Will St. Paul Saints Pay to Become Minnesota Twins Affiliate?

[mikelink45]

 

I think this is great. Looking forward to taking the Green Line between St. Paul & Mpls for a day/night doubleheader. Enjoy another beer or two. Eat at a restaurant along the way. 

 

As for the $20M, we the fans will pay. Building CHS Field was an investment. Whether the Twins or the Saints pony up the front end, we will pay to be entertained on the back end, little by little. Tickets will go up five bucks, beers will go up too. All the same, I will gladly pay to watch Royce Lewis field, throw, run, and hit instead of Joe Bagadonuts.

 

The Saints already fill the stadium, what are the new revenues?  How do they pay for the $20 M?  What happens when the Twins stink and their minor league is in the toilet?  Will people go just because it is a Twin affilitiate?

And what happens when the Twins stink and so does their minor league?  It will happen.  This kind of investment needs to look long term, not just at the current situation. 

[Nine of twelve]

 

There’s another shoe that would need to drop, right? St. Paul would need a league to play in. They’re not a fit geographically with the IL as it currently exists...not by any stretch of the imagination. Especially heading into an era where cost containment in the affiliated minor leagues would seem to be a growing concern. The PCL isn’t as much of a stretch geographically...but, presumably, the PCL isn’t the league looking for a replacement for Rochester. FWIW, I hope the Saints stay independent. It’s a death blow to quality independent ball in the Midwest if they lose St. Paul...and I’d hate to see that.

I'll respectfully disagree with most of this post. The geography is a very minor issue. St. Paul would not be a major problem geographically for MiLB. Not at all. Look at a map of AAA franchises. St. Paul would be no more inconvenient, and probably less so, than Tacoma or Salt Lake City, not to mention the fact that Memphis and Nashville are in the PCL. And, as others have pointed out, MiLB can realign the leagues if they wish.

And to call the American Association quality independent ball is inaccurate, IMHO. Keep in mind that there is a good reason that the players in that league do not have contracts with MLB franchises. The vast, vast majority of players are simply not good enough. And that in turn is why the marketing of these teams emphasizes gimmickry rather than the quality of play. There's nothing wrong with being entertained by that, but don't try to pretend that the baseball is good. As for me, I'd much rather watch talented players learning the game and improving their skills at low-A than the has-beens, never-wases, and never-will-be's in the American Association.

[chpettit19]

 

The Saints already fill the stadium, what are the new revenues?  How do they pay for the $20 M?  What happens when the Twins stink and their minor league is in the toilet?  Will people go just because it is a Twin affilitiate?

Well not having to cover player salaries would be a boost to the bottom line I'd think. The Twins can help cover the 20 mil, and I'm sure that's a large part of any negotiations happening. A bad AAA team is still better baseball than any team the Saints have ever run out there. People go now without it being a Twins affiliate and with it being less skilled baseball. I'd think there's a reason teams pay the 20 mil to become affiliated. If being independent like the Saints is the better move why would any team sign on to be affiliated? I can name you 2 dozen minor league affiliates and own merchandise from a half dozen. None of which are Twins affiliates. Being linked to MLB gives you further reach and I'd assume increases merchandise and ad revenue. Not crazy drastically, and maybe not even enough to take on the risk of the Twins kicking you to the curb in 5 years, but I don't think there's any question that not having to pay your players and adding even a little merchandise and ad revenue would be good for any team's bottom line. Just don't get why any team would sign up for it if it's a worse business decision than being independent.

[Shaitan]

 

And what happens when the Twins stink and so does their minor league?  It will happen.  This kind of investment needs to look long term, not just at the current situation. 

 

When the Twins are bad we get bombarded with "I'd rather be in St Paul jokes."

[mikelink45]

 

Well not having to cover player salaries would be a boost to the bottom line I'd think. The Twins can help cover the 20 mil, and I'm sure that's a large part of any negotiations happening. A bad AAA team is still better baseball than any team the Saints have ever run out there. People go now without it being a Twins affiliate and with it being less skilled baseball. I'd think there's a reason teams pay the 20 mil to become affiliated. If being independent like the Saints is the better move why would any team sign on to be affiliated? I can name you 2 dozen minor league affiliates and own merchandise from a half dozen. None of which are Twins affiliates. Being linked to MLB gives you further reach and I'd assume increases merchandise and ad revenue. Not crazy drastically, and maybe not even enough to take on the risk of the Twins kicking you to the curb in 5 years, but I don't think there's any question that not having to pay your players and adding even a little merchandise and ad revenue would be good for any team's bottom line. Just don't get why any team would sign up for it if it's a worse business decision than being independent.

I recommend this article from the Athletic today - https://theathletic.com/2195101/2020/11/13/op-ed-will-savage-former-minor-leaguer-on-what-mlb-will-lose-by-shedding-minor-league-teams/?source=dailyemail  It is true Independent ball clubs have difficulties, but right now I do not trust Manfred and MLB owners to do the right thing with MiLB.  But I am fine if the Saints want to go that way, I remember when we had the Millers and Saints and that was fun.

[Major League Ready]

 

Well not having to cover player salaries would be a boost to the bottom line I'd think. The Twins can help cover the 20 mil, and I'm sure that's a large part of any negotiations happening. A bad AAA team is still better baseball than any team the Saints have ever run out there. People go now without it being a Twins affiliate and with it being less skilled baseball. I'd think there's a reason teams pay the 20 mil to become affiliated. If being independent like the Saints is the better move why would any team sign on to be affiliated? I can name you 2 dozen minor league affiliates and own merchandise from a half dozen. None of which are Twins affiliates. Being linked to MLB gives you further reach and I'd assume increases merchandise and ad revenue. Not crazy drastically, and maybe not even enough to take on the risk of the Twins kicking you to the curb in 5 years, but I don't think there's any question that not having to pay your players and adding even a little merchandise and ad revenue would be good for any team's bottom line. Just don't get why any team would sign up for it if it's a worse business decision than being independent.

 

The Saints have a good thing going so it's hard to say if $20M is a good business decision when we don't have all the facts.

 

1) What would be the salary savings?

2) What level of price increase can be made will maintaining attendance?

3) Can seating be expanded?

4) Are there other revenue sources associated with MLB affiliation?

5) Are the Twins willing to contribute? They have some cost savings. Would it build fan loyalty and increase attendance of MLB games after seeing players at AAA?

[Doctor Gast]

Along w/ the Twins pitching in to help out on the $20M, I think MN could benefit  by St, Paul being AAA so the state could help out a little