The Minnesota Twins’ offseason has once again turned into a running joke at MLB’s winter meetings, thanks to ownership’s latest round of unrealistic expectations. After facing a $30 million payroll cut last year, the team is now under orders to maintain the same payroll, forcing them to cut costs even further.
With free agent spending hitting astronomical levels, Derek Falvey has no justification for ignoring trade inquiries about the team’s expensive players. This was clear with Carlos Correa, but he’s just one of several high-priced names on the roster attracting interest.
Adding talent should be the Minnesota Twins focus
Two years ago, the Minnesota Twins delivered their most impressive playoff run in decades. Unfortunately, ownership has followed that success with a series of baffling and shortsighted decisions. Now, faced with yet another payroll restriction, Derek Falvey is tasked with shedding salary, and Pablo López has become the latest player mentioned in trade talks.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reports, “The Twins have listened on right-hander Pablo López, and if free agent pitching prices remain stratospheric, perhaps they’ll go beyond the listening stage.” Passan’s track record as an industry insider is unmatched, and if he’s reporting that the Twins are fielding and considering offers for López, it’s likely accurate. The disappointing part is that they didn’t immediately reject those calls.
Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics just committed $67 million to 31-year-old Luis Severino, who posted a 3.91 ERA and 4.21 FIP last season—an improvement from his disastrous 2023 but still far from his best years. The deal underscores the inflated market for pitching talent.
In comparison, Pablo López had a slightly underwhelming 2024 with a 4.08 ERA and 3.65 FIP but maintained an impressive 9.6 K/9 rate. At just 29 years old and with three years remaining on a contract worth over $64 million, López would likely command much more in free agency today. Yet, Minnesota’s financial constraints have forced them into the absurd position of entertaining offers for their ace—a move that would do nothing to improve the team in the short or long term. With his salary set to increase in 2025, Falvey is left juggling ownership’s demands while trying to keep the team competitive.
State of the Twins is a sad reality
With Carlos Correa locked in, Byron Buxton exiting his prime, and several young players stepping into theirs, this is the moment for the Minnesota Twins to go all in. The AL Central lacks a clear frontrunner, and Derek Falvey has the opportunity to position the Twins as the team to beat.
Instead, ownership—Joe, Jim, and the lingering influence of Carl—continues to demonstrate a staggering disconnect from effective asset management. Trading players like Christian Vázquez, Chris Paddack, or even Willi Castro might make sense in certain scenarios, but doing so purely to meet a self-imposed payroll limit is shortsighted and uninspiring.
The Twins could be reallocating resources to compete in the free-agent market. They desperately need help at first base and a right-handed outfielder, yet financial constraints have pushed them into bargain-bin shopping rather than pursuing impactful players.
The team’s fans, front office, and Rocco Baldelli all deserve better. When other teams inquire about cornerstone players, the response should be decisive—a firm and immediate click to hang up the phone.
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