Pohlads Unlikely to Approve ANY Increase in Twins Payroll at MLB Trade Deadline

What are the Minnesota Twins going to do at the MLB trade deadline? That question is getting more and more pertinent by the hour, as we now sit less than 10 days from July 30. To let you in on a little secret… nobody really has any idea what the Twins will do, including president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey.

Yes, the PoBO is trying to cook. The problem, however, is that Twins ownership is forcing him to do it blindfolded, with one hand tied behind his back, just like in the offseason, when the Pohlads forced him to cut $30 million in player salary, while still trying to win more games. A financial haircut that cost them Sonny Gray .

Had those salary cuts not been made, it’s very possible the 2024 Twins would already have one of the best rotations in Major League Baseball, just like they did in 2023. In that case, there would be no reason to discuss “needs” at the trade deadline. They’d be more like “wants” or “luxuries”, for an already primed World Series contender.

Unfortunately, here in salary cut reality, the Twins do need a starting pitcher, in order to consider themselves as legitimate World Series contenders. Not just any starter, though. In the next nine days, they need to find a front-rotation pitcher. Someone who can drop into the top three.

Minnesota Twins aren’t looking to spend big at the MLB trade deadline

Well, The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman relayed a handful of options on Friday’s episode of “Gleeman and the Geek” . But first, the Minnesota Twins insider crossed some higher-end possibilities off the list, to make sure fans don’t get their hopes up.

For example: if you find yourself eyeing up a possible trade candidate, who has years remaining on his contract after 2024… don’t. The Twins aren’t looking to buy, they only want to rent .

That means Falvey isn’t shopping for starting pitchers, with term remaining on their deals, even if those years come via arbitration, which is cheaper. Gleeman is of the belief, until proven otherwise, that the Pohlads plan to suppress player payroll again in 2025 (and beyond), which eliminates many of Falvey’s options.

“Here’s where my skepticism comes in. I don’t think, whether it’s someone who’s under contract, where they’re getting $15, $18, $20 million per year for the next couple of years — and I’m not saying those are exorbitant prices for some of these guys but they are exorbitant when you look at the Twins’ expected payroll situation for next year.

Or, it’s even a situation like with Skubal — and I’m not saying they’re going to trade for Skubal. But, there are some guys who just have two remaining years of arbitration eligibility. They’re gonna start to make $8 to $10 million, $12 million, something like that. Again, these are extremely fair prices. We’re just on an island here. But the Twins are already in a situation where I’m very skeptical about their payroll next year.”

Aaron Gleeman – Gleeman and the Geek Podcast

Renting won’t be that simple either…

So, the Minnesota Twins will turn to the rental market, which I wrote about last week . If the Pohlads are going to allow this front office to wheel and deal at the deadline, it’s going to be a short-term rental, for financial reasons. They’re cheaper now, and not on the books at all later.

But… that doesn’t mean Falvey’s job will be any easier shopping for rentals. While it’s true that options on the rental market should be cheaper, in terms of prospects and salary, they aren’t going to be free. And if you haven’t realized it by now, the Pohlads are very serious about these salary cuts, no matter the size.

Related: Another Starting Pitcher the Minnesota Twins Must be Calling On

It’s difficult to understand why billionaire owners wouldn’t approve just a couple million dollars, if it might mean a legitimate postseason run, but Gleeman makes it very clear that he does not expect the Twins to spend ANY additional dollars at the MLB trade deadline, even if it’s only a few million bucks.

“The alternative is a rental. The alternative is a guy who’s an impending free agent. So, you’re getting them essentially for two months. Which is gonna be, at most, 8 to 10 starts. Plus, you hope, October. The price tag is gonna be lower when you’re getting 10 starts of someone instead of 70 starts of someone. But even with that, some of these rentals, because they’re close to free agency, are relatively expensive, in terms of salary.”

“By the time July 30th rolls around [2/3 of an MLB player’s salary has been paid for the year]. The Twins, or another buying team, would only be taking on $6 million of the $20 million — or let’s call it $3.5 million of a $10 million [salary]. That makes it a little more palatable. But I guess, until proven otherwise, I’m pretty skeptical that they’re willing to take on $3 million, $5 million, $6 million, let alone $10 million, or something like that.”

Aaron Gleeman – Gleeman and the Geek Podcast

Four rental options at starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins

Gleeman got together with “some of my cohorts over at The Athletic” to come up with a handful of names that could be available to the Twins this week. He then ranked them from BEST to WORST. Three of the four best play for the Texas Rangers.

1. Max Scherzer (Rangers) – $12.5 million
2. Nathan Eovaldi (Rangers) – $17 million
3. Jack Flaherty (Tigers) – $14 million
4. Yusei Kikuchi (Blue Jays) – $10 million

Unfortunately, the top two guys are going to be too expensive, especially Eovaldi. Flaherty too, and he plays for a division rival. Gleeman and his podcast partner, John Bonnes, swing and miss on how much of Scherzer’s contract the Rangers are responsible for, but it’s unlikely to matter.

He would love to be wrong, but it makes Aaron literally laugh out loud when he thinks about the Pohlads approving and extra $7 million in player salary, to add the type of pitcher this team needs.

“[Max Scherzer] would be a scenario like we’re talking about. Even with the Mets paying half his salary, and even with 2/3 of the season already paid for, there’s no chance the Twins are gonna take on $7 million in additional payroll, after cutting the payroll $30 million and having attendance go down. Look, I would love to be wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. Nothing would make me happier, but come on.”

Aaron Gleeman – Gleeman and the Geek Podcast

So, how are the Minnesota Twins going to improve their pitching rotation, if the Pohlads aren’t willing to take on even $5-ish million in additional payroll? Well, as Gleeman also noted during his show, there is a reason why his coworker at The Athletic, Dan Hayes , specifically named Yusei Kikuchi as a possible Twins target earlier this week.

Sounds like it’s Yusei Kikuchi or bust…

Kikuchi only has about $3.5 million left on his salary for the 2024 season. More importantly, there shouldn’t be all that many suitors vying for his services. The 33-year-old Japanese left-hander isn’t considered “elite” and he’s on an expiring contract. Not only that, but he would slide in very nicely behind Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan in a 2024 playoff rotation.

Most buyers would prefer not to rent mid-rotation starters at the MLB trade deadline. There isn’t usually enough bang for a team’s buck, in that type of transaction. This summer, though, rentals are all the Pohlads are interested in.

Related: Don’t Worry About the Minnesota Twins Making the Playoffs…

Not only should Yusei Kikuchi be available to Minnesota, for a return that shouldn’t include any top prospects, but the Blue Jays may even agree to take on a large chunk of his remaining $3.5 million salary, if the Twins offer a slightly better prospect haul, in return.

All of this, ladies and gentleman, just so the Billionaire Pohlad family can save a quick buck. Sure, Max Scherzer in a Twins uniform would be nice, especially if he only costs $7 million in salary.

But when the owners of your business do not care as much about the customer experience, as they do filling their own pockets, then even $1 or $2 million feels like a lot, let alone $5-$10 million.

More must-reads:

• Another Starting Pitcher the Minnesota Twins Must be Calling On
• Minnesota Twins Want to Rent, Not Buy… and They Appear to Have a Top Target
• Twins Division Rival Among Many Teams Calling on Red-Hot Matt Wallner

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