Joe C. is on the trip to Toronto and Detroit. When he gets to Motown, maybe he can find the radio guy who reported that a Twins-Seattlle deal for Cliff Lee was done and give him a wedgie. Or a swift kick.

Seriously, how many false starts will there be before Lee is moved anywhere - or not traded at all by the July 31 deadline? Actually, I might be onto something. Anyone who falsely reports a framework of a deal, or falsely claims a deal was done before someone was injured should either be tasered or forced to read Sid Hartman's unedited copy.

Look at all the speculation that's flying about NBA free agents. Does anyone really know what's going on - or at least tries to get multiple sources involved? This is when our profession is at its worst.

Back to one source reporting; I heard from a Twins source last night that no deal was close and everything at this point were just rumors. It's safe to assume that the Twins and Seattle will remain in contact this month.

There's a report that the Twins have offered Aaron Hicks and Wilson Ramos for Lee. A twitter report at that If I ever release news like that on twitter without backing it up with a story, I'd get killed by my bosses.

Anyway, Ramos and Hicks for Lee is waaaaaaaay more than the the Twins should give up for a half-season of Cliff Lee. Ramos should be enticing enough, with a lower tier prospect tacked on. And maybe the M's want to help Glen Perkins revive his career. Ramos. Decent prospect. Perkins. Let's call the league office.

Ramos, by the way, has been horrible lately at Class AAA Rochester, batting .083 over his last ten games to pull his batting average to .208. Heard he's putting on a show in batting practice, though.

Ramos isn't the only player having a rough time lately. Check out the story from their game last night, Ugh.

If you want to talk about Cliff Lee - or rant about the Twins - I'll be more than happy to listen as I fill in for Dan Cole today from Noon to 3 p.m. on KFAN. Subjects in addition to Twins/Lee: NBA free agency, Bob Probert and a little World Cup,

International notes: The Twins today are expected to sign Panamanian shortstop prospect Carlos Martinez, a teenager they really like. They already have signed Venezuelan lefty Reyson Zoquier, who can touch 90 to go with a curve and change. They remain in the hunt for Dominican outfielder Vicmal de la Cruz. It doesn't look like they'll get Domincan shortstop Esteilon Peguero, considered the top prospect down there.

Miguel Angel Sano and Jorge Polanco, two of the Twins big international signings last year, have arrived in Fort Myers. Fla. after playing in the Dominican Summer League and will see action for the Gulf Coast League Twins. Polcano went .250/.306/.281 in 19 games in the DSL. Sano, playing a lot a third, went .344/463/.547.