According to calculations by this site and by others, the Twins probably have about $30 million to spend this offseason on new player payroll. I’ve seen the number $35 million thrown around, but it’s probably best to stick with the conservative figure; after all, the team might have to tuck away a few extra bucks to use on signing bonuses for their super high 2012 draft picks.

So how to spend the $30 million? That’s probably enough to sign Jimmy Rollins and C.J. Wilson. That would shore up the team’s two biggest holes: middle infield and starting pitching. Unfortunately, the two marquee players would drain pretty much every available cent the Twins have, leaving none left over to sign an outfielder, backup catcher, or relief help. Plus, Wilson and Rollins are both over 30, and they’d both command long term deals. I don’t think the Twins want to be writing giant checks to Rollins when he is 37. So if you’re hoping the Twins will go after Wilson, Rollins, Jose Reyes, Albert Pujols, or Prince Fielder, please reconsider.

Fortunately, with $30 million, it should be possible to stock the roster with more affordable options who could bridge the gap between the worst team in the American League and a respectable team capable of contending.

Here’s how I’d spend the money (assuming all of these guys are willing to play for the Twins):

Edwin Jackson, RHP, Cardinals, $12 Million (more…)

The Twins have a lot of work to do this offseason after this disastrous season. Nearly every position on the field has questions, and some of them are complete black holes. Hopefully, the team’s executives are already at work putting together a strategy and identifying players to target on the free agent market.

Many would argue the first changes that need to be made are in the front office; specifically, people are calling for General Manager Bill Smith and/or Manager Ron Gardenhire to be fired. I am going to save those topics for future articles, though, and limit this one to on-field needs.

Here are the Top Five positions that the Twins needs to upgrade this offseason, ranked from least desperate to most.

5. Outfield

Though the team has made it clear that they want to re-sign Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer, the chances are that both will leave. Even if they are willing to stay, it might not make long-term sense to keep them, since they could both command multiyear deals at $10 million or more per season, and the soon-to-be-rebuilding Twins could benefit from the draft picks they’d receive in compensation. Though outfield is one area where the Twins have a lot of interesting minor league prospects, players like Angel Morales, Oswaldo Arcia, Eddie Rosario, and Aaron Hicks are still several years from contributing. Ben Revere and Joe Benson have both seen Major League action this year, but they too could benefit from some time in AAA to work out the kinks. (more…)

Fangraphs

The Twins are now in first place by a game and a half after taking 2 of 3 from the Detroit squadron. And now that it’s July, hopefully the bandwagon Twins fans will turn their attention to football, and leave the rest of us to just enjoy our team and the rest of the season in peace. Seriously, people, baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. Even the very best team in the sport will lose at least 50 games. The Twins will probably lose 75 and still win the division.

Best hitter: Justin Morneau, .203 WPA. The Mountie hit the longest home run at Target Field thus far, a 441-ft moon shot off of Andy Oliver in the sixth.

Worst hitter: Jim Thome, -.118 WPA. I love Jimmers, but he probably shouldn’t start against left-handed pitching.

Best pitcher: Kevin Slowey, .241 WPA. Slowey surrendered just one run on four hits in six innings, while striking out four and walking just one. He was rolling along until the boss jinxed him*, now he’s day-to-day with an ankle contusion after being struck with a line-drive off the bat of Magglio Ordonez.

Worst pitcher: Matt Guerrier, .003 WPA. Mayor McCheese made things interesting in the eighth, giving up a double to Gerald Laird and a single to Ramon Santiago, but got Austin Jackson to strike out looking, and then Jose Mijares got Johnny Damon to foul out and end the inning.

Most important play of the game:

Morneau’s double off of Oliver in the fourth, which scored the tying run and got the Twins right back in the game (.142 WPA).

*Kidding!  Please don’t fire me.