Twins facing tough decisions in money game.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Gordon Wittenmyer

FORT MYERS, Fla._The Twins' window of opportunity for winning a World Series with their current core of players might have closed some instead of increasing with the labor agreement reached by owners and players last August.

Heralded as a victory for small-revenue teams such as the Twins, the new collective bargaining agreement already is leading to short-term problems for the Twins. And the team's business-as-usual approach to this year's issues could exacerbate what already figures to be the major challenge of preventing a player exodus as early as next winter.

"They're in a heap of trouble," first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said.

One of the problems is the increase of baseball's minimum salary from $200,000 to $300,000 under the new agreement, which has made traditionally contentious negotiations between productive young players and Twins management more bitter than most years.

How is that possible?

Consider a player such as catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a two-year starter who became an all-star last year, when he made $250,000. If the Twins offer, say, $350,000, Pierzynski can conclude that the offer is $50,000 more than the minimum, which is what he ...