IndianaTwin

Not for Cease either.

But at least Benintendi only got one-fourth as far as he did last night.

Great — I was hoping that, with the game on Fox and against the Sux, we’d get Jason Benetti. If you haven’t heard him, folks, you’re in for a treat, though I don’t know if he’ll be at his very best without his regular partner.

My son just sent me a picture from the internet that included making the chili mixture, putting it in the smoker, with a chunk of beef right above, dripping into the chili as it smokes. It was only a picture, with no recipe, but I’m intrigued.

Shucks, no.

I confess to having fallen for the hype and getting a pellet smoker. I’ve greatly enjoyed using it. It’s taken bacon to a new level in the IT household.

When they come off is fine. And to be preemptive, @Dave The Dastardly, we do NOT need pictures to believe you, either in relation to the hail or your other activities.

Can’t be believed without photos.

Thanks, Jocko. This is a great interview. To me, the statement that most stands out (and that fits with my prior comment) is at about 3:20, where he says, "To me, it's about the front office's willing(ness) to have a relationship with a player." It seems clear he has respect for the Twins organization. He later speaks positively of Rocco specifically.

I have a friend who's been a AAAA veteran catcher with experience (now retired). From talking to him, I really think it varies. My sense is that as professional courtesy, teams are pretty open with their opt-out candidates on what they are thinking. He also has said that while teams aren't "allowed" to reach out to someone who has an opt-out with another team, it happens pretty regularly. That Keuchel is still in St. Paul suggests that didn't happen, at least with a team he wants to go to. FlyingFinn notes that they agreed to push the date back, which also often happens. We don't know how that conversation went. It could have easily been with a commitment that he will be the next guy called up if there is an injury (and it can be worked out with when he's last thrown in St. Paul, etc.). It could also be with an understanding that the Twins would willingly let him go if a team reaches out. It could be that they've told Keuchel they're seeking to trade a pitcher for a bat. It could be with.... And it's counterproductive for the Twins to screw him over or not be straightforward in a situation like this. If they do or aren't, word gets around and they won't have an opportunity with the next guy they are interested in. I also don't think it's a coincidence this is happening with a Boras client. An agent is working for the player, obviously, but that doesn't mean it has be adversarial relationship with a team. I get the feeling that the Twins have a good working relationship with Boras.

Yeah, five in the first.

We ran them into the ground. Speaking of, do you know what you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef.

You heard it here first. Gray threw 101 pitches Monday and Ober 90 on Tuesday. I’m predicting we get a couple innings from Sands tonight, he’s sent down, and Keuchel makes his debut tomorrow to set everyone back a day. DeLeon to the 60-day IL.

What was he before that? Andrew Atari, probably.

It’s Chicago, so sign early, sign often.

Not the first time, but I went back. Surprising that the announcers then joked about it. Usually they are quick to apologize.

Played defense a little like him as well.

Been there. Done that.

Nice thing is that it was a relatively low pitch count for Lynn in the first, so hopefully he can throw a few more of the quality of his first.

Best 23 years of my life were spent in grade school. Nearly that many for Mrs. IT. Difference being that she was a teacher.

Do you know why the Star Wars came out in 4-5-6-1-2-3 order? In charge of scheduling, Yoda was.

After a long day at work, I love the distraction of being able to get on Twins Daily make the world go away.

Rooting for promising Twins pitchers has been the bane of my existence since I was a child.

And unfortunately, a few of our hitters are still dealing with projectile dysfunction.

Pretty much agree with all you've said, with a subtle adjustment. I think he's earned the right to be at the top of the pecking order as the 14th man, which is why it's significant not to burn his option this year. As in, plan the roster so that you don't need Castro, but recognize there will be very few days when you don't have at least one player on the IL. If you plan with Castro as your No. 13, he will most often be your 12th or 11th. I think he fits the "long-term plan." As in, the Twins emphasis on position flexibility means that their long-term plan will almost always include a place for a Castro-type in his Arb years, preferably with an option. A guy like this is disposable, not in the sense that he is bad, but in that that he will be disposed of when he reaches free agency, replaced by someone with a similar profile. For 2024 and maybe even 2025, he's the leading candidate for this role, but he'll be replaced by Castro 2.0 in a couple years.