In St. Paul, Tom Powers noted the T'Wolves have "become a destination spot" for players. Powers: "It's also a shocking turn of events that I thought I'd never see." The team is among Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving's "four preferred destinations" for a trade. The face the T'Wolves have been "designated as a destination franchise for future free agents and/or disgruntled stars" is a "reputation that will be hard to shake." Powers: "Just like it was difficult to shake its reputation for being basketball purgatory." T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor, coach Tom Thibodeau and F Jimmy Butler deserve credit for "getting the ball rolling" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/12).
MONEY MATTERS: In Cleveland, Terry Pluto wrote it is admirable Indians Chair & CEO Paul Dolan gave the "green light for the Indians to add" RF Jay Bruce and $3.7M to the payroll. Team Vice Chair John Sherman also surely "played a role." The Indians' payroll "has climbed" to about $130M, "most in franchise history." Ownership is "putting the team in position to win big." The front office is "doing the same." Pluto: "Now, it's up to the players" (CLEVELAND.com, 8/13).
CALL TO ACTION: In Boston, Nick Cafardo noted Baseball HOFer Wade Boggs "thinks the ride from Tampa to St. Petersburg is simply too long for the average baseball fan, and he expects a big surge in attendance if the Rays build a stadium in Tampa." The 11,853 at Tropicana Field for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox was "disgraceful for a major league city" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/13).
