“Though it’s almost a certainty the Twins would never approach their $248 million payroll from 2023, Pohlad views the small-market San Diego Padres’ model as a positive.” The Twins must keep spending past this year’s trade deadlineThere are other franchises the Twins could model themselves after to win back the fans. But their spending has been even worse than the Twins', fielding a $113.8 million payroll that ranks 27th in baseball. By comparison, the Twins’ $137.9 million payroll ranks 24th and raising it to a moderate level could help them compete. But after posting a franchise record $153.7 million Opening Day payroll in 2023, the Twins’ $104.7 million payroll on Opening Day was their lowest for a full season since having an $85.4 million payroll ahead of the 2014 season.