rdehring

Couldn't remember who we took in 2015, so went back and checked. You really didn't have to remind me that was the year we took Tyler Jay in the first round and Kyle Cody with the CBB pick. You are right, that sure didn't work. See that Cody was picked #189 the next year, so not signing and going back didn't work out to well for him either. Seemed to pitch ok in the lower levels of the minors, but didn't pitch at all in 2019...assume he was injured. A bigger question was if it was so strong with pitchers, why did we take Tyler Jay? But your example points out how big of a crap shoot it is. Supports my contention that the bonuses paid to the first couple rounds should be cut substantially with those saved dollars going to double the pay to all of the minor league players. Maybe if I say that often enough someone will see it and do something.

You could be right. Just stating what Manfred says will happen, don't know if it is a bluff or if he will follow through. As for players showing up, expect there are lots of guys wondering how they are going to pay next months credit card bill, especially guys like Arraez and the crew from Venezuela living in Florida. Expect we will see in the next week or so. Personally, would love to get back watching baseball, even if it is mostly young players with some prospects sprinkled in.

I guess I am looking at the draft as so-so because it had been reported to be strong with college arms, and the Twins got none. Was hoping that they would have found the next Kluber or someone like that. But considering that most drafts yield two or three guys that even make it to the big leagues, it only takes one to become a solid starter and it is a good draft. You will all know in five years or longer for the two young kids.

But wouldn't the best of all bluffs be confirmed by those allegedly involved? Or the best of all bluffs might not be known to anyone other than the two key principals. Not saying it was, but have always had a feeling.

Thanks for a good smile this morning. I am one of those however, who believe it is possible that the entire contraction scenario was one of the better all time bluffs.

When the draft began I was somewhat blah after the Twins first pick. Know nothing about him, but I was hoping for a chance at getting the next Chris Sale. Kept checking ESPN yesterday and eventually saw three names that meant absolute nothing to me. After reading the three posts here, kind of like what the Twins got. But they still didn't get the next Chris Sale. Assume they will save a few dollars signing the first two to give a bit extra to the two young kids. Hopefully, they will add 8 to 10 interesting signings to fill out this group. Does Seth or anyone know what their plans are for this group, other than taking a physical, signing a contract and depositing a check? With no minor league seasons, will this group have an instructional camp in Ft. Myers sometime later this summer? With such a small group, will they include some of the younger kids from last year's GCL and DSL?

That's an interesting question. What I have read the union has put themselves into a bit of a corner. The March deal they are basing their demand for full pro rata comp per game played, gives the owner's the right to cut the season's length, which is what Manfred is threatening. Yes, they can individually opt out or opt out en mass. So they have already accepted a shortened season at full per game pay. The other part of your comment is what will be interesting. How many top prospects would report and play? Unknown, although if the union isn't striking it is different than crossing a picket line.

Was not aware that the Pohlads bought J.B. Hudson jewelers. Was aware of United Properties and the auto dealerships, but they really are into so much more than any of us realize.

We are going to have baseball, guys. If the owners and players can't come to agreement in the next week or so, Manfred will dictate an opening day of say July 20 and a 60+/- game season. ST2 will open about June 25. Lots of established players will look at that and say not only no, but hell no to playing this year. The owners will have openings on their rosters and someone will fill them. Baseball will play with lots of AA, AAA and AAAA players filling out the rosters, earning the league minimum for 60 games...or about $200,000. With many of the more expensive players staying home, teams will break-even with many having payrolls of less than $20mm, not including the losses incurred earlier in the year. If I were an owner I just might see this as the best alternative available during a trying time. If I were a player, I would be upset by the likelihood that my career is loosing one full year of compensation with another hit likely coming in 2022. Those of us waiting to see players like Kirilloff and Larnach may get our wish a lot sooner than we think.

Not real excited about the pick who is so-so at first with no other position other than DH. Similar feel for me to when the Twins took Jeffers a couple years ago, and that appears to be working out well. Hopefully Sabato is another find that I can get excited about in a few years, but I really was hoping for the next Chris Sale. Does anyone see the Twins signing him for several hundred thousand under slot so they can go over in round 4 or 5?

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.

The reason I mentioned that Polanco's bonus was in the upper 700's was because you had him listed as unk (unknown). Don't know why you made the above comment?

If memory serves, Polanco's bonus was close to Kepler's in the high $700's. So Kepler, Polanco and Sano totaled nearly $5.0mm that year under Bill Smith's watch. Certainly has to go down as one of his better decisions that continues to impact the team.

Enjoyed reading the comments about meal money. Recall several years ago Bonnie and I were celebrating our anniversary at the Capital Grille. Was a Monday night and the Red Sox were in town for a series opening on Tuesday. We were seated at a booth in the back and shortly after arriving the waiters were hustling around to put several tables adjacent to us together for a group. The group turned out to be Jason Varitek and 9 members (or maybe 11 as I can't remember if it was 4 or 5 on each side) of the Red Sox pitching staff. Recall Varitek handled the bill which they shared. Then one of the older pitchers, recognized him but don't recall his name, gave the wine bill to the rookie at the end of the table who was wearing a purple corduroy sport coat. Do remember that he was John Lester, who wasn't at all pleased by the amount of the bill for wine.

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.

No. But I also won't attend any when they are back as it has gotten way to expensive. But do I miss it on tv and hope they find a way to compromise and get back on FSN.

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?