For fans of Minnesota sports, it's been an eventful few days, The NFL off-season is about to begin, Spring Training is upon us, and The Wild are still (barely) in the playoff hunt. 

Wild Extend Manny Fernandez 3 Years, 13 Million. 

In the Largest contract in franchise history, the Wild have finally shown a commitment to putting a winning product on the ice.  The Wild's motto has been to stick to the plan, and not splurge on free agents.  But this left many fans wondering if this would be something similar to the Twins plan (which basically was letting players go when they would command a huge salary).  Fernandez has been an anchor for the Wild, posting a 2.2 goals against average and a 23-11 record (splitting time with Dwayne Roloson).    This payday is well deserved, In 5 seasons as the Wild's goalie his worst GAA has been 3.05.  In the Wild's only playoff experience in 2002-03, Manny posted a 1.96 GAA.

I'm really encouraged by this signing, The Wild are only 7 points out of the 8th slot in the western conference, and despite being the last placed team in their division, The Wild could still challenge for the playoffs.  Gaborik is going to have to catch fire for the Wild to have a shot, and Brian Rolston must keep up his impressive play that has earned him (IMO) NHL's biggest surprise of the 2005-06 season. 

Vikings Re-Sign Safety Willie Offord

While the terms of the contract were not disclosed, his agent did say that the terms of the contract is incentive-laden and has several escalators.  Offord has shown flashes of Brilliance in his time as a Viking, and showed signs of finally putting it together before he tore a ligament, ending his 2005 campaign.  This signing also affects Corey Chavous, also a free agent, he will likely be let go unless he offers to play for peanuts.  The Vikings are looking to get a little younger at the position, and still might go after a safety in the draft if the right player is available.  Offord would be a solid compliment to the play-making safety Darren Sharper. 

Offord has been a special teams warrior, and before his injury was named captain of the squad.  He was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft in 2002, and has been quite a disappointment lately, but I believe this year will be his break-out year and i believe that he will be named the starter for the 2006 season. 

Spring Training Notes

- Gabe White hangs it up, "I just laid awake all night last night, staring at the TV," the 34-year-old White said. "Physically and mentally, it's just time to move on. Just time to let somebody else do it."( http://www.startribune.com/509/story/283306.html ) 
White was a candidate to replace J.C. Romero as the Bullpen's lone lefty, The Twins are also facing the possibility of going lefty-less if Reyes and May can't step it up. 

- Johan Santana and Carlos Silva each pitched two scoreless innings in their final performance before they represent their home country of Venezuela (a dark-horse to win it all) in the WBC.  Each Struck out 3 batters, and Santana showed his ability to get out of jams getting outs after falling behind in counts. 

- Brad Radke gave up yet another first inning HR.  BUT it he was only throwing his fastball while still getting ready for the season.  Brad Radke is good for a first inning HR in about 1 of every 2 starts, and to solve this problem, we should use one of our relievers for the first inning, and bring in Radke in the second. 

- Minnesota native Glenn Perkins impresses coaches in Ft. Meyers.  In a 9-1 loss, Perkins pitched 2 scoreless innings, and struck out 3 (I'm finding a pattern here...).  Now, please don't draft Perkins in your fantasy league, even in a keeper league it may be a year premature, but it's an encouraging performance and shows just how deep the Twins pitching really is in the minors. 

- Throw J.D. Durbin into the washed up category.  Durbin has missed his chance to become a Twins starter.  With the development of 98 MPH flamethrower Liriano, Scott Baker, and Glenn Perkins, Durbin has missed the boat.  The Twins should try to cut their losses and get something for this kid, but i don't think that any teams want a 24 year old "prospect." 

- Fransisco Liriano will start for the Minnesota Twins this season.  He is the odds-on favorite to win the role of #5 in the Twins rotation, and will join virtual locks, Santana, Silva, Radke and Lohse in the Twin Cities this year.  Baker will get his chance if Lohse has his annual implosion this year.