(*) There are rumblings in baseball that some teams have deals in place with draft picks but aren’t announcing them, so as not to tip the scales for other teams. With the Twins and RHP Kyle Gibson, that certainly isn’t the case. The sides are more than $1 million apart, with the Twins apparently clinging to MLB’s slot recommendation, and Gibson threatening to return to Mizzou. With three days to the deadline, this has potential to end very badly for the Twins.

Note: In this interview with Twins Territory, Gibson was asked which current player he most resembles: He said, “Other than the difference in velocity, I feel I’m most like Justin Verlander. A tall, skinny guy who just allows his body to work with his arm.”

(*) A buddy texted me Thursday that the Twins needed to trade for a pitcher who can beat KC, too. That’s a reference to Carl Pavano being 4-0 with a 1.48 ERA against the Tigers, and 1-3 with a 7.98 ERA against the Royals. Maybe the Twins should just coax Bert Blyleven out of retirement. In 65 career starts against the Royals, Bert went 34-22 with a 2.56 ERA, including 29 complete games and seven shutouts. Twenty-nine complete games!

(*) Since I ran out of room in my notebook for this item Thursday, I’ll include it here: Nick Punto lives near PGA golfer Pat Perez in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has gotten to know John Daly, as well. On Wednesday, Punto and Joe Nathan followed Daly’s practice round at Hazeltine. Punto is a 2-handicap, so Daly let Punto hit his drive on No. 18. Nathan estimated a thousand people were crowded around the 18th tee, since this was the PGA Championship and Daly is a popular draw. That, of course, left only the narrow hitting lane. With the fans in peril, Punto responded with a drive just right of the fairway. “Most nervous I’ve ever been,” he said.

(*) Tonight, the Twins send Scott Baker to the mound opposite Cleveland’s Justin Masterson. Another series the Twins would have no business losing, but after dropping two of three to Cleveland and KC in the past 10 days, anything’s possible. Meanwhile, the Tigers play host to KC, with Jarrod Washburn pitching opposite Zack Greinke. That reminds me, the Twins are 4-5 against KC this year and have yet to face Greinke.

Note: Check back here later for tonight’s starting lineups.

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