Following an offseason marked by a big payroll drop, Twins executive chairman Joe Pohlad ruled out an 11th-hour deal with a prominent free agent, as they did with Carlos Correa two years ago.
There are still a few major names available, including pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, centre fielder Cody Bellinger, and third baseman Matt Chapman, all represented by agency Scott Boras.
“The reason I say no is just because we’re going to live pretty much where we’re at right now,” Pohlad said on WCCO radio Tuesday, the team’s flagship station, when asked if the team had enough money to sign one of the top four free agents. “What I’ll say about some flexibility is that when [president of baseball operations] Derek [Falvey] and his staff believe there is a good chance in front of us, we don’t stick to a set number.
“That said, we aren’t going to spend $30 million on a player right now. We are not interested in the players who are now available and who are likely being discussed by a large number of fans. But I’m sure Derek is looking at other players that can have a great impact on our club.”
The Twins have approximately $120 million committed to their 2024 roster, which is less than the team-record $156 million payroll they carried last year.
Falvey revealed during the November General Managers Meetings that the team aimed to decrease salaries. The Twins’ offseason spending was influenced by the lack of a TV contract, but Falvey told the Star Tribune that after pushing payroll to record highs for two consecutive seasons, “we know there is some natural ebb and flow to that.”
The Twins have secured a one-year television contract with Diamond Sports Group, Bally Sports North’s parent organization. Pohlad declined to discuss the terms of their TV discussions, but admitted the club is receiving less than the $54.8 million it earned in 2023.
“We were working closely with Major League Baseball and collectively decided that this was the best path moving forward in the short term,” said Pohlad, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
After beginning full-squad exercises this week, the Twins are open to make additional roster moves. There is place on the roster for a right-handed hitter, preferably an outfielder, and all teams want to add more starting pitching depth.
They’ve expressed interest in re-signing free agent centre fielder Michael A. Taylor on a one-year contract, despite Taylor’s previous request for a two-year deal this offseason. Adam Duvall and Tommy Pham are two more outfielders that are suitable as targets.
“I think it’s understandable … when you just look at it on paper, if we just had the success we did last year why we would reduce our payroll,” Pohlad went on to say. “As you can see from today’s game, there are several possible strategies to win. You can see this with both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles, who have lower payrolls and produce highly successful goods on the field while also investing in other aspects of the business. That is what we are doing. However, the television scenario undoubtedly has an impact on our industry. Aside from that, we’re just attempting to right-size our business, which is also contributing to the situation.”
Etc.
The Twins have 59 guys in camp, but lefty reliever Jovani Moran is the only one who won’t play this season. Moran is projected to miss the full season after having Tommy John surgery in November. Moran was momentarily dismissed from the Twins’ 40-man roster before re-signing on a two-year minor level contract. “Doing my rehab here is going to help because I know all the trainers and I’ve been here since I signed,” he told reporters. “Doing rehab with people that you know, that’s supposed to help.”
Chris Paddack is set to start Friday’s exhibition game against the University of Minnesota.
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