The Twins anticipate scaling back player payroll this offseason, president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told reporters at the GM Meetings ( ). The Twins opened the 2023 season with an estimated $154MM figure, according to Cots Baseball Contracts about $20MM north of the previous organizational high. Weve pushed our payroll to heights that we had never pushed it before with the support, certainly, of ownership, Falvey said Tuesday. We know there is some natural ebb and flow to that. Will it be where it was last year? I dont expect that. I expect it le s than that. Unsurprisingly, Minnesotas front office leader declined to go on record with a specific spending target. However, reports that the Opening Day number could land somewhere between $125MM and $140MM. Its not entirely surprising, as Falvey had to a potential spending cut last month. At the time, he pointed to the clubs uncertain local television rights fees amidst the ongoing bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group, the corporation that runs the Bally Sports networks. The Twins are one of 14 teams that had an agreement with Diamond. Minnesota is still without a resolution on its 2024 in-market broadcasts, as its previous local rights deal expired at the end of the season. Neverthele s, itll be disappointing news for a fanbase just a month removed from celebrating an AL Central title and the end of an 18-game postseason losing streak. The Twins have a little over $90MM in guaranteed commitments after exercising options on and to start the offseason. MLBTRs Matt Swartz projects around $20MM in salaries for the group of arbitration-eligible players. Minimum salary players to fill out the roster bring their current projection to roughly $120MM. However, that includes a Yennier Cano Jersey $6.6MM arbitration projection for potential non-tender candidate . Hayes writes that Minnesota plans to explore trade po sibilities on Farmer, who had a solid first year in Minneapolis. Acquired from the Reds last winter, he hit .256/.317/.408 over 369 trips to the plate. While thats quality production for a multi-positional infielder, Minnesota got even better play out of minor league signee . The Twins also have Polanco as an option to bounce between second and third base, which are likely to be manned by and to begin the year. With Castro and also on hand, Farmer could find himself on the outside looking in. If the Twins cant find a trade partner, theyd need to decide by November 17 whether to tender him a contract. Of course, Polanco or Kepler could be trade po sibilities themselves. Nothing prevents Minnesota from dealing either player after exercising the option. While Polanco is part of a crowded infield, Kepler is one of a number of left-handed hitting outfielders. Theyre both key contributors to the lineup, so the Twins dont figure to give either player away. Theyd each have appeal were Minnesota to put them on the trade market, however. Thats especially true of Polanco, who is arguably better than any middle infielder in this winters free agent cla s and controllable for an additional season via a $12MM option for 2025. As things stand, Minnesota could fall into the reported $125-140MM range without moving anyone off the big league roster. Theyd be without much flexibility for outside acquisitions and are facing the departures of a few notable free agents. is a lock to decline the qualifying offer in search of a multi-year deal worth upwards of $20MM annually, a price thats difficult to see the Twins matching unle s they move multiple players. , , , and all also hit the market. Taylor could be a particularly tough lo s if the Twins arent confident in manning center field regularly next season. The rotation could be in solid shape even if none of Gray, Maeda or Mahle return. , , and is a strong front four, while has upside at the back end. The group would be a lot thinner without Gray and Maeda, however, making it difficult to repeat their AL-best production of this past season. It stands to reason theyd like to bring in at least one veteran arm to stabilize things either in a trade or via free agency after reallocating some money. Don Buford Jersey