I hope that the Twins are telling teams that they are willing to pay the rest of 2013 salaries for all players they are looking to trade (Morneau and Burton being the most salary-relevant players). If teams are "cooling" on Morneau because of the $6ish million left this year . . . . come on and just pay the damn money.

Why show all your cards? This isn't Ryan's first rodeo. Down to our last 11 days, no need to panic.

Paying Morneau's salary isn't panicking, it's merely a surefire way to improve the quality of prospect we get in return. I typically don't get upset about the Twins not being big spenders, but I will be very disappointed if they don't pay Morneau's salary if he's traded.

I hope the same thing. I'm fine with posturing, but I'll be a little dubious if the Twins trade him but don't pick up some of that money.

 

the last thing this team should be doing is trying to save another $5M.

Ifg it's the difference between a prospect and a body, I say go for it. Yes, you want to save money, but as we all know, it doesn't carry over to next season. The big thing is to get players on the field that will be here, by chance, next year.

If it's the difference between a prospect and a body, I say go for it. Yes, you want to save money, but as we all know, it doesn't carry over to next season. The big thing is to get players on the field that will be here, by chance, next year.

I say pay their salaries as well. The payroll is already lower than it needed to be, and while I'm sure attendance is down, they are still making money. If that's the difference between picking up org filler and a 100-200 range prospect, do it.

They minus well pay the amount to get Doumit out too. Hopefully we move at least two of Burton, Morneau, Doumit, and Swarzak (career year).

I too will be upset if they don't pick up any salary. I've bought in to the "payroll was much higher than what was spent" talk, but there is no excuse to not do this.

Paying Morneau's salary isn't panicking, it's merely a surefire way to improve the quality of prospect we get in return. I typically don't get upset about the Twins not being big spenders, but I will be very disappointed if they don't pay Morneau's salary if he's traded.

That's correct. But telling teams, you will pick up all remaining payroll for all players as the OP suggested is. In fact it's silly.

Edited July 20, 201313 yr by howieramone

I can't remember a Twins trade where they picked up the salary of the guy traded. Of course, they are in better position to do so now, but I don't think it will happen.

If they trade for a middling prospect and pay salary for these players I would ask this question. Is the prospect you are buying worth a fee of however many multi million dollars. If it is a pure salary dump that you are doing, then give the players away and buy yourself a boatload of Cuban players with the money that wasn't spent on salary this year. It might be a better crapshoot. Can they frontload a contract? The Twins already 20-40 million under budgetable money this year for salaries. That should buy a Cuban player

That's correct. But telling teams, you will pick up all remaining payroll for all players as the OP suggested is. In fact it's damn silly.

 

Why? It's not like they are committing to trading Morneau if they let it be known they willing to pick up some of the salary. They can still say no thanks, try again, if the return isn't what they are looking for. On the other hand if they never offer to pay some of that salary they will never know what returns are possible....

I hope that the Twins are telling teams that they are willing to pay the rest of 2013 salaries for all players they are looking to trade (Morneau and Burton being the most salary-relevant players). If teams are "cooling" on Morneau because of the $6ish million left this year . . . . come on and just pay the damn money.

 

Ryan gave Castillo away for nothing to save like 1M. I'd be surprised if he ate 6M to trade Morny.

Ryan gave Castillo away for nothing to save like 1M. I'd be surprised if he ate 6M to trade Morny.

 

This makes Drew Butera angry. You wouldn't like Drew Butera angry.

The salary thing gets written about but teams are cooling on Justin Morneau because he isn't very good.

If things went well this season, the Twins would have this payroll anyway, or would potentially being adding to it if they were buyers at the deadline. So, given that, it would appear wise to use the money to at least get 1-3 quality players back (assuming Morneau, Doumit, and Burton could be moved--it could be three quality players). Payroll is going down in the immediate future. If the Twins had a whole bunch of money committed to players beyond this year, it would be a different story.

Salary or not, we are getting very little for him. Put me in the 'lets keep him' camp.

I can't remember a Twins trade where they picked up the salary of the guy traded. Of course, they are in better position to do so now, but I don't think it will happen.

 

Santana rule V trade, money was sent over.

AJ trade, money was sent over.

 

I'd say from history, when Terry Ryan is offering to pick up salary, you are about to regret it.

I hope that the Twins are telling teams that they are willing to pay the rest of 2013 salaries for all players they are looking to trade (Morneau and Burton being the most salary-relevant players). If teams are "cooling" on Morneau because of the $6ish million left this year . . . . come on and just pay the damn money.

 

Well said. Letting the rest of the teams know you are willing to pick up some or all of the cash remaining on the guys you are shopping doesn't weaken your bargaining position, it just brings more people to the table. That strengthens your bargaining position.

 

It makes zero sense, silly in fact, to play it coy when you are trying to move pieces to help your future. Your cards are already on the table, so play your best hand. Hopefully the Twins aren't being shy to use all that available cash Ryan said would be helpful at the deadline. (Albeit, not the way he had meant)

Santana rule V trade, money was sent over.

AJ trade, money was sent over.

 

I'd say from history, when Terry Ryan is offering to pick up salary, you are about to regret it.

 

Took me a minute to realize you meant "you" as in the other team, right?

Santana rule V trade, money was sent over.

Is this true? I don't know, and can't seem to find details, but that's not how I remember it. The twins had the first pick that year, Miami wanted Jared Camp, and was afraid the Twins would pick Camp. The Twins agreed to pick Camp and send him to Miami for the second pick, Santana. Why would the Twins have sent cash in this deal?

 

As I recall it, the deal had Miami paying the rule 5 costs for both picks. I could be wrong, but it makes no sense that the Twins would have paid to essentially move down a spot.

Objectively if money were not an issue, how good of prospect would you be getting? So you want to pay up to 6 million for a not very good prospect? That makes no sense

Is this true? I don't know, and can't seem to find details, but that's not how I remember it. The twins had the first pick that year, Miami wanted Jared Camp, and was afraid the Twins would pick Camp. The Twins agreed to pick Camp and send him to Miami for the second pick, Santana. Why would the Twins have sent cash in this deal?

 

As I recall it, the deal had Miami paying the rule 5 costs for both picks. I could be wrong, but it makes no sense that the Twins would have paid to essentially move down a spot.

 

That's what I remember too. The Marlins essentially paid the fee for Santana for the Twins as a result of the swap.

Took me a minute to realize you meant "you" as in the other team, right?

 

yes.

That's what I remember too. The Marlins essentially paid the fee for Santana for the Twins as a result of the swap.

 

I guess I had it the other way around. The Twins did contribute cash in the AJ trade though.

Objectively if money were not an issue, how good of prospect would you be getting? So you want to pay up to 6 million for a not very good prospect? That makes no sense

 

That is probably what would happen. It could only make sense (and this goes back to Reusse's story) because of the other limits in place.

 

There are very few ways to invest good money into prospects these days. MLB Draft is capped. So is the international draft. The two biggest remaining options to spend money are:

 

1) players exempt from the drafts for some reason and

2) increasing the level of prospect you get in a trade (or buying prospects)

 

Almost by definition, both of these two are going to be very overpriced, especially compared to the MLB draft and the international draft. I think you're seeing this, along with an increase in spending for free agents, because of the two caps.

 

So yes, that is correct: you will be paying up to $6M for a not very good prospect, because you didn't need to spend $10 million on Kohl Stewart.

There are many ways the Twins can spend money to help the team. Unnecessarily paying the rest of Morneau's contract is not one of them. I doubt any team is willing to give up a decent prospect for him. I'd rather see the Twins invest in a long term contract for one or more of their upcoming talents (Hicks, Arcia, Sano, Gibson, Rosario or Buxton). Let us hope that the Twins can make sound investments for their future.

There are many ways the Twins can spend money to help the team. Unnecessarily paying the rest of Morneau's contract is not one of them. I doubt any team is willing to give up a decent prospect for him. I'd rather see the Twins invest in a long term contract for one or more of their upcoming talents (Hicks, Arcia, Sano, Gibson, Rosario or Buxton). Let us hope that the Twins can make sound investments for their future.

Completely agree. I'm guessing Twins Fans are going to start learning about Longoria contracts in the not too distant future.

Objectively if money were not an issue, how good of prospect would you be getting? So you want to pay up to 6 million for a not very good prospect? That makes no sense

 

If Morneau isn't worth a very good prospect, then aren't teams saying the same thing about him? Do they want to pay $6 million for a not very good player? If the answer is "No," then no trade will happen and the Twins are paying the $6 million anyway and are out the money and the prospect. The contract is guaranteed, the money has already been budgeted, ditching Morneau for a simple salary dump is an awful move if it doesn't benefit the team.