First of all, we are now offering subscriptions to Minnesota Poker Magazine. $24 for a full year (12 issues). Just got off the phone with the guy who will be on our September cover… Fantastic interview. 24 years old, already a multi-millionaire.

This Brett Favre stuff has thrown my schedule for a loop in the days leading up to training camp. I was hoping to take in a few Twins games at the dome and play a ton of online poker before cutting off all communication while in Mankato, but Favre-a-palooza has kept that from happening. Thanks, Brett.

Speaking of the Twins, I know I’ve been super harsh on the front office lately for not being proactive. It’s obviously not personal. The guys I’ve had a chance to talk to in that front office are all good dudes with great baseball minds.

Even though the Twins have possibly the softest schedule of anyone in the American League going forward, I still believe they are going to crash and burn without bullpen help and an injection of “league average” to the middle infield. Hopefully Grudzielanek can provide that.

That said, Freddy Sanchez (if healthy) is worth more than the $6, $6.5, and $7 million HE OFFERED the Pirates, and he’s still young enough where he can hold the fort down at 2B. But would signing Sanchez to an extension hinder the chances of signing Joe Mauer longterm? Or would NOT TRADING to improve the club turn Mauer off?

Anyways, I need a shave. Go Twins. Fight the good fight.

Edit: Giants just acquired Freddy Sanchez for Tim Alderson, a solid AA pitcher with great control. Probably compares to a guy like Slowey. Understandable why Twins didn’t pull trigger, but still disappointing. They have similar pitchers.