It's the All-Star break and I find myself looking at the Minnesota Twins, doing the typical midway analysis.
I keep feeling something is missing. I have spent a lot of time talking about what the Twins could do to improve their chances of overtaking the White Sox and winning the division this year.
It would be quite the feat to do so, considering the preseason message about how this team was “building toward 2010”, and the fact that the Twins continue to hit insanely well with runners in scoring position without getting most of those runs off the long ball, which seems to be a staple of offense for every other team in the league.
Moreover, this team continues to win in spite of the continued struggles of Delmon Young, the undisciplined approach of Carlos Gomez, and the disappointing year Michael Cuddyer has had thus far, both from a health standpoint and a production standpoint.
Plus, this team lost their set-up man for the year, forcing the rest of the bullpen to shift their roles and get used in situations they simply are not comfortable in. Matt Guerrier is not a set-up man, yet. Brian Bass probably should not be in the majors. Jessie Crain probably should not be called upon as much as he has been, as this is his first season after major shoulder surgery.
Oh yeah, and this team has a ridiculously patchwork “platoon” manning third base.
Yet, here they are, within spitting distance of first place in the division, and most recently won three of four games against the division rival Detroit Tigers. This comes after a three-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in Fenway.
The bounce back from that embarrassing series sweep might very well be a signal that this team is for real. However, the fact that they could not get a sweep of their own in the Detroit series, especially when they remained tied with the Tigers as they got into the fifth inning, shows that there are still things missing from this ballclub.
I believe this team must address their killer instinct in the second half if they wish to propel themselves into the postseason and make any kind of significant run.
So, Mr. Smith, GM of the Minnesota Twins, let’s have a seat here. I would like to discuss a few things with you, if you don’t mind.
You were with this team back in 2006, as an assistant GM under Terry Ryan. You watched this team make an improbable run to the playoffs, winning the division and earning a postseason berth against the Oakland A’s in the first round.
To some, getting Oakland in the first round might have been the better draw than to be in the wild card slot, taking on the Yankees.
Back then, however, some of us felt differently. This team thrived on being the underdog, the little team that could. Had they had the opening matchup against the juggernaut Yankees, I believe this team would have answered that challenge as yet another mountain to climb and would have won that series.
1 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew Kneeland 11 months ago
Excellent article! I look forward to your next pieces!
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