Monkeypaws

That Latroy Hawkins in the booth? Like what I hear so far after just tuning in.

Perhaps they were confused and thought he was a Mason, rather than named Mason https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddM7kJ9xQfA

Watching Bert talk pitching and grips with Strasburg, Sale. Pretty interesting actually.

I thought that as well the other day - found his twitter, which made me feel better: Can't post a damn twitter, so he said: "Such an unbelievable feeling right now, a dream come true, thank you to the @Twins for this amazing opportunity! #Twins @MLB."

Has HAD 2 - 'member the Expos?

Absolutely goddamn right. Canada has had 2 teams, Latin America should get a try.

I'd phrase that as neither - nor. Let these young guys gain experience, let key prospects mature, and avoid underselling Santana and Dozier; also, avoid stupid Capps, Jespen deals. This team needs time to grow some depth before they become buyers, and keep good players to avoid constant rebuild mode. Above .500 would be a great step in this team's development.

My plan would not be losing Matt Dumba - unique skill-set among Wild defenders, can play tough and hit, growing offensive prowess, great skater. Yeah, he has his brain farts on occasion, but so did all Wild d-men I watched last season. So did another former Wild draftee likely to win the Norris this year, Brent Burns. Like Brodin, but Dumba's ceiling is off the charts. Fletcher is starting to circle the bowl for me. To aggresive at the trade deadline always, not keeping the picks that would be gold at this point. He's very lucky his scouts drafted well with little the last few seasons.

Chattanooga - Twins has been a very good combo.

Well, the best news is the Twins need not blindly fear players represented by Boras in the future. Happy record-setting transaction for everybody.

Was there not an article somewhere, here or STrib, that told of all the work he put in on the offseason to get his fielding up to par? Grossman as an average OF is an asset to be sure.

There are a lot of MLB draft millionaires out there who never played a single game in the Major Leagues. NHL has a much better system with the Entry Level Contract, <1 million per for 3 years, no negotiations. The bonuses in MLB are absurd/obscene.

Was just looking at the size of the bonus pools for the Al Central: Minnesota has 14.1 million. Cleveland - 3.8 Chicago - 7.9 Detroit - 6.5 Kansas City - 8 Had no idea there was that much divergence. St. Louis has a mere 2.1 million, about what the Twins 3rd rounder will get. It will be interesting to see if this leads to some sort of competitive balance down the road.

1st place in mid-June: signs that it is sustainable. I like it. Please tho Levine, no Capps, Jespen deals. Try our system. Can't be any worse.

I think some folks' opinion of this draft depends a lot on who's opinion they are holding to, especially since most of us have seen very few of these guys in action. If you think Keith Law is the guru, then you probably think the Twins whiffed. Baseball America followers have much more to be excited about. MLB followers are probably middle of the road. Sickels, Fangraphs...I see these names and opinions all over the place. I'm guessing the Twins had access to much more detailed information about these guys on and off the field than you would get from any top 100 list pushed on the internet. Their strategy of mixing high-end signability at a savings with HS top talent seems pretty spot on to me so far. This is what I would do with the largest pool. Still some nice talent on the board tomorrow as well.

Hear hear Nick. I do think the bat will come around, as well as the Gold Gloves. His range is just nuts, and he almost always reels in what he chases after. Just fearless out there: Bill Brown69 sums up my fears for his health quite well .

That is probably exactly what they are doing, according to their list at least.

Prepared to be disappointed

This franchise needs a jolt - give it to us Falvine.

I dunno, Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Cuddyer...all were traded or let go because money was an issue. Even Ortiz was let go to avoid arbitration and the inevitable raise it would have brought.

Wouldn't it be nice to have some high end guys waiting in the wings if that core is broken? Sustainability. Baseball is rarely about drafting for present needs. BTW, wasn't Target Field built so the Twins could keep their best players?

Mike, I couldn't disagree more. Rebuilding, sellinig high, that is the philosophy of a losing team. Winnng teams keep their best players, then eat costs if a player goes south before the contract is over, or they let em go via FA. Santana is exceeding the value of his contract - as is Sano, even Dozier. Trading Santana = another losing season. Why even bother signing the guy if it just to flip him for more porspects? I thought Mike Wanted Wins

Right on - right near ther gaslight district. SD is a fantastic place, especially to a beer ond ocean lover.

Fenway - watched a lot of ball there, really out of this world. Camden - it started the trend, and I got to tour the park w/o baseball, and it is timeless. Excellent conception of a ballpark. We already talked ATT, and PNC, just top notch. Target, not too shabby. Been to Wrigley a bunch, and like it less each time I go. Comiskey was a favorite. SD has a fine park too that I toured but never saw a game.

It featured in one of the Dirty Harry movies, and the mayor got kidnapped after leaving the game. Ranks up there with Keezar Stadium....