The Last Transaction the Twins Should Make Before Opening Day

Was surprised when I read your comment that the Twins payroll heading into opening day was $117M. Most reports I have seen indicated that they were close to or at $130M. Which is it?

As a Twins’ fan, the dumpster diving and cutting back of payroll irritates me. It tells me you’re not serious about taking advantage of this window the win a championship.

If you need a trustworthy bullpen arm, go get a freaking trustworthy bullpen arm, not all of these guys off the scrap heap.

This is why we’ve lost 18 straight playoff games. Half-assing.

Was surprised when I read your comment that the Twins payroll heading into opening day was $117M. Most reports I have seen indicated that they were close to or at $130M. Which is it?

Spotrac says 117. 16th in MLB, below league average. CWS are at 123.  https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/minnesota-twins/payroll/

It’s around $117M, which is a step back from last year. Smh.

Please keep in mind that revenues were down significantly last season, and will be this season as well.

That said, financially the Twins *should* be able to bring in another strong BP arm if they feel it is needed.

I've always been a Robertson fan, so yes, on the condition that it also comes with a $250K/$500 buyout on the option for 2022.  

My very strong sense is that the Twins will not add a ML guaranteed contract barring injury. The ability to utilize multiple relievers with options in the last two spots effectively expands your relief corps to 12-14 guys. Fill it with 8 vets and you shut down that flexibility, which is the third rail for this FO.

Shane Greene should be considered as well. If things got really messed up he can close.

Was surprised when I read your comment that the Twins payroll heading into opening day was $117M. Most reports I have seen indicated that they were close to or at $130M. Which is it?

I thought we were at $128-$131M... I think some projections included some of Maeda's incentives, however. 

Regarding payroll, I've also read different $ numbers at different sites. And I could be wrong, but I think FanGraphs at $129M is the most accurate and seems to track the various running totals presented here on TD. With incentives, primarily Maeda, the projected final number is around $134M. Depending on where you look, the adjusted 2020 payroll was around $138-140M. So they are very close to the projected numbers of last year.

In regard to Robertson, he was on my 2nd tier of want and "why not" list. He's had a fine career and I have been very surprised someone hasn't given him a look-see at this point. You would think he'd be worth a couple $M with some incentives. I can only assume that there simply wasn't enough known about his recovery, early enough, for anyone to make a move when the FA glacier finally nudged forward.

I would have no problem with the Twins taking a closer look. He could be a steal. But at this point, aren't we talking about a milb deal with incentives and an opt out? I would do that though, in a heartbeat.

No - stay with what we have.  No more looking to the left overs and I love left overs - if they are turkey or other great foods.  

This is not a playoff contending team (as in advancing in the playoffs). They are at least one arm short in the bullpen and their offense is feast or famine. Guess which one you get facing playoff pitching?

Get him.

RP is the easiest position to add at the trade deadline, often the cheapest to trade for, and the most volatile position. It makes sense to wait to stock up.

I thought we were at $128-$131M... I think some projections included some of Maeda's incentives, however. 

That's it ... A lot of projections only list Maeda's base salary. With Maeda at $9M it comes out to $129M.

As a Twins’ fan, the dumpster diving and cutting back of payroll irritates me. It tells me you’re not serious about taking advantage of this window the win a championship.

If you need a trustworthy bullpen arm, go get a freaking trustworthy bullpen arm, not all of these guys off the scrap heap.

This is why we’ve lost 18 straight playoff games. Half-assing.

Just about every team cut payroll this year.  Twins are still in middle of league in spending. We are spending almost 70 mil more than Tampa, and Tampa is expected to be fighting for playoffs, just like us.  Spending big does not mean you will win, you need to spend right.  If you can find a good arm for cheaper why not do it?  

I like Robertson. I think this would be a good buy low, high reward move!

As a Twins’ fan, the dumpster diving and cutting back of payroll irritates me. It tells me you’re not serious about taking advantage of this window the win a championship.

If you need a trustworthy bullpen arm, go get a freaking trustworthy bullpen arm, not all of these guys off the scrap heap.

This is why we’ve lost 18 straight playoff games. Half-assing.

Why would you be irritated? Do you think revenue won’t go down this year or do you think spending is not driven by revenue? Would you spend the same amount if you lost a significant portion of your income? Just a little common sense and you will find there is no reason to be irritated. You could instead be happy that we were able to fill the free agent losses with good replacements in spite of the anticipated revenue losses.