The Star Tribune's Sid Hartman spoke with Minnesota Twins owner Jim Pohlad on his thoughts for the 2015 season and, surprise, he's optimistic for improvement.

 

“We expect a lot from the team every year, and the last four years it hasn’t delivered at all,” Pohlad said. “But we’re optimistic, and I think little by little building a really good, solid foundation, and with our young players we expect a lot, yes.”

This song isn't much different from the message he provided the Pioneer Press's Charley Walters in 2014:

 

"We definitely feel we can be competitive," he said Friday. "There are some tough teams -- Detroit's tough, of course; they're intent on winning. We believe we're going to be way more competitive than last year." 

 

Hard to envision any owner saying things that would be a detriment to his ticket sales ("Nope, stay home this year everyone") but Las Vegas oddmakers see little improvement out of the team for the 2015 season. 

This is groundbreaking journalism.

I'd like to hear an honest answer from Pohlad, Ryan, St. Peter and the rest of the gang when asked the hypothetical quesion: Would losing 100 games in 2015 be worth it if it meant winning 85 in 2016 and improving from there?

 

All this positive talk makes me worried that the team is still going to go with aging vets over young players simply because they think it will help salvage a few more wins.

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by nicksaviking

Detroit's tough, of course; they're intent on winning. 

 

------ it will not let me edit that quote..... but it's from Jim Pohlad, not Parker Hageman-----

 

By that, Jim, do you mean that they are spending as much, if not (gulp) MORE than they are comfortable spending in order to attract top pitching talent and maintain a high performing roster?

 

Yes. They do seem very intent on winning. 

 

The Twins, in stark contrast, seem to, at best, be intent on competing.... and at worst, be intent on maintaining high profitability.

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by amjgt

I don't normally pound my fists on the table and insist on more spending, but that quote just really irritated me.

------ it will not let me edit that quote..... but it's from Jim Pohlad, not Parker Hageman-----

 

By that, Jim, do you mean that they are spending as much, if not (gulp) MORE than they are comfortable spending in order to attract top pitching talent and maintain a high performing roster?

 

Yes. They do seem very intent on winning. 

 

The Twins, in stark contrast, seem to, at best, be intent on competing.... and at worst, be intent on maintaining high profitability.

 

Yes Detroit is intent on winning as Illitch is desperate to win a world series title before he dies.  And by the looks of him he could go anytime.  Detroit is also losing $20-30M/year and has for the last few years.

Is this the Sid artice from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, or this year?

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by tobi0040

Yes Detroit is intent on winning as Illitch is desperate to win a world series title before he dies.  And by the looks of him he could go anytime.  Detroit is also losing $20-30M/year and has for the last few years.

 

Maybe in a medium/small market, that's what it takes to win.

 

a) it's not my money

b ) the value of their franchise is certainly going up faster than they are losing money.

 

If I have $10000 and I have to pay a guy $1000 per year to manage it, but he always gets me $3000 in earnings, I don't say that I lost $1000 every year.

Edited March 9, 201511 yr by amjgt