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.
 

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