Nashvilletwin

Another option to develop for a decent run in ‘28. There are starting to be quite a lot of them across the board; infield, outfield, catcher, starters, relievers (converted starters). ’26 will be a developmental year and we should expect it to include offseason trades of both Ryan and Lopez to reduce payroll and build for ‘28 (both should return a haul of almost ready top prospects from teams looking to win pre lockout). ’27 will most certainly see an extended lockout. No expectations for that season. ’26 (and the rest of ‘25 for that matter) will be enjoyable to watch, despite the growing pains, as the prospects develop. But ‘28 will be when the fun really starts.

‘26 could be fun to watch some of the young guys - both position players and pitchers. ’27 there won’t be much baseball played this year. ’28 is when things should get really fun again. I just wish they’d go forward with someone other than Rocco.

I’m way more interested in watching this lineup than before. I’ll tune in to watch: Clemens 1B, DH Keaschall 2B Lee SS Lewis 3B Wallner RF Buxton CF Larnach LF Rhoden LF, RF, DH, PH Julien 1B, 2B, DH, PH Martin CF, LF, PH, PR Jeffers C, DH Vasquez C I also very much enjoy watching our starting rotation. The bullpen, Gasper and Fitzgerald are at this point another story….

We can all argue about Jeffers or Arraez, etc. But the CRITICAL point is that a small/mid-market team cannot compete effectively in MLB unless they are able to successfully draft and develop their prospects into legitimate MLB average to above average every day major leaguers. Without a salary cap, these franchises just cannot attract and retain expensive FAs. So they have to compete by developing their home grown players, ideally better than other teams if they truly want to compete for a pennant. No one can argue against that. It’s that simple. The Twins under Rocco and Falvey have been extremely poor in this critical area required for small/mid-market team consistent success, especially as it relates to position players. That’s just the plain truth. One or two decent position players in seven years is a horrible record for a franchise like the Twins.

The total value “paid” for a business in a sale is essentially the value of the equity plus any assumed debt less any excess cash (some amount of cash on hand is necessary to run any business). This is called “enterprise value”. So if the Pohlads are asking for $1.7BB for their equity and are asking that the +$400MM stay with the business, then they are really asking for $2.1BB. Enterprise Value is also important because it is used to determine comparable value metrics (think EV/sales, EV/EBITDA, etc.). If the there are no earnings or cash flow (i.e EBITDA), then the valuation metric EV/EBITDA is essentially infinity. Not good for a buyer. This situation may also be indicative of a business in which the entity’s cash flow (again, essentially EBITDA) is insufficient to cover the interest payments. Thus, the only reason a sale would generally occur in this situation would be if the purchaser were convinced that either the equity value of business would rise rapidly or operating changes could be effected to increase cash flow or the buyer just doesn’t care because it’s an ego purchase. Given the current state of Major League Baseball (especially for small/mid-market teams) and the seemingly little room for the Twins to increase high margin revenues and/or substantially decrease costs over the entirety of the franchise, it’s no wonder the Pohlads are having a tough time selling, certainly at their asking price. It’s just a bad economic deal with very little room to effect positive financial changes to the operations. The Pohlads may be better off reducing costs in the near term and waiting for the new CBA (which, via a salary cap like the one that saved the NFL, might bring substantial relief and value to the small/mid-sized franchises).

Like I said Arraez is the best example. But still that’s 5-7 years ago. Wallner was a few ABs from being sent down before the All Star Break. He has a long way to go. Yes, the injuries re Lewis; but in no way can it be argued that he has demonstrated his potential when healthy. But the key point is that a small/mid-market team like the Twins - that cannot compete in the FA market - must be exceptional at drafting and developing their talent in order to create and sustain any sort of competitive advantage. One position player in seven years is appallingly bad. The Twins under Falvey and Rocco have been exceedingly poor at doing so.

Arraez might be the only example yet he was the product of a different front office. And he was there when Rocco first got the gig. So it’s almost a good example. Probs the best. But that also was nearly seven years ago. He hasn’t come close since. Wallner? Please. I love the guy but he hasn’t even been able to stay in the show for a year. Up and down doesn’t count as a success. Maybe he will be; but he’s a far cry still from an every day average to above average major leaguer. Heck, he barely sees left handed pitching. Lewis is the best bet. But he was a #1 pick for crying out loud. Yes, he’s been injured a lot, but even when healthy he’s not lived up to his potential. I still have hopes for him though and would love to see him get to his potential (same for Wallner). I just don’t think the chances of that are maximized under Rocco.

Still crickets. Zero position players in seven years under Rocco.

Exactly.

Which position player has successfully transitioned (every day regular - average to above average) to the majors under Rocco? He’s been at the helm since 2019. Simple question. Just name one (other than Jeffers, a catcher). Crickets. Either we can’t draft or we can’t develop. Given the initial success in the show so many of our “Top 100” accomplished minor leagues have had, I’m taking “we can’t develop” I’m wondering if any other small/mid market team has had as little success in this endeavor over the past seven years? Doubt it. Under Rocco we are probably the standard bearers in futility.

Just like all our top AAA position players. Every one. Please enlighten all of us about the inordinate success the Twins have transitioning those players.

All three ruined by the Twins. Exceptional AAA players who never had a chance under the tutelage of Rocco and team. And spare us the “lots of good minor leaguers never make it” baloney. No one (specifically position players) makes it under Rocco. Name one. Jeffers is the best and only possible example. He’s about an average major league catcher (and he’s a catcher basically platooning his entire career). The jury is still out on Wallner, Lee and Lewis - maybe one of them will develop into an above average everyday major leaguer. Lewis has the best chance and we all hope he does make it - but no one can argue he’s attained anything near his potential (including considering his injuries). Lee is expected to be a utility player in a year or two. Wallner goes back and forth between a dependable slugger and not playable. And he really only plays against righties. Spare us on Larnach. The most successful Twins minor leaguers actually make it with other teams. The best thing that could happen to Miranda, Julien and Martin is a change of scenery. And I’d hate to be a position player drafted by or traded to the Twins. The successs rate just isn’t there.

For whatever reason I imagine TK or Gardy making Kiersey take 100 bunt reps per day until he was more than proficient. I also imagine both of them fining Kiersey $200 for not getting the bunt down - followed by several hundred more reps the next day. Heck, I’d do that (not the fine part) with my little leaguers or juniors.

Kiersey trying to bunt today is a screaming example of the failures our organization. How in the world can our fastest player literally have no idea how to lay down a bunt? How does that player with that particular skill set get to the major leagues without developing the most obvious skill needed to maximum his speed. It’s simply mind boggling. That’s 100% on the coaching staff.

Desperate to show some return from Thursday….

Seriously. Why is that? Rocco……

I guess not, hahaha. But it was the most obvious question…. Of course, next too: “Well if it weren’t Rocco’s fault, do you think maybe the team you hand assembled personally wasn’t as talented as you thought and therefore the underperformance really comes down to your roster construction?” I mean, it’s mostly one or the other or a combination of the two.

People, including our fellow TDers, don’t want to hear it or contemplate it, but this outcome is a definite possibility. The best way to create value for this franchise post the Thursday trade deadline massacre is to: 1) wait for the new (small to mid market team friendly) CBA to be completed after a lockout in ‘27. 2) build a new cheap controllable core suitable to be sold to the Twins faithful as well as a new buyer (coming out of a lockout year); 3) develop a more attractive TV cash generating solution (which might be part of the goodies given to the small - mid market teams in conjunction with the CBA; and 4) keep payroll low thru ‘26. This very well could be the Pohlad’s new plan of action.

100% agree that this was dictated by ownership. Why? Here are a couple of hot takes/bold predictions. 1. The sale process is going very poorly. Ownership is not getting near the price they want. These moves are not going to help in the near term. 2. Ownership thinks the price will go up after the lockout in ‘27 when the small/mid market teams go to the mat to effect a hard salary cap. Also, that gives them time to figure out the tv side of things and help future cash flow. 3. The Pohlads are thus keeping the team until after the lockout. 4. Consequently, the strategy going forward is to reduce payroll while building a new promising young core to build fan interest post the lockout and to raise the price. 5. ‘26 will be all about building and positioning for that core while keeping payroll down. ‘27 will be a no baseball season for the most part. Thus, Lopez and Ryan are moved in the off-season. Jeffers very likely as well as the team looks to transition to cheap young catchers in ‘28. Buxton stays unless he demands a trade. Too early to tell on Lewis. So, hate to be the predictor of bad news, but the Pohlads may very well pull the sale until after the new CBA is done.

Provus was a complete coward and corporate shill on the telecast last night. Falvey stated quite clearly that the team had way underperformed this season. But Cory didn’t ask why or what role, responsibility or culpability Rocco had in that underperformance. What a complete waste of an opportunity and just shows what a bunch of propagandists for the Pohlad/Falvey/Rocco regime the entire broadcast team are. Does any reporter have the courage to ask that question? Will Falvey ever have to address it? Why does Rocco get a free pass? Btw, Falvey is a complete bull@&$&@er. What a bunch a dribble he talks. He should be down at Walser selling used cars.

PATHETIC INTERVIEW. Falvey admits the team has way underperformed. But not a single question about why that was the case or about Rocco’s performance or culpability. Completely useless booth.

Even behind those blue frames….but won’t ask him why Rocco is still the manager

Even behind those blue frames….

Falvey looks like a deer in headlights. He sounds like he’s full of #$@&.

In preparation for the ‘27 lockout, the Twins are reducing salary and commitments. The trades indicate a concerted focus on building the depth of the rotation. They have almost ten candidates (not counting Ryan and Lopez) with some of them destined to help rebuild the bullpen. Look for both Ryan and Lopez (does he have a no trade clause?) to be moved over the offseason or by the ‘26 trade deadline at the latest. Buxton stays unless he wants to chase a ring. Jeffers could be gone at the ‘26 deadline too with an eye on the young catchers being ready in ‘28 after ‘27 is cancelled. After that it’s bits and bobs and a few extensions. The Twins are building for ‘28 with a payroll approaching $75MM.