The Minnesota Twins have managed to be competitive in 2022.
Before Tuesday’s games, they are 69-70, but they have fallen five games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians after dropping three straight and eight of their last 10.
They even fell to third place, after being leapfrogged by the Chicago White Sox.
They still have a chance to win the AL Central, but it’s looking more and more unlikely by the day.
The good thing is that the Twins have a lot of controllable talent, leaving them some room to operate in the payroll next year.
“For 2023 the #MNTwins have just $98M committed in payroll. If Correa opts out, that drops to $63M. With their $155M 2022 payroll as a benchmark, they’d have nearly $100M to spend. That’s a TON of money while only needing a SS and pen help,” Minnesota sports blogger @tlschwerz tweeted.
For 2023 the #MNTwins have just $98M committed in payroll.
If Correa opts out, that drops to $63M.
With their $155M 2022 payroll as a benchmark, they'd have nearly $100M to spend.
That's a TON of money while only needing a SS and pen help.
— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 12, 2022
Correa’s Plans Will Help Shape The Twins Offseason
As a reminder, shortstop Carlos Correa signed a three-year, $105.3 million deal before the season.
However, he has opt out clauses after each year.
He will have to decide whether to opt in or out of his deal.
If he opts in, the Twins won’t need a shortstop and will have ample funds to look for several bullpen improvements and perhaps an impact outfielder.
If he opts out, he will leave another $35.1 million available in an offseason in which Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and other shortstops could hit the market.
The Twins may not be in great shape for the remainder of 2022, but the 2023 offseason is already looking promising.
They have nurtured a lot of cheap talent, like Jhoan Duran, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Luis Arraez, Bailey Ober, Josh Winder, Joe Ryan, Jose Miranda, Jorge Lopez, and others.
Because of that, they will have more flexibility.
NEXT: The Twins Had A Nightmare Weekend Against Cleveland