caulfield12

Multiple team sources with knowledge of the situation insist the Twins do not plan further payroll cuts for 2025 and that spending will remain around $130 million, but Pohlad’s refusal to say it on the record is reason for skepticism. And really, “next season’s payroll won’t drop any further” is just a positive way to spin “this season’s payroll drop is the new normal.” During the Twins’ final five seasons at the Metrodome, their payroll was 23 percent lower than the average MLB team. Fifteen years and one taxpayer-funded ballpark later, their 2024 payroll was … 24 percent lower than MLB average. And if the 2025 payroll stays around $130 million while the league as a whole increases, they’ll actually fall below Metrodome-era spending. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5809110/2024/10/03/minnesota-twins-payroll-offseason-moves/ Basically argues that there's almost zero payroll flexibility carrying Correa Buxton Lopez and trying to fit the remainder of the roster in at the projected $130 million.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/2024-25-free-agent-power-rankings-late-august.html Looks like Burnes Snell Fried and Flaherty are the O's options. Flaherty you can automatically cross off the list. Snell is so damned erratic and doesn't go deep enough in games. Max Fried seems to be the likeliest target. Proven playoff winner this week's loss to SD notwithstanding.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/10/04/orioles-payroll-david-rubenstein-mike-elias/

Yankees: LHP Tim Hill Released in June by a White Sox team that was on its way to setting a Major League record for losses in a single season, Hill has emerged as a terrific find. A 34-year-old sidearmer who generates plenty of ground balls, Hill shrugged off his 5.87 ERA with Chicago and pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 35 appearances for the Yanks. He was especially tough on lefties, holding them to a .187 batting average (14-for-75) after being crushed to a .413 clip (19-for-46) with the White Sox. -- Bryan Hoch mlb.com

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-playoffs-2024-updated-bracket-for-alds-and-nlds-key-matchups-previews-and-predictions-213616397.html Yahoo picks Yanks Guardians Phillies Padres https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-dodgers-2024-nlds-position-by-position-breakdown Padres in 4

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And the Blue Jays, for example. Others will now argue the Orioles have nothing to show for all their lean years as well. But, as any White Sox fan knows, constant retooling has meant what type of playoff record from 1990-2012? If the Royals didn’t bottom out, no Witt Jr. and no playoffs. Runs like the Tigers or Mets this year happen once a generation for fans of most teams. MLB has now gone decades without a repeat champion. Compare that to the Chiefs or Patriots. You can make the playoffs every year with superstar QBs but it doesn’t work that way for baseball teams normally. Just look at the Angels with Trout and Ohtani.

https://twinsdaily.com/forums/topic/68582-are-the-twins-cheaper-now-compared-to-the-metrodome-days/ Why not just take your $2-3 billion, and exit the baseball ownership business ........... Complete the sale. Bring in an owner who cares. Pass them off to someone willing to run the organization like it’s a multi-billion professional sports organization, not like a 1985 family-run business with an uncertain financial future."

Levine out as GM Falvey/Baldelli to stay Thad Levine Steps Down As Twins GM The 2024 campaign ended in disappointment, however, with a 13-27 record over the final 40 games of the season pushing the Twins out of a playoff position and into fourth place in the AL Central. While injuries and underperformance played a big role in the team’s downfall, so did a slow offseason and quiet trade deadline, during which Falvey and Levine did little to improve the club. It’s difficult to say how much of the blame lies with the front office as opposed to ownership, which forced the team to cut payroll. Regardless, it’s not hard to see why Levine was ready to seek new opportunities elsewhere. It’s possible the Twins didn’t want him back either, but the press release presents it as Levine’s decision. Furthermore, one would think that if ownership and executive chairman Joe Pohlad were displeased with the direction of the team, Falvey would be looking for a new job as well. Both Falvey and Levine’s contacts were believed to be expiring at the end of the 2024 season. Prior to joining the Twins, Levine spent several years as an assistant GM for the Rangers. More recently, he has pursued top decision-making jobs around the league; the Twins gave permission for him to interview with the Phillies in 2020 and the Red Sox in 2023. Other teams that have shown interest in Levine in the past include the Mets and Rockies. Interestingly, however, he ultimately took himself out of the running for all those jobs. If Levine wants a new job in baseball, it doesn’t seem as if he’d have any trouble landing one. He will surely be a candidate for any “chief decision-maker” openings around the league. It’s less clear if he would be interested in taking on another job where he would only be second-in-command, such as with the Giants. San Francisco is looking for a GM to replace Pete Putila and work under new president of baseball operations Buster Posey. For what it’s worth, the fact that Levine chose to remain underneath Falvey for so long – despite other opportunities – suggests he prioritizes his work environment over his status. Perhaps the Giants’ larger payroll will convince him to give the Bay Area a try. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/thad-levine-steps-down-as-twins-gm.html

Reusse: Pressure will be on Twins to spend money, but they should rebuild instead It’s time to eschew the higher priced veterans and just fill up the lineup card with young players and prospects https://www.startribune.com/patrick-reusse-column-twins-rebuild-derek-falvey-thad-levine-carlos-correa/601157332

TLR and Showalter could not coexist together, either. At the rate we're going it will be Sizemore or Baldelli.

That would be about the dumbest thing the new ownership group could possibly do. They aren't going to change managers, they are certainly not going to move on from a heretofore successful GM at this point.

His calls for the Tigers down the stretch were fine...especially the clincher.

Whoever pays Santander $125ish million based on 2024 is going to regret it quickly.

Salas and DeVrieze are their last big trade assets... PEREZ, VASQUEZ, BRITO, WALDRON, and some Pads' fans want to bring back Blake Snell on a much cheaper deal...he seemed happiest in SD fwiw. Blake Snell's contract has a player opt-out option available after 2024. Moreover, he will be paid his signing bonus in January 2026. Additionally, $15 million of his 2025 salary has been deferred without interest to 2027. He is to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Think they would have to make a deal with SFG on the financials...maybe SD paying 5/$40 and SF eating the rest to move on.

They’re getting paid a lot more than big league coaches right now on average…plus more job security.

Well sure but he’s 37-38 years old now…so are 90-95% of his contemporaries.

He looked like one of the best starters in baseball last night. Brewers’ Twitter all over how their Pitching Lab turned him around…

Devin Williams is usually one of the best closers in the game but it's just the Mets' year right now.

He would just sit out a year and do broadcasting gig imo. JR wants to pay under $1 million for dealing with a train wreck....just not worth it to most.

Everyone makes the comp with Sox and Seattle, but the love/hate relationship in Minnesota with the Pohlads feels a big closer and more Midwestern. How they ended up cutting payroll after a playoff victory last year...well the excuses were all about the RSN situation.

The Reds' fans were not convinced of that 2-3 seasons ago...he was almost as loathed as JR.

Was halfway expecting a Sosa early extension announcement....

Or Rockies.

"After retiring as a player, Francona began coaching, spending several years in the Chicago White Sox organization. In 1991, he managed the rookie league Sarasota White Sox of the Gulf Coast League. In 1992, he managed the South Bend White Sox of the mid-level Class A Midwest League. As manager of the AA franchise Birmingham Barons in 1993–95, he posted a 223–203 record and won two distinctions: Southern League Manager of the Year in 1993, Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year in 1993, and top managerial candidate by Baseball America in 1994, the same year Michael Jordan played for Birmingham. Birmingham won the Southern League championship in 1993. Francona managed in the Dominican Winter League with the Águilas Cibaeñas, and he also won the championship and the Serie del Caribe in 1995–96." Wikipedia He goes from the White Sox organization to getting hired by good friend Buddy Bell to be the third base coach with the Tigers in 1996. Real Men of Genius