I had pretty much forgotten that we were still waiting for whatever sanction Commissioner Rob Manfred was going to drop on the St. Louis Cardinals for hacking into the Houston Astros data base of scouting reports, evaluations and draft planning.
The federal court last week unsealed much of the information from the criminal case against Christopher Correa, the former Cardinals scouting director who did the hacking. And with that information in hand, Manfred finally acted Monday.
The punishment levied on the organization is noteworthy but not overwhelming. The Cardinals lose their top two remaining picks in the 2017 draft (second round, 56th overall, and a compensation second rounder, 75th overall), and they've been ordered to pay the Astros $2 million. which ,,, well, that's a lot to you and me, but not enough to pay a veteran relief pitcher.
As one of the Baseball America scribes said on Twitter, the Red Sox got slapped harder by Manfred for playing fast and loose with the rules regarding international bonuses.
Which brings to mind a concern I voiced early on in this scandal: The St. Louis owners were very much in Manfred's corner when he was chosen to follow Bud Selig as commissioner. The Red Sox ownership was the most obvious opponent. Manfred's actions carry the possibility of being influenced by internal politics.
Certainly the punishment levied on the Cardinals is not so stout as to give a corrupt front office the willies. But the fact that Correa is serving 46 months in a federal prison might. (Correa is permanantly banned from working in baseball.)
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017
Contemplating Glen Perkins
Two concepts that seem difficult for some to hold simultaneously:
Obviously, we'll see in the coming weeks if those last two sentences remain true as more is scheduled.
- Glen Perkins' rehab from his shoulder surgery is proceeding as scheduled, with no setbacks;
- Glen Perkins may open the 2017 season on the disabled list.
The word out of TwinsFest during the weekend: Perkins,who has spent much of January in Fort Myers, is throwing balls 120 feet at about 75 percent effort. He has not thrown off a mound yet, but expects to do so before training camp officially opens.
Perkins, via the Pioneer Press's Mike Berardino: “It’s going to be down to the finish line at the end of spring training whether I’m ready or not.” And: "I’ve been able to check every box. Every day, whatever was scheduled that day, I’ve been able to do.”
I've said this before: The Twins should not be expecting the All-Star Perkins this year. Indeed, if last summer's surgery involved reattaching his labrum (as reported in this piece from Derek Wetmore of ESPN 1500). just getting back to a major league mound would be impressive. Shoulders are difficult.
Sunday, January 29, 2017
The Sunday Funnies
Early in his managerial career, Casey Stengel had a theatrical move he'd deploy when arguing with an umpire: He'd fall to the ground in a mock faint.
That ended when he tried it on veteran umpire Beans Reardon. Reardon watched Stengel collapse, then did the same.
Stengel, telling the story in years to come, recounted: "When I peeked over and saw Reardon on the ground, I knew I was licked."
That ended when he tried it on veteran umpire Beans Reardon. Reardon watched Stengel collapse, then did the same.
Stengel, telling the story in years to come, recounted: "When I peeked over and saw Reardon on the ground, I knew I was licked."
Saturday, January 28, 2017
End of an era
The Twins announced Friday that they have commissioned a Target Field statue of former manager Tom Kelly. This may be the grouch in me speaking, but someday they will have the plaza so cluttered with bronze sculptures that it will be impossible to get to the park.
More significant, truly, is another item about TK: He's not going to take part in spring training this year. He says his knees and Achilles were hurting last year, and he's pulling back. He was there last spring after recovering from a stroke, so the health issues are presumably mounting.
Kelly's 66 now, which seems astounding to those of us who remember when he was hired as the Twins manager in 1986. He was 35 then, and younger than three pitchers on his 1987 squad (Bert Blyleven, Joe Niekro and Steve Carlton). But time marches on.
I go to Fort Myers in even-numbered years, so I won't be there, but I know habitual attendees of camp will notice the absence of Kelly and his fungo bat. Major league side or minor league side, he's been an ever-present teacher and presence.
More significant, truly, is another item about TK: He's not going to take part in spring training this year. He says his knees and Achilles were hurting last year, and he's pulling back. He was there last spring after recovering from a stroke, so the health issues are presumably mounting.
Kelly's 66 now, which seems astounding to those of us who remember when he was hired as the Twins manager in 1986. He was 35 then, and younger than three pitchers on his 1987 squad (Bert Blyleven, Joe Niekro and Steve Carlton). But time marches on.
I go to Fort Myers in even-numbered years, so I won't be there, but I know habitual attendees of camp will notice the absence of Kelly and his fungo bat. Major league side or minor league side, he's been an ever-present teacher and presence.
Friday, January 27, 2017
Notes, quotes and comment
Most prominent news nugget tweeted out of the Diamond Awards ceremony held Thursday night by the Twin Cities chapter of the BBWAA: Rod Carew, who had a heart/kidney double transplant a bit more than a month ago, may be released from the hospital today.
I haven't any idea if Sir Rodney will be able to make his annual spring training gig this year. He wasn't supposed to last year and showed up anyway. Whether he gets to Fort Myers or not, his continued recovery is devoutly desired.
---
The Twins, as we know, have the first pick in next June's amateur draft. They also, as should be expected, have the largest draft pool, according to Baseball America: just under $13.5 million.
The new labor deal changes the draft pool formula, bringing teams closer together and reducing the amounts alloted to the top picks; this is expected to limit the incentive for teams to "tank" in search of maximum flexibility.
The Twins have the first, 35th and 37th overall picks.
I haven't any idea if Sir Rodney will be able to make his annual spring training gig this year. He wasn't supposed to last year and showed up anyway. Whether he gets to Fort Myers or not, his continued recovery is devoutly desired.
---
The Twins, as we know, have the first pick in next June's amateur draft. They also, as should be expected, have the largest draft pool, according to Baseball America: just under $13.5 million.
The new labor deal changes the draft pool formula, bringing teams closer together and reducing the amounts alloted to the top picks; this is expected to limit the incentive for teams to "tank" in search of maximum flexibility.
The Twins have the first, 35th and 37th overall picks.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Lots of unsigned players left
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports posted this piece last night: A 25-man roster of current veteran free agents, three weeks before camps open.
The collective WAR suggests that if one were to actually assemble this squad it would compile a record similar to that of the 2016 Twins. I doubt that would be the case, partly because there's no actual shortstop or centerfielder on his All-Unemployed team (although one could argue that there's no actual shortstop on the Twins roster either).
From my perspective, the most interesting names in this piece as possible additions for the Twins are the bullpen guys, and specifically David Hernandez, who had a couple of solid seasons for Arizona before an injury and Tommy John surgery.
I don't know that I'd want to shove Tyler Duffey or Trevor May aside for any of the free agent starting pitchers listed by Passan, and the best hitters on Passan's list are limited defensively to positions the Twins are well stocked at with younger players.
The collective WAR suggests that if one were to actually assemble this squad it would compile a record similar to that of the 2016 Twins. I doubt that would be the case, partly because there's no actual shortstop or centerfielder on his All-Unemployed team (although one could argue that there's no actual shortstop on the Twins roster either).
From my perspective, the most interesting names in this piece as possible additions for the Twins are the bullpen guys, and specifically David Hernandez, who had a couple of solid seasons for Arizona before an injury and Tommy John surgery.
I don't know that I'd want to shove Tyler Duffey or Trevor May aside for any of the free agent starting pitchers listed by Passan, and the best hitters on Passan's list are limited defensively to positions the Twins are well stocked at with younger players.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Kurt Suzuki finds a team
It took him until late January, but former Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki finally landed after weeks of floating in free agency.
The signing isn't yet official, but he has reportedly agreed to a $3 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. That would be a 50 percent pay cut from what he got the last two seasons with the Twins, and presumably comes with less playing time as well.
The Braves currently have three catchers on their 40-man roster, which is a faily high number -- and to the number of outfielders they have listed. It's a rather odd roster in that regard.
The signing isn't yet official, but he has reportedly agreed to a $3 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. That would be a 50 percent pay cut from what he got the last two seasons with the Twins, and presumably comes with less playing time as well.
The Braves currently have three catchers on their 40-man roster, which is a faily high number -- and to the number of outfielders they have listed. It's a rather odd roster in that regard.
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