Source: Twins commit to paying Minor Leaguers

MINNEAPOLIS -- Professional baseball players around the country don't yet know for sure whether they'll be able to play baseball in 2020, but the Twins went a long way in alleviating some uncertainty throughout their organization by committing to provide all of their Minor League players the full $400 per week stipend and health benefits through Aug. 31, a source confirmed on Friday.

In addition, the Twins do not plan to release any of those players throughout the summer if there is no Minor League season. It's worth noting that the Twins will also be carrying a larger-than-normal complement of Minor League players due to the absence of the typical organizational cuts towards the end of Spring Training in light of the freeze induced by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The Twins' commitment encompasses their seven Minor League affiliates: Rochester (Triple-A), Pensacola (Double-A), Fort Myers (Class A Advanced), Cedar Rapids (Class A), Elizabethton (Rookie), GCL Twins (Rookie) and DSL Twins (Rookie).

The pay and benefits will cover the extent of nearly the entire Minor League season that had been planned for 2020. Triple-A Rochester and Double-A Pensacola were scheduled to play regular-season games through Sept. 7.

Twins owner Jim Pohlad and the organization have also committed to paying and providing benefits to all front office employees on both the business and baseball sides through June, continuing a month-by-month approach with those personnel.