The Twins are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:
Eligible For Free Agency (4)
- Carl Pavano - Pavano has already been traded three times in his career and it won't be a surprise if the Twins deal the right-hander for a fourth time this summer. He doesn't strike many hitters out, but he limits walks and makes his starts, so contending teams could have interest.
- Francisco Liriano - Liriano has already lost his status as an elite pitcher and his place in the starting rotation. His spot on the Twins' roster could be next if the club lets him go after the season.
- Ryan Doumit - Doumit, 31, is hitting well enough to set himself up for another Major League deal next offseason. None of the Twins' free agents should expect offseason qualifying offers from the team.
- Jason Marquis – Marquis lost his spot on the Twins' roster when they designated him for assignment earlier today.
Contract Options (2)
- Scott Baker: $9.25MM club option. Baker is out for the season after undergoing elbow surgery and the Twins can be expected to decline this option.
- Matt Capps: $6MM club option with a $250K buyout. The Twins should decline this option if Capps is still on the team when decisions are due. There's also a chance the Twins deal the right-hander to a team seeking midseason relief help.
Arbitration Eligible (5)
- First time: Brian Duensing, Drew Butera, Alex Burnett
- Third time: Jared Burton, Alexi Casilla
The Twins' arbitration class will be relatively light next offseason. Casilla is the lone player here with a shot at a salary of $3MM-plus in 2013. Burnett is on track for super two status, but not by much. He'd lose eligibility if the Twins send him to the minors at some point this year.
2013 Payroll Obligation
The Twins' payroll has risen to the $100MM range in recent years, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. They've already committed $65MM to next year's team, which leaves lots of breathing room if ownership holds payroll steady. But attendance has dropped by 5,000 fans per game so far this year, so GM Terry Ryan could be working with sub-$100MM payroll.
Doumit, Capps and Span to the Nats for….
Bryce Harper!
Can Pavano play RF? Boston needs a RF with a pulse and at least Pavano has that going for him… Now if someone could at least teach him to hit, since he knows how to give lots of them up already it should be easier in theory
Hahaha, the amount of money the Twins spend is NOT up to the fans . . . The Twins were 4th in overall attendance last season with over 3 million people coming to Target Field and the FO still reduced payroll for 2012 (while claiming they were intending to compete and not re-building) . . . I’m sure they’ll use low attendance as an excuse for doing so again this winter, but it won’t be the truth
There was no excuse for going into this season with basically the same rotation as the ’11 disaster + a retread. They had/have the money, so here we are again cutting and pasting with cheap has-beens and retreads, hoping the fans keep showing up (next year, ’11 and ’12 are paid up) while the Pohlads recoup their investment. We’ve got Comerica Park West now – check the Tigers 2000-03, the similarities are pretty sickening.
I’m all for reducing payroll if it means we get rid of Baker, Pavano, Marquis, Liriano and caps thats 28 million in reductions and we don’t lose anything critical. Save the cap space for use later. Would put our payroll in the low 70’s even with Mauers disgustingly monstrous salary.
It’s time for the Polads to go “all-in” for veteran pitching. There will be a number of attractive free agent pitchers available this off-season and the Twins may have all 5 off their starting pitching spots “open.” I read on this website the other day that the Angels have $15.5 for Haren and $13 for Ervin Santana next year. Good grief! The Twins should be offering Cole Hamels and Zach Greinke $35 million split between them. The Polads HAVE the money, they HAVE the ballpark. They WILL lose the fans if they don’t get some GOOD major league pitching on the Twins.
Carl does it all for the ‘stache.