All Things 2024-25 Minnesota Twins Off-Season Thread

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GophersInIowa said:
I too know what it's like to be really good at something I don't love. My wife tells me all the time how good I am at washing the dishes so guess who does them all the time.
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But you don't get to console yourself with Malibu models (I'm assuming).
 

I see the Twins Daily crowd and the Skor North gang are working themselves into a frenzy because the Twins are reportedly "listening to offers for Pablo Lopez."

well folks, that is what a front office does. they listen to offers. what are the Twins supposed to do - shut off the phones and refuse to speak to other teams?

just because they listen does not mean they're going to trade Lopez - or any other player.

But - there is always that small chance that another team comes along with an offer that is too good to be true. let's say some team wants to give up 3 or four of their very best prospects for Lopez? I'd listen to that offer. it would be negligent of the Twins not to listen.

In my darkest moments, I think I might be the last Twins fan left who doesn't hate the team.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
I see the Twins Daily crowd and the Skor North gang are working themselves into a frenzy because the Twins are reportedly "listening to offers for Pablo Lopez."

well folks, that is what a front office does. they listen to offers. what are the Twins supposed to do - shut off the phones and refuse to speak to other teams?

just because they listen does not mean they're going to trade Lopez - or any other player.

But - there is always that small chance that another team comes along with an offer that is too good to be true. let's say some team wants to give up 3 or four of their very best prospects for Lopez? I'd listen to that offer. it would be negligent of the Twins not to listen.

In my darkest moments, I think I might be the last Twins fan left who doesn't hate the team.
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Reusse had a column recently focused on how the Twins are easily in last place right now in the court of public opinion among the 4 major sports teams. They had a horrible year last year off the field from a PR standpoint and a disappointing season on the field. Add in a very uneventful offseason this and they're facing a big hill to climb in order to win the public back over.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
I see the Twins Daily crowd and the Skor North gang are working themselves into a frenzy because the Twins are reportedly "listening to offers for Pablo Lopez."

well folks, that is what a front office does. they listen to offers. what are the Twins supposed to do - shut off the phones and refuse to speak to other teams?

just because they listen does not mean they're going to trade Lopez - or any other player.

But - there is always that small chance that another team comes along with an offer that is too good to be true. let's say some team wants to give up 3 or four of their very best prospects for Lopez? I'd listen to that offer. it would be negligent of the Twins not to listen.

In my darkest moments, I think I might be the last Twins fan left who doesn't hate the team.
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You’ve got company; things are much easier to critique, than to actually do.

My Dad was an excellent ref, who at various times umped: baseball, softball, boys & girls buckets and girls volleyball.

I tried it one college summer, in the cities in a Babe Ruth league and was horrific; my dad laughed and chided me with a tougher than it looks quip, when I returned the ump gear he lent me. The 🍎 wasn’t remotely close to the 🌲.

Ironically, the scenario you described above is exactly how Lopez ended here. Falvey had a talk with Miami, who wasn’t actively shopping Lopez, just as the Twins weren’t actively shopping Arraez, per Falvey. Viola it happened.

Falvey said that the vast majority of time these conversations yield nothing, but how do you know big you never have them?

With Lopez’s age, production, reasonable contract, no trade clause (I think) and the young starters we have, this would make him one of our best trading options.
 
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Breakin' The Plane said:
Reusse had a column recently focused on how the Twins are easily in last place right now in the court of public opinion among the 4 major sports teams. They had a horrible year last year off the field from a PR standpoint and a disappointing season on the field. Add in a very uneventful offseason this and they're facing a big hill to climb in order to win the public back over.
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They really need the sale to go through before Opening Day if possible.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
I see the Twins Daily crowd and the Skor North gang are working themselves into a frenzy because the Twins are reportedly "listening to offers for Pablo Lopez."

well folks, that is what a front office does. they listen to offers. what are the Twins supposed to do - shut off the phones and refuse to speak to other teams?

just because they listen does not mean they're going to trade Lopez - or any other player.

But - there is always that small chance that another team comes along with an offer that is too good to be true. let's say some team wants to give up 3 or four of their very best prospects for Lopez? I'd listen to that offer. it would be negligent of the Twins not to listen.

In my darkest moments, I think I might be the last Twins fan left who doesn't hate the team.
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The question is who is leaking this? If it's the Twins, that's a bad sign. They have no "cap" room to spend. They want to to trade Vazquez and Paddock to free some up. But no one wants their trash. So they "listen" on Correa, but probably no one wants to take that risk. So now they're "listening" on Pablo, who is probably the only trade-able player they have who makes more than $10 million.
 

Breakin' The Plane said:
Reusse had a column recently focused on how the Twins are easily in last place right now in the court of public opinion among the 4 major sports teams. They had a horrible year last year off the field from a PR standpoint and a disappointing season on the field. Add in a very uneventful offseason this and they're facing a big hill to climb in order to win the public back over.
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Nothing that $2 dogs and $5 beers couldn't solve.
 

speaking of baseball - this is how the other half lives (from ESPN)

A record nine MLB teams were over the luxury tax threshold for 2024, according to a memo sent to teams on Friday and obtained by ESPN.

The result was a record $311 million paid in penalties, led by the Los Angeles Dodgers who are paying $103,016,896. The New York Mets were next at $97,115,609. The Chicago Cubs were taxed the least, paying $570,309.

The six other teams, along with their penalties, who had Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) payrolls higher than $237 million, which triggers the tax, include the New York Yankees ($62,512,111), the Philadelphia Phillies ($14,351,954), the Atlanta Braves ($14,026,496), the Texas Rangers ($10,807,196), the Houston Astros ($6,483,041) and the San Francisco Giants ($2,421,788).

The Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and Phillies were taxed at a base rate of 50% because they've been over the tax in three or more consecutive years. The Braves and Rangers exceeded the threshold for the second consecutive year, earning a 30% tax rate. The Astros, Giants and Cubs were first time offenders, earning a 20% tax on overages.
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Dodgers had a payroll - calculated for tax purposes - of $353-million - and then they paid another $103-million in tax. so in total, they shelled out $456-million. by comparison the Twins' $130-million payroll is 28.6% of what the Dodgers paid out in payroll and tax.

FWIW - I am reading and hearing more talk that the 2026 CBA negotiations are going to get ugly. if something does not change, there could be a lockout that extends into the 2027 season.
 




FWIW -

Royce seems like he’s in a better place about moving to second. I think that ends up being his home, as Lee is a much better defender there and it also allows another spot for Miranda’s bat as well; shorter throws for him as well.

www.nytimes.com

As he trains in Texas, Twins’ Royce Lewis is recharged, motivated after ‘big year to learn’

A new hitting program is part of Lewis' revamped routine this offseason. He's motivated to move on from a difficult end to the 2024 season.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
FWIW -

Royce seems like he’s in a better place about moving to second. I think that ends up being his home, as Lee is a much better defender there and it also allows another spot for Miranda’s bat as well; shorter throws for him as well.

www.nytimes.com

As he trains in Texas, Twins’ Royce Lewis is recharged, motivated after ‘big year to learn’

A new hitting program is part of Lewis' revamped routine this offseason. He's motivated to move on from a difficult end to the 2024 season.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
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the thing that stands out to me is the discussion on flexibility. I think Lewis got too power-happy and tried to bulk up to be a HR hitter - and in the process, lost some of the athleticism that made him a top prospect. I suspect that is what led to the fielding issues - just too tight of a body. He needs to be more flexible and mobile - even if he loses a little power.

and my other takeaway - Lewis just thinks too much. I get the feeling that he ties himself up in knots because he is over-thinking and over-analyzing everything. at some point, you need to just go out there and play.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
the thing that stands out to me is the discussion on flexibility. I think Lewis got too power-happy and tried to bulk up to be a HR hitter - and in the process, lost some of the athleticism that made him a top prospect. I suspect that is what led to the fielding issues - just too tight of a body. He needs to be more flexible and mobile - even if he loses a little power.
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As we’ve had this discussion before and this was your contention, so I left it on Tee for you😉
short ornery norwegian said:
and my other takeaway - Lewis just thinks too much. I get the feeling that he ties himself up in knots because he is over-thinking and over-analyzing everything. at some point, you need to just go out there and play.
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I think marriage will be good for him; I think thst type of of stability will serve him well. He’ll have a mental safe house, so to speak.
 






Breakin' The Plane said:
I get trading Naylor before they have to pay him. I don't get trading him, then signing Santana for nearly the same amount he'd get in arbitration.
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Santana’s a -

A bridge to a farmhand who’ll be ready in a year?

Only a one year commitment?

They really like him in their clubhouse and his glove is a substantial improvement over Naylor’s iron mitt?

A combination of the above?

Something way above my musings?
 



howeda7 said:
Both the Twins and Guardians are conceding the division to the juggernaut that is the Detroit Tigers.
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What am I missing, shouldn't KC be considered the favorite or at least co-favorite?
 

Ope3 said:
What am I missing, shouldn't KC be considered the favorite or at least co-favorite?
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I was joking but probably. The last projected win totals I saw had all four teams at 83 actually.
 

Cleveland got a pitcher and a draft pick for Naylor, then signed Santana for roughly what they would have paid Naylor.

in terms of value, Cleveland comes out ahead IF the pitcher turns out to be decent, or they land a decent prospect with the draft pick.

those are the kinds of moves the Twins should be making.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Cleveland got a pitcher and a draft pick for Naylor, then signed Santana for roughly what they would have paid Naylor.

in terms of value, Cleveland comes out ahead IF the pitcher turns out to be decent, or they land a decent prospect with the draft pick.

those are the kinds of moves the Twins should be making.
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You think the Twins should trade a 27 year old All Star who hit 31 HR's last season for a 25 year old middle of the road pitching prospect who has a career ERA over 6 and replace him at 1B with a 39 year old?

And that comes less than two weeks after Cleveland traded their 25 year old All Star, gold glove winning 2B for very little after making the ALCS this past season?

Those actually sound a lot like Pohlad moves and why everyone wants them to sell the team.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Cleveland got a pitcher and a draft pick for Naylor, then signed Santana for roughly what they would have paid Naylor.

in terms of value, Cleveland comes out ahead IF the pitcher turns out to be decent, or they land a decent prospect with the draft pick.

those are the kinds of moves the Twins should be making.
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Naylor is a much better hitter than Santana. Not even close.
 

like it or not - there are teams that operate under a budget, and Cleveland is one of them. If they believe that they're not going to be able to keep Naylor - or any other player - then they need to try and get something of value in return.

Cleveland is a smart organization. Smarter than the Twins. If they make a move like this, they have their reasons. now, a lot of those reasons may be financial, but that is part of baseball reality.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Cleveland got a pitcher and a draft pick for Naylor, then signed Santana for roughly what they would have paid Naylor.

in terms of value, Cleveland comes out ahead IF the pitcher turns out to be decent, or they land a decent prospect with the draft pick.

those are the kinds of moves the Twins should be making.
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As I’m sure you’re well, Cleveland has a very strict budget and their philosophy is to be a pitch first team and maybe, just maybe their settings things up to pay for some of their pitching this year and beyond.

Their FO has consistently made good moves, ahead of the curve; akin to Belicheck - there’s no amount of luck which accounts for that - so, I agree with the bolded, above comment.

www.mlb.com

Top 100 Baseball Prospects

The Official Site of Major League Baseball
www.mlb.com www.mlb.com

A cursory review of their farm system shows that their top prospect is a second sacker (12th MLB overall, projected to be on their roster this year = apparent replacement for Jimenez) and their fifth ranked prospect is a first baseman (98th MLB overall, projected to be on their roster 2027 = apparent long-term replacement for Naylor). 2024 AS David Fry is listed at the top of the depth chart at first - as it hasn’t been updated yet, this gives them another option at first as well for the 2026 season and beyond.

I won’t even go into the folly of judging minor leaguers involved in a trade before they’ve had a chance to reach the majors or thinking it was a bad trade because more assets weren’t received; why wouldn’t a competent GM get the maximum return for trading a player? That type of logic is beyond my gray matter.
 
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Twins come in at #4 on ESPN's list of MLB fan bases with the most reasons to be frustrated.

One of themes of this offseason is that the teams with secure local TV contracts are spending money and going after free agents while those clubs stuck in the Diamond Sports Group fiasco are selling their old baseball cards just to pay the bills. Guess which category the Twins fall into? They're now one of the teams whose games MLB will produce and distribute, which is the perfect excuse for the Pohlad family not to spend one cent more than necessary, a family tradition going back to Carl Pohlad's purchase of the team in 1984.

You know, I considered putting the Guardians here because they spend even less on payroll than the Twins -- and I personally find them extremely frustrating for never going above and beyond what you expect (that's on ownership, not the front office). But at least the Guardians usually manage to, nonetheless, put a good team on the field, including this past season when they reached the ALCS. Cleveland always seems to overachieve, whereas Minnesota often underachieves despite a talented roster playing in what has historically been a soft division.

In 2023, the Twins finally ended their long playoff winless streak -- and then subsequently cut payroll for 2024, blaming the TV situation. It looks like they're going to sit out this offseason as well, as they haven't done anything except sign some guys to minor league contracts. That means their best bet for 2025 will be hoping, once again, that Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton will stay healthy. Rinse, repeat and cry tears of frustration, Twins fans.
 

Happy 82nd birthday to Appleton, Minnesota native, 1969 Miracle Mets World Series hero, and 1979 and '80 Twins wins leader Jerry Koosman.

He had the best season for a pitcher over 30 in Twins history in 1979 when, at age 36, he won 20 games and posted a 7.2 WAR. Only Bert Blyleven, Johan Santana, and Frank Viola have posted better single-season WARs at ANY age.

Koosman had 18 starts of 8+ innings in ‘79. Bonus Trivia: Dave Goltz led the Twins in wins from 1976 to 1978, meaning a Minnesotan led the team for five-straight seasons.

IMG_1027.jpeg
 

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