Brattain's is a good piece as far as moving goes, but doesn't really address contraction.

It's true MLB does not want to lose the 14th-biggest TV market, but it's possible the money clubs save over time from NOT revenue-sharing with the Twins would outweigh that.

And then it opens up a city for future relocation threats - and leverage.

Exactly. But contraction is the last thing to which the players' union would agree. Contraction is always going to be the owners' opening volley in CBA talks. Then they can concede it to the players in exchange for salary cap issues.

Unfortunately, with the current CBA as I understand it (I remember reading a few articles) is that towards the end of the agreement--can't remember the exact timing--is that the commissioner can unilaterially contract. The procedure is fairly striking in how much power there is--the commissioner just announces that two teams will be contracted, and he doesn't even have to say which ones. The teams can be named later or the commissioner can play "hero" and "save" all teams.

As for the linked article about leverage...how losing the ability to legally force the Twins to play in the HHHDome gives the public/state MORE leverage is totally beyond me. Seems the team has put them in play if the commissioner goes ahead and says two teams will contract. TB, FLA, MIN, and OAK then gain much leverage...especially if there isn't a lease agreement in place. I'd think the commish will make that play, and the way to get off the 'contraction' list will be to agree to a new stadium. Possibly getting three or four new stadia out of the deal.

Well, here's hoping at least contraction (if not just the threat of it) doesn't come to pass.

"All we are saying...
Is give 'Tist' a chance..."

Does anyone know if Liriano is going to be in the rotation?

Dear Mr/Ms Head,

That all remains to be seen. There is one open spot in the rotation and Scott Baker and Young Master Francisco are certainly the leading candidates, though the latter can't be helping his case by skipping some of spring training for the WBC.

Helpfully,
BG

I believe with the current CBA the owners can contract starting April 1, 2006, but if so they have to announce it by July 1. I don't know if there's an indefinite window to decide on contractin between April and July; the shorter the window, the better for fans, I think, because I can't see the owners voting to contract the Twins while a stadium deal is still possibly in play at the Legislature.

how about we all call sid's close personal friend, tim from eagan, every day and tell him to get his act together and get a new ballpark for the twins, in mpls. we need to be in contact with our local politicans, and our state leaders.

Never mind all that; how about the latest with the man so many wanted to see in a Twins uni this year? How about the gratitude and appreciation to his former employer shown by our old buddy Frankie Thomas? Aren't y'all devastated that he ended up in Oakland? Boy, he would have been just the thing for fixing up a fractious clubhouse, eh? Boo hoo..

Can't say I like the Big Hurt's big bitching, but I look forward to catching some taters off his bat and knockin' a few back in the good ole Coliseum bleachers this year. SWEET!

You'd better get one of those taters early in the season...Mr. Furter will be on the DL by April 15, and you'll not see him again. Not until he feels slighted by Macha or something like that, at least - then he'll be in front of every microphone between Marin County and San Luis Obispo, whining and complaining and being a petulant baby. You can have him.

karl,

Took the words right out of my mouth. Especially with the Vikings making a big push for a stadium of their own, Twins fans need to be REALLY vocal. (See, I figure that since there's already a football stadium in Minnesota, the Vikes can wait. Just seems fair!)

Notwithstanding a little missed "team bonding" in spring training, I find it hard to believe that if young 'Cisco pitches well against the likes of A-Rod, Derrek Lee, Teixeira, Cabrera and Beltran in the WBC, his chances for a starting spot will be any worse than if he pitches well against other teams' no-name AAA and AA prospects over those same 2 weeks.

That said, I think the team is already pretty well decided on Baker as the #5 to start the year, so the question is probably moot. (Not that i wouldn't rather see Liriano in there, and, say, a certain door-o-phobic pitcher in the bullpen or on another team)

adidasman-
How right you are! And you even know your geography...