Reporting Update

The Strib is reporting that Ramon Ortiz is the only player not to report to camp on time, due to a visa issue. Such situations are by no means unusual for international players, but I've always wondered - when you know you have to report by such-and-such a date, and when these issues are always resolved within a couple of days, why don't players go out of their way to make sure that they get the visa on time? I would be incredibly frustrated if I were a GM.

There is also talk that the Twins and Justin Morneau will continue to negotiate this spring on a long-term deal. While I would be very happy to see a deal done, I don't expect it to happen. Unless Morneau agrees to a bit of an "uncertainty discount," or the Twins just give in to his demands, I don't see the basis for an agreement. Morneau has had one great, MVP-caliber year that was proceeded by disappointing years. While I certainly hope that he continues to produce at his 2006 level, that's not guaranteed. Of course, the game theory involved in this is that the uncertainty cuts both ways, and the Twins might want to get a deal done specifically because Morneau would get much more expensive if he had another great year. It's a tough call, but I trust Terry - and I hope a deal gets done.