A pitcher named Silva

The Twins apparently have a new Venezuelan pitcher named Silva — not Carlos, who signed a minor league deal earlier this month with the Red Sox, but a 16-year-old named Mauricio, who has signed with Minnesota for $370,000.

According to Baseball America, the young right-hander

pitches in the low 90s and has topped out at 93 mph with heavy sink. He also flashes a power curveball in the high 70s with occasional hard bite. His changeup gets mixed reviews, but he shows a feel for the pitch with some deception.

All of which is well and good, but the key thing to remember right now is: He's 16 years old. Which means he's a long time away from Target Field.

One thing we can take away from this: The Twins have cut back on their presence in Venezuela, but they haven't abandoned it. As they continue to expand their efforts to find international talent, that's a definite plus.

---

Bud Selig had said, repeatedly, that his current term as commissioner was it, that he was going to retire.

On Friday he was given, and accepted, a new two-year contract.

We may never be rid of him.