Squirrel

They could 'play and talk' ... but that would take an agreement with players to do so. My guess is the players would then strike ... ?‍♀️

1. Then why do California teams seem to have no problems attracting people? 2. Maybe. It might matter if there is a 'tie' in other things, but I do not think it's a primary consideration, and I don't think any worse than some other places. 3. yes, this could be a factor, but again, I don't think it's primary 4. Eh, big city problems? And no other cities have this difficulty? Sorry, but I'm not sure of this in terms of being a major factor

?

But we’re not playing outdoor baseball then, either. Okay, maybe the last of March. But I prefer the summer weather here to some other locations

Yeah, the request for mediation was bogus, knowing it would be turned down.

The minor leaguers, too ... those are really fun games to watch, especially the low minors

And my guess is the owners know it will be denied, which is why they asked for it.

I'm not so sure it will be the players to feel the pinch first. They've been preparing for this for some time. They knew it was going to be a lockout or a strike. They've known it since 2020, when trying to negotiate the partial season. They may have known it earlier than that. I'm fairly certain that they have accumulated a 'war chest', so to speak. It won't be the money where they feel the pinch. It will be in not playing that will be the most difficult. When I was last involved with a work stoppage, it lasted 7 weeks. We were told 18 months ahead of time, 'This one is going to be difficult so start saving.' Between what I'd saved and funds from the union, I could have lasted a year. It wouldn't surprise me that every player involved prepared for this. I think both sides could be stubborn enough, and financially able enough, to hold out an entire season. But the hardest part for the players won't be the money. The pinch they will feel is in the not playing.

Watching the minor leaguers drill and play doesn't cost anything. Parking is charged only when there are games happening at the stadium. I've often headed over to the complex when the Twins ST game is elsewhere. No cost to do that. But, the question is, when do the minors officially begin their ST. Haven't checked that yet

Why? The minor leaguers ... those not on the 40-man will still be there. That's a big part of why I go to ST ... to walk down to those fields and spend time watching quite a bit. But yeah ... the other ...

While it has the potential to be disastrous, I definitely agree, it also has the potential to be surprising and hopeful. I'm not counting on it, but I'm not completely counting it out, either. I think you will see Ober and Ryan go a little deeper being a year further out from some of these guys not pitching at all (in 2020). While Ober was limited to 2, 3 or 4 innings last year, I think he will be pushed a little further. Ryan, too. In today's game (not just the Twins, it's all of baseball), starters just don't pitch that deep anymore. If we can get either of these guys to 5 or 6, I think that's good. (But yeah, may see only 4 at the start of the season. If there is a season.)

Raspberries are probably my favorite ... could just eat vanilla with fresh raspberries and I'd be happy. I have bp/banana smoothies often for breakfast in the summer ... very good ... but bananas on their own as an ice cream topping doesn't work for me ... has to have other things ... chocolate, pb, or caramel/butterscotch, nuts, whipped cream ... yeah ... all that

From my experience of being in complicated labor negotiations, it all depends on the willingness of both parties. Long, productive negotiating sessions can bring about a resolution rather quickly. (Rather quickly means within a couple days.) It just depends on the willingness to compromise ... and both sides need to compromise, this isn't the fault of just one side. If they are making progress, and hopeful a resolution can be reached, I hope the owners will end the lockout so players can get a jump on getting back to work. That would go a long way in signaling good faith. But, that would depend on the perceived progress from either side's pov

It would help if you supplied the link.

Wasn't an age-based FA already nixed? Thought I read that somewhere ... could be wrong. But yeah ... age-based makes the most sense

Lol ... that was hilariously so accurate a description

Ftfy

No way. then you'd have a Hall of all Yankees and Red Sox players and no one else. Let the players vote who should/shouldn't go in

Well, one can always have hope. But there is also a lot of cynicism when it comes to the MLB and their decision making.

You know ... sometimes a little amaretto is nice

yes

It is if she uses it to make a yummy butterscotch sauce

Despite all that 'yes' business above, I chose pitching. Not because of the scarcity, although, there's always that, but the question was 'most intrigued by'. The upcoming group of pitchers, whether near or far, are intriguing. Some of the names out there, and after reading Seth's pitching prospect articles, I just have to say ... it is the most intriguing for me in that ... dare I say it and be dashed? ... they make me a little itchy with hopefulness. Right, I know, many won't 'pan out' despite their early promise, but we have more than we've had in a long time of hopeful pitching. Doesn't help us right now ... but it is, nonetheless, the most intriguing group of Twins hopefuls, imo. Oh ... and just so y'all are clear ... the butterscotch vs caramel debate? I always have both on hand for ice cream. As long as both are of good quality, they are both good to have on hand. And for those that don't know the difference between the two ... yes, there is a difference, but there is a similarity, too ... here you go ... but ... butter will always win out. "With enough butter, anything is good." - Julia Child

I have never been a fan of Polanco at SS. I'd been advocating for years to move him to 2nd, and, frankly, am surprised it took as long as it did. He is not a SS solution. Of course, the SS I wanted years ago is now with another team. So it goes, always. There are still other options than this. I'm not sure what will happen, but if it's this, ugh, is all I can say.

It doesn’t demonstrate anything if the offer was so far from being a good faith offer showing no real willingness to take steps toward compromise, Seriously,, the offer made was a PR move to say they’ve made an offer but the intent was not an offer to get talks started but to get rejected so ownership could say they tried and the players didn’t. (And as I’ve said many times, BOTH sides need to compromise or nothing will get done. Hard line stances in bargaining go nowhere, and that a good contract usually means neither side is happy in the end but can live with it.) And no, I’m not suggesting the players would be more willing if the owners ended the lockout, but a lockout is an ownership tactic/attempt in defensive strongarming. No one wants to blink right now so no one is showing any willingness here. But, as I said initially, if both sides were willing, this could be over tomorrow and work could start up the following day.