Outside Looking In
Farmer's Market
Jenny Buysse, who has coordinated the Minneota Farmer's Market the past few years is again getting things ready for this season.
This year's opener is set for Thursday, July 22, and will run from 5-7 p.m. every Thursday on the east parking lot at Veterans Park throughout the summer.
One thing Buysse is interested in adding to this year's Farmer's Market is to have volunteer entertainment. Anyone who would like to sing, play an instrument, perform magic tricks, or anything else that might entertain those in at the Farmer's Market or relaxing in the park can call Jenny at 507-828-7826.
The Farmer's Market has been getting bigger and better each year and since we are now allowed to spread our wings a little more than the past year, Buysse is hoping for even more vendors this year.
I have sold at the market a few times and it's a lot of fun to see all of the customers buying items such as fresh or canned vegetables, honey, canned goods, handmade items, baked goods, eggs, crafts, jewelry, cut flowers, home decor, Tastefully Simple and more.
While some Farmer's Markets charge vendors to set up their items for sale, this one is completely free of charge. Vendors can set up a stand or sell out of their vehicle any week they are available. No pre-registration is required. They are asked to bring their own tables and chairs, signs and money to give out for change.
An advertisement will appear in the Mascot before the first Farmer's Market will be held.
Three got away
The Minnesota Twins are desperate for pitching help, mired near the bottom in ERA in the majors. But had they not let three pitchers get away so easily without making an effort to retain them, the Twins would be having a much better season.
Lance Lynn, who pitched one season with the Twins in 2018, is currently 7-2 with a 1.23 51 with the Chicago White Sox as of Monday. He has walked only 20 batters and struck out 80.
When the Twins signed Lynn, he had just come off a 12-11 season with a 3.03 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals. With the Twins, he went 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA. The Twins traded him to the New York Yankees where he started regaining his form. Lynn went 22-14 in two seasons with the Texas Rangers before signing this season with the White Sox.
Kyle Gibson, whom the Derek Falvey/Thad Levine regime did not wish to re-sign, could sure use the rejuvenated right-hander back on the mound. He is currently 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA for the Texas Rangers as of Monday. He has 21 walks and 60 strikeouts.
Gibson never was an overpowering hurler with the Twins, compiling a 67-68 record in seven seasons. He then signed with the Rangers and posted a 2-6 record in the COVID-shortened 2020 season before finding his groove this season.
Veteran left-hander Rich Hill came to the Twins after going 27-14 in three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Injured most of last season, Hill still managed to go 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA. He signed this season with the Tampa Bay Rays and is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, while walking 23 and striking out 68.
Those three, along with Jose Berrios, Michael Pineda and a healthy Kenta Maeda would put the Twins near the top of the division instead of dwelling in the basement and looking up at the rebuilding Tigers. JA Happ could have spot-started or helped shore up the beleaguered bullpen.
Speaking of shoring up the bullpen, just think how much better the Twins' relief corps would be had they not traded away Ryan Pressley in 2018. Pressly was traded to the Houston Astros for two Class AA prospects who are currently with the team, relief pitcher Jorge Alcala and outfielder Gilberto Celestino.
While Alcala and Celestino are currently with the Twins, Pressly would have solidified the bullpen as a closer. Since leaving the Twins, the right-hander has struck out 160 batters in 124 innings, while walking only 27. His ERA with the Astros during his four seasons with them is 2.17.