Bill Smith Admits Offseason is Critical

You better believe it when I say I'm keeping one eye on the Twins throughout this offseason. Not only that, but I'm willing to bet I'm not the only fan doing so with the Twins Territory fan base being very unaccustomed to the kind of season that just ended.

Sure, fans showed up game after game, tallying over 3 million strong for a second straight season, but that patience and goodwill waivered. We, meaning Twins fans, won't be so 'Minnesota nice' come next season...

Bill Smith said in a press conference a day after the season ended that he and the front office had a lot of heavy lifting to do in the offseason. No kidding?

We are going to need our negotiation skills and knowledge of the free agent markets this offseason more than ever. Last year we made minimal changes; this year needs to be more drastic. We need to bounce back in a way that will please Twins fans and shock the AL Central.

I won't accept anything less and, after all, I am the Gold Standard.

Minnesota Twins Payroll for 2011

The new payroll is expected to be at about $115 million in the 2011-2012 season.
After topping out around $101 million last season, a franchise high, general manager Bill Smith is shattering that mark with the most expensive team in Twins history with a payroll likely to tip $115 million. They cleared up $10.1 million in letting Hardy and Hudson go, where Alexi Casilla and Tsuyoshi Nishioka will make $3.85 million. The bulk of the payroll comes from the fact that he has 15 players under contract worth a guaranteed $89.89 million. I approve of Mr. Smith's moves this offseason.

Winter Meetings Begin

Over the next four days, the MLB's Winter Meetings will take place. All of the general managers of the MLB meet together in Florida and negotiate with eachother. For the Minnesota Twins there are several hot topics. Will we sign Tsuyoshi Nishioka over the winter meetings? His agent apparently is meeting with Twins GM Billy Smith. If we sign Nishioka, will we deal JJ Hardy? Apparently there are abot 6 teams interested in JJ Hardy's services. Also, will we look for another starting or relief pitcher? Maybe even dare I say, Zach Grienke? Stay tuned.