The Minnesota Twins are under payroll restrictions for the second straight year. While fans are waiting for a new owner to free them from the financial purgatory their team is under, the current situation is grim and could force Derek Falvey to give an ultimatum to Executive Chair Joe Pohlad.
KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson said during an appearance on SKOR North’s Minnesota Sports with Mackey & Judd that the team is “steadfast” on operating under the same $130 million payroll next season. But with the team currently projected for $142 million next season, Falvey could request “wiggle room” to get something of substance in a “salary dump” trade.
“As the calendar flips to January here…Derek Falvey is going to go to Joe Pohlad and say ‘Here’s the deal. I either need a little bit of wiggle room or I am going to have to make a trade or two that I don’t really want to make.”
Minnesota Twins reportedly have trade offer for Chris Paddack, interest for Pablo López
The Twins are coming off a disappointing season where they blew a double-digit lead in the American League Wild Card standings and missed the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons. While improving the team should be a priority, this offseason has been centered around shedding salary with Chris Paddack, Carlos Correa and Pablo López mentioned in trade rumors.
Wolfson reported that the Twins have an offer for Paddack but the Twins also want a decent return and don’t want to just get rid of the right-hander, who is set to make $7.5 million in the final year of his contract next season.
“If they want to make a Chris Paddack trade today, there is a trade they can make. But they’re looking for something, I’m not talking meaningful, but something they can wrap their arms around in return. They don’t want to just give him away. And that trade possibility that exists today would essentially be that.”
Wolfson also touched on the López rumors saying nothing is close but listed the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs as teams interested in acquiring the Twins ace.
“I don’t sense anything is close but…look at some of these big market teams that have not landed one of the big-name starting pitchers, right? Whether it’s the Giants, the Orioles, the Cubs, or some other teams…there is genuine interest, a ton of interest in Pablo López. I just don’t think anything is all that close right this second, but I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out. But right now, I would say Pablo López is the Twins’ Opening Day starter.”
Minnesota Twins fans deserve better amid payroll slashing
Whether it’s Paddack or López, the sight of the Twins payroll constrictions for a second straight year is depressing. Fans expressed their anger at the end of the 2024 season and had some sense of optimism as the Twins switched to a streaming model for broadcasts and the Pohlad family announced their intent to sell the team.
But in a division that’s collectively spinning its wheels, it would be nice for the Twins to move forward. Even if it requires Falvey to direct an ultimatum to his boss.