Well, here we are at Valentine's Day 2011. First, I would like to say that I hope you didn't get your special someone a vaccuum cleaner for the special day, because she will kick your ass if you did. Chocolates may be a bad thing too. Think about it. She might assume you want her to pork up...but if you don't get her chocolates she's suddenly fat. That folks is why I'm single...
(insert Ed Helms...) "Oh so that's why you're single? Good to knooow...."
Seriously, when I start thinking about it, today really isn't that bad. Crishadamania XXV is in two months from today. And more importantly, pitchers and catchers report in two short days for the cute and cuddly Minnesota Twins.
Awwww...what better team to talk about on such a loving Valentine's day than the Minnesota Twins. Besides, that's what the Yankees think of them. I think that when they play the Yankees, they sit in the clubhouse and say this...
Derek Jeter: Look at those Twins, they're so cute!
Alex Rodriguez: I know, that's cuter than Cameron Diaz shoving popcorn into my fat face!
Joe Girardi: I just think it's adorable how Ron over there says battle your tails off!
Complete with Girardi coming out to the meeting with the umpires and patting Gardy on the head saying "You're a cute little baseball team. Oh yes you are...YES...YOU...ARE!"
Ok, I gotta admit. I'm still bitter about what happened last October. It wasn't that the Twins lost in the first round, it was HOW they lost in the first round. If the Twins had manned up and pushed the Yankees to the brink (and a game 5 at Target Field), would we have such a bad taste in our mouth? But that's not what happened.
What happened was that after Michael Cuddyers bomb into the spruce trees in Game 1, the Twins bent over and took their beating. I think Jesse Crain might have said to Mark Texiera "Thank you sir, may I have another?" as he was rounding the bases after his Game 1 bomb.
Hunter Wendelstedt may have made a bad call in Game 2, but the Twins didn't say "Well, the ump doesn't want us to win? @#$% him!" They rolled over again.
And in Game 3...ohhh in Game 3, they just acted like a girl who just met Ben Roethlisberger in a public bathroom...
Yes, I'm still mad. But, that's the great thing about baseball. Like the new weather outside (45 degrees in February!!!), the new season always breathes new life and optimism in their fan bases. (Yes, even the Pirates and Royals fans too)
However, there are some concerns when it comes to the Twins.
First, and foremost, two of the three important building blocks are coming off of season-ending injuries. There's the obvious in Justin Morneau, who has taken quite a beating after sustaining a concussion July 7, 2010 in Toronto. Morneau's recovery has been slow, and frustrating as his brain has felt the wear and tear of playing hockey in Canada. But for the Twins to do anything, Morneau must be at 100%.
Here's a crazy stat for you. Justin Morneau debuted in 2003. Since then, the Twins have played in 15 playoff games. Morneau has played in three. If Morneau comes back with a vengeance, the Twins could win the Central, but if he doesn't...it could be another three and out or worse.
In the bullpen, Joe Nathan is coming back from Tommy John surgery, but as big of a deal it is for any pitcher to have TJS, it's a smaller risk for relievers.
First, Nathan's tear was complete. No fraying of the ends, and the ligament was in good shape. This wasn't a wear and tear deal where the ligament just blew out. This was just one pitch that cut the tendon in half. His elbow is presumably in good shape, and Nathan didn't even need to have the ligament replaced.
Second, Nathan was reportedly throwing at 91-92 mph in a bullpen session in Tennessee over the weekend. That's where he normally is when he comes into spring training. Another encouraging sign.
Third, John Smoltz and Billy Wagner are two recent success stories of TJS in the bullpen. Wagner was statistically the best closer in baseball last year and Smoltz was a former starter who went to the bullpen upon his return with the belief it would reduce the strain on his elbow and was LIGHTS OUT! (Smoltz eventually returned to the rotation several years later)
There's a little bit of concern with Nathan, but not too much. Yes, he's 36, but I think he'll return to being one of the top closers in baseball.
Which brings us to the rest of the bullpen. The Twins lost key cogs in Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain over the offseason, but really how big were those losses. Guerrier was a streaky reliever who made me want to launch my TV out a window on occasion, and Crain was known as the "Crain Wreck" before his stellar season last year which led to the Chicago White Sox overpaying him.
On a sidenote, I'm going to be drooling when they throw Crain into a tight situation against the Twins...just saying.
Many people have asked "who will step up?" Well, we don't know, but the Twins have fared well in this situation. When Eddie Guardado left, Joe Nathan stepped in. When the Twins needed some arms, waiver wire pickups like Tony Fiore, and Guerrier helped the pen improve. And, the Twins also have been known to call up arms from their farm system like Crain.
It's just something that happens in baseball, and the Twins have the personnel to overcome it. Pat Neshek (who is hopefully not a precursor of the Nathan situation) will be two years removed from Tommy John and has said he's felt better as time has continued. Matt Capps will be back for a second season as an insurance policy/set-up man for Nathan. The Twins hope they found a diamond in the rough in Jim Hoey as well as having many arms in the minors such as Carlos Guittierez, Anthony Slama, and Kyle Waldrop (along with a possible Kyle Gibson sighting?).
Finally, the middle infield situation is interesting. Can Alexei Casilla regain his 2008 form and be a consistent answer at shortstop? Or will we see the .206 average he put up in 2009 before being demoted and nearly cut by the Twins. The Twins wanted more speed and gap power, and Casilla could provide both.
But the real question here is how good is Tsyoshii Nishioka? He put up very solid numbers in Japan, but so did Akinori Iwamura, Kaz Matsui, and several other Japaneese imports. If Nishioka is any good, it could fill what has been a glaring hole at second base for the Twins since Chuck Knoblauch was successfully throwing to first back in the day. It just depends. Did the Twins get the next Ichiro or the Japaneese Nick Punto?
The Twins scare me a bit, but I think they'll compete for the AL Central division title. But the fans are starting to want more. It's all fun and games to get the manager of the year and the division championship banners, but the last time I checked, Boston or New York doesn't hang division championship flags all over the stadium. The players have to want it and we won't know anything until October comes around again.
TWINS PROJECTED LINEUP
1. CF Denard Span
Will look to rebound from sub-par '10 campaign.
2. 2B Tyoshii Nishioka
Could change depending on if Gardy wants speed at the top or bottom of the lineup.
3. C Joe Mauer
Once again, can Mauer recapture the power he displayed in '09 and can he stay healthy?
4. 1B Justin Morneau
Needs to be 100% for Twins to be successful
5. RF Michael Cuddyer
This spot in the lineup should belong to...
6. LF Delmon Young
Had a hot stretch in July that propelled his stats. Can he do it for a whole season?
7. DH Jason Kubel
The most overrated Twin. Cuddyer not far behind
8. 3B Danny Valencia
Was fantastic in the second half. Will he continue to show power?
9. SS Alexi Casilla
Well, it's not Nick Punto...
BENCH
DH Jim Thome
12 bombs shy of 600. Should be entertaining Twins storyline.
IF Matt Tolbert
Will replace Nick Punto. Big shoes to fill, indeed.
OF Jason Repko
Can play all three outfield positions. A quality find last year, but not an everyday player.
ROTATION
1. Carl Pavano
Twins got the 'stache back at a modest price. Now can Carl pitch like he has and stay healthy?
2. Francisco Liriano
Twins looking to deal the enigmatic lefty. Stay tuned.
3. Scott Baker
Scottie Whiplash already feeling tendinitis in his elbow. Nothing compared to his neck injury upcoming in June.
4. Kevin Slowey
Hampered by wrist injury last year. Can he return to solid '09 form?
5. Brian Duensing
Dominated AL Central, was OK against East and West.
BULLPEN
Nick Blackburn
Could be first in line if other pitchers falter.
Pat Neshek
If he regains pre-TJS form, could be great 7th inning guy
Glen Perkins
Last chance to impress at the major league level.
Jim Hoey
Struggles to throw strikes on occasion, but has a power arm the Twins like.
Matt Capps
7 million set up man. Will get chance to close if Nathan isn't ready
Joe Nathan
One year removed from TJS. Always scary.
ON THE HORIZON (Players who could make an impact)
SP Kyle Gibson
OF Ben Revere
SS Trevor Plouffe
IF Luke Hughes
RP Anthony Slama
RP Kyle Waldrop
RP Scott Diamond (Rule 5 pick; must be on major league roster for Twins to keep)
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