John Bonnes

Aaron and John talk about putting the Twins’ mess of a season to rest, the firing of GM Thad Levine and four coaches, Joe Pohlad’s comments on payroll, and the least bad option between cheering for the Yankees or the Guardians. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Ownership’s reassurance that the Twins won’t further cut payroll in 2025 aren’t at all reassuring. Even with free agents like Max Kepler and Carlos Santana departing, Twins Daily estimates the Twins' payroll will need to increase by as much as $10 million just to keep the core of their team intact. The dominant story of the Twins' 2023-24 offseason (and 2024 season) was ownership’s decision to slash approximately $30 million from the 2023 payroll. Doing so meant trading away Jorge Polanco, shopping for bargain-level relievers, and essentially sitting out the trade deadline. The worst fears of fans and Twins employees about the ramifications of that decrease--roughly 20 percent--came to fruition when a six-week swoon resulted in the Twins missing the postseason by a handful of games. But even worse news awaits the team in 2025, as significant built-in raises to several key players will require the team to raise payroll if they want to keep the core of this 82-win team intact. Even with free-agent departures like Max Kepler (who made $10 million in 2024), Carlos Santana ($5.25 million), Kyle Farmer ($6.3 million), Anthony DeSclafani ($4 million, for the Twins; the rest of his eight-figure salary was paid by the Giants and Mariners), and Caleb Thielbar ($3.225 million), the Twins will have even less money to spend than last offseason, unless there is a significant increase in payroll from ownership. That’s because the payroll will rise organically, due to built-in raises for players under contract and those who get raises via MLB’s arbitration process. For instance, the Twins have a contract with Pablo López that will start paying him $21.5 million annually in 2025, up from $8 million in 2024. Similarly, since Chris Paddack was still returning from Tommy John surgery, he was only paid $2.5 million this year. But he’s under contract for $7.5 million next year. The bigger issue is MLB’s arbitration process, which gives significant raises to players as they get closer to free agency. The Twins have over half a dozen key players who will get significant raises as a result of this process--and still be a bargain at their new salaries. They include third baseman Royce Lewis, catcher Ryan Jeffers, outfielder Trevor Larnach, starting pitchers Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, and relievers Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax. None of these players will receive an enormous raise, but increases of even $1-4 million for each mean any savings of departing free agents are quickly consumed. Above is a back-of-the-napkin analysis of the 2025 Twins payroll, including reported contract values and estimated arbitration awards. It is a starting point for the offseason; it shows what the Twins roster might look like if the 2025 season started today, absent their outgoing free agents. It shows a 26-man payroll of approximately $132 million, compared to a 26-man payroll of approximately $122 million for 2024. You may cringe a little as you review the names on the list, but remember, this is not meant to be a roster projection. It's a payroll projection. For instance, I don’t think the Twins will be comfortable with Edouard Julien as their designated hitter. But he’s the in-house option right now, and to replace him, they’ll need to pay someone quite a bit more than the roughly $800,000 that Julien would make. Furthermore, subtracting salaries from this payroll projection isn’t necessarily easy. Christian Vázquez may not be worth $10 million as a backup catcher. However, MLB contracts are guaranteed, so the Twins need to find another team to pay him some substantial portion of that to remove his salary from this list. Ditto Paddack and his $7.5 million. You may want to trade Carlos Correa to save $36 million, but Correa has a no-trade clause in his contract. He’s not going anywhere. The same goes for Byron Buxton and his $15 million salary. Looking closer at the list, you'll soon find that any payroll cuts start hurting. Can Ryan or Ober and their approximate $4 million 2025 salaries be traded away, to be replaced with David Festa or Zebby Matthews and the $800,000 or less that they’d make? Sure, and the Twins could get a valuable player or prospect package in return. But will that help or hurt the 2025 team’s chances of making the postseason? Flipping the possibilities, can we really picture the front office trading away a prospect of meaningful value in a bundle with Vázquez or Paddack for a marginal return, just to clear money they might spend elsewhere? They've never shown an appetite for that kind of move before, even under similar pressures. So, ownership's reassurance that payroll won’t be cut further should not be viewed as reassuring. A static payroll will still require Derek Falvey and the Twins front office to ask and answer some tough questions this offseason. If payroll doesn’t increase, additional cuts will likely be necessary just to maintain most of the team's core. If the front office wants to improve or add players, they’ll need to be especially creative--or talk the Pohlads into restoring their investment in the team to the modest but acceptable standard they set a few years ago. What would you do if you were in Falvey's shoes? How much more money would the Pohlads need to put back into the pot to ease these pressures? Let your voice be heard in the comments. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' infuriating inability to even put up a fight during their six-week fall out of contention, the step-by-step wrecking of fan morale 10 months in the making, the long list of individual players who contributed to the collapse, and why the big-picture outlook might not be getting any rosier. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' month-long collapse, an excruciating series in Cleveland, the trickle down effect of ownership slashing payroll by $30 million, and how the Twins can still salvage their season simply by playing decently for nine games. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' depth being put to the test by injuries and poor moves, why the path to the playoffs is still clear with a decent September, the latest on Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa injuries, the timelines for Brooks Lee and Louie Varland, and what happened to Max Kepler. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' bullpen meltdowns exposing a lack of quality depth, the latest on Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa injuries, the start of a crucial nine-game home stand, and why rookie starting pitchers like Simeon Woods Richardson have been so big all season. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins being forced to rely on rookies in the rotation, Byron Buxton joining Carlos Correa on the injured list, first impressions of Zebby Matthews, and giving props to Christian Vàzquez and Carlos Santana. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John look forward to the Minnesota Twins' showdown with the Cleveland Guardians, recap the Cubs series, discuss Joe Ryan's injury and where it leaves the Twins' rotation (and bullpen), marvel at Matt Wallner's hot streak, and revel in the crisp, cool, fall-like air. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

The moment has arrived for the big reveal of Gray Duck’s second prize, which we’ll be giving away this Friday at the doubleheader party at Tom’s Watch Bar… One lucky winner will go home with a signed Royce Lewis jersey! What you need to do to enter to win is simple, and we promise you’ll have a great time and most likely make some fun new friends in the process. First, come to Tom’s Watch Bar this Friday between the Twins’ split doubleheader against the Guardians to spend the afternoon with the Twins Daily Social Club—entry to all the fun is free! When you arrive, you will each receive a pack of baseball cards. Then, sometime between 4 and 6:30 pm, we’ll play Six-of-a-Kind Baseball Card game.. You must trade your cards with strangers and get “six-of-a-kind” (I.e., the same team, position, pose, hairstyle, etc.). Bring your “six-of-a-kind” back and us to receive a raffle ticket that enters you to win the signed Royce Lewis jersey! Get your friends together and see us Friday afternoon—stay late after the 1 p.m. Twins game or come early for the 7 p.m. Twins game. Whatever you do, be at Tom’s Watch Bar between games this Friday to kick off the weekend with friends, Grey Duck, the Twins Daily community, and the crew at Tom’s! Be sure to keep an eye out throughout the week for more exciting announcements. These announcements could include special info about potential drink specials, more games, and prizes, you name it—stay tuned! Twins Daily Social Club Home Opener Pregame Where: Tom’s Watch Bar, 609 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, MN 55403 When: Friday, 8/9/24, 4 PM – 6 PM Cost: Free View full article

You're going to want a chance at this great giveaway. The Twins Daily Social Club is mostly about gathering to share our love of Twins baseball - but we’re not opposed to adding some fantastic giveaways. Enter Gray Duck who is providing two fantastic prizes. The first is the limited edition Carlos Correa bat shown above. This two-toned wooden bat makes for a great collectible and showpiece. So, how do you win it? Just show up! It’s all free! We’ll be swarming at Tom’s Watch Bar this Friday between the Twins’ split doubleheader versus the Guardians. Sometime between 4 and 6:30 pm, we’ll be playing our Last Fan Standing game. Everyone present gets to play and match wits with everyone else at the party. The winner takes home the bat! The second item Gray Duck is adding is … going to be revealed tomorrow. But trust me, you’re not going to want to miss this one either. So contact some friends and make a plan! Stay late after the 1:00 Twins game. Come early for the 7:00 Twins game. Or just have a Friday afternoon happy hour with your friends. Whatever your plan, don’t miss this. And don’t miss our announcement tomorrow of the second great prize, and how you can win that, too! Twins Daily Social Club Home Opener Pregame Where: Tom’s Watch Bar, 609 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, MN 55403 When: Friday, 8/9/24, 4 PM – 6 PM Cost: Free View full article

Friday is one of the biggest baseball days of the year, so let’s celebrate with Gray Duck Vodka, Tom’s Watch Party, & the Twins Daily Social Club Minneapolis is a football town, but that doesn’t mean football gets all 365 days of the year. Every year there are a handful of baseball days – Opening Day, the home opener, the postseason – which unequivocally belong to baseball, and one of those is this Friday. After fruitlessly chasing the first-place Guardians for four months, the Twins get four games this weekend at home versus Cleveland. This whole weekend belongs to baseball fans, but especially this Friday, when the series starts with a split doubleheader. So let’s celebrate OUR day with a party in between the doubleheader games! The party starts at 4 PM at Tom’s Watch Bar, the new downtown sports bar with TVs everywhere that is just three blocks from Target Field! You’ll want to get there early if you want a seat. Twins Daily Social Club’s Home Opener Party at Tom’s last year drew over 300(!) Twins fans. While they all had a great time, some of them probably would have liked to rest their feet. For now, just put it on your calendar. Make a plan! Stick around after the first game, or get downtown early for the second game. We’ll see you there, AND we’ll see you back here tomorrow as we detail what Twins Daily, Gray Duck and Tom’s has in store for everyone. Twins Daily Social Club Home Opener Pregame Where: Tom’s Watch Bar, 609 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, MN 55403 When: Friday, 8/9/24, 4 PM – 6:30 PM Cost: Free View full article

“Life's like a movie, write your own ending." -The Magic Store from The Muppet Movie Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports It started with a decision in the spring of 1990. He asked her if their first date should be an afternoon at the Chicago Art Institute or a doubleheader at Wrigley Field. "How is that even a call?" she replied. The sun gleamed, the grass glowed underneath the ballplayers, and the magical afternoon was made more so because he thought it was probably their last date as well; neither was from Chicago. He was wrong. Both traveled enough to occasionally gain discounted tickets, and the 1,000 miles between Minneapolis and Philadelphia weren't as isolating as they both thought they would be. Or, at least not initially. Two years later, it was. So, with $1,000 shoved into his pocket and all his worldly possessions crammed in an '84 Honda Prelude, he moved to Philadelphia to court her. The courtship was fun, but not especially easy. First, he had to find work during a recession. Then, she was assigned to a project out of town. And when the business world stopped conspiring to keep them apart, the tougher questions began. "Will he ever marry me? What's he waiting for?" and "Is she really the one? How do I know?" The questions were more destructive than geographic distance ever had a chance to be. On a summer trip out west, his questions were answered in the Black Hills. And on August 13th, when they were supposed to go to a Phillies game, he showed up with flowers, acted all goofy and suggested they go for a walk. And she knew her questions were about to be answered, too. Unaccustomed to being nervous, his proposal was awkward but genuine, and the response was delayed but jubilant. Standing together in the park, their future felt too large. Neither knew what to do, where to go, who to see. "So, do you still want to go to the Phillies game?" he asked. "How is that even a call?" It wasn't a call, because the one place in Philadelphia where they both knew there was some magic that year was at The Vet. The '93 Phils, led by blue-collar rejects like John Kruk, "Dutch" Daulton, "Nails" Dykstra, and closer Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, had not just finagled 1st place in the NL East, but seized it with force and fury. They'd won games at Veterans Stadium in every conceivable manner, including one in which Williams got the winning hit in the bottom of the 10th - at 4:30 AM. Tonight, they were playing the hated Mets, and it seemed like as good a place as any to look for magic. The electricity they felt made the game a secondary concern. She'll readily admit that she spent most of the game looking at the back of her hand. But the game slowly became the focal point, when the Phillies lost their early lead in the top of the eighth. They scratched in a run in the bottom half, but were still down 5-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth. But there was a reason this hard-nosed city loved this team. They used a crucial error by the Mets to score one run, and loaded the bases with two outs. Kim Batiste, a light-hitting 25-year-old utility infielder who seemed to have a special gift for striking out, came to the plate, and....... Grand Slam. Pandemonium. Magic. Earlier this year, they won baseball tickets that are a baseball fan’s dream. They just had to pick a date. "How is that even a call?" So last night, those same stupid kids went to a baseball game, looking for magic, just like they have every August 13th for 32 years. It wasn’t hard to find. (Somehow, it still never is.) Yes, they had the magical seats. They also watched a major-league debut by a youngster who is experiencing his own magical year. They held hands. But this time, they went with their daughter and her fiancé, who are planning their own union, their own journey. A father and mother always hope for a better life for their children, so of course we do, too. But honestly, I think we’ll be happy if they have a life even half as happy, so long as they still find… Magic. View full article

The Twins got their left-handed reliever. Only he's not left-handed. Image courtesy of © Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports The Minnesota Twins have completed a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for reliever/opener Trevor Richards , per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Richards is a seven-year veteran who is a classic “swing guy”; he started as starter, has moved to the bullpen, and has bounced through four teams as a classic eat-innings reliever, including working as a “opener” this season with the Blue Jays. His career ERA of 4.51 doesn’t inspire, nor does his 4.64 ERA this year. But he’s appealing because the right-hander has “reverse splits,” and has for his entire career. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season. The Twins bullpen this year has been generally effective, relying on high-leverage arms like Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and (recently) Jorge Alcalá or (previously) Brock Stewart to secure close games. But all of those pitchers are right-handed, and the three left-handed relievers in the Twins bullpen have been unreliable in close games. Richards is not left-handed, but his combination of pitches plays well versus left-handed hitters, which is who left-handed pitchers would usually face. Trevor Richards Changeup.mp4 Richards is a pure two-pitch pitcher: high-rise fastball, and scroogie-style, fadeaway changeup. The vertical break difference between the two is almost two full feet. It’s akin to Jake Odorizzi, if Odo didn’t have a curveball or that cutter he learned in Minnesota. Richards is vulnerable in various ways, but the change has a whole bunch of spin on it, heavily pronated out of his hand, and it just disappears down and away from a lefty. It can miss bats against righties, too, but when he misses with it, it gets hit hard. Lefties are .156/.256/.250 against him this year, but righties are .200/.294/.391, and almost 5% of plate appearances by a righty against him end in a homer. Jay Harry was a sixth-round draft pick of the Twins in the 2023 draft. The 22-year-old infielder played this year in High-A Cedar Rapids and has posted a .655 OPS in 340 plate appearances. He is not one of Twins Daily's Top 20 Twins Prospects. To make room for Richards, Josh Staumont was designated for assignment, putting an end to one bargain-basement reliever experiment so as to begin another. Injuries and control issues marred Staumont's brief stay in Twins Territory. Richards is only a small upgrade over him, but with the team's lefty relievers scuffling so badly, the matchup value proved to be the tiebreaker. View full article