Twins Notes: Payroll, Free Agents, Offseason Needs

During a press conference, Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and manager Rocco Baldelli discussed the team’s plans for the upcoming offseason. They spoke with reporters Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, among others. The Twins had a successful season, winning the AL Central and advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, but they now face the challenge of addressing their roster needs.

Building a competitive roster came at a high cost for the Twins, as their payroll reached a franchise-record $153.7MM. However, it remains uncertain how much they will be able to spend this offseason or if they will match their 2023 expenditures. The Twins are also facing TV revenue uncertainties due to their former broadcast partner, Bally Sports’ parent company, filing for bankruptcy. They have yet to find a new broadcasting partner.

Falvey acknowledged the TV revenue situation and its impact on payroll, stating, “That’s a reality of our offseason. It’s not just for us. It’s for other clubs, too. That’s a piece of information we’re going to have to navigate. It’s a factor that there’s lack of clarity on TV revenue. That’s a fact, that’s no secret to anybody. That plays a role (with payroll), just like all of our revenue sources play a role to some degree.”

With several important free agents on the team, such as Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Michael A. Taylor, and Donovan Solano, the Twins have key decisions to make. Letting these players go would leave significant holes on the roster. Declining club options on Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler would add to that challenge.

When asked about retaining these players, Falvey provided vague answers, expressing his appreciation for their contributions and stating that the team would explore the possibility of bringing them back. Regarding Sonny Gray in particular, Falvey mentioned ongoing discussions with the player, but acknowledged that free agency is a complex process that takes time. He also acknowledged that Gray is likely to be pursued by various teams.

Given Gray’s expected high asking price in free agency, a deal with a team other than the Twins seems more likely, despite Gray’s interest in staying with the team. The Twins are likely to offer Gray a qualifying offer, and if he signs elsewhere, the team will receive a compensatory draft pick.

On the other hand, there is optimism about re-signing Kenta Maeda. Gleeman suggests that a shorter-term contract might be a possible compromise between the player and the Twins. Falvey expressed confidence in the team’s remaining rotation options, which include Pablo Lopez, Louie Varland, and Chris Paddack. However, he also emphasized the team’s commitment to improving the roster, indicating that they will explore other options.

Regarding the infield, Baldelli mentioned that Royce Lewis is expected to be the regular third baseman heading into spring camp. Lewis spent most of his time at that position in 2023, and the team intends to continue building on his successes. With Lewis at third, Carlos Correa at shortstop, Edouard Julien at second, and Alex Kirilloff at first, playing time for Jorge Polanco might be limited, potentially resulting in the team not exercising his option.

The situation with Max Kepler’s option is more uncertain due to Byron Buxton’s injury concerns. If Buxton is unable to play center field, the team will need to find another option to fill that position, especially if Michael A. Taylor does not re-sign. This may also impact the team’s infield plans, potentially creating another gap to fill.