Fresh off their first playoff series win since 2002, the Minnesota Twins slashed $35 million from their payroll last offseason. That, combined with Comcast removing their games from cable in May, stalled any momentum the Twins had built from their playoff run.
The Twins entered the offseason without a cable provider, but there was a silver lining after a lost season. Ownership said they would keep payroll at around $130 million. Still, that was a minor concession. It was still $25 million below the $155 million they spent in 2023, which allowed them to add Donovan Solano in spring training and have enough pitching depth that Bailey Ober started the season in Triple-A.
Minnesota could have used the extra depth last year. However, they added some this offseason when ownership approved increased payroll spending. Ownership likely approved the increased spending because they felt they were close to a sale.
The Pohlad family announced they are exploring a sale in October. The ownership market was so “robust” that Minnesota expected to have a new owner by opening day. The Twins were an attractive buy. They have a competitive roster and one of the better parks in baseball. Their clean books were the only upside to last year’s payroll cuts.
Justin Ishbia, who owns part of the Phoenix Suns, emerged as a potential owner. Things progressed so far that several team officials were caught off guard when Ishbia pivoted to buy the Chicago White Sox. Still, many “interested parties” remain engaged, meaning the Pohlads could still sell the team. However, they could also take the Twins off the market. “Everything’s on the table,” a source told The Athletic.
Given Minnesota’s situation, an owner may still come forward with an attractive bid. Regardless, ownership has already increased payroll, allowing the front office to add Harrison Bader and Danny Coulombe. Bader is a former Gold Glove outfielder. He can play Michael A. Taylor’s former role as a reliable backup centerfielder in case Byron Buxton misses time. Coulombe fills out Minnesota’s bullpen as a veteran lefty.
The increased payroll also allowed them to explore adding a shortstop to back up Correa, who’s had plantar fasciitis in the past two seasons. The Twins have also signed Ty France to compete with Jose Miranda at first base and added depth to their bullpen, doubling down on a strength.
Depth alone won’t make or break Minnesota’s season. Players like Correa, Lewis, and López must drive winning. Still, depth was a significant factor in their success two years ago, and they could have used it last year.
We often think of payroll in absolutes. Baseball doesn’t have a salary cap, so why can’t the Twins spend like big-market teams? However, that fails to account for how market size and television contracts affect spending. Even the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox’s payrolls pale in comparison to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and the New York Mets and Yankees.
Instead, payroll spending tends to help the Twins at the margins. It’s the difference between going into the season with an adequate backup for Buxton and a bullpen depth or gambling on everyone staying healthy through a 162-game season.
Two years ago, the Twins had a deep roster and won a playoff series for the first time since they beat the Moneyball A’s in 2022. Last year, they cut payroll and petered out at the end of the season. Even though the Pohlads haven’t sold the team, a potential sale in February may pay dividends in October.
