rdehring

Don't even want to think about who the Twins will pick #1 and #2, my hope is that it is the best college pitcher available. Are you expecting a free for all to sign undrafted players starting Thursday night? Kind of reminds me of the NFL after the draft ends and each team signs anywhere from a dozen to twenty UDFA. Not real certain what to expect, but am almost more interested in what they do after the draft than the four players they pick in the draft.

Knowing where you are from, Doc, I was going to comment that my alma matre, that other Big Red, wasn't going to allow Seniors to return. That is before you beat me to it. Still don't understand why Barry made that decision, but expect he had his reasons.

I am comfortable sitting back and waiting to see what the Twins do. But I do have a question about your strategy that would have them save $$$ by drafting several college seniors whom they would pay $10,000, or so. Didn't the NCAA give those seniors the opportunity to return for another year because of COVID-19? That seems to give those seniors more leverage than in a normal draft, doesn't it? Hopefully, they have another Ryan Jeffers on their board whom they can draft in round 2 and sign for round 4 dollars...and he turns out to be as good as Jeffers appears to be. Now can we get the union to at least respond with a counter offer other than no so we really have something to get excited about later this week.

Thanks. Those of us who have followed some of these teams hear ya!

My wife and I were sitting on the couch watching the news when I saw the tape for the first time. I recall shaking my head and feeling sad, not angry. I also recall wondering what in the world the officer could have been thinking as he murdered Mr. Floyd, didn't he know that he was killing this man and would spend the rest of his life in prison? But who are you to say it is not ok for me to feel sad, rather than angry. For your information, I also felt sad as I stayed up much of the next couple nights and watch much of Lake Street burned to the ground. I felt sad one morning when I watched channel whatever interview the old black gal in a wheelchair who lived in fear the night before as rioters approached the high rise she lives in. I recall feeling sad when she talked about not knowing how she was going to get to a store to buy food. I also am sad every time a young black gal is lying in her bed in St. Paul and a bullet comes through the wall of her home. I recall being sad when I recall the young black child sitting in a car chair at a stop sign in St. Paul when he was shot by someone in another car. I continue to wonder when someone with the ability to do so is going to do something to stop all the senseless shooting in America. I know, however, that an old white guy isn't going to be the one to accomplish that, so I keep my mouth shut. But I will tell you that it does upset me to have someone I have never met tell me what I have to think or how to act. I cannot understand how anyone can honestly believe he has that right. And you don't need to submit another smart reply as I have said more than I should have and will not respond.

I would have not referred to what I said as cool, Brock. Sad may be much more appropriate. I can not begin to understand the loss you must have felt and continue to feel from the loss of your Mom and brother. Unfortunately you finished your reply by degrading what I said and feel. I cannot begin to understand the pain you must live with to have such hatred for those of us who do not have the same anger as you. I pray that God will find a way to ease that pain as you go on with your life.

After reading this for the past whatever days, I do have something I need to say. First, I disagree with Nick writing and bringing our attention to what Max did. I don't know anything about Max's intent or if he even knew what the meaning of the mask in the picture stood for. And if he did, I see nothing wrong with anyone supporting the hundreds of thousands of good cops out there. Second, I feel badly for Brees. Probably would have been smart to stay out of this discussion, but certainly understand his sadness for seeing any disrespect to his country and flag just as I don't like the kneeling when the anthem is played. I would hope that if there is a season this fall, the protests will somehow be separate from the national anthem and flag. Brock, I wasn't aware that you have black children and can not understand what they face every day. Not being black, I cannot understand what life is like for those who are. But with that said, I also believe that you have gone overboard on criticizing those of us who are white for what you believe is our lack of speaking up to a level you would agree with. Please ask yourself who gives you the right to judge each of us. Many of us have reasons for not speaking up or feeling the same passion you do. For lots of us, that could be nothing more than we aren't active about anything, political or otherwise. For others, including me, something may have happened in our lives that cause us to be quiet on this issue. In my case, Brock, it is that I am somewhat fearful of many in the black community. And I chose the word fearful carefully as I honestly believe it is not hatred. You see a member of my family came to me a long time ago for her first job after graduating from MSU in hotel management. We hired her and put her in our Grand Rapids, Michigan hotel for training before moving to a permanent spot in her hometown, Lansing. Two nights before NY Eve she was out with friends in downtown Grand Rapids. For whatever reason, she left on her own and was next seen alive at a nearby pizza spot. That is the last time she was ever seen alive as her body was found under a porch a few days later. Our company put up a reward which provided me with a line of communication with the detective in charge of the case. The case has never been solved, however, several years later I received a call from the detective inquiring if the reward was still available. Seems they had someone at a prison who told them who the murderer was. Although this has never been made public, the final right of passage into membership of a certain black gang was to "go out and kill a white girl." Unfortunately, she was the right gal in the wrong place. I often wonder what her life would have been had I not said yes when she asked for her first job. Or if I had decided to send her to someplace safe for training, someplace like Minnesota or Omaha. I doubt you will understand why I prefer to be quiet when something like this happens. Am I angry, no. Am I sad for Mr. Floyd, yes. Am I sad for what your children face, yes. Am I hopeful that America will change and they won't face what so many face today, yes. Am I 100% upset with how you have belittled all of us who don't agree with your anger and haven't spoken up...you betcha!

I want to say something, guys, about Max Kepler and the Twins in general. Somewhere back in time I have seen one or more comments that the Twins haven't done as much as some would expect speaking out about this matter. I was disappointed when I read that, but not about the Twins. You see the Twins are different than the other teams in town. Of the 25 players on their roster at the end of last year, I believe there is only one who is in fact an African American. That's Byron Buxton, who's tweets I recall seeing. Unless I am missing someone, all the other black players aren't African American as they aren't from the U.S. (realize that Eddie Rosario may be in the grey area) So there may be four reasons they aren't speaking out about this: 1) they are back wherever they are from and aren't even aware of it as I believe at least half of that team were foreign; 2) they don't speak English all that well; 3) they don't use twitter and any of the other social media outlets like some of you; or 4) they are aware and want to stay as far away from the issue as they can. Some of you will claim that this fourth item is a mistake on their part. But looking at what happened to Kepler will cause them to think long and hard about opening their mouth or applying their finger to their phone.

I am sorry, Ashbury, but the only part of that I really understand is what I think the Boston cab driver meant. As I understand what you both are saying is that the term Black Caucus is wrong. Yet, that is what they identify themselves as. [i didn't see your post that came up a minute before this response of mine. And reading that confuses me more. With that said, probably good idea to move on. Have a great day and thanks for attempting to help.]

Now you really have confused me, Brock. And I am not trying to be difficult, but would like to understand. Referring to President Obama as a black president or black man would be correct, right? But referring to a group of black congressmen and congresswomen as the Black caucus wouldn't be? Is that correct? Yet, that is what they refer to themselves as? I am sorry, but I don't get it and want to.

I am certain you were attempting to be helpful, Ashbury, but you lost me. Although I may have learned it at one point, I honestly don't recall the difference between an adjective and noun, much less pluralizing adjectives. Some of us didn't have the benefit of the education everyone receives today. One room rural elementary schools with a single teacher dealing with all 8 grades didn't provide more than what we could learn by reading books about the various subjects. I seriously don't want to stir up a hornet's next, Brock. But I am curious why you capitalized the word PEOPLE twice. What did you mean by that?

Thanks for bringing us back to baseball, Seth. Will try to listen later this morning. Will admit that I have been impressed with everything I have read about Jeffers this winter, especially the work he put in to become better defensively. Although I continue to believe that Rortvedt remains a top prospect, I now agree that Jeffers will probably join the Twins before Ben makes his debut. Assuming there is a season, would not be surprised to see Jeffers making his debut later this summer/fall. Expect the Twins will have a nice problem a few years out by having three catchers whom all deserve regular playing time. Sure as heck will be an improvement over some recent years when they arguably had none.

I have been trying hard to stay out of this mess, Brock, even removing one response to a comment you made that I found insulting. But I have one question that you perhaps can answer for me. It relates to your belittling another person's use of the word "blacks." In all seriousness, I don't know what the proper term is. You see when I grew up, the correct word for American's with dark skin was negro, which was the common term I learned in the 1950's. I just filled out my census on line last month, can't recall what term is used for black Americans when they ask what I am. [edit...Just went online to check a census sample, see the term they used was 'Black or African American] In all seriousness, Brock, I have wondered about this often over the past whatever years. In Washington, Congress has a Black caucus. There are probably hundreds or thousands of organizations that use the term Black in their title, including the one seen every day of late..."Black lives matter." So I ask, is it wrong to refer to American's with dark skin as Black if that is the term commonly used throughout our nation. And perhaps more important, if it is wrong what term should I use? I look forward to the day when there will no longer be distinctions of anyone for anything and we all will be, "Americans." Unfortunately, I realize that at my age I don't have enough time to see that happen.

Fortunately, I have been able to edit/remove my comment that was posted after reading the above.

You nailed many of my thoughts. Thanks.

Just another example of the Twins being cheap, eh? Thanks for bringing this news to us, Seth. As for a minor league season? Have a feeling the Twins are going to have a couple or even three teams playing. See them putting together groups of 30-40 players who will get together in Ft. Myers for a spring training type situation for four to six weeks. Probably break them into groups with one being AA-AAA, a second A and a third the kids who would be at rookie league. May play games against themselves, or against the Red Sox down the street if they have anyone there. And who knows, maybe the AAA squad will go a bit longer and play some or all of their games at Target Field.

Although I agree that some of the decisions Mr. Manfred has made in the past aren't what I would have liked, your reference to him as "crooked" is uncalled for. Then you double down by referring to the owner's as the "sleaziest men" in the world. I am surprised that the moderator's haven't removed your comments.

Correct me if I am wrong, Cody, but isn't Mauer the only catcher to ever win a batting title? Or was there one other back whenever in the National League? If he had one batting title as a catcher while doing well the rest of the time, I would say no. But he was a great hitter for a very long time with three titles. That puts him into the Hall, at least for me.

All, or most, of these prospects should be available when the Twins are on the clock at #27. With the strength of this draft being college pitching and pitching always desirable for the Twins, I am hopeful the Twins snag a very good college pitcher #1. Unfortunately, I see only one college pitcher in this group of ten. With that said, I don't see a single player in this group I would be excited to see the Twins draft #1. So here's hoping that a lot of your next group (21-30) are both college pitchers and available when the Twins are on the clock.

Actually, Mike, people with contracts don't always get their money. Almost all employment contracts have language in them under what conditions the employee doesn't get all or any of his/her compensation. There would be lots of reasons ranging from malfeasance to fraud to conduct unbecoming to acts of God and probably global pandemics. I expect it is that language that is enabling the teams to withhold salaries if games aren't played. Now the owner's have said to the players, we will try to get in a half season if you are agreeable to certain changes in your compensation because fans won't be allowed to attend games. If they can come to an agreement that is acceptable to both parties, we will have baseball. If they can't, we won't have baseball...at least major league baseball. I expect the owners have discussed how much they will lose with no baseball and aren't willing to go beyond, or much beyond that number to resume play. It is reasonable, in my opinion, for the owner's to take this position as it is reasonable for the players to negotiate to get the largest share of their salaries as they can.

Agree with much of what you say Raoul. But wanted to comment on your sous chef example. My son is with a major restaurant company where every employee in the company is sharing in the pain, taking cuts of roughly 20%...or higher at senior management. Everyone was furloughed for over two months, even though many continued working while not paid. They are just now starting to get some of the central office people back with restaurant re-openings approaching 50% of their locations.

I guess we know your position as far as the owner's are concerned, Ted. The reason I say this is because of your promotion of the idea that the owner's are going back on their earlier deal. Have read in too many places from reliable sources that there was language in that deal for further discussions should the games be played without fans in attendance. As for the offer? Does anyone think the owner's original offer was their best offer? Or even anything close to what they eventually hoped to get? If it was, their negotiator should be fired. The important take from it is that they didn't include revenue sharing which would have been a non starter for the players. As for this format, makes a ton of sense to me. Have been thinking for some time that there should be some type of sliding scale with all players making the pro-rated minimum with some percentage of their contract's salary above that. Looks like that may be the case after they negotiate the actual percentages. Also wouldn't surprise me that at some point the $170,000,000 players already received is no longer included in their compensation when games begin. Companies all over America are doing this exact thing with management and all employees taking substantial cuts of 15%, 20% or greater.

Is it realistic to expect that one of these ten will be available when we make our second round pick? It's around #57, isn't it? My wish would be one of the two college lefties.

Our answers will be somewhat dependent, Seth, on knowing which baseball they will be playing with. 1: I suspect Garver's numbers will be down a bit from 2019, but still amongst the best for catchers in MLB. 2: Garver will catch 45 games. 3: Expect Sano will not be as good defensively as we like, but better than we fear. 4. Luis Arraez will avoid a sophomore slump with an average over .330 and OBP very near .400. 5: Polanco's performance at the plate will be similar to 2019. Does that mean he is an all-star? As you have stated the competition is stiff, so probably not. 6: Not only can Rosario take another step, he will. Gonna force the Twins to make a real hard decision next winter...whatever that decision is. 7: Not only can Buxton remain healthy, I pray he will as the Twins are so much better when he is healthy and on the field. 8: I have long believed that Kepler will continue to get better and when it is all over will be considered for the HOF. The next step in 2020 is to improve his average while maintaining the power he found in 2019. I question, however, how the lack of a normal spring and full year will effect his and all players progress. 9: Yes, I see Cruz as continuing to be very, very good. Will that be a small step down from 2019, probably. But definitely good enough to merit a one year extension come December. 10: Yes, but it seems impossible to continue with the lofty numbers he had while in the visitor's dugout. Thanks for getting us back to thinking about playing on the field. Stay safe, Seth.

I am more than anxious to know how any player development is going to happen this year. It appears there is a strong chance MLB will resume at some point. But it also appears there will not be any minor league seasons. A select few may make progress with the taxi squads. But what about all the rest? And what happens to so many of these prospects if they have an entire year off with training limited to their back yards? Hopefully, there is a future ACE somewhere in the Twins system. Heck, hopefully there are two. And by that I mean real ACE, not just a team's #1 starter many of whom aren't ACES. Will it be any of the three you mentioned? Maybe? But probably not. If I had to pick one pitcher, like many I would pick Balazovic.