Twins – Page 14 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Twins Unknowns for 2025 Move into Historical Territory

Posted on November 16, 2024November 16, 2024 by David Shama

This is a historical offseason for the Twins, one with questions and uncertainties at a level not seen since more than 20 years ago when it appeared the franchise could dissolve via MLB contraction.

The fanbase is justified in scrutinizing the Twins on multiple fronts. These include ownership, front office leadership, personnel on the field and home options for watching games.

That’s a lot and the fanbase has patrons who are either angry, puzzled or apathetic about the franchise’s status. There are also customers who are pretty much on board no matter what’s going on because, win or lose, they embrace the nostalgia, charm and experience of the “grand old game” when played in Target Field—one of baseball’s great ballparks.

The Pohlads, to the applause of some fans, are exploring selling the franchise the family has operated since 1984. What interest and quality of ownership can the Pohlads attract? A new owner is always a roll of the dice for fans.

New ownership comes with no guarantee that things will be better than in the past— or even as good. Nor is there any certainty the best interests of fans will be a priority.

It’s believed the Pohlads will ask more than the $1.7 billion agreed upon by new ownership for the Orioles earlier this year. That doesn’t mean the Pohlads won’t settle for less but there’s certainly a bottom figure the family is willing to accept. And fans should be prepared to have them own the franchise indefinitely.

The average fan isn’t losing any sleep over who the next owner will be, but diehards are restless about the quality of the club that takes the field next season. The Twins looked like a certainty to make the playoffs last summer but plunged late in the season to a 82-80 record.

There were too many players who faltered in August and September. Their performances, whether veterans or inexperienced, raise questions going into 2025 as to whether they can perform well enough to help turn the Twins into a postseason club.

The Twins’ present roster doesn’t look complete enough as it is. Minnesota likely needs starting pitching help in the fourth or fifth spots, or both. Right-handed hitting from corner outfielders will also have to come from either another team or within the farm system.

Those personnel decisions will still receive attention from Derek Falvey, but newly promoted Jeremy Zoll now takes a larger role as the general manager. His success is needed to help shape whether the Twins can contend for a Central Division title in 2025. Fans wonder how he will do and also why former GM Thad Levine is no longer with the club.

Falvey will not only continue to lead the baseball department but also will head business operations replacing Dave St. Peter as president in 2025 as part of a gradual transition. Falvey has been president of baseball operations since late 2016 and the Pohlads think he can do both jobs. He is well liked within the organization and is a collaborator. St. Peter will stick around indefinitely as a consultant and point man on the pending sale of the franchise.

One question that fans feel is already answered is the 2025 budget to pay players which reportedly will remain about $130 million. That figure was down from a reported $156 million budget in 2023, cut at least in part because of declining local TV revenue.

For 2025 MLB will be taking over production and distribution of Twins games. A source told Sports Headliners he didn’t know how much less revenue this will result in for the franchise, but described it as significantly less than in 2023 and further back.

Fans will have to figure out what’s best for them regarding how to watch the team. Games will be available via television and streaming. New cable and satellite channels will offer games in the Twins’ market area. At least some subscribers will need to pay more than when the 2024 season began.

Some fans couldn’t watch games on cable for a couple of months this past season because of a contract dispute between Comcast Xfinity and Bally Sports North.

Worth Noting

St. Peter, who announced this week he is transitioning from Twins president to an advisory role, is a Horatio Alger story. The University of North Dakota alum had a humble start in the Twin Cities including internships with the NHL North Stars and the Twins. He impressed Twins leaders early on, including when he managed the team’s pro shop in Richfield in 1991. Eleven years later he became the franchise’s fourth president.

St. Peter’s legacy includes his leadership in the drive to build Target Field, now recognized among the premier baseball stadiums in the country. Just his knowledge of stadiums seemingly positions him as a potential consultant to cities hoping to attract a MLB franchise.

The 7-6 Timberwolves are 4-1 when Anthony Edwards scores 30 or more points. He had 36 in last night’s overtime win against the Kings in Sacramento.

Gopher forward Parker Fox, now in his eighth season of college basketball, is worth a listen on Mondays in the 11 a.m. hour when he joins the Paul Allen program on KFNX-FM.

A Sports Headliners reader emailed to report that among those witnessing last Wednesday’s 14-point first half debacle by the basketball Gophers at Williams Arena was Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle. The Gophers, 2-1, lost 54-51 to North Texas, 3-0.

Jamal Mashburn Jr., who played one season for the Gophers and three at New Mexico, is in his final year of college eligibility at Temple where after four games the 6-2 guard is averaging 23.5 points per game.

The Minnesota Old Timers Hockey Association holds its annual November luncheon November 25 at Mancini’s Char House in St. Paul. Minneapolis native, former Gopher and ex-Red Wings player Reed Larson will be the speaker, with Dick Jonckowski the emcee.

Jonckowski, who turned 81 last month, no longer drives because of family concerns but gets rides from others and is still working events. Don’t bother to ask for the Polish Eagle’s email address, he’s never had a computer and doesn’t plan on buying one.

Erich Martens, executive director of the Minnesota State High School League, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game.” Martens talks about the MSHL providing a fun, fair and safe environment for all concerned including athletes and coaches. Co-hosts are Patrick Klinger and Dave Boden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tys0YUBHY&t=22s

Longtime professional wrestling fans were saddened to learn of Al DeRusha’s passing away at age 88 earlier this month. The Twin Cities native made a living behind and in front of TV cameras promoting shows for Verne Gagne (AWA) and Vince McMahon (WWF). A career highlight was DeRusha’s 2015 induction into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Carson Hansen, who was the A.P. Minnesota Player of the Year when he was at Lakeville South, leads the Iowa State Cyclones in both rushing yards, 495, and touchdowns, eight.

Chase Thompson, at 6-8 among the tallest quarterbacks in Minnesota prep history, is one of 10 finalists for the Mr. Football Award that will be announced December 15. The Alexandria athlete has committed to Clemson’s basketball program. He is the younger brother of former Gopher basketball player Treyton Thompson who is now at Stetson.

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Looks Like the Vikings Second Best Team in NFC, But…

Posted on November 7, 2024November 7, 2024 by David Shama

Going into week 10 of the NFL season, the surprising 6-2 Vikings are probably the second-best team in the National Football Conference.

The 7-1 Lions, who defeated the Vikings 31-29 last month in Minneapolis, are a landslide choice as the premier team in the conference. The Packers, 6-3, would certainly get the vote for No. 2 among cheeseheads while ignoring at least a couple of facts.

Quarterback Jordan Love is having an injury-hindered season impacting his performance. Second, the Vikings defeated the Packers, 31-29, in Green Bay earlier this season in a game where Love threw three interceptions.

Sam Darnold image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The surprising Commanders, 7-2, will get some “ballots” by east coast fans for No. 2 in the NFC. But Washington will live or die with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and has won four games by five points or fewer including a miracle ending 18-15 victory over the Bears. The Vikings have the edge over the Commanders, with an experienced quarterback in Sam Darnold, and better defense.

Minnesota starts a string of games beginning on Sunday playing opponents they should handle and pad their record against—going to 10-2, or at least 9-3. First up are the 2-7 Jags, followed by two more road opponents, the 2-6 Titans and the 4-4 Bears. Then on December 1 the Vikings are back home to play the 5-4 Cardinals.

All is well? Maybe, but what could go wrong is the kicking game. Rookie Will Reichard is on Injured Reserve and so is long snapper Andrew DePaola.

Four of the Vikings nine games have been decided by seven points or fewer. Miscues with snaps, field goals or extra points could result in close losses in coming weeks.

Not worried yet? Well, 2024 NFL games have fans reaching for Pepto Bismol. So far this is the most competitive NFL season ever. Seventy-five games have been decided by seven points or fewer and 65 by six points or fewer—both the most through Week 9 in league history.

New kicker John Parker Romo and long snapper Jake McQuaide will be scrutinized starting Sunday, with both knowing the bar is high in replacing Reichard and DePaola. Reichard didn’t miss a field goal until last Sunday night, going 14-14 in his first seven games and is perfect on extra points. DePaola is a former All-Pro and Pro Bowler in the last two years.

Romo, 27, has been with three other NFL teams but never played in an NFL game. In 2023 Romo made 17 of 19 field goals for the Brahmas of the XFL.

McQuaide, 36, is a 14-year veteran with 200 games of NFL experience. He was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2017 with the Rams.

In tight moments during the weeks ahead, go ahead and cross your fingers for the NFC’s second-best team.

Worth Noting

In case you forgot about the Jaguars, the last time they and the Vikings met was in December of 2020. The Vikings won in overtime in Minneapolis, 27-24.

Jags head coach Doug Pederson has a place in Minnesota football history. He was head man of the Eagles when blowing out the Vikings 38-17 in the January 2018 NFC championship game. Pederson, BTW, may have trouble holding his job in Jacksonville where prized QB Trevor Lawrence has struggled.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talking about his outstanding seventh year right tackle: “I think Brian O’Neill is having one of his best seasons I know that I’ve been a part of with him, and he’s been an established core player in this organization for a long time. But I cannot say enough about what he means to our offense and what he’s been able to do this year at the right tackle spot, playing some of the best football of his career for sure.”

NBC’s cameras caught J.J. McCarthy on the sideline of last Sunday’s Vikings-Colts game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The impromptu shot showed the injured rookie quarterback, with a stocking cap perched on his head, letting out a yawn during the late-night game.

The Timberwolves, coming off one of the winningest years in franchise history dating back to the beginning in 1989-1990, have sold over 11,000 season tickets for 2024-2025. In its announcement last month, the club said this is the first time reaching 11,000 since the inaugural season at Target Center in 1990. And the Wolves reported adding more new season tickets than any other NBA franchise.

It’s believed that the Wild has about 12.500 season tickets sold for 2024-2025, and renewed about 90 percent of past customers. Since the club’s inception in 2000-2001 yearly season ticket totals have been considerably higher. A source said there was a year that 16,500 were sold.

Julius Randle has 150 points, 45 rebounds and 33 assists in his first seven games with the 4-3 Timberwolves who play the Bulls in Chicago tonight. No other player in franchise history has totaled 150 points, 40+ rebounds and 30+ assists in their first seven games.

Darren Wolfson said on SKOR North the three legal authorities involved with the arbitration process to determine ownership control of the Timberwolves and Lynx are being paid $25,000 per day. The arbitration process between present owner Glen Taylor and the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group is this week in Minneapolis.

Credible speculation is the Davis family of Minnesota has interest in purchasing the Twins from the Pohlads. Marty Davis, a source said, would be a high profile and determined owner.

The Pohlads, who have owned the franchise since 1984, have long been criticized by fans for not spending enough money on player payroll. What’s generally not known by the public is they have been loyal and generous to employees over the years.

Eric Curry, the well-known Minneapolis area college basketball referee, will work the Maui Invitational in Hawaii that is scheduled November 25-27.

The Gopher football team that plays at Rutgers Saturday morning faces a Scarlet Knights group that after winning its first four games of the season has lost four in a row including a 42-7 beat down by the Badgers in Piscataway. The Gophers, 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, will try to win five consecutive games for the first time since 2019 when they began the season winning nine straight. Rutgers is 4-4 overall, 1-4 in league games.

The quarterback spotlight will be brighter than in most games, with former Minnesota starter Athan Kaliakmanis now at Rutgers matched up against his 2024 successor Max Brosmer. Kaliakmanis, in eight games, has completed 54.1 percent of his passes, with nine touchdown throws and five interceptions—a QB rating of 119.5. Brosmer, in nine games, has completed 68.2 percent of his passes, with 13 touchdown throws and four interceptions— 140.3 QB rating.

Rosters for the annual Minnesota High School All-Star Football game December 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium will be announced next Tuesday on Randy Shaver’s prep podcast (YouTube) and seen later in the day at http://www.allstarfootball.org.

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Vikes Get a Potential ‘Difference Maker’ Back With T.J. Return

Posted on October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 by David Shama

The Vikings, now with two consecutive losses after starting the season at 5-0, will get a potential boost in playmaking when tight end T.J. Hockenson makes his 2024 debut in the team’s next game—Sunday, November 3 at home against the Colts.

Hockenson hasn’t played since Christmas Eve of last year when he severely injured his knee with ACL and MCL tears. It’s been a long stretch of rehab and recovery after reconstructive surgery.

Anticipation was Hockenson might return last Sunday against the Lions or Thursday night for the Rams game. Unless something unusual happens, November 3 should see the return of the 27-year-old who prior to the season Pro Football Focus ranked as the fourth best tight end in the NFL.

T.J. Hockenson image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

An authority who was a front office leader with a couple of NFL teams emphasized the importance of having the sixth-year veteran on the field with his pass catching and running ability. “I think he might have been a difference maker (against the Lions),” he said. “(Sub) Johnny Mundt had a bad game. He had two holding penalties, had a dropped pass. Missed a block on a screen.

“He’s been an okay replacement for Hockenson as that kind of receiving tight end. … I think he (Hockenson) can take pressure off (wide receivers Justin) Jefferson and (Jordan) Addison, can open things up in the running game. He could be a difference-maker. “

Seven games into the season injuries complicate and compromise how the Vikings perform. Linebacker Blake Cashman has missed the last two games because of a toe injury. The authority, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cashman’s absence is significant while referring to the former Golden Gopher as having a “Pro Bowl caliber season” and being a player “that kind of controls the middle of the field.”

Cashman’s availability for the Colts is TBD, but not for star offensive left tackle Christian Darrisaw who suffered ACL and MCL tears in the Rams game and is out for the season. Replacement David Quessenberry struggled to keep pass rushers away from Viking QB Sam Darnold.

The season debut of Dalton Risner could help the offensive line outlook. Expected to be available for the Colts game after recovering from a back issue, Risner can play multiple positions on the offensive line. The same is true of starting left guard Blake Brandel whose career starts include time at left tackle.

Risner could slide into left guard while Brandel switches positions. Before Darrisaw’s injury it was thought Risner might provide competition for right guard Ed Ingram who has his critics. “He still has his struggles at times, but he is a pretty good run blocker,” the source said.

The Vikings coaches are likely sorting out multiple options for shuffling the o-line. Rookie Walter Rouse, a sixth-round selection, was impressive in the preseason and could move into the starting lineup. Possibly at right tackle with Brian O’Neill sliding over to fill Darrisaw’s spot?

The Vikings were talking about better execution after both the Lions and Ram games. Even with Darrisaw, and the team’s other potential Pro Bowl tackle, O’Neill, the offensive line has been part of the problem with its false starts and giving up sacks.

The Vikings, who didn’t give up 30 points in any of their first five games, have now lost games by scores of 31-29 and 30-20. Against the Rams, Minnesota had no sacks and few quarterback pressures.

Will GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah be shopping before the November 5 trade deadline? Looking for cornerback help, or offensive and defensive line additions. The Vikings don’t have much in future draft capital with only one first round and two fifth round picks for 2025.

A rumor with steam is the Vikings could trade for Dexter Lawrence II, the Giants’ defensive tackle who is among the best at his position in the NFL. The possibility enthralls Minnesota fans, but the source quoted here pours cold water on it. “Yeah, I think they’re dreaming.“

His reasoning? Yes, the 2-5 Giants are in free-fall and look to be rebuilding. But the club has Lawrence on a contract that reportedly has a value of about $22 million per year and getting rid of him would still leave the Giants responsible for “dead money”—meaning bonus money from the contract would go against the New York salary cap.

The source also sees Lawrence as “maybe their best player” and a rebuilding piece for the struggling franchise.

A more likely move to plug up holes in the defensive line could be a trade with the 1-6 Browns to bring back 6-3, 335-pound Dalvin Tomlinson. Now 30, Tomlinson was outstanding for the Vikings before signing with the Browns as a free agent in 2023 and might be available for a 2025 fifth round pick.

Worth Noting

Dallas Turner, before the season a favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year, is playing minimal snaps. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Turner is progressing in his development and “I think he’s going to make a big-time impact for us.”

The Big Ten’s reputation takes a hit in the preseason AP men’s college basketball national rankings. Despite expanding to 18 member schools, the league’s highest ranked team is Purdue at No. 4. Three other teams in the top 25 are: Indiana at 17, UCLA 22, and Rutgers 25.

Former Gopher Cam Christie, not unexpectedly, hasn’t played in the Clippers’ first two games. The 2024 NBA second round draft pick will be a developmental player just like former Gopher and Hopkins star Amir Coffey was, but now sees regular minutes for the Clippers. After two games Coffey is averaging 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Former Twins outfielder Brent Rooker ranked No. 5 in the majors last season with a barrel rate of 16.6 percent, per an Mlb.com story last week. Barrel is a slugging stat that measures exit velocity from a batted ball and launch angle.

Ahead of Rooker in percentage are four players in the World Series: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton.

Stew Thornley, the Minnesota-based author of many sports books, visited the grave of former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda in Whittier, California earlier this month. At one time Thornley had visited the graves of every baseball hall of famer. There are now about 10 that he hasn’t.

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