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Twins should trim some fat
The baseball season is a long and winding road that never seems to end.
But finally, thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, this baseball year is about to reach its conclusion. Many stories abound about how wonderful our Minnesota Twins have performed in 2002. Every Twin fan knows the off-field issues including avoiding contraction, and the everlasting issue of whether the team will ever get out of the football stadium that they call home.
Now, the fans focus can strictly be on the team itself and how they will perform in this year’s playoffs. Questions now are about who will make up the starting rotation for the playoffs, and which position players will be included on the October roster. After all is said and done, 2002 will always be known as a successful season for the franchise. Win or lose, the Twins will have made the playoffs for the first time since 1991. That can only be looked upon in the future as the year the Twins came back from baseball anonymity.
That brings us to look at the team that will proudly wear the navy and red next season. Re-signing Soul Patrollers Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones should be the number one priority for General Manager Terry Ryan. Both are invaluable hitters to a team that doesn’t have a lot of power, and their glove work speaks for itself.
The next step for Ryan after that will be to lock up the second coming of Mark Grace, Doug Mientkiewicz. One of the team’s leaders, Mientkiewicz has had another banner year in the field, but his bat has quieted. Regardless, his skills at first base warrant a decent upgrade in pay.
With Cristian Guzman, A.J. Pierzynski, Corey Koskie, Luis Rivas, and right fielders Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr locked up, the rest of the lineup seems pretty set. But, Pierzynski, Rivas, Kielty, and Mohr will be making more after putting at least two years of service in. This means that the Twins payroll increases. This is where the Twins can pull off some nifty maneuvering to manage both their payroll and the talent on the field.
First of all, get rid of oft-injured and designated nothing David Ortiz. While he carried the Twins for a couple of weeks in July, his assets to the team are minimal. He is up for free agency, so passing on him would be in the Twins’ best interest.
Relying on Michael Cuddyer and Matthew LeCroy for DH duties next season will allow this talented two-some to get some playing time. And if the club doesn’t want Tom Prince back, LeCroy can always pull backup catching duties behind Pierzynski.
The only other move the team should make on the offensive side is getting a utility player who can actually hit and field (two very important aspects of a major league baseball player). Denny Hocking has long since worn out his welcome, and it’s time to let somebody else show what they can do. This may put Cuddyer in the spotlight. Already able to play third and first base, as well as right field, Cuddyer could be thrust into the role. The Twins could also use their valuable farm system to replace the chipped-tooth Hocking.
The pitching staff makes up for most of team’s payroll, and a lot of these hurlers will be around for a while. Joe Mays, Eric Milton, Rick Reed, Johan Santana, and Kyle Lohse all are set. So is Brad Radke, but here’s another cost-cutting move that would be frugal. Trade Rad Brad for whatever you can get. The most overrated pitcher in recent memory, the right-hander hasn’t had a decent season since 1997 when he won 20 games.
This will allow Santana and Lohse to develop in the rotation even more.
The bullpen looks to be the same with Everyday Eddie, J.C. Romero, Mike Jackson, LaTroy Hawkins, and Tony Fiore making up the key components. Bob Wells and Jack Cressend shouldn’t be allowed to return under any circumstances. Signing a veteran reliever or letting someone from the minors have a shot is the best option here.
The 2003 Minnesota Twins will have a higher payroll thanks in part to higher revenue sharing and the luxury tax placed on over-spenders, but the time has come for the team to shell out a winner. Otherwise we’re back to the days of Stahoviak, Walbeck and Meares.
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