The 2010 Minnesota Twins, while having a great season with a 94-68 record, won their 6th American League Central Title since 2002.
The post-season struggles of the Twins have been well documented. The Twins will need to have another stellar season to stave off the reloaded Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers.
The Twins should have the following list of New Year’s Resolutions in order to get back to the playoffs, and wreak some havoc should they make it there.
Dec. 22, 2010
Twins ‘Cold’ During ‘Hot’ Season
by Andy Vanfossan
With 2010 coming to an end, now is a good time to look at the positives and negatives for the last month and a half of the free agent season.
Positives:
1) The first positive has nothing to do with any trade or free agent signing. It has to do with the health of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. The past two seasons, the Twins have been relatively quiet in the first couple weeks of the free agent signing period. The main “signings” had to do with getting two all-stars back and healthy for the upcoming year. This year is no exception. Morneau is expected to be on the field at spring training (after missing the last part of the 2010 season with post-concussion syndrome) along with his friend and all-star Joe Mauer (minor knee surgery). Having solid 3-4 hitters like this will rival the newly formed 3-4 hitters in Chicago (Dunn and Konerko) and in Detroit (Cabrera and Martinez).
2) Updating the speed. Tsuyoshi Nishioka should bring some speed and stability to the Twins’ infield in 2011. Coming off a career year in Japan, Nishioka is expected to fill in for the departed Orlando Hudson (Padres two-year contract) and possibly slide over to shortstop for JJ Hardy (trade with Balitmore). This does help the speed factor with Alexi Casilla getting another shot for full time middle infield duty. With the big hitters in Mauer, Morneau, Young, Cuddyer and Kubel, these two guys should score runs in bunches.
3) Standing pat. Sometimes the best moves are the moves that aren’t made. There had been talk of the Twins looking to sign Brandon Webb early in the signing period, but those rumors never came to be. Webb would be a pitcher the Twins could definitely use. When he’s healthy, he has a Cy Young award to his credit and is a ground ball pitcher which plays right into the dimensions of Target Field. Unfortunately, he’s coming off a shoulder injury and still isn’t 100%. With the starting rotation at least six deep (depending on the resigning of Carl Pavano and the possibly trade of Kevin Slowey), and the promotion of Kyle Gibson, the Twins are in a good situation with regards to their starting pitching.
Negatives
1) Bullpen help. I agree that giving Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier multi-year deals wasn’t in the Twins’ best interest, both in terms of longevity and finance (Crain 3 yrs-$13 million and Guerrier 4 years-$12 million), but they also have let Brian Fuentes and Jon Rauch test the free agent market. With the no strikeout/pitch to contact pitchers the Twins have from 2-5, the bullpen gets work almost nightly. Putting younger guys in like Anthony Slama, Alex Burnett, Jeff Manship and Pat Neshek to bridge the gap to Nathan or Capps is a tall order, especially for pitchers with little experience. The Twins have prided themselves on building from within and this off-season shows this same philosophy will be tested again.
2) Jim Thome. The Twins are optimistic that Jim Thome will return for a second season in Minnesota. As he was a January signing last year, history is showing this may be the case again. However, as the Twins wait for Thome’s decision, other solid DH type hitters are leaving the market. Hideki Matsui signed with the Oakland A’s (although the Twins were on his ‘no trade’ list) and Adam Dunn signed a long term deal with the White Sox. Both of these hitters are mostly DH players only, but so is Thome. Waiting on Thome potentially will leave the Twins with a bench of role players and no real game changers like Thome was last year.
3) Top of the rotation guy. Carl Pavano is the last big name pitcher on the market. But for all Pavano has done the past year and a half (innings pitched and wins), he still doesn’t strike a lot of people out. The Twins’ pitching philosophy is pitch to contact and limit walks. Pavano is perfect from this standpoint but come post season, you need the strikeout pitcher and Pavano isn’t that type of pitcher anymore. The Twins have a lot of Pavano clones in Baker, Duensing, Blackburn and Slowey, but nothing like Liriano, which is what the Twins desperately need, especially come post season.
4) Signing of Tsuyoshi Nishioka. As mentioned above, Gardy wanted more speed in the line-up. This seems to be an upgrade over the middle infield from 2010. However, for every Ichiro, Hideo Nomo and Hideki Matsui that has/had prospered in the major leagues, you have Hideki Okijama (one good season with the Red Sox), Kenshin Kawakami (Atlanta Braves 1-10 5.15 ERA), and Kaz Matsui (Astros, Rockies, Mets). Assuming the first year is a learning process for Nishioka, the Twins will still be in need of middle infield help. The non-tenure of Hudson and the trade of Hardy definitely puts all the middle infield eggs in one basket.
The promising news for Twins fans is that Smith was aggressive last year in January and towards the beginning of spring training with the signing of Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome. Lightning will need to strike twice to keep the Twins atop the AL Central again in 2011.
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As the Twins saw their postseason dreams come to a halt at the hands of the New York Yankees this past October, the team still had plenty to be proud of as they entered the offseason. The organization had brought baseball back outdoors in Minnesota for the first time in three decades, and saw a great deal of success in doing so.
The Twins were an American League best 53-28 at Target Field, removing any doubt as to whether or not the team would still have a home field advantage without the now deflated Teflon top that the Metrodome provided.
If there was one complaint about Target Field however, it was the lack of power that the team displayed within the confines of their home turf. As a team, the Twins only hit 52 home runs at Target Field in 2010, while hitting almost twice as many on the road. The team also struck out more than 100 times at home than on the road, a sign that the players were likely working on compensating for the dimensions of this pitcher friendly ball park.
On paper, the team has the capacity to put up great numbers and score many runs, but if the team doesn’t solve their power struggles and put some pop in their bats in 2011, they may find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.
In 2001, the Minnesota Twins (along with the Montreal Expos) were threatened to be contracted from Major League Baseball.
Take a look at where this team has come in the time since.
Rather than folding like a cheap suit, the Twins have risen back to becoming a potent catalyst in the sport in the last decade.
The 2010 season was a special year for the Twins, as highly anticipated Target Field opened for business.
The Twins took the division and ran away with it in September, winning 94 games and finishing six ahead of the hated White Sox.
Fans reached a seemingly all-time high in happiness, and merchandise and ticket sales were through the roof.
There are several factors on why they have been the team to beat in recent history, and why they will continue this trend in the 2011 season.
This might be shocking to some, but I don’t honestly see the Twins losing a step to the rest of the division by giving up some of their better-known players such as Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and J.J. Hardy (and possibly Carl Pavano, Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome, as well).
The offseason proceeding the 2011 season has been one of the most busy in recent history. Teams are shipping their superstars for up-and-coming prospects, and vice versa.
There has been no lack of signings in the AL Central, as even the Twins have acquired highly-touted Japanese shortstop Nishioka Tsuyoshi.
The Chicago White Sox perhaps made the largest move, acquiring slugger Adam Dunn from the Washington Nationals. They have also reached a deal with former Twin reliever Jesse Crain.
The Detroit Tigers signed catcher Victor Martinez, and in doing so acquired one of the most well-rounded at the position.
The Cleveland Indians have signed just about everybody that they needed to during this free agency period.
The Kansas City Royals have gotten rid of long-time outfielder David DeJesus and 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke just signed with the Brewers last night. On the flip side, they have agreed to two solid deals with former 26-year Atlanta Braves in Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur.
So why do I still believe in the Twins having a shot?
First Off, They Have the Best Farm System In All of Baseball
If you name a current Minnesota Twin, their is a decent chance that he came up with the team. Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, Danny Valencia, and Scott Baker are just a handful of many who have called the Twins organization home since their beginnings.
In all honesty, I could go all day naming players on other squads who called the Minnesota farm system home first. Johan Santana, Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, David Ortiz, Torii Hunter and A.J. Pierzynski are just a few current pros who highlight the many who were brought up by Ron Gardenhire’s club.
What does this have to do this year’s team though?
Easy; it just means that the Twins have a greater chance to develop players like Ben Revere and Brian Duensing into the major leaguers that they have aspired to be since they were toddlers.
This is of course based on the fact that new talent develops, and in Minnesota there isn’t much doubt that it will indeed happen.
Still want to argue with that “best farm system in all of baseball” comment? I didn’t think so.
Secondly, They Time and Time Again Destroy the Division Competition
The Minnesota Twins have dominated the American League Central Division in the last decade.
In that time they have had just one losing campaign, in 2007. In that same span the Royals have had nine, the Indians and Tigers with six apiece, and the White Sox two.
As previously stated, they have won six division titles: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010 (don’t forget that in 2008 the White Sox needed 163 games to eliminate Minnesota).
The White Sox and Indians each have a pair of titles in that same period, and the Tigers and Royals have been empty-handed (although the Tigers did have a World Series appearance in 2006).
The Twins have been more successful than most of the league in the last 10 years. They have won 888 games in this period, totalling more victories than the rest of their divisional foes: the White Sox had 850; the Indians put up 795; the Tigers totalled 731; and the lowly Royals have won just 662.
Why isn’t there a reason to believe they can win it in 2011?
The White Sox always seem to be better on paper than the Twins, but Minnesota always knows how to beat the White Sox, especially later in the season.
Finally, the Twins Play Their Best Baseball from July On
Year in and year out the Twins play their way seemingly out of the division race by May, only to rise up and defeat the competition in the final 90 games or so.
Whether they were pitching back-to-back-to-back complete game shutouts (as they did a few years back against the Royals), or sweeping the White Sox in September, I as a Twins fan expect a burst like that every year.
With the team developing players like no one else, beating the competition better than almost everyone, and playing flawless ball from July on, it seems no one in the division will stop the Minnesota Twins.
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With the 2010 MLB Winter Meetings heating up, everyone is waiting to find out whether the Yankees, Rangers or perhaps another suitor will win the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. No matter what team Lee ends up choosing, his decision is sure to set off a chain reaction in the baseball world, as Lee’s signing will be just one major move in what promises to be a busy winter.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke might be the second hottest topic this offseason, as the Royals seems poised to trade away their Cy Young award winning ace to the highest bidder. Teams that lose out on acquiring Cliff Lee via free agency will be forced to focus their pursuit on the services of Greinke.
The Cliff Lee saga may have passed for the Minnesota Twins this past July when they were unable to make a trade happen, but as we move towards 2011 Zack Greinke appears to be on the radar for Twins management. Given the disappointing finish to this past season and some uncertain circumstances heading into 2011, the Twins would be wise to do whatever possible to bring Greinke to Target Field.
Baseball’s winter meetings begin this week in Florida.
This can be a time when those hot stoves really get fired up.
Twins’ General Manager Bill Smith has needs to be addressed as the team heads into its second season at Target Field.
No longer playing small-market ball, the team’s payroll is projected to be around $102 to $120 million for the 2011 season.
If Minnesota is going to successfully defend the American League Central Title and make that step to the next level, then Smith will have to make some moves.
Here are 12 points to ponder as Twins’ fans look forward to the 2011 season.
The official start of winter may still be a little over two weeks away, but keep in mind that pitchers and catchers report in only 74 days!
While baseball is America’s Pastime, the game has extensive roots and deep tradition in the country to its north as well. The first documented evidence of baseball in Canada dates back to 1838 shortly after it became popular in the United States. As has been stereotyped, we Canadians are certainly very proud of our fellow compatriots in the game.
Today, the tradition lives on as in the past five years, two Canadians have won an MVP Award: Justin Morneau in 2006 (AL) and Joey Votto (NL) just recently. Larry Walker won the NL in 1997 and is perhaps the best Canadian batter in major league history, while Ferguson Jenkins is without question the greatest canuck pitcher ever.
Here is my compilation of the Ten Best Canadian Players in Baseball Today.
There have been many important days in Twins history. Oct. 25th, 1987 (first World Series victory), Oct. 27th, 1991 (second World Series), and June 5th, 2001 (drafting of Joe Mauer) spring to mind for many fans. But the absolute most important date had nothing to do with winning a world series or drafting a future hall of fame catcher. The day in question is July 3rd, 2000.
The franchise was at a crossroads. The Twins hadn’t had a winning season since 1992. In 1995 the hero of the franchise (Kirby Puckett) was forced into retirement after being struck in the jaw by an errant fastball, and subsequent glaucoma the following spring.
They had lost their only remaining true star, Chuck Knoblauch, after a trade to the Yankees following the 1997 season. The 1999 season saw the Twins finish in last place once again.
The Twins were sporting a $17 million dollar payroll, and the attendance barely topped one million for the season. Roughly 12,000 fans a game.
And on top of all this, Carl Pohlad was open to the idea of contraction. This would wipe the Twins franchise off the face of the earth, while putting about 150 million into Pohlad’s pocket.
This was all changed on July 3rd, 2000, when the previously stingy Twins extended Brad Radke’s contract. Radke signed for a then franchise record of four years and $36 million dollars. It was a vote of confidence for fans all over Twins territory, and signaled the change of culture which led to a decade of excellence.
If you look at where the Twins were to where they are today it is quite remarkable.
2000 Twins 69-93 – 1,000,760 fans – $17.5 Million dollar payroll – Played in Metrodome – Highest payed player at time was Radke making $3.5 Million dollars.
2010 Twins 94-68 – 3,223,640 fans – $97.5 Million dollar payroll – Played in newly opened Target Field – Highest payed player was Justin Morneau who made $15 Million.
This dramatic turn around has many reasons: The great drafts, home grown talent, good management, piranha’s, etc. But without the re-signing of Brad Radke a decade ago. Who knows what history may have been written for the Twins. Would there be that shiny new ballpark in downtown Minneapolis? Would there be six division title banners? Would there even be a Twins team? I can’t honestly answer that.
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Here lie your 2010 Minnesota Twins. April 5, 2010-October 9, 2010.
In a game that seemed inevitable, the Twins once again were swept out of the playoffs by the New York Yankees. This is the 12th straight home playoff loss for a franchise which used to flourish come October. The second longest such streak in history. Behind only the Boston Red Sox from 1980-1995 which lost 14 straight. I myself was at Target Field for both home games in the playoffs (and every playoff game since 2004). The atmosphere was great, and the crowd was optimistic for our chances against Derek Jeter and the hated Yanks. This was supposed to be our year. We were no longer the “little Twinks” who beat you with small ball and luck. We were a team sporting a new stadium, two MVP’s in the lineup and a former All-Star batting ninth. We had three, count them three closers in our bullpen with over 20 saves on the year. We had Jim Thome who hits baseballs farther then Happy Gilmore could hit a drive. We were primed for the postseason…
That’s until we got a look at those sexy pinstripes. As Christopher Walken so neatly put it in Catch Me if you Can: “Do you know why the Yankees always win the World Series? It’s because the other team can’t stop looking at the pinstripes.” And I think that’s what is happening here. The Twins were the best team in baseball since June turned over to July. Mauer had hit .379, Thome was putting dents in the flag pole in right field and the “Pavstache” was making girls drool all over the country. The Twins ran away from the White Sox and clinched the division earlier then any other team in baseball. And none of it made a difference once the Yankees showed up to Target Field last Wednesday.
Game 1 was the pivotal game here. Liriano was pitching great through five innings and had a 3-0 lead (thank you Michael Cuddyer). Then the wheels fell off. After giving up two runs already in the sixth, there were two men on for Curtis Granderson. Gardy decided to let Liriano pitch to Granderson. A triple later and the score was 4-3. I don’t blame Gardy to leave Liriano in at that point. Granderson was atrocious against lefties all season (to the tune of .234 on the season). Mijares could have come in and gotten him out, but I’m siding with Gardy on this one. Liriano is your best pitcher and best bet to get Granderson.
The game was lost in the next half inning however. The Twins loaded the bases and actually scored a run with a bases loaded walk. The next batter was retired, and the Twins left three men on base (a recurring theme in the three games). Of course, Crain comes in and leaves a hanging slider to Tex and the game is 6-4. Once No. 42 came trotting out the pen for the Yanks, game over.
Game 2 was a must win for the Twins. I wont spend much time on this because it is a week ago already. Pettitte was great. Berkman was great. Twins once again had no clutch hitting. And shockingly they lose 5-2. Ho hum. Better luck next year. Twins were not going to waltz into Yankee Stadium and win two games, then come home and win Game 5. And they didn’t. After a 6-1 loss to Phil Hughes, the season, which had such high hopes, was over.
Over the next week or so, I will go over what I think the Twins should do with their impending free agents, and who they might be able to acquire in free agency or through trades. This will be an interesting offseason, and the 2011 team will look quite different then the inaugural Target Field team.
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Well at least Joe Mauer, Jim Thome, and the rest of the Minnesota Twins will be well rested. They only needed to put in 27 innings of postseason baseball.
After the Twins clinched the AL Central division title on September 21, manager Ron Gardenhire put the team on cruise control allowing his regulars to rest and get healthy.
With another early exit to the Evil Empire known as the New York Yankees, Gardenhire’s strategy backfired, and now the manager of the year candidate may find himself on the hot seat.
Instead of having a well rested, finely tuned ball club that won the most games in the second half of the season, they entered the playoffs rusty, and ill prepared after losing eight of their last 11 games of the season.
Even having the home field advantage in pitcher-friendly confines of Target Field, where the Twins had the best home record in the American League, could not help them.
Yet once again the Twins have gone down to defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees in the divisional round of the playoffs. Gardenhires’ playoff record is 6-21, and 1-10 against New York.
In consolation they can point to the fact that they were not the victims of a no-hitter, and nearly beat Cy Young candidate CC Sabathia.
Mauer, the reigning AL MVP, was not a factor in the series going three for 12 with no runs scored and no RBI.
Delmon Young, who led the team with 112 runs batted in, did not drive in a single postseason run.
Only four Twins in the series had two hits in the same game.
The Twins who entered post season with the third best regular season batting average of .273, could only muster a .220 average against the Yankees, while New York hit a playoff best .292 in sweeping the Twins.
With a brand new stadium and the tenth highest payroll in baseball, the expectations this year were far greater than any other year in Gardenhire’s tenure as manager.
Winning the AL Central, the sixth title in his nine seasons, is no longer enough.
The Twins go into the off season with several questions and concerns.
Will Justin Morneau be able to return from the concussion he suffered in July, or like former Twins’ third baseman, Corey Koskie, never shake the effects and end up retiring?
Was the wear and tear of catching too much for Mauer and caused his poor performance in the ALDS?
Speculation around Mauer changing positions will resurface—in the event Morneau does not return, should Mauer be the Twins’ next first baseman?
Will general manager Bill Smith address the desperate lack of power this off season?
Can and should Smith sign Thome for next year, who led the Team with 25 home runs this season?
Yet, there are still some bright spots from 2010.
There’s hope for next year if 26-year-old Francisco Liriano, and 27-year-old Brian Duensing can continue to improve and develop into consistent starters.
Along with Carl Pavano, these three make a pretty good foundation to build a starting rotation, but one of them has to emerge as the clear ace of the staff.
Young had a breakout year, finally producing like many people expected. Only 24-years old, Young has the opportunity to be a cornerstone player along with Mauer.
The 2011 season will be a pivotal one for Gardenhire. The novelty of Target Field and the lure of outdoor baseball will still draw big crowds to the park, but anything short of making it to the World Series could spell the end of his reign as the Twins’ skipper.
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