The Minnesota Twins’ season ended in a disappointing fashion, as they failed to make the playoffs following a major collapse. Injuries took a toll on their roster, and an overreliance on youth exacerbated the problem.
Critics argue that the Twins’ ownership could have bolstered the team if they had been willing to spend more in the past year.
On the other hand, the New York Yankees made their way to the American League Championship Series again. Their roster remains one of the most expensive in the league, a strategy they’ve used for years, sometimes with mixed results. A notable contributor to past Yankees teams was Gary Sheffield, who played from 2004 to 2006.
His arrival helped the Yankees sweep the Twins in the 2004 ALDS, a streak of playoff losses against New York that continues to this day. Today, Gary Sheffield Jr., Sheffield’s son, works in baseball media.
On Twitter, Gary Sheffield Jr. called out teams like the Twins for their lack of spending, suggesting that fans should not feel guilty about their team investing in players. Instead, he argues, the real frustration should be directed toward teams with wealthy owners who refuse to open their wallets.
“Don’t know who needs to hear this but never apologize that the billionaire who owns your MLB franchise chooses to spend their money on players and it happens to be working this year,” Sheffield Jr. tweeted. “Turn heads towards the mega wealthy that choose to sit on their hands during free agency.”
Sheffield Jr. has a solid perspective, having grown up around the game, even if he didn’t play at the highest level like his father, a nine-time All-Star and Hall of Fame contender.
In baseball, there’s no salary cap, so the only thing stopping teams from acquiring more talent is the owners’ willingness to invest. The Pohlad family, who own the Twins, chose not to increase spending during free agency or the trade deadline, which ultimately cost the team a playoff spot.
“The low budget movie is fun to root for once or twice but there’s a reason Game of Thrones cost over $1 million an episode to film. Greatness is expensive,” Sheffield Jr. added. “You want better players? Invest in them come winter meetings or re-sign the players already contributing.”
Despite his criticism, payroll isn’t the only factor in success. The Cleveland Guardians, who spent even less than the Twins, are also in the American League Championship Series. However, supplementing star player Carlos Correa could have improved the Twins’ chances.
Looking ahead to 2025, it’s unlikely the Twins will increase spending, as ownership has hinted that they won’t cut payroll further. At $130 million, there’s little room for improvement, although the Pohlads have announced their intention to sell the franchise.
While that brings hope for the future, it likely means even less motivation for them to spend in the short term. Twins fans can only hope that whoever buys the team has the wealth and the willingness to invest in its success.
