As to spending more money, I think he will, but lets be clear he also said he was going to sign more help for the bullpen in free agency and I think we had already signed Rogers. I think the only real addition before the season was Banda for international money.
Here is where I am at with Pohlad and Zoll-
He came in with big boy pants and effectively laid down the law with Falvey and Falvey said I don't have to deal with this. I think Tom quickly realized he may have pushed too hard initially and had a bigger learning curve than he realized.
Do I think Zoll is ok at his job. Yes I think he is Ok. I don't think he is great, I think he is a rubber stamper for Tom and will do whatever it is to keep a job. I did have to laugh at Zoll's rebuke to the writers saying they kept saying the Twins had to trade Jeffers. Trading Jeffers was likely the smart move, but yes just because they said it didn't mean that Zoll and Falvey had to do it. Just like Tom Pohlad I think Zoll has more of a short term view horizon and its merely to keep Tom happy in the meantime. I really don't think its in the organizations best interest.
So thats the negative. Here's the positives -
Yes, Tom may say some things that aren't quite right or way to optimistic. I bet he regrets the "go big or go home" quote. But for the most part if you take his statement of the big picture I think he is honest. I think he has developed a good working relationship with Zoll, Shelton and the Players. He is definitely more accessible and available to the players. I do think that is a significant improvement and the Trust has improved from the team and the front office.
I do think he is learning on the job. He is actively trying to figure things out so I will give him credit for that. I think he is an owner representative that will get involved with signings and ect. Thats a good and bad thing in my opinion. I know if I was an agent and I wasn't quite getting the offers that I would at least try to get a hold of Zoll and Tom because just like this trade deadline it appears like they were ok with overpaying.
I still think the Pohlads are gone from the organization within 2 years. So all in all for an Owner face of the franchise I think I put Tom in the bottom 10 primarily due to lack of knowledge and maybe being too involved but I could see him moving up to middle of the pack. I don't think he has done anything absolutely horrendous that will cost the franchise. Right now Dasan Hill is the only one who could really bite us. I wish we would have done a full tear down and rebuild but I am not going to cry over spilled milk. The path is just a tad narrower for our next window.