Arbitration is done, and the Twins are ready to cut costs
The Past Week on Twinkie Town:
- The Twins 2025 payroll is in a much clearer space after the team agreed to terms with all arbitration-eligible players. As a reminder, the Twins have indicated that they intend to keep payroll at 2024 levels, which was $129 million. Unless the Pohlads have changed their mind, a trade of Willi Castro, Christian Vazquez, or Chris Paddack seems likely in the future to bring payroll below that number.
- The Twins also made a very intriguing trade, picking up former top-100 prospect Diego Cartaya from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cartaya’s bat tool has fallen off in the last two seasons, but he provides a good defensive backup if the Twins do end up trading Vazquez.
- Jonathan Gamble provides his next iteration of the Twins Top Ten, looking at the first basemen in the team’s history.
- Brandon Brooks recaps the rumors around the AL Central in another Rival Roundup!
- With Max Kepler shipping off to greener pastures in Philadelphia, Zach Koenig bids a fond farewell to the long-time right fielder.
Elsewhere in Twins Territory:
- Theo Tollefson at Zone Coverage looks at the impact of a Target Field lease extension.
- Aaron Gleeman at The Athletic ranks the top 40 prospects in the Twins’ organization ($).
- Dan Hayes at The Athletic reports that a Twins sale could happen by Opening Day ($).
- New Twins beat writer, Matthew Leach at MLB.com, looks at how the Twins’ latest moves could impact their 2025 roster.
In the World of Baseball:
- The international free agent signing period has opened. Mike Axisa at CBS Sports gives a quick rundown on what to pay attention to.
- The biggest international free agent is arguably Roki Sasaki, who must be signed by January 23rd, or else his posting window will close. He has so far met with eight different MLB teams.
- Notable free agents that are still available include: Pete Alonso, Ha-Seong Kim, Alex Bregman, Jurickson Profar, Jack Flaherty, Anthony Santander, and Tanner Scott. Ken Rosenthal and WIll Sammon at The Athletic round up the latest free-agent rumors.