Spring Break
Twins expect to perform routine maintenance, not major overhaul in offseason
Joe Christensen
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports
It might save the Twins big bucks down the road if they sign those pitchers long-term this offseason.
"It depends on what the players and their agents are looking for," Antony said. "There's some give and take on both sides, but we're willing to explore those things."
After spending a franchise-record $71 million on payroll in 2007, the Twins cut back to $57 million this year, though signing bonuses for Morneau and Michael Cuddyer put their actual expenditures closer to $70 million.
In July and August, the Twins tried working trades for Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre and left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn, who are under contract for $12 million and $10.4 million, respectively, next year.
Those efforts failed, but it showed the Twins' willingness to expand the payroll. They have long said they'll spend more as they get closer to opening the new ballpark in 2010.
Next year, they'll spend $41 million on Mauer, Morneau, Nathan and Michael Cuddyer. But with about 18 others - including Denard Span, Alexi Casilla and Kevin Slowey - making close to the major league minimum ($400,000), there's room to add talent from the free-agent or trade market.
The Twins have had internal talks about White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera, a pending free agent. And maybe it'll be easier to pry Beltre away from the Mariners, when Seattle hires a new GM.
The Twins have an outfield surplus with Cuddyer, Span, Gomez, Kubel and Delmon Young, so perhaps they'll dangle one on the trade market.
Those talks probably won't get going until after the GM meetings in early November. For now, the Twins will focus on taking care of their own.
Look for negotiations on a new contract extension for Gardenhire to begin next week. He signed his current two-year extension in October 2006.
It won't take long for the sting of Tuesday's loss to wear off, as the Twins know how valuable this season was for their stable of young players.
"Let me tell you what," Gardenhire said. "When we left spring training, we would probably say, OK, we'll take a one-game playoff for the division championship.' I don't think too many people gave us that chance."
"It depends on what the players and their agents are looking for," Antony said. "There's some give and take on both sides, but we're willing to explore those things."
After spending a franchise-record $71 million on payroll in 2007, the Twins cut back to $57 million this year, though signing bonuses for Morneau and Michael Cuddyer put their actual expenditures closer to $70 million.
In July and August, the Twins tried working trades for Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre and left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn, who are under contract for $12 million and $10.4 million, respectively, next year.
Those efforts failed, but it showed the Twins' willingness to expand the payroll. They have long said they'll spend more as they get closer to opening the new ballpark in 2010.
Next year, they'll spend $41 million on Mauer, Morneau, Nathan and Michael Cuddyer. But with about 18 others - including Denard Span, Alexi Casilla and Kevin Slowey - making close to the major league minimum ($400,000), there's room to add talent from the free-agent or trade market.
The Twins have had internal talks about White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera, a pending free agent. And maybe it'll be easier to pry Beltre away from the Mariners, when Seattle hires a new GM.
The Twins have an outfield surplus with Cuddyer, Span, Gomez, Kubel and Delmon Young, so perhaps they'll dangle one on the trade market.
Those talks probably won't get going until after the GM meetings in early November. For now, the Twins will focus on taking care of their own.
Look for negotiations on a new contract extension for Gardenhire to begin next week. He signed his current two-year extension in October 2006.
It won't take long for the sting of Tuesday's loss to wear off, as the Twins know how valuable this season was for their stable of young players.
"Let me tell you what," Gardenhire said. "When we left spring training, we would probably say, OK, we'll take a one-game playoff for the division championship.' I don't think too many people gave us that chance."
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