SHOW THEM THE MONEY
As the MLB offseason begins, the Twins have an Opening Day 2018 payroll estimated at $93.2 million, roughly 15 percent less than their $108 million payroll a year ago. But that number is certain to change: It includes no free-agent signings or contract extensions, and projects an average of $550,000 for 14 pre-arbitration players, supplementing the 11 Twins with guaranteed contracts or arbitration rights. A player-by-player look at the current payroll:
Guaranteed contracts
Joe Mauer, 1B$23 million
Ervin Santana, P$13.5
Phil Hughes, P$13.2
Brian Dozier, 2B$9
Jason Castro, C$8
* Byung Ho Park, 1B$3
Total: $69.7 million
* not on 40-man roster
Arbitration-eligible
(Arbitration-eligible players can have their salary set by an independent arbitrator; most will receive significant raises. Figures here are projections by mlbtraderumors.com)
Kyle Gibson, P$5.3
Eduardo Escobar, IF$4.9
Robbie Grossman, OF$2.4
Ryan Pressly, P$1.6
Ehire Adrianza, IF$1
Trevor May, P$600,000
Total (estimated): $15.8 million.
Pre-arbitration: (MLB minimum salary $535,000 in 2017) Byron Buxton, OF; Miguel Sano, 3B; Eddie Rosario, OF; Max Kepler, OF; Jose Berrios, P; Jorge Polanco, SS; Buddy Boshers, P; Alan Busenitz, P; J.T. Chargois, P; John Curtiss, P; Tyler Duffey, P; Dietrich Enns, P; Mitch Garver, C; Zach Granite, OF; Trevor Hildenberger, P; Felix Jorge, P; Adalberto Mejia, P; Gabriel Moya, P; Taylor Rogers, P; Fernando Romero, P; Aaron Slegers, P; Kennys Vargas, 1B.
Free agents: Matt Belisle, P; Bartolo Colon, P; Dillon Gee, P; Chris Gimenez, C; Glen Perkins, P.
