The Minnesota Twins have treated their fans to their second straight cold winter. But if you’re hoping the hot stove would flicker just a little bit before Spring Training, it doesn’t sound like anything is going to fire up according to general manager Jeremy Zoll.
Zoll, who was promoted to the general manager position to replace Thad Levine in November, addressed reporters as Alex Hassan, Sean Johnson and Josh Kalk were promoted to assistant general manager roles on Thursday and MLB.com’s Matthew Leach suggested the team’s “heavy lifting” in terms of roster construction has been completed ahead of the team’s first workout on Feb. 13.
“We feel like the spot we’re in is something that allows us to be creative and opportunity to be creative and opportunistic,” Zoll said. “[We’re] continuing to vet all the different options and ways that we can make the team better. But at this point, we don’t feel like cuts are in order from an overall payroll perspective. Just working to find ways to explore every opportunity to do the best we can.”
The good news is that it doesn’t sound like Zoll is being weighed down by the Twins’ reported desire to cut the current $140 million payroll down to $130 million by Opening Day. The bad news is that it doesn’t sound like a trade to improve the team is imminent even with the need for a first baseman, a right-handed outfielder and a left-handed reliever.
Twins news: Diego Cartaya trade gives Twins options at catcher entering Spring Training
The Twins made one significant deal by acquiring Diego Cartaya from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 9. A former top prospect in the Dodgers’ organization and a consensus top-20 prospect in baseball entering the 2023 season, Cartaya has struggled with injuries and his bat as he reached the Triple-A level the past two years.
While Cartaya has struggled, he’s still flashed power with 11 home runs between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City and his improvement in the defensive game behind the plate enticed the Twins to take a flier on the 23-year-old.
“From our perspective, building out our catching depth feels really good,” Zoll said. “It always feels like you can never have enough quality catching options. We felt like it was an opportunity to try and catch some upside and we really love the package of tools he brings to the table and the reputation he has from a makeup perspective.”
Cartaya’s arrival gives the Twins four true catchers (Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vázquez, Jair Camargo and Cartaya) and Mickey Gasper, who has some experience behind the plate. While the trades for Gasper and Cartaya may have led to a belief that the Twins would trade Vázquez and his $10 million salary, Zoll’s comments make it sound like Minnesota is content with what they have going into Spring Training.
Then again, it takes just one call for that to change. But with the lack of action this winter, Twins fans are best served not getting their hopes up.