Article: Most Marketable Twin: 2015

[Cody Christie]

As the beginning of the 2015 season quickly approaches, the Twins marketing team has been hard at work. How do you try to sell a team that has lost 90 games for four consecutive seasons?

 

Twins single game tickets went on sale last weekend and one thing that seems to get fans in the door is offering some unique giveaways. This year the club will offer such items as a Vintage Twins Bobblehead, a Brian Dozier Bobblehead, a Torii Hunter Adult Jersey, and a Fur Bomber Cap.One name not featured in a promotion so far is the team's highest paid player, Joe Mauer. This got me wondering... Who is currently the Twins most marketable player?

 

Joe Mauer

With multiple batting titles and an MVP under his belt, the Twins $23 million man gets most of the attention at the national level. Topps Trading Cards has a very Mauer feel when it came to their 2015 Series 1 product inserts. When MLB Network does their annual "Face of MLB" contest, Mauer is always penciled in as the nominee for the Twins. Even when the All-Star Game was in Minneapolis last year, Mauer served as the local ambassador for the game even though he wasn't elected to play in the contest.

 

However, Mauer can be a very polarizing figure among Twins fans. He's failed to live up to some fans' high expectations of him, and his huge contract makes it even harder for some fans to accept him. There have been injuries and poor play for a few seasons so it seems like his local marketing value has declined even if he's the most nationally known member of the Twins.

 

Brian Dozier

Dozier's emergence over the last couple of seasons has quickly made him a fan favorite. When the club sent out their season ticket renewals last fall, a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Dozier accompanied each information packet. He took some of the national spotlight during last year's Home Run Derby at Target Field. Now the club is ready to immortalize him with his first bobblehead doll. Everything seems to be working in Dozier's favor.

 

Even with the HR Derby experience last year, Brian Dozier isn't a national name. Dozier is getting a lot of love from the Twins marketing team and it's easy to see why with his infectious smile and outgoing personality. With a Dozier long-term contract extension expected to be in place before Opening Day, it seems likely for him to become a central figure in the local marketing campaigns.

 

Torii Hunter

It was hard to ignore the cheers and the lines for Mr. Torii Hunter at TwinsFest. He's signed for a one-year deal but he sounds like a man who would like to finish out his career in a Twins uniform. There has to be a desire in both parties for Hunter to continue playing but that's a full season away at this point. Fans are excited to welcome back the player who was the most marketable name during this generation's best winnings years.

 

Many younger Twins fans might not remember the last time Hunter played in Minnesota. The names of Mauer and Dozier are out there and a little more familiar. It's also hard to know how long Hunter will be around in Minnesota. The front office will try to ride him out through the waning years of his career and hope his smile brings enough fans through the gates to pay his $10.5 million contract.

 

Glen Perkins

Besides being a local kid and a two-time All-Star, Perkins can be electric on the mound. Last year the team featured Perkins in his first bobblehead and they gave away kids' jerseys with his number on them. In Target Field's biggest moment of the year, Perkins was on the mound closing out the game for the American League. He's been a vocal leader in the clubhouse and he and his wife do plenty of good things in and around the community.

 

Relief pitchers don't tend to get a lot of hype but it helps that Perkins is in a closing role. He is under contract through 2017 and he's spent his entire career in the organization. There will be younger relief pitchers making their way to Target Field over the next couple of seasons so it will be interesting to see how long he serves in the closer's role.

 

Byron Buxton

Buxton hasn't even played a game at the big league level but he might be the second best-known name on this list. For most of the last two seasons, he's been considered the best prospect in all of baseball or at least close to the top of the list. Casual fans know his name because it has been out there for multiple years and it's easy to get excited when he gets compared to some of the best players in the game.

 

Last year was disastrous for Buxton as he suffered through multiple injures and couldn't stay on the field. He is still young and hopes are still high that he'll be able to overcome the nightmare season of 2014. He's been on the cover of magazines, books, trading card packages, and his face might become even more recognizable if he could put together all that the talent scouts have seen in him.

 

 

Now's your chance to VOTE. Click here to take a quick poll about the Twins most marketable player. Follow me on Twitter for results

 

For more from Cody Christie make sure to follow him on Twitter @NoDakTwinsFan and to read his other work at http://www.NoDakTwinsFan.com

 

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[gunnarthor]

I voted for Buxton.  Sell the future. 

[Thrylos]

You sell the future vs hometown.   And Buxton is really shy.  I wish you had Sano and Vargas in your poll, because these guys are much more marketable than anyone in your list.

[Seth Stohs]

It's easy. I think Brian Dozier is a strong marketing guy, and they're promoting him a lot... but there's no question that Torii Hunter is their most marketable commodity right now. He can do commercials and spots and the the face of the franchise and all that. It's pretty simple. Dozier still is marketable. So is Mauer. And, obviously we hope that Buxton and Sano turn out. If so, Buxton will be more quiet, like Mauer, but Sano can be a marketing superstar and a media favorite. Vargas's personality and solid English make him marketable, if he can be a 25 HR a year guy.

[JB_Iowa]

I came in here to mention the same thing, Thrylos. I voted last night for Hunter because I do think he is currently the most marketable.

 

With young players, it's tough but I think Vargaa, Sano,  Arcia all have tremendous market potential.  And if he starts hitting dingers, I think it is Vargas hands down -- that smile and personality are absolutely infectious. 

[jokin]

I came in here to mention the same thing, Thrylos. I voted last night for Hunter because I do think he is currently the most marketable.

 

With young players, it's tough but I think Vargaa, Sano,  Arcia all have tremendous market potential.  And if he starts hitting dingers, I think it is Vargas hands down -- that smile and personality are absolutely infectious. 

 

Yep.  I was going to say, Cody couldn't name everyone, but especially Vargas and Sano could capture this town pretty easily with a hot start.  Sano's already been under the media spotlight for years, I have a feeling he's capable and will probably be ready for "showtime" ,and become a fan favorite right away.  Vargas has the personality and a bit of the underdog that fans can readily identify with.  All it will take is a handful of tape measure shots for the kid to gain some instant living legend props from the hometown faithful.

[iTwins]

I'd say right now it's Dozier, but don't sleep on Kennys Vargas. He's very personable and jovial (he always seems to be laughing or having fun)- assuming he continues to improve his English skills (and that he keeps being a big power threat) I could easily see him becoming a marketable star.

[brvama]

I also went with Dozier, just because he brings us a breath of hope and change coming. If Joe has a very good year, he'll be out there, especially on a nationally basis. Next year Sano and Vargas could very well be the face in the camera. Even that gets me excited.

[Paul Pleiss]

Why isn't Brian Dinkelman on this list? He's the most marketable of all. BrDink!

[Halsey Hall]

Why isn't Brian Dinkelman on this list? He's the most marketable of all. BrDink!

Dinkelman just might be in the minor leagues.  He's coaching for us now.

[Greg Logan]

This guy's a marketing machine.