How Do the Twins Fare in a 60 Game Season?

[Ted Schwerzler]

While MLB owners continue to go back and forth with the MLBPA in order to reach a common ground inciting the resumption of baseball in 2020, we now have the next piece of the puzzle. After a sliding pay scale was flatly dismissed, it appears ownership will now target dollar saving tactics by playing a significantly shortened season. How does that impact the Twins?Ever since Major League Baseball was halted on March 12, we could have surmised that whatever season took place in 2020 would be drastically different. Despite their being an initial desire to still get all 162 games in, that never seemed like a logical ask. Now that we are months separated from the original start date, it’s about fitting in as much as realistically possible.

 

Continuing to claim vast financial losses, owners are looking for ways to shed financial commitments. By playing a shorter season, and one of substantial measures, prorated salaries are significantly diminished. Initially suggested to be at the 50-game mark, which is permissible under rule of the Commissioner, reality would lean towards a schedule closer to 60 or 70 games. Being at 82 games when discussions began, that would seem like a total that owners would come in shy of. So, if the season is just 60 games long, what can we learn from the 2019 Twins that may translate to 2020?

 

Baseball being the marathon it is during a traditional year; 60 games is going to produce an incredibly small sample size. Luis Arraez owned a .346 batting average through that many contests a year ago, and eventual American League title winner Tim Anderson finished with a .335 mark. Minnesota was 40-20 at the 60-game mark in 2019, and that came with a 9.5 game lead over the Cleveland Indians. The Chicago White Sox had a losing record through their first 60 games, and Cleveland sat exactly at .500.

 

Knowing this type of schedule would be a sprint, there’s a level of comfort in seeing Minnesota start and end strong last season. Their first 50 games produced a 34-16 record while the final 50 were played to the tune of a 31-19 mark. The toughest part about a condensed schedule is that there’s little time for normalcy to establish itself. The Washington Nationals were 19-31 at one point during 2019 and went on to win the World Series. Rocco Baldelli needs the Twins to jump on the division from the get-go and not look back.

 

Assuming a reshuffling of the opponents is also a logical bet. With expanded playoffs and a desire to keep travel more regionally focused, the Twins could be in for a four-way split of their AL Central Division foes. Playing the Indians and White Sox well, and then getting a substantial helping of both the Tigers and Royals is nothing short of favorable. Last year Minnesota went a combined 28-10 against Kansas City and Detroit, so padding any overall total with those two should be looked at as a big plus.

 

There are so many questions that remain in terms of logistics, but there should be some assumed certainties we’re already dealing with. A shortened season does not help a favorite’s chances, but Minnesota having the best roster in the Division is an absolute benefit. There isn’t time for slow starts, and we don’t know what reinforcements (either by promotion or trade) will look like.

 

Everyone is chomping at the bit for baseball, and when it resumes each club will need to be shot out of the gate like a horse at the Kentucky Derby. It’s going to be a baseball season like none other, and while it will always be difficult to hold in comparison among the rest of the yearly accomplishments, this outlier should be one we remember for quite some time.

 

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[mikelink45]

60 games is a crap shoot.  anything can happen.  We have so many instances of teams with a hot start that are no where to be seen in September.  I would love to see the owners take the players 114 games, but they would not want to lose face.

[Trov]

The owners counter, which was another press leaked non offer, of 50 games is crazy for a season.  It shows how serious the owners may be about limiting the players pay this year.  

 

Lets review what has been in the press.  Owners come out 82 games 50-50 split.  Players reaction, non-starter.  Then owners formal offer 82 games with sliding scale.  Players again no way. 

 

Players counter with 114 full prorated pay, with opt out for players that have family members at high risk, not clear if the family has to live with them or not.  Players still would get full pay even if they do not play under that opt out, and if they are not under that then no pay.  If playoffs do not happen then pay can be deferred with full interest to counter inflation, not clear what interest rate would be.  

 

Owners, response is to counter with 50 games full prorate, again not a formal counter.  These two sides are so far apart.  I see no way of a season happening.  I had hope early on, but with how things have progressed I see no way will they reach a deal.  However, it is possible the owners could force the 50 games based on what many people read the March agreement. However, players could try to sight health and safety to not have a season.  If they chose to do that, most would cry BS, as they wanted more games, thus more exposure, but then when less is happening they say not safe.  We all know this is a money game, and frankly do not care which side wins, I want to watch baseball end of story.  At this point I would be open for full nuclear option and have two full year shut down.  Then have all the MLB owners declare bankruptcy and a new league forms where none of the MLB players can play because they are in a stand off with MLB.  None of the MLB owners can own either because they are in stand off with players. 

[puckstopper1]

 

The owners counter, which was another press leaked non offer, of 50 games is crazy for a season.  It shows how serious the owners may be about limiting the players pay this year.  

 

Lets review what has been in the press.  Owners come out 82 games 50-50 split.  Players reaction, non-starter.  Then owners formal offer 82 games with sliding scale.  Players again no way. 

 

Players counter with 114 full prorated pay, with opt out for players that have family members at high risk, not clear if the family has to live with them or not.  Players still would get full pay even if they do not play under that opt out, and if they are not under that then no pay.  If playoffs do not happen then pay can be deferred with full interest to counter inflation, not clear what interest rate would be.  

 

Owners, response is to counter with 50 games full prorate, again not a formal counter.  These two sides are so far apart.  I see no way of a season happening.  I had hope early on, but with how things have progressed I see no way will they reach a deal.  However, it is possible the owners could force the 50 games based on what many people read the March agreement. However, players could try to sight health and safety to not have a season.  If they chose to do that, most would cry BS, as they wanted more games, thus more exposure, but then when less is happening they say not safe.  We all know this is a money game, and frankly do not care which side wins, I want to watch baseball end of story.  At this point I would be open for full nuclear option and have two full year shut down.  Then have all the MLB owners declare bankruptcy and a new league forms where none of the MLB players can play because they are in a stand off with MLB.  None of the MLB owners can own either because they are in stand off with players. 

 

Agreed Trov. 

 

I'll really start paying attention when I start hearing from both sides that they are close to a deal AND all the logistics have been worked out. 

 

Until then it is all just speculation.

[Doctor Gast]

Yeah, I expect too that the owners will counter w/ less games, to throw off the players. But 60 games won`t be the final result IMO. Pity all this stupid negotiations will only delay further the desire of a speedy restart 

[Joey P]

I am really upset with the owners tbh. The obviosuly don't have baseball, or the citizens of America at the forefront of their minds, only their own pocket books. Its just a shame that they are the ones who get to make the descisions. I am very dissapointed that they apparently won't make a counter offer. I suspect that they really don't want to play a season. I still hold out hope for something to happen this year. But I have to say I am siding with the players.

[bunsen82]

The owners know they have the upper hand in this negotiation, but with the bigger agreement coming down the road they are taking a very short sighted approach.  I love how I have heard a couple of announcers state, well they plow all their money back into operations and no one could foresee this and this is fiscal responsibility and they are not hoarding any profit.  True but their profit is in the increase of value in their ownership stake.  They can take out so short term loans, or defer some payment to make this work, besides fans will likely be in the stands by August.

 

As to the twins in a 60 or 100 game season.  I am really curious to be what will be considered the central division, and will a team like Pittsburgh be part of the Central league.   If so 3 of the absolute worst teams in the league would be in our division.  With then a couple mediocre teams white sox and then the rest of then the Indians, reds cubs, brewers and cardinals being above average, and then the Twins being elite.   Odds should be 95% of getting in with a 14 team playoff.  

[denarded]

Anything under 100 games is a sham. Anything under 100 games is a shame. This season is a wash and I blame it on the owners, the players, and the agents. As much as I hate to say it...Prep for 2021

[DocBauer]

I LOVE our Twins! I LOVE baseball! I WANT baseball! But right now, I am so damn frustrated with both sides that I almost don't care and want to concentrate on football season even though it is months away.

 

I actually think the owners proposal was MOSTLY fair and realistic. Especially when they offered to basically split the post season pretty evenly with the players. (Post season $ is HUGE in regard to the established TV contracts). But I think their sliding scale to pay less % of salary to top players was off the mark...though understood from their point of view...and was guaranteed to rankle the top players who hold most of the power in the union. A big mistake on the owners part, IMO.

 

The players tick me off with an even longer season...to get more prorated $ of course...as there is no guarantee the postseason happens if additional health concerns pop up. That takes a HUGE bite out of MLB profits, incurring additional ML losses, and the players know that. (As a fan, of course I'd like more games). Oh, and the players "graciously" will allow the owners to defer $ down the road. Down the road from what? A country and economy suffering from a pandemic and sudden social unrest and a future CBA right around the corner that could cause a work stoppage and further damage the entire structure of MLB?

 

So now rumor spreads the owners, per the commissioner, are posturing a 60G season to mitigate losses.

 

Both sides need to pull their heads out and find a compromise that is as close to fair and equitable as they can find. The players are absolutely, positively, not going to make the $ they hoped to make in 2020. The owners are absolutely, positively going to lose $ in 2020. (At BEST find a way to break even). And these things are going to have an affect on the next 2-4yrs as the entire economy of the U.S. and the world, much less baseball,

 

Players: You are risking not only 2020, but future income and growth and public interest in your sport/profession for years to come. Do you not remember the ramifications from the last strike?

 

Owners: You're going to lose $. You can try to mitigate your losses. But what happens if You alienate all of your key employees? Do you also not remember the ramifications from the last strike?

 

To Both: Do you not remember the ramifications from the last strike? Have either of you paid attention to the growth of the NFL and NBA? BOTH of you suck it up, be smart, compromise, and don't destroy your sport.

 

The Twins still have the potential to succeed and do well in a 60G season. Maybe win it all. But I don't expect a season that short. It will be at least 80G or it won't happen at all.

[bighat]

 

Anything under 100 games is a sham. Anything under 100 games is a shame. This season is a wash and I blame it on the owners, the players, and the agents. As much as I hate to say it...Prep for 2021

I am with you.

 

A 50 game season is the new idea they're trotting out there. 50 games? Seriously? And you're trying to tell baseball fans that this is a "baseball season"? That's a slap in the face.

 

If they are really going to give us a 50 game season, I'd rather they just play a week-long exhibition tournament in Orlando or something, so it gets over with quickly and we don't have to watch for too long. Because 50 games is an absolute joke.

 

114? Not ideal but I'll take it. Less than 100? Joke city. Several leagues, including European soccer, the NBA and the NHL are all getting back to playing and are getting out there. The NFL is without a doubt going to play. For baseball to be the only sport (a non-contact sport!) to somehow fail to put a real product on the field is just embarrassing. Shame on all of them.

[mikelink45]

I am against the owners - I am seeing this as nothing but a ploy.  Short change the players (who made them sign this contracts?)  Cut the minor league teams, cut the minor leaguers, then cut the base pay.  Has anyone who read this ever seen a billion dollars?  Do you have any idea how big that is?  millions do not stack up against billions.   The meaning of a billion is one thousand million (1,000,000,000).