The Minnesota Twins missed the playoffs, after what can only be described as a colossal collapse. The talent on their roster completely failed to produce down the stretch. That same roster was stretched incredibly thin, as injuries piled up and youth became too heavily relied upon. Of course, the Twins could have supplemented said roster, had their ownership group been willing to spend any money over the past 12 months.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are back in the American League Championship Series. Per usual, their roster is among the most expensive in baseball. That’s been a practice the Yankees have executed for years, sometimes more successfully than others. One player who paid off for past Yankees teams, was GOAT slugger, Gary Sheffield, from 2004 to 2006.
Bringing on Sheffield helped the Bronx Bombers sweep the Minnesota Twins in the 2004 ALDS, which started the streak of 13 straight playoff losses vs the Yankees; a streak that is yet to be broken. These days, Sheffield’s son, Gary Sheffield Jr., works in baseball media.
Gary Sheffield Jr. fires stray at Minnesota Twins
And on Twitter Sunday, Sheffield Jr astutely points out that fans should not have to apologize for their teams spending money. The fans who should be mad are those of teams that refuse to spend. Teams like the Twins, which have mega rich owners who value tiny profit margins over winning.
As mentioned, Sheffield Jr.’s dad played three seasons with the Yankees. Gary Sheffield was a nine-time All-Star who generates a solid Hall of Fame case, even to this day. While the son didn’t play at the highest level, he certainly knows a bit of ball.
There is no salary cap in baseball. The only people capable of telling a front office they can’t stockpile more assets are the owners who pay those executives. Unfortunately, in both free agency and at the trade deadline, the Pohlad family did exactly that, and it cost Minnesota a spot in these playoffs.
Sheffield Jr is 100% correct
Payroll isn’t everything. The Cleveland Guardians are also playing in the American League Championship Series despite spending even less than the Twins. It makes the path a much more difficult one though, and Minnesota should have been in a situation where supplementing All-Star Carlos Correa made sense.
Don’t expect the Twins to spend more in 2025 either. Ownership has suggested they won’t further reduce the payroll. At $130 million though, there’s little room to add. Luckily, the Pohlads announced their intent to sell the franchise.
While that’s good news for Minnesota Twins fans, in the future, it means even less motivation for the Pohlads to spend money short-term. Here’s to hoping whoever buys the Twins not only has a ton of money, but they also like continuing to support their investments.
