With all the separate posts we’ve had on the Twins, I figured we may as well just have one spot for them all. On a side note, they signed what looks to be a pretty solid late innings reliever, Blake Parker. Somewhat of a typical Twins deal as he had a great 2017 and fell off a tad in 2018. Although a 3.26 ERA is better than most of our relievers last year so I’m a fan of the signing.
A friend of mine, former player, current minor league coach for MLB affiliate, told me The subtraction of Mauer will be their biggest addition. He said you’ll be amazed what a burden he was for that ball club.
Strictly in terms of his contract, I’d assume? Or why else was he a burden?
Strictly in terms of his contract, I’d assume? Or why else was he a burden?
Obligation to be played. Yes, contract as well.
A friend of mine, former player, current minor league coach for MLB affiliate, told me The subtraction of Mauer will be their biggest addition. He said you’ll be amazed what a burden he was for that ball club.
I don’t think that’s news to anyone that follows this club. Completely agree. While they really had no choice to give Mauer that contract, it was definitely a burden.
Parker is interesting, he was dang good in ’17, but just okay last year. He pitched worse than his ERA shows, but it appears he has some strikeout ability which is good.
I’m sad to see all the relievers going elsewhere :(. Not that we’d have a chance with everybody, but rumor is we are looking for 1 year deals while these guys are getting 2 from other teams.
Herrera
Robertson
Britton
Not a ton of risk on a 2 year deal for most of these guys, but man I was hoping we would get 1 of these guys.
I agree Phil. I would’ve liked to see a lot more signings in the bullpen. It’s definitely their weakest spot. I do think May will do well this year in the pen. I don’t know what Reed will do. I was pretty surprised at how much he struggled last year. Who knows maybe he has a better year this year.
I would also love to see them make a run at Keuchel. The longer he stays on the market the more interested I become. He’s not the Cy Young winner he was but the guy can still pitch. I doubt he comes here but it would be a great signing if they could sneak in with a 2 year deal if he stays on the market.
I’d highly recommend any Twins fan follow Aaron Gleeman on the interwebs, here’s some fun facts about this season.
“For many years, the Twins cited “50 percent of revenue” as what they would/could spend on player payroll. According to Forbes, their revenue was $261 million in 2017. It figures to approach $300 million this season. Their current payroll is $96 million. Not even close.”
“I assumed the Twins would sign one or two late-inning relievers. They had plenty of money and it was a deep free agent class. Instead, they watched 10 quality options sign reasonable contracts elsewhere while adding only Blake Parker…”
And finally his list of relievers among his top 50 free agents:
“#8 Kimbrel- Unsigned
#15 David Rovertson-$23m/2
#21 Jeurys Familia-$30m/3
#23 Andrew Miller-$25m/2
#24 Adam Ottavino-$27m/3
#26 Zach Britton-$39/3
#36 Joakim Soria-$15m/2
#38 Cody Allen-$8.5m/1
#44 Joe Kelly-$25m/3”
Independent of the other relievers and the contracts they signed, if the Twins didn’t offer Cody Allen at least a 1yr/$8.5M deal, that alone is malpractice. I love watching the Twins but I’m not hopeful for their chances this year, me thinks we’ll be on the wrong end of a lot of 7-4 games…
I can’t, in good conscience, support these billionaire babies stuffing their already fat bank accounts even more on public subsidy. And yes I feel the same about the Wild and Vikings, but at least they attempt to put out a competitive product.
Independent of the other relievers and the contracts they signed, if the Twins didn’t offer Cody Allen at least a 1yr/$8.5M deal, that alone is malpractice. I love watching the Twins but I’m not hopeful for their chances this year, me thinks we’ll be on the wrong end of a lot of 7-4 games…
Agreed, I’m okay not matching the Familia and Britton contracts up there, but any of those other deals the Twins could have matched.
You know what a team with an average offense, average starting pitching and a great, short term contracted, back end bullpen is? A dangerous team that has extreme trade deadline flexibility.
Of course, a couple other moves could have moved us into average offense, above average starting pitching, and good bullpen. With the current state of the AL Central, that’s probably a playoff contending team.
I can’t, in good conscience, support these billionaire babies stuffing their already fat bank accounts even more on public subsidy. And yes I feel the same about the Wild and Vikings, but at least they attempt to put out a competitive product.
Those are kind my feelings. Everyone wants to rip (after the fact) the Vikings for the Cousins deal and other signings but they, and to a lesser extent, the Wild have at least tried.
The Twins franchise is a joke. They’re still my team and I follow them like crazy, but what an absolute joke of a franchise.
Like I’ve said on these forums before, why haven’t they looked into signing Machado or Harper? Any realistic answers? I understand that will tie up a lot of money, but it’s not like there’s some grand scheme to spend the money better.
I’m hoping a lot of people who bashed Mauer for years because he had the audacity to sign a contract he earned are realizing how dumb that argument was. They always complained that his salary was holding the Twins back. If that’s the case they’ll be in the World Series this year then, right? Truth is, their payroll, as it sits today, will be much lower than last year. So his money is off the books and right into a few pockets.
Falvey & Levine will give you 2 more years of this. Do they have a plan?
Nice find Big Werm. Gleeman is a good follow on Twitter, as are most of the Twins daily guys.
I’ll have to disagree with the rest of you on Cody Allen. Good for LA only giving him a 1 year deal, he will be on a quick decline imo.
If Machado is only getting offered 7yr $175mil like the reports are saying, there’s no reason to not get aggressive. Agreed with the above point about Mauer too.
Twins made their big pitching acquisition just a few minutes ago. Lefty Martin Perez from the Rangers. Per OPS+, hes exactly average vs lefties and essentially unusable vs righties. A whopping 52 Ks in 85 innings last year. Sound familiar? 
Twins made their big pitching acquisition just a few minutes ago. Lefty Martin Perez from the Rangers. Per OPS+, hes exactly average vs lefties and essentially unusable vs righties. A whopping 52 Ks in 85 innings last year. Sound familiar?
Personally I think they were after his 6.22 ERA…..These new era GM’s don’t remember that you want the numbers to be LOWER with ERA…..
Heard today that Aaron Gleeman reported that the Twins have spent less than 50% in revenue 7 years in a row. There’s no requirement or anything, but ownership said years ago they’d spend at least 50% of revenue on payroll.
Choking and heartbreaking losses aside, this is why I can get behind the Vikes so much more. Their ownership has tried much, much harder to win. I don’t even think the Pohlads are trying period.
Well this is the year that will make or break it for the franchise in terms of fanbase. They already had a HUGE decline in attendance the last half of last season (actual game attendance, not paid attendance). With the amount of freed up money they have this off season if they don’t have a bounce back year I think it’ll get ugly.
With the amount of freed up money they have this off season if they don’t have a bounce back year I think it’ll get ugly.
If a tree falls in the woods…I seriously think the Pohlad’s couldn’t care less whether they win or lose, or if anyone shows up, as long as those league checks keep coming in and they are banking money.
If Machado is only getting offered 7yr $175mil like the reports are saying, there’s no reason to not get aggressive. Agreed with the above point about Mauer too.
That was fake news for the record.
ALSO, just read a tweet from LaVelle saying that the Twins think they are going to use Perez as a starter……I’m done with Falvey and Levine. They are thinking themselves into horrible ideas. My sense is they are trying to be the leading edge of the baseball “revolution” and it ain’t gonna work….
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mahtofire14 wrote:</div>
With the amount of freed up money they have this off season if they don’t have a bounce back year I think it’ll get ugly.If a tree falls in the woods…I seriously think the Pohlad’s couldn’t care less whether they win or lose, or if anyone shows up, as long as those league checks keep coming in and they are banking money.
I don’t disagree with you but Twins fans have never tried to force their hands either….
I’m done with Falvey and Levine.
I don’t disagree with you, I just think GM for the Minnesota Twins must be an awful job. It’s be like a restaurant saying “here, take $10 and put on a buffet.” I get that they agreed to their jobs but they’ll just never have a chance to be truly successful if they can’t spend money.
Also, in regard to it being a make or break year….I think that really applies to Buxton and possibly Sano…..I’m extremely ready to give up on Buxton.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mahtofire14 wrote:</div>
I’m done with Falvey and Levine.I don’t disagree with you, I just think GM for the Minnesota Twins must be an awful job. It’s be like a restaurant saying “here, take $10 and put on a buffet.” I get that they agreed to their jobs but they’ll just never have a chance to be truly successful if they can’t spend money.
Also, in regard to it being a make or break year….I think that really applies to Buxton and possibly Sano…..I’m extremely ready to give up on Buxton.
I’m much more confident in Buxton. Sano just doesn’t even want to play or put in the work to be a good player. At least Buxton wants to be out there and try to get better. All Sano wants to do is eat food and swing for the fences.
Not sure either will pan out though.
Interesting strategy by the Falvine’s, rather than trying to improve the team, they are waiting for the stars to align and then pounce…that’s a bold move Cotton.
I cant read the article but from your summary, I absolutely agree. Not that I’m making an excuse for them but now isnt their time to win. Thats why they arent super active in FA, thats why most teams arent active in FA. Majority of the reason why these guys that think they’re worth $300 mil, arent worth anywhere near that on the “open” market these days. Teams know they cant compete with NYY, BOS, HOU right now. Why tax all resources to try to compete when you can wait and shoot your shot when your roster is ready?
Let the Twins run their own course and get aggressive when the likes of Buxton and Sano finally begin to show their worth. Berrios, Rosario, and Kepler are getting there. CLE is cutting payroll now. DET and KC both appear to be lost for several years too.
One of the many problems I see with this “plan” (to not spend money) is that it’s highly possible the teams you mentioned will still want to be good when/if the Twins ever get “better.”
What they are kind of saying is “we’re not going to try while other teams try, we’ll try and try later and hope they’re not trying while we’re trying to try.”
Also, transparency would’ve been nice when the commitment was made to compete after the move to Target Field. The public, the people forking over money to the Pohlads, were told that they would start competing once they got in Target Field and that 51% of revenue would be spent on payroll. None of that turned out to be true. And statements like they’re making now are just moving the goal posts.
I’m not going to disagree with you Dan. Here’s that chart that was mentioned earlier. By year it’s showing what the Twins payroll was, what the revenue was the year prior, and how far below 50% the payroll was, like promised from ownership.
I guess I just like the idea of really going for it when your team is ready. Building assets when you’re team isn’t going to compete, then exhausting all avenues to improve when your team is there. Look at Houston. They had some great homegrown talent, then paired with a big trade or two, then used free agency to compliment their existing pieces. Twins and Stros were in a very similar spot in 2015. What’s different? Smart, analytic moves and development for Houston, as well as some aggressiveness by the FO.
Do I think the Twins will be the best team in the league in 3 years? No. But I also don’t think throwing $200+ mil at a guy because the fans are upset isn’t ideal either. Mauer is finally off the books, no need to rush into another giant contract.
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Who’s to say how far out the Twins winning window is? Look at the really good teams, they win, and other guys want some of that too. They don’t have to recruit, players throw themselves at them. How long will Berrios and Rosario and others stay with a mostly losing club? Not every player is a Brian Dozier whom at his peak, doesn’t want to leave. We’ve always got a chance, but if we keep trading our farm system out, and leasing veterans, why on earth would a star wanna come here?
I’m hopeful they’re at least fun to watch this year. We’ll see.
why on earth would a star wanna come here?
Money talks! And certainly not claiming this is a fool proof system. This is assuming Buxton and Sano figure it out. Also assuming Kepler, Berrios, Polanco, and Rosario continue to improve. If the Twins know they aren’t competing for a WS this year, then why exhaust the assets they’ve accumulated? If they continue this <$100 mil payroll BS, then forget about it.
Hell, their last playoff win was in 2004. I was in the 4th grade and don’t even remember it. I want to see a successful Twins team as bad as anyone!
Two World Championships since 1961. You got a spell to wait yet. Just hope it happens before you are a grandfather.
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