roger

I for one am not saying $1,000,000, more or less, isn't a lot of money. My point was that when we see $1,000,000 it is reduced by nearly half after paying the taxes. That is all I was trying to say. I really don't understand how that simple statement of fact has been turned into this lengthly discussion.

My point was simple, when you see those big gaudy numbers thrown around for the top few rounds, divide it roughly in half as most of the other half goes to taxes. A $550,000 bonus looks a lot different than a million or in Buxton's case, a $3,600,000 bonus is really different than $6,000.000. Expect Buxton is also very happy he got the bonus last year before this year's taxes went up. Yes, they all are a lot of money and a lot more than the average fan will see in many years of working or a lifetime for most of us in Buxton's case. Also thought that Mr. Crikket did in excellent job taking a look at what a young high school grad should consider when offerred these opportunities.

Clutterheart points out a real concern, abuse of college pitcher arms. Just ask Matt Fox! We all think these kids should get giddy over their $1,000,000 signing bonuses. Do we all feel the same if someone said the kid got $550,000? Because after FED and State taxes, barrring some real creative tax avoidance, that is what they get.

Thanks Seth, this first hand report from Iowa is appreciated. Had to be fun being on hand for all the first day festivities. Are people in Cedar Rapids excited as the local media seems to imply? If they are, could be special relationship.

One of the plusses from affiliating with Cedar Rapids is that all of the players will be living with host families. I read that only a few had that type of arrangement in Beloit. So there is no searching for housing, etc.

Kepler is injured. Will stay back in Florida for a bit.

Well that was a lot of reading looking to see if there have been any more cuts!

Plus he is missing a good part of spring training while with the Dominican Republic team. That can't help making the opening day roster.

Nothing about these assignments should surprise any of us. All are on the 40-man roster and unless there is a real chance the player may make the 25-man roster, they are sent out early. This is done as protection against getting injured and the effects of then getting paid the major league minimum and I believe accumulating service time.

Beyond that, there is not much in terms of upside catching prospects in the Twins system. Seth, I am surprised that you didn't include Pinto in this group of prospects. His great year in 2012 got the Twins attention and a spot on the 40-man roster. Was it an oversight? Or is there something you really don't like about him?

Thanks for positing this Seth. He was such a special player. I remember Henry Aaron often was moved to left field, out of position, in all-star games as Clemente had right field. Clemente in right, Mays in center, Aaron in left...we will never see that level of talent together again.

You probably also weren't watching Player A when he broke in in 1953. I was. My point is that they are so very similar in every aspect of their games, body, swing, etc. No where have I said he would be as good as Player A as that would be unbelievable.

I am on record as stating that Rosario reminds me of a young second baseman that broke in for the Braves sixty years ago. When I look at Rosario, I see the same player, body, athleticism, speed, bat speed and yes, quick hands/wrists. Looking at their 18 year old stats, in 194 at bats Rosario hit .294 average/.438 slugging in the GCL. In 345 at bats, Player A hit .336average/.493 slugging in Class C Ball. The following year, In 270 at bats Rosario hit .337 average/.670 slugging in the Appy League. In 574 at bats, Player A hit .362 average/.589 slugging in the Sally League. The comparison stops there because it was a different era and Player A was in the big leagues in his third professional year. My point, is when I see Rosario play I see a very similar player/athlete. He is so similar to the young player I remember from sixty years ago. Will he ever become as good as player A, unlikely, seeing that Player A was the greatest player (IMO) to ever play the game. But the similarity tells me there is a very good liklihood he will become a very good player, a future star!

My question Seth, if Rosario has a good WBC and great first half at Fort Meyers he should go up to New Britain at the break. Assuming he continues to hit there like he can/should, does he get a September callup? If my California math is correct, he doesn't have to be added to the 40-man roster until after 2014. But if he has a great year at both stops, is he the young star to get a non-Twins like callup? Your thoughts please!

I read several reports that talked about the Hammond Stadium gun, that also mentioned that a scout had him top out at 95. Have also read in several places that Gibson will not be in the bullpen, in Minnesota, Rochester, or elsewhere. The reasoning given was that he has never been a reliever in his life. I don't have a clue whether he will begin his career with the Twins or somehow limiting innings in either Rochester or EST. It seems to make a lot of sense, however, if he is going to be limited and miss a month, it makes a lot more sense that it be April rather than September...thus, adding another year to his team control.

Don't know if they still do, however, several years ago they stayed downtown at the Pfister.

Seriously, why does someone (Twins Daily in this case) give people the opportunity to spew total garbage for all of us to read?

Kind of like matching lines in hockey. Get the diggers and bangers out there against the visiting teams top line.

You are correct Seth. So signing another x number of players is where the extra +$300,000 came from.

Thanks for all these updates today John, they are appreciated. If Harden could be back by mid-late April to +90% of what he was, he could be the Twins #1 guy and round out a nice starting rotation. Still a big if, but what a great first report.

Thanks for the update A.J. Expect it is nice settling into spring training after an exciting fall/winter. Have a great season!

I have been and remain of the opinion that he is the Twins #1 prospect. Maybe Buxton, Sano or Meyer have a higher upside. But being further away, there is a greater question to their ever achieving it. On the flip side, Arcia could hit well over .300 average with 30+ home runs...how much better can any of the three ever be?

Thanks Seth, appreciated this report. When I first heard of the trade, I immediately thought a right handed Randy Johnson. Remember commenting on that over at TT. Looked up Johnson's numbers at same age/level. It is scarry how similar they were and if my memory is correct, Meyer was actually a bit better. I also think the Twins know a lot about this young man as they certainly have scouted UK a lot with all the players they have from there over the recent past. Was Albers also still there when Myer was a frosh? I wounldn't worry a lot about the Boras relationship. Assuming they bring him up during the season they will have him for at least 6+ years. You all can worry about that in 2021!

Good morning John, and thanks for the message last fall. I didn't see it until several weeks ago, then wasn't able to return a message for whatever reason. I am back to nearly 100%, relaxing out here in the California desert. I don't know if we should read anything into Gardy's comments. I certainly didn't get the same feeling you did. As for the rotation, although I understand I am in a tiny minority I think Mr. Ryan did a nice job this offseason. Worley, Diamond and Pelfrey all should be solid once healthy and pitching. Correia is an innings eater who should be able to compete in the 4th starter slot. And unlike last year, we have a lot of young kids ready to step in with most now having some major league experience. It looks to me that we will need three of them on opening day as reports indicate Diamond won't be ready and it certainly is a question whether or not Pelfrey will be ready. Assuming Hendriks, DeVries and Deduno (with opening day April 1 at Target Field, I see Gibson staying in EST/Fort Meyers for a few weeks before a few weeks in Rochester) are in the opening day rotation, my question is what happens when the three projected starters are ready if say two of the kids get off to a great start? I haven't said this anywhere, but I think Pelfrey and Harden were great signings. If Harden has a nice comeback year and Pelfrey pitches like he is capable of by say June, Mr. Ryan has some attractive options. With a lot of salary available, he could certainly offer either or both a nice two or three year extension. Should they not accept and want to again test free agency (most likely with Pelfrey considering who his agent is), Mr. Ryan certainly has the salary available in 2014 to offer arbitration. Should either accept, he has a nice starter in 2014 on a one year contract coming off a good year. If they don't accept, he will get the draft pick in what many say will be a better draft than this year.

My wife keeps telling me to not read posts like this as it isn't good for my blood pressure. Your title to this post however, is an insult to the men who have dedicated their lives to the Twins organization. As I have said previously to a few totally irresponsible posts...you owe the Twins organization an apology. I doubt that will ever happen, because shooting off ones mouth with whatever comes to mind appears to be to easy to publish in today's world.