PHERSY:Hey Feldy, our co-worker (and I use that term loosely) Brett Boese doesn't like the term "rapid fire." So, let's call it a one-hitter column this week. ... So Feldy, this is something we talked about on the "Phersy and Feldy Show" (yeah, we're doing a podcast, so check it out at postbulletin.typepad.com/faceoff), but what are your thoughts on the Timberwolves asking for more than $150 million to renovate the Target Center. I'll hold my laughter until the end.
FELDY: The Wolves and the city of Minneapolis can't be serious here, can they? More than $150 million for Target Center? Do you think Glen Taylor realizes that the state of Target Center has nothing to do with fans showing up or not showing up? And exactly who would be up in arms if Target Center doesn't get renovated? The Timberwolves' fan? Is the team going to threaten to leave to L.A.? Good riddance. … Phersy, don't look now — I said DON'T LOOK! — but the Wild are in the top eight in the Western Conference. Nothing's gonna stop em now! Are they playoff bound?
PHERSY:The Western Conference is a mess right now, so it's tough to say. The Wild do seem to be playing better at times, but I have a hard time believing they're consistent enough to push for one of those final playoff spots. That said, there's such a huge lump of teams (basically eight teams within a few points of each other) right there in the hunt, anything could happen. They just need a hot streak at the right time. ... Speaking of inconsistent, Feldy your city boys hockey teams are up and down like a roller-coaster right now, beating some of the conference's best and then falling to the cellar-dwellers. What's up at Graham and the Rec Center?
FELDY: It's all about consistency. High school boys teams across the state have less than three weeks left to find some of it before they get into postseason play. All three of Rochester's Big Nine Conference teams are within striking distance of first place in the conference. And all three — forgive my coachspeak here — if they're playing together as a team, are capable of making a run to the section finals. … The Twins caravan stopped in Rochester on Monday. It's nice to think about pitchers and catchers reporting, a sure sign of spring coming. Phersy, what's the bigger concern: Middle infield or bullpen?
PHERSY:Whoa Feldy, I'm not ready for that question. It's been an odd offseason for me, and I haven't dissected the available free agents like I have in the past. That's partially because there aren't a great deal of elite free agents available, and my favorite baseball team rarely signs good free agents anyway. It seems they've re-signed some key pieces of the bullpen (and let some others go), and if Joe Nathan comes back healthy, I won't be concerned. So, I'll say middle infield. But who's out there worth signing, Feldy? Or should they be looking at a trade? And if you go that route, who can they afford to trade?
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FELDY: All of the guys they could have afforded to trade -- seemingly half of the bullpen -- left in free agency. And at this point of the offseason, the free agent pool is shallower than your favorite TV show, Phersy, "Jersey Shore." They'll have to roll with Casilla and Nishioka up the middle and we'll have to hold our breath. We shouldn't talk about this Twins team like it's the Royals or Pirates, though. Getting Justin Morneau back in the lineup (assuming his lingering concussion issues clear up) is better than any free agent they could add. The gap between the Twins and the White Sox will narrow considerably this season, but there's plenty of reasons to believe Target Field will be home to postseason games again.
