What to expect when you're expecting (a team to be sold)

The biggest news of the Twins’ offseason, regardless of who gets signed or traded, will be that the Pohlads have placed the team up for sale. After initial speculation about local buyers, the biggest name to emerge is that of the Ishbia Brothers, best known as the owners of the Phoenix Suns. Mat Ishbia even played basketball at Michigan State, so wouldn’t that be fun? The basketball guys owning the Twins, while Alex Rodriguez owns the Timberwolves?

One thing many have noted is that when the Ishbias bought the Suns, they almost immediately acquired Kevin Durant, one of the top players in all of basketball. Could you imagine a world where the Twins became players at the top of the market? Fans are abuzz, but I’m skeptical. While the Pohlads have been misanthropic and tight-fisted, there are deeper issues within the Twins organization. They have a bad TV deal that’s unlikely to be resolved, they play in a relatively small market, and they play in an outdoor stadium in the northern U.S.

The Twins haven’t been willing to shell out for players, but even with new ownership, how much would change? How much will the Ishbias—or whoever buys the team—be willing to spend before expecting a serious return on their investment? How long will they pay for top talent with limited media and season ticket revenue? Will they stomach the “cold tax,” the premium needed to attract players who might otherwise avoid Minnesota?

It’s difficult to speculate on something that hasn’t happened—or at least, it’s unwise to do so—but this news could have implications for the upcoming offseason. If the sale might take the team off the Pohlads’ hands within, say, a year, could the current owners be less inclined to scrimp this season? After all, payroll costs would be nearly immediately recouped in the sale, and the Pohlads might take one final tepid shot at competitiveness. On the other hand, if the sale is imminent, a new ownership group might balk at an effort to slash payroll before they take over. After all, it’s not what they paid for.

It’s been pretty hopeless in Twins Territory since the trade deadline, but it seems that gloom may finally be starting to lift. Hope is back.

The Twins came away from Dallas with two players

 It may come as a shock to you. I know it did for me, but the Twins have actually shown a bit of a pulse this week. No, no, it hasn't been anything wild, but the team did add former Major Leaguer Huascar Ynoa to a minor league deal, and they selected Eiberson Caballero during the rule 5 draft. Better than nothing! And more than likely, better than anything from last year!

I think it should be noted that both players are pitchers. Ynoa is a former starter, who the Twins traded to Atlanta originally for Jaime Garcia (who was traded less than a week later, to the Yankees). Ynoa was a starter, who is now only 26, but has contended with elbow and shoulder injuries. If he is back and healthy, he seems a perfect candidate to get moved to the bullpen. 

Caballero is already in the bullpen, as the rules of the Rule 5 draft require players stay on the Major League roster, or be returned to the original club. Caballero has not yet appeared in a game above AA, and has not worked out of the 'pen. Caballero is a strike out machine, and a classic example of a player whose stuff may play up in shorter appearances.

Last year, amid uncertainty, the Twins were dormant in the offseason until quite later in the winter. That they have already made some moves, and that both players add to the bullpen depth invites some early speculation. This is the internet, so heck yeah, let's speculate.

There are two larger moves that moves to backfill the bullpen could hint at. The first is a large trade. Devin Williams was just traded from the Brewers to the Yankees for a package that includes a mid rotation starter in Nestor Cortes and a potential starter, or perhaps a platoon starter at third base in Caleb Durbin. Now imagine what Jhoan Duran and his multiple years of team control would collect on the market? Surely both talent, and perhaps the ability to offload one of the contracts that seems to be on the chopping block.

But maybe the larger move that could be coming isn't as dramatic as a blockbuster trade. There have been rumblings that, after a fantastic season in 2024, Griffin Jax may be interested in a return to starting. That could provide an inexpensive route to backfilling, say, a Chris Paddack trade, but would also open the hole in the bullpen that these new faces might help to fill.

These are minor moves, to be sure, but they are moves. Last offseason, the team didn't do a thing until very late. Having anything happen is fun. This is fun.

The Twins aren't built for the Winter Meetings

 I used to joke that the Twins were regularly inactive at the annual Winter Meetings because Terry Ryan stuck to his early bed time, and all the action happened in the wee hours. While that may have been true, the fact is, the Twins have a new front office, and have for some time, and they are still mostly dormant in December. Or so it seems.

Historically, Derek Falvey is on record talking about laying the ground work in the spring for all manner of big moves, and sometimes, they come to fruition after the calendar changes. I have no doubt that is true, and this season it is even more apparent. The Minnesota Twins, and especially the 24-25 Twins, are not built for busy times at the Winter Meetings.

The big moves so far have been on the free agency market, which the Twins won't participate in unless they see their payroll brought down initially. Additionally, teams looking to offload top talent or seriously trim payroll, like the Cleveland Guardians, apparently, might be active. Headlines are made at the Winter Meetings.

But there are only so many spots for the best players, only so many matches for the teams looking to make the big moves. Knowing that they won't move at the top of the market, the Twins are often content to wait in the league and pounce when competition is less, or prices are more favorable. It's been effective, and the Twins aren't missing on any players they had a realistic shot at.

Even more so this year, the Twins are looking to shed about 15 million in salary, if reports are to be believed. After the Guardians' trade of Andres Gimenez tonight, the Twins sit comfortably atop the AL Central in terms of payroll size, and would still be there if they retreat back to that mythical $130m level. All of this, plus the hope that the team could be sold sooner rather than later suggests the team is hoping to remain competitive.

No major pieces are being sold. No major pieces are being added. This is not a team to watch at the winter meetings in the most interesting of years, an this is hardly that.  

But hey, they did sign Huascar Ynoa to a Minor League deal, so I guess that's something.