Twins Owner Promises Meaningful Payroll Increase for 2027

Minnesota Twins owner Tom Pohlad has signaled a substantial increase in team payroll for the upcoming season. He stated that a payroll near the $100 million mark is no longer sufficient for consistent playoff contention.

At his end-of-season press conference last month, Pohlad indicated the ownership group is prepared to provide general manager Jeremy Zoll with the financial resources needed to improve the roster. The team finished the 2026 season with a 77-85 record, placing them 22nd in payroll among Major League Baseball teams according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.

The current spending level is lower than the $167 million peak recorded in 2023. Since that high, the Twins have reduced expenses by approximately $30 million. Despite the cuts, the team placed third in the American League Central in 2026, following fourth-place finishes in 2024 and 2025.

Pohlad contrasted Minnesota’s spending with that of the recent World Series champions and American League champions. The Milwaukee Brewers, who won the World Series, held the 19th-largest payroll. The Tampa Bay Rays, who won the American League, had the 28th-largest payroll. Both teams invested heavily in scouting and analytics departments that are larger than Minnesota’s, and they maintained top-tier defensive and pitching staffs.

The Twins will attempt to build on an existing All-Star rotation headed by Pablo López and Joe Ryan. The team also possesses a young core of position players, many of whom are currently earning salaries near the major league minimum. Management plans to supplement this group to replace the production lost from the expected departures of Josh Bell and Ryan Jeffers.

The bullpen remains a primary target for additional spending. While the Twins have historically been hesitant to offer lucrative contracts to relievers, Pohlad said the goal is to field a roster where making the playoffs is an expectation rather than a hope. He noted that the final payroll figure will be commensurate with the team’s objectives.

Offseason moves face potential uncertainty due to labor negotiations. A lockout is expected to begin on Dec. 1, one month from the season’s end, when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires. Major League Baseball has proposed a salary cap and floor, which players are expected to oppose. The outcome of these talks could influence the final payroll figure for the 2027 season.