Teflon

1. I hate that this is happening to women. 2. I hate that social media is the new judge and jury.

Perhaps a different incentive for posting rather than the $2 per page view? Maybe the top ten contributors (page views, comments, or likes) listed on the main page of TD with links to their blog homes? Could there could special blogger social events scheduled? Other perks -perhaps a select a blogger article to feature in the off-season handbook? Perhaps a free copy of the off-season handbook to bloggers with X number of yearly page views?

Somehow I'm not excited by the prospects of a pitcher who would rank third in something on the current Twins starting pitching staff. That would mean he's better than a guy with a 5.00 ERA.

According to estimates on www.statista.com, the Twins took in around $249 million in total revenue - which ranked 23rd in the MLB. The Yankees, at the top of the list were estimated at $526 million and the Rays, at the bottom were estimated at $205. The Twins estimated major league salaries in 2017 were $104 million (Baseball Reference). Assuming the club plans financially for 2017 from 2016 income, the Twins would have spent 42% of their 2016 income on 2017 MLB salaries. This ranks 19th overall - similar to the percentages spent by the Indians, Cardinals (42%), Giants & Cubs (41%). The Padres were the team that spent the least percent of income on salaries (19%, $49 million in payroll, $259 million in income) while the Rangers spent the most. (70%, $207 million in payroll, $298 million in revenue) The team with the least income, Tampa Bay, spent about 39% on MLB salaries ($79 million) while the team with the highest income, the Yankes, spent 35%. ($192 million) Overall, the league average is 44% For fun - let's say the team that spent the largest percentage, the Rangers, made zero profit and that the 30% of their revenue not spent on MLB salaries is then the expense for funding the rest of their baseball operations - travel, minor league salaries, corporate and administrative staff, scouting, Domican facilities, ballpark upkeep, etc. That works out to around $90 million in total other expenses. If the same $90 million were deducted from the Twins revenue minus their MLB salaries, there'd be $50 million left over. How much of that $50 million would you say is available to be spent on salaries, if needed, and how much of that would you say is untouchable? I'm going to say at least half is untouchable - paying back the Twins Target Field contribution or reserved for the owners. Still that leaves about $25 million in potential wiggle room.

I can't believe it's page 4 and no mention of stocking hat night - the best of all annual Twins promotions! For the last 6 seasons these hats have been the concilatory and comforting send offs to the cold of winter - but tonight they return once more to being a jaunty and joyous accessory to your postseason wardrobe! Thank you Twins!

I like the approach. To further mess with the Yankees, I would officially change everyone's uniform numbers prior to the game and then periodically send position players down to warm up in the bullpen throwing ephus pitches and knucklers. To further disorient them, I would also have the third base coach actually stand in the third base coaches box during the game.

Who's been taken so far?

Doug unfortunately didn't find the entrance ramp onto the Denny Green high road.

Interesting factoid - did you realize that the Twins were the defending AL champions the last time the Yankees had a losing record? I realize the Yankees have front offices piled to the rafters with gold ingots while the Twins carry my grandpa's old coin purse - but still.

The crafty Suzuki has amassed these numbers by skillfully blending a .200 BA and a .500 OPS in odd months with a .300 BA and 1.000 OPS in even months.

Thanks for bringing up Pavano. He was 9-8 in 2009 with the Indians but with an ERA over 5 when the Twins dealt Yohan Pino for him. Pavano replaced an injured Glen Perkins in the Twins rotation, going 5-4 and also starting game 3 in the ALDS. (Perkins was demoted to AAA instead of being sent on a rehab assignment - which Perkins claimed was done to keep him from qualifying as a Super 2 for arbitration.) Pavano's real impact came the next season when he won 17 games for Minnesota and pitched 7 complete games. The rest of the staff was solid, too, as Blackburn, Baker, Slowey, and Liriano all made 28 or more starts and all won 10 or more games. (Duensing also won 10 in mixed duty)

Who was the last pitcher the Twins traded for in mid-season who had a positive impact? It wasn't Hector Santiago last year. It wasn't Tommy Milone in 2014. Has there ever been one? I can't recall.

I thought flag day was the day in each Twins season when our interests were most observed to be flagging .

Can't argue with Buxton's contributions on defense. His range in center actually makes Kepler and Rosario/Grossman more valuable as the Twins can shade them more to the pull fields. Also a big part of the reason that the Twins opponents BABIP is .286 this year after being .320 last year. I don't know why the previous Twins front office so undervalued outfield defense - especially with the types of pitchers they employed.

Since they have been passing on higher-ranked pitching prospects I'm wondering if the Twins will possibly be targeting more back-up type catchers who can pitch in the later rounds?

"It was the fourth time in the last 13 games the Twins gave up at least a dozen runs. How is this still a first-place team?" They seem to play a lot of games at both ends of the spectrum. While surrendering 10 or more runs in 10 or their 60 games already, they've also held opponents to 2 or fewer runs in 20 games, which is pretty impressive.

Best Draft Talent Available on Day Two from Baseball America Also 2017 Draft: The BA 500

I believe we MInnesotans should not indulge the fancy affectations of the west-coast types and should thus refer to the Mariners by the perfectly fine pronounciation "Mah-REEN-ers" when referencing their team instead of the overly-grandiose "MARE-uh-ners."

Wouldn't you rather have the Hunter Greene story to follow over the next few years regardless of his riskier developmental outlook? What fun that would be!

Coming off a rare credible hitting performance by an American League pitcher is probably not the ideal time to state this, but I hate HATE inter-league rules. The American League should not be penalized in National League parks. Period. Exclamation Mark. Ampersand.

http://ballparkdigest.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/HansonBrothers2017.jpg Fun promotion tonight at the Fort Myers Miracle game: Salute to Slap Shot Night

"(Sano BTW… needs a unique clever nickname)" Yankees 3B 2022

Sheesh. That whole garment bag/suitcase thing is confusing... It's like driving on a parkway and parking on a beltway.

Things we've all talked about but still a good read - Is Ervin Santana's early season success all luck? Keri the 10: Break up the Twins, Fantasy baseball advice and more MLB observations