Rather intriguingly, the Minnesota Twins concluded the 2024 season in 14th place, yet they are set to make the 16th selection in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft. This slightly unexpected position stems from slipping two places in the MLB Draft Lottery. This shuffled order will only take effect in the first round, with the Twins returning to the 14th pick for all rounds that follow.
Financially, the Twins find themselves in a competitive position, boasting the twelfth largest bonus pool. This notable pool, totaling $12,653,000, represents a marginal increase from the previous year. The size of their bonus pool brings them significant leverage and is largely due to their Competitive Balance Round A pick.
This selection, which is the 36th overall, is a perk received by teams who participate in revenue sharing. These teams earn the privilege of an additional pick in either Competitive Balance Round A or Competitive Balance Round B on a rotating annual basis, enhancing their potential competitive edge.
A further breakdown of the Twins’ top-100 picks and their respective financial allocations is as follows: The 16th pick garners a slot value of $4,929,600, the 36th pick possesses a slot value of $2,692,200, the 54th pick is assigned a slot value of $1,761,600, and finally, the 88th pick secures a slot value of $893,000.
The amalgamation of these fiscal resources and draft picks places the Twins favorably to engage with a draft class that is projected to be significantly variable when it comes to top talent. However, it is anticipated that this draft class will offer a wealth of aptitude up to around the 75th pick, with some especially promising young batters.
Within the guidelines set by the MLB, franchises are permitted to spend up to 5% beyond their total bonus pool without facing a penalty. Majority of the teams opt to utilize this allowance to their advantage. However, the Twins, in conjunction with the Colorado Rockies, are unique in their categorical abstention from ever exceeding their bonus pool.
If a team chooses to spend beyond its pool by up to 5%, a 75% tax is applied to the excess amount. A higher penalty awaits anyone who goes beyond these boundaries, with teams spending between 5-10% over their pool facing not only a 75% tax but also the forfeiture of a future first-round draft pick.
A gradient of penalties follows for extended spending above the bonus pool. Those who spend 10-15% over their bonus pool will need to pay a 100% tax while also losing a first- and a second-round pick in future drafts. In the most extreme cases, teams that overshoot their bonus pool by more than 15% confront the harsh penalty of losing two future first-round picks and pay a 100% tax on the excess.
The frameworks and guidelines differ after the first half of the draft concludes. Specifically, from rounds 11 through 20, picks are not tagged with a predetermined slot value which sets them apart from those of the first ten rounds. This gives teams more financial flexibility as they can allot up to $150,000 for each pick without affecting their bonus pool.
However, if a team decides to allocate more than this amount to a pick, the excess is deducted from their bonus pool. If an 11th-round pick, for instance, signs for $250,000, the team will have $100,000 subtracted from its bonus pool, representing the surplus over the predefined limit.
In addition to the draft, the MLB has disclosed the bonus pools for the 2026 international signing period. This period grants teams increased player options and is set to open on January 15, 2026 and extend until December 15, 2026.
In this international signing window, the Twins find themselves among a group of eight teams with the shared distinction of having the second-largest bonus pools. The Twins are set to have a substantial $7,357,100 at their disposal for this exclusive signing period.
In conclusion, the melting pot of draft picks, bonus pools, and international signing periods promises an exciting time in the world of baseball, particularly for teams like the Minnesota Twins who are well-positioned in terms of drafting capabilities and financial resources.