Original_JB

I think that more than a little angst isn't just the "payroll cut" it's not getting the team sorted out, roles-wise. Who's the full time 3B? 1B? 2B? who's backing up CF? Where are the RH bats? Sure, we can apply names to most all these positions (Miranda 3B, Lewis/Lee 2B, Julien 1B, etc.), but have any of these guys shown they can "own" and thrive at those positions (if given the opportunity to not just be a platooner?) Yeah, Nick Punto could cover a lot of positions too, but is that what we want to see?

Just a lot of Twinspeak. I read it as 'everyone knows we're in a spot, just like a few other teams, and as such, teams are using that leverage to make highly one sided trade offers. We're not giving things away for free, so I guess we'll roll with what we got unless someone actually makes a reasonable offer that makes sense to us.'

From the Athletic: Cartaya's fall has been stark, and quick. A history of back injuries have kept him off the field for spurts, and when healthy he's struggled... Swell, though I guess he'll fit right in.

link to 1st Zoll "Inside Twins" interview. https://fb.watch/w_BTItT55O/

Re: the 'supposed' $130M payroll figure. Ultimately, all we can go by is the actions/inaction of the team in FA to this point. If this were a 'normal' offseason (now remember the Twins are never the 1st team with their foot in the water), what FA signings have occurred that realistically, the Twins would have been 'involved in'? How many "OMG, we could have had player "X" for only (some typical value price)" type signings have there been?

"B*tch" for me.

Toppling Goliath 🦖 yum!

I disagree with the "breakout" part. I like Joe Ryan a lot, but IMO, his 'game' relies on his mechanics/form moreso than overpowering people. That said, I think he's a very solid pitcher in a Brad Radke sort of way, and I'm expecting several (hopefully) more years of this same level of quality pitching, but "breakout", no, I think we will continue to get what we've seen so far, and that is just fine.

Yeah, with where we're at with the Twins seemingly neverending ineptitude in their messaging, just straightforward plain talk seems like a pitcher of cool water to a thirsty man in the desert. On the "messaging" front, has anyone noticed the spelling error on the Twins/MLB postings on Facebook? Whoever does their social media, did a series of "don't miss your change to see the Twins play 'team x' this summer". Supposed to be "chance", but they didn't proofread it, then cut,pasted, and posted it repeatedly. Ooops.

Well, they're following along..... https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-news/new-social-media-follows-buzz-about-potential-twins-owner-justin-ishbia-01jfba0149rx?fbclid=IwY2xjawHROfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXdb5xTdbZ77eGAeac0p5t-jvQIvwbavSjc6lG6G3oD6a3Mw2sI1nwU7IQ_aem_V7Fx3Jac0FfgQ8zw5kkZBw

Vikings Steelers SB. Rematch, + 2 teams using (possibly) 1 yr, disposable, "placeholder" QBs.

Get rid of TC Bear and convince Paige Spiranac to give up golf and come teach us all the game of baseball instead; in the stands, on social media, etc. https://www.outkick.com/culture/paige-spiranac-gets-ready-for-the-world-series-in-a-skimpy-uniform

When UNH drops another 15 points or so, it'll be a strong buy.... unless this lone gunman *made* a change to history by his actions. We all know that healthcare costs are an ever climbing cost that the public cannot afford to bear, but outside of barking about it, how much was anything going to change? But now, it's forced into the focus of the news agencies who are likely giddy over the human interest stories they will be able to spin. Will this one man's actions initiate actual change to the way we deal with healthcare in this country? Will people look back years from now and 'credit' him in some fashion? I don't know, but he's being regaled as a hero by many. I saw people were posting fake "wanted" posters all over NYC with all the various healthcare CEO's as the villains. Every interview I see seems to have everyone agreeing with how they feel like he does *but* 'killing is wrong'. When the populace all say they'd like to kill you, but it's illegal, I'd be a bit nervous.

It's just an *odd* feeling I had (hope it's just those jalapenos I had at lunch), but I have a feeling we will be seeing some sort of finagling type trade where we end up with a discounted Starling Marte to be our RH OF/DH/1B utility knife for this year. Not sure how, just feel like it's going to happen.

Cut the payroll, cut the payroll, cut the payroll... Why does it seem I'm the only one b*tching about the Twins being what, 'unwilling' or "too stupid" to put an advertising patch on their jersey? Average MLB team income is $8M/yr. from that endeavor. FREE money! That deal was "rounding 3rd base" and yes, that is a quote from the Twins, 2 YEARS ago. Just how inept are they?

Now, I don't have kids to take to the game, but regardless of that, I'd rather see the prices consistent in the whole park, every day, than specialty 'discount this, that or the other' nights or certain 'sections' to sit in to qualify for certain concession discounts, or even having to show some sort of STH ID to get 15% off. The Twins need to realize that their customer base for the most part is well fed, and the need for food and beverages while at the game are simply extra treats/bonuses/amenities to the game, not necessities. So you need to price things accordingly. I pay $8-9 for a 22oz Furious at the bar, so when I walk by a vendor selling a 16oz can for $14 (or more), it is very easy to just mentally "pass" and not get one at all. At $9-10, I might have a few. $6/$7 for the 20oz Coke that's $2 at Speedway? Yes, I realize, like at the theaters, they have a captive audience and need to make some money, but to me, that level of FU pricing makes it really easy to bypass the concessions altogether. It's sort of like if you aren't giving them $50, they don't want any. Along with the $15 helmet sundaes, they should have $3 soft serve cones. I always thought that gas station prices were high (for the food/drinks), but the reality is, you could double those prices and still be at a lower price point than what they charge at Target Field (for similar items--yes I realize they also have top-notch eats at the game, but those are not the big profit makers).

If we're going to be pinching "big boy" pennies, and scrounging around in the seats at Target Field for spare change, then where the hell is the jersey patch advertising deal that was in the "home stretch" two years ago? The estimated MLB team average is $7-8M/yr. (NYY and TOR est. at $20M/ea for ref). That is unaccounted for "free" income, waiting to be collected and utilized (or pocketed, grr) . At this point ANY deal is better than no deal, and that money would go a long way in helping out the budget, so what's the hold up?

I don't know which is more nerve wracking, jumping out to a big lead and barely hanging on for the win, or this not doing jack but hanging around just enough to pull it out at the end. I guess you get entertainment for the whole 60 minutes either way, but jinkies.

Dodgers have an ironclad RSN contract that pays an average of $334 million per year through 2038. I think they'll be OK.

I think 'Coomer moving on' is just a ploy. I could've sworn I saw his silhouette in one of the $5 "Mystery Bags" alongside an infield dirt smeared one that looked suspiciously like Nick Punto.

You know, the more I think about this, the more I dislike it; not exactly sure why, though I think it is due to the 'set up the schedule so that northern (cold climate) teams play early March/April games in traditionally warm climates to improve the chances of nice weather' idea, that has been repeatedly hammered down for all kinds of reasons over the years. So, how (and why) is this any different? Or is the 'purist' view that baseball should be played "outdoors" going by the wayside? People complained about the 'dome, and yet here we have brand new "indoors on purpose" stadiums being built in warm weather cities. Don't get me wrong, when I was a STH, I loved having the dome on those drizzly, 38 deg days in March, or those 80+ deg days with dewpoints in the 70s in August. I don't know, I don't like setting the precedent this way. Depending on the when/if they actually move forward with a new ballpark or relocation, this could go on for a couple seasons. Don't forget, the A's are due to put down some earnest money here shortly for the Vegas park that may or may not happen. Might have two teams dancing around schedule swapping.

Swapping a May 26-28 series for the July 4-6 series; I'd imagine this is to avoid MLB having to have a 4th of July celebration at a minor league park...

Wow, had I known, I would have left that portable Hibachi I found at Metropolitan Stadium back in the day. Could've be helpful in the BP for some of those March starts.

The question/thought that I have with this, is if you are selling the team, why would you bother making these moves when typically the new ownership likes to do that for themselves, unless, as I have previously surmised, the Twins are actively communicating with said prospective owner (Glen Taylor) in regards to the team's direction. Again, all speculation on my part.