10 Minnesota Twins Players Who Will Let You Down in 2012

It’s almost spring, which only means one thing… spring training. Kids are counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report to Florida or Arizona. It’s the only time of year where everyone thinks their team has a shot at the World Series, no matter how irrational.

I’d love to be an irrational Twins fan and say Francisco Liriano is going to be the unanimous Cy Young Award winner, Trevor Plouffe will win a Gold Glove and Justin Morneau will win another MVP, but I’m not going to.

It’s a lot more fun to play devil’s advocate. I’m going to be the crazy Twins fan that says Liriano would be so much better in the bullpen, Plouffe should be stuck as a DH and maybe Morneau can play 75 games this year.

Maybe I’m just pessimistic. Maybe it’s what everyone is thinking, but doesn't want to say. All I hope is that this article doesn't disappoint you like the Twins players I’m about to list.

Matt Capps

He’s an easy target because he stunk last year. He blew nine saves last year. Granted that only would of brought the Twins’ losses to 90, but still. He only had 15 saves in all of 2011 after getting 16 with the Twins in 2010 when he only played in 27 games with the club.

Twins fans are used to high quality closers. Capps  doesn't look like he’s up to the caliber of Joe Nathan or Rick Aguilera or even Eddie Guardado. Don’t let your hopes get too high about Matt Capps, vote Glen Perkins!

Carl Pavano

Oh, Uncle Carl! You have done Twins fans no harm, but it can’t last forever can it? Pavano has been the Twins' ace for two-and-a-half years now. During that time Pavano has been impressive and without him it’s hard to even think about how dreadful the Twins pitching would be.

It’s become expected that Pavano will give the Twins a solid year, it has to end. It kills me to say it because Uncle Carl is one of the few that deserves to be back on the Twins roster, but I’m afraid Twins fans expect too much out of the man. He’s 36 years old. Minnesota’s used up all of our older player luck with Brett Favre and Jim Thome.

Justin Morneau

It’s hard to be more disappointed in Justin Morneau than Twins fans already are, but it could easily happen again in 2012. Morneau has been hurt for long periods for the last three years. 2009 he played in 135, 2010 he played in 81 and in 2011 Morneau played in 69 games.

Morneau has not just been bit by the injury bug, but I’m pretty sure the injury bugs have infested his home. Hopefully they don’t get to his 2006 AL MVP trophy, if he doesn't stay healthy that may be all he has left of his baseball career.

Joe Mauer

Everyone’s heard of the term ‘Minnesota nice’, well that even wore off for Twins fans on their own son Joe Mauer. Twins fans were so frustrated on how his team was performing audible boos could be heard from the seats of Target Field.

I don’t expect Joe Mauer to have an awful season, but it’s hard not to let anyone down with the huge contract he signed. Twins fans didn't want to lose Joe Mauer to a big market when they were winning, but it would be nice to lose that contract.

Joel Zumaya

The last time Joel Zumaya threw a big league pitch was at Target Field in 2010. The man’s been more beat up than Mike Tyson’s punching bag. It is simply amazing his right arm is still attached to his body. He’s had elbow, wrist, finger and shoulder problems.

He’s been hurt from Guitar Hero and from a box falling onto his shoulder, but he can throw over 100 MPH when healthy. The Twins took a very low risk in signing him with only $400,000 guaranteed. That gets bumped up to $800,000 if he makes the team out of spring training. He can make up to $1.8 million with incentives, but he’s always hurt. History shows that he’ll get hurt, but history didn't predict the Twins would lose 99 games last year.  

Francisco Liriano

If you wipe out one season of Liriano’s career, you really wonder why Liriano is still on this roster. He has potential, but potential is an ugly word. Speaking of ugly, Liriano’s lone bright spot last year was his no-hitter which may have been the ugliest in history

Liriano was an All-Star in 2006 and it looked like him and Johan Santana would be one of the best one-two punches baseball had ever seen, but then Liriano needed Tommy John surgery and Johan was traded to the New York Mets. Both have never really been the same. Liriano kind of rebounded in 2010, but that was gone by 2011. Twins fans still hold out hope the 2006 Liriano will return someday… don’t hold your breath.

Jamey Carroll

Here’s a guy who hasn't played for the Twins yet. Here’s a guy that in all honesty I’m not that familiar with, but here’s what I do know. The Twins haven’t had much success with shortstops or veterans. Jamey Carroll is both a shortstop and a veteran.

Maybe since the Twins went through the likes of Mike Lamb, Livan Hernandez, Ramon Ortiz and Tony Batista it maybe time the Twins found a solid veteran. On the other hand, he could just be another one to add to the list. No one can be worse than Tsuyoshi Nishioka, can they?

Josh Willingham

Josh Willingham is Michael Cuddyer’s replacement. Those are some very big shoes to fill. Willingham can’t play every position known to man and he can’t perform magic, he’ll never be Michael Cuddyer. Willingham does have bigger power numbers, so do you want power or do you want versatility?

Willingham will never be good enough if Twins fans compare him to Cuddyer, because not many are that much of a team player and versatile. Willingham could be a nice powerful corner outfielder though, it’s not right to judge anyone until you see them work. That being said Willingham is slated to play right, he’s only played 35 games there compared to 662 in left… maybe judgments can be made.

Jason Marquis

Hello Journeyman Veteran Pitcher,

Welcome to the Minnesota Twins organization. We are very glad to have you. We hope your transition from being in the National League your whole career will be an easy one. We’ll ignore your 4.55 lifetime ERA, because we think you’ll be a good fill in while our young pitchers develop into budding stars. We are glad to have you here.

Good Luck,

Jim Pohlad, Twins Owner

I assume the Twins keep a fill-in-the-blank letter laying around for when they sign veteran pitchers. Watch for this letter again next year.

Danny Valencia

I respect Ron Gardenhire. You have to be doing something right if you've had one Major League managerial job this long. Gardenhire isn't the biggest fan of Danny Valencia, that doesn't add up well for Valencia.

When your coach doesn't like you, it usually results in you not playing too much unless you prove you should be playing. I don’t think Danny Valencia will pull that off. Gardenhire will turn to the likes of Luke Hughes or maybe even Trevor Plouffe if Valencia falters.

In Conclusion

Will they all disappoint? I hope not.

Is it okay to be optimistic about this upcoming season? Of course it is.

Is there someone who won’t disappoint? Glen Perkins… maybe Luke Hughes (I’m not kidding).

It takes fewer muscles to smile than frown, but being a curmudgeon is a whole different ballgame.