So, what is the chance of the Twins going to arbitration with Slowey, or just letting him walk. Here they sit, able to offer him 20% less than his 2011 salary, but chances are Slowey and his agent would file for considerably more. Yet a 20% cut would definitely be much more than he would ever, at this point, get on the "free agent" market, where a team would not be obligated to go to arbitration or even offer him much more than, say, $750,000, and possibly a major/minor split. Or course, he may be worth mroe to someone who realizes he is a great 5-inning pitcher, who can't pitch out of the bullpen. Unbelievable that the Twins have wasted 8 starts on the guy, giving him every chance to come back and win a spot in the rotation. But the Twins are sometimes good that way, aren't they. Hell, why throw Butera and Rivera out there everyday in September. Let's bring up Lehmann, or even Rams, and let them stink up the backstop -- but they can use the "we are rookies" excuse -- shades of nepotism, why not Toby Gardenhire for a month of major league stardom. Dad and mom would be happy, and us fans would've oevrlooked the supposed need for a third catcher (put Mauer on the 60-day) for the last month of the season. But here's the gem of the sport of baseball. Who on the Twins roster is deserving of any sort of major raise, let alone a modest salary increase. All the pitchers that suck above 4.50 ERA, all the guys who couldn't bat .250. Not to mention the many who worked a 24-hour week and cuased the costs of the whole team's medical premieums to skyrocket -- hummm, how does that work for baseball players...would love to see the Twins hospital insurance bill! Which brings us abck to Slowey...doesn't he owe the Twins and the fans at least anotehr season. Hey, how about Francisco, and Nathan and anyone else who collected disabled list monies for half-time work. If I called in sick that much to my job...I'd be flippin' burgers at White Castle!

I have my checkbook out, my pen is poised, and how much do I fill-in-the-blank and to whom do I send the check for Central Division Playoff Tickets for 2011.

Should I put in a vacation request to get the World Series days off from work?

I'm looking forward to a great post-season in the wonderful outdoors! Maybe it won't snow!

So many questions unanswered for the Minnesota Twins baseball fanatic!

Some news from WINGS THINGS, the Rochester Red Wings blog:

The Twins signed pitchers Andy Baldwin out of the Phillies organization, and Chuck James out of the Braves system. They also signed Rene Rivera, who had catching experience with the Seattle Mariners, as well as Giants AAA-catcher Steve Holm. Matt Brown, who was with the Angels at one time, is a corner infielder/OF. They also signed Ray Chang, a third baseman, as well as Michael Hollimon, a ultility infielder, who they originally drafted in 2003 but didn't sign.

Looks like a solid core of AAA guys tp fill out the Rochester roster as more Twins prospects percolate at New Britain!

I'm sure Roger will have more details on ALL the signings over the weekend!

When Glen was sent down to Rochester at the beginning of the season, someone mentioned that if he stayed in the minors for more than 20 days, his next arrival to the majors would mean that he would have to stay with the Twins for the season, or be offered thru waivers, and probably claimed by another team.

Well, the Twins had Condrey go down. It gave Pat Neshek a chance to come north and start the season with the team. Burnett also made the roster, but was quickly repalced by the veteran Mahay when he showed some quickness in getting ready to pitch again and draw the major llague salary.

Then Mijares goes down, and maybe he should've gone down to get into shape earlier, but now that he is injured he can collect his major league salary for a couple of weeks while nursing a sore arm. The Twin brought back Burnett.

But is Neshek ready to stay? Should he be disabled? WIll he be disabled? Who will replace him? (On a personal note, I'm the biggest Pat Neshek fan in the world, but do wonder if it would've been better to allow him to get all the kinks out of his system by spending a month or so at Rochester, or even Ft. Myers pitching in the sun).

And now Blackburn is...lame, so to speak. Hopefully just pushing back his start (with a couple of open dates in the next few weeks, always a nice thing).

But looks like the Twins are trying very hard to find a place for Perkins in the majors. Swarzak is out with a broken ankle. Manship is always a possibility. You have Van Mil, also disabled. Delaney is the other guy on the 40-man. So suddenly the pickin's start to look slim.

Of course if Blackburn has to be repalced in the rotation, I would hope Duensing gets the call and...Perkins...would work long relief.

But seems to me it would be the opportunity the Twins need, right now, to bring up Perkins to be the long-guy out of the bullpen, and by doing it today, or tomorrow, they could still send him back out on options...or, so I'm led to believe.

The Twins are about to clean-up in the fan-related merchandize marketplace. Not only do they have a new stadium, introduced different uniforms for 2010, but.....

The open-aired stadium.

Go to the Twins site and you can see a Twins-logoed stocking cap. Yes, they have existed, but now you TRULY NEED one for the games. Not to mention Twins cold-weather gear, gloves and mitts, scarfs, and the sale of Twins-logoed blankets...well, snuggies watch out!

Then the rains will come. Time to get Twins umbrellas, ponchos and rain coats. Yes, again, things like this have been available in the past, but now EVERYONE will need one. Sure, you can't put the umbrella up in the stadium, even with the new super seats, but how about those little umbrella hats!

Whew!

Seat cushions? A plus, especially if you don't trust the powers-that-be to clean off your seat after a snow or rain. Maybe the Twins will have mini-towels for sale to wipe the palce you put your butt. Man, talk about a revenue stream.

And then we get the summer. I'm sure we'll see more sports bras, muscle shirts (I'm getting ready to wear one), not to mention shorts of all varieties. This is outdoor beach baseball. Fun in the sun. Visors will be a biggie. Squirt-bottles (with the Twins logo).

But also lots of shirtless guys...some buff, some hairy, most all sweaty. Towel sales should go good...maybe Twins seat covers for the partial season-ticket holders?

Twins socks, Twins boots, Twins flip-flops.

Plus palce a # on anything...boom! #7 royalties will hit new highs!

The Twins may have to double-the-size of their pro-shops to hold all the merchandise!

A lot will be one-time sales for awhile (unless the stuff is cheaply made). But Year One apparel sales will be huge in Minnesota Twins land.

Sungalsses, anyone?

Milton Bradley.

Wow. Let's trade one overpaid nice guy who can't get anyone out for an overpaid guy who thinks he shouldn't be on the outs.

The Cubs got some cash back on the deal (Silva still has $24 million coming after two of the most highly disasterous seasons a veteran starter ahs ever posted in the history of baseball)
.

Maybe Carlos will find his sinker and the Cubs will field the grounders...but a lot of $$$ for a back-of-the-order starter. Of course, trading one deadweight for another ultimately works out in the end.

Still can't believe that Carlos managed to pull a $48 million contract out of Seattle. And he doesn't have to give any of it back.

And now rumor ahs it Seattle will trade Morrow for a first baseman. Cuddyer, perhaps...........

Humm...could we have gotten Carlos back for Young, along with some cash?

What a team will do to get rid of somneone like Milton Bradley...and amazed that he keeps finding work and a high-end paycheck!

The Minnesota Twins are moving...but not in the way many of us hot-stovers, sitting on the edge of our seats, wish they should -- making a totally exciting and deep-into-playoff  team to win games.

But maybe being anxious is the fault of the fan. As the trucks pull up to the Metrodome, loaded with the bats and balls and compters and office boards full of player names...we can only wait until the holiday season passes and the real action happens in Twinsville -- like getting a second or third baseman, fortifying the bench, and maybe -- just maybe -- exploring another arm for the rotation.

We have seen the delightful commercial and can only imagine during the cold winter Joe Nathan sitting in the bullpen waiting for the season to begin and Denard Span in centerfield throwing snowballs to keep his arm in shape while Tom Kelly reclines in a heated alcove overlooking the field while checking our racing cards via the internet for his Florida ponies.

But I dream of the Twins leaving somethings behind, unearthed, perhaps, for that last Metrodome event -- Twinsfest.

Suddenly discovering, perchance, that Little Nicky Punto was accidently locked in some players valuable locker at the end of the season and the Twins now do need a second baseman, or a cheaper utility infielder.

Opening the freezer and discovering that Francisco Liriano's iced arm is still wrapped in there next to popcicles.

Discovering that Delmon Young's personal bats were actually used to make a pallet which holds the monstrosity that used to be the Metrodome pitcher's mound.

And the problems of the new Target field. Like the lockeroom only having stalls for five starting pitchers and the Twins have eight that want a space.

That Mike Redmond has made the new swimming pool his future summer home rather than look for a job with another team.

The new train from the burbs brings in lots of fans, but refuses to take them home at night and the field becomes a tent city.

Fans have decided to pull up chairs in the upper level offices of the IDS center for a view of the game, rather than pay those prices for third (or is it fourth) tier seats.

The players discover during opening week that they get snowed on, but the fans remain dry and warm in their new Twins jerseys.

And a ball is hit to centerfield and Carlos Gomez is no where to be seen and it drops in for a hit!

You remember Brad Thomas, don't you. One of those lefty prospects, a pitcher the Twins dug out of the Australian outback.

Parts of three seasons, 11 games, 23+ innings. Walked 18, struck out 8 to go with 33 hits and a lifetime 9.89 ERA.

Been pitching for the Red Sox minors, spent a couple of years in Japan, got a shot with the Mariners AAA in '07, then retreated to Korea.

But, he's a lefty.

Everyone that needs his autograph on a Twins card, send to Detroit spring training...early.

But it doesn't end, yet. Luis Ayala, the guy who wanted to be setup, who dreamed of closing, is taking a ride with the Dodgers in spring training, after his parting with the Twins in mid-2009 and his walkout from the Marlins later in the season.

Anyone hear if Sidney Ponson has found a job for 2010 yet?

One of the key players in the Minnesota Twins trade of Johan Santana has signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.

Humber had multiple shots with the Twins the past two seasons, ending up with a combined 6.10 ERA in 20.2 innings, walking nearly as many (14) as he struck out (15) do go with 28 hits allowed.

He will get an invite to spring training. A combined 17-17 in two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings, mainly as a starter, Humber joins fellow pitcher Kevin Mulvey and outfielder Carlos Gomez as the third now former Twinsr of the 4-players received in this trade from two-seasons ago.

Happily, the Twins may have J.J. Hardy and Jon Rauch producing better for the club in the next season and giving the Twins back some worth!

Those pesky Indians never fail to impress. Not only do they sign Brian Buscher as a minor league free agent, they also add Luis Rodriguez, fresh off a couple of split seasons between AAA/Padres. Now they just need to bring back Luis Rivas and look at that infield!

This from the team that also gave a shot to Jason Tyner!

Michael Restovich, Cleveland is calling you, too!

Seriously, kudos to Buscher and may you get many at bats in Cleveland!

On Friday, the Minnesota Twins will join ALL otehr teams in announcing their 40-man rosters, players protected for immediate play, and a handful that appear to be good bets to make the team in a season or two.

Then teams will then look at arbitration eligible players and decide who to keep or cut loose, cutting loose many who may be overpricing themselves for services needed (i.e., we all remember David Oritz in Minnesota, going because the team didn't think he wsa worth $1.2 million or more and the chances of getting him cut to $800,000 or so wasn't a reality...instead, he went elsewhere and signed for what the Twins wished they could've signed him for...but union rules and regulations forbid it).

So, two new groups of players will enter the fold now made up of free agents and players cut as recent as the end of World Series, plus all those minor-league six-year guys. Baseball America recently released a list of some 500 guys eligible for filling minor league rosters...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=6994

Looking over the list, do any names standout to Twinkie Town folks as people the Twins should go after to fill Rochester and, maybe, New Britain ranks?

Teams will have an opportunity to pluck a body or two in the Rule 5 draft, the sticker is that the player needs to remain on the choosing team all year or go back. I don't really picture the Twins getting hit hard in the major league portion of the draft, but feel they may lose some promising folks in the minor league portion.

November 20th thru the General Managers meeting in early December will be another hot Hot Stove League time. I'm glad Twinkie Town is here for all the news, rumors and analysis!

I anxiously wait to see who each team jettisons, or which players declare free agency.

I can't wait to see the list of minor league free agents. Anyone from the Twins Rochester roster returning?

The talk can begin about trades and such, but somewhat stilled as teams wait to see who will gain arbitration or free agency, too...which is round #2 of the free agent madness.

Contracts, who wins and who losses.

Plus, it is Awards time? Joe Mauer MVP? Who gets the gold gloves.

It's not too early to plan for spring training and 2010, baseball as it should be played in Minnesota, outdoors amongst the snow, rain and smoke from the garbage garage!

Someone, somewhere is wondering what the f....devil!

1st and 3rd with no outs, a dream.

But, of course, bases-full and no outs proved fruitless the game before.

I understand enthusiasm. But......

So, the Twins season ahs ended...some 50,000 short of 50 million fans viewing major league baseball in the Metrodome. Whew. So close, so far away.

Next October, we can sit, wet and cold, watching the Twins do a repeat of this season, I hope, making a playoff run in September that doesn't need to energize the fanbase or keep the stands full...think this seasons finale run of wins vs. losses will carryover just fine.

No more beer. No mroe peanuts. Go Vikings!

The Minnesota Twins are fielding quite a crop of players for the annual Fall Instructional League, with games played between September 22 and October 16th,

Staff coordinators Joel Lepel, Eric Rasmussen and Bill Springman, along with manager Jake Mauer, pitching coach Gary Lucas and coaches Jeff Smith, Jim Dwyer, Jose Marzan, Chris Heintz and Tommy Watkins (!) put top prospects thru their paces.

Not all up-and-coming prospects participate in the Florida series. Some return to their South American winter  homes, while others play in their native lands, the various World squads, Hawaii or the top prospects go to the Arizona Fall League.

Down in Florida for the Fall are:

Catchers - Chris Hermann, Buddy Monroe, Danny Rams, Tobias Streitch and Nick Tindall.

Infielders include: Hyung-Rok Choi, Michael Gonzalez, Nick Lockwood, Derek McCallum, Rory Rhodes, Nick Romero, Daniel Santana, Yangervis Solarte, Kennys Vargas, Reggie Williams.

Outfielders are: Oswaldo Arcia, Joe Benson, Aaron Hciks, Max Kepler, Steve Liddle, Wang-Wei Lin, Angel Morales, Daniel Ortiz, Ramon Santana and Adan Severino.

Pitchers throwing are: Michael Allen, Boof Bonser, Billy Bullock, Tony Davis, Kyle Gibson, BJ Hermsen, Kane Holbrooks, Peter Kennelly, Brian Kirwin, Andrey Lobanov, Bruce Pugh, Adrian Salcedo, Zach See, Michael Soliman, Brad Stillings, Joe Testa, Matt Tone, Michael Tonkin, Dakota Watts and Blayne Weller.

Swarzak sent back to make a start or two before the Rochester season ends.

Armando Gabino, added to the 40-man this past winter, gets the latest call and will start on Tuesday for the Twins.

He'll celebrate his 26th birthday on August 31st.

His 7th year in baseball, he was signed as a minor league Rule 5 draftee in 2004 and pitched for Elizabethton in 2005-06, Beloit in 2006-07, plus stints at Ft. Myers and New Brit before settling in with New Brit in 2008. Largely a long-relief guy, he recently entered the starting rotation at Rochester, coming off a great last start. Not a lot of hits, not alot of K's. But so far is 5-3 with a 2.83 ERA and holding hitters to a .217 average.

We'll see him start on Tuesday against the Orioles!

How many is too much!

If you call them up, do they play or just sit on the bench?

Pitching. The Twins have Gabino as the sole survivor 40-man hand who hasn't come to the majors. One would hope they call him up, just to get a decent look at the fellow. Now, the problems. R.A. Dickey. Horrible in his first couple of bouts with the Red Wings. Does he derserve a come-back, or a long winter of job searching? Do you look at Sean Henn (a lefty) again? Is it time to promote Delaney and Slama, or will the Twins pull the wait-and-see you in spring training. Juan Morillo, I see, getting a call...just because he can walk if the Twins don't see a use for him in 2010, and if he can't produce NOW, he won't be 40-manned during the winter.

Catching. Jose Morales is a given. Do you bring up WIlson Ramos to give him a bite. How about Drew Butera. Do you give him the token Ryan Jorgenson two at-bats as a tribute to dad, Sal. I doubt Drew will be back in 2010 as Jeff Christy can fill his role at AAA. With the amount of warming up going on in the pen, maybe the Twins need 2-3 extra catchers out there.

Outfield. Jason Pridie. For someone the Twins Rule 5ived, and had high hopes of being a main backup after the trade with Tampa Bay, does he fit long range? Do the Twins add Dustin Martin instead? Do they dip further and look at Brandon Roberts or Rene Tosoni? Do they actually need a sixth outfielder on any roster?

Infield. Ah, the questions. Bring back Buscher (for what) and/or Valencia. You need to look at Valencia, hard, if you won't re-sign Crede. Then you could still decide about Buscher during the offseason. Matt Tolbert returns? And do you give him AND Steve Tolleson a chance to come off the bench. Trevor Plouffe. Does he need to see major league pitching for 10 at-bats, get the desire to make the Show, and work harder, yet again, in his upcoming third season of AAA ball in 2010? Where does Luke Hughes fit into the picture? I'll be disappointd if the Twins bring up Tolbert and Buscher and no one else. I would rather see them NOT bring up that pair and concentrate on people who MIGHT contribute in 2010. I would like to see Brock Peterson get some bench shots, but not at the expense of removing anyone from the 40-man, unless the Twins would truly part ways with Buscher, Tolbert or Hughes now.

So September. Twins add two pitchers, one catcher, one outfielder, and probably only two infielders. Six guys...which can be a lot. Why not add 10, though. Yes, more major league salary, more rooms on the road, more meal money spent. But, hey, think about 2010, too. And 2010 shouldn't include names like Buscher, Tolbert, Pridie, Dickey, Butera, Hughes...who will join Keppel as 40-man fodder, as well as free agents Crede, Redmond, Cabrera and Pavano as former Twins.

Marte was cut by the Indians. Remember when he was a top Braves prospect and the Twins were salivating over him as a potential third-baseman of the future?

What happened to Marte? Anyone know?

Sadly, if the Twins claimed him, they would basically have to swap out Macri and if the Twins couldn't keep him, he would go thru waivers again. So, he would be a bubble guy who would have to out-play Harris or Buscher to significantly have a chance with the Twins...who would then have to cut a Buscher or Harris to make room for him on the 25-man.

Twins cleared another ropster spot (now have two) but releasing Randy Ruiz, the longtime minor league slugger who got his first taste of big-league ball after more than a decade in the minors. Primarily a designated hitter, he COULD play first or the outfield. There's doubts the Twins will offer him a Rochester contract, as he did show some life and will probably attempt to pursue opportunities elsewhere, although his bat and experience could be beneficial to a Rochester Red Wing roster that will be full of past AA players and longer-term prospects.

So, are the Twins clearing a spot for Casey Blake AND a possibility Rule 5 pick (a end of the bullpen prospect, perhaps, letting Miajres get a bit mroe exposure at AAA ball and having a longer bout to look for a return from Boof or Humber?).

So loong, Randy! Gald you got a shot at big-league ball with the Twinkies!

Well, a surprise, surprise.

Jose Mijares, pitching 10 games this season, is the lefty promoted to the big leagues. Yes, he's on the 40-man roster. I think the Twins need to make a decision on him next season to see if he is good enough to keep around. Be interesting to see.

Otherwise, the team called up Bobby Korecky and Philip Humber, as expected.

Matt Tolbert returns from the disabled list.

Matt Macri and Jason Pridie come up for the bench.

(Damn, a bunt and error and the Twins lose!)

The other surprise is Ryan Jorgensen, who has to be added to the 40-man roster, as the third cartcher. He's a vet. Originally thought the 29-year-old was also injured. Expect that he won't hang around as the Twins will just protect (again) three catchers on the 40-man come late fall.

Be interesting to see what happens to vets like Julio DePaula, Oswaldo Sosa, Sergio Santos when 40-man rosters are set after post-season play.

Almost thought Brian Duensing would get a call as he is aging, the Twins could look at him above and beyond work in spring training. But not to be in 2008.

Garrett Jones proved to be a hard hitter at Rochester Friday night, banging a ball off Cuddyer's ankle/foot and breaking it. So, no return of Cuddyer next week to the outfield of the Minnesota Twins, and maybe he'll be out for the season.

So, not good news for the Twins and the need for a right-handed bat to follow Morneau.

Or a great throwing arm that can at least hit home plate from right/center.

Good news for Span and Gomez. And Randy Ruiz.