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Well the Minnesota Twins year finally ended, and if your are like me you are kind of happy that it did. (Now don’t get me wrong I love watching the Twins play, but this year was truly a dissapointment). The Twins showed us they can not play fundamental baseball and not reel offer any kind of a streak, except ones involving making crappy pitchers look like Cy Young. Watching this team make it through the year was like watching a wounded animal on the side of the road; as you wished to yourself a truck would come by and quickly put the poor thing out of its misery. Instead, the Indians sweeped down and disemboweled the week and punchless Minnesota Twins. The offseason will prove challenging, and also will show us Twins fans if this ownership is really about winning and not the bottom line. It will be sad if Carl Pohlad lets Hunters walk and refuses to open the wallet just a little to improve the offense. Then Minnesota tax payers will truly feel robbed by a billionaire looking for another handout from average “Joe Blow.” Note to Zygi Wilf, if Carl decides to let his star players walk as the public finances a stadium; then you my friend will even have a harder time getting a public stadium as Minnesota sports fans and taxpayers become more and more skeptical of sports owners.

Now its time to break down this team and find out what went wrong and what went right. Was there anything that went right?

Ron Gardenhire: Before 2007, I always felt that Ron Gardenhire was an asset to the organization. This year Ron continually stood behind players that did not produce; while not allowing younger players to play and get experience. Gardenhire finally decided that Nick Punto was not the solution at third in July, but as Twins fans rejoiced Ron decided to rotate “Little Nicky” around the infield and start him almost every night. Then he benched Alexi Casilla and gave the second base job to Punto. After the Twins were out of contention Gardenhire continued to put the likes Punto, White, and L-Rod in the lineup while younger players should be getting time to prove themselves at the big league level. How do you know what Garrett Jones, Brian Buscher, Alexi Casilla, and company can do when they don’t play consistently? I don’t know but maybe Ron and Punto had some kind of weird relationship outside of the clubhouse because Tom Kelly would of never allowed a guy who could not hit get away with not being able to bunt. I’m starting to wish for the Tom Kelly days again when players were held responsible.

Torri Hunter: I can’t say enough good things about Torri Hunter this year. Hunter was a consistent hitter in an inconsistent offense. He was also the leader on and off the field. Hunter is truly the face of this organization and the Twins have to do whatever they can do to keep him in a Twins uniform. Imagine the offense without Hunter? Enough said!

Justin Morneau: Maybe the reigning MVP should of worn a dress the second half of the season. Morneau continually was beat on the outside corner and one thing I will not miss is watching him try to pull that pitch and hit a ground ball to second. I really don’t buy the home run derby excuse and Morneau needs to produce consistently for the Twins next year.

Michael Cuddyer: Cuddyer is a great defensive right fielder and is a leader on the team. Cuddyer needs to prove to be more consistent and hit left-handed pitching better and hit for more power.

Jason Bartlett: Bartlett needs to become a more consistent player. He boots too many easy balls and needs to concentrate better in the field. Bartlett’s offense improved in the second half, but like most of the Twins, he needs to be consistent.

Nick Punto: How the hell does this guy keep getting into the starting lineup. Punto is nothing more than a utility man, who should only be used for defensive purposes. Punto is a great defensive fielder, but if it wasn’t for that, Punto should be hitting at Midway Stadium. One piece of advice is LEARN HOW TO FREAKIN BUNT ASSHOLE. Even pitchers can bunt! Please, don’t let this man be the starting second baseman otherwise I might have to get another prescription of Prozac.

Jason Kubel: Needs to be more consistent and what a pleasant surprise in the second half. Maybe has found a home in the two slot, and maybe Kubel finally feels fully healthy.

Joe Mauer: Besides having a extreme case of Pussitis, which Joe just can’t cure. My recommendation is some Vagisil; I heard it works.

Jason Tyner: Tyner would not be a bad player on a team that had a little punch in the lineup. One of the many crappy Jasons of 2007.

Mike Redmond: Great backup catcher and really my favorite guy on the team. Every team would love to have a leader and gritty backup catcher like Redmond.

Alexi Casilla: I think Casilla’s volume level is turned to an eleven. The problem is this is not Spinal Tap and he needs to turn it down to a ten. Awesome talent and I wish Casilla would of been given more of an opportunity at the end of the year to grow into a major league second baseman.

L-Rod: How the hell does this ass clown continually get to take up a roster spot. Trade him to the Saints for the pig.

Lew Ford: God does Lew Ford make me sick. Not only does he look like a chicken with his head cut off on the basepaths, but he can’t hit a ball hard. Trade Lew Ford for a box or forks to some team in the Frontier League.

Brian Buscher: I really like Buscher as a hitter. To bad Gardenhire had a man crush on Punto and we didn’t get to see Buscher enough. What impressed me about Buscher was his patience at the plate. Hell, having a little pop in the lineup wouldn’t hurt either. I really hope Buscher puts his time in this offseason improving his defense because his bat could be a valuable addition.

Rondell White: Retire already! Man this guy is hurt so much that he makes Joe Mauer seem like a tough guy. RonDL White let me be the first to say good riddance and hope you don’t pull your hamstring out the door.

Garrett Jones: How about we give a guy with a little pop some consistent at bats. Maybe just maybe he might prove he could be a viable DH candidate, but NO we have to watch RonDL retirement tour sweep through the MLB.

Chris Heintz: Go back to triple AAA and don’t ever come back.

Josh Rabe: Don’t get hurt. Otherwise you might actually play on a team that can’t hit.

Tommy Watkins: Why did you have to get hurt? An average minor league player who showed these pussies how to hit major league pitching.

Matt LeCroy: Does anyone need someone on their softball team this spring?

Johan Santana: Sorry Santana but I have a feeling that your best years are behind you. Not to say the rest of the years will not be good, but I think the league has caught up to Johan. Sorry to say but I would not be opposed to trading Johan to the Yankees for Joba Chamberlain, Robinson Cano, and Melkey Cabrera. Twins might not get all three of these but the Twins should seriously look into fleecing an organization for hitting talent when pitching is such a strength of this organization. Plus, Santana’s bitching started to wear on me since he was also the one that was not on his best when the Twins needed him.

Carlos Silva: Enjoy free agency because an average pitcher like Silva will get payed well. Silva pitched o.k. this year and deserves a pay raise the Twins will not be able to afford.

Boof Bonser: The biggest disappointment in the pitching department was Bonser. Bonser proved to be horribly inconsistent and could not get past the fifth innning. I think Bonser would be best suited for the bullpen.

Scott Baker: Baker really emerged this year and showed that he is ready to become a consistent major league pitcher. Baker was a really bright spot this year, and when it came down to picking a pitcher to face the Indians or Detriot I would of chosen Baker over Santana anyday.

Matt Guerrier: I really liked Guerrier and his velocity increase was a suprise. Guerrier is an anchor in the bullpen, but unfortunately he was overused at times.

Matt Garza: Garza’s stuff is sick, and hopefully next year he can develop a little bit more command. Garza will be a top of rotation starter in the next two years.

Joe Nathan: I love Nathan but unfortunately the Twins will not be able to afford him after next year. Look for the Twins to move him this winter (that is why I wanted the Twins to trade Santana for Chamberlain). Nathan could fetch a legitimate hitter that the Twins desperately need. I hate to see the “Twitch” leave.

Pat Neshek: Way overused during the year and broke down. I hope the Twins will watch how they use him a little better next year. Neshek is a reliable and solid set up man.

Kevin Slowey: I really like Slowey. I think he took his lumps early but that was because there is an adjustment period to pitching in the bigs. I predict that Slowey will be one of the Twins top starters next year.

Juan Rincon: Will someone tell Juan that walking the first batter you face on four pitches is not acceptable. Juan needs to regain some sort of control otherwise his days as a set up man are done. Juan is pitched well in the past and it would be jumping the gun to unload him.

Denys Reyes: Another one of those walk machines. Reyes needs to get back to being aggressive and needs to stay healthy. My feeling is the Reyes was a one year wonder. Mexican league here I come.

Glen Perkins: Perkins health is always a question. Perkins could be a solid bullpen option and should stay in the pen.

Carmen Cali: Just plain sucks. Throw a damn strike.

Julio DePaula: Man this guy sucks. I was at the game in Chicago he gave up five in the ninth. Most embarrassing lose I have every witnessed. DePaula might be a good option for a batting practice pitcher, otherwise send him to the Devil Rays for a vacumm cleaner for the Metrodome.

Jesse Crain: I can’t believe I am about to type this but I miss Crain. Hopefully Crain can come back strong from arm surgery and regain some consistency.

Nick Blackburn: I love how aggressive Blackburn is. Blackburn could be a good option in the starting rotation. Unfortunately, we had to have the Carlos Silva farewell tour instead of watching Blackburn start.

Francisco Liriano: Liriano should come back strong from surgery. All indications is that Liriano is progressing and with the history of Tommy John surgery, Liriano should be a force again in 2008.

Peace,

WWTRD or maybe is should be WWBSD (What Would Bill Smith Do)

FIRE CHILDRESS

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