Jeremy Nygaard

On an aside, I'm pretty excited to see the Twins pairing Stewart and Gonsalves up. Going to the GCL together, rooming together, etc. They'll (hopefully) stay on the same path until Stewart just gets too good. Right?

I could see Gonsalves taking up a lot of that. I exchanged texts on Saturday night with someone who had knowledge of both figures. I guessed $4.25m on Stewart and $800k on Gonsalves. He said I was closer on Gonsalves. Obviously that doesn't say much (gives us a $500k to $1.1m range), but he obviously got over slot ($468k). I'm not expecting Molina to take up much... how much is a "little over slot". But I could see Gonsalves' bonus somewhere in that $700k range. (I could also be way off.)

We already packaged Butera back to the Mets. Worley, Clete and a PTBNL?

I think they only signed six prep players last year and the year before. Not that uncommon. Plus if they have money left, prep guys will be the target.

I thought Plouffe should have been shopped last year. After the injuries, though, I don't think he'd bring much back. He's got six weeks to fix that.

Checked in. No relation. But is the power of the "Molina" in the DNA or simply in the name?

Dustin Morse tweeted that the Twins have signed 21 of their first 25 picks. That leaves Eades, Slegers and DeMuth (all from the top 10 rounds) and 16th rounder LP Brandon Bixler.

You forgot about him wearing #7 worse than the original #7 wears it.

Why stop there? How about Hicks and Butera for Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey.

Dallas Gallant will be in E-town for a few weeks on a "rehab assignment" (source: Dallas Gallant). He's not officially listed on any teams roster, currently.

Bogucki just tweeted that he is moving in tomorrow, doesn't seem too interested in signing.

Yes, obviously it's WAY TOO early to say anything of significance. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about what's already out there. I've talked to people within the organization about it already. The hype that there is big-time talent is real. What's not being talked about as frequently is the drop off after the big-time talent. Yes, it could all change. At this point, instead of a big 3, there might be a big 7 or 8. This year, the second, third, fourth tier of the draft (depending on how you break them up) probably lasted until the 40s or mid-50s. Guys that the "experts" could have seen going in the first round. At this point, that group of guys for the 2014 draft is significantly less. Pitching will be good, but hitters appear pretty weak. It's not too early to talk about the big names: College pitchers: Carlos Rodon (NC State) and Tyler Beede (Vandy) are going to have to work hard to NOT be Top 5 picks. Rodon may have gone 1-1 this year. Beede was a first-round pick two years ago. Michael Cedaroth (San Diego State) hits triple-digits on the gun, but has a very violent delivery (per Twins source). Nick Burdi (Louisville) has been a plus-fastball/plus-slider closer. He was drafted by the Twins out of high school and should start next year. College hitters: Trae Turner (NC State shortstop). You should just watch him play. Everybody that does gets a man-crush. High school hitters: Alex Jackson (California catcher) is my favorite. He is so advanced offensively that he might just get moved to the outfield so he can move quicker (a la Harper and Myers). Nick Gordon (Florida shortsop) has the bloodlines and the ability to stay at shortstop. High school pitcher: Touki Toussaint (Florida) belongs in the top 5 mix. He was pretty filthy in the PG Showcase at the Metrodome last week. Justus Sheffield (Tennessee) is the younger brother of a favorite of mine, Jordan Sheffield, who blew his arm out this year. Georgia prep: Michael Gettys (3B/OF/P). Gettys is going to seriously climb rankings this summer, especially if he can continue the show he put on last week. He can throw 100 from the OF, high-90s off of the mound and has power (and a big frame). And the Twins love kids from Georgia. I guess that's an early look at a Top 10, eh?

I get the same release and I realize the two players in question (Tim Shibuya and Dallas Gallant) aren't listed on their "official" roster. But without having an "organizational disabled list" and since they are disabled, I have to find a spot for them on the Roster and Payroll page. I put them there because the last actual team they were affiliated with was the Snappers (which became the Kernels). The point still remains, Hurlbut, Mazza or any other disabled player at any level could be activated and take that roster spot. I'm not sure why we're splitting hairs over something so trivial.

If his last name is Molina, I'm sure he can play catcher. Maybe he can take all of those "Molina skills" and apply them at shortstop.

AJ Bogucki, a Pennsylvania prep who is committed to UNC and Chris Erwin, lefty Georgia prep committed to Kennesaw State. Bogucki would probably command a little more hefty of a price tag, but has a nice build already and is full of projection. Obviously he's going to get more opportunity to play at UNC and probably against better competition (at least early), but in three years he could be a Top 5 or 6 round guy. (He could also be brutal... lottery ticket-type guy.) Erwin might sign. Smallish lefty who gets two-way comps to Nick Markakis out of high school. He could eventually be a mid-rotation starter with three really good pitches. He's young and under-developed, though, so college could do wonders for him too. (Another lottery ticket-type.) Those would be my two anyway (even ahead of Shore), who I think will develop into a first-round pick after some seasoning at Florida. I just know they won't be able to free up the money he would command.

Non-issue now as Kepler is playing the outfield in Fort Myers. Never expected it to be serious and said they're being extremely cautious.

Presumably there was a pitcher not on the E-town bus that we figured would be... and he'll take Robb's spot. Or they'll activate one of their four DL'd pitchers.

DJ Baxendale placed on New Britain's 7-day DL with right shoulder inflammation. That may help explain why Soliman started for Ft. Myers last night, if one of those starters heads north, though I would think it would be easier to slide Hermsen back into the rotation. Alex Meyer is expected back the beginning of July.

Correct on not signing Molina; but he was in town for his physical and to sign last weekend, so it's a done deal... he's not going to cost much over $100k. I also think the Twins would much rather have a prospect that they believe can hit and has a legitimate chance to stay at shortstop. Shore's bonus would be 10-15 times as much as Molina's. (Plus, you're better if you have a "Molina" in your system. Proven fact... or something like that.)

The Twins are now $337,700 under budget. Gonsalves will be over slot. Molina will be over slot. Stewart will be near slot. (No there isn't enough money to sign Shore.)

Max Kepler is playing CF in EST today... so it appears the reports from him yesterday "being unable to throw" were erroneous.

As expected, Bryan Haar, who had been on the Fort Myers roster, boarded the bus to E-town. Fort Myers roster is now ONE PLAYER short of their roster limit.

No kidding. What a way to start out a professional career. I would guess players sleep for most of the ride since it's the middle of the night, but who knows... being on the road in the middle of the night can be a dangerous deal.

I agree, but if Buxton does move up, you'll need a fourth OF. (Not that they don't have guys that couldn't play in a pinch.)

Goodrum tweeted that he'd be back on Saturday. Apparently the Kernels were waiting for some clearance they (and Goodrum) expected to get... and they didn't receive it til Sunday. So yep, bad info. The Licon bit was speculation... and to me, the move they made was surprising.