Minnesota Twins

MINNEAPOLIS --The Twins had no shortage of players who were worthy of being protected from next month's Rule 5 Draft. So on Friday -- the deadline for clubs to set their 40-man roster -- the Twins had to remove one player from the roster to make enough room for all their additions. The Twins filled up their 40-man roster by protecting six players -- infielders Danny Valencia and Estarlin De Los Santos and right-handers Deolis Guerra, Alex Burnett, Loek Van Mil and Rob Delaney -- in preparation for the Dec. 10 Draft that will take place at the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis.  

This is part of an MLB.com/Marlins.com exclusive series with Marlins president David Samson chronicling the progress and developments of the new retractable-roof stadium that is scheduled to open in 2012. Throughout the series, which will run weekly in the offseason, fans are encouraged to e-mail Samson at D.Samson@Marlins.com with their thoughts. MIAMI -- On April 12, the Twins will play host to the Red Sox in the inaugural game at Target Field, Minnesota's new 40,000-seat ballpark.

We'll go to Minnesota on Opening Day and see how they do, being the last new ballpark to open before ours   -David Samson

 

7. The Latest Speculation on Holliday, Lackey, Bay, Figgins, Damon, Beltre, and More.. 8. 9.

Nothing will happen by day's end, but we'll keep talking   -Joe Urbon

 

The BBWAA has pleasantly surprised me this week by electing deserving winners for both league's Cy Young Awards, uncharacteristically looking past relatively unimpressive win totals and awarding Zack Greinke and Tim Lincecum for their fantastic bodies of work in the '09 season. Greinke, who had a historically great season, was the clear-cut class of the AL this year, and any concerns that the voters would lean toward the gaudier win totals of less deserving candidates like Felix Hernandez, Justin ...  

Yankton Sertoma Youth Baseball recently received a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Twins to continue making improvements to the north fields at Sertoma Park. The organization had applied for the grant previously, but the Twins looked at other organizations first. The money was granted after Harry Redman and Planning and Development District III stepped in to write the grant. "We're really happy to get this," said Gary Pigney, the organization's president of baseball operations.  

The contract extension for Vikings coach Brad Childress, which had been expected for weeks, would seem to improve chances of a return next season of quarterback Brett Favre, who was lured to Minnesota in good part by Childress and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Asked this week whether Childress feels Favre, 40, will return next season, the coach said, "don't know," adding he "wouldn't even venture" a guess. Meanwhile, Childress' extension also would seem to indicate that Vikings owner ...

There are no areas where fans can interfere with home runs   -Tim Tschida

 

How much money the Mets intend to lavish on free agents to fill their many needs is unclear. What is clear is that the Mets, during a dreadful season and increased criticism of their minor league system, spent less money on the 2009 draft than any other team in baseball, according to figures compiled by Baseball America. The Mets divvied $3,134,300 among their 35 signed picks, more than 50 percent less than their 2008 outlay, when they had two first-round selections and a first-round supplemental pick.

With a brand-new ballpark and a television network, the Mets’ revenues are probably among the top five clubs in baseball   -Jim Callis

 

We live our lives surrounded by unknowns. There are more unknowns than all the grains of sand in all the beaches of the world. Unknowns range from life after death to what's for supper?  

The free-agent market will officially be open for business at 11 p.m. CT Thursday and with it comes the opportunity for the Twins to begin exploring the market for ways to improve their club for another run at the postseason. Free agents then will be eligible to start signing with any of the 30 Major League clubs. But while the Twins are not expected to secure deals with any of their own five free agents before the exclusive 15-day negotiating window expires, there is still the possibility that at least one of those players could return to the club.

We expressed our interest and he has interest   -Bill Smith