All Things 2023-2024 Minnesota Twins Off-Season Thread

[howeda7]

Let's do it!

$1.4 billion should do it. It's part of the reasons I can't shed tears over them "losing $" on a $150 million payroll. They paid $35 million.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

$1.4 billion should do it. It's part of the reasons I can't shed tears over them "losing $" on a $150 million payroll. They paid $35 million.

I could almost see the side of being proud that your investment has skyrocketed and taking pride in making a big move that's been printing money for years, but it's not like any one of the boys had anything to do with it. They're all rolling around in Daddy's money.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Angels had hired Ron Washington- glad he gets another chance to helm a big league club

Angels hire Ron Washington as manager

The Angels hired Ron Washington as their new manager on Wednesday and he’ll be formally introduced at a press conference next week. Washington, 71, previously managed the Rangers from 2007-14, including leading them to World Series appearances in 2010 and ’11. He was signed to a two-year...

www.mlb.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

From our friends at MLB (off-season rankings) per the following criteria (we’re ranked 6th!) -

Each team's offseason roster ranked, 1-30

It hasn't even been a week since the Rangers won the 2023 World Series, but the 2024 season has already begun, in a manner of speaking. Signings have already happened, minor trades have been made, and the rosters that teams have right now already look different than they did just

www.mlb.com

Thanks to our friends at FanGraphs, who have compiled 2024 depth charts and projections, we can look at every team's roster and needs as of Nov. 7. By now, all team and player options have been decided. The seven players who received qualifying offers are all but certain to decline them. Where does everyone stand, right now? Let's rank some clubs.

6) Twins (41.3 WAR)
Free agents: 1B/OF Joey Gallo, RHP Sonny Gray, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Tyler Mahle, RHP Emilio Pagán, IF Donovan Solano, OF Michael A. Taylor
Biggest needs: First base, center field, starting pitcher

The most immediate question is how the Twins will retain or replace free agent Sonny Gray, who was a huge part of one of the best Minnesota starting rotations in decades. While there’s a decent amount of depth yet to pick from here – especially if Chris Paddack and Louie Varland return to starting duty – Gray’s top-end skill is not replaceable internally.
The other question, however, is how to approach two extremely different problems at first base and center field.

Byron Buxton didn’t play a single inning in the field in 2023, and Taylor, who performed well as his insurance policy in center, is a free agent. Alex Kirilloff, who overcame years of wrist and elbow injuries to show some promise with the bat, saw his season end early with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Given the ascension of rookies Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner, a trade of a corner outfielder for a solution elsewhere may be in the cards. Minnesota made a lot of progress in 2023; they can’t stop now.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Angels had hired Ron Washington- glad he gets another chance to helm a big league club

Angels hire Ron Washington as manager

The Angels hired Ron Washington as their new manager on Wednesday and he’ll be formally introduced at a press conference next week. Washington, 71, previously managed the Rangers from 2007-14, including leading them to World Series appearances in 2010 and ’11. He was signed to a two-year...

www.mlb.com

Lots of Twins connections here.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Lots of Twins connections here.

Nice

 

[howeda7]

Lots of Twins connections here.

Rather unusual to announce the manager and staff all at once, isn't it? Good for Torii though. I'm a bit surprised. He seemed to be living the good life in retirement.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Rather unusual to announce the manager and staff all at once, isn't it? Good for Torii though. I'm a bit surprised. He seemed to be living the good life in retirement.

1B coach doesn't even make much money. $80k-$100k.

He's not doing it for the money, I hope.

 

[TruthSeeker]

From our friends at MLB (off-season rankings) per the following criteria (we’re ranked 6th!) -

Each team's offseason roster ranked, 1-30

It hasn't even been a week since the Rangers won the 2023 World Series, but the 2024 season has already begun, in a manner of speaking. Signings have already happened, minor trades have been made, and the rosters that teams have right now already look different than they did just

www.mlb.com

Thanks to our friends at FanGraphs, who have compiled 2024 depth charts and projections, we can look at every team's roster and needs as of Nov. 7. By now, all team and player options have been decided. The seven players who received qualifying offers are all but certain to decline them. Where does everyone stand, right now? Let's rank some clubs.

6) Twins (41.3 WAR)
Free agents: 1B/OF Joey Gallo, RHP Sonny Gray, LHP Dallas Keuchel, RHP Kenta Maeda, RHP Tyler Mahle, RHP Emilio Pagán, IF Donovan Solano, OF Michael A. Taylor
Biggest needs: First base, center field, starting pitcher

The most immediate question is how the Twins will retain or replace free agent Sonny Gray, who was a huge part of one of the best Minnesota starting rotations in decades. While there’s a decent amount of depth yet to pick from here – especially if Chris Paddack and Louie Varland return to starting duty – Gray’s top-end skill is not replaceable internally.
The other question, however, is how to approach two extremely different problems at first base and center field.

Byron Buxton didn’t play a single inning in the field in 2023, and Taylor, who performed well as his insurance policy in center, is a free agent. Alex Kirilloff, who overcame years of wrist and elbow injuries to show some promise with the bat, saw his season end early with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Given the ascension of rookies Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner, a trade of a corner outfielder for a solution elsewhere may be in the cards. Minnesota made a lot of progress in 2023; they can’t stop now.

Rhys Hoskins?

 

[howeda7]

1B coach doesn't even make much money. $80k-$100k.

He's not doing it for the money, I hope.

Didn't mean to imply he was. Just that he was living the high life and that's a lot of travel etc.

 

[Ope3]

1B coach doesn't even make much money. $80k-$100k.

He's not doing it for the money, I hope.

Sweat equity for a route to being a Manager in the future or just seeing if he has any interest in such a role? It's reported that Craig Counsell is getting $8M in his new gig with the Cubs. Righteous bucks.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Rhys Hoskins?

They don’t have names affixed to poisons, just WAR values. For first it’s 1.9.

Would love him for the right price. After last season’s FA haul, Falvey should have management’s backing and confidence - let the hot stoving commence.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Sweat equity for a route to being a Manager in the future or just seeing if he has any interest in such a role? It's reported that Craig Counsell is getting $8M in his new gig with the Cubs. Righteous bucks.

And/or for the of baseball - a true ️ head.

 

[stocker08]

Going from $156 million to $140-145 given the TV situation is reasonable. Going from $156 to $120 is not. Given they are already leaking this out, it makes me fear they're doing the later.

It's a weird thing to announce/leak. Too much success this past year I guess.

 

[7Gopher7]

It's a weird thing to announce/leak. Too much success this past year I guess.

Also weird that they don’t keep the payroll close to the same and try to keep making progress. They can afford it despite the TV money being a question. Not surprised one bit though.

 

[Ope3]

Also weird that they don’t keep the payroll close to the same and try to keep making progress. They can afford it despite the TV money being a question. Not surprised one bit though.

If they spend less money on more productive players, that is progress.

Not bringing back Mahle or Gallo, saves $17.5M right there. Without those, I think they will be in the same ballpark compared to overall payroll.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

for all of the freaking out that is happening online and on social media - we really won't know until a new TV deal is finalized.

Hey, if the Twins somehow wind up with a TV deal that provides more revenue than expected, then the payroll doesn't have to take as big of a hit.

But - the fact that the team came out publicly talking about a lower payroll has me thinking that they expect the new TV deal will be a lot lower than what they were getting from Bally. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[7Gopher7]

They also can easily afford to keep the payroll where it’s at regardless of tv deals……

 

[GophersInIowa]

They also can easily afford to keep the payroll where it’s at regardless of tv deals……

Every team in MLB can afford to spend more than they do. The Twins are usually in the top third of percentage of revenue spent on salary.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Sweat equity for a route to being a Manager in the future or just seeing if he has any interest in such a role? It's reported that Craig Counsell is getting $8M in his new gig with the Cubs. Righteous bucks.

Saw a headline today which said Hunter turned it down

 

[short ornery norwegian]

listened to a new "Gleeman and the Geek" podcast. spent a lot of time on the payroll situation.

Gleeman basically said that he thought the team "owed it" to the fans to maintain the payroll. took the point of view that "the owners are rich - why should they care if they lose money for a few seasons."

in terms of actual baseball, they said a reduced payroll increases the odds that Polanco and possibly Kepler could be traded. Vazquez is a possibility, but they thought it would tough to find a team willing to take on the whole contract. Also thought it's almost a guarantee that Farmer is traded.

their big concern was that the team's depth could be impacted if more veterans are replaced by younger players.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

I don't see any upside whatsoever to announce that you intend to slash payroll. If you're asked about it before, just say you are focused on building a competitive roster. If free agency finishes up and your payroll is less than last year, just say that you explored all sorts of options, but ultimately couldn't reach agreements with players that would increase payroll.
A little good P.R. on the front end quiets a lot of noise on the back end.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

My guess is that the Twins front office decided - let's be up-front and tell everyone what the plan is now - rather than wait until later.

I suppose you could argue that being up front about it is more "honest," but I agree that it doesn't look good from a PR standpoint.

the problem is that they will likely have to make personnel decisions before they know what the new TV deal looks like and how much revenue they will actually be losing.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

From Soupcan’s article today. Where he rips Fleck by comparing him to other HCs,

His bon mots to ir Rocco -

The Twins' Rocco Baldelli won the American League manager of the year award in his first season as a manager at any level, but he had his best season as a manager in 2023, diving heavily into platoons and small-ball strategies while relying on youngsters and role players. His two best and most expensive players, Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, were relatively unproductive (Correa) and largely absent (Buxton), and he had to cycle through setup relievers. He never complained, remained an accessible and endearing team spokesperson, and never asked for credit.

 

[Ope3]

Interesting stuff in here on the new TV deals.

- Goal is to reach a wider audience as estimated only 1.4 M in Twins territory (out of over 4M) had access to BSN.

- Out of sight out of mind might have impacted attendance. The Twins were still under 2 M at Target Field despite being in 1st place for virtually the entire season. That still was an increase, but on par with MLB overall accredited largely to the pace of play rule changes. Certainly a factor in the payroll being trimmed from a record high.

- Buried at the end, but a short term deal with BSN is not out of the question.

Twins aim for new broadcast deal to bring expanded reach, reduce blackouts

Team sources said the organization’s broadcast reach was significantly limited in 2023 despite their division title run.

theathletic.com

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Ope - that seems to be the big debate among the NBA, NHL and MLB teams that are losing - or potentially losing - their RSN's - what is the value of expanded reach as opposed to up-front cash?

If the Twins were available on an over-the-air channel or basic cable channel, and had a separate streaming package, the up-front income would be lower. but more people could see the games, and they might generate more TV advertising revenue.

and I think the blackout issue is a big part of this. there are a lot of fans who can't watch the Twins due to the streaming blackouts. if those could be eliminated, there could be a lot more people watching the games. I heard baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred address this issue in an interview, and he admitted it was a problem that needed to be dealt with.

 

[howeda7]

Interesting stuff in here on the new TV deals.

- Goal is to reach a wider audience as estimated only 1.4 M in Twins territory (out of over 4M) had access to BSN.

- Out of sight out of mind might have impacted attendance. The Twins were still under 2 M at Target Field despite being in 1st place for virtually the entire season. That still was an increase, but on par with MLB overall accredited largely to the pace of play rule changes. Certainly a factor in the payroll being trimmed from a record high.

- Buried at the end, but a short term deal with BSN is not out of the question.

Twins aim for new broadcast deal to bring expanded reach, reduce blackouts

Team sources said the organization’s broadcast reach was significantly limited in 2023 despite their division title run.

theathletic.com

If they do go back to Bally, at a bare minimum they need to go back to having an over the air package of games on Sunday or something similar. Bally being unavailable in like 2/3 of homes isn't a way to grow your fan base.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Hey - Twins farmhand Noah Miller has won the Rawlings Gold Glove award as the best-fielding SS in Minor League Baseball. the award covers all levels of the minors, so one winner at each position.

Miller just turned 21. He spent all of 2023 at Cedar Rapids (High-A). made 7 errors in 446 chances while turning 54 double plays as a SS. also played 12 games at 2B with 46 chances, 1 error and 5 DP.
as a hitter, slashed .223/.309/.340 with a .648 OPS. had 20 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HR with 60 RBI. drew 58 BB, had 108 K and 12 SB.

with Brooks Lee in front of him in the organization, maybe a trade chip?

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

All seven FA turned the qualifying offers. That includes -
Ohtani
Gray
Bellinger
Chapman
Nola
Snell
Hader

Interesting list of those who didn’t receive one -

NOTABLE PLAYERS WHO DID NOT RECEIVE QO
Astros: OF Michael Brantley
Blue Jays: OF Kevin Kiermaier, 2B/OF Whit Merrifield
Brewers: LHP Wade Miley
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw, DH J.D. Martinez
Phillies: 1B Rhys Hoskins
Mariners: OF Teoscar Hernández
Marlins: OF Jorge Soler
Orioles: RHP Kyle Gibson
Padres: RHP Seth Lugo, RHP Nick Martinez, RHP Michael Wacha
Rangers: C Mitch Garver
Red Sox: OF Adam Duvall
Twins: RHP Kenta Maeda
White Sox: RHP Mike Clevinger
Yankees: RHP Frankie Montas, RHP Luis Severino

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Hey - Twins farmhand Noah Miller has won the Rawlings Gold Glove award as the best-fielding SS in Minor League Baseball. the award covers all levels of the minors, so one winner at each position.

Miller just turned 21. He spent all of 2023 at Cedar Rapids (High-A). made 7 errors in 446 chances while turning 54 double plays as a SS. also played 12 games at 2B with 46 chances, 1 error and 5 DP.
as a hitter, slashed .223/.309/.340 with a .648 OPS. had 20 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HR with 60 RBI. drew 58 BB, had 108 K and 12 SB.

with Brooks Lee in front of him in the organization, maybe a trade chip?

Good info and call -Miller is listed as our 23 prospect and we have two other prospects ahead of him - Tanner Schobel #7, listed as a SS/2B & Danny De Andre SS @ #10. No info on them -if anyone has some please share.

Awesome to see the Twins second pick (#overall -34) is #5 - Charlee Soto - saw him interviewed when he got selected, he is impressive you man and physical specimen. From his MLB profile -

Soto entered the summer showcase circuit as an intriguing high school pitcher, one who had outgrown shortstop to become one of those projectable right-handers worth keeping an eye on. By the end of it, after stops at events such as the PDP League and Major League Baseball’s High School All-American Game, not to mention a dominant outing at the East Coast Professional Showcase, he had a huge up arrow next to his name. Though he wasn’t quite as dominant during his senior year, his name was mentioned among the top prep arms in the country, landing him with the Twins in the Competitive Balance Round A and earning him a full-slot bonus of $2.48 million.

Now 6-foot-5, Soto does check off a lot of boxes, including his size, stuff and the fact that he was still 17 at the time of the Draft. All of his stuff is trending upward, starting with an electric fastball that has flirted with triple digits, was regularly up to 98 mph over the summer and is thrown with excellent life. Both of his secondary offerings have the chance to be at least better-than-average, with a hard slider that features late, hard bite and a splitter he uses as a changeup.

With a very quick arm, the right-hander throws everything hard, all from a prototypical starting pitcher’s frame, while showing off solid command. The Florida prepster brings plenty of projection with him into the Twins organization as he continues to focus only on pitching with pro instruction.

Twins also now have four pitchers in their top 10 prospects -

Marco Raya 4
Soto 5
Connor Prielipp 6
David Festa 9

The pipeline is about to start gushing y’all.
Falvey Forever!!!