Friday Links-N-Thinks

The 2014 All-Star Game was finally given to the Twin Cities this week but there were plenty of other happenings for Twins Territory. Joe Mauer was placed on waivers and the national media freaked out over what turned out to be a none story. After sitting for over a week and then playing in a handful of games, Denard Span was finally put on the DL even though rosters expand this weekend. Chris Parmelee destroyed Triple-A pitching for most of the year and he finally got called up. Now he has to show his stuff at the big league level if they can find at-bats for him.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

While the news surrounding the Twins has been exciting, the play on the field has not been in the exciting category. The team is scuffling to say the least and it could be a long final month for the faithful that still head to Target Field. A crowd of under 30,000 was announced for the first time at Target Field this week and it is hard to believe there were that many people in attendance. It is tough to watch a team that is putting a poor product on the field. Fans like me will continue to follow even if the wins aren't exactly piling up over the next few weeks.

It's a long Labor Day weekend so before you skip out of the office early make sure to check out this week's edition of "Friday Links-N-Thinks."

• So far this season, the Twins have gotten very good production from some signings that were minor at the time.
  
• The Twins are getting close to being unwatchable.
  
• During the next couple weeks, it will be important for Trevor Plouffe to rebound.
  
• It sounds like the Dodgers asked the Twins about Justin Morneau before moving on to their mega-deal with the Red Sox.
  
• Here are some highlights from FSN's coverage of MLB announcing the 2014 All-Star Game in Minnesota.
  
• Joe Mauer set the franchise record for games caught by passing Earl Battey, one of the best players in team history.
  
• This behind the back play by Mauer is pretty sweet to see.
  
• With the season being very dark, there are some beacons of light for the Twins.
  
• In their 52nd year in Minnesota, the team is now official under .500 since coming to the Twin Cities.
  
• How far are the 2013 Twins from contention?
  
• Kyle Gibson is back in the rotation for Rochester which makes him one step away from the big leagues again.
  
• Gibson is also one of six players that will compete in the Arizona Fall League as representative from the Twins organization.
  
• There were multiple players from the New Britain Rock Cats named to the Eastern League All-Star Team for the end of the season.
  
• The lone GCL Twin to be named the their post season All-Star list was Jeremias Pineda.
  
• ESPN's Keith Law went to Beloit to see Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario and the rest of the Snappers.
  
• Former Twins outfielder Lew Ford hit his first home run at the big league level since 2007 (see Video of the Week). I loved this shot of him rounding third with a smiling coming across his face.
  

• Poor Liam Hendriks indeed...
  
• Scott Diamond threw at Josh Hamilton and got in trouble for it so maybe he needs the ethics of throwing at hitters.
  
• For the second year in a row, the Twins will look to avoid 100 losses by the end of September.
  
• Adam Greenberg was hit in the head during his only MLB at-bat and he is campaigning for another shot at the big league level.
  
• Hank Aaron joined many other former sluggers saying PED punishments are not enough.
  
• Baseball might need to start thinking about getting collisions at home plate out of the game.
  
• Enjoy this week's edition of Mike Trout is amazing.
  
• Chipper Jones has gotten quite the wide collection of gifts as he makes his final stops in some NL cities.
  
• There are some bad things going on with the Rockies and their rotation plan is not the greatest.
  
• This song is going to get really old in the postseason.
  

My Weekly Rundown

• Monday: What will the Twins do with Justin Morneau?
  
• Tuesday: Handling of young pitchers has changed
  
• Tuesday's Trip through the Minors
  
• Wednesday: If Joe Mauer was traded, where could he go?
  

Video of the Week: Lew Ford hit his first home run since 2007 earlier this week. It was also great that it came off of Francisco Liriano. Ford would go on to hit another home run later in the week so he is on quite the nice run for the Orioles as they try to stay in the playoff hunt in the American League.