Report: Twins could be in trouble after Joe Pohlad’s comments

Pohlad may have violated the CBA

Comments made during a radio interview may wind up getting Minnesota Twins executive chair Joe Pohlad in trouble. 

According to longtime MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the MLB Players’ Association could file a complaint after Pohlad allegedly “violated a reservation of rights clause with the use of media in the collective bargaining agreement.” 

Pohlad was a guest on WCCO Radio on Feb. 20 when he said the Twins aren’t going to spend significant money on additional free agents before the season begins. 

"The players that are out there right now, that, probably, a bunch of fans are talking about, we're not in the market for those players," Pohlad said. “But there are definitely other players that can have a positive impact on our team that [president of baseball operations Derek Falvey], I'm sure, is looking at."

Pohlad didn’t mention any specific players, but the assumption is that the big name players who fans are mostly talking about include pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, third baseman Matt Chapman and outfielder Cody Bellinger, who has since reportedly signed with the Cubs. 

He later got specific by saying the Twins aren’t going to spend $30 million on a player.

"What I will say about some flexibility is, when [Falvey] and his team think there is the right opportunity in front of us, we don't live hard and fast by a specific number," Pohlad said. “That said, we're not going to spend $30 million on a player right now."

The collective bargaining agreement prohibits team officials from talking about specific players and specific money or contracts. 

Here’s what the CBA prohibits: 

Similarly, none of the Covered Parties may make comments to the media about the value of an unsigned free agent, or about possible or contemplated terms for an unsigned free agent, regardless of whether discussions have occurred. The prohibitions apply equally to comments that are on and off the record, as well as to comments that are provided on the condition of anonymity or published without identifying the source (e.g., "an industry source").

The following is a non-exhaustive list of prohibited comments:

• "Player X won't receive anything longer than a one-year deal."

• "Player X is seeking more than Player Y received."

• "We are out on Player X."

• "Player X is worth at least $Y million."

• "Player X has contract offers from multiple Clubs."

• "We are unwilling to forfeit a draft selection to sign Player X."

• "We have concerns about Player X's physical condition."

• "Player X is not worth more than $Y million, nor should he receive a contract greater than Z years."

It’s unclear what kind of penalty the Twins could face, but this is a story to monitor for future developments. 

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