Everyone in the MLB world expects a lockout to begin on Dec. 1 when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement ends. Hopefully, the lockout is over by the time the regular season is supposed to begin. Unfortunately, there's a strong chance the lockout will lead to canceled games.
The owners want a salary cap. The players don't. Neither side seems willing to compromise.
If there ends up being a salary structure, there will be a salary floor. In that case, Minnesota would likely have to increase payroll. Revenue sharing would likely make it possible for the Twins to do so.
Given the uncertainty of how the league will operate once the lockout ends, the Twins should strongly consider signing key players to long-term deals. If the Twins expect to increase payroll because of a salary structure, they might as well extend some players to start working toward that floor. Even if there ends up being no salary floor, it'd still be a smart idea to extend some young players. Several players may be looking to sign long-term deals before the lockout in case a salary structure impedes their earning potential.
2 extensions Twins should consider ahead of MLB lockout
RHP Taj Bradley
Extending Bradley would make a ton of sense. He's only 25, is under team control through the 2029 season and has arguably been the Twins' MVP this year with 3.8 bWAR, a 3.81 ERA and 190 strikeouts over 29 starts.
The Twins would be wise to attempt to extend Bradley for a few more seasons past his current contract. If Minnesota offers Bradley a lucrative, long-term extension, it's going to be difficult for him to turn it down, even if he could potentially make more by waiting to hit free agency after the 2029 season.
SS Kaelen Culpepper
Since being promoted to the majors in early August, Culpepper has slashed a solid .286/.339/.419 (114 wRC+) with three home runs and 11 RBI over 29 games entering Saturday's game against Cleveland. Many question whether Culpepper belongs at shortstop long-term, especially with strong defensive shortstop Marek Houston likely to reach the majors within the next couple of seasons. But even if Culpepper needs to slide to second or third base, Minnesota should try to extend him for a few years beyond his current contract.
Several teams have extended players who are as inexperienced as, or even more inexperienced than, Culpepper, 23. The Milwaukee Brewers signed Luis Lara to a contract extension before his MLB debut. The Seattle Mariners did the same thing with Colt Emerson. The Twins should follow suit with Culpepper.
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