Dave Overlund

"...they needed to announce themselves as serious about acquiring stars and about winning games." Well stated. Free agents don't want to sign here for this reason, not the weather. While I am dubious about the on-field impact Donaldson will make at this point in his career, I am 100% on board with this signing for this exact reason.

Can anyone give me a good reason, even from the Pohlad's perspective, why you don't just give Berrios the money he is asking for? Precedent? I really can't figure out the Twins' angle here except keeping the pocket change.

Thank you for providing this forum, and thanks to all the writers and commenters for putting up with my perpetual grumpiness when it comes to the Twins. You all do great work here, here’s to even bigger things in 2020!

In my opinion, speculation about using PEDs without a suspension should not be enough to keep you out of the HOF. However, as is the case with Cruz, getting caught and suspended should rule you out forever.

That's a fair point. He just seems so old to finally be a full time player!

If Garver is truly the real deal and not just a guy who had a great season, how on Earth did it take so long for the Twins to realize what they had?

I really don't understand moving Sano to first base without having a solid plan at third base. Sure, if there is a prospect/free agent ready to take over, then explore it. Last time Sano moved positions it was a disaster that set his development back. He seems comfortable, at the plate and in the field, when he is at third base. Further, this isn't beer league softball. Playing first base is not as easy as we would like to think. ‍♂

If he doesn't care about 10,20,30 million why does he need other teams to "jack up his price?" Using your logic he should be fine signing with Atlanta for 4/80 or whatever since he has enough money, no?

Nah, if you play the rookies you have to pay them sooner AND you can't sell the future anymore. By keeping them down there's always the hope that they will be the answer.

No one is asking to be a "top spender." Just add a few pieces to add to the cheap core that already exists. I don't think there is a single TD commenter that expects the Twins to be top 5 in payroll.

(Ranier Wolfcastle voice) That’s the joke

If there was a “love” button I would have pressed it ten times

I offered Davannis $10 for a large pizza, based on the cost of ingredients it was more than fair. They still had the nerve to charge me $20. I said no and the guy behind me in line happily bought it. I’ll just get a frozen Roma pizza instead. The Twins don’t set the market, the market does.

I don’t think Donaldson was the right move, but I know that low-balling every free agent under the sun isn’t helping our cause at all.

I've still yet to see one free agent come out and say that they specifically didn't want to play in Minnesota.

To me, you have to plant the seeds to make the money. The way you lay it out, their revenue will remain flat. By investing more in the team, and putting a real title contender on the field, you ignite a fan base. I am a huge Twins fan in large part because I was nine when they won the World Series. I was hooked and have stuck around through two truly awful decades (90s and 2010s) because I remember that feeling. If they invested more money on the team and take a short term loss in the process, you increase attendance. You increase jersey sales. Concession sales. Sponsorships. TV broadcast deals. All the things that come with having a very popular team. Sure, it might "hurt" them for a year or two, but the return would be massive if they broke through and won the whole thing. The other thing I think is relevant is the fact that sports are entertainment. Part of the deal is providing the fans a product that they want to consume. We don't care how many millions (or billions) of dollars in profit the owner makes, I want to know why I should spend $100-200 per game to take my family to the ballpark. Hint: It isn't to watch Homer Bailey pitch.

How about the Tigers? From ESPN: "I think I proved that," Ilitch said when asked about his willingness to open the purse strings. "I've been in baseball for a lot of years. I didn't care about spending money. They get the players, and I spend, and I don't worry about it because they have good judgment." His message to Avila this winter? "I don't care about the money," he said. "I want the best players." In fact, Ilitch admitted he'd be open to crossing the luxury tax threshold if the payroll continued to escalate and the market required such a commitment. "Well, I'm supposed to be a good boy and not go over it, but again, if I'm gonna get certain players that can help us a lot, I'm going to go over it," he said before conceding this strategy was frowned upon. "Oops, I shouldn't have said that."

Who would you rather have? Gibson/Perez or Hill/Bailey? Is this even a slight upgrade when you consider Hill’s inability to stay on the field?

We could have all saved ourselves a lot of frustration if we would have just accepted that these were the type of additions they were going to make. I fell for it, too. The more things change (FO), the more they stay the same (ownership).

I’m not a fan of Price at this point, but I also disagree with the returns being “iffy” for Boston. They won the World Series in 2018 thanks in large part to Price. That’s the whole point of any signing right? To win the World Series?

Seattle and Denver have the legalization correlation I guess (shrugs). Atlanta and Toronto 1992 World Series (hey I’m trying haha).

I think the difference is that the Phillies tried to buy a team without a core group of players. The Twins have a solid core of players and just need a few pieces to be a real contender. I think most would agree that buying a team isn’t a winning strategy. You have to grow a core of players and supplement them with free agents and trades when the time is right.

I think that is a fair question. However, I personally don’t think that Matt Morin move was the only thing that happened and gave Berrios this impression. Maybe that was the one that set him off for whatever reason, but I doubt that would be the only example he would give if you could ask him to speak honestly. I think the fan base has had the same impression for a long time, along with some media members. The concern is if the players feel that way as well. It could be the reason Berrios, Buxton and Rosario have been reluctant to sign extensions here, and the reason that seemingly no free agent wanted to come here.

I’ve said this elsewhere but the Twins might be the 2019 Indians, and the White Sox the 2019 Twins. One team thinking they could stand pat (or even subtract guys) and coast to a division title, the other team coming seemingly from out of nowhere to make a run at the division. I think the Twins lack of moves this season is borderline arrogant, and that we as fans have to take the Sox seriously. We’ve never experienced it here, but the type of offseason the White Sox are having sends the roster a message about ownerships expectations for success. If you are a veteran with Minnesota, and you see the team sitting on its hands, what message does that send? Jose Berrios himself said it last year on Twitter, this team only cares about making money. I’m guessing he’s not the only one in the clubhouse that thinks that.

I agree with your post. Chemistry is something that only strikes once in a while, and last years team had it. It’s really hard for me to believe that lightning is going to strike twice in 2020.