When questioned about the 2014 budget, Terry Ryan said the sub-60m figure the Twins are projected to spend doesn't include Blackburn.

 

TD: Well, the estimation at the end of the year was like 55 or 56

million.

 

TR: You counting Blackburn?

 

TD: Probably not, no.

 

TR: OK, so you don’t know. [smiles] I do, so we’ll be OK.

 

Buckle in for some Blackie!

Is he under contract for next year? I thought next year was an option year that the Twins would clearly not exercise. I suppose they could invite him back on a minor league deal but I guess I'm not really seeing the connection of your quoted material.

I think that was a simple miscommunication. Ryan thought Parker was referring to the 2013 payroll (which technically included Blackburn's $5.5M salary for this year), whereas Parker was referring more to the present commitments, which no longer include guys like Blackburn, Pelfrey, etc.

Is he under contract for next year? I thought next year was an option year that the Twins would clearly not exercise. I suppose they could invite him back on a minor league deal but I guess I'm not really seeing the connection of your quoted material.

Yes there is an 8m option on Blackie's contract for 2014 which would push the Twins projected payroll from the high 50s to around 67m.

I think that was a simple miscommunication.

http://www.crushable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Annie-Edison-gif.gif

I think that was a simple miscommunication. Ryan thought Parker was referring to the 2013 payroll (which technically included Blackburn's $5.5M salary for this year), whereas Parker was referring more to the present commitments, which no longer include guys like Blackburn, Pelfrey, etc.

 

I hated that exchange. I hope it sounded better than it came across in reading it because TR came across as a smug jerk who acted as if he had hidden information and that fans have no clue.