Twins Plan to Upgrade Roster via Trade and Free Agency, Despite Payroll Cuts

The Minnesota Twins announced their plan to cut payroll next season by about $30 million, turning the heads of fans and media members across Twins territory.

Not only did they decide to slash their 2024 player budget by more than 10%, but they came out and announced it as if fans would pity them due to TV money they may not make next season.

Twins plan to upgrade roster externally

But that doesn’t necessarily mean Derek Falvey plans to stand pat this offseason or that next summer’s Twins will fill roster holes with unproven prospects. Or at least, that’s what they are trying to sell us.

Related: Twins Mulling Center Field Insurance Plans for Byron Buxton

According to Bob Nightengale Jr (Star Tribune), the front office plans to add a center fielder, first baseman and starting pitcher via trade and/or free agency.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — The Twins may have to be more creative to fulfill their offseason wish list considering their reduced payroll for next season, but there are areas of the roster they plan to upgrade.

Trades could be an early focus to create some additional space in their budget before turning to the free agent market, one agent predicted, but here are three positions the Twins will look for external help:

• Center Field
• First Base
• Starting Pitcher

Bobby Nightengale Jr – Star Tribune

In his report, which dropped Thursday evening, Nightengale goes deeper into the reasoning for why the Twins will look for external options to upgrade three of their most pressing needs, this offseason, but none of the details shed a lot of new light on the team’s offseason plans.

Related: Twins Jorge Polanco Drawing Trade Interest from Mariners, Blue Jays

Though Bobby Jr did get Falvey to admit that they are not looking for one-for-one replacement for Sonny Gray, who is expected to sign elsewhere.

Falvey didn’t commit to adding a starting pitcher that could be considered a one-for-one replacement for free agent Sonny Gray.

“We do feel we walk into this offseason with maybe a better overall pitching group than we’ve walked into any of our recent offseasons,” Falvey said.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan