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Inside the resurgence of the Twins + Dissecting the Wild in free agency and lamenting U.S. Soccer Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the Wild's signing of forward Yakov Trenin to a four-year, $14 million deal on the opening day of free agency Monday. He's the type of solid player that doesn't move the needle in terms of excitement, but he will help the Wild. The problem is Minnesota doesn't have enough money to spend to shore up other critical areas of need. Plus Rand notes the Wolves' new deal for big man Luka Garza.

10:00: Bobby Nightengale from the Star Tribune Twins beat joins the show after a 6-3 road trip that saw the Twins continue to settle into an extended stretch of good play. Of particular note: Dominant performances from Byron Buxton and Pablo Lopez.

33:00: A disappointing Copa American for the U.S. should mean the end for coach Gregg Berhalter.

Patrick Reusse on the emerging Twins, strong drafts, gymnastics and a couple of rants Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another good showing from the Twins. They won all three series during a 6-3 road trip and look very little like the team that struggled at the beginning of the season. As we turn the calendar to July, are we ready to say the Twins are good?

Plus Reusse and Rand weigh in on the NBA and NHL drafts. The Wolves and Wild achieved the improbable when they both made first-round picks that fans and pundits agreed were among the best in their respective leagues. But both will likely be sitting out free agency.

And they wrapped up the U.S. gymnastics trials, while Reusse found a couple things to rant about.

Sarah McLellan on the NHL draft, big Wild offseason; Timberwolves are redefining new NBA era Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

Host Michael Rand starts with a recap of the NBA draft. Even though the Wolves ended up making a series of roster-clearing and salary-dumping moves Thursday and didn't use a second-round pick, they were the big winners this week. By getting two likely immediate rotation players in Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., they not only helped themselves but also re-imagined how teams will build rosters under the new collective bargaining agreement. Plus Rand has thoughts on the Twins and Lynx.

9:00: Star Tribune Wild writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand to preview the NHL draft and to look ahead to an interesting series of decisions for the Wild. They don't have much payroll flexibility, but they must improve after a disappointing result last year.

31:00: Team USA came unglued against Panama.

Special Delivery! Wolves' Luka Garza and Minneapolis Henry's Mark 'Dolo' Harris from All-Metro Sports Awards Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

In this bonus edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand catches up with two honored guests from this week's Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards.

First up is Timberwolves big man Luka Garza, who shared wisdom about basketball and life (plus of course Caitlin Clark) in an on-stage Q&A with Rand during the award show.

Plus Rand had a chance to have an extended conversation with Mark "Dolo" Harris, who was honored with the Difference Maker award at the ceremony.

A huge trade and big swing for Timberwolves; Get ready for four days of big-time gymnastics Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down a huge night at the NBA draft for the Timberwolves, who dealt away their 2031 first round pick to obtain the No. 8 pick Wednesday. They used that to take Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, then later chose Terrence Shannon Jr. at No. 27. It was a big swing for both the present and the future.

10:00: Jeff Day and Naila-Jean Meyers from the Star Tribune join Rand ahead of four huge days of gymnastics at Target Center. The U.S. women's and men's Olympic teams will be decided after the U.S. trials, with the biggest names in the sport competing in Minneapolis.

41:00: A nice win for the Twins and a big debut set for Thursday.

Point guard of the future for Timberwolves? + Huge win for Lynx and tough times for Loons, Twins Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who took a 94-89 win over New York in the title game of the Commissioner's Cup. Though the victory doesn't count in the standings, it was the seventh in a row for the Lynx. Players pocketed $30,000 each for the victory, and the Lynx served notice about their place in the league. Plus Rand gets into another frustrating Twins loss and a bad stretch for Minnesota United.

9:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand ahead of the NBA draft, a two-night affair that starts Wednesday. The Wolves have picks No. 27 and 37. Can they nab their point guard of the future with what they have to work with?

31:00: Two giants of Minnesota hockey are headed to the Hall of Fame.

Big payroll questions for the Wolves and Wild; What Chris Finch's contract extension means Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the 14 coaches in Timberwolves history and has a hard time complaining much about current coach Chris Finch, who just signed an extension Monday that will keep him in Minnesota for the next four seasons. It's a coaching list filled with forgettable seasons. Finch, on the other hand, has built something very good here.

7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a look at the payroll questions facing the Wolves and Wild as well as what both teams might do in their respective drafts this week. Plus a dissection of the Twins near the midpoint of their season.

35:00: Florida denies Edmonton's chance at history.

Patrick Reusse on the Twins, flooded ballparks and a unique Williams Arena solution Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

After a week off, the podcast returns with host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse catching up on all they missed.

They start with the Twins, who Reusse boldly says are better than they were a year ago even if we haven't figured them out yet. More starting pitching depth and quality will be a key to unlocking their true potential this season.

From there, it is quite a journey from flooded ballparks to gymnastics to big spending in college athletics to Reusse's radical solution for the aging Williams Arena. Plus a little NBA and NHL draft talk as well.

Marcus Fuller on Gophers men's basketball and NBA draft; Twins' best players are delivering Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who won again Thursday with a familiar recent formula. Carlos Correa has been on fire at the plate, and he delivered three more hits in a 6-2 win over Oakland. Joe Ryan, the Twins' best starting pitcher all season, added seven strong innings. The Twins need that from their elite players, and they have been delivering lately. Plus Rand gets into the Falcons' penalty for tampering with Kirk Cousins and Trevor Lawrence's big new deal.

8:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about another offseason with a lot of roster turnover. Can a senior-heavy team filled with holdovers and newcomers find chemistry quickly next season? Plus Fuller has thoughts on new college sports rules and the NBA draft.

36:00: Rand implores the Wolves to pick a rotation-ready player in the draft.

What roster upgrades would help Twins the most? + Should Wolves make dramatic moves like Boston? Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand wonders if Boston, which just took a 3-0 NBA Finals lead on Dallas with a road win Wednesday, could be the model for the Timberwolves to follow. The Celtics had a very good roster last year, but they shook things up with two big trades that have them on the cusp of a title. Does Minnesota need a similar approach this offseason after reaching the Western Conference finals?

7:00: Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a look at the Twins, who had a 17-run outburst against Colorado in a win on Wednesday. They've been stuck in a cycle of up and down this year, mostly based on their competition. As the summer rolls along and they start considering what it might take to win in the playoffs, what spots need to be shored up the most?

30:00: Aaron Rodgers just doesn't want to be there.

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