Right now, the most pressing question for the Minnesota
Twins revolves around who will be managing the club during the 2019 Major
League Baseball season. Beyond that however, the questions revolve around how
the club will allocate something like $50 million in salary dollars to round
out their squad for the upcoming season. Two names highlight this free agent
class, and one of them is worth taking a deeper look into. The stage is yours
Mr. Machado.
Entering free agency for the first time in his career, Manny
Machado will have just experienced a new clubhouse for the first time as a big
leaguer. Being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, he’ll have some knowledge as
to what awaits him in acclimating to what could end up being his third team in
the last calendar year. With just over $34 million in career earnings to date,
the massive payday awaiting him is one that should destroy historical precedents.
Given the level of talent Machado possesses, and combined
with the expected digits on a check presented to him, it’s fair to wonder why
the Twins in this scenario. There’re more than a few reasons in which a
marriage of the two makes a good deal of sense.
Minnesota Needs a Shortstop
Jorge Polanco has dedicated himself to his craft, and the
strides he’s made at short have been admirable. Having initially been nothing
short of a complete abomination, he’s embarked upon the category of passable.
The reality though is that his arm still plays better at second base, and he
could end up being the answer to who replaces Brian Dozier is he moves over to
the right side of the diamond.
Yes, the best prospect in the Twins system is a shortstop,
and there’s ever reason to believe that Royce Lewis is destined to be a superstar.
You don’t pass up franchise altering players for the possibility of how a
prospect may round out. Lewis looks like a better bet to stick at short now
than he did at the time he turned pro, but there’s plenty of positional
flexibility to be had. Two or three years from now is when the alignment should
enter the equation.
The Dollars Make Sense
Joe Mauer and his $23 million average annual value are
removed from the books. Even if Machado were to command something like 10 years
and $300 million, Minnesota has the financial flexibility to absorb the deal.
In an uncapped sport, there’s always going to be money to spend, but the
reality is that payrolls are reflections of revenues driven largely by TV
contracts. Yes, the Pohlad’s are rich, but so is every other owner in the
sport. Sticking within logical spending parameters Minnesota can add Machado and
still afford multiple other upgrades.
There’s little reason to believe that the Twins wouldn’t
need to slightly overpay in acquiring Machado’s services, but we aren’t talking
about a bottom of the barrel organization here. Minnesota plays in a poor division
and is embarking upon a window of contention. Machado didn’t have a choice in
his Orioles assignment but will go to a much better place this time around.
Also, should he be coming off a World Series victory, priorities regarding
winning or financial capital could also be impacted.
A Trial Run
Last season Derek Falvey and Thad Levine were in the running
for premiere starting pitcher Yu Darvish. At this point, it certainly looks
like a good thing that the Twins lost the contest, but they were right near the
finish line according to reports. Given that they were involved with the “must
have” free agent a season ago, this green front office isn’t afraid or
unaccustomed to making a big move.
At 26, and looking for a mega-deal, Machado would be in an
entirely different category. The practice and knowledge gained from last
offseason certainly isn’t going to hurt the Twins front office however, and it
could better position their tactics this time around. Looking to find players
worthy of long-term commitments appears to be part of the goal as well, and
this is about as long as it gets.
I could make a list of positives as long as I’d like, but
there’s no denying that the detractors would dwarf the total. Any time the New
York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, or Boston Red Sox are going to be involved
on a player, everyone else is put on notice with a wait a see plan of action.
Fortunately for Twins, the biggest market players are relatively set at the
position Machado would most like to play. That won’t stop them from flashing
cash, but it could temper the level to which the pursuit is made.
When the dust settles, the Minnesota Twins are always going
to face long odds when it comes to landing the biggest fish. There’d be some
irony in it happening following the retirement of their last big fish however.
Joe Mauer provided the hometown team with an inside edge and replicating that
type of a contract would be contingent upon an incredible sell. If there’s an
opportunity to make it happen however, Falvey and Levine are staring it right
in the face.
