroll taxes are probably $10,000 or so (7% of < $150,000). Expect they have Cadillac health insurance, but even if that costs $50,000/year, we are only 12% to $500,000 per player.

People often quote costs ranging up to 25%, or more, for payroll taxes, insurance and other payroll related costs. I don't think that holds true for the Twins players, just as I don't think 11% is accurate. Some tax accountant can correct me, but I understand that most payroll taxes are limited to the first $x of payroll. So the normal payroll taxes for someone making the minimum would likely be the same as Donaldson at $21,000,000. Lets say the payroll taxes are the 11% you quote (I think the employer's share is 6%-7%), but on the first $150,000...that would be $16,500. Add whatever the cost is for health insurance and other costs and maybe you get to $35,000-$40,000. Even on the minimum, that is only 6.7%. On the average salary of $5,000,000+, that is less than 1%. So unless I am missing something, payroll taxes and other employment costs are almost insignificant insofar as players are concerned.

I think we all are going to be a bit disappointed on promotions, or lack thereof, and playing with the Twins later this year. Most of these guys didn't throw an inning last year. So their total innings this year are going to be limited. Granted, MiLB starting in May instead of April will help get thru the seasons, but come August a lot of these pitchers are going to be skipping starts and pitching only a few innings each time out. Is way to risky to push them all summer like normal. With that said, I expect/hope to see both Winder and Balazovic eventually move up to St. Paul. Because of his late start, would expect Balazovic to stay in Wichita longer than Winder. But by August, Winder is going to have around 100 innings on his arm. How much further does he go? Another 25, or say four starts? That would put him at the innings he threw in 2019. Really don't see him going beyond that, so pitching every fifth/sixth day for the Saints in all of August probably isn't in the cards, much less a callup to the Twins in late August/September. Considering Balazovic has a history of injuries and missed the start of the season with another, I wouldn't be surprised if he spends all/most of the year in Wichita.

Can't agree with those that say there isn't pitching in the pipeline. Its just that with the screwed up year last year, that pitching isn't ready to help in 2021. Have been watching a lot of the Wichita games the last six weeks. Yes, Balazovic had a clunker the last time out, but he hasn't pitched much this year due to his late start. But Balazovic and Winder certainly appear to be for real, starters who should turn into those Cleveland like starters. Will it happen, remains to be seen. But they are two great prospects who are getting closer every week.

Great night in the organization with Wichita and Fort Myers well into fantastic seasons. Watched most of the Wind Surge game last night as I wanted to see Winder pitch. Lead off hitter got a single and was immediately thrown out stealing second. The next 18 hitters walked up to the plate and back to the dugout, 7 sitting down after striking out. Didn't get another runner on base until one out in the seventh inning, when it appeared he was tiring a bit and they got their run. Winder was in total control, seemingly ahead of nearly every hitter with two, maybe three three ball counts all night. He was consistently hitting 95-96mph with his fastball, getting lots of swing and misses with his slider that the play-by-play guy saying was around 89mph. Speaking of the Midland announcer, loved some of the trivia he brought into the game. He also was gushing over Winder, whom he constantly referred to as the best pitcher in the AA-Central division. Spent a lot of time talking about the progress he made last year while not pitching and what being from the Virginia Military Institute likely means to his character. Sure looks like this kid has a huge future in a Twins rotation...hopefully beginning sometime next year. Although there didn't seem to be more than maybe 500 people at the game, liked seeing the Midland stadium. Had a feel more like Cedar Rapids than what I would expect for AA. Also different seeing advertising for energy companies on the outfield fences and around the ballpark. The announcer was also raving about Miranda, who didn't do anything special with his bat after I believe a 4-hit night on Tuesday. Found it interesting that he was at first base, where he did ok defensively. Seems like the Twins are working to get him experience at several positions as they probably know he has a bat that belongs at Target Field sometime next year.

I have zero medical knowledge, however, I suspect that some bodies withstand potential injuries better than others. Yes, a 95mph fastball on a hand is going to break anyone's bone. But some of the other injuries may have been less serious with someone else's body. Nothing Buxton can do about that, it is what it is. Combine that with his style of play which is all out at all times and the risk/severity of damage is greater than for other, hell most players. Unfortunately, that style of play is what makes him so special. Expect what we are seeing is what he is. Will probably play less than 80 games this year and heck, 120-130 may be all one can expect in his best years. But he is so very exciting, I will take 120 games of Buxton over anyone else the Twins could have. Hopefully, they can have a meeting of the minds and those 80-120 games a year will be with the Twins for a long time. But this also means the Twins need to seriously find a fourth outfielder, or have someone close at AAA, to play when he is on the IL. They sure didn't have that this year, although Refsnyder was a pleasant surprise before joining Buxton on the IL.

Love the idea that the Twins are able to move Cruz, Simmons, Pineda and Robles at the deadline. Hopefully, a couple more get moved. If they are able to move those four, hopefully, they get a reasonable return. What may be more interesting than who steps into the role of the four, is who replaces them on the active roster. When I read what you have a second time, it seems you are suggesting that Rooker replaces Cruz and probably Jax or Barnes replaces Pineda, With Simmons gone, expect Gordon, Arraez and Polanco are going to be limited to the middle infield. That would open a spot for someone like Astudillo, who can play almost anywhere. Someone above mention Stashak or Smeltzer as replacements for Robles. That makes sense, or maybe Thorpe if he is healthy by then.

Another great start for Schulfer. I think his last outing was also excellent, although I recall a real clunker earlier this year. What are his prospects? Does he have the stuff to be considered a possible Twins starter a year or two from now? What has Rooker done the last week or two? I know it seems like he hits a home run almost nightly. Seems like the two players having the biggest years are Miranda and Julien. I know Miranda is closer at AA, but which of the two do you think has the better future, Ted? Is it likely for either/both to become future stars for the Twins?

Yes, extend him. Along with extending Berrios and Buxton. That would be their best reliever, starter and position player. Great place to start a retooling and back in contention by 2023, if not next year. Get it done!

And after winning four straight, some of us may have been thinking maybe there is a way for them to dig their way back into this race. Then Buxton gets taken out and we have another shot of their bullpen today....and reality sets in!

When talking about why the Twins are down, no one ever mentions a reason that may be a big part of the problem. That is spelled R-O-S-A-R-I-O. I maintain he was a huge part of the chemistry that made this team special the past few years. Yes, their pitching has been bad or worse, but there also doesn't seem to be any fire in their lineup. That is where Eddie shined the brightest.

When I heard about Buxton, just shook my head before getting an ache in my stomach. I don't know the words to describe what I expect he must be going through. Hopefully, he will be back by early August, but his going back on the IL removes the slightest of hope this team had to turn their season around. Now would be a great time for management to sit down with Byron and his agent and work out a nice 3-4 year extension. A nice base with incentives based on games played could work for everyone, while giving this young man some peace of mind.

Thanks for another great report, Seth. You asked about what you could do in the future that may be of interest. Is it possible to take an in depth look at the Fort Myers roster and the members of the 2019 draft class that are on it? With the draft around the corner, some of us may be interested in how their last full draft class is doing.

Ouch, did you have to remind us of those picks? Yes, probably more first rounders aren't going to make it than do. I recall that Wimmers had injuries, but one of six?

Thanks for a nice review, Nick. OK, what does their record need to be between now and July 1 for someone to bring that ole 'bandwagon' out of the shed? This two game series with the Reds is a series a team on the rise should win 2. With who Cincinnati is going to pitch versus our starters, gotta believe it is more likely the Reds get the sweep than the Twins. You point out so many individual scenarios leading up to the trading deadline. I hope like heck at least a couple can work out well for this team.

Am finding it very interesting how well Fort Myers is doing. That team is loaded with 2019 draft picks, their success gives us some indication that draft may be a good one, especially on the pitching side. And Julien is turning out to be one heck of a later round pick...what a great pick and over slot signing.

I am of the opinion that Arraez can be an adequate second baseman. I don't care what the numbers say, he has been shifted around so much that he hasn't had the opportunity to settle into any position, much less second. When he came up he spent most of that first year in left, didn't he? And that was after having what, a couple innings in the outfield during his entire minor league career? Long term, I am optimistic that second base may be where he ends up, rather than being that #10 starter/utility guy.

John and others...do you think it is realistic to expect the Twins to approach both/either Buxton and Berrios about an extension this summer? So often we hear that players don't want to deal with negotiations while the season is under way. But should the Twins be approached about a trade for either, I would think they would have to at least run the flag up the pole to see if an extension is possible. If the answer is no, expect they would listen to offers. If the answer is yes, would hope they proceed to get it done. When healthy this team may be proving that they aren't so far away that a retooling is possible, perhaps as soon as next year. Sure would make sense to lock in their two best players.

A lot can happen in the next 30+ days. Does Cruz stay healthy and continues hitting as he has the first 2+ months. Does an AL team that has a serious chance of being in the playoffs, probably one of six or seven teams, have an injury or disappointment and can legitimately believe that bringing on Cruz WILL give them that bit of nudge to make the playoffs and be able to take a real run at the Series. In that case, the Twins should move him for his sake as much as what they can get in prospects. He just may be the best option out there and should there be two teams that meet this description...the return might be better than we think, maybe a lot better.

So many unknowns, John. Really about 41 days too soon to think about this. The Twins lost a ton of money in 2020. The Pohlads stepped up and said they are treating it as a one time loss and won't try to recover it by cutting future payrolls. With the early season COVID restrictions and now poor play, 2021 attendance is going to be low. Will they surpass 1,000,000? With a $130M+/- payroll, that means another healthy loss, although it could be reduced should they move a couple bigger contracts at the deadline. Hopefully, they will approach next year as this year and treat the 2021 losses as a sunk cost. I like the lineup you have projected for 2021 and can see the Twins fielding a competitive team while spending less than 2021, perhaps much less. But we won't have a good feel for what the ownership/FO will be doing until after the trading deadline.

It has also been some time since we have seen a healthy Max Kepler. Although he may never again have a season like 2019, expect a typical year is a lot closer to that than the start of this year when he seemed to be battling various injuries since spring training. I also think it is unlikely that Kirilloff will be competing for a corner outfield spot. I expect him to be the Twins primary first baseman sometime after this year. When I consider how solid Max is defensively, I want to see him as part of the regular lineup next year and beyond.

Nice day to sweep down on the farm. Am I correct and only the Saints are under .500? And they are close. Thanks for today's report, Matt. Someone can correct me if my memory fails, but didn't Rooker start his last full season (2019) slow before heating up and tearing the cover off the ball the last part of the season? Although there wasn't a season, that is kind of what happened last year when he hit well with the Twins after spending much of the summer in St. Paul. If 2021 is an instant replay of 2019-2020, he still may be a good choice to be a future Twins DH. Check the Kernels box score every day to see how Javier did. Another nice game, 1-4 with a walk, run scored and two driven in. Expect none of us have been more disappointed than he in what his career has been to date. Just keep hoping like heck that he is turning the corner and becomes that stud shortstop the Twins need starting in 2023. Remember Laweryson was one of those guys to seemingly come out of nowhere and do really well back in 2019. I know he has been MIA until making his first appearance last week. Give him a couple more outings and he looks like he just may be pitching as well as two years ago.

Buxton plays.........Twins win! I don't want to think about what has been written in the Strib, here and elsewhere. Yes, I understand moving him if he really has no interest in an extension. Same for Berrios. But I continue to believe that the two B's could/should be the foundation around which the next winning Twins team is build around. And a lot of the parts for that team are either here or a short distance away, so it doesn't have to be a real long rebuild. Yes, they may have to overpay a bit and yes, Buxton is gonna miss a bunch of games. Please get it done!

Thanks for the report Allen. Watched most of the Wichita game last night. Have been saying for the past couple outings that Balazovic just looks like a top of the line major league starter. After watching Winder last night, got the same feeling. Really liked how he worked himself out of a couple sticky situations. Springfield had several stolen bases and a bunt single against the shift to put runners in scoring position. Other than the one kid stealing home, he seemed to be in control of the situation and worked out of them. Also was impressed with the defensive play of Palacios. Seemed smooth charging the ball with strong accurate throws to first. Also great to see from the box score that Javier had another night with a hit, run scored and 2 rbi. Great seeing him having some success!

I am afraid you hit it right on, Cap. And the unfortunate truth is that you explained why Berrios has been betting on himself as he goes out to free agency. So the Twins are screwed...no way to sign him now and they can't compete come 2022/2023 offseason. So I guess you have described the reason it makes a ton of sense to trade him next month. Had they been in the hunt, would make sense to wait until the offseason, but with them out of it...the FO should work the phones long and hard. The good news is that you described several wealthy teams who should have an interest.