When it comes to the Twins and Twins fans, money is the root of all misunderstanding.
Wrote about Jim Pohlad today. Got the usual thousand emails and messages about how his problem is that he doesn't spend enough money.
This is a very popular opinion. It is also fact-free.
Let me try a different approach to explaining why this is simplistic.
The Twins' problem isn't that they don't spend enough money on players. The Cleveland Indians lead the division and they are spending $21 million less than the Twins this year (based on opening-day payrolls.)
The Twins' problem is that they haven't produced enough players worth signing to massive deals.
The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals might be baseball's best-run teams right now. The Cardinals have often deserved that title. None have achieved excellence by spending big in free agency. They have achieved that title by growing their own players and re-signing those worthy of keeping.
Free agency is best-used for putting the finishing touches on a good team. The Twins' aren't a good team because of the failures of their farm system to produce pitching, and they haven't had their willingness to spend tested because they haven't produced pitchers worth paying.
If Jose Berrios or Byron Buxton or MIguel Sano becomes a star and the Twins aren't willing to pay them market value to keep them, then get out the pitchforks. Right now, though, it is the Twins' decision-making that is the problem.
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