TheLeviathan

Does anyone know when the parade for the World Champions start? San Fran has beaten the Dodgers in 4 of their 7 games this year. I assume that sample will suffice for us to end the season and declare them winners correct? Or does the month of October magically envelope their success in some greater meaning because of temperature? Ancient Pagan rituals? The celestial alignment of pumpkin shaped Reese's, Pumpkin Pie, and Oktoberfest? At least "parity" will continue and give us extra time to watch the Bananas!

Even that is a somewhat problematic issue without a cap. Whether the Dodgers are winning or losing...their market allows them to charge significantly more per ticket because of the nature of their local economy. Nothing Kansas City does, in terms of winning, changes that $80 in Missouri isn't the same as $80 in New York or Los Angeles. Attendance should be the reward for competence, no doubt. It also has to have a cap to ensure it doesn't have a compounding effect on that competence.

There is a lot wrong here but it starts with the false premise in the last paragraph. You are judging "competitive balance" based on how frequently the winner of the World Series changes. That metric omits a great deal of variables that extend well beyond payroll. The truth is, the "competitive balance" you are citing is a function of the sport and has next to nothing to do with the CBA. The reasoning is really simple: your metric is based on small sample sizes that we know are prone to incredibly random outcomes. When you zoom further out, to larger sample sizes, the impact of the CBA is much more obvious. Teams with the enormous spending power give themselves much, much better chances to win games and be in the "Super Random Small Sample Size Championship Bracket" we overemphasize to determine the best team. Every other part of your argument falls apart when this superficial argument is exposed for what it is. The other leagues have their champions determined more by the quality in which their franchise is run rather than their market size and spending power. This is all any fan should want out of their CBA. (Though I'd argue the NHL has by far the best system, followed by the NFL (though deals there need to be guaranteed), and finally by the convoluted mess that is the NBA). When the Vikings fail, they fail due to their own choices, allocation of resources, and leadership. When the Twins fail, those are part of it, but they also have a several hundred million disadvantage that the Vikings simply don't face. Is it an excuse to run your team like the Marlins? No. Is it a valid, unfair obstacle towards true competitive spirit? Yes. It is. That is simply a fact that I can state while also saying "F the Pohlads" The league absolutely has to address issues including revenue sharing of local media. There are battles within the billionaires that need to be hashed and there are concessions players are going to have to make for the health of the sport. It's unfortunate the fate of the game hangs in the balance of so many that have their own messy self-interests in play and we, the fans, stand to suffer the most.

I can't vote without an option of "Both" like others have said. I absolutely hate that the players are forcing me to be sympathetic to the owners' position by being opposed to a cap with no qualifications. As long as the Dodgers have a 70M advantage on local broadcasting alone with no mechanism to share that money....a cap absolutely has to happen. Also, as long as some owners are content to deposit their revenue sharing checks....a floor absolutely has to happen. The NHL has an absolutely wonderful system that I wish the league would copy. Younger players don't go through 6 years of indentured servitude and get paid much more, much faster. Teams are forced to meet a floor. The cap allows for large contracts. It has a few flaws but it is mostly a great system. It's right there, waiting to be copied! Also, I'm not sure why the MLBPA isn't willing to entertain a cap in exchange for high floors. The whole goal is reaching as close to 60% of the revenue going their way and a floor would be a great way to do that. The cap is then just gravy money you get on top of the floors. Sprinkle in some much-needed cash infusions to treat minor leaguers like humans instead of cannon fodder and it's a deal I can get behind! Instead....luxury taxes and other BS like that. It forces me to start to oppose the players and I hate being in that position.

Congrats, you've brought so much to the discussion.

Nick also made clear the track record on players over 30 is spotty but you blew through that to focus on the "should" argument. I'm just over it. New CBA can't come fast enough.

We're discussing the merits of trading Ryan. Fantasy "should" arguments are derailing and annoying. It adds zero to the conversation. Want to start a "bash the billionaires" thread? I'm in. Here? Pointless at best.

I'm aware, that was the point. I'm as sick of the Pohlads as I am of lectures about what they "should" be doing.

The new CBA is such a wildcard but I really want to lean into the team that sports Jenkins, Culpepper, Keaschall and this young wave of talent. Shop Ryan to add to that group. Sad to see him go but it is how teams like the Twins pop through.

"Should" is not a helpful mindset for this. Maybe it ought to be, but it isn't.

Ok folks, I'm going to be unpopular right out of the gate. However, this team isn't going to catch up with the advantages OKC and San Antonio have by playing it safe, so here we go: The number one need for the Wolves is a playmaker who can remove the stagnant nature of their offense and put a more creative element to their game. There is one depressed asset - who has major flaws - that represents a homerun swing: Ja Morant. Yes, his shooting has struggled. Yes, his defense isn't good. But you know what he is good at? Ball-handling and play-making. I'm making the bet that coming to this organization will reignite the all-world player. The Trade: Wolves recieve: PG Ja Morant, Suns receive: PF Julius Randle, SG Donte Divencenzo Grizzlies recieve: PF Royce O'neale, SG Jaylen Green Why each team does it: Wolves get their point guard at the cost of a PF they don't want anymore and an expiring deal for a hurt player (bye DDV, please come back!). Suns have way too many guards and need someone like Randle to balance their front-court. DDV gives them an expiring contract they can flip for another asset. Grizzlies get off the Morant contract for a younger guard and a tradeable PF asset. (It's possible that this deal would need to be Dillon Brooks or Grayson Allen or something like that with picks from Phoenix too) I don't believe Ja has much trade value. Look at the recent Trae Young deal to see what I'm suggesting here. Re-sign G Ayo Dosonmu for 4 years 68M Re-sign Conley to Vet minimum Re-sign Clark Draft: G Meleek Thomas out of Arkansas C: Gobert, Beringer, Rocco PF: Naz SF: McDaniels, Shannon Jr. SG: Ant, Clark, Thomas PG: Morant, Dosonmu, Conley Probably need to sign another forward for depth. Not sure who that would be but some guy with a pulse!

Great link. This definitely feels like a team who has had "puck luck" to put it in another sport's framework. I grant Nick's point that the team has been resilient and continued to come back to play the next day. That's a great sign in a baseball team. However, right now it's a team that is basically 14th or so in every measure. That's not bad and probably a team that can see itself to a .500 record if maintained. It also helps that they've committed to better defense at SS to help keep this narrow win path open. But this is also a pretty soft part of the schedule and there has been a small sample of decent bullpen work. I'm going to need to see that continue along with developing an offensive plan beyond "hope Buxton carries us to this win" to find it sustainable.

Minnesota sports has far too often taken the easy, in-house option. Part of why I liked KAM in the first place was the bold swing it represented. It didn't work, so now we better boldly swing again and not be afraid to do it. The NFL, more than any of the other major sports, can dictate the culture on the field with the culture in the suites.

I'm going to need some help. This article exists and appears to be earnestly arguing that we are "in contention". So question 1: I'm looking at the right year...correct? This team that's 4 under .500 in a terrible division who has managed the super high bar of "not mathematically out on.....May 21st (WTF?)" ....we're talking about this team here right? Question 2: Contender?

Our 2026 season has come to the point where we're extolling the virtues of Ryan Kriedler. Thanks Pohlads.

That's a good point. What I do like about this is there are some GMs from teams that have been successful drafting teams.

When will we finally just embrace that this team needs a complete lineup makeover. I'm ok with some vets on the roster and the bench, but I'm just so tired of turning on the TV to watch my team and seeing these go-nowhere vets eating up so many at-bats. Tonight's lineup had Buxton and 2 guys that had even a marginal chance of helping this team in the future in their starting lineup. (Martin and maybe Lee) Why, as a fan, do I want to tune into this? I'm happy about the Lewis move, can we tear off some more bandaids now too?

I think you should start a fire in a dumpster and slow roast it while wearing a "Sell the Team" shirt.

Zebby having a nice return to the bigs. Good to see, I still think there is a guy there.

If Julius Randle is still on this team next year they've lost me.

Oh I know....McCarron had the game right there for him and he just crossed himself up so badly. I popped out of my seat ready to celebrate the W.

Yeah, it was not a good look for two periods but they absolutely made mental error after mental error to allow that game to be tied. And Kaprizov....buddy.....shoot the puck!

What a rough last four minutes.

I should add....when the time comes to resign him it will be for the year when Spurgeon's deal expires so we might be able to swap quite a bit of that salary between those two guys.

I think we have three star players, it's hard for me to say which one is the best but you're probably right that it's Hughes. We have to lock him up. That said, the team has Boldy, Ek, Faber, and a few others on pretty team friendly deals. Once they move Gus they have about 20M in cap room with this roster: W-C-Kaprizov Yurov-Ek-Boldy Trenin-Hartman-Foligno Sturm-Stramel-Haight/Heidt Faber-Hughes Brodin-Spurgeon Middleton-Hunt Wallstedt-Backup 20M to go get a wing, a center, and a backup goalie will give you some options. The problem is not having enough trade assets to land one that way.